Choosing Science Diet Puppy Food for a Happy Healthy Puppy

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

Contributions sourced from

How to Find the Best Puppy Food for Your Dog

There's nothing you want more than to keep your puppy healthy during the important formative months of his energetic life. But to set the stage for a long, happy adulthood, it's important to choose the best puppy food for his development. You want nutritious meals that are specially formulated for young dogs. And if you consider what you're feeding your dog now, you can avoid health issues like obesity, weak muscle and bone development, or poor immune response in the future.

Here's what to keep in mind as you search for the right product for your pup.

Research

The best puppy food is committed to high-quality ingredients formulated with a precise balance of nutrients that meet the needs of a growing pup. And the food brand you choose should care what goes into your dog's food at this critical early stage of development. Look for puppy food products created by experts like veterinarians, PhD nutritionists, and/or food scientists to help create puppy food that's nutritionally balanced so that your beloved dog lives a long and healthy life. The nutritional information on each puppy food label should always be the next step in your search.

Ingredients and Nutrition

Puppies require food that provides them with all the nutrients that growing puppies need, including calcium and protein. Puppy food with the right amount of calcium helps controlbonecontrol bone growth, ensuring his bones, muscles, and joints develop properly into adulthood. Protein also helps with strong growth in the development of lean muscle, so look for foods with proteins like chicken, lamb, salmon, corn, wheat or barley on the label to ensure he's getting what he needs. You'll often see Vitamins C and E on puppy food labels, as well, which help build a strong immune system, while fiber sources like flaxseed and whole grain and folic acid help him digest these important nutrients.

Size Matters

Maybe you brought home a dachshund puppy, whose tiny legs are only as long as your pinky finger. Or, perhaps you chose a golden retriever pup whose large (and sometimes clumsy) paws are an indication of the girth to come. Clearly the size of your dog needs your consideration when making a food choice. That's why most puppy foods, including Hill's Science Diet, have different options for large and smallbreeds. Not only do these foods meet the needs of each mouth, but are formulated to ensure proper bone growth, muscle mass, and energy output according to the size of your dog.

Feeding time

You might be tempted to leave food out for your growing and high-energy dog so that he can eat whenever he wants. But don't. Doing that can lead to bad habits, like overeating, and accompanying health problems like obesity and bone development. As a general rule, a young puppy should be fed three times a day to keep up with his high-energy lifestyle. By the time your dog reaches six months of age, you can reduce the number of times a day you feed your dog to two.

What to Avoid

Although some unwelcome ingredients might give your dog a stomach ache, other ingredients can be downright dangerous for your pup. Avoid giving your new puppy table scrap; foods that are part of your own everyday snacks and meals, like onions and grapes, and foods that contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener, can be dangerous to him. If you have any questions about what to feed your pup, ask your veterinarian for advice. You love your sweet puppy dog, and he knows it. After all, you prove it every time you play with him, shower him with affection, and feed him the high-quality kibbles that will help keep him become healthy now and stay fit in the years ahead.

Talk to Your Veterinarian

When youre trying to decide on the best food for your pup, its easy to get overwhelmed by the number of options you see on your shelves. While this article should give you some tools to help make the decision process easier, remember that your veterinarian is a reliable and trustworthy source of information on the food options available for your pet. Your puppys first appointment with their vet is a great opportunity to start a discussion about nutrition and get your pup on the right track from day one.

Contributor Bio

Kara Murphy

Kara Murphy is a freelance writer in Erie, Pa.

Hills Science Diet Puppy Food Review (Dry)

The Hills Science Diet Puppy product line includes the 3 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Hills Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first Ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken.¹

Chicken is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The second ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The third ingredient includes oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

The fourth ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The fifth ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The sixth item is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The seventh ingredient is pea protein, what remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable.

Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.

And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

The eighth ingrdients is brewers rice. Brewers rice is a cereal grain by-product consisting of the small fragments left over after milling whole rice. Aside from the caloric energy it contains, this item is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.

With 6 notable exceptions

First, fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.

Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.

Next, beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.

Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.

We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.

In addition, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

Next, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.

We also find sodium selenite in this product. Sodium selenite is a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

And lastly, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Hills Science Diet Puppy looks like an above-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 26%, a fat level of 15% and estimated carbohydrates of about 50%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 28% and a mean fat level of 19%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 45% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.

Near-average protein. Near-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the corn gluten meal and flaxseed, this looks like the profile of a kibble still containing a notable amount of meat.

Hill's Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Hill's through April 2024.

No recalls noted.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

Our Rating of Hill's Grain-Inclusive Dog Food

Hills Science Diet Puppy is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a notable amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.

Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

INGREDIENTS:Chicken, Brown Rice, Whole Grain Oats, Chicken Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Chicken Fat, Pea Protein, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Soybean Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken Liver Flavor, Ground Pecan Shells, Lactic Acid, Pork Liver Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Fish Oil, Iodized Salt, Dried Citrus Pulp, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Pressed Cranberries, Calcium Carbonate, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), DL-Methionine, L-Threonine, Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Tryptophan, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, L-Carnitine, Beta-Carotene.

Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

INGREDIENTS:Chicken, Brown Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Whole Grain Corn, Whole Grain Oats, Pea Protein, Soybean Meal, Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor, Ground Pecan Shells, Dicalcium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Pork Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Iodized Salt, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Citrus Pulp, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Pressed Cranberries, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), L-Threonine, DL-Methionine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, L-Tryptophan, Beta-Carotene.

