There’s nothing as joyous as bringing a new puppy home. The scampering paws, the delicious puppy smell and heaps of cuddles to enjoy - you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.
While it’s a delightful occasion, it’s also one to take very seriously. Puppies require proper care to ensure growth and development in their early years. Acquiring the right puppy food for your new furry best friend is a box that must be ticked before bringing them home.
For first-time dog owners, this will be totally new territory. There seems to be an endless array of pet food brands on the market and knowing where to start is a challenge. It goes without saying that it’s not as straightforward as simply giving your dog a bone. Your pup needs nosh packed full of nutrients to suit its personal needs.
Like babies, puppies depend on humans for all their basic needs such as feeding. According to the Blue Cross: “Puppies should leave their mothers when around eight weeks old. Feed the diet they are used to at first, and introduce any new food gradually, but always use a food suitable for the puppy’s breed and size. Several small meals are better than fewer large ones. Always make sure fresh water is available. Never give milk. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when feeding, and do not allow your puppy to become fat – obesity is a problem for dogs just as much as for humans.”
All of this is necessary advice. But what brand of food should you be selecting for your new family member?
Slightly unhelpfully, there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. The team at Hearts & Hounds say: “When choosing a dog food, it depends on the dog as some have sensitive stomachs. We’d recommend grain-free options for sensitive stomachs and the more nutritional value the better. Keep it as natural as possible. Raw food is also good. Feeding routines depend on the dog’s body weight, but we’d typically suggest feeding them three or four times a day.”
The team from Portobello Pet Shop agree: “We’d recommend Canagans and Lily’s Kitchen. You preferably want to choose a grain-free food - and these two don’t contain grain.” They also added: “It depends on the puppy, but you probably want to ween them off puppy food from around six to eight weeks old.”
Additional help regarding feeding times and amounts can be found on the product label. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) emphasises this point, adding: “Pet owners should remember that feeding directions are guidelines that may need revising based on a particular animal’s activities and condition. If an animal is gaining or losing weight, it is either getting too much or too little food and its intake should be adjusted accordingly.”
Quantity aside, the food must contain a balanced blend of nutrients, protein, fat, carbohydrates and calcium to encourage skeletal development, optimal growth and immune system strength.
What's the difference between puppy food and adult dog food?
Puppies grow at an exponential rate, which means that they need more nutrients and calories than adult dogs without overwhelming their small stomachs. According to Purina, puppy food tends to have higher levels of protein and fat which support growth, as well as nutrients like DHA which is an omega fatty acid found in mother’s milk. Once your puppy grows up, they don’t need as many calories.
Take the guesswork out of feeding your pup and discover the best puppy foods below.
Shop now
Lily's Kitchen Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food
- Ages: All life stages
Lily’s Kitchen is recommended by both Portobello Pet Shop and Hearts & Hounds. The popular brand can be found in supermarkets and is packed full of goodness.
The natural food is brimming with freshly prepared meat and offal, with ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin to help support growing joints. Organic botanical herbs also feature, in addition to organs, vegetables and fruit all saturated with nutrients.
Buy now £16.76, Amazon
Butternut Box
- Ages: All life stages
Butternut Box has worked alongside leading veterinary nutritionists to ensure its meals are carefully crafted to be suitable for dogs of all life stages, which is why you won't see labels such as 'puppy', 'adult' or 'senior' on the food.
The brand is a subscription service. Simply fill in your dog’s details and let the brand work out the correct grub for your pal. As your puppy gets older and their weight changes, let Butterbox know and it will adjust the portion size to make sure your pet is getting the correct amount of calories.
Prices vary per order.
Buy now, Butternut Box
Canagan Puppy Food
- Ages: All life stages
Go grain-free with Canagan. The brand’s puppy food is specially formulated with prebiotics for gut health, healthy omega-3 fatty acids, DHA for brain development and added joint care. Supports growing puppies from weaning to adulthood and ply them with nutritious, enriching food to see them through the early years.
Buy now £32.19, Amazon
Royal Canin Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food
- Ages: 2-10 months
You’ll probably recognise Royal Canin from your weekly supermarket shops. The popular brand helps to build puppies' natural defences and satisfies even the fussiest of eaters (here’s looking at you dachshunds). Smaller-sized kibble is easier for pups to break down and digest, meaning tummy aches are kept at bay. Dehydrated poultry meat, maize flour, maize, dehydrated beef and pork proteins feature.
Buy now £11.21, Amazon
Wainwright's Dry Puppy Food
- Ages: 2-18 months
Suitable for puppies aged two to eighteen months, Wainwright's Dry Puppy Food offers a tasty nibble that’s gentle on the stomach. An affordable pick for your purse and your pup, the food has been specially formulated to give your canine friend the best start in life. This recipe is made in the UK and promises a hypoallergenic, easy-to-digest formulation.
Buy now £10.99, Pets at Home
Forthglade Salmon Grain Free Cold Pressed Natural Dry Dog Food
- Ages: 2 months and up
Available to shop via a one-off purchase or subscription, Forthglade’s grain-free salmon feast is the latest recipe in the brand’s Cold Pressed range. It’s great for pup gut health and even better for pooches with poultry allergies. It’s solely made from natural products, with no cheap ingredients to cause food to swell. With added vitamins, minerals, fruit and botanicals, this dry dog food is bursting with everything your dog deserves.
Buy now £12.31, Amazon
Edgard & Cooper Dry Puppy Food
- Ages: All life stages
Salmon for dinner? No pup could refuse. Edgard & Cooper’s dry puppy food is grain and gluten-free, plus it's packed with quality and tasty protein. Your dog can enjoy delicious flavours of fresh Atlantic salmon and free-run turkey which are paired with prebiotics for sensitive stomachs. It's also brimming with omega-3 and omega-6 which help maintain a soft and shiny coat - not to mention antioxidants, potassium, iron and beta-carotene for a well-rounded health hit.
Buy now £47.49, Amazon
Nourish Grain Free Chicken with Turkey, Salmon, Sweet Potato & Carrots Dry Puppy Food
- Age range: weaning to 12 months
Nourish’s Grain Free Chicken is paired with an array of ingredients and lovingly cooked to perfection from a recipe containing no wheat, beef, pork or dairy products.
Perfect for laid-back, active and working dogs, the food contains a blend of delicious protein and vegetables to help your pup grow. Growth is further aided by the inclusion of amino acids, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulphate and MSM which help with bone and cartilage development.
Buy now £36.95, Nourish
Verdict
With the backing of experts and five-star reviews across the board, Lily’s Kitchen gets our vote. However, we have also been impressed by Butternut Box, which provides excellent products and customer service.
