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- Puppies have different nutritional needs to adult dogs, which is why they need food that\u2019s especially formulated for puppies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You can feed your puppy wet food, dry food or a mixture of the two.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Small, medium and large puppies need different food, because of key differences in the rate at which they grow, among other factors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Young puppies need small meals multiple times per day \u2013 as they grow up, you can gradually reduce the number of meal times.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Don\u2019t \u2018free feed\u2019 your puppy, or switch the food you give them too quickly, as this can make them unwell.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Small to medium sized pups should have puppy food for about 1 year, while large and giant breed puppies should usually switch to adult food later, after 18-24 months. At Tails.com, we\u2019ll manage the transition for you using our Adaptive Nutrition system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Table of contents <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What makes puppy food different from adult dog food?<\/a>
Wet vs dry food for puppies<\/a>
Best food for puppies by breed size<\/a>
<\/strong>How much and how often should I feed my puppy?<\/a>
Common puppy feeding mistakes to avoid<\/a>
Foods puppies should never eat<\/a>
When to switch from puppy food to adult dog food<\/a>
Nutritionist-backed tips for choosing the best puppy food<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat makes puppy food different from adult dog food?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Puppy food has some special differences from food for adult dogs. Firstly, it needs a higher amount of protein and higher calorie count overall, to help puppies as they grow \u2013 in fact, lively, bouncy puppies can burn twice as many calories as adult dogs! [1<\/a>] <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food for puppies also needs to be enriched with nutrients like DHA and other essential fatty acids, which is why we include ingredients including algae and salmon oil in our food for puppies<\/a> up to the age of 14 weeks. These fatty acids help puppies\u2019 brain and eye health. DHA in particular is a nutrient that puppies will get from their mother\u2019s milk \u2013 giving them food that has added DHA has been found to help improve their learning ability, socialisation, and memory function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Puppies also need a careful balance of calcium and phosphorus, as well as magnesium, iron, zinc and vitamin D, to support healthy bones and teeth. These vitamins and minerals are added to puppy food in different levels to adult dog food, as they have different needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Puppies who are fed adult food too soon may not get the right balance of nutrients, which can put them at risk of nutritional deficiencies and other health conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wet vs dry food for puppies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the best puppy food \u2013 wet food, dry food or a mix of the two?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits of dry (kibble) puppy food<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are a few reasons dry food might be a great choice. It\u2019s super convenient to serve \u2013 just measure out the right amount and add it to their bowl. Speaking of which, it\u2019s very easy to measure! You can also use kibble pieces for training your pup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kibble might also have benefits for your pup\u2019s dental health, as its crunchy texture encourages them to chew and can scrape off plaque. But remember, it\u2019s not as effective as brushing your dog\u2019s teeth or giving them special dental chews<\/a>. Our Dental Dailies and Fresh Chews are suitable for puppies 14 weeks and up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dry food is also often more affordably priced than wet food, if you\u2019re on a budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits of wet puppy food<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, there are lots of benefits to wet food, too. The higher moisture content will help keep your puppy hydrated, especially if they don\u2019t drink very much water \u2013 also, the moisture content might help your pup feel full for longer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some puppies and dogs find wet food a bit more appetising, especially if they are fussy eaters. It can have a stronger taste and smell. (However, sometimes picky eaters just want a little water added to their dry food to wake up the aromas!) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, the soft texture can make it easier for small mouths to eat, and it might be especially helpful when your puppy is teething. When pups lose their baby teeth between 14 and 30 weeks, they can find eating a bit painful for a while, so wet food can help encourage them to eat as it requires less chewing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is mixing wet and dry a good option?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes, lots of people give their puppies both wet and dry food, and it\u2019s a great way to get your little one accustomed to different tastes and textures so they\u2019re less likely to be a fussy eater when they grow up. You can either give both wet and dry food at every meal time, or give certain foods at certain times. If you\u2019re mixing wet and dry food, one thing to be aware of is how many calories your puppy is getting \u2013 you don\u2019t want to overfeed them by accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Tails.com, our personalised meal plans come with detailed portion guidance so you know you\u2019re giving your pup the right amount of food, however you choose to feed them. You\u2019ll also be given a handy scoop that\u2019s just the right size for measuring out your puppy\u2019s kibble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Best food for puppies by breed size<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What food is recommended for puppies of different breeds? The size of your dog \u2013 and how big you\u2019re expecting them to get eventually! \u2013 can affect what food will be best for them as they grow. If you\u2019re not sure what size your mixed breed puppy will grow up to be, you can always ask your vet or the friendly Tails.com nutrition team for help understanding what kind of food they might need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Small breed puppies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Small breed puppies may be more likely to have a fast metabolism, meaning they\u2019ll need a calorie dense food. [2<\/a>] They might also need kibble that comes in smaller pieces, if they have a very small mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medium breed puppies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Puppies that will grow into medium size dogs need food that has all the protein and calories they need to grow, but not so much food that they are overfed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Large breed puppies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Large breed puppies have some special requirements for their food. From 14 weeks onwards, they need formulas designed to slow their growth, in order to protect their joints as they grow. It\u2019s often recommended that you give your large breed pup a food formulated for puppies longer than a smaller breed would need it, to support them as they grow. [3<\/a>] <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure you\u2019re giving your large breed puppy the right amount of food \u2013 too much can lead them to grow too fast, which can lead to issues with their joints. Our Head Vet Sean says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you have a large breed puppy, it\u2019s really important not to feed them too much. If they grow too quickly as a result of too many calories, it puts strain on their growing joints, putting them at risk of developing conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, or later arthritis. Some large breeds, like German Shepherds and Labradors, are more likely to be affected by joint problems, so you need to give them the best preventative care possible.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much and how often should I feed my puppy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Puppies need multiple small meals a day. Here are our general guidelines on how often to feed your puppy \u2013 every dog is different, so some older puppies over 6 months old might still want 3 meals a day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n