The BEST Puppy Food for 2025: Top Picks for Optimal Growth & Health

Choosing the right food for your puppy is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a pet parent. Puppies need high-quality proteins, essential fats, and balanced nutrients to support their rapid growth, brain development, and immune health. With so many options on the market, selecting the best food can feel overwhelming.

To help you make the best choice, we’ve rounded up the top-rated puppy foods for 2025 that provide premium nutrition for growing dogs. These brands focus on quality ingredients, digestibility, and species-appropriate nutrition to give your puppy the healthiest start in life!

1. Open Farm Grain-Free & Ancient Grain Puppy Recipes

Open Farm is known for its ethically sourced ingredients and commitment to high-quality, humanely raised proteins. Their Grain-Free Puppy Recipe features chicken and wild-caught whitefish, while the Ancient Grains Puppy Recipe includes nutrient-rich grains like quinoa, brown rice, and chia seeds for added fiber and digestibility. Both recipes support brain development, strong muscles, and immune health with added DHA, prebiotics, and probiotics.

Why We Love It:

✅ Humanely raised meats & wild-caught fish
✅ DHA & EPA for brain & eye development
✅ No artificial preservatives or fillers

2. Fromm Gold Puppy & Fromm Gold Heartland Puppy

Fromm is a family-owned company with a long history of producing high-quality, nutrient-dense foods. Their Gold Puppy formula contains duck, chicken, lamb, and whole eggs, while the Heartland Puppy Recipe is a grain-free, red meat-based option featuring beef and pork. Both formulas include probiotics for digestive health and omega fatty acids for a shiny coat.

Why We Love It:

✅ Family-owned company with a trusted reputation
✅ Probiotics & prebiotics for gut health
✅ Multiple protein sources for balanced nutrition

3. FirstMate Limited Ingredient Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Endurance/Puppy Formula & High Performance for Active Dogs and Puppies

FirstMate’s Limited Ingredient Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Endurance/Puppy Formula is ideal for puppies with food sensitivities, using a single protein source (wild-caught fish) with low glycemic carbohydrates. Their High Performance formula is designed for active puppies, providing extra calories and protein to fuel growth and energy needs.

Why We Love It:

✅ Ideal for sensitive stomachs & food allergies
✅ High-quality fish protein for lean muscle growth
✅ Low-glycemic formula for steady energy

4. Dr. Gary's Best Breed Puppy Formula

Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Puppy Formula is crafted with wholesome, natural ingredients and contains premium proteins, probiotics, and balanced omega fatty acids. The formula supports muscle development, immune function, and joint health, making it an excellent choice for large and small breed puppies alike.

Why We Love It:

✅ Made with premium animal proteins
✅ Enhanced with probiotics for digestive support
✅ Formulated by veterinarians for optimal growth

5. Dr. Marty’s Healthy Growth Freeze-Dried Puppy Food

Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried raw puppy food delivers species-appropriate nutrition with a blend of turkey, beef, salmon, and duck—all freeze-dried to preserve nutrients. This high-protein formula mimics a natural canine diet, ensuring optimal energy, strong muscles, and healthy brain development.

Why We Love It:

✅ Freeze-dried raw for maximum nutrition
✅ No fillers, artificial additives, or grains
✅ High-protein formula for strong growth

6. Petcurean Carnivore Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey + Duck Puppy Recipe

Petcurean’s Carnivore Grain-Free Puppy Recipe is designed for high-energy puppies, featuring chicken, turkey, and duck as the primary proteins. This formula includes omega-3 & omega-6 fatty acids, plus antioxidants for immune health and DHA for brain development.

Why We Love It:

✅ High animal protein content for muscle growth
✅ No grains, artificial colors, or preservatives
✅ Packed with DHA & EPA for cognitive health

7. Instinct Frozen Raw & Freeze-Dried Raw Puppy Food

Instinct is a leader in raw nutrition, offering both frozen raw and freeze-dried raw puppy formulas. These diets provide natural enzymes, amino acids, and essential fatty acids that support digestive health, immune function, and healthy growth.

Why We Love It:

✅ Raw diet for biologically appropriate nutrition
✅ No fillers, grains, or artificial ingredients
✅ Great for puppies with food sensitivities

8. Raised Right Gently Cooked Puppy Food

For pet owners looking for human-grade, fresh food, Raised Right’s gently cooked puppy recipe is a fantastic option. This vet-formulated diet is high in protein, low in carbs, and made with whole-food ingredients to ensure optimal puppy development.

Why We Love It:

✅ Gently cooked for maximum nutrient retention
✅ No synthetic vitamins—only whole food nutrition
✅ Perfect for picky eaters & sensitive stomachs

9. Farmina Puppy Recipes

Farmina’s puppy recipes are formulated with high-quality animal proteins, low-glycemic carbohydrates, and essential vitamins to promote strong growth and immune health. Their formulas include both grain-free and grain-inclusive options, ensuring a great fit for all puppies.

Why We Love It:

✅ European quality standards for pet food
✅ High protein content with limited carbohydrates
✅ DHA-rich for cognitive development

10. Primal Kibble in the Raw Freeze-Dried Puppy Formula

Primal’s Kibble in the Raw puppy formula combines freeze-dried raw nutrition with the convenience of kibble. This high-protein formula supports muscle growth, a healthy immune system, and balanced digestion.

Why We Love It:

✅ Hybrid kibble + raw nutrition
✅ No synthetic additives or fillers
✅ Rich in natural enzymes & probiotics

11. Open Farm Frozen Gently Cooked Puppy Recipe

For puppies who thrive on fresh, cooked diets, Open Farm’s Frozen Gently Cooked Puppy Recipe delivers human-grade meats, organic vegetables, and nutrient-dense ingredients in a ready-to-serve meal.

Why We Love It:

✅ Cooked at low temperatures for nutrient retention
✅ Humanely sourced ingredients
✅ Great for sensitive stomachs

12. Nulo Challenger Puppy

Nulo’s Challenger Puppy Formula is a high-meat, grain-inclusive recipe that supports healthy digestion, brain development, and energy levels. With premium ingredients like deboned chicken, turkey meal, and steel-cut oats, this food fuels growing puppies.

Why We Love It:

✅ High protein & grain-inclusive for balanced energy
✅ Patented BC30 probiotic for gut health
✅ No artificial preservatives or fillers

13. NutriSource Puppy Formula

NutriSource is known for its digestive health benefits and wholesome ingredients. Their Puppy Formula includes high-quality chicken, rice, and oatmeal to promote healthy digestion, muscle growth, and immune support.

Why We Love It:

✅ Contains probiotics & prebiotics for gut health
✅ Omega fatty acids for skin & coat health
✅ Highly digestible for growing puppies

Final Thoughts

Each of these puppy food brands offers high-quality, nutritious options for growing dogs. Whether you prefer raw, freeze-dried, fresh, or kibble-based diets, there’s a perfect formula for every pup!