The keeping of a healthy puppy depends almost entirely on the puppy’s diet. When raised by mum, puppies depend solely on the mother’s milk for the first few weeks. Orphaned puppies depend on milk replacement formulas. At about 3 to 4 weeks, puppies start nibbling at solid food. A process known as weaning. To maintain puppy health, it is paramount to use the best puppy food for weaning.
There are several good puppy foods available in the market that can be used for weaning. Here is our top pick.
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Weaning of puppies
Weaning is the gradual transition of puppies from dependence on mother’s milk or puppy formula to solid food. It is the gradual introduction of solid food to puppy’s diet.
When is the best time to wean puppies?
You can begin weaning puppies generally at between 3 to 4 weeks. Ideally, the weaning process should be complete by 7 to 8 weeks.
Weaning is a stressful process to both the mother and the puppies. As such, weaning though inevitable should be a gradual process.
How do I know if my puppies are ready to be weaned?
If raised by the mother, puppies will start nibbling at the mother’s food.
Orphaned puppies on the other hand, start biting on the nursing bottle. Gradually they will start lapping puppy formula from your finger.
If you observe this then you will know your puppy is ready for weaning. The process comes naturally and you will just know.
What is the best puppy food for weaning?
Puppies are born with poorly developed systems. At birth puppies are blind. Their muscles are not well formed and they have weak bones. Additionally, they have a poor immune system. As such, they have special nutritional requirements.
Mother’s milk contains all the nutrients needed to meet puppy’s need. Bottled puppy milk formula on the other hand is formulated to resemble the mother’s milk.
As such, weaning food should contain all the nutritional requirements puppies need to sustain their growing bodies.
For the purpose of this article we have divided the best puppy food for weaning into 3 categories
- 2nd Stage milk replacement formula for weaning
- Wet food
- Dry food
Summary of best puppy food for weaning
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*The ratings are based on amazon at the time of publication and are subject to change
2nd Stage milk replacement formula for weaning
ESBILAC 2nd Step Puppy Weaning Food by PetAg
If you are looking for a puppy food to begin the weaning process, I recommend this product. It is specially formulated for young puppies being weaned from their mother’s milk or bottle fed puppies progressing to solid food.
The ESBILAC 2nd Step comes in the form of a creamy cereal which makes weaning easier. We recommend this food for weaning for a number of reasons. First, it is specially formulated for puppies between 4 and 8 weeks.
Additionally, this product is nutritionally balanced. Therefore, it is sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of growing puppies. In addition, the ESBILAC 2nd Step is highly digestible and palatable. It is therefore appropriate for weaning puppies. Most puppy owners report that their puppies love this product.
Lastly, this product meets the standard set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Key features
- Nutritionally balanced
- Highly digestible and palatable
- Comes in a creamy cereal form
Pros
- Completely balanced
- Easy to eat and digest
- Affordable
Cons
- May lead to diarrhea if inappropriately used. Feed as instructed by the manufacturer.
Ultra Mega Weaning Formula by GNC pets
The Ultra Mega Weaning Formula is perfect as a second stage weaning formula. It is designed for use with puppies between 3 and 8 weeks. It has several advantages.
First, this product is enriched with calcium supplements. These supplements support the natural growth of your puppy’s bones and teeth. Secondly, it is rich in vitamins. These vitamins boost your puppies immunity helping them grow into strong healthy puppies.
Thirdly, this product is highly digestible and palatable. As such puppies love and readily eat this weaning formula when given.
Additionally, this weaning formula is made from natural wholesome milk. This ensures that your puppy will get all the nutrients they need. Furthermore, the milk gives this product a delicious taste that puppies love.
Finally, the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) approves this product.
Key features
- Made from natural wholesome milk
- Contains calcium supplements for healthy bones and teeth
- Enriched with essential vitamins and mineral supplements to boost immunity
- Highly palatable and digestible
Pros
- Completely balanced
- Easy to use
Cons
- Costly
- Likely to be out of stock due to high demand
Mini Starter Mother and Babydog Dry Dog Food by Royal Canin
Royal canin is a brand that guarantees to offer you quality pet products. This product is specially formulated to meet the needs of the bitch and puppies during gestation, lactation and growth.
This mini starter mother and babydog food contains a combination of nutritional elements present in mother’s milk. As such, it actively promotes puppy’s digestive health while maintaining the puppy’s natural defenses.
Additionally, this product comes in the form of kibbles. The kibble easily rehydrates to a porridge like consistency that is very palatable. Furthermore, it has a savory flavor that is irresistible to puppies and bitches.
Lastly this product is suitable for puppies from 3 weeks to 2 months old hence suitable for use as a 2nd stage weaning food.
