2026 Updated

Best Puppy Food

Best puppy food analyzed by VetKriter™ scientific score. 30 products, average VetScore: 89.8.

30
Total Products
89.8
Avg. VetScore
92.30
Highest Score
%17.0
Avg. Protein

Puppy food is specially formulated to meet the high energy, protein, and calcium needs of growing dogs. AAFCO growth standards compliance is essential.

We analyzed 30 products matching this criteria. The average VetKriter™ score is 89.8 and average crude protein is 17.0%. Products are ranked by VetKriter scientific score.

Products Ranked by VetKriter™ Score

#1

American Journey American Journey Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food

Highest Score
Protein
%30.0
Fat
%12.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
95/100
92
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#2

Authority Authority® Everyday Health Chicken & Rice Entree Puppy Wet Dog Food - 13 oz

Protein
%10.0
Fat
%5.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
100/100
92
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#3

Nulo Nulo MedalSeries Puppy Wet Dog Food - High-Protein, 13 Oz.

Protein
%9.5
Fat
%5.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
100/100
92
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#4

Instinct Instinct RawBoost Puppy Whole Grain Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food

Protein
%28.0
Fat
%15.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
100/100
91
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#5

Weruva Weruva Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula in Gravy Wet Canned Dog Food

Protein
%8.0
Fat
%2.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
93/100
91
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#6

Purina Pro Plan Purina Pro Plan Development Shredded Blend Puppy Dry Dog Food - Chicken & Rice

Protein
%28.0
Fat
%18.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
95/100
91
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#7

Nulo Nulo MedalSeries Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food - Salmon

Protein
%28.0
Fat
%13.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
95/100
91
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#8

Purina Pro Plan Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy Dog Wet Food - Chicken & Brown Rice, 5.5 oz

Protein
%10.0
Fat
%7.5
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
100/100
90
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#9

Blue Buffalo BLUE Freedom Wet Puppy Food Grain-Free - Chicken

Protein
%9.0
Fat
%6.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
100/100
90
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#10

Orijen Puppy Poultry & Fish Pâté Recipe Wet Dog Food

Protein
%11.0
Fat
%6.5
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
95/100
90
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#11

Nutro Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Wet Dog Food - Tender Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pea Stew Recipe

Protein
%8.0
Fat
%4.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
100/100
90
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#12

Nutro Puppy Tender Beef, Pea & Carrot Bites in Gravy Recipe

Protein
%8.0
Fat
%3.5
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
100/100
90
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#13

Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Pint Sized Puppy Plate Recipe in Gravy

Protein
%8.5
Fat
%3.5
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
100/100
90
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#14

Merrick Grain Free Puppy Plate Chicken Recipe In Gravy

Protein
%9.0
Fat
%5.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
95/100
90
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#15

Merrick Grain Free Puppy Plate Beef Recipe In Gravy

Protein
%8.0
Fat
%3.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
100/100
90
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#16

Instinct Instinct Original Puppy Chicken Wet Dog Food

Protein
%10.0
Fat
%6.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
95/100
90
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#17

Merrick Merrick® Lil' Plates® Grain Free Small Breed Puppy Wet Dog Food - Natural, 3.5 oz

Protein
%8.5
Fat
%3.5
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
100/100
90
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#18

Hill's Science Diet Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini Puppy Wet Dog Food - Beef & Barley Entree, 5.8 oz

Protein
%9.0
Fat
%7.1
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
65/100
90
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#19

Wellness Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Puppy Turkey, Salmon & Oatmeal

Protein
%28.0
Fat
%18.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
90/100
89
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#20

Diamond Naturals Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula

Protein
%27.0
Fat
%15.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
90/100
89
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#21

Wellness Wellness Complete Health Puppy Chicken & Salmon Wet Dog Food

Protein
%9.0
Fat
%6.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
92/100
89
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#22

Merrick Healthy Grains Real Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food

Protein
%28.0
Fat
%16.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
90/100
89
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#23

Weruva Weruva Puppy Chicken Formula in Gravy Wet Canned Dog Food

Protein
%9.0
Fat
%2.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
98/100
89
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#24

Wellness Wellness Complete Health Puppy Chicken, Salmon & Oatmeal

Protein
%29.0
Fat
%18.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
95/100
89
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#25

Purina Pro Plan Purina Pro Plan Development Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

Protein
%28.0
Fat
%18.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
90/100
89
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#26

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Puppy Large Breed Food Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

Protein
%26.0
Fat
%15.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
90/100
89
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#27

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Puppy Food Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe

Protein
%26.0
Fat
%16.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
90/100
89
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#28

Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Chicken & Brown Rice Large-Breed Puppy Food

Protein
%26.0
Fat
%15.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
90/100
89
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#29

Blue Buffalo Blue Life Protection Formula Puppy Dog Food - Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe

Protein
%26.0
Fat
%16.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
90/100
89
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
#30

Open Farm Puppy Chicken & Salmon Pâté

Protein
%8.7
Fat
%7.0
Species
Dog
Life Stage
Kitten/Puppy
Protein Quality
100/100
88
VetKriter™ Score
Detailed Review
How Is Ranking Determined?

This list is automatically generated by the VetKriter™ scientific scoring system. The VetKriter score evaluates macronutrient balance, ingredient quality, protein quality index, and AAFCO/FEDIAF compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Puppies typically start eating puppy food from the weaning period at 3-4 weeks. Large breed puppies should use puppy food until 12-18 months, small breeds until 9-12 months.

The VetKriter database has scientifically evaluated 30 puppy food products. The highest VetScore products are listed on this page.

AAFCO recommends a minimum of 22.5% crude protein for puppy food. High-quality animal protein sources (chicken, lamb, fish) should be preferred.

Related Guides

Best Grain-Free Dog Food
Best Senior Dog Food
Best High Protein Dog Food
Best Small Breed Dog Food
Doç. Dr. Mehmet ÇOLAK
Veterinarian · VetKriter Founder
This page was automatically generated using the VetKriter scientific scoring system and database. Last updated: April 2026

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