Growing puppies need lots of things: toys to keep them engaged, love to keep them happy, and most importantly, food to keep them healthy. Pet owners must be incredibly attentive with puppies because, like children, they need proper nutrition and plenty of energy-giving carbohydrates and must be shielded from harmful preservatives. Hence, dog food is the last place you should be skimping on. Here are the five best dog foods for growing puppies:

Royal Canin Small Puppy Pouch Dog Food
This is an excellent brand to invest in as they make special foods depending on the dog’s size, for example, small, medium, and large dogs. Often, owners do not realize that smaller dogs have different nutritional requirements than large ones and when you give them the same food, small dogs often develop problems. Royal Canin Small Puppy wet food is perfect for small dogs between one and ten kgs. It is available in 3-oz pouches and has real chicken with gravy-like consistency that allows you to mix it with kibble. You can also get other specialized food from the brand, especially for puppies younger than two months, as their requirements differ. And if your dog is a giant breed, Royal Canin provides options for them too.

NUTRO™ Natural Choice™ Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
This dry dog food is made from non-GMO ingredients and does not include artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. NUTRO™ also uses high-quality protein sources as its primary component. There is no corn, wheat, soy, or chicken by-product. This puppy food is available in many flavors, but the Lamb and Brown Rice recipe is suitable and should be on the top of your list. It comes in 30-lbs. packs and contains 26% protein, which is ideal for the growth of puppies. The main ingredients are deboned lamb, brewers rice, rice bran, and split peas. Remember that it is dry food, so you must ensure that your pets always have enough water to prevent problems with swallowing.

Natural Balance Salmon and Brown Rice Puppy Recipe
Natural Balance is among the few brands that promise the best for your pets with unmatched transparency. They guarantee complete satisfaction with all their products, test every recipe rigorously at leading laboratories, and hire specialists to prepare dog food. In addition, they invest in trained veterinarians to advise pet parents about issues regarding pet health. The Salmon and Brown Rice Puppy Recipe from Natural Balance is gluten-free, which makes it suitable for little puppies. The brown rice and brewers rice provide essential fibers and support digestive health, while salmon is an excellent animal protein and an alternative to the usual chicken or beef. The kibble has a unique shape and texture, specially designed for the small jaws and delicate developing teeth of pups. The added taurine helps support cardiovascular and immune health, and DHA from salmon and fish assures healthy neural development. Besides this recipe, the brand offers several other limited ingredient options worth trying.

NUTRO™ Puppy Tender Beef, Pea, and Carrot Recipe Bites in Gravy
Another option from NUTRO™ is this Beef, Pea, and Carrot recipe. It is made from non-GMO ingredients and comes in easy-to-serve food trays. This brand promises real beef, chicken, and pork broth that all puppies will surely enjoy. And unlike most pet food companies, they use no corn, wheat, or soy. Their FEED CLEAN™ logo also promises zero waste to landfills, ensuring your pup and the planet are not harmed. Besides this Beef, Pea, and Carrot recipe, the brand offers wet food options that use meats of turkey, duck, chicken, and whitefish.

Just Right – Customizable dog food
Consider this brand for personalized recipes for your little pup. All you have to do is take a five-minute quiz about your pet’s age, breed, size, and other details. Then experts use the information you enter to create a customized feeding plan. Just Right offers subscription plans, so you do not have to worry about stocking up food for growing puppies frequently. Each time, you get a resealable bag of dog food personalized with your dog’s name and photo on the packing. The brand’s experts regulate how much food your pup eats. You get a separate measuring scoop to ensure your dog has the right quantities. Though worth every penny, Just Right products are on the more expensive side.

A puppy’s meal should include four key components: protein, fat, carbohydrates, and calcium. Protein is the most critical requirement, especially after weaning. 22% to 25% of their daily food intake should be protein for optimal growth, but it is best not to exceed this amount. Fat is necessary as it is a concentrated energy source and enables the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy. Calcium is essential, especially for large breeds, to maintain bone density. If you plan to home-cook meals, remember to keep these points in mind and check with your veterinarian what fruits and vegetables are safe for your puppy. Also, switch dog food regularly, as your puppy can grow allergic to the same food over time and develop other health problems.