Best Dry Dog Food Brands
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This article explores the best dry dog food brands, including our top pick for most dogs, and highlights some types of dog food to avoid based on recent research and FDA warnings.
It highlights the diverse opinions of dog lovers on what makes the best dog food, such as raw food or organic options.
It also discusses the importance of considering health conditions like diabetes in choosing the right food for your dog and also provides a guide on avoiding unhealthy dog food options.
Our Criteria
The list of top dog food brands may differ from other online sources due to a focus on health and veterinary information. Issues may arise from companies lacking feeding trials, veterinary nutritionists, and quality control measures, emphasizing the importance of good nutrition.
Our #1 Choice for Best Dog Food
OVERALL BEST
1.
Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Lamb & Blueberry Medium & Maxi Adult Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Ingredients: 9.5/10
- Food Safety: 9.5/10
- Nutritional Research: 10/10
- Multiple Recipes: 10/10
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 9.8/10
Farmina N & D Ancestral Low Grain Dry Dog Food is a well-known and excellent grain-inclusive dog food brand. The company, which was recently introduced in the U.S., is made in Italy and works with the Chair of Animal Nutrition at the University of Naples. The food contains 60% high-quality animal ingredients for protein, 20% organic spelt and organic oats, and 20% vegetables, fruits, vitamins, and minerals.
Low-grain formulas have been in high demand recently, making them difficult to find. The company claims to have caught up with the demand and has been performing well in dogs with tested taurine levels. The company's low-grain foods have been in high demand, making them a popular choice for dog lovers.
BEST AFFORDABLE
2.
Whole Earth Farms
Product Info
- Ingredients: 9/10
- Food Safety: 9.5/10
- Nutritional Research: 9/10
- Multiple Recipes: 9.5/10
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 9.3/10
There are plenty of cheap dog food brands out there, but Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Dry Food is an affordable option that offers decent quality. This brand is produced by Merrick, one of the top dog food brands on the market, and most of their recipes are grain-free. This particular recipe features lean proteins like chicken and turkey with digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and peas.
This dog food is free from byproducts as well as low-quality fillers like corn, wheat, and soy. It is made in the USA and designed to support balanced nutrition as well as healthy skin and coat. You’ll also love that it contains beneficial supplements like chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption as well as probiotics for healthy digestion.
This dog food is free from byproducts as well as low-quality fillers like corn, wheat, and soy. It is made in the USA and designed to support balanced nutrition as well as healthy skin and coat. You’ll also love that it contains beneficial supplements like chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption as well as probiotics for healthy digestion.
Best Dry Dog Food Brands
BEST DRY DOG FOOD
3.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Satiety Support Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 28% Min
- Fat: 11.5% Min
- Fiber: 18.8% Max
- Calories: 245 kcal/cups
Royal Canin is one of the best dog food brands you can buy today for any kind of dog. Regardless if you have a small or large breed, Royal Canin makes various foods for different breeds and sizes of dogs.
Their foods are tailored to the unique needs of different dogs based on their size and breed. They also make different lifestage formulas so if you have a puppy, adult dog, or a mature older dog, your pet can get the nutrition he needs.
We can especially recommend the Golden Retriever formulas if you have aGolden Retriever and you are concerned about dilated cardiomyopathy. Dogs with arthritis or other joint mobility problems can benefit from the company’s mobility formulas.
A regular medium-sized dog with no particular health problems would do well eating Royal Royal Canin Dog Food for Medium-Sized Dogs. If you have an extra small or small dog, she could do well eating Royal Canin X-Small or Royal Canin Small dry dog foods, which come in various lifestyle formulas.
Their foods are tailored to the unique needs of different dogs based on their size and breed. They also make different lifestage formulas so if you have a puppy, adult dog, or a mature older dog, your pet can get the nutrition he needs.
We can especially recommend the Golden Retriever formulas if you have aGolden Retriever and you are concerned about dilated cardiomyopathy. Dogs with arthritis or other joint mobility problems can benefit from the company’s mobility formulas.
