Puppies aren't just small dogs — their nutritional needs are genuinely different, and the wrong food (or the wrong amount of the right food) can affect everything from growth rate to joint development. Here's what to look for in a puppy formula, and how Open Farm's puppy recipe fits in.
What Growing Puppies Actually Need
A few things set puppy nutrition apart from adult dog food:
- Higher protein and fat to support rapid growth and muscle development
- DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid important for brain and eye development, especially in the first several months
- Controlled calcium and phosphorus levels, particularly for large-breed puppies, since too much calcium too fast can contribute to skeletal development problems
- More calories per cup than an adult formula, since puppies are burning energy fast and have smaller stomachs relative to their needs
This is why feeding an adult formula to a puppy — or vice versa — isn't just a minor mismatch. It's worth choosing a food that's actually formulated for your dog's current life stage.
Open Farm's Puppy Recipe
Open Farm's Salmon & Ancient Grains Puppy recipe is formulated specifically for growing puppies, with wild-caught salmon as the first ingredient to help build lean muscle and support brain and eye development. As an ancient grains recipe, it uses non-GMO, gluten-free grains like oats, quinoa, and chia rather than being fully grain-free — a middle-ground option for owners who want the digestibility of whole grains without a grain-free formulation.
If you're looking for a grain-free option instead, Open Farm's Epic Blend Chicken & Superfood recipe is another high-protein option worth discussing with your vet, particularly for puppies without a specific grain sensitivity.
How Much to Feed a Puppy
Feeding amounts for puppies change constantly as they grow, which makes the feeding chart on the bag a starting point rather than a fixed number. A few general guidelines:
- Puppies typically need to eat more often than adult dogs — three to four times a day for young puppies, tapering to twice a day as they mature
- Weigh your puppy regularly and adjust portions as they grow, rather than sticking to one scoop size for months
- Large-breed puppies in particular benefit from a controlled growth rate rather than rapid weight gain, so it's worth talking to your vet about pace, not just total food volume
Because every breed and individual puppy grows differently, your vet is the best resource for dialing in exact portions — especially for large or giant breeds where growth rate really matters.
Transitioning to a New Puppy Food
If you're switching your puppy from whatever they were eating at the breeder or shelter, transition gradually over 7 to 10 days, mixing in increasing amounts of the new food. Puppies can have sensitive stomachs during this stage, so a slow transition helps avoid unnecessary upset stomachs during an already busy time.
Where to Get Started
You can find the Salmon & Ancient Grains Puppy recipe at The Hungry Puppy, along with the rest of our dog food selection. If you're also incorporating Open Farm's freeze-dried raw as a puppy topper, orders of $75 or more ship free nationwide, and setting up auto-delivery saves you 6% on every reorder — handy for a growing puppy who's going through food faster every month.
We've been helping new puppy owners in Farmingdale, NJ and beyond choose the right food since 1987. If you're not sure which Open Farm recipe fits your puppy's breed and size, give us a call at 732-938-4470 — we're happy to help you compare options.