10 Best Dog Food For Puppies To Gain Weight in 2026

The meat-based recipe with added chelated minerals and omega-rich sardines gives this wet food a clear edge for puppies who need to pack on pounds without fillers or artificial junk. Each 12.5-ounce can delivers a complete, balanced meal. It supports immunity and energy metabolism during those critical growth months. If your pup is a picky eater or needs a calorie-dense option that’s easy on a developing digestive system, this formula does the heavy lifting without the corn, soy, or salt that cheaper brands lean on.

The trade-off is that canned food doesn’t keep once opened, so you’ll be going through these 12-ounce cans quickly with a hungry puppy. Compared to a dry kibble like Bully Max Puppy Food, which offers 419 calories per cup in a shelf-stable bag, Evanger’s requires more fridge space and a routine of opening fresh cans. But for puppies who struggle to maintain weight or turn up their nose at dry food, the palatable wet texture and clean ingredient list make it worth the extra effort.

At 419 calories per cup, this dry puppy food delivers a high calorie density that can help a growing puppy gain weight without needing to eat large volumes. The lamb and rice base avoids chicken, a common allergen, and the added postbiotics support digestive health, which is helpful for puppies with sensitive stomachs. This formula is designed to provide energy and nutrition for all breeds, from small to large.

The 24% protein and 14% fat content are moderate compared to some other puppy foods, such as Purina Pro Plan Sport Development 30/20, which offers higher protein and fat levels. If your puppy needs a higher protein and fat intake for rapid growth and can handle a richer diet, that option may be more suitable. For puppies with sensitive stomachs that still need a calorie-dense food, this formula is a practical choice.

With 30 percent protein and 20 percent fat, this food provides the muscle-building fuel and energy that active puppies need for strength and endurance. Real chicken is the first ingredient, and the inclusion of DHA, EPA, taurine, choline, and Vitamin C supports brain development and trainability. The calcium and phosphorus content promotes healthy bone growth, making it a complete and balanced option for growing puppies who are constantly on the move.

The 30 percent protein and 20 percent fat in this food are designed for puppies that need age-appropriate strength and endurance, not for sedentary lap dogs. Compared to the Bully Max Puppy Food, which has a 24/14 protein-to-fat ratio and avoids chicken, this formula delivers higher energy density for active puppies. Owners of couch-potato puppies may find the fat content leads to unwanted weight gain.

At 30% protein and 20% fat, this is a calorie-dense formula built for puppies that need to pack on pounds. The four-meat blend, beef, chicken, pork, and fish meals, gives a varied amino acid profile that supports muscle development rather than just filling the belly. It’s a straight-ahead, no-grain kibble for active or underweight pups who burn through energy faster than they store it. The VPRO Blend of supplements is a practical addition, not a marketing gimmick, aimed at helping a growing dog actually use what it eats. For owners watching a gangly puppy who still shows ribs, this food delivers the raw numbers that matter: high protein, high fat, and a dense calorie load per cup.

No single food works for every puppy. The same high fat and multi-protein formula that helps a thin puppy gain weight can overwhelm a pup with a sensitive stomach or one from a line prone to pancreatitis. And unlike some other high-protein puppy foods, Victor explicitly states this is not for growth of large size dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult). So if your puppy is a Labrador or Great Dane headed toward that weight, you need a different bag. For smaller breeds and medium-sized pups who just need more fuel, this is a straightforward, well-built option with no fluff.

This kibble delivers 85% animal ingredients, with fresh or raw poultry or fish as the first five ingredients, providing high protein and fat to support peak development in large breed puppies. The WholePrey approach includes nourishing organs, mimicking what a wild ancestor would eat, so your puppy gets a broader range of nutrients from the source. This is a premium formula for owners who want to invest in ingredient quality and are comfortable with a grain-free, high-protein diet that prioritizes animal-based nutrition over fillers.

