How to Choose Puppy Food

Choosing a puppy takes time, but choosing a puppy food should take time too. You want your puppy to have the best food possible, so it will grow healthy and not have digestive problems. The best food is not necessarily the most expensive. Learn to read ingredients and you will know what to choose.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A list of ingredients to avoid

1. Ask your dog breeder. Some breeds require a special diet, so the best advice comes from the breeder. If you did not purchase your puppy from a breeder, ask your vet.

2. Learn to read labels. Dog food ingredients are listed in the order of highest percentage to lowest percentage. You want a puppy food that's first five ingredients are protein. The protein should be approximately 25% of the food.

3. Avoid certain ingredients. You do not want a puppy food that contains corn, wheat, glutens, or chemical preservatives such as BHA and BHT. Avoid ingredients that are by-products. By-products are the leftover parts of animals.

4. Look for key ingredients. Besides protein, look for omega 3 and omega 6 oils. These oils are found in chicken fat, eggs, and flax seed meal. You also want a good selection of vitamins and minerals.

5. Consider top brands. Canidae, Solid Gold, Natura, and Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul are top brands with quality protein and nutrients.

Tips & Warnings

• Feed your puppy three to four times per day because their stomachs are small.
• Look for dry puppy food that is small in size.
• Do not feed your puppy table scraps.

Resources

• Puppy Education