Puppy food for puppies
Puppy food is not just smaller kibble — it is formulated with higher levels of protein, fat and specific minerals to support a growing dog, and the right one depends on your puppy's expected adult size as much as their current age. Here is what the label terms actually mean, before the range below.
Why puppy food is formulated differently
A growing puppy needs more energy, protein and certain minerals, particularly calcium and phosphorus, than an adult dog eating simply to maintain their weight. A complete puppy food is built around those higher requirements, which is why an adult food is not a suitable substitute during the growth period.
The balance of calcium and phosphorus matters more than owners often expect, particularly for a puppy who will grow into a large or giant breed — too much or too little relative to their size can affect bone development, which is one reason breed size shows up on puppy food labels rather than just being marketing.
Small, medium and large breed formulas
Small and medium breed puppies grow relatively quickly and reach their adult size within around a year, so their food is formulated around that faster growth curve. Large and giant breed puppies grow more slowly over a longer period, and their food is typically formulated with a more moderate calcium and energy level to support steadier bone growth.
If you are not sure which category your puppy falls into, particularly for a mixed breed or a puppy from a rescue with limited history, a general puppy formula suited to their current weight is a reasonable starting point, with your vet able to advise if anything about their growth looks unusual.
Wet, dry and when to switch to adult food
Both wet and dry complete puppy foods can support healthy growth — the choice often comes down to what your puppy prefers and eats consistently, and dry food generally works out more economical for a growing appetite.
The age at which a puppy is ready for adult food varies by expected adult size, roughly twelve months for a small or medium breed and considerably later, sometimes up to eighteen to twenty-four months, for a large or giant breed. Ask your vet if you are unsure when to make the switch for your specific puppy.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Pedigree Tasty Minis Puppy Treats Chewy Cubes with Chicken
Soft chewy puppy training treats with 13% chicken and added calcium, 125g
£2.25
Forthglade Complete Puppy Chicken with Liver Grain Free — 18 x 395g Trays
Sold as a case: 18 x 395g trays. A complete grain-free wet food for puppies, built on 71% chicken and 4% chicken liver
£35.89
Bakers Puppy Superfoods Chicken with Vegetables
Bakers Puppy Chicken & Vegetables dry dog food, 12.5kg, complete food for puppies from 6 weeks to 24 months
£39.15
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Puppy/Junior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg
Grain-free turkey and potato kibble for puppies and junior dogs, evenly balanced recipe
£12.75
Wagg Puppy Treats
Puppy Treats in a 120G pack, with 23.2% protein and 7% fat and full label detail
£1.49
Burns Puppy Junior Original Chicken Rice
A complete puppy and junior food with dried chicken 31% and controlled fat at 15%
From£14.99
Lily's Kitchen Puppy Chicken Recipe — 6 x 400g Tins
Sold as a case: 6 x 400g tins. Complete 400G wet puppy chicken recipe with 67% fresh chicken
£22.79
Pooch & Mutt Puppy Bite Size Beef Jerky
Bite-size beef jerky training treats for puppies, scaled by dog size
£3.99
Whimzees Puppy
Softer dental chews for puppies over three months old, grain free and gluten free
£7.99
Burns Grain Free Puppy Duck Potato
Grain-free duck and potato puppy food with a prebiotic, for starting a new litter on a novel protein
From£16.49
Common questions
- When should I switch my puppy from puppy food to adult food?
- It depends on their expected adult size — roughly twelve months for a small or medium breed, and considerably later for a large or giant breed, whose bones are still developing well beyond that age. Ask your vet if you are unsure which category your puppy falls into.
- Is wet or dry puppy food better?
- Both can support healthy growth when they are a complete puppy food formulated for the job — the choice mostly comes down to what your puppy eats consistently and what fits your budget, since dry food is generally the more economical option.
- Do large breed puppies really need different food?
- Yes, generally. Large and giant breed puppies grow more slowly over a longer period than smaller breeds, and food formulated for them typically has a more moderate calcium and energy level to support steadier, healthier bone development.
- Can I feed my puppy adult dog food if that's what I already have?
- It is best avoided during the growth period. Adult food is formulated to maintain a fully grown dog rather than support the higher protein, fat and mineral needs of a growing puppy, so a proper puppy formula is worth using until your vet advises it is time to switch.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.