A hallmark of puppyhood is rapid growth. In just the first 10 days, puppies nearly double their birth weight. By 6 months of age, puppies often need two times the amount of nutrients and calories per pound of body weight compared to adult dogs.  

The rapid growth that is unique to the puppy life stage benefits from nutritional support from a complete and balanced puppy food or an all life stages food that has been validated in feeding trials for growing puppies. Setting puppies up for success in life begins with optimal nutrition that nourishes their developing bodies.  

“Puppies, in general, have a higher nutrient requirement than adult dogs,” says Martha G. Cline, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), Senior Manager for Veterinary Technical Communications at Purina.  

“Their bodies are rapidly growing and developing, so they need the nutritional building blocks to support that rapid growth.” – Dr. Martha Cline

“Higher levels of minerals, protein, amino acids and essential fatty acids are really important. They also require more calories per their body weight than an adult dog. This gradually decreases as they approach adulthood and maturity.”  

The AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth (puppies) and reproduction (gestation and lactation) reflect the higher key nutrients needed compared to adult maintenance. The requirements for calcium and phosphorus, which aid in bone development, are more than double. Higher protein is needed for building new tissue and supporting muscle, skin and coat, and organ development. DHA and EPA from omega-3 fatty acids, which are important in brain and vision development for puppies, are conditionally essential for adult dogs.  

A plethora of pet food options can make it challenging for breeders and pet owners to choose the best puppy food. Here, Dr. Cline, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, offers tips to help you decide the best food to feed your puppies.  

Feeding for Steady Growth  

Managing puppies’ transition from roly-poly 8-week-olds to the desired lean body condition of adult dogs requires being mindful of differences among individual dogs. Adjustments along the way are to be expected to promote steady growth.  

“Both puppy and all life stages foods contain all essential nutrients in the proper amounts to support puppies during growth,” Dr. Cline explains. “If you are feeding an all life stages food, you can feed that into adulthood. However, breeders should be aware that all life stages foods are calorie dense, which may not be the best option for animals prone to excess weight at maturity.  

“A better choice for dogs prone to excess body weight might be to feed a puppy food and then segue to a less calorie dense adult maintenance food to make sure we are promoting ideal body weight. While an all life stages food provides optimal nutrition for puppies and hardworking adult dogs, they are not necessarily ideal for individual adult dogs or less active breeds.”  

“Ultimately, a primary goal is to feed puppies to achieve ideal body condition as adult dogs.” – Dr. Martha Cline

The Purina Body Condition System, published in 1993, is a tool to help breeders and veterinarians evaluate an adult dog’s body fat mass on a 9-point scale. A dog in ideal body condition has palpable ribs without excess fat covering. The waist is observed behind the ribs when viewed from above, and the abdomen is tucked up when viewed from the side.  

Go to this link to view the Purina Body Condition System.

“While the body condition score system was developed for adult dogs, we can use this as a guide for puppies,” Dr. Cline says. “As puppies grow through the first year of life, we should keep them on track to have ideal body condition, especially as they are becoming more mature. You may follow the feeding guidelines on the pet food package in the beginning, but we want to adjust the calories as needed to make sure we are feeding to an ideal body condition score.  

“This also will help them be more successful at breeding when they are adult dogs. Stud dogs and brood females should be in ideal body condition for optimal reproductive health. Females in ideal body condition are more likely to achieve optimal conception, pregnancy, whelping and lactation.”  

Breeders generally transition puppies to an adult food around 1 year of age, though the timing varies depending on when the breed of dog or an individual dog reaches maturity. Toy and small-breed dogs mature faster, and large- and giant-breed dogs tend to take longer to mature.  

Overfeeding large and giant-breed puppies is particularly concerning. If these large dogs grow too quickly, it could lead to developmental orthopedic diseases. Large and giant breeds should be fed targeted levels of calories and minerals to support a moderate growth rate throughout growth and development and even into adulthood, Dr. Cline says.  

In contrast, some toy and small-breed dogs reach maturity before 1 year of age. Taking these puppies off a calorie-dense puppy food or all life stages food as they reach maturity to switch to an adult maintenance food may help them maintain ideal body condition, especially if they are experiencing excess body weight.  

“The good news is that as puppies grow and mature, you’re going to meet their nutritional needs whether you feed a puppy food or an all life stages food,” Dr. Cline says. “Keeping in mind the importance of feeding to ideal body weight will help set up puppies for optimal growth and a lifetime of good nutrition.”