Which dog food diet is healthier: Wet vs Dry vs Raw
Selecting a puppy food can be daunting. Most major dog food companies work with pet food nutritionists and adhere to strict guidelines for creating complete and balanced nutrition. The most important thing to remember when choosing a dog food diet is that it’s appropriate for your pup’s life stage.
While there are many pros and cons of what to feed a puppy, the best food for your pup is the one that he enjoys eating, fits in with your budget and your family’s needs, and has your veterinarian’s seal of approval.
| Wet food* | Dry food* | Raw food |
| PROS | ||
| Available in cans or tubs | Available as kibble | |
| High moisture content | Convenient access travels well | |
| Dog feels full quicker | easy to store | |
| Good for breeds prone to weight gain | more economical than wet food | |
| Pup stays hydrated | stays fresh longer | |
| Palatable and easier to chew | Crunchy morsels clean teeth | |
| CONS | ||
| Messier to eat than dry food | Must be stored in a dry area to avoid bugs | Can contain harmful bacteria |
| Bit more expensive | Should be properly sealed | Requires additional nutrients in accurate proportions |
| Refrigerate within 2 hours | Unbalanced meals can cause bowel and gastrointestinal distress | |
| Not advised for puppies | ||
* Always follow veterinarian recommendations and/or instructions on the bag.
Puppy Feeding Chart: How Much To Feed A Puppy By Weight
Curious to know “how much should I feed my puppy”? How much food to feed a puppy depends on his age and weight. Most dog and puppy food packages have a feeding chart on the label, similar to our chart below. Be sure to check your puppy’s specific food bag for the label, so you know how much to feed him. While this chart is a good baseline, we recommend double-checking with your vet as all dogs’ dietary needs are unique.
First 6 to 8 Weeks
During the first six to eight weeks of life the puppy should stay with the mother and be allowed to nurse ad-lib. It is especially important they nurse from the mother. The mother’s milk provides the best nutrition and provides antibodies to help protect your puppy from disease. Sometimes it is not possible to keep a puppy with the mother for the first eight weeks such as when the mother develops eclampsia or mastitis. In these situations milk replacers
How much food to feed your puppy? | Veterinary Approved
From homemade puppy food to store brands, WebMD helps you choose the best food for your puppyâs nutritional needs.
Cute, furry, and hungry. Your new pet is ready for puppy food, and you want to make sure you start them off right. Puppies grow fast. And providing the proper nutrition is important for building strong bones and teeth, adding muscle, and supplying all the energy needed for play and learning.
But what should you feed them? There are dozens of varieties of puppy food. Plus, thereâs the one your puppy received from the breeder or animal shelter. Which food is right for your puppy, and how do you tell if itâs a good fit?