Are you bringing home a new puppy? Do you already have a puppy that you are trying to feed? You may be wondering about what the nutritional needs are for such a young pup.
We were lucky enough to be able to ask the experts working with Royal Canin some of our puppy nutrition questions. From what dog owners should be looking for when it comes to their puppy food to how to tell which type of food puppies should be eating, we were able to get down and dirty when it comes to figuring out what puppies need in their diet.
As long time fans of Royal Canin and both their cat and dog foods, we know that they are always there for pet parents with high quality products. Not only that, but they are always here for us with the information we need to keep our pets happy and healthy. So having them share their knowledge with us about puppy nutrition is something that we truly appreciate, as we know they are giving us years of science to back up their information.
So what exactly did we find out about puppy nutrition from Royal Canin?
Royal Canin answers our questions about puppy nutrition
Royal Canin's expert partner, Dr. Courtney Deer, DVM, answered three of the questions we asked, and then we got two more questions answered by Dr. Deer to round out our information on nutrition for puppies.
Dog O'Day: What should dog owners be looking for when it comes to puppy food?
Dr. Deer: "High-quality puppy food should focus on the individual puppy. For example, a small breed puppy like a Yorkshire Terrier will need a different size kibble than a large breed puppy, like a Great Dane. Breed specific, or puppy-size specific, puppy foods are a sign of high quality. Additionally, brands should perform feeding trials to help ensure the food is safe for your dog to eat. They should also be a complete and balanced source of nutrition."
DOD: How does a pet parent know if their puppy should be eating wet or dry food?
Dr. Deer: "Feeding wet or dry food is often a personal choice. There are some dogs that will never eat wet food and vice versa. Some dogs have medical reasons to only eat wet food. If your pet prefers a certain type of food and it's a complete and balanced source of nutrition, it should be fine. If you're worried, talk to your veterinarian."
DOD: Are there certain ingredients that we should be avoiding when picking the right puppy food?
Dr. Deer: "If your puppy food is formulated appropriately, it shouldn't have any ingredients that need avoiding. I always tell owners to look for a food brand that is WSAVA compliant, meaning they follow guidelines set by WSAVA. These guidelines ensure the food is formulated by experts in the field, that quality control and testing is performed, and that food trials and safety studies are done. If all these criteria are met, it's unlikely there's going to be a "bad" ingredient.
Some puppies have allergies or intolerances, which means you might want to avoid foods with that ingredient. If this is the case, work with your veterinarian to pick the best food for your puppy."
DOD: What are some of the most commonly vet-recommended brands of puppy food?
Dr. Deer: "Veterinarians are trained to put science first. For that reason, veterinarians love brands that do a lot of research. Brands that prioritize funding for research over marketing are going to be well loved by veterinarians. We also support brands that follow WSAVA guidelines. Royal Canin is a brand I often recommend to my clients for all these reasons."
DOD: When is it time to transition a puppy to adult food?
Dr. Deer: "Transitioning from puppy to adult food is highly breed and pet size specific. Talk to your family veterinarian about your specific puppy breed and make a plan when it's best to transition."