My puppy is on starter food. What's the best dog food for her?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! As you have probably noticed there are plenty of diets in the market. There are a few that stand out in my opinion in terms of quality and palatability. I really like the Science Diet, Royal Canin and Purina Pro Plan products. A diet that I have found to be of very good quality, affordable and dogs love is the Purina Pro Plan shredded blends. You can find that at your local pet store or online. Otherwise any of the diets of the previously mentioned brands would also be good choices for Harley. Good luck!

Hi, while there are many opinions on which dog food is best, the general consensus is that any food that lists meat as the first ingredient is a decent food. Corn is just filler and is not harmful to a dog unless he has allergies or a sensitive stomach. Your food should not be a large percentage of corn. Grain free food is very popular as some dogs can be sensitive to grain. There is no easy answer as to what is the best dog food out there, it is what works for your particular dog. The most expensive food is not necessarily needed. The organic and holistic foods are aimed at people thinking that dogs have the same nutritional needs, in my opinion. I would chose a high quality food with meat listed as the first ingredient, a low percentage of filler like corn, and no extra additives like colors or dyes. If you choose a high quality food like those purchased at a pet store and your dog seems to be tolerating it well, stick with that food. If he has diarrhea or skin problems, he may need a different type of meat or grain free. Science diet has been around for a long time and is a very reputable brand for vets and pet owners. But ultimately, it is your choice. You are Prince's caregiver and have to decide what is best for him, which is a mostly meat, low additive food regardless of the brand. Puppy food should be fed until he is 1 year old then feed adult food of the same brand. If you are looking for organic food, Newman's own makes an organic food, as well as Trader Joe's, Spot's choice, Wellness, etc. I would google a list of organic foods and compare their ingredients. Dogs do not need organic food, this is more of a preference of their owners, like if you eat only organic food and want your dog to do the same. Most dogs are very tolerant of most types of foods and as long as introduced to a new brand slowly, should do just fine. Good luck with your puppy and I hope this helps you decide on a dog food for him!

Hello. Unfortunately, there has been an explosion of new & "boutique" type foods that have hit the market lately, some are fine to feed, some are just gimmicks & have no science to back up their claims. You should always look for the AAFCO statement on every label, but be aware that this is a voluntary claim & there is no regulatory agency watching out for dishonest manufacturers. Personally, I recommend sticking with the 3 biggest companies that can actually provide the science behind their pet foods. They are Science Diet, Royal Canin & Purina. All three of these have developed formulations to fit every lifestyle, every trend, & every stage of life that you just cannot go wrong feeding one. If the food you have is suspicious, I would transition Diggy off as soon as possible to another puppy food soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Both are great diets. I personally prefer the Royal canin products as they tend to be of a proven high quality. Royal canin maxi starter contains an acceptable amount of fat that is good for a pup so I think this would be a good option for Binnu. Good luck!

Decreasing her eating amount after a growth spurt is normal. They probably recommended large breed puppy so she wouldn’t grow to fast which can cause bone problems. Once she’s full grown I recommend regular adult food. No reason to do either large breed or small breed since she will be medium size. I don’t think grain free food is worth it. I like a well balanced dog food such as Hills. They do research on their food and include the optimum amount of nutrients, rather than excess. Your breed could become overweight so please adjust the quantity of food to keep her on the lean side. Hills does have some Natural foods, and many speciality foods such as those for sensitive skin and stomach, joints, weight management, and for medical problems also. My dogs start on Hills and stay on for life, changing the specific food as they grow, and even into their senior years, or with medical problems. There is a lot of advertising to sell different dog foods but I like to base my choice on scientific research, not hype. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Bella.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There are many great diets out there that you may find at your local pet store. I personally prefer the Purina Pro Plan shredded blends for puppies as they are generally inexpensive, are of great quality and dogs seems to love it. For the amount to feed her, I advice you follow the guidelines that you will find in the back of the bag. Keep in mind that you should get the puppy blend. Also, keep in mind that as she grows, you will notice in the back of the bag that it will advice you feed her more. When she becomes a year old, she should be switched to an adult diet. Good luck and have a good night!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center! In the United States, Pet foods are regulated by a nongovernmental organization called AAFCO. They set standards for what makes a complete pet food. Due to these high standards, most pet foods for sale are adequate to provide complete nutrition for pet dogs. What you want is a food that has an AAFCO statement on the package that the food has been used in FEEDING TRIALS. You will find some food that have a statement that they are FORMULATED to meet requirements. Your family veterinarian may have specific preferences for food types. In general, food made by Hills, Purina, Eukanuba, and Royal Canin will have excellent nutrient profiles for your pet. If your dog has specific medical requirements, your family veterinarian can make recommendations for a prescription food.