Which puppy food is best for my puppy? A Comprehensive Guide

The Best Puppy Foods January 2023

Here are The Advisor’s top 10 best puppy foods for January 2023.

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Complete Health Puppy is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, ground barley, peas
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (oatmeal, ground barley)
  • Design: Growth
  • Best for: All puppies including large breeds
  • Price: $$
  • Wellness Puppy gets the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 20% fat and 40% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 62%.

    An exceptional formula. Contains just the right amount of calcium to make it safe for all puppy breeds. Highly recommended.

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    Ollie Chicken is one of 4 fresh recipes included in our review of the Ollie Dog Food product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver
  • Type: Grain-Free
  • Design: All Life Stages
  • Best for: All puppies including large breeds
  • Price: $$$
  • This particular Ollie formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 14% fat and 42% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of roughly 40%.

    All Ollie recipes are human-grade and designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN). A real plus. Each meal is suitable for all puppies, 12 weeks of age or older… including those of larger breeds.

    An exceptional, grain-free option… perfect for those who want to feed a scientifically balanced diet. A diet that’s as close to homemade as you can get…. without all the time-consuming hard work.

    Affordable. But not cheap. Enthusiastically recommended.

    For More Choices: See our Best Fresh-Cooked Dog Food page

    Review for this Ollie product posted at TrustPilot.

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    Life Protection Chicken and Brown Rice Puppy is one of 21 dry recipes… including 4 puppy formulas… detailed in our review of the Blue Buffalo Life Protection product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (brown rice, oatmeal, barley)
  • Design: Growth
  • Best for: All puppies including large breeds
  • Price: $
  • This Blue Buffalo puppy product derives the majority of its meat protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 18% fat and 44% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.

    Blue Life Protection offers 4 puppy recipes. All are nutrient-balanced, affordable and easy to recommend.

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    Pork Recipe is one of 4 fresh formulas included in our review of the The Farmers Dog product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Pork, sweet potato, potato, green beans, cauliflower
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: All Life Stages
  • Best for: All puppies including large breed
  • Price: $$$
  • Farmer’s Pork derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh pork. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 28% fat and 28% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 78%.

    The entire product line is designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN). Plus… each recipe is made with human-grade ingredients.

    All Farmer’s Dog recipes are 100% complete and balanced and formulated for puppies of all breed sizes (including those of larger breeds).

    A healthy feeding option for those able to afford the premium price. Highly recommended.

    For More Choices: See our Best Fresh-Cooked Dog Food page

    Rating:

    Puppy Chicken and Rice is one of 10 dry recipes included in our review of the Purina Pro Plan Puppy product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, rice, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole grain wheat
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (rice, wheat)
  • Design: All life stages (via feeding trials)
  • Best for: Small and medium breed puppies
  • Price: $
  • This Purina Pro Plan puppy product derives the bulk of its animal protein from from poultry by-product meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 20% fat and 40% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 64%.

    Pro Plan is one of the brands most often mentioned when we interview veterinary professionals.

    What’s more… every Pro Plan product meets the strict guidelines recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.

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    Victor Nutra Pro is one of 6 dry recipes included in our review of the Victor Purpose product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, blood meal, whole grain millet, chicken fat, yeast culture
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (millet, sorghum)
  • Design: All life stages
  • Best for: All puppies including large breeds
  • Price: $
  • Victor Purpose Nutra Pro gets the largest portion of its animal protein from chicken meal and blood meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 42% protein, 20% fat and 31% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.

    An economical grain-inclusive option… ideal for those feeding either (or both) puppies and adults in the same home. Highly recommended.

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    Science Diet Chicken Meal and Barley is one of 6 dry puppy recipes detailed in our review of the Hill’s Science Diet Puppy product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, whole grain wheat, cracked pearled barley, whole grain sorghum, whole grain corn
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (wheat, barley, sorghum, corn, corn meal)
  • Design: Growth
  • Best for: Small and medium breed puppies
  • Price: $
  • This Science Diet Puppy formula sources nearly all its animal protein from chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 19% fat and 43% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 64%.

    Hill’s Puppy is a classic growth formula recommended by both breeders and veterinary professionals alike… and its calcium content is safe for all puppy breeds. Highly recommended.

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    Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Salmon, ocean fish meal, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: All life stages
  • Best for: All puppies including large breeds
  • Price: $
  • This Taste of the Wild puppy formula takes the majority of its animal protein from fresh salmon and ocean fish meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 17% fat and 45% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

    Pacific Stream Puppy Food is not only rich in omega fatty acids, it’s also nutrient-balanced… to support optimal health during a puppy’s period of maximum growth.

