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Dog owners often wonder, “What is the best dog food?” While numerous online articles claim to list ‘The Top 10 Dog Foods,’ it’s worth considering how any single dog food—or even a curated list—can be the ultimate choice for every dog. At Doggy Delights Dog Food, we offer a comprehensive guide to the best dog foods for 2024, categorized by specific needs, breeds, and health conditions. This way, you can find the ideal food tailored to your dog’s unique requirements.
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
What’s the top choice for puppy food?
Choosing the best food for your puppy is one of the most important decisions you can make.
Selecting the right food for your puppy is crucial. The wrong choice can significantly raise the likelihood of serious health issues, such as hip dysplasia, particularly in certain breeds.
On this page… we’ll share the Dog Food Advisor’s safest and most recommended puppy foods… and we’ll answer the 5 most asked questions we receive about feeding puppies.
On this page… we’ll share the Dog Food Advisor’s safest and most recommended puppy foods… and we’ll answer the 5 most frequently asked questions we get about feeding puppies.
The Best Puppy Foods September 2024
Here are The Advisor’s top 10 best puppy foods for September 2024.
Growing puppies need more calories, fat, protein and essential nutrients than adult dogs. The Farmer’s Dog Pork Recipe meets these requirements. It is formulated by board-certified nutritionists to be complete and balanced and support the development of a puppy’s muscle and bones.
Fresh food may be more expensive than other types , but it is a firm favorite with veterinarians and pet nutritionists including our very own Laura Ward.
This particular formula derives the bulk of its protein from fresh pork and pork liver, which are easily digestible and packed full of essential amino acids. It is also rich in omega-3 fish oil for optimal heart health and muscle growth. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 36% protein, 28% fat and 28% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 78%.
For more choices: See our Best Fresh Dog Food page.
Read our review of the full The Farmer’s Dog (Fresh) range here
Things we like
Sample buyer review...
“This healthier diet may cost a little more than the dried or canned food but it has saved me hundreds of dollars on vet bills”
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Ollie Chicken Dish with Carrots is formulated by vets using human-grade ingredients and minimal processing. This complete and balanced recipe contains antioxidant-rich ingredients such as spinach , to support your puppy’s developing immune system.
Ollie fresh food is made with whole ingredients such as meat, fruit, vegetables cooked at low temperatures to preserve nutrients.
This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from chicken and chicken liver , packed full of essential amino acids to support a puppy’s growth. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 31% protein, 12% fat and 50% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 38%.
We highly recommend this food and give it a 5-star rating. We especially like the fact Ollie offers customized meal plans tailored to meet the individual requirements of your puppy – after all every dog is different!
For more choices: See our Best Fresh Dog Food page.
Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Things we like
Sample buyer review...
“I absolutely love the fact they my puppy enjoys her food. She runs to the kitchen when she sees I’m grabbing her bowl to feed her. Once the bowl is down, she runs to it as a TV advertisement animals! It’s a joy to see her eat.”
Read more buyer reviews at Ollie.com
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3. Best Small Breed Puppy Food: Solid Gold Grain-Free Mighty Mini Lamb, Sweet Potato & Cranberry
Rating:
Small breed puppies require high levels of easy digestible quality proteins. We highly recommend this grain and gluten free wet recipe by Solid Gold; a brand which takes a holistic approach to pet nutrition, aiming to support not just physical health but also the overall well-being of a puppy through natural, nutrient-dense ingredients.
This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from lamb which contains omega 3 and 6 acids to support your puppy’s brain development. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 44% protein, 17% fat and 31% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 38%.
Wet foods tend to be more palatable, due to their texture and flavor. This means they can entice even the pickiest eaters, which is particularly important for small breed puppies that can sometimes be finicky.
For more choices: See our Best Small Breed Puppy Foods page.
Read our review of the full Solid Gold Grain Free Dog Food (Cups) range here
Things we like
Sample buyer review...
