The 5 Best Natural Foods For Growing Puppies

When you have an energetic ball of fur that is constantly growing, it’s important to find a healthy food that can aid in their development and provide all of the necessary nourishment for a long and happy life. That’s why, if you’re struggling to find a food for your puppy, you should consider natural food. High in protein and packed with minerals, natural food doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients or fillers, so your puppy receives all of the benefits from their food, while also feeling full.

Easily digestible, natural food has been proven beneficial for promoting a healthy coat and skin, strong teeth and bones, along with joints and muscles. When you put your puppy on a natural diet, you can expect predictable digestion habits, and prevent any unwanted medical complications in the future. Boost their energy levels and help them maintain a healthy weight by choosing a natural dog food today.

Best Natural Foods for Growing Puppies to Consider

First thing’s first, when choosing a dog food that’s right for your pup, you will want to check with your vet for any allergies or food intolerances prior to purchasing. Natural food is known to be a great alternative for puppies with skin allergies, but other allergies may impact their ability to digest specific ingredients.

Next, pay special attention to the ingredients listed, and take some time to research them. Some products may claim to be natural, but that’s not always the case. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top natural dog foods that are highly recommended among other dog owners and the canine community.

Natural foods that are high in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and protein are your dog’s best friend, as they are to you. These supplements are vital in providing your dog with proper development, creating strong bones and teeth, muscles, and a beautiful shiny coat. You will also want to look out for carbohydrates, fats and fiber, as they will leave your dog feeling full and energized, allowing them more play time and better sleep.

Lastly, monitor your puppy for the first few weeks after consumption. This will allow you to see how they react to the food, and make adjustments if necessary afterwards. Dogs can be picky, so keep a list of flavors they seem to like, and ingredients that they don’t, that way they’re getting a full balanced meal. Decreased appetite doesn’t always mean your puppy is sick, just that they simply don’t enjoy the food.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for Puppies

Delicious and nutritious, Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula for puppies is our favorite, and is soon to be yours too. Made with real deboned chicken, the dry kibble specially crafted for puppies includes rich beneficial ingredients that support your puppy’s growth, such as: brown rice and sweet potatoes, barely and oatmeal, carrots, blueberries and cranberries.

Packed with antioxidants and minerals, the formula was produced by veterinarians and nutritionists for a well-balanced meal that promotes healthy muscle growth, a boosted immune system, brain and eye development, strong bones and teeth, along with numerous other benefits. Flavors available include chicken and brown rice, lamb and oatmeal, or chicken, with sizing options of anywhere from five to 34-pound bags.

If you’re just making the switch to Blue, the company provides a fabulous guide with portion sizing for a smooth transition, along with easy to read ingredients, real chicken being the first. Along with the guide, the company also offers food that satisfies needs based on the specific life stage your dog reaches, whether it’s a puppy, adult or a senior. Order yours today with the option of purchasing the Puppy Starter bundle, which includes a bag of dry kibble, along with a can of wet food so you can test out your puppy’s preferences.

Pros:

• Promotes healthy cognitive and physical development
• Made with LifeSourceBits that are smaller than traditional kibble for small puppy jaws to enjoy
• Does not contain by-product, wheat or soy, corn, or artificial flavoring and preservatives
• Contains real chicken

Cons:

• No cons for this product, puppies love it

Diamond Naturals Large Breed Formula Dry Puppy Food

Ideal for larger puppy breeds, Diamond Naturals’ dry lamb and rice formula is fantastic for digestion and proper development, as it is filled with superfoods, antioxidants and probiotics that are necessary for your puppy’s health. Ingredients such as kale, pumpkin, chia seeds and blueberries, along with pasture-raised lamb are found in the formula, providing an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.

Offered in six, 20, or 40-pound bags, the dry kibble ensures your dog a rich diet of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that will help them grow a luscious coat and maintain soft, moisturized skin, along with eye and brain development. If your puppy loves it, which they will, you can continue feeding them Diamond Natural into adulthood, and transition to adult food once they reach full maturity.

Pros:

• Pasture-raised lamb, made in the USA
• Trusted brand since 1970
• Meets AAFCO standards
• Aids in digestive health which is great for puppies with sensitive tummies

Cons:

• Only offers one flavor for puppies
• Kibble is made only for larger breeds of puppies

Instinct Raw Boost Dry Puppy Food

Offered in four, 10, or 20-pound bags, Instinct’s Raw Boost dry food is available specifically for small and medium breeds, along with a formula for larger breeds. The grain-free recipe includes a balanced mixture of protein rich meats, such as fish and real chicken.