Key features
- Nutritionally complete and balanced
- Savory flavor
- Re-hydratable kibble
Pros
- Easy to use
- Minimal mess even when puppies step on it
- Nutritionally balanced
Cons
- Costly
- Always out of stock due to high demand
Wet food
FOCUS puppy canned wet food by Purina Pro Plus
The FOCUS wet puppy food is specially formulated for growing puppies. It is a great choice of food for weaning puppies for many reasons.
First, real chicken is the number one ingredient of this product. As such, it is safe for use on puppies. Furthermore, the chicken gives this product a savory taste that your puppy cannot resist.
Secondly, this product is enriched with omega 6 fatty acids which promote a healthy puppy coat. Additionally the omega rich oils contain DHA. DHA supports your puppy’s brain and vision development.
Thirdly, FOCUS wet puppy food is rich in antioxidants. This help in supporting your puppy’s immune system.
Finally, this product is nutritionally complete. As such you are guaranteed that all the unique needs of your puppy will be met when you use this product.
Key features
- Made from real chicken
- Enriched with omega 6 fatty acids for healthy coat
- Contains DHA for brain and visual development
- Rich in antioxidants to boost immunity
- Nutritionally balanced
Pros
- Savory taste
- Completely balanced
- Promotes brain and visual development
- Supports puppy immunity
- Easy to use
Cons
- May cause diarrhea in some puppies
- Costly
Puppy Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables by Blue Buffalo
This Blue Buffalo puppy wet food is another great recipe specially formulated for puppies. It is perfect for weaning puppies due to a number of reasons.
One, this product is made from natural ingredients and enhanced with vitamins and minerals. As such, it is safe for puppies.
Two, this pate contains high quality protein from real chicken. This protein supports healthy muscle development of your puppy. Additionally, DHA contained in these proteins supports cognitive development.
Additionally, the chicken gives this wet puppy food a delicious taste that your puppy cannot resist. Furthermore, this product can be fed in 3 ways.
- Alone as puppy food
- As a treat between meals
- Added to dry food to increase interest in the food
Lastly, the Blue Buffalo wet puppy food provides a nutritionally balanced diet to your puppy. It contains no artificial flavors or preservatives, no chicken by-products or flavors and no corn, wheat or soy.
Key features
- Made from natural ingredients
- Enriched with vitamins and minerals
- Nutritionally balanced
- Contains no added preservatives, flavors or thickeners
Pros
- Can be fed in 3 ways
- It is nutritionally complete
- Has a savory taste
- Easy to use
Cons
- Has a questionable packaging
Dry food
Complete Nutrition Puppy dry dog food by Pedigree
If you are looking for quality dry food to enhance your puppy’s growth while protecting them, I recommend this dry puppy food. It is perfect for weaning puppies because it ensures 100% complete diet among other reasons.
The complete nutrition puppy dry food is formulated with DHA. DHA promotes your puppy’s brain and visual development. In addition, this product is enriched with calcium and phosphorous. These support your puppy’s bone and teeth development during weaning.
Additionally, this Pedigree dry puppy food provides minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that boost the immunity of your puppy during development. As such, your puppy will be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Lastly, this dry puppy food has a delicious chicken flavor. This guarantees you that your puppy will love this dry puppy food.
Key features
- 100% complete and balanced
- Enriched with calcium and phosphorous for bone and teeth development
- Contains DHA for brain and visual development
- Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to boost immunity
- Delicious chicken flavor
Pros
- Offers a complete nutritional diet
- Easy to use
- Promotes growth while protecting weaning puppies
Cons
- May cause diarrhea in some puppies
Life Protection formula, Large breed puppy by Blue Buffalo
This Blue Buffalo dry puppy food is specially formulated for large breed puppies. It is perfect for weaning large breed puppies for a number of reasons.
First, real meat is the first ingredient of this product line. As such, it is safe to be fed on puppies. This product offers high quality proteins from real chicken. The proteins help your puppy to develop and maintain healthy muscles during development.
Secondly, this Blue Buffalo dry puppy food contains DHA and ARA. These are essential fatty acids contained in mother’s milk. They support brain and visual development during growth.
Thirdly, this product is enriched with a blend of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. These support your puppy’s immune system health.
Lastly, this dry puppy food contains no chicken by-products or flavors, no preservatives or artificial flavors and no corn, wheat or soy.
Key features
- Made from real meat as first ingredient
- Contains high quality protein from chicken
- Contains DHA and ARA for cognitive and retinal health
- Enriched with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to boost immunity
- Contains no artificial flavors, preservatives or thickeners
Pros
- Delicious chicken flavor
- Nutritionally complete
- Easy to eat and highly digestible
Cons
- May cause diarrhea in some puppies
- Kibble may to too small for some puppies
Read next; Best kitten food for weaning.
