Puppy food guidance centers on nutrition standards and breed size
NBC Select says puppy owners should look for AAFCO-compliant food, feeding directions and formulas suited to a dog’s expected adult size.
By Priya Raghavan · Science Reporter
3 min read
NBC Select has published new guidance on puppy food, saying owners should start with products that meet Association of American Feed Control Officials nutritional standards. The advice matters for new dog owners because puppies have different feeding needs than adult dogs, and NBC Select said breed size, age and expected adult weight can affect the right choice.
NBC Select said it spoke with veterinarians about how puppy food differs from adult dog food and how shoppers can judge nutritional value for different dogs. Its recommendations include veterinarian-backed options, highly rated products and staff favorites that it said align with expert guidance.
According to NBC Select, every listed option meets AAFCO nutritional requirements, includes feeding instructions on the package and comes from companies with veterinary nutritionists on staff to oversee ingredients. NBC Select also discloses that it may earn a commission when readers click or buy through its links.
Dry and wet options named in the guide
NBC Select named Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Dry Dog Food as its overall pick. According to Hill’s, the dry food uses small kibble, includes fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids for brain and eye development, and contains vitamins E and C to support a puppy’s immune system.
The Hill’s formula is listed for puppies up to 1 year old and for dogs with an expected adult weight of up to 120 pounds, according to NBC Select. The guide lists chicken, brown rice and whole grain wheat as top ingredients, with 393 calories per cup.
For canned food, NBC Select highlighted Purina Pro Plan High Protein Puppy Food Pate. According to Purina, the chicken-and-rice formula is made for puppies with an expected adult weight of up to 100 pounds and includes vitamins and minerals meant to support coat and immune health.
Purina says puppies up to 6 months can have the canned food split into three or more meals, while puppies from 7 to 12 months can be fed in two meals. NBC Select lists the wet food at 475 calories per can, with chicken, liver, water, salmon and rice among the top ingredients.
Breed size drives several recommendations
NBC Select recommended Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Dry Puppy Food for dogs expected to weigh more than 50 pounds as adults. According to Purina, the formula is designed to support a steady development rate and includes fish oil for brain and vision development.
For small breeds, NBC Select listed Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food among its top picks. The guide also named Royal Canin Giant Puppy Dry Dog Food for giant breeds, though the available details centered on its category and price listing.
For shoppers watching cost, NBC Select pointed to IAMS Proactive Health Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food. According to IAMS, the chicken-and-whole-grain formula contains omega-3 fatty acids for brain and visual health, while NBC Select noted that its kibble is larger than some other options.
NBC Select also included Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food as a staff-favored option. Former NBC Select social media editor Sadhana Daruvuri said her sister’s cavapoo ate the kibble quickly as a puppy and that she also used it at times as a training treat.
Blue Buffalo says the formula contains vitamins, antioxidants and minerals including calcium and phosphorus to support immune health. NBC Select lists deboned chicken, chicken meal and brown rice as the product’s top ingredients.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.