Raising a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted puppy is every dog owner’s dream, and providing the right nutrition is a critical part of this journey. With countless puppy food options available in the UK, it can be challenging to navigate the choices and select the very best dog food option for your furry friend.
This comprehensive guide will discuss the ingredients to look for, feeding guidelines for different breeds, and the various diet options such as grain-free and organic puppy food. By the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed decision about your puppy’s nutrition.
- Quick Summary Of Best Puppy Food UK
- Top 10 Best Puppy Food UK
- 1. Pedigree Junior Wet Dog Food for Young Dogs and Puppies
- 2. Harringtons Complete Dry Puppy Food Turkey & Rice
- 3. Royal Canin Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food
- 4. Beta Puppy Dry Dog Food Turkey & Lamb
- 5. Wagg Complete Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food
- 6. Forthglade Complete Natural Wet Dog Food
- 7. Burns Pet Nutrition Hypoallergenic Complete Dry Dog Food Puppy Original
- 8. Skinner’s Field & Trial Complete Dry Wheat Gluten-Free Puppy Food
- 9. Eukanuba Complete Dry Dog Food for Puppy
- 10. James Wellbeloved Puppy Lamb and Rice
- Key Nutritional Requirements for Puppies
- Feeding Guidelines for Different Breeds
- Common Allergies and Sensitivities in Puppies
- Transitioning Puppies to New Food
- Conclusion
Quick Summary Of Best Puppy Food UK
Best Wet Puppy Food: Pedigree Junior Wet Dog Food for Young Dogs and Puppies
Best Dry Puppy Food: Harringtons Complete Dry Puppy Food Turkey & Rice
Best Small Puppy Food: Royal Canin Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food
Best Large Puppy Food: Beta Puppy Dry Dog Food Turkey & Lamb
Best Puppy To Working Dog Food: Skinner’s Field & Trial Complete Puppy Food
Best Grain-Free Puppy Food: Forthglade Complete Natural Wet Dog Food
Top 10 Best Puppy Food UK
1. Pedigree Junior Wet Dog Food for Young Dogs and Puppies
- Variety of flavours
- Nutrient-rich
- Easy-to-open pouches
- Supports a healthy coat
- Strengthens the immune system
- Free from artificial additives
- Wet food consistency
Pedigree Junior Wet Dog Food for Young Dogs and Puppies 2-12 Months Mixed Selection in Jelly, a delightful and nutritious choice of best puppy foods for your growing fur baby. This 48-pouch assortment ensures that your puppy enjoys a variety of delicious flavours while getting the essential nutrients they need.
These easy-to-open pouches are perfect for providing a fresh, healthy meal on their own or as a scrumptious topper for dry dog food. The mixed selection in jelly is not only tasty, but it also keeps your pup’s taste buds excited for every meal.
Pedigree has formulated this wet dog food with zinc and sunflower oil containing omega 6, which are known to support healthy skin and shiny coats. This new wet food is perfect for young dogs and puppies as they grow into their beautiful, adult coats.
As your little companion develops, providing them with all the nutrients they need to build strong bones is crucial. Pedigree Junior Wet Dog Food contains calcium to support healthy bone and puppies development, ensuring that your pup stays active and playful.
In addition, this wet dog food contains vitamin E, an essential nutrient that helps support your puppy’s immune system, keeping them ready for any adventure that comes their way. The natural fibres in the recipe also promote a healthy digestive system, ensuring that your puppy feels their best at all times.
Pedigree Junior Wet Dog Food is 100% complete and delicious, with no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. Give your young dog or puppy the best start in life with this fantastic wet dog specific puppy food selection, and watch them grow into a healthy, happy adult.
2. Harringtons Complete Dry Puppy Food Turkey & Rice
- Natural ingredients
- Balanced omega oils
- Nutrient-rich seaweed
- High-quality protein
- Immune system support
- Healthy digestion
- Grain content: Primary ingredient is rice
Harringtons Complete Dry Puppy Food Turkey & Rice 10kg, a delightful and wholesome dry kibble option for your growing pup, made with all-natural ingredients. This dry puppy food offers a perfect blend of nutrients to ensure that your young dog gets everything they need to grow up healthy and strong.
One of the standout features of Harringtons Complete Dry Puppy Food is the balanced ratio of omega 6 and omega 3 oils, which helps promote a glossy and healthy coat.
