The best puppy food

Dogs under the age of 1 year need special nutrition, with a high content of proteins and other nutrients. We are talking about both dry and about wet mixtures containing meat, vegetables and other natural ingredients. We analyzed the offers of various companies and, based on their usefulness, taste, cost, included in this rating the best food for puppies in the budget, medium and premium price segment.

Which puppy food is better to choose

Companies from Europe and America received the greatest confidence from buyers and the most positive reviews. Chinese and domestic brands of puppy food sometimes neglect the standards and sometimes there are lots of low quality products on the market.

Here are the TOP 7 puppy food manufacturers:

• Perfect fit Is a trademark owned by the Mars corporation that produces pet food at factories in Russia and Germany. The company offers rich composition of economy and premium food for pets. The mixtures of the firm support normal immunity, improve digestion, skin and coat condition, and restore the urinary system.
• Acana Is a Canadian company that produces dry food for dogs and cats. The company was founded in 1990 and since then has been appreciated for the consistently high quality of products and balanced composition. The company's products belong to the super premium class. Also The brand's feeds are popular in the world due to the use of first-class ingredients, all components of the composition are grown in natural conditions on organic farms.
• Royal canin - a company from France, which is now owned by the Mars corporation and has been at the forefront of the healthy pet food market for 50 years. The range includes food for adult dogs and puppies. All formulations are inexpensive and high in protein.
• Brit care Is a Czech manufacturer of premium food for puppies and kittens. The high quality of the products is confirmed by the compliance with ISO standards. The formulations do not contain GMO ingredients, soy and other low-quality components.
• Purina Is an Italian company with a history of almost 120 years. The brand is owned by Nestle, and the coordination headquarters is located in the United States. The manufacturer's compositions are in high demand due to their affordable cost.
• Dog chow Is an American brand owned by Purina. The company's food is made taking into account the age characteristics of the dogs. The range of the company includes formulations for the entire life span of pets, which support normal digestion and improve the appearance of the animal.
• Bosch Tiernahrung Is a German company producing super premium feed with over 35 years of experience. The production has a plant for processing fresh meat, certified according to the international class IFS. All components of the formulations are environmentally friendly, and the raw materials are obtained from meat of animals raised without the use of harmful additives.

Best wet dog food

Rating of the best food for puppies

To determine which food is best to feed puppies of different breeds, we analyzed the compositions of popular manufacturers according to the following characteristics:

• Concentration of proteins of animal origin;
• The quality of meat and offal in the composition;
• Type of meat products: fresh, dehydrated or dry;
• Informativeness of the composition and compliance of the description with reality;
• Percentage of useless cereals;
• Concentration of harmful additives;
• The percentage of vitamin and mineral components and the total composition.

Feedback from owners of dogs of various breeds and reviews of food from practicing veterinarians came to help during the compilation of the rating. We also took into account the balance of price and quality of food.

Best dry dog ​​food

The best food for small breed puppies

It is necessary to feed small breed dogs (Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, Spitz, etc.) with formulations that can provide the body with a supply of energy. Due to the accelerated metabolism in small dogs, food should be satisfying and moderately high in calories. Based on the composition analysis, we have identified the 2 best mixes for small breed puppies.

Perfect Fit with Chicken

This is an economy-class food for additional nutrition for pets, but for the main one this option is not the most suitable due to the lack of natural meat in the composition, replaced by poultry dry protein at a concentration of 20%. However, it was this fact that led to the low cost of the product. With constant feeding of the puppy with such a composition, its development may slow down, which is why it is additionally recommended to give the dog meat, vegetables and vitamins.

Advantages

• Affordable price - about 150 rubles. per package of 500 g;
• Puppies love this food;
• Not hard to find in stores;
• Subject to the basic rules of product storage, the shelf life is 545 days;
• Not a bad calorie content - 403 kcal / 100 g.

disadvantages

• Many ballast grains: corn, wheat, sugar beet pulp;
• The composition contains flavors;
• Low concentration of proteins (their source is not written).

In the affordable segment, “Perfect Fit with Chicken” is a good food, but it is not suitable for daily consumption, except in combination with natural food and vitamins.