Minimally processed and freeze-dried, the dry kibble contains nutritional properties support strong teeth and bones, immune system and digestive health, brain and eye development, and a healthy coat and skin. Give your puppy a boost and something that tastes great, and order today for a well-balanced meal.

Pros:

• High-protein kibble with omegas, probiotics and natural DHA
• Grain-free recipe with real chicken
• Cage-free chicken
• Made in the USA
• No corn, starches, by-product meal or artificial ingredients
• Great for senior dogs that need to pack on some pounds

Cons:

• Some customers believe it is overpriced

Nutro Ultra High Protein Natural Dry Puppy Food

Nutro ULTRA’s natural dry food is crammed with a variety of delicious meaty flavors your puppy will go nuts over, including chicken, lamb and salmon. Along with its high-protein, you will also find an impressive “superfood medley” that contains a blend of up to 14 nutritious ingredients, ranging from whole grain oats and farm grown carrots, to tropical coconut and chia seeds.

The premium kibble was custom-tailored to meet all of your puppy’s growing pains, aiding in digestive health, strong teeth and bones, brain development, healthy muscles and joints, and more. Plus, this brand also allows your puppy to grow with their food, providing particular formulas for an individualized meal-plan at any stage of life.

Pros:

• Doesn’t contain any GMO ingredients
• Three tasty protein-packed meats for health and flavor
• Contributes to a healthy coat and skin
• Number one ingredient is chicken

Cons:

• No cons for this product, even the pickiest of puppies seem to love this recipe

Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Puppy Food

Wellness Natural’s dry puppy food contains a flavorful blend of deboned chicken, oatmeal, and salmon, along with supplemental vitamins, minerals and taurine that supports healthy growth. Protect their highly-active gums and teeth, boost their energy and immune system, and support a healthy coat and skin in just one sitting.

Highly recommended by veterinarians and the dog community, the recipe hits all of the necessary key components for optimal growth. With no artificial ingredients or by-products, this is a great choice when it comes to feeding your puppy natural food that they’ll love, while also receiving nutritious benefits.

Pros:

• Choose just the food, or upgrade to the Supplements Bundle, which includes the dry food + Wellness Shield’s Immune Health & Seasonal Allergy Support salmon-flavored treats
• Available in five, 15 or 30-pound bags
• Aids in digestive health and eye development
• Made in the USA
• Non-GMO ingredients

Cons:

• Some customers say the kibble size is too big for their puppy, but otherwise a good product

Frequently Asked Questions

What is typically used in natural food?

It can vary when it comes to the ingredients used in natural foods, but one thing that isn’t included are any man-made ingredients, such as artificial flavorings, colors, and preservatives, along with synthesized vitamins or minerals. Without fillers and unessential additives, natural foods contain an abundance of fantastic vitamins, minerals and supplements that support a healthy lifestyle for your dog.

Most natural foods commonly contain items that are full of nutrients, like fish, rice, vegetables, fruits and so on. Natural doesn’t always mean derived from plants and other organic matter, as many companies include high-quality meats like tuna or chicken, something that most dogs go crazy over. Aim for foods that offer antioxidants, carbohydrates and proteins for an energetic, lively pup.

If my puppy is on a natural diet, does he have to continue the same diet into adulthood?

If you are wanting to make the switch from natural food to regular dog food, the first thing to do is consult with your vet. Every dog is different, so it entirely depends on their age, health, allergies and so on. Regardless, puppies require a full balanced diet until they reach maturity in order to develop healthily.

It’s best to stick with a food that your dog likes and seems to adapt well to. Transitioning from one food to another must be gradual, as it easily disrupts their digestion system, causing uncomfortable symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, or vomiting, so if you do plan on making a change, make sure it’s a slow one that their tiny tummies can adapt to.

How does natural food help with dog’s digestion?

Natural foods help with digestion for several reasons, one of them being their lack of fillers. When foods are full of unnatural additives and preservatives, it may make your dog feel full, but that doesn’t mean they’re absorbing all of the necessary nutrients their diet requires. When the food is natural and derived from fresh products that aren’t man-made, they’re full of helpful enzymes such as antioxidants that aids in your dog’s digestion, helping them have complete bowel movements on a predictable schedule. Plus, if it has fiber, it’ll solidify their poop, so there’s less mess, less discomfort, and more tail wagging.

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