The Best Puppy Food in 2022

Our list of the 15 best dog foods for puppies gives you an indication of the best foods that are available. However, to choose the one that is right for your growing puppy, you also need to know more about why these foods are the best, what ingredients should be in puppy food, and exactly what the nutritional needs of puppies are. In this section of the buying guide, we look at each of these elements and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the best dog food for puppies.

When looking for the best food for your puppy, you want a food that is balanced and complete. This means it provides everything that your growing puppy needs to stay healthy and develop to their full potential. Here are 10 ingredients that any balanced and complete food should include if it is to be among the best puppy foods that are available.

• Meat

The main ingredient in your puppy food should be protein from a named meat source. Good meat protein sources include beef, chicken, rabbit, venison, and fish. Egg protein is also a good source of protein, but it shouldn’t be the primary source.

• Meat meal

Meal is not the same as by-product. It is simply ground up and dried meat. As long as a single source is given for the meal, then it is a beneficial addition to the food.

• Grains and carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide energy for your growing puppy and good quality whole grains can aid with digestion. While some foods are completely grain free, it is only lower quality grains such as wheat, corn, and soy that you really want to avoid. Oats, barley, rice, and peas can all be beneficial to your puppy. Find out more about grain free dog food here.

• Vegetables

These are beneficial as they provide a host of vitamins and minerals that puppies need in the modern environment.

• Fruits

While like vegetables they are unlikely to have formed a large part of your dog’s wild evolutionary diet they are beneficial sources of fiber and antioxidants.

• Fats

Your dog needs the right fats to help with digestion and to support proper cell function. High quality fats, such as named fish oils, chicken fat, and olive oil also help your dog absorb certain vitamins and help keep their coat shiny and healthy.

• Vitamins 

These help with immune system processes, as well as digestive and metabolic processes. They also help keep the blood cells and nerves healthy. Vitamins A and E should always be present, as should a range of B vitamins including biotin, riboflavin, thiamin, and beta-carotene. Head over to our review of dog vitamins for more options.

• Minerals and nutrients

There are several minerals that are important to your puppy’s heath, including calcium, manganese, iron, zinc, and potassium. L Carnitine is also useful as it helps transport fatty acids and supports cellular energy production. DL-Methionine is one of the 10-plus essential amino acids that your dog requires.

• Preservatives

Natural preservative help keep your dog’s food fresh and ensure that it maintains its levels of nutrients.

• Water

Dogs need to stay hydrated, so moisture is a vital ingredient in their food. However, they should also always have a source of fresh, clean drinking water available, especially if you feed them dry dog food.

You may also like our article on Dog Water Fountains.

As well as checking for the foods you do want to see in puppy food, it is important to check for foods that you don’t want to see. Most of the foods you don’t want to see in puppy food fall under the categories of artificial or chemical additives, fillers, or by-products. While most need to be avoided for the health and wellbeing of your puppy, some are best avoided for the health of the planet and the welfare of the animals that are the source of the protein in your puppy’s food. The main foods that you don’t want to see your puppy food are listed below.

• BHA/BHT

These are chemical preservatives that are banned in some countries. The level of harm is still being debated, but there are healthier alternatives and natural preservatives available.

• White flour

This has no nutritional value and is a simple carbohydrate that can cause spikes and sudden drops in blood sugar. Over time it can lead to obesity and canine diabetes. Whole grain foods or even grain free foods are healthier alternatives.

• Non-specific meat 

If your food is labelled simply with meat it should be avoided as it could quite literally contain anything that was once alive. Such concoctions require extensive heat treatments to make them safe, which kills most of the nutrients that may have existed. Always look for named meats whose origins can be traced to source.

• Artificial colors

These can affect the biochemical processes of the body and have been linked to hyperactivity. They have no nutritional value and are only used to improve the look of the food.

• MSG

This is a flavor enhancer that is used because it is cheaper than using high-quality and more tasty ingredients. One of the problems with checking for MSG is that it does not have to be specified on pet food labels. However, it often forms a part of other ingredients that are listed, such as: guaylate or disodium inosinate, glutanic acid or glutamate, monopotassium glutamate, calcium caseinate, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extracts, sodium caseinate, soy concentrate or extracts, autolyzed yeast, natural flavors, texturized protein, protein isolate, and hydrolyzed protein.

• Gluten

There is some controversy as to whether gluten should form part of your dog’s diet, as it would not have formed a substantial part of their evolutionary diet. What is certain is that if your dog has an intolerance to gluten or is showing signs of a potential intolerance or allergy, then it is best avoided.

• Corn syrup

As well as causing spikes and drops in blood sugar, corn syrup is highly addictive, meaning the more your puppy has the more they will want. Ideally you want your puppy to avoid all sugars and high-quality dog foods do not need sugar as they use quality ingredients that provide all the taste your dog needs.

• Farmed salmon

Salmon is a healthy addition to your dog’s diet, but farmed salmon can include harmful toxins. It can include PCBs, mercury, and other fat-soluble toxins that can be harmful. It is always best to specifically check for wild salmon on the ingredients.

For more options head over to our guide on Salmon Oil For Dogs.

• Sugar substitutes

Xylitol can make your puppy very poorly causing issues including seizures and liver failure. Other sugar substitutes can have a similar effect to natural sugars and should also be avoided.

• Nitrates 

These are preservatives that are often found in prepared meats, such as bacon, ham, and sausages. Sodium nitrate can be toxic in high doses, so it is best avoided completely.

• Soy 

This can be difficult to pets to digest and can cause gas and bloating. It is often included as a filler because it is cheap. However, it is also a common allergen, so is best avoided.

• STPP (Sodium Tripolyphosphate) 

STPP is another preservative, it is often found in detergents and is used for softening water. It is also recognized as a rodenticide, insecticide, and fungicide, so not something you want your puppy ingesting.

• Rendered fat

This ingredient should be treated with the same care as generic meat. It can come from anywhere and be full of toxins.

• Propylene glycol

This is an ingredient in antifreeze. It is not as toxic as ethylene glycol, but it is extremely toxic to cats. While your dog can metabolize the ingredient, cats cannot, so if you have a mixed pet household, avoid it completely.

• Vegetable oil

This is mainly comprised of corn and soybean oils and can provide your dog with a much higher level of omega-6 fatty acids than is needed or healthy. Named fish oils, flaxseed oil, or olive oil are a better alternative.

• By-products

A cheap filler ingredient, by-products are the part of the animal that is left over once all the recognized parts have been removed. It can lead to digestive problems and has little if any nutritional value.

• Cellulose

This is made from plant or wood fibers and is added to food as a binder, anti-caking agent, or emulsifier. While it is cheap it is indigestible fiber and does nothing to support your dog’s digestive health.

It is important to meet the nutritional needs of your puppy if they are to grow up strong and healthy. Complete and balanced foods do this by providing the right balance of everything your puppy needs. As well as looking for ‘complete and balanced’ on the food label, you should also look for the AAFCO initials. The Association of American Feed Control Officials sets the basic requirements that foods must meet to state that they are complete and balanced. These foods contain all the key nutrients your puppy needs, which are:

• Proteins
• Fats
• Carbohydrates
• Vitamins and minerals
• Water

Check out our guide on High Protein Dog Food for more info.

When deciding whether to feed your dog we or dry food, a lot is going to depend on your dog’s personal preference. You could buy the best quality kibble available, but it is not going to do your dog any good if they don’t like it, and therefore won’t eat it.

There are pros and cons to both wet and dry food, and after your dog’s taste preference, the next most important element is quality. Whether you decide to go for canned food or kibble, it is vital that you choose a high-quality food that is balanced and complete. Here are some of the other elements to take into consideration.

• Dry food

Kibble tends to be the cheaper option and it is easier to buy in bulk. Kibble also helps your young pup to develop stronger teeth and jaws as it encourages chewing. Kibble also has a longer in-bowl life; meaning it can be left down for longer without bacteria starting to grow, which can cause stomach upsets and other health difficulties.

• Wet food

Wet canned food tends to have higher protein and fat levels than dried food, and lower levels of carbohydrates. It is also preservative free as the canning process creates an air-tight environment. However, once opened it becomes rancid very quickly if not refrigerated. Wet food can more closely resemble meat in its natural state, and therefore some dogs find it more palatable. Find out more about wet dog food here.

Our top pick for the best puppy food is BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Puppy Dry Dog Food. This recreates the evolutionary diet that would have been enjoyed by your puppy’s wild ancestors. It contains high-quality protein from meat as its first ingredient and reinforces this with fish meal to help build and maintain strong lean muscles. The protein is balanced with a range of fruits and vegetables, which provide many of the other nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that your puppy needs to grow strong and healthy. It includes sources of DHA to support retinal functions and the development of cognitive learning. As with all BLUE products the food contains LifeSource Bits with their specific blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. These are cooked at a lower temperature to ensure they maintain their potency and ability to support immune system health and provide a healthy oxidative balance. The formula is grain free, contains no animal by-products, and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.