What dry food is the best for puppies?
In what way could a dry dog food that claims to be suitable for all puppies be considered the “best” option?
In the end…
Dry puppy food is available in two different types.
Designed specifically for puppies that belong to large breeds.
Additionally, there is one more for breeds that are smaller in size.
Regrettably, we cannot proceed without first completing the necessary steps.
If you choose a food that has excess calcium, it may lead to irreversible bone harm in your puppy.
Incorporating a type of hip dysplasia that causes severe disability.
Specifically for larger breeds, it is important to think in a systematic manner, rephrase the given text without changing its meaning, excluding the addition or removal of any information.
That is why we recommend selecting a food specifically formulated to ensure the safety of your dog, taking into account their size and breed.
What’s Your Puppy’s Breed Size?
Large breed puppies are puppies that are expected to weigh more than 50 pounds once they reach adulthood.
Now, focusing on one step at a time, rephrase the given text while ensuring the meaning remains unchanged. Please refrain from introducing new information or omitting any existing information.
Due to their larger size, larger breeds have a higher risk of developing hip dysplasia.
Additionally, dry dog food can be consumed by small and medium breeds without any safety concerns, allowing them access to a larger variety of options.
The Dog Food Advisor has compiled a unique list of foods that are optimal for EVERY breed size.
We have provided a list below that includes recipes with grains and recipes without grains to cater to your individual feeding preferences.
Top 20 Best Dry Puppy Foods September 2023
Redbarn Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- First 5 ingredients: Turkey, chicken, chicken meal, duck meal, turkey meal
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All Life Stages
- Best for: All puppies including large breeds
The majority of the meat protein in Redbarn Sky comes from fresh turkey and chicken. According to dry matter label analysis, the recipe, when wet, contains 31% protein, 17% fat, and an estimated 7% carbs. Additionally, the fat-to-protein ratio is approximately 10%.
Recommended with confidence is a wholesome grain-free product.
Jinx Dry Dog Food
- First 5 ingredients: Salmon, pearled barley, ground peas, turkey meal, brown rice
- Type: Grain-inclusive (pearled barley, brown rice)
- Profile: All Life Stages
- Best for: All puppies including large breeds
The main source of animal protein in this Jinx recipe comes from fresh salmon. The label analysis for dry matter shows that the recipe has 30% protein, 16% fat, and an estimated 46% carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 52%.
A dog food that includes grains and is fully balanced, highly recommended.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley,
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: Growth
- Best For: All puppies including large breeds
The majority of animal protein in this Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula comes from chicken. When we analyze the label on a dry matter basis, we find that the recipe contains 30% protein, 18% fat, and an estimated 44% carbohydrates. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 59%.
A formula for superior growth.
Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Dry Puppy Formula
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, dehydrated chicken, whole spelt, whole oats, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: All puppies including large breeds
The main source of animal protein in the Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain formula is chicken. Our analysis of the label when considering only the dry matter shows that the formula contains 38% protein, 22% fat, and 32% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 57%.
It is strongly advised.
Wellness Complete Health Dry Puppy Food
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, ground barley, peas
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: Growth
- Best For: All puppies including large breeds
The majority of the meat protein in this Wellness Complete Health formula comes from deboned chicken and chicken meal. When we analyze the label using dry matter, we find that the recipe contains 32% protein, 20% fat, and an estimated 40% carbs. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 62%.
This is an excellent choice for steady and controlled progress.
Go! Carnivore Dry Puppy Food
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Growth
- Best For: Small and medium breed puppies
The majority of animal protein in this Go! Carnivore product comes from poultry meal, salmon meal, and deboned poultry. When analyzing the dry matter label, we found that the recipe contains 40% protein, 20% fat, and an estimated 32% carbs. As a result, the fat-to-protein ratio is approximately 50%.
A recipe for growth that is better than average.
Orijen Dry Puppy Food
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, turkey, turkey giblets (liver, heart, gizzard), flounder, whole mackerel
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: All puppies including large breeds
The primary source of meat protein in Orijen’s all life stages product is deboned poultry and fish. When analyzing the dry matter label, we determined that the recipe consists of 43% protein, 23% fat, and approximately 26% estimated carbs. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of roughly 53%.
Strongly advised with great enthusiasm.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Puppy Chicken, Turkey and Brown Rice
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, cracked pearled barley
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: Small and medium breed puppies
The majority of the animal protein in this Chicken Soup for the Soul all life stages food comes from poultry and poultry meal. When analyzing the label for dry matter, we found that the food contains 33% protein, 20% fat, and 39% estimated carbs. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 60%.
