What should I feed my puppy?

Choosing puppy food can feel really overwhelming, especially with so many opinions online. It’s worth remembering there isn’t one universally right answer. However, some foods do contain a higher percentage of ingredients that are genuinely beneficial to your puppy, rather than filler ingredients that add little nutritional value.

When choosing a food, look for the words “complete” or “complete and balanced.” This means the food has been formulated to meet European nutritional guidelines and should provide everything your puppy needs.

A helpful website that gives an overview of dog food quality is All About Dog Food. You can enter your dog’s breed, weight, age and budget, and it will suggest suitable options. You can also search specific brands to see ingredient breakdowns and an overall rating.

Below you can find an overview of the main types of food available, along with pros and cons. Remember, when choosing a dog food, you need to factor in your pups needs along with how it works for your lifestyle and budget. Be kind to yourself – the fact your researching food shows how much you care!

1. Dry food (kibble)

Pros
• Convenient and long lasting
• Easy to portion accurately
• Usually the most cost effective option

Cons
• Some brands are highly processed or lower quality
• Can be less appealing to picky eaters
• Easy to overfeed unintentionally

Tips
• Research quality of kibble thoroughly before deciding which type.
• Soak the kibble in water, it’s usually much more appealing to your pup this way

2. Wet food (tins, pouches, pate)
Moist food with higher water content. Brands like Forthglade, Lily’s Kitchen, Harringtons and Scrumbles are examples of wet food options.

Pros
• Often highly appealing to puppies
• Higher moisture content helps with hydration
• Good option for small mouths or dental sensitivity

Cons
• Generally more expensive than dry food
• Needs refrigeration once opened
• Can produce softer stools for some puppies

Tips
• You can mix with kibble – just ensure you account for total calories.

3. Raw feeding
Uncooked meat, bones and organs. Can either be commercial raw products or home mixed meals.

Pros
• Can be very appealing to dogs
• Some owners report shinier coats or firmer stools

Cons
• Higher bacterial risk if handled poorly
• Home prepared raw diets can easily be nutritionally incomplete
• Bones carry choking and dental risk
• Not suitable for all households (e.g. young children, elderly, immune-compromised)

Tips
• Strict hygiene is essential: wash hands, clean surfaces, separate storage.
• Always discuss this with your vet before starting.