The inclusion of seaweed in the recipe provides a natural source of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, ensuring your pup receives all the essential nutrients they need.
The Turkey and Rice flavour offers a delicious and high-quality source of protein for energy, growth, and repair. This tasty combination of the best food appeals to your puppy’s taste buds and keeps them excited for mealtime.
Harringtons Complete Dry Puppy Food contains vitamin E and omega 3 to help support a healthy immune system, so your little furball is prepared to face the world with confidence. Additionally, prebiotic FOS has been included in the recipe to help maintain a healthy digestion, ensuring your puppy feels great at all times.
3. Royal Canin Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food
- Specially formulated for small breeds
- Digestive health
- High energy content
- Small-sized kibble
- Dental health support
- Natural defence support
- Limited breed specificity
Royal Canin Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food (800 gm), is a premium and specially formulated dry food for small breed puppies up to 10 months old and adult dogs with an adult weight of up to 10 kg. This complete puppy dry food feed is designed to support your tiny furball’s growth and development while catering to its specific nutritional needs.
One of the key features of Royal Canin Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food is its focus on digestive health. It contains an exclusive combination of L.I.P. proteins and prebiotics, which contribute to a healthy diet, balanced intestinal flora and good stool quality, especially in senior dogs.
Recognizing the high energy needs of small breed puppies, this dry dog food has an intense energy content, satisfying even the fussiest eaters and fueling their growth period.
The smaller-sized dry kibble is also ideal food for puppies with tiny mouths, making it easier for your mini-pup to chew and enjoy their meal.
Royal Canin Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food takes dental health into account by including chelation agents in calcium to help reduce tartar formation.
This formulation helps keep your puppy’s baby teeth clean and strong as they grow. To support your puppy’s natural defences, this dry dog food features a patented antioxidant complex and prebiotics. These ingredients help build your small breed puppy’s immune system and ensure they’re ready to face the world confidently
4. Beta Puppy Dry Dog Food Turkey & Lamb
- Tailored nutrition
- Digestive health support:
- High-quality protein sources
- Brain and vision development
- Dual shape and size kibbles
- Natural ingredients
- Tailord towards larger breed puppies
Introducing Beta Puppy Dry Dog Food Turkey & Lamb Pack, a nutritious and delicious fresh meat and poultry meal option for your growing pup, made with selected natural ingredients. This dry dog food is tailored specifically for growing large breed puppies and is also suitable for gestation and lactation of large breed bitches.
Turkey, as the No. 1 ingredient, combined with lamb, provides a high-quality source of protein to support your puppy’s growth and development. With no added artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives, you can trust that your pup is getting a wholesome and natural meal.
Beta Puppy Dry Dog Food includes natural prebiotics, which is proven to help improve digestive health, ensuring that your puppy has a healthy gut as they grow.
The dual shape and size kibbles are designed to promote slower chewing, which can aid in digestion and help maintain dental health.
This tailored nutrition formula supports brain and vision development with DHA, an essential nutrient for growing puppies.
Made in the UK, the recipe includes natural ingredients like dried carrot, dried spinach, and dried parsley, ensuring a balanced and nourishing meal for your puppy.
Choose Beta Puppy Dry Dog Food Turkey & Lamb for your large breed puppy to support their growth, development, and overall well-being with a delicious and nutritious meal.
5. Wagg Complete Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food
- Contains balanced calcium and vitamin D for healthy teeth and bones
- Formulated with marine-sourced omega-3 fatty acids for overall health and development
- Made with all-natural ingredients
- Produced in the UK
- The product contains cereals, which may not be suitable for puppies with grain sensitivities or allergies
Wagg Complete Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food is a 12kg pack of chicken flavour designed to provide growing puppies with a nutritious and balanced diet. This dry puppy kibble is suitable for puppies as young as 4 weeks old.
The formula contains balanced calcium and vitamin D to support healthy teeth and bones. It also includes marine-sourced omega-3 fatty acids to promote a puppy’s overall health and development.
Wagg puppy food is made using all-natural ingredients and does not contain any artificial flavours or colourings.
The product is manufactured in the UK, ensuring quality and adherence to local standards.
The ingredients in this puppy food include cereals, raw meat and animal derivatives (with 15% chicken fat in the chicken kibble), vegetable protein extracts, oils and fats, vegetables (4% peas in the pea kibble), derivatives of vegetable origin, minerals, yeasts, citrus extract, and yucca extract.
