# Best Puppy Food (2026): Growth Statements, Large-Breed Formulas and How to Switch > Six puppy foods with the AAFCO growth statement read off each maker's page, why large breeds need the 70 lb wording, and how to switch foods without an upset stomach. - Source: https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food - Publisher: PetProofLab (https://petprooflab.com) - Published: 2026-09-28 - Category: food-feeding - Tags: puppy food, large breed puppy food, AAFCO statement, growth, all life stages, switching dog food, Purina Pro Plan, Hill's Science Diet, Royal Canin - Method: picks chosen from Amazon listings and brand specs; not hands-on tested; current Amazon prices are on the page; content checked 2026-09-28. - Quick answer: Buy a food whose AAFCO statement says growth or all life stages. If your puppy will weigh 70 lb or more as an adult, the statement should also say "including growth of large size dogs". Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice and Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy both carry that wording and both passed AAFCO feeding tests, per Purina. Royal Canin Large Puppy and Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy carry it by formulation. For a small or medium puppy, Hill's Science Diet Puppy passed feeding tests for growth. Switch foods over about a week. ## Key takeaways - The FDA says a "complete and balanced" food has to meet an AAFCO nutrient profile or pass an AAFCO feeding trial; puppies need the growth or all life stages profile. - For a puppy expected to reach 70 lb or more, look for "including growth of large size dogs (70 lb or more as an adult)" in the statement. Tufts veterinary nutritionists say large-breed puppies are more sensitive to too much or too little calcium. - Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice and Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy: feeding tests, all life stages including large dogs, per Purina. - Royal Canin Large Puppy and Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy: formulated to meet the growth profile including large dogs, per each maker. - Switch gradually over at least a week, Tufts advises, and keep a puppy on puppy food until 12 months (18 months for large breeds). ## Products (chosen from listings, not tested) 1. **Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula, 6 lb** (details: https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food#product-B0018CI998) — The one to buy if you are not sure how big your puppy will get: it covers large dogs and passed feeding trials. - Pros: Purina's statement: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages, including growth of large sized dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult)."; DHA from fish oil, and calcium, phosphorus and other minerals for bones and teeth, per the listing; Purina lists 456 kcal per cup; sold by Amazon.com - Cons: An all life stages food, so it also fits an adult; Purina still sells a separate large-breed recipe 2. **Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula, 34 lb** (details: https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food#product-B002OY0Q9K) — The large-breed pick with both the 70 lb wording and feeding-trial backing. - Pros: Purina's statement: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Pro Plan Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages, including growth of large sized dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult)."; Formulated to support an appropriate growth rate for large-breed puppies, with added glucosamine, per the listing; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: Only the 34 lb bag was in this pick; smaller bags are separate listings 3. **Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe, 15.5 lb** (details: https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food#product-B003MW98OC) — A feeding-trial puppy food for a dog that will stay under large-breed size. - Pros: Hill's statement: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe provides complete and balanced nutrition for growing puppies and gestating or lactating adult female dogs."; Hill's recommends it for puppies up to 1 year old and lists 393 kcal per cup; DHA and fish oil, balanced minerals, per the listing; sold by Amazon.com - Cons: The statement on Hill's page does not include the large-size dog wording, so it is for small and medium puppies 4. **Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe, 27.5 lb** (details: https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food#product-B0BS6TNPN8) — Made for large breeds and backed by feeding trials, but read the bag for the 70 lb wording. - Pros: Hill's statement: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe provides complete and balanced nutrition for growing puppies."; Recommended for large-breed puppies over 55 lb as adults, up to 18 months old, per Hill's; 391 kcal per cup; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: Hill's product page does not print the "including growth of large size dogs" phrase; check the bag if you want that wording 5. **Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Large Puppy, 30 lb** (details: https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food#product-B0BX1D5VS4) — A size-specific large-breed food with the 70 lb wording, for dogs between 56 and 100 lb as adults. - Pros: Royal Canin's statement: "ROYAL CANIN® LARGE PUPPY is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth including growth of large size dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult)."; For puppies up to 15 months with an expected adult weight of 56 to 100 lb, per Royal Canin; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: Met by formulation, not a feeding trial; Royal Canin sells a separate Giant Puppy for dogs over 100 lb 6. **Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice, 30 lb** (details: https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food#product-B000GZ1BNE) — The large-breed option for owners who want Blue Buffalo's grain-inclusive recipe, with the right growth wording. - Pros: Blue Buffalo's statement: formulated to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles "for growth, including growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult)"; DHA and ARA, calcium and phosphorus, per the listing; Sold by Amazon.com - Cons: Met by formulation, not a feeding trial The best puppy food is one whose AAFCO statement says "growth" or "all life stages", and, for a puppy that will weigh 70 lb or more as an adult, adds "including growth of large size dogs". Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice and Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy meet both tests and passed AAFCO feeding trials, per Purina. Royal Canin Large Puppy and Blue Buffalo's Large Breed Puppy carry the large-dog wording by formulation, and Hill's Science Diet Puppy is a feeding-trial growth food for smaller dogs. **How we chose:** we did not feed or test these foods; we read the AAFCO statement for each on the maker's own site and kept foods sold by Amazon.com and in stock on September 28, 2026. ## Six puppy foods and their AAFCO statements | Food | Life stage in the AAFCO statement | Basis | Large-breed wording on maker's page | Sold by | Amazon price | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | [Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food#product-B0018CI998) | All life stages | Feeding tests | Yes | Amazon.com | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food#product-B002OY0Q9K) | All life stages | Feeding tests | Yes | Amazon.com | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Hill's Science Diet Puppy](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food#product-B003MW98OC) | Growing puppies, gestation and lactation | Feeding tests | No | Amazon.com | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food#product-B0BS6TNPN8) | Growing puppies | Feeding tests | Not printed on the page | Amazon.com | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Royal Canin Large Puppy](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food#product-B0BX1D5VS4) | Growth | Formulation | Yes | Amazon.com | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food#product-B000GZ1BNE) | Growth | Formulation | Yes | Amazon.com | see the current Amazon price on the page | The statements come from [Purina's Pro Plan Puppy page](https://shop.purina.com/canine-pro-plan-chicken-rice-formula-puppy), [Purina's Large Breed Puppy page](https://shop.purina.com/canine-pro-plan-large-breed-formula-puppy), [Hill's Puppy page](https://www.hillspet.com/dog-food/science-diet-puppy-original-dry), [Hill's Puppy Large Breed page](https://www.hillspet.com/dog-food/science-diet-puppy-large-breed-dry), [Royal Canin's Large Puppy page](https://www.royalcanin.com/us/dogs/products/retail-products/large-puppy-3006) and [Blue Buffalo's Large Breed Puppy page](https://www.bluebuffalo.com/dry-dog-food/life-protection-formula/large-breed-puppy-chicken-brown-rice-recipe/). ## What the AAFCO statement on a puppy food tells you The statement is the small-print sentence on the back or side of the bag. The [FDA explains](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/complete-and-balanced-pet-food) that when it includes "complete and balanced," the product "is intended to be fed as a pet's sole diet." To earn that phrase, a dog food must either meet one of AAFCO's nutrient profiles or "pass a feeding trial using AAFCO procedures." AAFCO has two dog profiles: one for growth and reproduction, and one for adult maintenance. The FDA notes that food for adult dogs "contains lower levels of some nutrients," so an adult food is not a puppy food. There is no senior profile either, which is why a [senior dog food](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/senior-dog-food) carries an adult maintenance statement. A puppy needs a statement that says growth or all life stages. The Tufts veterinary nutritionists behind [Petfoodology](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2021/02/08/how-often-should-i-feed-my-pet/) put it plainly: puppies and kittens under one year "must be fed a diet with an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the label for growth or all life stages." [AAFCO's label guide](https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/reading-labels/) shows the standard wordings. "Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles" means the recipe was built to the profile. "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate" means the food was also fed to dogs under AAFCO's protocol. In a step-by-step guide to [choosing a puppy food](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2021/11/29/whats-the-best-food-for-your-new-puppy/), a Tufts veterinary nutritionist writes that "feeding trials are ideal," but a formulated diet from a good manufacturer "should be fine as well." ## If your puppy will be a large dog Since 2016, AAFCO has asked growth and all life stages dog foods to say whether they cover large dogs. [Tufts' Petfoodology](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2017/02/24/confused-about-what-to-feed-your-large-breed-puppy-new-rules-may-help/) explains the change: large-breed puppies "are more sensitive to an excess or shortage of calcium while their bones are growing," so the calcium range for them is narrower. A label now ends in one of two ways: - "...for growth/all life stages **including** growth of large-size dogs (70 lbs or more as an adult)" - "...for growth/all life stages **except for** growth of large-size dogs (70 lbs or more as an adult)" Tufts warns owners not to overlook "the small, but critical, difference between 'except for' and 'including'." It also notes that AAFCO chose 70 lb as the cutoff, and its