“My mini Dachshund & Chihuahua puppies love Solid Gold Mighty Mini Lamb, Sweet Potato & Cranberry Food and give it 5 stars! “
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4. Best Large Breed Puppy Food: American Journey Grain Free Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato
Rating:
Large breed puppies need specific levels of calcium and phosphorus to support proper bone development and prevent issues such as hip dysplasia. This American Journey dry food is formulated with the correct balance to promote healthy growth.
It also has a controlled calorie content to prevent weight gain, which is a common problem for large breed dogs.
This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from chicken , a lean, high-quality protein essential for muscle development. Dry matter label analysis reveals this formula contains 33% protein, 13% fat and 45% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 40%.
For more choices: See our Best Large Breed Puppy Foods page.
Read our review of the full American Journey Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
Sample buyer review...
“My puppy is asking how many dinners can he have after trying this food? I love that it is made using real chicken as the cornerstone and not just a lot of fillers. Overall I feel this kibble is a wonderful balance of nutrition to grow my puppy’s body and mind.”
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5. Best Affordable Puppy Food: Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy
Rating:
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy is one of nine dry recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild product line.
We love the fact this grain-free formula uses alternative carbohydrate sources such as sweet potatoes and peas, which are easier on a puppy’s digestive system, reducing the risk of food sensitivities and allergies.
This puppy formula takes the majority of its animal protein from smoke-flavored salmon which can make the food more appealing for puppies that can sometimes be picky eaters. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 30% protein, 17% fat and 45% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%.
Pacific Stream Puppy Food is not only rich in omega fatty acids, it’s also nutrient-balanced… to support optimal health during a puppy’s period of maximum growth.
Highly recommended.
For more choices: See our Best Budget-Friendly Dog Foods page
Read our review of the full Taste of the Wild Dog Food range here
Things we like
Sample buyer review...
“I feed my puppies Taste of the Wild. I love that it has pro-biotics in it and the kibble is small enough for them to eat easily after being weaned. This is the only puppy food that I highly recommend and I will continue using this product. The puppies enjoy the taste and the oils in the salmon puppy food help with their coats and make them shine.”
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6. Best Dry Puppy Food: Redbarn Grain-Free Puppy Recipe
Rating:
Redbarn’s new grain-free puppy recipe is packed full of proteins from five meat sources – beef, lamb, beef meal, salmon meal , menhaden fish meal.
Meat meals contain more than 300% more protein than fresh meats, which makes this food ideal for growing pups as it contains the essential nutrients to support their growth and muscle development.
We highly recommend this food and have awarded it our highest rating: 5-stars. D ry matter label analysis reveals it contains 29% protein, 17% fat and 46% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 58%.
For more choices: See our Best Dry Puppy Food page.
Read our review of the full Redbarn Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
Sample buyer review...
“I got this for my two pups because I wanted a healthier option of food for them. I liked that the ingredients list is short and without unnecessary additives. My dogs LOVE the food. I’m so happy with my choice to get this food!”
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7. Best Sensitive Stomach Puppy Food: Stella & Chewy, Chewy’s Chicken Dinner
Rating:
This limited ingredient dog food by Stella & Chewy means it is the perfect choice for puppies with a sensitive stomach.
Raw foods are often easier to digest because they are closer to a dog’s natural diet. The enzymes in raw meat can aid in digestion, making it gentler on a sensitive stomach. Because these patties are minimally processed, they retain more natural nutrients and are free from the additives and preservatives that can sometimes upset a puppy’s digestive system.
This particular recipe derives 100% of its protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 50% protein, 30% fat and 12% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 58%.
For more choices: See our Best Dog Food for a Sensitive Stomach page
Read our review of the full Stella and Chewy’s Dinners Dog Food (Raw Frozen) range here
Things we like
Sample buyer review...
“We breed Yorkies and all of them absolutely LOVE Stella & Chewy! If you want to feed your sweethearts the best, choose Stella & Chewy. The food is so versatile, you can crumble it on top of anything.”