A regular medium-sized dog with no particular health problems would do well eating Royal Royal Canin Dog Food for Medium-Sized Dogs. If you have an extra small or small dog, she could do well eating Royal Canin X-Small or Royal Canin Small dry dog foods, which come in various lifestyle formulas.
BEST FOR ACTIVE DOG
4.
Purina Pro Plan Sport
Product Info
- Ingredients: 8/10
- Food Safety: 10/10
- Nutritional Research: 10/10
- Multiple Recipes: 10/10
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Purina Pro Plan Sport is one of Purina’s top foods. It comes in several different versions. The 30/20 version has 30 percent protein and 20 percent fat. Owners often buy it for very active dogs because of the high fat content which provides lots of calories for dogs that are hunting, doing agility, or working.
It’s available in the all life stage formula, the maintenance chicken and egg formula with no grain or soy, and the salmon and rice formula. Pro Plan Sport also comes in a turkey and barley formula that is 27/17 protein and fat.
It contains no corn, wheat, or soy. There is also an active 26/16 all life stage formula for dogs that don’t need quite as much fat or calories in their diet.
We can recommend the 30/20 and 26/16 all life stage formulas. These formulas do contain grains and they seem to be doing better with dogs that have been tested for dilated cardiomyopathy.
Purina invests heavily in pet nutrition research, producing breakthrough products such as Pro Plan Bright Mind (another product we can recommend) that helps improve memory and cognition in older dogs.
It’s available in the all life stage formula, the maintenance chicken and egg formula with no grain or soy, and the salmon and rice formula. Pro Plan Sport also comes in a turkey and barley formula that is 27/17 protein and fat.
It contains no corn, wheat, or soy. There is also an active 26/16 all life stage formula for dogs that don’t need quite as much fat or calories in their diet.
We can recommend the 30/20 and 26/16 all life stage formulas. These formulas do contain grains and they seem to be doing better with dogs that have been tested for dilated cardiomyopathy.
Purina invests heavily in pet nutrition research, producing breakthrough products such as Pro Plan Bright Mind (another product we can recommend) that helps improve memory and cognition in older dogs.
BEST GRAIN-FREE
5.
Eukanuba Active Performance 28/18 Dog Food
Product Info
- Ingredients: 8/10
- Food Safety: 10/10
- Nutritional Research: 10/10
- Multiple Recipes: 10/10
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Eukanuba makes several good foods you could consider if you’re looking for a good dog food for your dog.
We particularly like Eukanuba Active Performance 28/18 Dog Food. This food could be higher in fat than some pet owners like since it’s formulated for very active dogs but it’s been performing very well for people who feed it.
If you prefer a food that has less fat or one that isn’t formulated for very active dogs, Eukanuba also make foods that are tailored to specific breeds and to dogs of different sizes.
For example, they have breed specific formulas for Boxers, Dalmatians, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers, and more. Eukanuba also has weight control and mobility dog foods, if your dog needs these products.
You will find that some of these brands (perhaps all of them) also make grain-free dog foods.
We only recommend their grain-inclusive foods that fit the FDA’s criteria.
We haven’t seen evidence that grain-free foods from these companies are necessarily any better than grain-free foods from other companies that have been having problems.
We particularly like Eukanuba Active Performance 28/18 Dog Food. This food could be higher in fat than some pet owners like since it’s formulated for very active dogs but it’s been performing very well for people who feed it.
If you prefer a food that has less fat or one that isn’t formulated for very active dogs, Eukanuba also make foods that are tailored to specific breeds and to dogs of different sizes.
For example, they have breed specific formulas for Boxers, Dalmatians, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers, and more. Eukanuba also has weight control and mobility dog foods, if your dog needs these products.
You will find that some of these brands (perhaps all of them) also make grain-free dog foods.
We only recommend their grain-inclusive foods that fit the FDA’s criteria.
We haven’t seen evidence that grain-free foods from these companies are necessarily any better than grain-free foods from other companies that have been having problems.
BEST PREMIUM
6.
Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon & Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 26% Min
- Fat: 15% Min
- Fiber: 4.5% Max
- Calories: 3,745 kcal/kg
Open Farm Dry Dog food comes in many flavors. It is available in 4, 11, and 22-pound bags.
This premium kibble is nutrient-dense, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and free from peas, potatoes, corn, wheat, soy, and legumes, containing a blend of wild-caught salmon, superfoods, and ancient grains.
This premium kibble is nutrient-dense, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and free from peas, potatoes, corn, wheat, soy, and legumes, containing a blend of wild-caught salmon, superfoods, and ancient grains.
7.
Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 26.0% Min
- Fat: 16.0% Min
- Fiber: 4.0% Max
- Calories: 429 kcal/cup
Another good food, if you’re trying to avoid a prescription diet, is Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice formula. This food comes in formulas for puppies, adults, and seniors. Salmon is the first ingredients, followed by barley and ground rice.
It has antioxidants to help support a healthy immune system; and omega-3 fatty and omega-6 fatty acids and zinc to nourish the skin and promote a healthy coat. The food contains no corn, wheat, or soy. And, it has no artificial colors or flavors, and not poultry by-product meal. This food also comes in a canned version.
It has antioxidants to help support a healthy immune system; and omega-3 fatty and omega-6 fatty acids and zinc to nourish the skin and promote a healthy coat. The food contains no corn, wheat, or soy. And, it has no artificial colors or flavors, and not poultry by-product meal. This food also comes in a canned version.
8.
Brothers Complete
Product Info
- Ingredients: 8/10
- Food Safety: 8/10
- Nutritional Research: 9/10
- Multiple Recipes: 7/10
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 8/10
If your dog itches but you’re trying to avoid feeding a prescription diet, we can recommend Brothers Complete. The company uses good ingredients and they make their food in small batches.
It doesn’t sit in a warehouse for a long time before shipping. They use no artificial ingredients, including ethoxyquin.
Best Dry Dog Food Brands For Puppies
9.
Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Ingredients: 9/10
- Food Safety: 8/10
- Nutritional Research: 10/10
- Multiple Recipes: 9/10
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 9/10
Small breed puppies need an extra boost of energy to fuel their fast metabolisms and speedy growth.
This Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Puppy Food is just what a small breed puppy needs for optimal growth and development.
Made with farm-raised chicken, brown rice, and sweet potatoes, this formula is protein-rich, highly digestible, and full of natural flavor.
This Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Puppy Food is just what a small breed puppy needs for optimal growth and development.
Made with farm-raised chicken, brown rice, and sweet potatoes, this formula is protein-rich, highly digestible, and full of natural flavor.
10.
Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Ingredients: 10/10
- Food Safety: 10/10
- Nutritional Research: 8/10
- Multiple Recipes: 9/10
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 9.3/10
All puppies need a protein-rich diet but large-breed puppies need to have their growth controlled to prevent joint problems later in life.
This Wellness Complete Health Large-Breed Puppy Food is uniquely formulated for large breeds to ensure slow and controlled growth and healthy bones and joints.
It features deboned chicken and brown rice as the primary ingredients and is supplemented with DHA, chelated minerals, and probiotics.
This Wellness Complete Health Large-Breed Puppy Food is uniquely formulated for large breeds to ensure slow and controlled growth and healthy bones and joints.
It features deboned chicken and brown rice as the primary ingredients and is supplemented with DHA, chelated minerals, and probiotics.
11.
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Puppy Limited Ingredient Chicken, Lentil & Whole Egg Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 30% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 520 kcal/cup
If your puppy is sensitive to grains or you suspect food allergies, a limited ingredient diet like this Canidae Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Diet Puppy Food might be a good choice.
Made with protein-rich chicken and a select number of other healthy ingredients, this recipe is just what a growing puppy needs. It’s also supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics.
Made with protein-rich chicken and a select number of other healthy ingredients, this recipe is just what a growing puppy needs. It’s also supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics.