puppy-food guide suggests using 50 lb as the more conservative line. Too many calories matter as much as calcium. The Tufts [growth guide](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2022/01/31/growth-guide-keeping-your-puppy-on-the-right-track/) says extra calories make puppies "grow too quickly which – especially in large breed puppies – can increase their risk for bone and joint problems." It recommends keeping a puppy at a body condition score of 4 to 5 on a 9-point scale, and weighing it at least monthly until 6 months of age. That gives four clear large-breed choices here: - **Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy** and **Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice** both say "all life stages, including growth of large sized dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult)" and both passed feeding tests, per Purina. - **Royal Canin Large Puppy** says "growth including growth of large size dogs" by formulation. Royal Canin sizes it for dogs of 56 to 100 lb as adults, up to 15 months old. - **Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy** says "growth, including growth of large size dogs" by formulation. **Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed** is built for large breeds: Hill's recommends it for puppies over 55 lb as adults, up to 18 months old, and it passed feeding tests for "growing puppies." But the statement on Hill's product page does not include the "including growth of large size dogs" phrase. If that exact wording matters to you, read it on the bag before you buy. **Key point:** "large breed" on the front of the bag is marketing. The sentence on the back is what tells you the food meets the large-dog growth profile. ## If your puppy will stay small or medium Any of the foods above works for a smaller puppy, since a food that covers large-dog growth also covers growth in general. **Hill's Science Diet Puppy** is a feeding-trial growth food that Hill's recommends up to 1 year old. Its statement does not mention large dogs, so keep it for a puppy that will not reach that size. For small puppies, calories per cup matter. Tufts found puppy foods ranging "from about 300 calories per cup to more than 500 calories per cup," and suggests a lower-calorie food for a puppy that "tends to get overweight easily." Here, Hill's lists 393 kcal per cup for its Puppy recipe, and Purina lists 456 kcal per cup for Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice. Tufts also says kibble size can matter for very small puppies and short-nosed breeds. ## How many meals, and when to stop puppy food Tufts' [feeding-frequency article](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2021/02/08/how-often-should-i-feed-my-pet/) says animals under 6 months are "often recommended" to eat "at least three separate meals per day," and that more meals should not mean more food. Purina's own feeding notes suggest "three small meals a day for younger puppies," dropping to morning and evening as the puppy grows. On when to stop, the Tufts growth guide is direct: "PLEASE don't change to an adult food before 12 months of age in small, medium, or large-sized breeds (18 months of age in large breed puppies)!" The makers' own ranges agree: Hill's Puppy is for dogs up to 1 year, Hill's Puppy Large Breed up to 18 months, and Royal Canin Large Puppy up to 15 months. Spaying or neutering changes the math. Tufts says it "reduces your puppy's calorie needs up to 30%," so cut the amount at the time of surgery, but keep feeding puppy food until 12 to 18 months. Count treats too: our [training treat guide](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/dog-training-treats) explains Tufts' advice to keep them under 10% of the day's calories. ## How to switch puppy foods Change food slowly, even from one good food to another. Tufts' [guide to switching](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2019/11/24/how-do-i-switch-my-pets-food/) recommends "gradually mixing an increasing amount of the new food into the old diet" over "at least one week." [Purina's Pro Plan Puppy page](https://www.purina.com/dogs/shop/pro-plan-development-puppy-chicken-rice-dry-dog-food) asks for "7 - 10 days," feeding a little less of the old food and a little more of the new each day. Hill's says to shift over 7 days. If the stool loosens but the puppy is otherwise fine, Tufts says to stay at the last ratio that did not cause trouble "for another day or two until symptoms pass," then carry on. Remember that calories per cup differ between foods, so check the new bag's feeding table rather than swapping cup for cup. If your puppy has continued vomiting, liquid diarrhea, or seems painful or lethargic, Tufts says to call your veterinarian. Puppies with heart, kidney or liver problems may need a therapeutic diet, which is your vet's decision, not a shopping choice. Ask your vet if anything seems off; this page is general information, not veterinary advice ([more on that](https://petprooflab.com/about#veterinary)). ## Picking a brand: the WSAVA questions Tufts starts its puppy-food process with the [WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee's guidelines on selecting pet foods](https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Selecting-a-pet-food-for-your-pet-updated-2021_WSAVA-Global-Nutrition-Toolkit.pdf). They ask whether a company employs a qualified nutritionist, who formulates its diets, what quality control it runs on ingredients and finished products, and whether it does published research. WSAVA adds that if a manufacturer "cannot or will not provide any of this information, veterinarians and owners should be cautious about feeding that brand." You can ask any brand these questions by phone or email. Our [Pro Plan vs Science Diet comparison](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/purina-pro-plan-vs-hills-science-diet) sets out what Purina and Hill's say about