Discover the best puppy foods and optimal nutrition with expert articles and products designed to help your puppy grow into a healthy adult. Plus, we’ve got answers to your most frequently asked questions.
You’re inundated with choices to make for your puppy right now, and choosing the best food for them is on that lengthy list. Your VCA care team is here to help you with this tough decision!
Check off the essential tasks that will help your new puppy grow healthy and strong at each age and stage.
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Puppy nutrition needs are centered around a puppy’s requirements for healthy growth. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards include higher minimum protein amounts, higher fat content and different mineral requirements when compared to adult dog maintenance diets. The calcium to phosphorus ratio is important, especially for large- and giant-breed puppies. Your VCA care team is happy to help develop a puppy feeding guide with you.
This depends on their expected adult size. While puppy food packaging often states that your puppy should eat puppy food for one year, some small-breed dogs may be switched to adult food earlier, while large- and giant-breed dogs may remain on puppy food for longer than a year. Your VCA care team is your best resource for suggesting a veterinarian-recommended puppy food and when to make the switch to adult food.
Search for diets approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for growing puppies or for all life stages. The best puppy food for your dog should specifically indicate that it provides complete and balanced nutrition for the growth of your puppy’s size and breed. Find out more on how to choose the right puppy food to meet their nutritional needs.
*Unlimited exams are any exams during regular business hours, excluding specialty, emergency and telemedicine exams. Urgent care exams are available through CareClub until December 31, 2024, at select VCA Animal Hospitals Urgent Care locations.
CareClub® Memberships are preventive pet health care plans and not pet insurance. CareClub Membership covers only the selected health care services and products which are specifically identified in the applicable CareClub Membership agreement.
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