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8. Best Wet Puppy Food: Open Farm Gently Cooked Puppy Recipe
Rating:
Open Farm Gently Cooked Puppy food recipe gets our highest rating 5-stars. It is made from fresh, whole ingredients which are more nutritious and easier for puppies to digest.
The food is gently cooked at low temperatures to help retain the maximum amount of nutrients. This method preserves the natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes that are essential for a puppy’s growth.
This particular puppy recipe derives the bulk of its protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 42% protein, 35% fat and 15% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 85%.
For more choices: See our Best Wet Puppy Foods page
Read our review of the full Open Farm Gently Cooked Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Things we like
Sample buyer review...
“I originally found this brand of dog food off of TikTok, silly right? I looked into it and saw that the food is above and beyond for my puppy’s nutrition. After purchasing the food, my pup was very happy it! I would definitely recommend this brand, as it is fully worth the price.”
Read more buyer reviews at OpenFarmPet.com
Click Here for an Exclusive 50% off 6lb Pack of Open Farm Gently Cooked Puppy with code DFAPUPPY50
9. Best Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food: Merrick Puppy Real Chicken & Sweet Potato
Rating:
This grain-free dry food by Merrick is an excellent choice for puppies, particularly those with grain sensitivities. It offers a balanced, nutrient-dense formula that supports overall growth and development, while also promoting digestive health, joint support, and skin and coat health.
This puppy recipe derives the bulk of its protein from chicken. D ry matter label analysis reveals it contains 32% protein, 17% fat and 44% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 54%.
For more choices: See our Best Grain-Free Dry Dog Foods page.
Read our review of the full Merrick Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
Sample buyer review...
“My husband and I have tried many food brands for our fur babies and when we landed on Merrick, we haven’t looked back. Great food for our seven fur babies; even the ones with sensitive tummies. Plus, they love the flavors.”
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10. Best Natural Puppy Food: Nom Nom Beef Mash
Rating:
Nom Nom Beef Mash is an excellent natural food choice for puppies as it offers high-quality, human-grade ingredients in a balanced and easily digestible form.
The fresh, whole foods provide essential nutrients for growth and development, while the absence of artificial additives and fillers makes it a safe and healthy option for puppies. Not only this, Nom Nom’s personalized feeding plans ensure your puppy receives the right nutrition tailored to their specific needs.
This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from beef, which provides high-quality protein essential for muscle development and overall growth in puppies . Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 35% protein, 17% fat and estimated carbohydrates of 40%, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.
For more choices: See our Best Natural Dog Food page.
Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Things we like
Sample buyer review…
“I am soo happy I chose Nom Nom.. My dogs love it! The ingredients are all natural.. Heck, we could eat it! I have tried food for dogs and my dogs turned their noses with it. Comes packaged to keep food fresh, so if you’re not home for delivery, no problem, food will be fine until you arrive. Thanks Nom Nom for supplying the best ingredients.”
Read more buyer reviews at NomNomNow.com
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More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and how often should I feed my puppy?
How much food should I feed my puppy?
Which breeds are at greatest risk for hip dysplasia?
How do I know if my puppy is a large breed?
When should I switch my puppy to adult food?
Final word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
Sources
1: Richardson DC, The Role of Nutrition in Canine Hip Dysplasia, Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract, 1992 May;22(3):529-40.
2: Bartolome N et al, A Genetic Predictive Model for Canine Hip Dysplasia: Integration of Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) and Candidate Gene Approaches , Journal of the Public Library of Science, PLOS One, April 2015, p.2
3: Association of American Feed Control Officials
4: Lauten SD, Nutritional Risks to Large Breed Dogs: From Weaning to the Geriatric Years, Vet Clin Small Anim 36 (2006) 1345.
8: Yuill C, DVM, MSc, CVH, “Nutrition: General Feeding Guidelines for Dogs”, VCA Hospitals (November 2011)
9: Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition (1999), Canine Life Stages and Lifestyles, The Waltham Course on Dog and Cat Nutrition, p. 4
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