Puppies require high-protein foods to build muscle, and this chicken and rice formula is an excellent option that does not contain artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Rollins suggests looking for foods bearing the AAFCO “complete and balanced” seal to indicate they contain sufficient amounts of essential nutrients for each life stage listed on the label, as well as additional healthy options that might make for healthy extras.
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Hill’s Science Diet Small & Mini Breed Puppy Food
Science Diet offers 32 wet dog foods designed specifically for small breeds as well as dogs with special dietary needs such as sensitive skin or stomach conditions. Their products are all produced domestically with globally sourced ingredients.
Small Breed Puppy Food from Pro Plan includes chicken meal for protein. In addition, they also feature an exclusive blend of minerals and antioxidants designed to support lifelong immune function in small breeds.
This recipe has been tailored for puppies who will reach up to 25 pounds when fully grown, and contains DHA from fish oil to support healthy brain and eye development, along with high-quality proteins for lean muscle development. However, flaxseed may cause digestive upset in some puppies with more sensitive digestive systems.
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Pate
Real chicken is the main ingredient in this puppy food, designed specifically to meet the nutritional needs of puppies up to one year of age. DHA from omega-rich fish oil supports brain development while calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals build strong teeth and bones.
This food also features plant-based proteins like potato protein and corn gluten meal that boost its protein content without the need for animal sources such as beef. These ingredients, combined with its relatively low carbohydrate levels, contribute to earning it an above-average rating on The Advisor’s dashboard.
Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Lamb & Rice Puppy Food
Lamb meal, an excellent source of essential amino acids for puppies’ growth and development, is one of the main components in this food, while flaxseed provides healthy omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber to complete its nutritional profile.
This formula was specially created with smaller breed puppies in mind. It contains no grains and features small kibble sizes to meet their smaller mouths. Furthermore, this food comes enriched with vitamins and minerals for increased energy.
The seventh ingredient is tomato pomace, the byproduct of processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup. Brewer’s yeast is another key component; while protein-rich it may cause allergic reactions in some dogs.
Open Farm Grain-Inclusive Puppy Food
Open Farm offers premium foods made with ethically sourced and sustainable ingredients such as chicken, turkey, lamb and ocean whitefish meal that are free from GMOs, by-products, fillers or preservatives.
Bone Broth and Goat Milk Toppers is an online pet food provider offering dry food, wet food, frozen and fresh meals made using gentle cooking techniques as well as bone broth and goat milk topper options for humans and animals alike. Their options include humanely raised grass/pasture-fed meats as well as organic vegetables and GMO-free fruits that come from sustainable farms.
However, their food contains excessive carbohydrates which may elevate insulin levels and disrupt gut balance. Furthermore, there are no recipes designed for large breed puppies or seniors.
Purina Beneful Healthy Puppy Chicken & Salmon Formula
This dry puppy food features bite-size kibble for easy feeding. Packed with 29 grams of protein for strong muscles and 23 essential vitamins and minerals – including DHA for brain development!
Real, farm-raised chicken is the star ingredient here, supplemented with energy-boosting whole grains and peas and carrots for color. Plus, no artificial flavors or preservatives have been used!
Corn gluten meal and soybean meal, plant-based ingredients which may increase protein content. Furthermore, this recipe includes beef fat as a good source of energy.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Small Breed Puppy Food
This formula provides specifically formulated nutrition for small breed puppies to promote healthy development. Furthermore, its high fiber levels help ensure regular stooling.
This food features digestible proteins and prebiotic ingredients designed to be gentle on sensitive puppy digestive systems, and includes specialized kibble for small teeth and finicky eaters.
Royal Canin is well known for utilizing ingredients with less-than-appealing reputations, such as by-product meals and corn. But its inclusion serves nutritional reasons.
Purina Beneful Healthy Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Salmon Formula
The primary ingredient is chicken, providing high levels of quality protein. Chicken broth adds both flavor and moisture. Glycerin acts as a natural sweetener and humectant; and beef fat rounds off this meal’s protein-packed ingredients.
This food provides your pup with high levels of protein, DHA for healthy brain development and calcium and phosphorus for strong teeth and bones. There are no artificial flavors or colors added and no high fructose corn syrup; its small kibble makes chewing easy!
