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Top-Rated Dog Food for Pets in 2025, Recommended by Veterinary Professionals

Ensure your puppy's nutritional needs are met with a puppy-tailored diet. Discover top-quality puppy food from renowned brands such as Purina, Royal Canin, Hill's, Iams, and others for your expanding pup's growth.

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Feed your canine offspring a puppy-tailored diet until they hit the one-year mark. Discover...
Feed your canine offspring a puppy-tailored diet until they hit the one-year mark. Discover top-tier puppy chow from renowned brands such as Purina, Royal Canin, Hill's, Iams, and others for your rapidly expanding pooch.

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Welcome, budding pet parent! When you bring home a new puppy, it's crucial to provide the best care and nutrition to help them grow and thrive. One essential aspect of puppy care is feeding them a proper diet, particularly finding the best dog food. To help you out, I've consulted with veterinarians to bring you an unbiased guide on the best dog food options for your precious pup. Let's delve in.

Firstly, it's essential to create a consistent feeding routine for your new furry friend. Dr. Nell Ostermeier from Figo Pet Insurance advises, "Choose a schedule that is convenient for you and your family so that you can stick to it - if you create a routine, the puppies will follow."

When choosing high-quality puppy food, experts recommend considering factors like nutritional standards, ingredients, breed and size, and portion sizes.

  1. Check AAFCO Nutritional Standards: The most crucial factor to consider is ensuring that the food meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional standards. Look for a nutritional adequacy statement on the label that confirms that the food is "complete and balanced," ensuring it meets or exceeds AAFCO standards, as the World Small Animal Veterinary Association recommends.
  2. High-Quality Ingredients: The ingredients in your dog's food play a vital role in determining their overall enjoyment of the food. Ingredients are listed by weight, with the first three being the most significant.
  3. Breed and Size: Select a food that is specifically labeled for puppies and feed them appropriate formulas for their size, such as small, large, or giant breeds. These foods have different caloric and nutritional values to meet your pup's unique needs.
  4. Portion Sizes: Look for brands that offer a feeding guide on their packaging to help you determine the correct portions for your puppy's weight and size.

Now, let's dive into some top-tier puppy food picks made with veterinarian recommendations and NBC Select staff's personal favorites.

Our Top Picks

  • Best Overall: Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Dry Dog Food*
  • Best Canned: Purina Pro Plan High Protein Puppy Food Pate, Chicken and Brown Rice Entree*
  • Best Budget-friendly: IAMS Proactive Health Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food*
  • Best for Small Breeds: Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food*
  • Best for Large Breeds: Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Dry Puppy Food*
  • Best for Giant Breeds: Royal Canin Giant Puppy Dry Dog Food*
  • Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Dry Adult & Puppy Dog Food*

How I Picked the Best Puppy Food

After consulting with veterinarians, I've outlined the essential factors to consider when selecting the best dog food for your little one:

  • Consistent Mealtime Routine: Dr. Ostermeier emphasizes creating a mealtime routine for your puppy, as consistency will encourage your puppy to follow the schedule set.
  • Selection Criteria for Quality Puppy Food: Consider the AAFCO nutritional standards, ingredients, breed and size, portion sizes, and quality of the puppy food brand.

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Find the best nutrition for your new pup and give them the best start in life. Now, ready to learn more about the top puppy food picks? Let's dive in.

Best Puppy Food of 2025

From top veterinarian-recommended brands to expert-backed favorites, find the perfect puppy food for your four-legged friend in our 2025 selection:

Best Overall:

  • Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Dry Dog Food
  • Description: A popular choice among our experts, Hill's Science Diet offers a formula tailored to puppies' needs, with small, easy-to-digest kibble.

Best Budget-friendly:

  • IAMS Proactive Health Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food
  • Description: If you're watching your budget but still want a quality option, IAMS' dry puppy food is a highly-rated and cost-effective choice.

Best Tasting:

  • Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  • Description: Known for its taste, this Blue Buffalo formula includes a mix of essential vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals to promote a healthy immune system.

Best Wet Food:

  • Purina Pro Plan High Protein Puppy Food Pate, Chicken and Brown Rice Entree
  • Description: Ideal for pups with an expected adult weight of up to 100 pounds, this Purina Pro Plan canned food offers essential nutrients for healthy growth and development.

Best for Large Breeds:

  • Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Dry Puppy Food
  • Description: Suitable for dogs expected to reach over 50 pounds at maturity, Purina Pro Plan's large breed formula helps maintain a healthy growth rate while providing the right nutrient ratios.

Best for Small Breeds:

  • Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food
  • Description: Suitable for dogs up to 22 pounds, this Royal Canin formula is easy to digest and promotes healthy growth and energy levels.

Best for Giant Breeds:

  • Royal Canin Giant Puppy Dry Dog Food
  • Description: Designed for puppies over 100 pounds, this Royal Canin formula is carefully tailored to support healthy growth and muscle development in giant breeds.

Best Subscription:

  • The Farmer's Dog Subscription Dog Food
  • Description: This subscription dog food service delivers custom meals fit for growing puppies right to your door, complete with feeding instructions based on your dog's individual nutritional needs.

Best Fresh Food:

  • Just Food for Dogs Puppy Variety Pack
  • Description: This variety pack includes pre-cooked meals that are preserved using natural processes, perfect for providing nutritious, fresh food to your pup.

Best No-Frills:

  • Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Dry Dog Food
  • Description: Offering quality, Nutro Natural Choice puppy food supports overall health through a well-balanced mix of vitamins, minerals, and wholesome ingredients.

Best High-Protein:

  • Open Farm Ancient Grains High-Protein Puppy Food
  • Description: This high-protein formula includes an array of premium, natural ingredients, making it a popular choice for pet parents seeking quality nutrition for their pups.

Best for Sensitive Stomachs:

  • Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Dry Adult & Puppy Dog Food
  • Description: With a focus on promoting gut health, this prescription diet formulation can help maintain your pup's digestive system and overall well-being.

What's the Difference Between Puppy Food and Adult Dog Food?

Since younger dogs are still developing, puppy-specific foods are designed to sustain rapid growth. "Puppy food tends to have higher fat and protein content, which also means it is typically more calorie dense," explains Dr. Ostermeier. Compared to adult dog food, puppy food frequently contains higher levels of protein and essential nutrients like DHA, calcium, and phosphorus, which support their brain and physical development.

How to Shop for Puppy Food

Begin by consulting your vet for expert recommendations. When shopping for suitable puppy food, consider factors like AAFCO nutritional standards, ingredients, and flavor, as well as breed and size specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Meet Our Experts

At NBC Select, our coverage includes a dedicated team of experts with arena-specific knowledge and unbiased guidance. Our trusted experts include:

  • Dr. Nell Ostermeier: Veterinarian and Veterinary Advisor at Figo Pet Insurance
  • Dr. Nicole Savageau: Board-certified veterinarian at The Vets, a mobile veterinary service

Why Trust NBC Select?

The NBC Select team provides thorough and unbiased coverage of pet essentials, backed by extensive research and expert advice. Trust our comprehensive selection of top-rated dog food and other pet-related items to make thoughtful decisions for your beloved pets.

While providing the best care and nutrition for your new puppy, it's crucial to consider science in their diet. For instance, choosing a top-tier puppy food brand like Hill's Science Diet, which adheres to nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), ensures a balanced diet suitable for your pup's health-and-wellness needs. Properly feeding your new furry friend can be further supported by maintaining a consistent mealtime routine, as advised by Dr. Nell Ostermeier from Figo Pet Insurance.

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