Are you a new dog parent? Congratulations! Your life is about to get so much more beautiful. If you're wondering where to begin your pet parenting journey, let's help you with the first step, finding the right food for your dog. 

Dogs are omnivores, requiring both meat and vegetables as part of their diet. With the variety of foods available in the market and the various discussions on 

With the pet food market becoming more prominent every year, it may get overwhelming to pick the right combination of food that your puppy likes and has the optimum nutritional value for a growing dog. 

Here's how to choose the best dog food option that suits your pet.  

A balanced diet

Ensuring a balanced diet is the most important aspect of feeding your puppy. A balanced diet contains a good balance of macronutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, fats and fibres, and micronutrients such as minerals and vitamins. The ingredients should be of high quality and in proper proportions to suit the needs of your pup. For instance, young puppies require more calories than older dogs. Other factors such as breed, age, activity levels and allergies are also essential to help choose the right food. 

There are several options for choosing a diet:

1. Commercial diets: Most brands have various options for different age groups and breeds. Choose from among the puppy food options available, and ensure that you feed the puppy based on the recommendations provided on the packet or based on your veterinarian's advice. There are two major types of foods available - dry puppy food and wet puppy food. 
   1. Dry Puppy Food: Generally a more convenient and economical option, as only smaller quantities are required to provide a balanced meal. It also has a crunch and helps improve your puppy's teeth. Dry kibble can also be used as a treat or reward when training your puppy. 
      1. Budget options: 
         1. Pedigree - Puppy
         2. Veg option - Drools
         3. Drools - Puppy
         4. Purepet - Puppy
      2. Premium options:
         1. Royal Canin
         2. Farmina N&D
         3. Pro plan
         4. Canine Creek
         5. Fidele
         6. Orijen
         7. Acana
         8. Arden Grange
   2. Wet Puppy Food: Available in smaller individual sizes and best for very young puppies or old dogs. It will keep your puppy well-hydrated and can be used for puppies that do not drink a lot of water. 
      1. Drools
      2. Fresh for Paws
      3. Kennel Kitchen
      4. Little Big Paw
2. Home-cooked meals: Fresh home-cooked meals have always been preferred by many people. While free of preservatives, it can be a time-consuming process as it is essential to ensure that your puppy is given a completely balanced diet during the first few months of life. We recommend speaking to your veterinarian and identifying an ideal nutritional plan for your puppy. 
3. Raw Diets: High in protein, particularly raw meat, bones and uncooked vegetables, this diet is low on carbohydrates and fats and can be deficient in micronutrients if developed incorrectly. In India, the entire slaughter process is not very hygienic, and the consumption of raw meats can lead to frequent infections and gastrointestinal issues. While theoretically a good option, the risks of feeding a raw diet outweigh the benefits, and we recommend against using Raw diets. 

Affordability: Multiple brands are available in the market and have multiple price ranges. When considering affordable prices, we recommend considering your puppy's growth and adult size, along with the quantity of food consumed while also considering the quality of the diet. Here are a few brands to choose from:

1. Affordable: Pedigree, Drools & Purepet
2. Mid-range: Royal Canin & Farmina N&D
3. Premium: Acana, Orijen & Arden Grange