Puppies are cute, playful and fill any environment with joy. But for them to grow up healthy and strong, a lot of care is necessary. Food is one of them. It is necessary to provide quality food for these small pets, so today we are going to talk about puppy dog food.
Puppy dog food must contain all the necessary nutrients to ensure that they remain full of energy and health. If you have one of these in your home then continue with us. In this article we will show you everything about this product and at the end of reading we will teach you exactly how to choose the best for your pet.
First, the most important
- All puppy dog food should be composed of proteins, minerals, fat and vitamins. These are key components for healthy pet growth.
- A puppy dog can be fed three to four times a day and the correct amount of feed is determined by its weight and size.
- There are wet and dry puppy food options.
Best puppy dog food options: Our indications
Providing a balanced diet is the best way to ensure that puppy dogs grow up healthy. For this it is essential to acquire a quality feed. Knowing this, we have separated the best options below, check and choose yours.
- A great premium feed option
- The best dog food for medium and large puppies
- The ideal feed for small breed puppies
This feed is in the premium category and has a formula full of essential vitamins and minerals for puppies. The food has yucca extract, which reduces the odor of feces and prevents the formation of tartar on the teeth. This option also has vitamin E in its composition, which fights free radicals and prevents
premature aging.
The best dog food for medium and large puppies
This puppy dog food consists of a mixture of meat, chicken and rice and is suitable for medium and large breed dogs. The food is easy to chew, has low sodium content and ensures healthy and balanced growth. This option does not use artificial colors and flavors, besides being easy to chew and guarantee good oral health.
The ideal feed for small breed puppies
This puppy dog food is suitable for pets of small breeds and is free of transgenics, without preservatives and without dyes. This food is produced with a high inclusion of fresh meats, eggs and proteins of high biological value. There are also noble fruits, vegetables and cereals. Thanks to this, the animal has a soft and shiny coat, healthy skin and produces a low volume of feces.
Buying Guide
Every animal has its own dietary needs and when it comes to puppies it is essential to provide a high nutritional value feed. This food will be responsible for ensuring that the pet grows and develops in a healthy way.
That is why puppy dog food is so important. It contains all the essential nutrients for the dog to become an adult full of health and energy. In this buying guide we will show you all about this type of feed.
What can’t be missing in puppy dog food?
The nutritional needs of a puppy dog are different from those of an adult or elderly dog. Therefore, the rations are made specifically for each age of the pet.
The period in which a dog is considered a puppy is up to 12 months of age and this is a decisive step for the health and development of the animal. To ensure that all of this occurs in the correct way it is essential that the food has some essential components.
A puppy dog food should consist of proteins, minerals, fats and vitamins.
It is very common to find dog food containing beef and chicken, as these are the two types of protein most accepted by pets. The most essential minerals are calcium and iron, which act directly on bones and growth.
Fats, on the other hand, usually come from the meat itself, while vitamins can be as diverse as A, B and E.
Why should puppy puppy food be used?
All puppy dog food is formulated in a way that contains all the necessary nutrients for the animal to grow healthy. These components are not the same in adult or elderly dog food.
That is why it is so important to provide this type of feed to dogs that are less than 1 year old.
It is worth mentioning that in addition to supplying the dog’s food needs, this feed also brings other benefits to the animals. It is common to have options that prevent tartar, decrease stools, improve coat and much more.
Puppy feed is also produced with grains that are the ideal size and softness for these animals’ teeth. Thus, there is no risk of dental problems.
The downside of this type of food is that it usually has a slightly higher value than adult food.Benefits
- It has all the necessary components for the growth of the dog
- Some options improve stool, coat and prevent disease
- It has grains with size and softness ideal for puppies
- It has high nutritional value
Disadvantages
- It has a slightly higher value than adult dog food
How should a puppy puppy feed?
A puppy dog can feed three to four times a day, depending on the availability of the guardian.
If the ration is given three times a day, then it is recommended to do this in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening. If you choose to divide it into four portions, a mid-afternoon meal is included.
