The Differences in Puppy Foods

As many of us welcomed new dogs into our homes over the Covid lockdowns and many families welcomed in new canine companions over the Christmas period, many of you will have a whole host of questions about your precious puppies that you need answering. 

One of the most common questions we get at The Pets Larder is, “What is the difference between puppy foods and regular dog foods”? And in today's article, we will be demystifying this perplexing puzzle for you all, so you don't have to wonder any longer! 

Puppy Food: The Differences

Most of us will be able to work out some of the differences in puppies' food when compared to that of adult dogs as we will have seen the differences in baby foods compared to what we eat when reaching maturity. Many of the same variances will be made, such as the size of food, digestibility and nutritional density, due to the smaller size and higher calorific output of young mammals. 

Calorie density is the single biggest difference between adult dog foods and puppy foods, not only do puppies expend a lot more energy in their daily activities, but they also require additional calories in order to build new muscle, healthy bones and develop their essential organs to be as robust as possible. Puppies also struggle more than adult dogs to maintain their body temperature as they won’t have grown their adult coat or stored enough fats in order to do this naturally, another important factor in keeping the calories high in puppy foods. If adult dogs were to eat puppy foods it would put them in danger of becoming overweight and eventually obese, as the formulations would be far too calorie heavy.

The size of puppies' stomachs also affects the constituents of their food, puppy food is more nutrient-dense so smaller meals can deliver the nutrients the dogs need without overfeeding and risking obesity and other weight-related issues. Puppy foods will also contain higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals to aid in the healthy growth of bones, coat and essential organs, these can include, omegas 3 & 6 which aid in the growth of a healthy coat and nervous system, Vitamin D which is essential for the assimilation of proteins and fats in a healthy dog (both of which are necessary for productive growth), and ingredients that are packed full of amino acids, the building blocks of all proteins and the key to healthy maturity in all mammals. 

Our Amazing All-Natural Puppy Foods 

At The Pets Larder we have fabulous foods that are formulated especially for your precious puppies. All of the dog foods on our shelves are chosen for their natural ingredients, healthy recipes and their ability to deliver the right nutrients to your dogs, whatever their age, size or breed. If you are unsure of what food is right for your puppy please don’t hesitate to contact us, as we are always happy to give advice based on our years of premium dog care experience. It is also good to talk to your vet when introducing a new canine companion to your family, as they will be able to advise you about the best ways to look after your dogs to ensure a happy and healthy life with you for as long as possible. 

Aflora Grain Free - Star Gazey Puppy Salmon With Haddock 

We love to supply our customers with the best all-natural pet food options and sometimes that simply means making them ourselves! Our very own Aflora Star Gazey is an all-natural puppy food that is packed with all the essential vitamins and minerals your puppy needs and is specially formulated to give young dogs everything they need to feed all of their energetic escapades. Made with a superb seafood based recipe, utilising all the taste and benefits of salmon, haddock and blue whiting, this perfect puppy food is not just nutritious it's delightfully delicious too.

So when it comes to choosing a food for your puppies, make sure you pick one that meets all of their nutritional and calorific needs so they can grow up to be big and strong and full of energy, so they can live their lives to the absolute fullest.