The Best Kind of Food for a 10 Week Old Puppy

They romp, play and love to destroy things -- that's just what 10-week-old puppies do. These high-energy dogs need something to fuel that fire and that is where puppy food comes in. With so many brands to choose from, it can be hard to know what is best for your pup. Along with speaking to your veterinarian about which food to choose, there are also a few other hints that can help you decide.

  1. Quality of Food

    • The best type of food for a 10-week-old puppy is one that contains nutritional, high-quality ingredients. Looking at the ingredients section on the bag can give you an idea of how good the food is, but it doesn't tell you the whole story. Economy brands are made with cheap ingredients that are not only of poor quality, but essentially do nothing for your puppy. These products have low digestibility, which means that they pass through your puppy without being absorbed properly. It also means there is more waste to clean up in your yard.

      Premium brands, such as Science Diet, Nutro Max and Pro Plan, use high-quality ingredients that give your puppy the best chance at being healthy. Because these ingredients are digested better, your puppy does not have to eat as much. While you may pay more money for the food, you won't go through it as quickly as some of the cheaper brands.

      Typically, food that you can only buy at a pet store is your best bet. The kind that you can buy at grocery stores is probably of a poorer quality.

    Types of Food

    • Most veterinarians agree that feeding your puppy dry kibble is the best way to go. Not only does it help to keep their teeth clean, but it is usually the healthiest and most cost-effective. Canned food contains a large amount of fat and is made mostly of water -- about 80 to 83 percent. Additionally, because of its moist nature, canned food tends to stick to your puppy's teeth, which will cause a build up of tartar and plaque over time. Semi-soft foods are also not a good choice for 10-week-old puppies because they have high levels of sugar and salt in them, which are used for preservation. This type of food is also a waste of money as it is about 55-percent water.

      If you have a large-breed puppy--a dog who will grow to weigh more than fifty pounds as an adult--it is recommended that you feed the dog large-breed puppy food. This type of food is designed to help your puppy grow at the appropriate pace, while giving it the proper nutrition.

    Switching Slowly

    • If you are changing your puppy's food, be sure to do it gradually. An abrupt change of diet can cause your puppy to have stomach problems, such as vomiting or diarrhea, which can cause puppies to dehydrate rather quickly.

      Start by feeding your 10-week-old puppy about 75-percent of the old food mixed with 25-percent of the new food. After a few days, try giving half and half. If your puppy tolerates this change well for a couple of days, feed the dog 25-percent of the old food combined with 75-percent of the new food. If your puppy seems to be handling the change without any problems, switch to the new food exclusively.