Having a cute little puppy in the house can bring you so much joy! However, remember that puppies have specific nutritional needs, as they grow rapidly during the first 1 to 2 years of life. The growth happens rapidly in their bones, muscles, joints, internal organs, immune system and others parts.

Puppy food is designed specifically to meet these needs, which are twice the daily nutritional requirements than a mature dog.

Difference between puppy food and adult dog food
A puppy’s nutritional needs are much more extensive than an adult dog. This is because of the biological difference between the two. Puppies have a higher surface-to-volume ratio than dogs. So, they lose more body heat than adult dogs do. The little ones must work harder to maintain their body temperature than larger, adult dogs. Working harder essentially means burning more calories, to offset the body heat that they continually radiate into the environment. Hence, puppies need more calories per pound of body weight than non-pregnant, non-lactating adults do. Also, a puppy’s stomach is smaller, and so, they need to be fed small chunks.

Here are some points to be kept in mind about puppy food.

  • Regulations on adult dog food and puppy food
    The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has guidelines and regulations in place, regarding what adult dog food and puppy food should contain. They have standards in place to define what is categorized as the former and what is meant for the latter. Here is a list of the main ingredients in dog food and puppy food; Protein – 22% for puppy food and 18% for adult dog food, Fat – 8% for puppy food and 5% for adult dog food, Calcium – 1% for puppy food and 0.6% for adult dog food, Phosphorus – 0.8% for puppy food and 0.5% for adult dog food, and Sodium – 0.3% for puppy food and 0.06% for adult dog food

    Adults can tolerate the higher protein levels of puppy food, but it may lead to weight gain, due to the higher amount of calories. However, puppies can often suffer from developmental problems if fed with adult food and deprived of the proteins they require. The AAFCO mandates nearly twice the amount of amino acids in puppy foods than it does in adult dog foods. That is because these amino acids are vital for their growth process.
  • Non-regulated ingredients
    Some ingredients in adult dog food and puppy food do not fall under the AAFCO rules and regulations. This holds true for omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. There are no guidelines as to how much fatty acids need to be included in canine food. But fatty acids are good for a dog’s skin, coat, eyes, brain, nerves, and general wellbeing. If the food includes fatty acids from ingredients like flaxseed, fish oils, or other natural sources, it is a good food and worth feeding to your pet.
  • Calorie density
    Puppy food contains many more calories per serve than adult dog food. Some brands meant for older dogs contain fillers like fiber and grains to help your pet feel fuller for longer. However, puppy food should get the highest amount of calories in one meal. If you feed an adult dog puppy food, you will put them on a fast track to obesity and weight-related issues. And feeding a puppy adult dog food will put them at risk of not enough calories, thereby slowing or stunting the growth.
  • Fat content
    The AAFCO also states that puppy foods must contain a bit more fat than adult dog foods. Adult dog foods need to derive 5.5% of the calories from fat, while puppy foods must derive 8.5% of calories from fat. This is primarily to ensure that puppy foods are energy-dense.
  • Mineral content
    The mineral content of puppy foods differs from those of adult dog foods. For example, as per AAFCO guidelines, the quantity of calcium in puppy foods differs from that in adult food. This also goes for other nutrients such as phosphorus, wherein its quantity is higher in the case of puppy food as compared to adult dog food.
  • Frequency and amount of food to give
    When choosing the best puppy food, take account of the following factors, the age of your puppy ,the breed of your puppy, how active is your puppy?, and is your puppy overweight or underweight?

In order to calculate how much and how often to feed a puppy, consider its age first. The easiest way to remember the quantity of meals is to create a puppy feeding chart that matches your puppy’s breed and weight at maturity. Remember these pointers too:

  • Puppies need small and frequent feedings. For the first few months of a puppy’s life, it will need small meals throughout the day as it transitions from its mother’s milk to solid food.
  • From around 4 months, puppies can begin eating about 3 times a day. After that, they will quickly graduate to a feeding frequency of 2 times a day.
  • The frequency of feeding puppies will go down to 3 times per day at around 3 to 6 months of age, and 2 times per day at around 6 to 12 months.
  • After about a year, most puppies can transition to a nutritionally balanced adult dog food diet, provided 2 times per day.

Plan and create a puppy feeding schedule that is consistent, nutritionally balanced, and meets all energy requirements. It may be vital to consult a veterinarian to come up with a chart.

Feeding tips as per age
You should try and feed the puppy in a quiet part of the house, where he/she can dig in and explore the food, free from interruptions. The food should be placed on a tiled floor or a feeding mat, and always served in a clean bowl. Remove the food bowl around 30 minutes after the meal has been served. This will prevent overfeeding, which can otherwise lead to unhealthy weight gain. Make sure fresh water is always available. Wet puppy food is best served at room temperature as it smells more attractive and is easier to digest.

