The Right Dog Food For Puppies

Last Updated July 28, 2020

Puppies are proof that heaven exists. These little bundles of joys are super cute and often bring a lot of positivity in our lives and it is important for us to take care of them! We should remember that these puppies need a lot of attention, especially with what they are fed.

• “What should I feed my puppy?”
• “Can puppies eat adult dog food?”
• “What dog food is the best for puppies?”

If you ask any of those questions above, then you’re in the right starting place. Walking along the dog food aisle can definitely intimidate puppy parents, and probably even more so for first-time puppy parents! We’ve already covered How Much Should You Feed Your Puppy, and now we’re covering what food your puppies exactly needs and why!

First and foremost, all puppers are different from each other, so if you have any concerns or questions about your puppy’s food, feeding schedule, health, etc. always look to consult with your breeder or vet. You can also check out our Dog Food FAQ page for some frequently asked questions and for our dog food calculator!

What should I feed my puppy?

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) established a comprehensive guideline for pet foods all over the world. Below are some quick points about the AAFCO:

• AAFCO does not have the authority to inspect, approve or regulate dog food (or any other pet food).
• AAFCO simply sets the standards for quality pet nutrition by creating nutrient profiles. They could also revise this if needed

In general though, there are two dog food nutrient profiles (and another, if both profiles are met) that are important to take note of for your dog’s development:

1. Growth and Reproduction - dog foods formulated for puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs
2. Adult Maintenance - dog foods formulated for adult dogs.
3. All Life Stages - meets the guidelines for both “Growth and reproduction” and “Adult Maintenance”.
   

Since this article is all about puppies, we are going to discuss more about Growth And Reproduction, albeit a simplified version.

Before a certain pet food gets recognized to be labelled as a food for “Growth And Reproduction”, it undergoes certain types of testing by the AAFCO. One of the main driving factors for a product to be labelled as such is the nutrient content of the product. If the product meets the minimum and is below the maximum nutrient count, it passes the standards of AAFCO for “Growth And Reproduction”. This means that if a product meets and exceeds AAFCO's standards for the “Growth And Reproduction” profile, it has the correct amounts of nutrients for puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs. However, keep in mind that inspecting the product further is still important. If in doubt, check the actual products used in the pet food first!

Puppies grow extremely fast - building bone and muscle, and developing internal and external organs. If a dog food is hits or is above the standards for “Growth And Reproduction”, it should be able to take care of all of your puppy’s nutrient needs in order to grow into a strong and good doggo. This is what your puppy (3-4 months and above!) exactly need - a dog food that meets and exceeds the standards set by AAFCO. If your puppy is below 3 months, we recommend the pet to be still on their mother's milk. To prove our point further, according to VCA Hospitals:

"When choosing a nutritional formulation, be sure to look for a statement on the label that the food has met the requirements of the regulatory agency, Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)."

We’re happy to let you know that BidaBest Dog Food meets and exceeds AAFCO standards for Growth & Reproduction using nutritional calculations, lab testing and feeding trials (actually, BidaBest meets the standards for “All Life Stages”!). This means that BidaBest contains the right ingredients and nutrients for your puppies and adult doggos.

Our pet food contains the right amount of nutrients from fresh ingredients - from fresh chicken or beef proteins to squash and sweet potatoes for important nutrients and minerals. We also supplement it with vitamins in order for our product to really take care of your puppy (and adult dogs!) from the time they could eat solid foods to adulthood and beyond.

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