5 Best Dry Puppy Foods

Dog parents are very conscious when it comes to the food and nutrition of their puppies, and this consideration is valid when they have a demanding one. Some puppies do not eat wet puppy foods, so there is a range of dry puppy foods easily available in the market.

However, there are certain considerations you should keep in mind while choosing a reasonable puppy food for your pet. Read in the section below about how you should choose the best dry puppy food and also find the comprehensive reviews of the best dry puppy foods for your lovely companion. 

Best Dry Puppy Foods Reviews

This section includes detailed reviews of the highly-rated dry puppy foods available in the market. We hope it would help you to make the right choice about buying the best dry puppy food for your best friend.  

1. Purina ONE Large Breed Dry Puppy Food

puppies are different from the smaller ones, and Purina takes it into consideration. The manufacturer knows the difference between different species very well and has incorporated the knowledge into this specialized recipe.

This SmartBlend formula contains all the proteins and nutrients that are important for the growth and development of large dogs at an early age.  The food is available in two flavors, i.e., Chicken and Lamb & Rice. Purina One SmartBlend Puppy dry food promises good health just in 28 days. You can see visible changes in your pup’s immunity and energy. It promotes a shiny coat and bright eyes and provides low calories than ordinary dog food.  

The soft meaty morsels contain fresh, and real meat is the first ingredient. This natural formula uses high-quality farm animals to provide your dog with protein-rich food. It also contains additional minerals and vitamins with 0% fillers. The morsels are tender and have a great taste your lovely pup would definitely like.

Pros:

• Suitable for all large breeds of dogs
• Contains fewer calories than the ordinary formula
• Free from fillers 
• Uses animal proteins extracted from high-quality protein. 
• Easily digestible 
• It has great flavor dogs like very well

Cons:

• It is expensive 

2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food 

Blue Buffalo Life protection formula is another best dry puppy food that contains real meat as the first ingredient. This dry dog food is available in a combination of brown rice, blueberries, peace and carrots, Flaxseed, Cranberries, and sweet potato. The small life source bits contain ingredients that support the dog’s immune system. The formula is an optimum combination of essential minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins that are necessary for the development of puppies.  

The blend contains ARA and DHA, which have the fatty acids found in mother’s milk. These fatty acids are rich in nutrients and improve the development of the brain and eyes. It also promotes the growth of muscles. The easy-to-eat formula is very tasty and available in the form of small kibbles. The kibbles are suitable for the smaller jaws and make your dog’s teeth clean by removing the tartar. This formula is available for smaller dog breeds as well as larger breeds.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula makes sure that the ingredients used are extracted from the finest sources. It does not contain fillers, additives, and by-products that have no benefits. This unique blend also contains wholesome whole grains, farm-fresh veggies, and fruits that are rich in vitamins. It not only fulfills your pup’s life stage requirements but also maintains his oxidative balance.

Pros:

• Combines real meat with fresh veggies and fruit
• Great taste and texture which is easy to eat
• Small kibbles appropriate for small jaws
• Free from by-products and fillers
• Removes tartar from teeth

Cons:

• Cause fur shedding in some dogs      

3. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula 

Taste of the wild is a grain-free treat for your lovely large pups. It is suitable for all kinds of breeds. Whether you have a pit bull or Labrador, this dry formula is a perfect choice. It contains plenty of proteins, including buffalo or bison, combined with peas and sweet potatoes that provide energy to your puppy for growth and development in the early stages.

The formula contains prebiotics and antioxidants that support digestion. The taste of the wild has a natural taste that your furry friend would definitely like. It contains all the necessary minerals that should be a part of a balanced diet. The buffalo is used as a first ingredient. The meat is taken from the farm-raised animals and trusted by approved Vets. The recipe does not contain artificial flavors, fillers, preservatives, and by-products.

If your pet does not like the grainy, dry food, then the taste of the wild is the perfect food to offer. It contains all high-quality content that improves digestion, skin coat, and retains the energy necessary to keep your dog healthy and active.

Pros:

• Grainless food for all breeds of dog
• Rich in proteins, Minerals, and prebiotics
• Contains antioxidants for easy digestion 
• Contains high-quality farm-raised buffalo meat 

Cons:

• N/a

4. Diamond Naturals Premium Large Breed Formulas Dry Dog Food for Adult Dogs and/or Puppies

If you want to buy dog food that is appropriate for all ages and suitable for large dogs regardless of their age, Diamond Natural premium large breed formula is a must-try recipe. It is rich in proteins and nutrients, perfect for the growth of pups. The specialized formula contains DHA that is rich in mother’s milk. It is extracted from fine fish oil and improves the brain and eyes of the puppies. It strengthens the pup’s bones, promotes healthy teeth, and builds muscles to promote the overall health of your little one.

It contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that maintain the oxidative balance and improves the immune system of your little one. I have tried and tested this formula on my dog, and it brought visible results just in a few days. It was recommended by the Vet, and my cute little Charlie became cuter than ever. It also promotes healthy skin, stool, and coat and clinically proven to bring quick results. Moreover, it also provides energy to the adult dogs so that they may be able to perform day to day activities perfectly. 

