The 8 Best Puppy Foods in 2023 Recommended by Vets

By PetMD Vet Advisory Panel on Nov. 3, 2023
chocolate lab puppy eating kibble from red food bowl

All products in this article have been reviewed by our trusted vets and experts. PetMD is owned by Chewy.

Puppies are a lot of things—adorable, energetic, occasionally destructive—but one thing they’re not is smaller versions of adult dogs.

Just like human babies, growing puppies have unique nutritional needs to make sure they’re getting all the support they need to grow and develop. 

To help you identify the best food for your puppy, our vets looked at dozens of foods designed for puppies and selected the eight best puppy foods.

When shopping for puppy food, our veterinarians recommended focusing on foods that meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO. Dog foods carrying the AAFCO stamp are guaranteed to meet certain nutritional and labeling requirements, so you know that what’s on the label is accurate, and the food provides a complete and balanced diet.

Other factors to take into consideration include your dog’s breed, the nutritional profile, price, palatability, and if the manufacturer conducts rigorous research on its formula.

Read on to find out which foods are the best picks for your pup.


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