Puppyhood is the time that your puppy will be rapidly growing and learning. Therefore it is crucial that Puppy obtains all the nutrients his body needs from his food. Not all dog food is made equal so it is important for you as a pet parent to do research on the different types of dog food available on the market. Not any old dog food will do when it comes to puppies and even older dogs. Dogs needs a good balance of protein and fat in their food, if a brand of kibble contains too much fat and less protein it can lead to obesity in your dog and while it may look adorable to have a pudgy puppy obesity in dogs can lead to a slew of health issues ranging from breathing difficulties to spinal problems.
When you bring your puppy home most pet stores will recommend you feed your puppy both kibble and wet food. There are mixed debates on which type of dog food is better for your puppy but its really a case y case basis. For example as your puppy is growing he will need to intake a lot more calories and nutrients than an adult dog so to ensure that your puppy eats his food you may want to mix in some wet food into his kibble as an incentive. Wet food generally taste and smell better to dogs but this type of food is high in fat (and calories) and does not have sufficient nutrients, therefore it needs to be supplemented with kibble. I always suggest pet parents feed their adult dogs kibble only, however, to ensure that your puppy intakes enough calories and nutrients mix his kibble with wet food until about one year old. Please be aware that this is a suggestion always consult you Veterinarian on how to properly feed your dog based on his breed, weight and age.
You may be wondering what brand of dog food you should buy your puppy. The first thing you want to do it read the label. Within the first five ingredients listed there should be a source of protein i.e chicken, beef, venison etc. and it should be listed as just "chicken" or just "beef" anything that has animal-by-products within the first ten ingredients is generally not a good choice. A "by-product" is things deemed unfit for human consumption so we're talking about chicken beaks, feet, and intestines instead of a good protein filled piece of chicken breast. Any food that lists any animal by-product within the first five ingredients you should steer clear of.
When deciding between wet food or kibble consider the benefits and downfalls of each. For example kibble promotes dental hygiene and a good brand has more protein and nutrients than wet food. It is also more cost effective since getting a wet food with the same amount of protein can be highly expensive. Wet food on the other hand is a good choice for dogs who have trouble eating. It's easier for them to chew and usually any dog will gobble it down.
I personally feed my dogs Nature's Variety. It's recommended by most vets and dog trainers and is slightly less expensive them lets say Blue Buffalo or Wellness.
These are some brands I suggest:
- Nature's Variety
- Blue Buffalo
- Natural Balance
- Wellness Grain Free
- Solid Gold
- Merrick
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