Puppies need food that contains enough protein and fat to fuel their growing bodies, while also offering essential vegetables and fruits that provide essential nutrition. Look for food with an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement as well as guaranteed analysis to find food suitable for your pup, according to Welborn.
Made in the US, this kibble contains chicken as its first ingredient along with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. There’s no corn, wheat or soy here either and contains glucosamine and chondroitin to aid puppy joints.
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Eukanuba Small Breed Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food
Eukanuba Pet Food Company prides itself on offering pet foods crafted with high-quality ingredients and offering comprehensive nutrition. Their products are produced in the US and available to pet stores and other retailers nationwide. It is owned by Mars Corporation, a large conglomerate which also owns other pet food brands like Pedigree and Purina.
Eukanuba believes that dogs are carnivores and should consume animal proteins like chicken and lamb as primary protein sources in its recipes. While Eukanuba has had an outstanding track record, they have experienced several recalls over time due to this ideology.
This formula is tailored for adult small breed dogs 12 months old or over that weigh up to 23 pounds, and features animal protein along with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for healthy muscles and joints, along with optimal levels of fats and carbohydrates to fuel an active lifestyle. Furthermore, rosemary extract as well as natural fiber and prebiotic blend help ensure gentle digestion.
Merrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Merrick offers an expansive selection of dry and wet dog foods designed by their expert nutritionists to adhere to Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional profiles. Additionally, local ingredients from farmers and ranchers near their production facilities ensure fresh food products.
This food features deboned chicken as its primary protein source to give your small breed some much-needed energy boost. Grain-free and packed with prebiotics, probiotics and yeast strains designed to aid with digestion – it makes an excellent choice.
Merrick’s homemade food contains real whole foods and deboned meat from USDA-inspected sources, providing balanced nutrition to puppies with leading levels of protein, omega fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin to support hip and joint health. Other ingredients include potatoes, apples and carrots which provide essential fiber and nutrition as well as thickeners guar gum and xanthan gum as thickening agents in its gravy.
Purina Veterinary Diets Small Breed Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food
This food features chicken as its first ingredient and provides highly active small breed dogs with adequate amounts of protein, while calcium, phosphorus and other minerals support strong teeth and bones.
The fourth ingredient is soybean meal, a by-product of oil extraction that boasts high levels of protein but costs significantly less than meat products. Soybean meal can significantly boost total protein levels reported on labels.
This small breed food features a nutritious shredded chicken and rice formula to provide optimal nutrition and support for their wellbeing. Furthermore, the formula includes natural prebiotic fiber sourced from wheat bran as well as guaranteed live probiotics to aid healthy digestion.
This diet is specifically tailored to help small breeds manage stress levels. Packed with antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that have been scientifically proven to promote calm behavior within 12 weeks, it also comes as an attractive low-sodium option suitable for these pups.
Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food is a high-quality food available in various sizes that offers an ideal blend of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – free from corn, wheat, soy and any other forms of gluten sources such as animal by-products. Nutro also uses deboned chicken meat as their first ingredient without including organs as ingredients; providing your pup with omega fatty acids and antioxidants for an enhanced immune system.
Nutro uses chicken and chicken meal as the first two ingredients in their dog food formula, providing plenty of protein to your pups. Plus, their ingredients come without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives; plus this formula was designed to promote weight management to avoid obesity-related health problems such as diabetes and hip dysplasia. Most ingredients used come from within the United States while many may come from internationally as well.