their nutritionists, and where their large-breed puppy wording differs. On ingredients, Tufts writes that until the cause of diet-associated heart disease (DCM) is understood, some owners avoid peas, lentils, chickpeas, potatoes and sweet potatoes. Our guide to [grain-free dog food and DCM](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/grain-free-dog-food-and-dcm) goes into the question in more detail. None of the six foods here is grain-free. ## Foods we left out, and recalls **IAMS ProActive Health Large Breed Puppy** is sold by Amazon.com, and IAMS's page says the food is "100% complete and balanced for the growth of large breed puppies." We could not find the formal AAFCO statement, with its life stage and basis, printed as text on the IAMS product page, so it did not get a card. It may well carry the right wording on the bag. Check before you buy. We checked every brand here against our [pet product recall page](https://petprooflab.com/recalls), which tracks FDA and CPSC pet recalls from January 2024 to September 28, 2026. None of these Purina Pro Plan, Hill's Science Diet, Royal Canin or Blue Buffalo foods appears on it. Royal Canin's parent company, Mars Petcare, recalled two Pedigree dog foods in that period (May 2024 and July 2026); no Royal Canin product was named in those notices. If you are still setting up for a new dog, our [new puppy checklist](https://petprooflab.com/life-stages/new-puppy-checklist) covers the crate, bowls and first vet visit, and a [slow feeder bowl](https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/slow-feeder-dog-bowls) can help a puppy that gulps its food. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What should the AAFCO statement say on puppy food? It should say the food is complete and balanced for growth or for all life stages. For a puppy expected to weigh 70 lb or more as an adult, it should add "including growth of large size dogs (70 lb or more as an adult)," per AAFCO's labeling rules as Tufts explains them. ### Is an "all life stages" food OK for a puppy? Yes. The WSAVA guidelines say diets labeled for all life stages "are formulated for reproduction and growth," so they meet a puppy's needs. Check whether the statement includes or excludes large-size dogs. ### When should a puppy switch to adult food? Not before 12 months, and not before 18 months for large breeds, according to Tufts' veterinary nutritionists. Your vet may adjust that for your dog. ### How long should I take to switch puppy foods? At least a week. Tufts recommends mixing in more of the new food over the course of at least one week, and Purina suggests 7 to 10 days for Pro Plan. ### Is a feeding trial better than "formulated to meet"? A Tufts veterinary nutritionist calls feeding trials "ideal," but says a formulated diet from a manufacturer with strong nutrition expertise and quality control should be fine as well. --- *PetProofLab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We did not feed or test these foods; AAFCO statements, calorie figures and age ranges are the makers' own, from their websites and listings. This guide is general information and is not veterinary advice.* ## Sources - shop.purina.com: [Purina's Pro Plan Puppy page](https://shop.purina.com/canine-pro-plan-chicken-rice-formula-puppy) - shop.purina.com: [Purina's Large Breed Puppy page](https://shop.purina.com/canine-pro-plan-large-breed-formula-puppy) - hillspet.com: [Hill's Puppy page](https://www.hillspet.com/dog-food/science-diet-puppy-original-dry) - hillspet.com: [Hill's Puppy Large Breed page](https://www.hillspet.com/dog-food/science-diet-puppy-large-breed-dry) - royalcanin.com: [Royal Canin's Large Puppy page](https://www.royalcanin.com/us/dogs/products/retail-products/large-puppy-3006) - bluebuffalo.com: [Blue Buffalo's Large Breed Puppy page](https://www.bluebuffalo.com/dry-dog-food/life-protection-formula/large-breed-puppy-chicken-brown-rice-recipe) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration: [Complete and balanced pet food](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/complete-and-balanced-pet-food) - sites.tufts.edu: [Petfoodology](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2021/02/08/how-often-should-i-feed-my-pet) - Association of American Feed Control Officials: [AAFCO's label guide](https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/reading-labels) - sites.tufts.edu: [Whats the best food for your new puppy](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2021/11/29/whats-the-best-food-for-your-new-puppy) - sites.tufts.edu: [Tufts' Petfoodology](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2017/02/24/confused-about-what-to-feed-your-large-breed-puppy-new-rules-may-help) - sites.tufts.edu: [Growth guide keeping your puppy on the right track](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2022/01/31/growth-guide-keeping-your-puppy-on-the-right-track) - sites.tufts.edu: [Guide to switching](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2019/11/24/how-do-i-switch-my-pets-food) - purina.com: [Purina's Pro Plan Puppy page](https://www.purina.com/dogs/shop/pro-plan-development-puppy-chicken-rice-dry-dog-food) - World Small Animal Veterinary Association: [WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee's guidelines on selecting pet foods](https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Selecting-a-pet-food-for-your-pet-updated-2021_WSAVA-Global-Nutrition-Toolkit.pdf) --- Last updated: 2026-09-28 Canonical URL: https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food How to cite: "Best Puppy Food (2026): Growth Statements, Large-Breed Formulas and How to Switch", PetProofLab, https://petprooflab.com/food-feeding/best-puppy-food (checked 2026-09-28). Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate PetProofLab earns from qualifying purchases. Safety information summarizes public guidance and is not medical advice.