Dog Food for Puppies

It is important to have a special dog food for puppies. Puppies, like human babies, grow rapidly and have unique nutritional needs that older dogs do not have. So, how can you be sure you are getting the best dog food for your puppy?

How to Choose Dog Food for Puppies

Walk down any pet food aisle in almost any store in the country and you will find yourself face to face with hundreds of brands and varieties of dog and puppy food. It is important to choose a specific formula for puppies rather than one for all life stages. Puppy food is formulated with the extra calories your pet needs to support his rapid growth and energy level.

Here are some tips to help you make the right choice for your puppy. The food should:

• Be formulated specifically for puppies
• Be formulated for the breed size
• Have no more than 25 percent protein
• Not have fillers
• Have digestible protein rather than bone meal
• Recommended by your vet or breeder
• Have an American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) approval

If you are bringing your puppy home from the breeder, it is especially important to keep him on the same variety of food that he has been eating. If you must transition him to a new food for some reason, do it slowly by mixing the two foods together. Over a period of a week gradually increase the amount of the new food until he is eating only the new food. Sudden changes in diet are hard on a puppy's system and can bring on digestive and growth problems.

Foods formulated for large breed dogs are prepared with the growth needs of large dogs in mind. Since large breeds grow very rapidly, they can sometimes develop bone problems like hip dysplasia. Puppy food that is made specifically for them will support this rapid bone growth and decrease the likelihood of these problems later on.

Generic Brands or Name Brands?

It might be tempting for a new puppy owner to choose the less expensive brands of puppy food. When you read the ingredients, often times the generic brands list the same ingredients in similar quantities. With everything so expensive is there a reason not to save a little money on your pet's food?

Truthfully, yes there is. While generic foods may list the same ingredients, the formulas are different. The sources of protein used to meet AAFCO's minimal guidelines are also typically of lesser quality and therefore less digestible. The vast pet food recalls in the past alerted pet owners that pet foods made in a less expensive manner may not be the best value. Finally, companies that have been successful for many decades largely remain successful because their customers are satisfied with the quality of their product.

Tips for Feeding Puppies

• Let the puppy eat his fill for no more than ten minutes at each feeding, and then take the food from him.
• Small breeds need to be fed four times a day until they are three months old and then cut back to two times a day as adults.
• Large breeds need to be fed twice a day until they are adult dogs.
• Establish a certain feeding schedule for your puppy and stick to it.
• Between ten and twelve months of age, gradually substitute the adult dog food that you are planning to use for part of the puppy food. By the time your puppy is a year old, he can eat the adult food exclusively.

Where to Buy Puppy Food

The largest selection of dog food is available through specialty pet stores as well as the Internet. Some places to compare different dog foods are:

• Petsmart
• Pet Foods Direct
• Only Natural Pet Store

Talk to Your Vet

It is always best to discuss your puppy's unique dietary needs with your breeder or your veterinarian. They are the most qualified to advise you about the type, amount and even brand most suitable for your breed.

Dog food for puppies is not hard to find, but finding the best brand for your particular puppy may take some time. Do your research, and give your puppy the very best start for a long and healthy life.

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