Whether you're a new pet owner or a seasoned veteran at caring for dogs, you may be wondering about the best dog food for puppies when you acquire a new addition to your family. Puppies require particular types of nutrients in their food in order to best support their continued growth and development.
Choosing a proper food will help your dog to be strong and to avoid potential injury, illness and more. Because many different brands of puppy food will provide your dog with a solid range of nutrients and benefits, it is not beneficial to list particular brands here. Rather, watch out for these specific qualities in your puppy dry food in order to find a brand that will work best for you.
Top Quality Ingredients in Dog Food
The quality of your puppy's food is largely dependent upon the ingredients in that food. As you are likely aware in human foods, the better the quality of the ingredients, the more likely those ingredients will be full of important nutrients and other potential health benefits. They'll also be more likely to keep your puppy from getting sick and will be easier on his digestive system as they pass through his body. Look for dry foods that contain high quality protein sources and a mixture of vegetables and other materials. Beware of food brands that include bone filler or excess fiber, as these two ingredients will not be beneficial for your dog.
AAFCO Approval
The American Association of Feed Control Officials is the governing body that helps to regulate and certify different types of animal food. They function in the same way as the FDA for human foods. Before you purchase any food for any of your animals, it's a good idea to check on that food's packaging to make sure that it contains a label of approval from the AAFCO. Avoid any food that doesn't have this approval, as it may be deficient or lacking in some way or another.
Dog Food for Puppies Recommendations
One of the best ways to find the best dry dog food for your puppy is to take your dog to a veterinarian or a breeder and ask for a recommendation. While many different brands of dog food provide puppy formulas, a vet or a breeder can look at your dog in particular and determine which type of food will best help him to grow and to avoid potential health risks. Most vets are very knowledgeable about different types of foods for dogs of all ages and will be happy to help provide you with a recommendation.
Some of the best brands of dry dog food for puppies come from manufacturers like:
- Natural Balance
- Canidae
- Orijen
- Newman's Own
Try out a few different brands to see which one your puppy enjoys eating the most, if you'd like. For more information about any of the issues you may face in selecting food for your dog, ask a vet.