Check out our review on Best Wet Dog Foods In The UK
6. Forthglade Complete Natural Wet Dog Food
- Grain-free formula
- High-quality protein content
- A complete and balanced meal
- Award-winning dog food
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Taste and texture preference
Forthglade Complete Natural Wet Dog Food – Grain Free Variety Pack offers a nutritious and delicious option for puppies aged 2-12 months.
Coming in two appetizing recipes, Lamb with Liver and Chicken with Liver, these 12 x 395g trays are made with natural ingredients and are grain-free, perfect for puppies with sensitivities or allergies. The food is gently steamed to retain natural flavours and nutrients, ensuring a complete and balanced meal for your growing puppy.
This award-winning wet dog food is free from artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives, as well as any filler or junk ingredients.
The high-quality protein content, sourced from 75% lamb or chicken with liver, supports your puppy’s health and development.
The product is made in Forthglade’s factory in Devon, UK, guaranteeing adherence to local quality standards.
However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. Wet dog food can be less convenient for storage and feeding compared to dry food, and it may be more expensive on a per-meal basis. Additionally, some puppies might not enjoy the taste or texture of wet and dry food together.
Overall, Forthglade Complete Natural Wet Dog Food – Grain Free Variety Pack provides a wholesome and tasty meal option for puppies, with a focus on natural ingredients and a grain-free formula.
7. Burns Pet Nutrition Hypoallergenic Complete Dry Dog Food Puppy Original
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Burns Pet Nutrition Hypoallergenic Complete Dry Dog Food Puppy Original Chicken and Rice is a 2 kg pack designed specifically for puppies. This formula is made with natural ingredients and has been developed by veterinary surgeon John Burns.
The diet is based on Burns’ bestselling Original range, promoting healthy growth and development, and supporting healthy skin and coat.
With low daily feeding costs, this puppy food offers an affordable option for pet and dog owners.
The controlled level of protein and fat in the Burns Puppy diet ensures a slow and steady growth pattern for puppies, which experts agree is the healthiest way for them to develop.
This approach helps to avoid skeletal problems later in life.
The lower protein level in this puppy food supports healthy bone and muscle development, while highly digestible carbohydrates provide ample energy for play and maintain a healthy digestive system.
Burns is a family-owned company that focuses on promoting positive change in the pet food industry through nutritional education, charity work, and offering award-winning products.
8. Skinner’s Field & Trial Complete Dry Wheat Gluten-Free Puppy Food
- Specially formulated for puppies and young working dogs
- Includes a natural digestion enhancer
- Part of the Field & Trial range
- Wheat gluten-free
- Contains proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and oils that support steady growth
- Only available in a 2.5 kg pack
Skinner’s Field & Trial Complete Dry Wheat Gluten Free Puppy Food is a 2.5 kg pack that is suitable for puppies from weaning up to approximately 9 months old. It has been specifically formulated for puppies and young working dogs.
This puppy food contains proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and oils, which are essential for steady growth and healthy development. It also includes a natural digestion enhancer, MOS (Mannan Oligosaccharide), derived from vegetable sources, to help maintain a healthy digestive system.
Skinner’s Field & Trial diets have been developed to cater to the needs of working dogs and are VAT-free.
The company has had a long history of milling in Suffolk since 1688, and today, they produce a range of high-quality premium food for working dogs of all ages, breeds, and conditions.
The Field & Trial range includes 14 products that cover every stage in a working dog’s life, from whelping bitches and puppies to hard-working dogs, resting dogs, and older dogs that still enjoy exercise but may not be as energetic as before.
Feeding your puppy with Skinner’s Field & Trial Puppy foods from weaning up to approximately nine months of age ensures that they receive all the essential nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
9. Eukanuba Complete Dry Dog Food for Puppy
- Tailored for small breed puppies
- Improved formula
- DentaDefense
- Environmentally friendly
- High-quality animal proteins
- Unique hexagon kibble shape
- Size-specific
Eukanuba Complete Dry Dog Food for Puppy Small Breeds with Fresh Chicken is a 3 kg resealable bag that is specifically dehydrated fresh chicken and tailored for small breed puppies. This improved formula ensures healthy digestion and optimal body condition for your furry friend.