A recipe for achieving quality growth.
Instinct Raw Boost Dry Puppy Food
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, peas, egg product
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Growth
- Best For: Small and medium breed puppies
The majority of animal protein in the Instinct Raw Boost growth formula comes from chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal. When we analyze the dry matter label, we find that the recipe consists of 37% protein, 24% fat, and 31% estimated carbs. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 63%.
A formula for growth that is exceptionally effective.
Blackwood Puppy Food Growth Diet
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, millet, chicken fat, ground grain sorghum
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: All puppies including large breeds
The majority of the meat protein in this Blackwood growth formula comes from chicken meal. The dry matter label analysis shows that the recipe has 30% protein, 19% fat and 43% estimated carbs. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 63%.
A recipe that is superior for all stages of life.
Fromm Gold Dry Puppy
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, chicken broth, oat groats, pearled barley
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: Growth
- Best For: All puppies including large breeds
The main source of meat protein in Fromm Gold Puppy comes from fresh chicken. When the dry matter in the kibble is analyzed, it is found to have a protein content of 30%, fat content of 20%, and estimated carbohydrate content of 42%. As a result, the fat-to-protein ratio is approximately 67%.
The design is fully balanced and has a high level of nutrient digestibility. The company ensures safety on every batch by conducting third-party testing for pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, our product contains Fromm’s exclusive blend of probiotics, which promotes a healthy digestion.
It is strongly advised.
Wellness Core Dry Puppy Food
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, potatoes, peas
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Growth
- Best For: All puppies including large breeds
The majority of the animal protein in Wellness Core growth formula comes from chicken and poultry meal. When we analyze the label by removing moisture, it shows that the recipe has 40% protein, 19% fat, and approximately 33% estimated carbs. This leads to a fat-to-protein ratio of about 49%.
This is an exceptional choice.
AvoDerm Chicken Meal and Brown Rice Puppy
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, ground brown rice, ground white rice, chicken fat, oatmeal,
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: Growth
- Best For: All puppies including large breeds
The main source of animal protein in the AvoDerm Natural growth formula is chicken meal. When we analyze the label’s dry matter, we find that the recipe has 29% protein, 18% fat, and an estimated 45% carbs. As a result, the fat-to-protein ratio is approximately 62%.
It is highly suggested with great enthusiasm.
Nulo Freestyle Puppy Turkey and Sweet Potato
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned turkey, turkey meal, salmon meal, chickpeas, chicken fat
- Type: Grain-free
- Profile: Growth
- Best For: All puppies including large breeds
The Nulo Freestyle growth formula obtains most of its meat protein from turkey, turkey meal, and salmon meal. When we analyze the label for dry matter, we find that the recipe consists of 37% protein, 20% fat, and an estimated 35% carbohydrates. This calculates to a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 55%.
A food that is exceptional.
Nutro Ultra Dry Puppy Food
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain barley, whole grain oats, whole grain brown rice
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: All Life Stages
- Best For: Small and medium breed puppies
The bulk of the animal protein in this Nutro Ultra growth product comes from chicken and chicken meal. When we analyze the label for dry matter, we find that the recipe contains 31% protein, 19% fat, and approximately 42% estimated carbs. As a result, the fat-to-protein ratio is approximately 61%.
A formula for growth that is outstanding.
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal
- Type: Grain-inclusive (contains grain)
- Profile: All life stages
- Best For: All puppies including large breeds
The majority of animal protein in this Merrick Classic product comes from fresh chicken. When analyzing the label on a dry matter basis, our findings show that the recipe consists of 31% protein, 18% fat, and 43% estimated carbs. This results in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 57%.
It is strongly advised.
BONUS: Best Grain-Free Dog Food 2023
In their search for high-quality dog food, pet owners are choosing an alternative carbohydrate source and deviating from conventional options.
If your dog is particular about what they eat or has an allergy to grains, opting for grain-free dog foods could be a suitable choice. It’s important to note that dogs still require carbohydrates in their diet. Therefore, numerous grain-free dog food options substitute grains with vegetables such as potatoes and peas.
Looking for ways to eliminate grains from your dog’s diet? We have compiled a list of the top 5 grain-free dog foods to assist you in selecting the most suitable option for your pet’s nutritional requirements (while keeping your budget in mind!).
