The first year of a dog's life is a remarkable sprint of growth. A puppy will, on average, put on their adult body weight in the first six to twelve months, complete most of their bone development, build the foundations of their immune system, and develop the eating habits that will stay with them for life. The right food matters enormously, which is why Wolf of Wilderness has a dedicated puppy range designed around growth biology rather than marketing.
What Puppies Actually Need
Compared with adult dogs, puppies need more of almost everything: more energy per kilogram of body weight, more protein, more essential fatty acids, and a very specific ratio of calcium to phosphorus. They also need those nutrients in an easy-to-digest form, because puppy digestive systems are still maturing. Our puppy formulas are built around these principles.
- High fresh meat inclusion — animal protein supports muscle, organ and immune development
- Balanced calcium and phosphorus — for strong bones without oversupplementation
- DHA-rich salmon oil — an omega-3 fatty acid linked with brain and eye development
- Small kibble shape — easy for tiny jaws to chew, reducing gulping and gagging
- Gentle botanicals — dandelion, fennel and chicory support a still-developing gut
Our Puppy Recipes
Wild Hills Puppy — Chicken
Our most popular introduction to solids, built around fresh chicken. Chicken is an easily tolerated protein that suits the vast majority of healthy puppies. Enriched with salmon oil, forest berries and gentle herbs, it provides a balanced everyday foundation.
Wild Hills Puppy — Salmon
For puppies with poultry sensitivities, or simply for variety, our salmon recipe uses fresh fish as the primary protein. Particularly well-suited to breeds prone to skin issues.
Junior Large Breed
Large and giant breeds such as Labradors, German Shepherds and Great Danes grow for longer and need a carefully controlled calorie and calcium profile to protect joint development. Our Junior Large Breed recipe is slightly lower in fat and moderated in minerals to encourage steady, even growth.
From Milk to Meal: A Weaning Timeline
Puppies can start weaning onto solids from around 4 weeks of age. By 8 weeks — when most puppies head to their new homes — they should already be familiar with solid food. Here is a typical timeline:
- Weeks 4–6: Introduce kibble soaked in warm water or puppy milk to create a soft porridge. Offer 3–4 small meals a day.
- Weeks 6–8: Gradually reduce soaking, offering slightly firmer kibble. Puppies explore texture.
- Weeks 8–16: Fully weaned. Four meals a day. Offer dry kibble or a pouch topper if your puppy is fussy.
- 4–6 months: Reduce to three meals a day as stomach capacity grows.
- 6 months onwards: Transition to the Junior range at two meals a day.
How Much to Feed
Puppy portion sizes depend on expected adult weight, current age and activity. As a very rough guide, an 8-week-old Labrador puppy (expected adult weight 30 kg) will eat about 250–300 g of dry puppy food a day split across four meals, while an 8-week-old toy breed (expected adult weight 4 kg) may only need 60–80 g a day. Weigh meals with kitchen scales for the first few months so you know exactly what is being eaten. Our detailed feeding guide provides age-by-weight portion tables.
When to Move to the Next Stage
Most puppies are ready to graduate to the Junior range between 6 and 12 months old, depending on breed size. Small breeds mature more quickly and can transition around 6 months; medium breeds at 8–10 months; large and giant breeds not until 12–18 months. The main cue is that growth has slowed: your puppy's weight should be stabilising, and body condition should be "lean but not thin" — ribs easy to feel but not see.
Common Questions from New Owners
Is grain-free safe for puppies?
Yes, provided the recipe is balanced, which ours are. Concerns about grain-free diets and DCM (a heart condition) have focused almost exclusively on certain recipes heavy in legumes like peas and lentils as primary ingredients. Our puppy recipes use potato as the main carbohydrate and retain taurine-supporting proteins.
Can I mix puppy food with treats?
Yes, but keep treats to no more than 10% of daily calories. Use small, low-fat training treats during socialisation classes.
Should I feed wet or dry?
Both can work. Many owners find a 70/30 dry-to-soft split keeps puppies hydrated and interested. See our soft range for pouch options.
A Strong Start, a Long Partnership
The choices you make in the first year set your dog up for a decade or more of healthy eating. Wolf of Wilderness puppy recipes aim to make that easy: a short, natural ingredient list, fresh meat first, and transparent nutritional information printed clearly on every bag.