As your puppy enters their first year, their food should include a balanced combination of nutrients such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates and calcium to promote immune system strength, uniform skeletal development and optimal growth.1
Megan Shepherd, DVM, PhD, DACVN of Veterinary Clinical Nutrition told The Spruce Pets that “Puppy food should contain more nutrients to meet their growing nutrient requirements,” as compared to adult maintenance food.
When selecting food for your puppy, take into account both their current size and what size it will likely become as an adult (small breed or large breed). We evaluated numerous brands of dog food from Shepherd and other veterinarians before selecting products that adhere to AAFCO standards – an international non-profit that oversees state, federal and international regulators for pet food regulation.
As part of our research, we surveyed 407 dog parents to gain feedback on what brand of food works best in their household and gain additional insights for canines of all sizes, ages, and breeds. You can read about our polling methodology under How We Found The Best Dog Food Brands; additionally we offer tips for evaluating dog food brands yourself in What To Look For section below our recommendations.
Before making a change to your puppy’s diet, we advise always consulting your veterinarian first and selecting from reliable manufacturers who guarantee complete nutrition for at least the first year of a puppy’s life.