Open Farm Grain-Free Dog Food
- High-quality protein sources
- 100% traceable ingredients for transparency
- Prebiotic fibers support healthy digestion
- Includes all-natural, sustainably sourced meat and seafood
Open Farm provides a selection of 9 excellent grain-free dry dog food choices that cater to all stages of a dog’s life. These options do not contain any preservatives or artificial flavors. Open Farm ensures that all the meat it uses is sourced from Certified Humane farms, and their seafood adheres to the sustainable standards set by Ocean Wise and Seafood Watch. The origin of each ingredient used in Open Farm’s grain-free dog food is stated, ensuring complete transparency.
Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, a member of Wag!’s licensed veterinary team, personally suggests Open Farm to her own clients for its high-quality ingredients and absence of artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. In addition, the company emphasizes ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients.
Open Farm designs recipes that aim to ensure the happiness and health of fur-babies. Included in their grain-free dog foods is coconut oil, which serves as a valuable source of fatty acids that can effectively address skin conditions and cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS).
Open Farm grain-free dog foods have never been recalled as of May 2023. Additionally, the grain-free recipes from Open Farm comply with the nutrient profiles set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for all life stages or maintenance (adults).
Raised Right
- Recipes have several human-grade protein sources
- One of the widest varieties of grain-free dog foods
- All recipes feature ten ingredients or less
Raised Right offers a wide range of grain-free dog foods, including 11 recipes suitable for both adult dogs and puppies. When it comes to protein sources, Raised Right stands out, as three out of the five main ingredients in all of their variations are made from high-quality protein that is fit for human consumption. Take, for instance, the Original Turkey Adult Dog Recipe by Raised Right, where the top three ingredients listed are turkey thigh, turkey liver, and turkey heart.
Dr. Jeremiah’s recommendation to her clients is Raised Right, a company that provides dog food made from whole foods without any fillers or synthetic additives like vitamin and mineral powders. Additionally, Raised Right ensures the traceability of their ingredients and conducts safety tests on every batch.
Wag! appreciates Raised Right for including organic spearmint as one of the key components in their recipes. This ingredient is abundant in nutrients and antioxidants, such as vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, folic acid, iron, magnesium, and additional beneficial elements. Raised Right’s formulas also incorporate flaxseed oil, which serves as an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Raised Right has never been recalled as of May 2023. The recipes of Raised Right adhere to the AAFCO nutrient profiles, which are formulated for maintenance (adults) or growth (puppies).
The Farmer’s Dog
- No preservatives
- Fresh and human-grade
- Good fat-to-protein percentage
- High in omega-3 fatty acids
The Farmer’s Dog offers a subscription-based service that ships fresh, human-grade, grain-free dog food to all 48 contiguous states. The dog food is developed by top vet nutritionists.
To ensure that The Farmer’s Dog’s recipes remain free of preservatives, it is necessary to either refrigerate or freeze any leftover food that your dog does not consume right away. The unique qualities that distinguish The Farmer’s Dog’s foods from other brands include the inclusion of fibrous lentils, omega-3 fatty acids sourced from fish oil, and an exceptional fat-to-protein ratio.
The Farmer’s Dog dog food has never been recalled as of May 2023. The recipes of The Farmer’s Dog meet the AAFCO nutrient profile for all life stages.
Nom Nom
Nom Nom is considered one of the healthiest grain-free dog foods due to its distinctive flavor combinations and vitamin/mineral mix. What sets Nom Nom apart is that it has two board-certified veterinary nutritionists on staff, which is a rarity, as there are under 100 of them. Additionally, all of Nom Nom’s recipes were created by Dr. Justin Shmalberg, DVM, who is both an industry-leading veterinarian and veterinary professor.
As of May 2023, Nom Nom dog food has never been recalled and it is human-grade, meeting the nutrition levels for all life stages as per AAFCO nutrient profiles.
Wellness Core Dry Food
- Includes a custom mixture of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, vitamin E, iron, selenium, taurine, and more
- Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists
- Prepared in the US
- Delivered in recyclable material and dry ice for freshne
Wellness Core offers a diverse selection of nutritious grain-free kibbles that your dog will adore. The range comprises 12 different types of Wellness Core grain-free dog food, accommodating various needs such as large breeds, reduced-fat diets, and even a variant with wild game as the primary source of protein.
Wellness Core dog foods that are grain-free include fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins. These ingredients help enhance immunity and keep the skin and fur healthy. An instance of this is the presence of kale in many of Wellness Core’s recipes, which aids in the promotion of bone strength and heart health.
In May 2023, there have been three recalls for Wellness Core dog foods, which adhere to the AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance or puppy growth purposes.
