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Best High-Protein Puppy Food 2025
Written by Wag! Staff
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 08/04/2023, edited: 02/28/2025
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Puppies have different nutritional needs to adult dogs. Pups need more protein in their diet than adult dogs to support their healthy growth and development — according to the AAFCO food nutrient profiles, puppy diets should have a minimum protein content of 22.5% (on a dry matter basis), compared to a minimum of 18% for adult maintenance.
Of course, protein isn’t the only key nutrient they need. They also need fats for energy, DHA for brain development, carbohydrates for energy and digestive health, and calcium for strong bones and teeth.
But if you’re a new pet parent, finding the best food for your puppy can be a daunting task. With so many options to choose from, choosing a food for your dog can be quite overwhelming.
To make your decision easier, we’ve put together this guide to the 5 best high-protein puppy foods. Keep reading to find the right high-protein diet for your pup.
Related: How Much Protein Does My Dog Need?
Overview
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy
4.5
Vet recommended
We think Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy is the best high-protein puppy food for several reasons.
With deboned chicken as its first ingredient, this recipe has a protein content of 28%. It’s designed to suit all breeds, and provides all the protein your pup needs to develop and maintain lean muscle.
Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants, recommends Merrick to her clients. “Merrick products are made with high-quality, whole food ingredients, and they use no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors,” she explains.
This Classic Healthy Grains Puppy recipe features omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, glucosamine and chondroitin for strong joints, and DHA for brain development. And because it’s made in the USA, we reckon there’s a lot to like about this Merrick puppy food.
To find out more about this terrific brand, read our full Merrick dog food review.
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy
Why Wag! loves Merrick
- Recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, Wag!'s pet nutrition expert and veterinary consultant
- Features DHA for healthy brain development.
- Cooked in the USA
- Includes real deboned meat as the first ingredient
Considerations & concerns
- Some buyers would appreciate a larger bag size
- Some pet parents report that a larger kibble size would work for their dog
- Not a budget-friendly option
What pet parents say about Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy
“I started my new rescue puppy on this before her first visit to the vet a week later. I asked the vet to confirm I made the right choice and she said that it is what she feeds her dogs as well good ingredients and doesn't upset her stomach! I also feed her the Merrick treats as well for training and rewards.”
“I’ve trusted Merrick for years and my vet recommended a grain-inclusive food for my new standard Poodle puppy. I was happy to learn Merrick had introduced a grain-inclusive food for puppies! She seems to really enjoy the food and is a happy, healthy girl!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
Raised Right
5
Best vet recommended fresh food
Searching for a high-protein fresh food diet that’ll put a smile on your pup’s face? Raised Right has got you covered. This human-grade pet food subscription service dishes up high-protein, low-carb, limited-ingredient recipes.
To sign up, simply enter a few details about your dog and Raised Right will put together a custom meal plan. Raised Right has Beef Puppy Growth, Chicken Puppy Growth, and Turkey Puppy Growth recipes, all of which meet the AAFCO food nutrient profiles for growth.
“Raised Right offers a human-grade dog food consisting of only whole foods and no fillers or synthetic additives such as vitamin and mineral powders,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants. “Their ingredients can also be traced back to the source, and each batch is tested for safety.”
If you like the sound of that, sign up to Raised Right today. And if you want to do a little more digging on this brand, check out our full Raised Right dog food review.
Raised Right Beef
Why Wag! loves Raised Right
- Recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, Wag!'s pet nutrition expert and veterinary consultant
- Packed with protein.
- Human-grade food made using low-temperature cooking techniques
- Limited-ingredient recipes that provide complete and balanced nutrition
Considerations & concerns
- There are more affordable ways to feed your pup.
- Only 3 puppy recipes to choose from
- Some pet parents might prefer an alternative protein source
What pet parents say about Raised Right
"My dog currently has a very good human grade air dried food that after 2
years she is apparently bored of. I just tried Raised right pet food
which is very meaty in texture, She loves it. Very good food with great
human grade ingredients."
"Benny is a healthy 16 month old Shih Tzu. He has been eating Raised
Right since he was 3 months old and licks every morsel out of his bowl.
He is STRONG and his coat is thick. We will continue to give him this
high quality product and are very satisfied."
Read more reviews on Raised Right.
Product image sourced from the Raised Right website. Copyright Raised Right Pets LP.
Open Farm Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Salmon
5
Vet recommended
If you’re searching for a pet food that meets strict sustainability and animal welfare standards, and that offers a high-protein diet for your puppy, look no further than Open Farm Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Salmon Recipe.
Open Farm is committed to sourcing ingredients from humane and ethical sources, and allows you to trace each ingredient in your bag of dog food back to its source.
This puppy recipe has 32% protein content, includes the goodness of ingredients like pumpkin and coconut oil, and includes prebiotic fibers to support healthy digestion.
Even better, Open Farm is another brand that Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants, recommends to her clients:
“Open Farm dog food is formulated with high-quality ingredients and does not contain any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors,” she says. “The company also prioritizes the use of ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients.”
For a closer look at this brand's products, recall history, and more, dig into our Open Farm dog food review.
