Celebrating National Pet Week: Best Puppy Food Recommendations for 2024

NBC Select is celebrating National Pet Week by sharing their favorite pet products, including puppy supplies, kitten essentials, travel carriers, and more on their pets homepage. One of the most important considerations when getting a new puppy is choosing the best dog food to feed them. To help pet owners get started, NBC Select spoke to veterinarians about the differences between puppy food and adult dog food, how to pick the best puppy food, and provided a list of the best puppy foods for 2024.

Puppy food is specifically formulated for rapid growth and development in young dogs. It typically has higher fat and protein content, making it more calorie-dense than adult dog food. Puppy food also contains essential nutrients like DHA, calcium, and phosphorus to support brain and physical development. Large and giant breed puppies have specific dietary needs to prevent orthopedic problems, so it’s important to choose a formula labeled for their size.

When shopping for puppy food, it’s crucial to ensure it meets AAFCO nutritional standards, consider the ingredients, breed and size of your puppy, portion size, and nutritional balance. NBC Select experts recommend brands with veterinary nutritionists on staff to regulate high-quality ingredients.

Some of the best puppy foods of 2024 include Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Dry Dog Food, Purina Pro Plan Development Puppy Chicken & Rice Canned Dog Food, IAMS Proactive Health Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food, Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food, Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Dry Puppy Food, Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Giant Puppy Dry Dog Food, The Farmer’s Dog Subscription Dog Food, Just Food for Dogs Puppy Variety Pack, Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Dry Dog Food, Open Farm Ancient Grains High-Protein Puppy Food, and Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food.

In addition to the best puppy food recommendations, NBC Select also provides information on how to shop for puppy food, including meeting AAFCO requirements, considering ingredients and palatability, ensuring nutritional balance and portion size, and taking into account breed size and weight. They also address frequently asked questions about feeding puppies, such as meal frequency, portion size, transitioning to adult dog food, kibble vs. canned food, toppers and supplements, raw diets, grain-free diets, food allergies, and more.

For more in-depth coverage on personal finance, tech, wellness, and more, follow NBC Select on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Mili Godio, an updates editor for Select on NBC News, compiled this information and spoke to veterinarians to provide expert guidance on choosing the best puppy food for your furry friend.