Bringing Home A Puppy Or Rescue Dog? Choosing The Right Food From Day One

OCTOBER 06, 2026

41% of UK households now own a dog, so it's no surprise that we're becoming more interested in what goes into our dogs' bowls.

Whether it's a tiny puppy taking their first steps into your home or a rescue dog starting a new chapter, choosing the right food is one of the first things you'll want to get right.

But with so many options - natural dog food, grain-free, hypoallergenic, wet food, dry food and countless different recipes, where do you start?

Start With The Ingredients

The best place to start is what's actually inside the bag.

Look for quality sources of protein, nutritious fruit and vegetables, and essential vitamins and minerals. It's also worth checking what's not included.

At Simply Jaspers, our dry food has a high meat content, combined with fruit, vegetables, vitamins and minerals, without unnecessary fillers.

Our popular Chicken & Butternut Squash recipe contains 50% chicken, including 22% fresh chicken, alongside butternut squash, fruit and vegetables.

Dog stood next to simply jaspers dry food

What About Cereals?

If your puppy or rescue dog is showing signs of a sensitive stomach or dietary sensitivities, ingredients become even more important.

Simply Jaspers dry food contains no cereals, fillers or artificial colourants and is grain-free and hypoallergenic.

This makes it a great option for owners looking for a natural dog food without cereals. If your new dog has an allergy that has already been diagnosed or an ongoing digestive issue, speak to your vet about their individual needs.

Choosing Food For A Puppy

Kibble size is easy to overlook, but it matters for young dogs.

Simply Jaspers dry food is a small kibble, making it particularly suitable for puppies and smaller dogs.

It's also suitable for all ages, breeds and sizes, so your puppy can continue enjoying the same food as they grow into adulthood and their senior years. Simply adjust the amount you feed as their needs change.

What About A Rescue Dog?

With a rescue dog, you may not know exactly what they've been eating before coming home with you.

Once they've settled into their new surroundings, finding a food they enjoy and tolerate well can help create a consistent routine.

If you're changing their food, introduce it gradually over several days rather than switching suddenly.

Don't Just Look At The Front Of The Bag

When choosing a dog food, it's worth looking beyond the front of the bag and taking a closer look at what makes up the recipe.

A good-quality food should provide the nutrition your dog needs, while using ingredients chosen for a reason.

Things to look for include:

A good meat content and quality sources of protein
Nutritious fruit and vegetables
Essential vitamins and minerals
No unnecessary fillers or artificial ingredients

Why Simply Jaspers?

Simply Jaspers was born from Jasper, a much-loved family dog with specific dietary needs. When we struggled to find food combining quality ingredients without unnecessary fillers and grains, we decided to create our own.

That philosophy remains at the heart of Simply Jaspers today.

Our dry food is high in meat, grain-free and hypoallergenic, with no cereals, fillers or artificial colourants.

Explore Simply Jaspers dry food range

Finding The Right Food For Your New Dog

There isn't one perfect food for every dog, but if you're looking for natural food your dog can enjoy throughout their life, Simply Jaspers could be the perfect place to start.

High quality ingredients. Great taste. Natural goodness - from their first bowl and throughout their life.

Not sure your new puppy or rescue dog will love Simply Jaspers?

Try our 100g free dry food trial pack and let them have a taste first. The food is free…you just pay £3 postage.

Try Our 100g Free Trial Pack: