What You Need to Know About Puppy Food

What’s small, adorable, furry, and definitely not ready to be treated like a grown-up? A puppy!

There are lots of ways parenting a puppy is different from living with an adult dog—and one of the most important is what food you give them.

Puppies aren’t simply smaller versions of adult dogs. Instead, growing puppies have distinct nutritional needs (that are somewhat dependent on their breed) and should be given a food formulated especially for them.

Read on to find out what you should keep in mind when buying puppy food, and how Hill’s® nutritionists and scientists have got you covered.

What’s So Different About Puppies?

The biggest difference between puppies and adult dogs is also the most obvious: they’re still growing. Also, they are often more energetic, zooming around the house and expending serious energy all day exploring and playing.

To provide everything those growing bones and muscles need, a good puppy food is formulated to provide the right amount of macronutrients, including protein, fat, and carbohydrates, while also supplying minerals like calcium and copper that are critical for growth.

Additionally, growing puppies may need higher levels of certain amino acids, such as arginine.

Keep in mind that your puppy’s digestive system is still developing (along with everything else).

Foods that contain probiotics may be challenging to their immature digestive tracts, so ask your vet about Hill’s foods that contain the ActivBiome+ prebiotic blend. These are special ingredients that encourage the natural and healthy growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut, which helps support a healthy digestive system and immunity.

What to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Good Puppy Food

Focus on How Big Your Puppy Will Be as an Adult

Puppies with an expected adult size of 55 pounds or more should benefit from a food formulated for large-breed puppies.

These foods are designed to promote an appropriate rate of growth and reduce the risk of developmental bone diseases, by providing controlled levels of calories, calcium and phosphorus.

Look for the Nutritional Adequacy (AAFCO) Statement

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a non-profit organization that consists of members from state, federal, and international regulating bodies that regulate the manufacture, sale, and distribution of animal food.

AAFCO’s long-standing purpose has been to serve as a venue for feed regulators to develop just and equitable standards, definitions and policies for the enforcement of feed laws; and to promote uniformity in laws, regulations and enforcement policies.¹

Foods that carry the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on their label meet the criteria for complete and balanced for all life stages and sizes or a specific life stage and/or size range. The food meets these criteria by being formulated to meet the AAFCO-recognized nutrient profile or completion of the appropriate AAFCO-recognized animal feeding trial.

All foods formulated for a specific life stage must have an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement that indicates the stage or stages of the pet’s life (gestation/lactation, growth, maintenance, or all life stages).

When “treat” or “supplement” is clearly stated and the food is identified as such, the label may only state, “This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.”

Look for Food Backed by Research

High-quality puppy foods are formulated by veterinary or PhD nutritionists to provide complete and balanced nutrition in one place.

Companies like Hill’s follow strict development and testing protocols to ensure their foods meet and exceed AAFCO recommendations.

Look for Special Benefits

In recent years, researchers have focused on ingredients that provide extra support for puppy development.

Some of the most exciting research has been performed on omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).²

DHA is a critical nutrient for puppy brain development and has been shown to support healthy eye development and improved immunity.

Starting a New Puppy Food

Bringing your puppy home for the first time is a big moment—and it comes with a lot of decisions. Depending on where your puppy came from, you may already have some samples of puppy food, or perhaps you’re standing in front of a shelf of options and not sure where to start.

The first thing to know: Don’t switch your puppy’s food all at once.

Puppies’ digestive systems aren’t as developed as their adult counterparts, and they can get an upset stomach more easily. The result might be a mess on your floors.

Instead, it’s best to find out what your puppy was eating before they came home and continue them on that same food to start. Use this time to check in with your vet about what type of food your puppy needs to thrive.

When it comes time to transition foods, do it slowly, following this schedule:

• Days 1–2: 25% new food; 75% old food
• Days 3–4: 50% new food; 50% old food
• Days 5–6: 75% new food; 25% old food
• Day 7+: 100% new food

Throughout this transition, watch your puppy for signs of digestive upset, including vomiting or diarrhea. If this occurs, or if you have any concerns during your puppy’s food transition, call your vet.

Tips for Success

Successful feeding starts from the first day as you transition your puppy to their new food. Over the next few months, however, there are a few good tips to keep in mind.

1. Feed your puppy the right amount. Just like growing humans, the “right amount of food” for your puppy changes as your puppy grows. To figure out how much is enough, talk to your vet and reference the feeding guide on the food package.
2. Consistency matters. Puppies tend to eat smaller meals, but more frequently. Ask your vet what works for your puppy, but a typical schedule will include three or four measured meals every day. It’s not recommended to fill up the bowl with food and leave it out for your puppy to graze all day.
3. Follow your puppy’s cues. Especially at first, watch your puppy to see if they like their food and enjoy mealtimes. Dogs have tastebuds just like we do, so if your puppy doesn’t take to the first food you offer, talk to your vet about trying another formulation.

Don’t Do This! Things to Avoid When Feeding Your Puppy

If you’re offering a high-quality food that’s formulated for your puppy’s size and life stage, you’re already doing a lot of things right. But it’s worth keeping in mind that almost 60% of dogs in the U.S. are obese, according to the 2023 Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.³

Being overweight can contribute to health problems in dogs of all ages. So, preventing obesity should be at the top of the list when it comes to things to keep in mind.

1. Don’t give too many extra treats and table scraps. Remember that all calories count—slipping your grateful puppy some dog-safe food from your plate or doling out dog treats can quickly add up to extra pounds on your pup. Treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog’s total calories.
2. Don’t forget to measure your puppy’s food. This is the best way to ensure you aren’t overfeeding your puppy. Follow package guidelines and ask your vet about the exact amount you should be feeding.
3. Don’t skip regular weigh-ins. Regularly weighing your puppy will help you focus on their weight gain and provide your vet with valuable information about how fast they’re growing (and if it’s too fast).