How to Choose the Right Food for Your Puppy

Bringing a new puppy into your home involves more than just a warm welcome. From puppy-proofing your space to initiating crate training and potty training, theres a lot to consider.

Choosing the right puppy food is a crucial aspect of ensuring your furry friends growth and overall health. While it may seem daunting, selecting the perfect diet for your puppy isnt as difficult as you might think, provided you keep a few essential factors in mind.

This article will discuss the different types of diets you might be considering and some advice to keep in mind when choosing puppy food.

What diet should I start my puppy on?

Welcoming a new puppy into your home can be overwhelming for them. Having recently transitioned from their mothers milk to solid food, and with their digestive systems and microbiome still in the developmental stage, their little tummies are often quite sensitive.

They have also entered an entirely new home, leaving their mother and siblings behind so they are likely to be anxious. Therefore, its advisable to try to stick to one food and not switch between lots of different kinds.

Do some research before getting your puppy and select a complete and balanced diet tailored to their age and breed, providing the stability needed during this transitional period.

However, if youve tried a specific food for a month or so and its not suiting the puppy, a change can be made just do it gradually to avoid any potential upset tummy issues.

What type of diet is suitable for a puppy?

Generally, every type of diet can be suitable for puppies so long as they are formulated to be complete and balanced to meet the standards of AAFCO and have all life stages or growth nutritional profiles.

Is a raw diet food for a puppy?

Raw diets can be suitable for puppies but its best to opt for a professionally formulated food as opposed to homemade. Puppies have very specific nutritional requirements and need to meet these requirements so following the 80:10:10 method is not recommended at this stage.

You will also need to be careful of Salmonella and other bacteria with a raw diet, but also any other type of dog food as puppies are more susceptible to illness from these types of bacteria than adult dogs.

Is a kibble diet good for a puppy?

Kibble can be a great choice as its usually commercially prepared to be completed and balanced. However, depending on their age and development, you might need to soak the kibble in warm water to protect their developing teeth.

Is a fresh diet good for a puppy?

Much like the raw diet, a fresh diet is a good option as long as it meets the standards of AAFCO. Its best to get one formulated by a professional rather than making the food yourself to ensure your puppy is getting the essential nutrients.

Is a wet food diet good for a puppy?

Puppies often gobble up wet food because its easy to chew and it includes lots of moisture, so its hydrating.

The foods can be fed slightly warm as a comfort and to increase the scents and palatability.

Overall, it can come down to what suits the owners lifestyle, the puppys preferences, or any health concerns your puppy might have. If you are unsure about choosing the correct diet, your vet will be happy to discuss which is best for your new puppy.

Why puppy food?

Its essential to choose a puppy-specific food. Since your puppy is growing, they need more nutrients and calories than an adult dog. This is why puppy foods have a higher level of protein and fat to support growth, as well as nutrients like DHA, an omega fatty acid found in mothers milk.

Once your puppy reaches adulthood, they dont need as many calories. So when they are around 10-12 months for small breeds, 12-18 months for medium/large breeds, and around 18-24 months for giant breeds, its time to change over to adult food.

What to look for in puppy food

Complete and balanced

If you are buying commercially made dog food, check if the label reads: complete and balanced for Growth or All Life Stages. This means the food meets the standards of the AAFCO and is recommended for healthy puppies without existing veterinary conditions or particular nutritional needs.

Expected Adult Size

If your puppy is a large or giant breed (those expected to weigh over 50 pounds as an adult), consider using a puppy food formulated especially for large or giant-breed dogs.

Large and giant breeds also reach their adult size later than small and medium breeds.

Large breeds usually reach their adult size at 18 months and for giant breeds, at two years.

Using a large breed of puppy food for the later stages of growth rather than adult food will save your dog from receiving too much calcium which compromises skeletal development in large breeds.

You can read more about this in our article on large-breed puppies here: https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/best-large-breed-puppy-food/

Breed

Numerous dog foods are labeled as breed-specific, while they may not be essential for your growing puppy, they can offer benefits. These diets often provide kibble sizes tailored to your puppys preferences and a nutrient profile designed for your dogs breed.

While many breeds share similar nutritional needs, breed-specific foods may offer features that cater to specific breed predispositions and characteristics.

Ingredient list

There are no specific ingredients to look for when choosing the best puppy food, but pet parents must ensure the food is made by a reputable company and contains high-quality ingredients.

Does your puppy have any dietary needs?

Although only a small percentage of allergies are diet-related, if you do think your puppy is having an allergic reaction, check with your vet and they will be able to advise.

What are the best treats for my puppy?

Rewarding your puppy with a treat is a great way of rewarding good behavior and is one of the best tools you have when it comes to puppy training. If your new puppy is a food lover (and most are) you can easily show them the benefits of behaving well, both inside and outside the home.

But as is the case with mealtimes, its important to make sure youre not overfeeding them and that youre giving them treats that are nutritious and part of a balanced diet. Treat intake should not surpass 10% of your dogs daily calories.

Choosing appropriate treats can play a big part in keeping your puppy both happy and healthy. Here are some things to look out for when buying your puppy treats:

Treats specifically for puppies
Tiny pieces
Healthy ingredients.

Despite the overwhelming choice in the pet store, choosing a puppy food doesnt have to be a daunting task. Whether you opt for a raw, kibble, fresh, or wet food diet, the key is to choose a complete and balanced option tailored to your puppys age and breed.