Let’s cut through the confusion…
If you’ve ever stood in the dog food aisle thinking “what should I feed my puppy?” while staring at 49 bags of kibble, you’re not alone.
“I just want to feed my puppy something decent — but where do I even start?”
You’re not alone.
With raw, kibble, cooked, and “gently steamed” options (whatever that means!), it can feel totally overwhelming — especially when everyone online has an opinion.
As a dog trainer, this is a question I help clients with all the time — and it’s so much more important than most people realise.
So let’s strip it back. Here’s what you actually need to know to feed your puppy well — without getting lost in the marketing or breaking the bank.
Because what your puppy eats doesn’t just affect their body. It affects their brain, mood, behaviour, and ability to focus.
So here’s a clear, no-nonsense guide to get you started — plus some real stories from my own dogs and clients.
🍗 First things first: What should you feed your puppy?
There’s no single “best” diet for every puppy. But here’s the golden rule I always come back to:
Feed the best quality food you can afford — and feed what your puppy will actually eat and enjoy.
Whether that’s kibble, cooked food, raw, tinned, or a mix of all three — it should:
Be nutritionally complete for a growing pup
Be easy for your puppy to digest
Contain real, recognisable ingredients
🚫 What to avoid on dog food labels
Think of your dog’s food like your own weekly shop. You wouldn’t want to live off beaks, claws, or mystery dust, would you? Puppies don’t either.
Here’s what to steer clear of on the label:
Cereals or maize as the first ingredient: These are cheap fillers and provide little nutritional value.
Meat meal or meat/animal derivatives: These can include beaks, feathers, feet, and anything else left over. If it doesn’t say “chicken” or “lamb” specifically, it’s probably not the good stuff.
Vague terms like “animal fat” or “vegetable protein”: If they can’t name it, don’t trust it.
✅ Top tip: Ingredients are listed in order of quantity — so if it’s “Chicken & Sweet Potato,” chicken should be at the top… and ideally with a % next to it.
Still wondering what you should feed your puppy? Keep it simple: focus on quality ingredients, protein first, and a feeding style that suits your lifestyle — whether that’s raw, cooked or a good-quality kibble.
🧠 Why this matters for training & behaviour
I once worked with a client feeding a well-known brand of food. The label looked okay, but when we checked it together, it was full of cereals, meat derivatives and barely any actual meat.
I suggested they finish the bag (because let’s be honest — food costs money!) and then try switching based on the guidance I give all my clients.
The result?
She came back weeks later and said:
“They’re like different dogs — calmer, easier to train, and just more with me.”
Nutrition isn’t just health — it’s behaviour.
🥦 Should I Add Veg to What I Feed My Puppy?
This is where we can have some fun — and boost your puppy’s meals naturally.
Veg can be a great add-on, whatever you choose when deciding what to feed your puppy.
It brings texture, taste, and nutrition, but go slow and start small and don’t start with a full roast dinner!
Adding veg gives them variety in:
Texture (think crunchy raw carrot or soft squash)
Taste
Nutrients and antioxidants
🥦 Broccoli and green beans are great regulars.
🥬 Cabbage and cauliflower are also brilliant, in small amounts.
🍓 Envy adores blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.
🥕 Eric? He’s not interested in berries — but give him some cooked asparagus ends and he’s in heaven.
Start small. Don’t give them a Sunday roast on day one. Introduce one new food at a time and monitor their poos (you’ll become an expert in that soon enough).
🛑 One quick word of warning…
I don’t recommend using toppings like cheese or bits of ham just to get your puppy to eat their food.
I’ve had lots of clients try this — and what usually happens? The puppy picks out the cheese and leaves the rest.
If your dog isn’t eating what you’re feeding, it’s worth questioning why, rather than bribing them.
Get them eating well first — then add variety once they’re settled.
💰 Let’s talk about budget
I feed what works for me and my dogs. For example:
Envy and Maisie eat raw
Eric is on a half-and-half diet: kibble in the morning, Butternut Box or Different Dog in the evening
Cooked food can be expensive, so feeding 50/50 is a brilliant way to balance cost and quality. I suggest aiming for around £1 per day per dog if you can.
If you want to explore new options, I recommend:
👉 All About Dog Food
It’s a brilliant site where you can filter by budget, brand type, and more — though fair warning, it can feel overwhelming at first!
📦 My go-to feeding advice for clients:
Finish your current bag — don’t waste it.
Then transition to something better if needed.
Watch your dog’s behaviour, energy, and digestion — they’ll tell you if it’s right.
And remember: what’s “best” is what works for you and your puppy. Not what a glossy advert says.
🦴 Bonus Myth Buster: “Kibble cleans teeth”
Nope. It doesn’t.
If you want to support dental health, you’re far better off offering natural chews.
🦷 👉 Check out my blog on safe, natural chew options
🐾 Final word
Puppy nutrition isn’t about perfection. It’s about making informed choices, giving your pup variety, and supporting their development — physically and emotionally.
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure what to feed, I go over nutrition in every one of my 121 training programmes. It’s that important.
What you put in (food wise), is what you are going to get out (in their behaviour)
If I came round and fed you takeaways and fast food for 2 weeks, how would you feel?
But if I came round with home cooked fresh food and salad for 2 weeks – again how would you feel?
Something to think about with our dogs too
Need help choosing? Want to check a label together?
Just ask — I’d love to help.
📣 Want to explore cooked food options?
I’m an affiliate for both Butternut Box, Different Dog & Bella & Duke — and I only recommend them because they’ve worked for my own dogs and clients.
🎁 Get a discount on Butternut Box here 60% off your first box, 30% off your second box
🎁 Try Different Dog with my link here 50% off your first box
🎁 Get a discount on Bella & Duke Raw Food 40% off your first box, 40% off your second box, 20% off your third box
🐶 Need help choosing the right food for your puppy?
If you’re still feeling unsure or overwhelmed by all the options, you’re not alone — and I’m here to help.
I cover nutrition and behaviour in every one of my weekly 121 sessions as part of my Dream Puppy Programme
We’ll work together to help your puppy settle in, learn essential life skills, and build calm habits that last — all with kind, thoughtful training that sees the world from your puppy’s perspective.
👉 Contact me here to book a free discovery call and start your puppy’s journey.
📚 Want to read more?
If you found this blog helpful, you might also enjoy:
More blogs coming soon in my nutrition series — including how to switch foods without upset and how what you feed affects behaviour.
