TL;DR — Puppies need significantly more protein, fat, calcium, and DHA than adult dogs — and the wrong balance can cause developmental problems. The safest choice is an AAFCO-balanced food certified for “all life stages including growth.” All three McDuffy recipes meet this standard, making them safe for puppies from weaning onward.
Best Puppy Food in the Philippines: Complete Feeding Guide (2026)
Getting puppy nutrition right in the first 12 months sets the foundation for your dog’s entire life. Feed too little protein and muscle development suffers. Get the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio wrong and skeletal problems emerge. Use food that isn’t certified for growth and you’re gambling with deficiencies during the most critical developmental window.
This guide covers what Philippine puppy owners need to know — nutritional requirements, how to read labels correctly, feeding amounts by age, and which locally available foods actually meet the standard.
What Makes Puppy Nutrition Different
Puppies are not small adult dogs. Their nutritional demands are fundamentally different:
| Nutrient | Adult Maintenance | Growth (Puppy) | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 18% min | 22.5% min | Muscle, organ, and tissue development |
| Fat | 5.5% min | 8.5% min | Energy, brain development, fat-soluble vitamin absorption |
| Calcium | 0.5% min | 1.0–1.8% | Skeletal growth; both deficiency AND excess cause problems |
| Phosphorus | 0.4% min | 0.8–1.6% | Works with calcium for proper bone mineralization |
| DHA | Not required | 0.05% min | Brain and eye development; critical in first 6 months |
The calcium requirement deserves special attention. Too little calcium causes rickets and weak bones. But too much calcium — especially in large-breed puppies — causes equally serious skeletal abnormalities like osteochondrosis and hypertrophic osteodystrophy. This is why guessing with homemade food or unverified commercial food is risky.
Why “AAFCO for All Life Stages Including Growth” Matters
In the Philippines, many dog food brands use marketing terms like “puppy formula” or “for growing dogs” without any verified nutritional certification. These terms are meaningless without AAFCO validation.
AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) sets the nutritional standards that define what a complete and balanced dog food must contain. A food labeled for “all life stages including growth” must meet the most demanding nutritional profile — the one required for puppies — which automatically covers adult dogs as well.
What to look for on the label:
- “Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages including Growth”
- This statement means the food has been verified to meet puppy-level nutritional requirements
- Foods labeled only for “adult maintenance” are not safe for puppies
All three McDuffy recipes — Surf & Turf, Farmyard Feast, and Coastal Blend — carry the AAFCO all life stages including growth designation. They are formulated by a DACVN board-certified veterinary nutritionist to meet the precise nutritional profile puppies need.
Fresh Food vs. Kibble for Puppies
The advantages of fresh food are amplified during puppyhood:
- Higher digestibility (95% vs. 50–60%) — puppies absorb more nutrients from every meal, supporting faster, healthier growth
- Better hydration — fresh food contains ~70% moisture, helping puppies stay hydrated in the Philippine heat (kibble is only ~10% moisture)
- Natural DHA from real fish — sardines in McDuffy recipes provide DHA in its natural, bioavailable form, not as a synthetic additive
- No fillers or artificial preservatives — a puppy’s developing gut is even more sensitive to inflammatory ingredients than an adult’s
- Easier to eat — soft, gently cooked food is easier for puppies with developing teeth and smaller jaws
Learn more about the differences in our fresh food vs. kibble comparison.
Puppy Feeding Schedule by Age
Puppies need to eat more frequently than adult dogs because their stomachs are small relative to their caloric needs. Here’s the recommended schedule:
| Age | Meals per Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks | 4 meals | Small, frequent meals; stomach capacity is very limited. Serve at room temperature. |
| 3–6 months | 3 meals | Growth rate peaks during this period. Monitor weight weekly and adjust portions upward as needed. |
| 6–12 months | 2 meals | Growth rate slows. Transition to twice-daily feeding. Small breeds may reach adult size by 10 months. |
| 12+ months | 2 meals | Most dogs are at adult size. Maintain twice-daily feeding for stable energy and digestion. |
How Much to Feed Your Puppy
Puppy caloric needs depend on breed size, age, and activity level. As a general guideline, puppies need roughly twice the calories per kilogram of body weight compared to adult dogs of the same size.