The 23.5-pound bag of this ORIJEN puppy food is a substantial commitment. So it’s best for households with a large breed puppy that will eat through it before the kibble loses freshness, rather than for single-puppy owners who like to switch formulas often. Compared to the Purina Pro Plan Sport Development 30/20, which comes in a 24-pound bag, this ORIJEN formula is grain-free. That means puppies transitioning from a grain-inclusive diet may need a gradual switch to avoid digestive upset.

Chicken is the first ingredient in this formula, which helps support muscle development in growing puppies. It also includes DHA to promote brain and vision development, plus calcium for strong bones and teeth. The smaller kibble size is designed for growing puppies, and the added probiotics support healthy digestion. This gives you a balanced foundation for a puppy’s early nutrition.

The 6-pound bag of Diamond Puppy High Protein Dry Dog Food is small enough to store easily in a pantry or on a counter. But if you have a larger breed puppy or multiple dogs, you’ll need to restock more often than with a 24-pound bag like Purina Pro Plan Sport Development 30/20. For owners aiming to quickly add weight to an underweight puppy, a calorie-dense wet food such as Solid Gold High Calorie Chicken Wet Dog Food would be a better fit.

Roasted bison is the first ingredient in this dry dog food, and the 28% protein content supports lean muscle development in growing puppies. DHA is included for brain development, and proprietary probiotics help support healthy digestion. This formula is designed for puppies and nursing or pregnant mothers, providing nutrient-dense energy without relying on grains.

The 5-pound bag is a compact size, which may require more frequent reordering for owners with multiple dogs or large-breed puppies. The grain-free recipe is not suitable for every puppy, as some may benefit from grain-inclusive diets. For those who prefer a meat-first, grain-free option with added probiotics and DHA, this product delivers targeted nutrition.

A 0.8-pound six-count pack of wet food with chicken, brown rice, barley, and flaxseed means you get a soft, digestible option that supports gut health while delivering protein for lean muscle. This suits puppies who need to gain weight but have sensitive stomachs or trouble chewing dry kibble. The whole grains and superfoods provide steady energy without the processing that can upset digestion, making it a practical choice for owners who want a gentle, high-protein wet food that works for all life stages.

Wet dog food naturally contains more water than dry kibble, so you might need to serve larger portions or mix it with a calorie-dense dry food to support significant weight gain in a puppy. Bully Max Puppy Food provides 419 calories per cup in a dry formula, but without calorie data for this canned option, a direct energy comparison isn’t possible. This food works best as a topper or for puppies that need a softer texture, though for rapid weight gain alone, a high-calorie dry food could be more efficient.

Real chicken or beef is listed as the number 1 ingredient in this variety pack, which includes Beef & Rice and Chicken & Rice entrees. The high protein content is formulated to support lean muscle development in puppies, while DHA contributes to healthy brain and vision development. With 23 essential vitamins and minerals and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, this wet food provides complete and balanced nutrition for athletic puppies. The canned format offers moisture that can be appealing to puppies who prefer softer food.

Because this is entirely wet food, it delivers less calorie density per bite compared to dry kibble options like the Bully Max Puppy Food High Protein Growth Formula, which provides 419 calories per cup. That means you may need to feed larger volumes to meet energy needs for puppies requiring dense calories. This variety pack is best suited for puppies who do well with a moist, palatable food. It also works for those who benefit from the variety of two protein sources, rather than for owners seeking the most concentrated energy in the smallest serving.

This formula includes DHA and ARA, fatty acids found in mother’s milk, along with choline to support brain and eye development in puppies from two to twelve months. Real chicken is listed first among ingredients, and the exclusive LifeSource Bits provide a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals formed at a lower temperature to help support immune system health. The food also includes wholesome grains like brown rice, barley, and oatmeal for gentle digestion and steady energy, plus natural prebiotic fiber for digestive support. It delivers complete nutrition without artificial fillers or shortcuts, making it a practical choice for owners who want a balanced daily ration that supports both physical growth and neurological development during the critical first year.

This food uses wholesome grains like brown rice and barley rather than going grain-free. That supports steady digestion and energy but won’t appeal to owners who prefer a no-grain diet for their puppy.