The unique hexagon kibble shape enhances palatability, making it more enjoyable for your puppy. In addition, this dog food contains DentaDefense, which helps reduce tartar buildup and maintain strong, clean teeth. Eukanuba is an environmentally-friendly brand, with at least 25% of the energy used in their factory generated by their own wind turbine.
The brand’s philosophy focuses on using high-quality animal proteins, mainly chicken or lamb, as the principal source of protein in their food. The Eukanuba range caters to various life stages, breed sizes, sensitivities, and activity levels, ensuring your puppy receives the right nutrients for its specific needs.
10. James Wellbeloved Puppy Lamb and Rice
- Made from wholesome natural ingredients
- Highly digestible rice provides essential nutrients
- Free from artificial colours
- Can be fed as a complete meal or alongside wet foods, offering feeding flexibility
- Limited protein variety in the formula (lamb)
James Wellbeloved Puppy Lamb and Rice is a complete dry dog food that combines wholesome natural ingredients with tasty flavours to help keep your puppy energized and healthy.
This dog food is tailored to the needs of puppies, featuring a natural protein source (lamb), antioxidants, and prebiotics to support a strong immune system and healthy gut flora.
Made from only natural ingredients, the recipe contains a single animal protein source (lamb) and highly digestible rice, providing all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs for a happy and healthy life.
This best dry dog food is an optimal choice for puppies with sensitivities or allergies and can be served as a complete puppy food meal or alongside complete wet food.
Always ensure fresh drinking water is available. The product comes in a 2 kg bag and does not contain any artificial colours, flavours, or artificial preservatives.
Key Nutritional Requirements for Puppies
Puppies grow at an astounding rate, and they require key nutrients in their diet that must support their rapid development. Here are the essential nutrients to consider when choosing high-quality puppy food:
Protein: Protein is vital for building and repairing tissues, muscles, and organs. Look for high-quality protein sources like chicken, beef, lamb, or fish listed as the first ingredient on the label.
Fats: Fats provide energy and promote healthy skin and coats. Puppies need a higher percentage of fat in their diet compared to adult dogs. Choose puppy food with healthy fat sources, such as chicken poultry fat or fish oil.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates supply energy and support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Opt for complex carbohydrates like brown rice, barley, and oats that release energy slowly and keep your puppy feeling fuller for longer.
Vitamins and Minerals: Puppies require essential vitamins and minerals for optimal growth and development. Look for puppy food containing calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth, as well as a range of vitamins like A, D, E, and K for overall health
Feeding Guidelines for Different Breeds
The feeding guidelines for puppies vary depending on their size and breed. Here’s a general overview of the recommended feeding guidelines for small, medium, and large breed puppies:
Small Breed Puppies: Small breed puppies tend to have faster metabolisms and require more frequent, smaller meals. Feed them 3-4 times a day, and adjust the portions according to their body weight and age.
Medium Breed Puppies: Medium breed puppies have a moderate growth rate and should be fed 3 times a day. Gradually transition them to 2 meals a day as they approach adulthood.
Large Breed Puppies: Large breed puppies grow more slowly and are prone to joint issues. Feed them 3 times a day with controlled portions to prevent excessive weight gain.
Common Allergies and Sensitivities in Puppies
Puppies can develop allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients in their food, leading to skin irritations, digestive issues, or ear infections. Some common allergens include:
Grains: Some puppies are sensitive to grains like wheat, corn, and soy. Consider grain-free options if your puppy shows signs of grain intolerance.
Proteins: Puppies can also develop sensitivities to specific proteins like chicken meat meal or beef. In such cases, try rotating protein sources or opting for hypoallergenic formulas.
Artificial Additives: Avoid puppy food containing artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives, as these can trigger allergies in some puppies.
Transitioning Puppies to New Food
Introducing a new diet to your puppy should be done gradually to prevent digestive upset. Follow these steps for a smooth transition:
Mix a small amount of the new food with the old food, gradually increasing the proportion of the new food over 7-10 days.
Monitor your puppy’s response to the new diet, including their appetite, stool consistency, and overall well-being.
If your puppy experiences any adverse reactions or allergic reactions, consult your veterinarian for guidance on how to proceed with the transition.
Conclusion
The different brands offer tailored formulas to cater to the nutritional needs of puppies based on breed size, sensitivities, and life stage. With high-quality ingredients, these dog foods ensure your puppy’s health and well-being.
However, it is essential to consider factors such as flavour, breed-specific requirements, and budget when choosing the most suitable dog food for your puppy.