The Skeletal development is too significant for the small breed of puppies, and diamond natural knows this science very well. They have brought a great combination of nutrients that is not only healthy but tasty as well. Moreover, this formula is made with all high-quality natural ingredients containing no fillers, additives, and by-products that are harmful to your dog’s health.

Pros:

• A great combination of nutrients and good fats.
• Designed for all breed of dogs.
• Contains DHA that improves the cognitive skills of dogs
• Recommended by many Vets
• Contains Omega Fatty acids for better growth

Cons:

• This formula is not suitable for every small dog.
• Causes nausea to some dogs 

5. Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food

If you are looking for a tasty meal for your little pup, then Racheal Ray’s recipe has something to taste. We are sure he would relish his mealtime like never. This tempting recipe is a unique blend of farm-raised chicken and fruits that are rich in vitamins, nutrients, and minerals to fulfill your dog’s developmental needs. The dry recipe is made up of the finest deboned chicken as the number one ingredient of the blend.

The food does not contain artificial flavors, additives, and by-products that just fill the little tummy but provide no benefits. It improves your dog’s immune system, promotes a shiny coat and bright eyes, and helps to build lean muscles. The recipe is formulated specifically to meet the special needs of puppies. It does not cause allergies to the puppies and ensure their health as the first priority.  

However, there are some side effects as well that compelled me not to buy this food again for my pup. It may cause bloating and other digestive issues. Moreover, it has corn, which is not suitable for the puppies. 

Pros:

• It improves the immunity system.
• It promotes a shiny coat and bright eyes.
• Made up of farm-raised chicken
• It also contains fresh fruits and veggies.
• Free from the artificial flavor, additives, fillers, and by-products

Cons:     

• It causes bloating and other digestive issues.

A Quick Buying Guide for best dry puppy foods

Choosing puppy food is challenging because you cannot compromise your pet’s health. So, there are a few significant factors you should keep in mind while buying suitable dry food for your puppy.   

What to look for? 

A dog’s diet must be full of nutritional value to support his growth and overall health especially in the early years of age. Good dog food can prevent your dog from risk of cancer, obesity, kidney issues, and other disorders.  The selection of food largely depends upon your dog’s age, breed, any special dietary requirements recommended by the Vet, price, and general nutritional guidelines. So, have a look at certain important considerations you should ponder over while buying dry food for your puppy.

Ingredients 

A puppy’s diet is composed of specific ingredients necessary for growth and development in the early years. Make sure that you don’t forget to check the ingredients considerately on the label. Most of the dog food brands disclose the ingredients. It is best to buy the recipe that contains plenty of proteins and a lesser carbohydrates content. 

For this, you should know how to read the label. Most of the labels rank the ingredients in ascending order according to their weight, which means that the ingredient present on the top is present abundantly in the composition.

Quality of the ingredients                                                                                                     

The quality of the dog food‘s ingredients depends upon the source of protein. Protein may be animal-based or plant-based. Make sure that the ingredients used in the processing are extracted from a high-quality source. Some renowned brands use farm-fresh veggies and animals to use in the manufacturing of dry dog food.

High-quality dog foods are free from chemicals, additives, artificial flavors, and fillers like wheat, soy, and other such ingredients.

Price

The general rule says that dry dog foods that are high in nutritional value and contain high-quality content have a high price. The cheaper cereals usually contain ingredients extracted from low-quality source and also contain additives and fillers that are good for nothing.

Make sure that you buy age-appropriate food.

 dog food that is aimed to provide more vitamins and minerals to maintain a healthy coat, fight diseases like obesity and joint issues, and recover from the injuries rapidly.

Choosing a dry dog food with specific dietary requirements 

Some pups afflicting with different disorders and allergies have special dietary requirements. Therefore, it is significant to take care of the contents the dog food contains. The dogs who are spayed need lesser calories than normal dogs, so make sure that the dog food you buy for such a dog is low in calories and high in proteins.

Some dogs have skin sensitivities or allergies, so make sure that you buy hypoallergenic dog food that is easy to digest.

Dry Dog Food vs Wet

Dry dog food is typically seen as being healthier for your dog because it has the appropriate nutrients that are necessary for them to live. They’re also used specifically for large breed dogs because they need more proteins in their diet. Wet dog food contains water, which is good for small breeds or older dogs who have difficulty chewing dry food.

Dry dog food is more convenient, less expensive, and has a longer shelf life. Wet dog food is more interesting for the eater and is often more nutritious than dry dog food.

Wet food can be tempting to some dogs; they like the smell and taste of it which makes them want to eat it. However, wet food also contains more water which makes it go bad faster than dry dog food. Wet dog food that has been sitting out for a long time can turn into a slimy mess that your dog will not want to eat from.

Dogs that are used to eating wet dog food may have more trouble switching over to dry dog food. If you start them on this type of food, they might develop an upset stomach and diarrhea. Another problem with this specific type is that it can quickly go bad if it’s not stored properly.

Some dogs are picky eaters, but switching them to dry dog food could get them used to it. Dogs prefer the taste of wet food, but this might not be an option for everybody. You can start your dog on dry food or wet, it’s kind of a personal preference.

Final Words 

Dry dog foods are available in a wide variety but choosing the right one is a bit challenging. We hope that our buying guide and the reviews will help you to choose the best dry puppy food. Let us know about your experience in the comments section below and also suggest some more highly-rated puppy foods you want us to review. Cheers.