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    Orijen Puppy is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Orijen product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, Atlantic flounder, cage-free eggs, whole Atlantic mackerel
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: All life stages
  • Best for: All puppies including large breeds
  • Price: $$$
  • This Orijen formula takes the dominant part of its animal protein from fresh poultry (chicken and turkey) and fish. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 23% fat and 26% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.

    Orijen is a 5-star, all life stages recipe brimming with animal protein. A superior option for your growing puppy. Highly recommended.

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    Chicken Soup Puppy is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Chicken Soup for the Soul product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, cracked pearled barley
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (barley, brown rice, oatmeal, millet)
  • Design: All life stages
  • Best for: Small and medium breed puppies
  • Price: $
  • Chicken Soup for the Soul Puppy gets the majority of its meat protein from fresh poultry and poultry meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 20% fat and 39% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.

    This product makes an exceptional choice for both small and medium puppies. Highly recommended.

    Rating:

    Natural Choice Puppy is one of 19 dry recipes that can be found in our review of the Nutro Natural Choice product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain barley, brewers rice, whole grain brown rice
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (barley, rice)
  • Design: Growth
  • Best for: Small and medium breed puppies
  • Price: $$
  • This Nutro puppy kibble gets nearly all its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 18% fat and 44% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.

    Nutro Natural Choice offers 5 different puppy foods, each optimized for a specific breed size. A budget-friendly product from one of the most trusted brands in the industry. Highly recommended.

    Rating:

    Iams Smart Puppy is one of 12 dry recipes included in our review of the Iams ProActive Health product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, ground whole grain sorghum, dried beet pulp
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (whole grain corn, sorghum)
  • Design: Growth
  • Best for: Small and medium breed puppies
  • Price: $
  • Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy takes the dominant share of its meat protein from fresh chicken and chicken by-product meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 19% fat and 40% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.

    A classic, grain-inclusive puppy option containing fish oil to help create a healthy coat and build strong joints. It’s easy on the wallet, too. Highly recommended.

    Rating:

    Puppy Plate is one of 10 wet recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic canned product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken broth, deboned turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: Growth
  • Best for: All puppies including large breeds
  • Price: $$
  • This Merrick formula derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 50% protein, 28% fat and 14% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

    This Merrick puppy recipe makes a great wet alternative to a dry diet… and it makes a flavorful “topper” to help enhance the taste of almost any kibble. Highly recommended.

    More Choices: Visit Our Best Wet Puppy Foods Page

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    Eukanuba Puppy Large is one of 14 dry recipes included in our review of the Eukanuba product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, chicken fat
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (corn, wheat, sorghum, rice)
  • Design: Growth
  • Best for: All puppies including large breeds
  • Price: $
  • Eukanuba Puppy Large derives the lion’s share of its meat protein from fresh chicken and chicken by-product meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 16% fat and 48% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.

    Don’t let the word “large” fool you. This classic, grain-inclusive food is also suitable for small and medium breed puppies, too.

    Unlike most other puppy foods, this nutrient-balanced design has been formulated by actual experts… a team of board-certified veterinary nutritionists.

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    Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal
  • Type: Grain-inclusive (rice, barley, oatmeal)
  • Design: Growth
  • Best for: All puppies including large breeds
  • Price: $$
  • This Merrick Classic Puppy formula derives the largest share of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 18% fat and 43% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.

    Unlike Merrick’s grain-free product line, “Classic” is not only free of peas and lentils… it’s also contains zero potatoes.

    A top-quality, moderately priced puppy food. Highly recommended.

    Rating:

    Go! Carnivore Puppy is one of 5 dry recipes included in our review of the Go! Carnivore product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Design: Growth
  • Best for: Small and medium breed puppies
  • Price: $$$
  • Carnivore Puppy derives most all its animal protein from poultry meal and salmon meal as well as fresh, de-boned poultry. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 40% protein, 20% fat and 32% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.

    An exceptional canine growth formula. And unlike other brands, Go! Carnivore contains no genetically modified cereal grains. Highly recommended.

    To view more top puppy foods… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.

    How much food should I feed my puppy?

    Deciding how much to feed your puppy is a processnot a one-time choice.

    Since a larger breed puppy requires more food each day than a smaller breed…

    And because every brand of dog food contains a different number of calories per cup…

    Start with the recommended feeding amount printed on the food’s package. Then, adjust that amount… up or down… to keep your dog at her ideal weight.

    What’s the difference between Puppy Food and Adult Dog Food?

    Puppy food is formulated to meet the needs of growing puppies. Adult dog food is formulated for adult dogs. Puppy foods typically contain more calories and higher levels of protein than adult dog foods.

    Adult dog food may not have the right balance of nutrients for a growing puppy. Puppyhood is an important time of growth and development, so its important to feed your puppy a food that meets their specific needs.

    Best Puppy Food | 5 Best Food For Puppies 2021 ✅