⏰ In a hurry? Here Are Our Top 3 Favorite Puppy Food Brands
How to Choose The Best Puppy Food?
Puppies aren’t just pets—they’re sensitive, living companions who need special attention. Giving your puppy an appropriate diet is crucial for their health, development, and daily wellbeing. Yet, navigating the crowded market of various brands and ingredient lists can be downright overwhelming.
These days, paying a high price doesn’t always guarantee the best choice for your furry friend. Slick marketing can often mislead even the most caring owners.
To separate genuinely good foods from the mediocre, you’ll need to look beyond the shiny labels and delve deeper. In this guide, discover the essential criteria for picking your puppy’s food—and for simplicity’s sake, check out our side-by-side review of the 10 best puppy kibbles available now.
Which Puppy Kibble? Our Top 10
Best Value for Money: Ultra Premium Direct
Looking for puppy food that hits the sweet spot between price and quality? Ultra Premium Direct stands out as a smart option that won’t break the bank, yet still delivers on nutrition.
What We Love
All Ultra Premium Direct kibbles are made in France and crafted to closely mimic the natural ancestral diet of dogs. They’re typically grain-free (or at least much lower in grains than many competitors).
Pros
- Choose from 4 puppy kibble recipes
- French manufacturing
- Excellent value for money
- Low carbohydrate content
- Grain-free options
- Highly recommended and positively reviewed
- Swift home delivery
The puppy range includes 4 different recipes and 4 welcome kits, each packed with exclusive Ultra Premium Direct goodies:
- A 4kg bag of puppy kibble
- A pouch of training treats
- A kibble measuring cup
- A toy
- A welcome handbook for new puppy parents
- A cotton tote bag
This set has everything you need to start your puppy’s diet off right. Plus, the 4kg size is just right for trialling new foods, keeping things fresh and minimizing waste.
Best Grain-Free Puppy Kibble: Edgard & Cooper Junior
Edgard & Cooper features an impressive puppy food lineup: dry kibbles, moist meals, and even gourmet snacks. There’s something for every pup!
What We Love
Edgard & Cooper’s grain-free kibbles shine for their simple ingredient lists, packed almost entirely with all-natural components.
Pros
- Duo protein recipe (duck & chicken)
- Excellent ingredient quality
- 100% grain-free
- No meat meal
- Great customer reviews
- Eco-friendly, recycled paper bags
Cons
- The price isn’t the most accessible compared to some others
Best Premium Puppy Kibble: Orijen Puppy
This Canadian brand is famous for its exceptional recipes, frequently hailed as one of the top pet food lines in the world.
What We Love
Orijen Puppy’s grain-free menus, rich in fresh chicken, turkey and fish, embrace the ‘back-to-nature’ philosophy. These kibbles are ideal for puppies right after weaning, supporting growth from day one.
Pros
- Multiple protein sources
- Grain-free
- Fresh, Canadian-sourced ingredients
- Suitable for all puppy sizes
- Low carbohydrate content
- Optimized mineral and trace element content for healthy development
Cons
- Above-average market pricing
Best Kibble for Large Breed Puppies: Eukanuba Junior
Eukanuba specializes in dry food for dogs and cats, offering an expansive range tailored for every pet profile. Its junior formula is highly regarded, especially for large-breed puppies.
What We Love
High-quality recipes, with a strong focus on meeting the unique nutritional needs of growing pups.
Pros
- Over 10 puppy-focused recipes in the Eukanuba Junior range
- Tasty, well-liked kibbles
- Great value
- No colorings, preservatives, artificial flavors, or GMOs
- Handy packaging
Cons
- Kibble size for large puppies may be a tad small
Best Kibble for Small & Medium Puppies: Ultra Premium Direct Super Premium
For smaller breeds, Ultra Premium Direct’s Super Premium formula is a top pick—thoughtfully developed for puppies under 30kg. The main ingredients? Chicken, rice, salmon oil, and spirulina, making for a nutritionally balanced, tasty meal.
Pros
- Low in grains
- Wheat- and gluten-free
- Puppy-friendly kibble size
- Highly palatable and nutritious
- High value for the quality
Cons
- Some pups may develop mild intolerance issues
Best Kibble for Sensitive Puppies: Ultra Premium Sensitive Puppy Kibble
Sensitive pups deserve food that goes the extra mile. Ultra Premium Direct’s digestion-friendly recipe is gentle on sensitive tummies, suitable for all puppy sizes, and features lamb, pork, salmon oil, chondroitin, glucosamine, and apple.