Acana Heritage

This option is the best food for a Yorkie, Spitz and other small breeds puppy, has a grain-free composition and a high concentration of animal components - 60-75%. It contains only raw, fresh and dehydrated ingredients of natural origin, no flavors. With herbal, vegetable and fruit supplements, the blend meets the protein, vitamin and mineral needs of pets.

To improve digestive function, timely development of puppies and healthy hair, the composition contains prebiotic bacteria, fiber and fatty acids. But this relatively safe and healthy food costs about 1300 rubles. for 2 kg, and the presence of 5 sources of proteins increases the risk of food allergies, so it is worth giving the mixture with caution for the first time.

Advantages

• Grain-free composition;
• Promotes health;
• Can be used as main food;
• 5 different meat ingredients, 3 of which rank first in the composition;
• Fully covers the nutritional needs of dogs.

disadvantages

• As a side dish, legumes are used, which cause a tendency to gas formation;
• High price, but reasonable.

For full feeding of Yorkies, Chihuahuas and other small breeds of puppies it is better to use "Acana Heritage". The composition contains everything necessary for the comprehensive development of the body of pets.

Best food for medium breed puppies

In the first year of life, puppies of medium breeds do not grow too intensively compared to larger pets. Dogs are quite active and well trained, so the feed should have a high energy value and a large percentage of useful additives. The requirements for protein components are lower than those of large breeds, but higher than those of small breeds. From a large list of good mixes based on feedback analysis, we have included 3 options.

Royal Canin Medium Puppy

It is a complete dry food for medium breed puppies during their first year of life. Thanks to the natural proteins in the composition, it ensures healthy digestion, and prebiotics, FOS and MOS normalize the intestinal microflora.The mixture contains 32% protein, 20% fat and 8% mineral components, which contribute to the normal development of the animal. Due to the low percentage of meat, it is recommended to additionally introduce it into the diet.

Advantages

• I.P. proteins processed for maximum absorption;
• Sufficient concentration of calcium and phosphorus;
• Supports healthy digestion;
• Normal combination of price and quality;
• High energy value.

disadvantages

• A significant number of ballast grains;
• Insufficient protein content for consistent feeding.

Royal Canin Medium Puppy is an inexpensive 32% protein formulation from dehydrated poultry and pork. However, the composition contains not so useful corn and beet pulp.

Brit Premium by Nature with chicken

This budget complete set is one of the best dry food for medium breed puppies. Thanks to the presence of 50% chicken (30% dehydrated and 20% boneless meat), it contributes to the optimal development of muscle tissue and the skeleton of the pet. For joint health, the manufacturer added natural chondroprotectors to the feed, which are well absorbed and contribute to the strength of bones and teeth. It has everything you need to maintain a healthy metabolism. This is a natural product that is close in composition to the natural diet of carnivores.

Advantages

• 50% chicken meat;
• The composition contains useful herbs and fruits;
• Convenient zip lock for storing feed;
• The price is about 3000 rubles. over 15 kg;
• Natural ingredients.

disadvantages

• A significant part of the composition is occupied by cereals: oats, wheat and corn;
• Not all puppies enjoy the taste;
• Relatively pungent odor.

Brit Premium by Nature with Chicken is ideal for the balanced nutrition of medium breed puppies. It has everything for the healthy development and well-being of pets.

Purina Pro Plan Optidigest lamb with rice

This food is suitable for dogs with sensitive digestion. Due to the presence of prebiotics in the composition, it is well absorbed and improves the balance of the intestinal microflora. The plus of nutrition is the availability of high quality lamb protein, which is dietary and suitable for all dogs. However, due to the high cost of such a component, its concentration is only 19%. To increase the amount of proteins, lower quality raw materials are used - dry protein from poultry meat. Due to the addition of corn and dry beet pulp, the price of the mixture is quite low.

