Meals your puppy will love
Your guide to puppy meals
Your new family member is a bundle of energy who needs meals that not only taste amazing but are also geared to the vital growth phases of healthy puppyhood.
You can serve ESSENTIALS the very same day your puppy moves in. Let us help you get off to the best start together.
Puppy meals from ESSENTIALS
The ultimate proof of the best puppy meal is a young dog thriving on ingredients that provide the best nutritional start in life. At ESSENTIAL FOODS we never cut corners. That’s why you’ll find only the finest, most delicious ingredients in our kibble, which is carefully formulated and tailored to the needs of any breed of puppy.
A good start in the food bowl
Initially, most puppies need several meals a day. It’s perfectly normal for their appetite to vary because puppies are easily distracted by all the new scents, sounds and sights. In fact, some pups prefer to play with their food than eat it. In time, however, they will come to eagerly await both the taste and the sensation of chewing their food.
New to ESSENTIALS?
If the breeder provided you with a different brand of kibble, we recommend gradually transitioning to our meals over 7 days by mixing the breeder’s kibble with THE BEGINNING, so your puppy’s digestion has time to adjust to the new kibble. For more useful tips, see our FAQ below.*
What should I choose?
Discover our outstanding puppy meals
If you’re already serving ESSENTIALS, you’ll know the peace of mind of choosing the very best for your puppy in a meal bursting with fresh, premium ingredients for optimised nutrition through every growth phase. Our exceptional puppy meals contain all the ingredients for the best start in life.
Puppy meals for small
breeds
Don’t confuse size with personality. At ESSENTIALS we’re full of puppy love. Which is why we’ve carefully crafted dry meals specially for small-breed puppies. The BEGINNING is our unbeatable puppy meal designed for small dogs up to age 10-12 months.
Small dogs have special needs when young, as opposed to when they are fully grown. Meals for small breeds should be based on their growth curve. Because this differs from that of large breeds, a special puppy meal is needed with a higher percentage of protein and fat.
Puppy meals for large
breeds
For bigger breeds you won’t want to compromise, and you won’t be doing so with our The BEGINNING LARGE BREED, which is our ultimate puppy meal designed for large breeds Large dogs have special needs when young, as opposed to when they are fully grown. Puppy dry meals for large breeds should be based on their growth curve. Because this differs from that of small breeds, a special puppy meal is needed with a specific amount of protein and fat.
We're no budget brand because our meals contain premium-quality ingredients – exactly what your puppy needs and deserves.
How much dry food should I be serving my puppy?
The amount depends on your puppy’s age, size and activity. Refer to the feeding chart on our kibble bags as a guide, andmake adjustments as you go along. Keep a close eye on your puppy’s weight and energy level, ideally weighing your puppy on a regular basis.
My puppy is not that interested in its meals – what can I do?
It’s perfectly normal for appetite to vary a bit. Puppies tend to get easily distracted by all the exciting new sights, sounds and scents they are experiencing. Some puppies even play with their food, forgetting to eat it. Try serving dry food in small portions, mixing in a dab of pâté, and we promise those tastebuds will be tickled. You should also make sure your puppy can eat in peace without being interrupted.
What do I do if my puppy can’t chew the kibble?
Make dry food easier to chew by softening it in some boiled, cooled water or by mixing it with THE BEGINNING PÂTÉ. This makes all the difference for puppies if their adult teeth are coming through or if they have small jaws. Boiling water should never be added without cooling it first, as the heat destroys the vitamins.
How long can I serve puppy kibble?
Small-breed puppies should be eating puppy meals tailored to small breeds until they are around 10–12 months.
Large-breed puppies need meals tailored to their size of breed for longer; typically until they are 13–18 months.
This is because large breeds of dog grow over a longer period than small breeds, so they need the added support of puppy kibble for longer.
Can I serve my puppy adult kibble?
The short answer is no. Puppies need puppy meals tailored to the growth phases they undergo, ensuring they get the right nutrients until they are ready to transition to adult kibble.
What can I do if my puppy’s stool is too loose?
Loose stool can be caused by too much kibble, a sudden switch to a different kibble, or if a puppy is getting too many treats. Try reducing your serving sizes and stick to simple, low-fat treats.
How do I switch from puppy kibble to kibble for adult dogs?
Take your time, transition gradually over 5–7 days. Start by mixing a small amount of adult kibble into the puppy kibble, and slowly increase the amount of adult kibble one day at a time. This helps your dog’s digestive system adjust to the new kibble, reducing the risk of tummy upset.
How do I switch to ESSENTIALS puppy kibble?
You can serve ESSENTIALS the very same day your puppy moves in. If the breeder provided you with a different brand of kibble, we recommend gradually transitioning to our meals over 7 days, by mixing the breeder’s kibble with THE BEGINNING, so your puppy’s digestion has time to adjust to the new kibble.
What is BOF?
Just like humans, dogs are affected mentally and physically by blood sugar spikes and lows. This is why ESSENTIAL FOODS meals are designed to stabilise your dog’s blood sugar, thereby avoiding the fluctuation that impacts mood, energy and well-being.
We call that principle BOF – Behaviour Optimising Foods. This is our dietary ethos: each ingredient is selected and balanced with a view to supporting canine behaviour, stability and well-being. We believe this should be the guiding principle for all canine diets.
5 good reasons to choose meals from ESSENTIALS
01 Tailored to puppy growth phases
02 Crafted from pure, premium quality ingredients
03 Filler-free (grain-free)
04 Help stabilize blood sugar all day long
05 Combine with our delicious pâté for puppies
Free delivery on orders worth over 150€
3-7 weekdays delivery
Delivery to your door or parcelshop
Never run out of kibble with our subscription service. Feel free to pause or cancel your subscription at any time with no penalty charge
Ask us anything
We’re here for you. Our passionate nutrition advisers are ready to provide personalised recommendations to get you and your puppy off to the best start. Try our online chat facility for quick answers to everything from serving sizes to the best treats for puppies. Call us for help to understand the feeding chart, or email us, if you prefer.
We can help you:
- Choose the right puppy meal and the right serving size
- Pick treats your puppy will love
- By answering any queries, major or minor, whether you prefer to reach out to us by phone, online chat facility or email – we look forward to advising you.
+45 71 99 90 90
Monday-Thursday: 8am - 4pm
Friday: 8am - 2pm
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