Open Farm Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Salmon Recipe
Why Wag! loves Open Farm
- Recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, Wag!'s pet nutrition expert and veterinary consultant
- Ingredients are 100% traceable
- Ingredients are sourced from humane and ethical suppliers
- Chicken, salmon, and pork feature as protein sources
Considerations & concerns
- Not a hit with some picky eaters
- There are cheaper brands available
What pet parents have to say about Open Farm
"We received our new Scottish Terrier, named 'Doug', just a few weeks
ago, the breeder had him on some puppy chow from a well known big box
store, and we wanted to change his food to something of a higher
quality.......Open Farm came highly recommended.
We were a bit apprehensive how he might react to this change, but our
fears were quickly dispelled as soon as he took his first bite. We
originally ordered a small bag as a test, but it is almost gone and we
are in the process of ordering your biggest size. Well done!"
"3 months ago, my French Bulldog puppy was having digestive problems and
we realized it was his dry food. We decided to switch over to open farm
because of the great things we've heard and read about. Their recipes
are super clean and nutritious and have solved our dogs' digestive
problems."
Read more reviews on Open Farm.
Product image sourced from the Open Farm website. Copyright Open Farm.
Taste of the Wild Puppy
4.5
Vet recommended
Taste of the Wild pet food is designed to provide nutrition from the types of protein sources that your dog’s ancestors would’ve eaten in the wild. And if you’re searching for a high-protein diet for your fur-baby, its High Prairie Puppy Recipe and Pacific Stream Puppy Recipe are both well worth a look.
Featuring 28% and 27% protein content respectively, these formulas both offer easily digestible nutrition for your puppy. Each recipe includes DHA for cognitive development, and comes with small bits of kibble to make it easy for your pup to chew.
“Taste of the Wild offers both wet and dry dog and cat foods for all life stages incorporating species-specific probiotics, antioxidants from ancient grains, fruits and seeds, and omega fatty acids,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants.
So if you’re searching for a high-protein puppy food, be sure to add Taste of the Wild to your shopping list, and read our full review of Taste of the Wild dog food to learn more.
Taste of the Wild Prairie Stream Puppy
Why Wag! loves Taste of the Wild
- Recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, Wag!'s pet nutrition expert and veterinary consultant.
- Features probiotics for healthy digestion and immune system.
- Highly digestible protein sources.
- Competitively priced.
Considerations & concerns
- The fact that these recipes are grain-free won’t please all pet parents.
- Some complaints about the smell of the Pacific Stream recipe.
- Some complaints that the kibble size is too small for some dogs.
What pet parents say about Taste of the Wild
“Trust your dog's taste buds to Taste of the Wild, where quality meets flavor! My dog Dyson absolutely loves Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream. From the moment I opened the bag, I could tell that this was a premium dog food. The aroma alone was enough to get Dyson's tail wagging with excitement. The smoked salmon flavor is also a huge hit with Dyson, and I love that it's made with real, whole ingredients that I can trust. I add their canned dog food to his meals once a week which gives him a little flavor variety which he is always excited for.”
“Using the canine puppy blend for my dogs until they are 18 [months old] keeps them happy and healthy. Coats are soft, belly aches aren't a problem and their digestive schedule shows they are absorbing [the] majority of it compared to wasting it. Cats are the same way. I use all ages with the feline and they devour it, clean themselves and love me so it must be good!!”
Read more reviews on ConsumerAffairs.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC.
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables Puppy
4
Best vet recommended wet food
Searching for a high-protein wet dog food for your puppy? There are plenty of good reasons why you should check out this Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables recipe from Blue Buffalo.
This recipe features real chicken as the first ingredient to promote muscle development and help meet your pup’s energy needs.
Chicken liver is also included as a source of protein along with carrots for beta carotene and fiber, sweet potatoes for potassium and B vitamins, and fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids.
Available in 12.5-ounce cans, this recipe also includes wholesome fruits like cranberries and blueberries to provide crucial antioxidants and vitamins for your growing pup. And with no chicken by-product meals or artificial flavors or preservatives, you can rest assured that you’re providing high-quality nutrition for your fur-baby.
For the full scoop on this pet food company, read our Blue Buffalo dog food review.
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Puppy
Why Wag! loves Blue Buffalo
- Recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, Wag!'s pet nutrition expert and veterinary consultant
- Features wholesome grains, fruits, and vegetables
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Features DHA for brain and eye development
Considerations & concerns
- Some picky eaters don’t like it
- Some pet parents complain that it causes an upset stomach
- There are cheaper brands available if you’re on a tight budget
What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Puppy Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
“Can’t say how much my puppy loves her Blue Buffalo. I’ve noticed in the month I’ve fed her the food she has doubled in size and is full of energy. Thank you.”
“Oh my gosh… My GSD LOVES the taste of this! He literally would eat the entire pallet if I let him. I also feel good about it, because I do a lot of research on my dog's foods, and it's really one of the healthiest wet foods out there for dogs.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.
FAQ
Do puppies have different nutritional needs to adult dogs?
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