For McDuffy’s recipes, use these approximate daily amounts as a starting point:
| Puppy Weight | Daily Amount (Grams) | Bags per Day (500g) |
|---|---|---|
| 2–5 kg | 150–300g | About 1/3 to 1/2 bag |
| 5–10 kg | 300–500g | About 1/2 to 1 bag |
| 10–20 kg | 500–800g | About 1 to 1.5 bags |
| 20–35 kg | 800–1,200g | About 1.5 to 2.5 bags |
Important: These are starting guidelines. Adjust based on your puppy’s body condition score. You should be able to feel (but not see) the ribs with light pressure. If ribs are visible, increase food. If you cannot feel them, reduce slightly. Your vet can help you assess body condition at regular check-ups.
Special Considerations for Large-Breed Puppies
Large and giant breed puppies (expected adult weight over 25 kg) face unique challenges:
- Controlled growth rate — growing too fast increases risk of skeletal disorders. Do not overfeed to accelerate growth.
- Calcium control — excess calcium is more dangerous for large breeds than small breeds. AAFCO sets an upper limit of 1.8% calcium for large-breed growth formulas.
- Extended growth period — large breeds may not reach full adult size until 18–24 months. Continue puppy-level nutrition longer.
McDuffy recipes are formulated within the AAFCO calcium range for all life stages including growth of large-breed dogs, making them safe for breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and similar breeds popular in the Philippines.
Transitioning a Puppy to McDuffy
Whether your puppy is coming off breeder food, another brand, or a homemade diet, transition gradually over 7–10 days:
- Days 1–3: 75% current food, 25% McDuffy
- Days 4–6: 50/50 mix
- Days 7–9: 25% current food, 75% McDuffy
- Day 10: 100% McDuffy
Puppies generally transition faster than adults because their gut flora is more adaptable, but a gradual switch is still recommended to avoid loose stools. See our detailed sensitive stomach guide for more transition tips.
Common Puppy Feeding Mistakes
- Feeding adult-only food: Adult maintenance food doesn’t meet puppy calcium, protein, or DHA requirements. Always verify the AAFCO life stage statement.
- Free-feeding: Leaving food out all day leads to overeating and makes it impossible to monitor intake. Use measured, timed meals.
- Excessive treats: Treats should not exceed 10% of daily calories. Too many treats dilute the nutritional balance of the main diet.
- Supplementing without guidance: Adding calcium or vitamin supplements to an already balanced food can create dangerous excesses. If the food is AAFCO-balanced, no supplements are needed.
- Switching foods constantly: Rotating between brands weekly confuses the gut. Pick a food that works and stick with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I switch my puppy from puppy food to adult food?
Small breeds (under 10 kg adult weight) typically reach adult size by 10–12 months. Medium breeds by 12–14 months. Large breeds by 18–24 months. Because all McDuffy recipes are AAFCO-certified for all life stages, you don’t need to switch formulas at all — the same food that supports growth also meets adult maintenance needs.
Can I feed McDuffy to my 8-week-old puppy?
Yes. McDuffy is AAFCO-balanced for all life stages including growth, which means it meets the nutritional requirements for puppies from weaning (typically 4–8 weeks) onward. The soft texture of gently cooked food is especially suitable for young puppies transitioning from mother’s milk.
Which McDuffy recipe is best for puppies?
All three recipes are complete and balanced for puppies. Surf & Turf (1,648 kcal/kg) is the most calorie-dense, making it efficient for high-energy puppies and large breeds. Coastal Blend offers the highest omega-3 for brain development. Farmyard Feast is the leanest option if your vet recommends controlled growth for a large-breed puppy.
Is fresh food safe for puppies with sensitive stomachs?
Fresh food is often better for sensitive puppies than kibble. The higher digestibility (95% vs. 50–60%), absence of fillers, and gentle cooking process make it easier on developing digestive systems. Start with Farmyard Feast (the leanest recipe) and transition slowly over 10–14 days.
How much does it cost to feed a puppy McDuffy?
At ₱239 per 500g bag (or ₱191 on subscription), daily cost depends on your puppy’s size and age. A small-breed puppy (3 kg) might need about half a bag per day (roughly ₱95–120/day), while a large-breed puppy (20 kg) might need 1.5–2 bags per day. As your puppy matures, caloric needs per kg decrease.
Related Articles
- Best Dog Food for Allergies in the Philippines
- Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs in the Philippines
- Fresh Dog Food vs. Kibble: What the Science Says
- McDuffy Ingredients: Full Transparency
- Complete Guide to Dog Food in the Philippines
Start Your Puppy on the Right Food
All three McDuffy recipes are AAFCO-balanced for all life stages including growth — formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Give your puppy the nutrition it deserves.