Do not change your puppy’s food during the first few days in a new home as it will only add to the stress caused by the adoption process. If you are going to change its diet later, introduce new food gradually over a four–day period. Here are the feeding guidelines for the first year:

  • First 6 to 8 weeks
    In the first 6 to 8 weeks of its life, the puppy should stay with the mother and be allowed to be nursed by her. This is very important as the mother’s milk provides the best nutrition and antibodies that help protect the puppy from diseases. Sometimes, it is not possible to keep a puppy and its mother together for the first eight weeks, in case the mother develops eclampsia or mastitis. In situations like these, milk replacers and bottles especially designed for puppies can be found at any major pet store.
  • After 6 to 8 weeks
    After 6 to 8 weeks, the puppy can be fed solid food. But the switchover should be gradual and should take place over 2 to 3 weeks. Be sure to select the puppy food that is a good source of calcium, protein, and calories. You can talk to the vet for specific requirements of your puppy. From about 6 weeks onwards, you can prepare gruel by blending the puppy food with the milk replacer. Feed the gruel about 3 to 4 times a day, gradually reducing the amount of milk used to make the gruel. This way, the puppy will slowly learn to adapt to solid food, and gastric upset will be minimized. By around 8 weeks of age, the puppy should be eating solid food.
  • Move on from puppy food
    Once the puppy approaches maturity, you should switch to adult food. There is no fixed age when the change should be made because it will vary based on the breed and individual puppy. The smaller the dog, the faster it will reach maturity. Small breeds up to 30 pounds mature by around 10 to 12 months. Medium breed dogs up to 80 pounds reach maturity between 12 to 16 months. Large breed dogs who weigh more than 80 pounds can take up to 24 months to reach maturity.
    The switch to adult dog food should be made slowly over the course of 1 to 2 weeks by gradually mixing in increasing amounts of adult food in the puppy food to minimize gastric effects.

Types of puppy food
Puppy food comes in a variety of options that include the following.

  • Dry food
    Dry food can be dried kibble and is often a convenient option for puppy owners. Choose a premium dry kibble to ensure it is nutritionally complete and balanced with quality ingredients.
  • Wet food
    Wet food is basically the food available in pouches or tins, and has higher water content than dry foods. It has a rich aroma that can be used to entice fussy eaters and increase hydration.
  • Fresh and frozen food
    Fresh and frozen food often contains meats in their raw and natural form. You can refrigerate them at home and microwave them to room temperature before giving them to your puppy.
  • Treats
    Treats can, and should be used to train and reward good behavior. But, make sure you treat responsibly, to avoid overfeeding, and choose a treat suitable for puppies.

Top puppy food brands
Some of the top puppy food brands are among the options given below.

  • Wellness
    Wellness is a brand that offers several recipes online. It is suitable for all puppies, including large breeds. It has various ranges that one can opt for, including Wellness Complete Health, Core®, and Core®RawRev™. Each range is focused on meeting the specific needs of puppies or adult dogs.
  • Taste of the Wild®
    Taste of the Wild® is a leader in producing grain-free, highly digestible, and nutritionally balanced puppy foods, offering multiple types to meet specific health needs. This brand is known for its variety of natural protein sources, and it uses egg for a healthy coat and skin. Taste of the Wild® High Prairie® Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food and Taste of the Wild® Pacific Stream® Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, which is egg-free, are some of the popular products offered by the brand.
  • Natural Balance ®
    Natural Balance® has been operational for nearly 30 years, and caters to a wide range of breeds by offering a multitude of food formulas for different ages, individual nutritional needs, and food sensitivities. The brand offers high-quality food at a comparatively lower price than other brands. Limited Ingredient Diets® Puppy Formula is one of their popular products.
  • Holistic Select ®
    Holistic Select® creates puppy foods with a unique digestive support system. This system includes probiotics, natural fiber, healthy proteins, vegetables, and fruits, amongst other nutritious ingredients. The company prides itself on having quality standards that exceed government regulations. Holistic Select® Grain-Free Puppy Health Anchovy, Sardine & Chicken Meal Recipe, and Holistic Select® Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health Lamb Meal & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food are some of its top products.
  • Castor & Pollux
    This brand’s food is certified organic and natural and made with the best products. Castor & Pollux prides itself on offering innovative choices that are healthy and safe for dogs. Castor & Pollux Organix® Grain-Free Organic Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food and Castor & Pollux Pristine® Wild Caught Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food are some of the well-known products you can get.
  • Blue Buffalo
    Blue Buffalo brings you dog food that is safe and nutritious. It has developed the Life Protection Formula and championed all-natural food featuring real chicken, fish, and lamb. The formulation of kibble does not detract from the nutritional value of the food, which is often damaged by high processing temperatures. Blue Buffalo Wilderness™ with LifeSource Bits® Puppy Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food and Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe® Puppy Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables Canned Dog Food are some of the options to try.

So, pick up puppy foods in an informed manner and make sure your little canine friend gets all the nutrients it needs to be active, strong and happy. Consult a vet for better guidance, if need be.