Advantages

• Vitamins and antioxidants in the composition;
• Healthy lamb meat;
• Easy to digest;
• Often suitable for dogs with food allergies;
• Reasonable cost - about 3700 rubles. for 12 kg.

disadvantages

• Lean composition;
• There are many cereals that only give a feeling of fullness

Since Purina Pro Plan Optidigest with lamb and rice contains only 19% meat, the manufacturer had to go for a trick and add flavoring and aromatic ingredients.

The best food for large breed puppies

Large breed dogs have a significant protein requirement for muscle and bone development. Dog food manufacturers should take this into account, as dogs gain most of their weight in the first year of life. To understand what food is best for puppies, dogs that weigh more than 25 kg in adulthood, expert reviews were analyzed. As a result, in given the rating category includes several mix options.

Dog Chow with Turkey

This is an economy class food for large breed puppies that consume a lot of energy, as indicated by 47% of whole grains in the composition. The mixture includes a small percentage of proteins, only 8% - turkey and another 8% - processed products. Because of this, the composition is not suitable for constant feeding; it will be necessary to add meat products and vitamin complexes to the diet. The positive features of this option are the high concentration of vitamin E, which is useful for maintaining the immune system, and prebiotics for better absorption of food.

Advantages

• No harmful flavors, preservatives or colorants;
• Can be used to feed dogs during pregnancy and lactation;
• Quite good vitamin and mineral complex;
• Affordable pricing policy - about 3000 rubles. over 14 kg;
• Long shelf life - 540 days.

disadvantages

• Low percentage of meat and offal;
• Almost half (47%) of the feed is cereals.

For puppies, Dog Chow Turkey is best fed moist so it is better absorbed.

Bosch Junior

This is a complete premium class complex for large breed puppies. It does not contain wheat, a marginal filler, but it contains high protein concentrations. The composition contains at least 20% fresh poultry meat, and the total protein content is at least 24%. Barley, rice and maize are used as appetite suppressants. Massive dogs are often deficient in nutrients as they grow. The manufacturer took this feature into account by introducing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate into the composition to form healthy cartilaginous tissues. Bosch Junior has the minimum necessary for the correct and balanced growth of large breed puppies.

The main advantage of the composition: the optimal concentration of protein is up to 24% with an average fat content of 12%, which helps to gain healthy weight gradually, since too rapid development would lead to joint damage. Moreover, the food complex additionally nourishes the cartilage tissue. I, as a practicing veterinarian, recommend this food to my charges.

Advantages

• Promotes the harmonious development of the puppy;
• Optimal granule size;
• Does not contain wheat;
• Has a beneficial effect on cartilage and bone tissue;
• Dogs rarely refuse food;
• High concentration of omega-3 fatty acid.

disadvantages

• Not easy to find on sale.

Bosch Junior is the best food for large breed puppies, which has everything you need for constant nutrition. Healthy complementary foods are recommended but not required.

What is the best puppy food to buy?

It is important to select food according to the weight, breed and age of the dog. Small puppies need maximum energy and protein. Medium-sized pets are relatively high in protein and carbohydrates. Large dogs need the least amount of protein to gradually gain weight.

Here are some tips for choosing:

• If you are looking for the best dry food for Chihuahua, Spitz, York and French Bulldog puppies, it is recommended to opt for the balanced premium formula of Acana Heritage.
• As a budget food for occasional feeding of small breed puppies, you should buy Perfect Fit with chicken.
• For those looking for an inexpensive and balanced formula for feeding Pit Bull, Cocker Spaniel, English Bulldog and other medium breed puppies, the Royal Canin Medium Puppy should be considered.
• For quality feeding of actively growing puppies, it is recommended to use Brit Premium by Nature with chicken.
• Owners of puppies of all medium breeds with sensitive digestion will not be wrong to purchase Purina Pro Plan Optidigest lamb with rice.
• Dog Chow with turkey can be used as an inexpensive food for German Shepherd, Labrador, and other large dogs, but you should definitely include protein foods.
• Sheepdogs, mastiffs, St. Bernards, Alabai and other large breed puppies are best fed with the Bosch Junior complex.

When choosing the best food for small breed puppies, then first of all you need to look at the composition. The less grains and the more meat it contains, the more efficient the nutrition will be.