Best Natural Dry Dog Food Brands
As long as the product doesn’t contain something that you wouldn’t normally expect to be there, companies can get away with calling their product “natural.”
Dog food companies have taken full advantage of this term in marketing their foods. After all, calling a dog food “natural” makes it much more appealing to the buyer.
Who doesn’t want to feed their dog “natural” food? Be careful about dog foods that are marketed as “natural” foods, but in the case of the foods here, we think these are very good brands.
We are happy to recommend these natural dog foods.
BEST NATURAL
12.
ANNAMAET ULTRA 32% DRY DOG FOOD
Product Info
- Protein: 32% Min
- Fat: 20% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
- Caloric Content: 4228 kcal/kg = 1922 kcal/lb = 480 kcal/cup
Family-owned and operated since 1986, Annamaet makes a wide range of dog foods including grain-inclusive and grain-free foods.
They have formulas for puppies, adults, and seniors, as well as formulas for active dogs; plus foods for your average dog. Their meat and fish are passed fit for human consumption.
Products are holistic and GMO-free and the company maintains strict standards of quality control.
All products are free of corn, wheat, and soy and the company is now using algae as a source of omega-3 fatty acid. Their original canine formulas are made with low ash chicken, salmon, or venison and whole grains, along with chelated minerals for better mineral absorption.
We particularly recommend Option Formula with 24 percent protein – made with wild caught salmon and free range, grass fed lamb; and Extra Formula with 26 percent protein and a slightly higher fat content.
They have formulas for puppies, adults, and seniors, as well as formulas for active dogs; plus foods for your average dog. Their meat and fish are passed fit for human consumption.
Products are holistic and GMO-free and the company maintains strict standards of quality control.
All products are free of corn, wheat, and soy and the company is now using algae as a source of omega-3 fatty acid. Their original canine formulas are made with low ash chicken, salmon, or venison and whole grains, along with chelated minerals for better mineral absorption.
We particularly recommend Option Formula with 24 percent protein – made with wild caught salmon and free range, grass fed lamb; and Extra Formula with 26 percent protein and a slightly higher fat content.
13.
Sport Dog Food
Product Info
- Ingredients: 10/10
- Food Safety: 10/10
- Nutritional Research: 9/10
- Multiple Recipes: 9/10
- Price: Moderate to High
- Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Sport Dog Food makes three lines of food that are all free of peas and flax. While some pet food companies tout flax as a source of omega-3 for dogs, the truth is that dogs cannot efficiently convert plant sources of omega-3. They need fish and animal sources of omega-3.
So flax in a dog food as a source of omega-3 is wasted, though it can be a useful fiber.
In addition, there is some evidence that, since flax is a phytoestrogen, it can interfere with a dog’s hormones so some dog owners look for foods that are free of flax.
Sport Dog Food has grain-free, highly active, and performance product lines.
Most of these foods are geared toward active dogs so they tend to have higher protein and fat percentages but you can still find foods that would be suitable for the typical pet dog.
You can find some foods in the Active Series that would be suitable for many dogs. The K-9 Series also has some foods we can recommend such as Police K-9 Chicken and Fish formula.
This food has 26 percent protein and 19 percent fat. Animal protein makes up 82 percent of the protein.
It has no peas, flax, white potatoes, or rice; and no corn, wheat, or soy. It contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joints. Chicken meal is the first ingredient. This would be a good dog food for many dogs.
So flax in a dog food as a source of omega-3 is wasted, though it can be a useful fiber.
In addition, there is some evidence that, since flax is a phytoestrogen, it can interfere with a dog’s hormones so some dog owners look for foods that are free of flax.
Sport Dog Food has grain-free, highly active, and performance product lines.
Most of these foods are geared toward active dogs so they tend to have higher protein and fat percentages but you can still find foods that would be suitable for the typical pet dog.
You can find some foods in the Active Series that would be suitable for many dogs. The K-9 Series also has some foods we can recommend such as Police K-9 Chicken and Fish formula.
This food has 26 percent protein and 19 percent fat. Animal protein makes up 82 percent of the protein.