It is at this age that the animal’s eating habits will be created. So it is important to create a correct routine.
If the feed is placed and the animal does not eat in about 10 to 15 minutes, it should be removed and only offered again at the next feeding time. In addition to teaching the pet to feed itself at the right times, this prevents feed nutrients from being lost.
What is the correct amount of puppy dog food for food?
The amount of puppy dog food that should be given to the pet is measured from the size of the animal. Thus, it is common for small dogs to eat less than large dogs.
All feed manufacturers put the recommended daily amount in their packaging according to the weight of the dog. This total amount must be divided by the number of meals that will be given to the animal.
Wet or dry puppy food: Which is the best?
There are two types of puppy dog food: wet, also known as sachet, and dry.
Moist is often used as a treat for dogs, as it tastes better. However, it is common for this type of food to have a higher fat content. This, associated with a more pleasant taste, can cause a bad weight gain in the animal.
On the other hand, wet food is a good option for dogs with capricious appetites, that is, those that do not accept dry food well.Mariana VeloniVeterinarian”Normally, for animals without restriction, dry food is more recommended because it offers the nutrients that the animal needs in less quantity.”
How much does it cost and where to buy puppy dog food?
Puppy dog food can be purchased at any farm, pet shop or store that sells pet items. The value of one of these varies according to the brand, packaging size and category.
With this, it is possible to find options starting at R $ 2, in the case of wet rations, and the most expensive ones reach R $ 300, on average.
Purchasing criteria: Choosing a puppy dog food
Now is the time to help you choose the best food for your puppy. To do this, just take into account the following factors:
- Dog size and breed
- Regular, premium or super premium
- Ingredients
- Packing size
The following is a detailed explanation of these topics.
Dog size and breed
Each puppy dog food is made for one size of the animal. Therefore, there are options for mini, small and medium or large dogs. There are also some brands that manufacture specific foods for some breeds.
When choosing between one of them, it is worth choosing the food that best suits your pet. If he is large, then a specific dog food of this size should be purchased.
With respect to breeds, it is worth knowing that giving a more specific diet can be interesting and a good choice. There are breeds that are predisposed to some diseases. Knowing this, the foods aimed at them are made with ingredients that seek to prevent these conditions.
Rations are divided into three main categories: regular, premium or super premium.
Regular options are also called combat ration. These are the ones with the lowest nutritional value and are produced with low quality ingredients. On the other hand, its price is very low.Premium feed can be considered a good quality intermediate.
Premium feed can be considered a good quality intermediate. It emerged in the 1980s and has higher nutritional levels than combat.
This type of food is also more palatable and has superior quality control and raw materials.
The super premium versions are the most suitable. These have high nutritional value ingredients and receive supplements that add even more to their quality. This is the most expensive type of feed, but it is also the best.
Ingredients
The ingredients of a feed are the most important part of it, since they are the ones that will nourish the animals. Therefore, it is essential to choose a food that has quality components in its formulation.
Many cheaper feeds usually lack protein in their composition. In them, it is possible to find flours made with animal guts, such as chicken, for example. This type of ingredient has a lower nutritional and protein value.
Furthermore, today there is a tendency for rations to be as natural as possible. Because of this, there are options made with fruits, without preservatives or dyes. These are an excellent option, especially for allergic animals.
Thus, read on the label what is in the composition of the puppy dog food and choose the one that contains the best and purest ingredients.
Packing size
Puppy dog food is sold in different types of packaging. There are bulk and closed options in sizes ranging from 1 to 15kg.
Bulk versions are the least recommended. This type of food is exposed for a long time, which causes its nutrients to be lost. Thus, the indication is always for a food purchased in closed packaging.
As for size, you must choose the version that best suits your reality. Being that often financially speaking it pays to acquire a larger bag.
Regardless, it is essential to keep the feed always closed and in a dry place and away from the sun. In addition, you should only open it at the time of feeding the pet and close it immediately afterwards.