Pros
- Grain-free
- Multiple animal proteins (lamb and pork)
- Formulated to improve digestion
- Excellent value
- Kibble size ideal for chewing practice
Cons
- Mostly available online, not in all stores
Best Custom Formulated Puppy Food: Petty Well
As far as tailored nutrition goes, Petty Well leads the pack! You can design an individualized menu for your puppy directly on their website, based on your pup’s unique needs the moment they’re weaned.
Pros
- Personalized, custom-tailored meals
- Full transparency regarding origin and composition
- Recipes containing up to 41% protein
- Flexible subscription services
Cons
- Costs are higher than average for puppy food
Best Fresh Homemade-Style Puppy Food: Elmut
Elmut also specializes in tailored meals, but only offers fresh, moist meals—no dry kibbles here.
Pros
- Slow-cooked, nutrient-preserving recipes
- No additives or preservatives
- High-protein content
- Diets feature around 70% meat and organ meats
Cons
- No dry food selection at all
- Relatively expensive
Most Eco-Friendly Puppy Kibbles: Tomojo
Tomojo stands out in the puppy food world by using 31% insect protein in their formula. The result? Unique, eco-friendly kibbles that are as nutritious as traditional meat or fish-based foods.
What We Love
Developed with vets, Tomojo kibbles supply all the needed nutrients for healthy, happy puppy growth. Sustainability is at their core—these kibbles require far less water to produce than meat-based recipes and come in biodegradable packaging.
Pros
- 31% insect protein content
- Grain-free
- Made in France
- Much more eco-friendly than conventional kibbles
Cons
- On the pricey side
- Harder to find in stores
Best Organic Puppy Kibble: Canichef
Canichef & Felichef is a French company creating organic foods for pets, made locally in Mayenne and certified organic across the range.
Pros
- Ingredients sourced from organic farms
- Wholesome composition
- 30% fresh poultry in every bag
- Puppies love the flavor
Cons
- Hard to find outside select outlets
- Only available in 2kg packages
Best Budget Supermarket Puppy Kibble: Pedigree Junior
If you’re set on buying your puppy food at the supermarket, Pedigree Junior performed best when compared to other budget-friendly options.
What We Love
This line caters specifically to puppies aged 2 to 12 months, and the formula is decent compared to others in its price bracket.
Pros
- Affordable with a good quality-to-price ratio
- Tasty—most puppies enjoy it
- Easy to digest
- Contains 30% meat and animal by-products
Cons
- High grain content
- Lack of detailed ingredients on packaging
Puppy Nutritional Needs
Choosing wisely for your puppy starts with understanding their specific dietary requirements. Reading dog food labels can make all the difference between an average and an outstanding choice.
Here’s a breakdown of what to look out for during your puppy’s formative months:
Protein
Protein is vital for healthy bone and muscle development. Deficiencies can lead to growth delays or body deformities. Always check protein percentages first—aim for 25-30% animal-based proteins in your dog’s diet.
Note: A high protein level alone doesn’t guarantee a good product. Prioritize fresh meat over vague “animal by-products.”
Calcium
Calcium (alongside phosphorus) is necessary for strong bones and proper physiological development. Essential minerals must come from daily meals, but beware of excess, which can cause health issues. FEDIAF recommends a 1% calcium level for puppy kibble recipes.
Carbohydrates
Think rice, potatoes, or dried fruits—carbs aren’t harmful for your puppy, and the right kind adds nutritional value.
Fats
Fats are crucial, too, but moderation is key. Ideally, digestible fats shouldn’t exceed 20%. Too much fat can quickly lead to puppy obesity.
Vitamins and Minerals
All kibbles contain them, but check the “ash” content—this indicates total mineral load. Ash content should ideally fall between 5-7%, never exceeding 8%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all your puppy food questions here.
When can I start feeding my puppy wet food?
You can introduce wet food starting from the fourth week. Just remember, weaning must be gradual with only small amounts at first.
Can puppies eat adult dog food?
No. Puppies and adult dogs have different dietary needs. Puppy food is specially designed for young dogs, so don’t switch to adult food early.
How often should a puppy eat?
Feeding frequency should change as your puppy grows. Until 2 months old: up to 6 times a day. Then, reduce to 4 times daily up to 3 months, 3 times up to 6 months, and 2 times a day beyond that.
Conclusion
Finding the right kibble for your puppy can feel daunting. After extensive comparison, Ultra Premium Direct wins our vote for top overall value and quality. Proudly made in France, boasting wholesome ingredients, good pricing, and convenient home delivery—it ticks all the boxes. Depending on your criteria, other brands on this list could also be a great fit for your pup’s needs.
We hope our best puppy kibble comparison helps you confidently select the right nourishment for your pup. Tried any of these options? Share your experience in the comments.