It has no peas, flax, white potatoes, or rice; and no corn, wheat, or soy. It contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joints. Chicken meal is the first ingredient. This would be a good dog food for many dogs.
Best Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Brands
We have not included many popular grain-free dog foods in our lists because of the FDA warning and because many grain-free dog food companies have been having issues.
Many companies are either denying they have a problem with taurine and dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs or they are in the process of changing their formulas.
That limits the number of grain-free dog foods that we feel comfortable recommending at this time. There are a few individual formulas from some companies that we feel comfortable recommending, and we have listed them below.
BEST GRAIN FREE
14.
Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Grain-Free Salmon, Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 29% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 5.0% Max
- Calories: 448 kcal/cup
If you really want to feed a grain-free dog food, then Holistic Select Grain-Free Adult & Puppy Health Salmon, Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe dog food stands out in this category.
This food contains no meat or poultry by-products, no wheat or wheat gluten fillers, and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It has omega-3 fatty acids from salmon oil, along with prebiotics, probiotics, live yogurt cultures, digestive enzymes, and natural fiber. Salmon, anchovy, and sardine meal is the first ingredient.
Plus, this food has done well with dogs that have had taurine levels tested, even though it contains potatoes and peas in the first five ingredients. (Sardines and other fish are sources of taurine for dogs.)
We can also recommend Holistic Selects grain-inclusive dog foods. This is a good brand.
This food contains no meat or poultry by-products, no wheat or wheat gluten fillers, and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It has omega-3 fatty acids from salmon oil, along with prebiotics, probiotics, live yogurt cultures, digestive enzymes, and natural fiber. Salmon, anchovy, and sardine meal is the first ingredient.
Plus, this food has done well with dogs that have had taurine levels tested, even though it contains potatoes and peas in the first five ingredients. (Sardines and other fish are sources of taurine for dogs.)
We can also recommend Holistic Selects grain-inclusive dog foods. This is a good brand.
15.
Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Herring Meal & Vegetables Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Ingredients: 9/10
- Food Safety: 8/10
- Nutritional Research: 7/10
- Multiple Recipes: 8/10
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 8.5/10
We can’t recommend all of Earthborn’s foods at this time but Earthborn Coastal Catch stands out for this company.
Coastal Catch is grain-free, gluten-free, potato-free, and high in protein. It’s fish-based with herring meal as the first ingredient.
It also contains salmon meal and Pacific Whiting meal. It has 32 percent crude protein and 18 percent crude fat.
Once again, this grain-free food has been doing well with dogs that have had taurine levels tested despite the fact that it has peas, pea protein, and pea starch in the first several ingredients, perhaps because it’s a fish-based food.
Coastal Catch is grain-free, gluten-free, potato-free, and high in protein. It’s fish-based with herring meal as the first ingredient.
It also contains salmon meal and Pacific Whiting meal. It has 32 percent crude protein and 18 percent crude fat.
Once again, this grain-free food has been doing well with dogs that have had taurine levels tested despite the fact that it has peas, pea protein, and pea starch in the first several ingredients, perhaps because it’s a fish-based food.
16.
Taste of the Wild
Product Info
- Ingredients: 8/10
- Food Safety: 8/10
- Nutritional Research: 7/10
- Multiple Recipes: 10/10
- Price: Affordable
- Overall Rating: 8.3/10
Taste of the Wild is enormously popular but the Wetlands formula is the only recipe that we can recommend at this time.
This is not a fish-based food but, for whatever reason, this seems to be the only TOTW food that has consistently been doing well with dogs that have been tested for dilated cardiomyopathy.
This doesn’t mean that people should rush out to buy this food.
We hope you will still heed the FDA’s advice. But, if you really prefer a grain-free food or your dog has to have one, we can recommend the Wetlands formula.
It has 32 percent crude protein and 18 percent crude fat. Duck, duck meal, and chicken meal are the first ingredients.
Sweet potatoes, peas, and potatoes are the next three ingredients. TOTW adds probiotics developed for dogs, dried chicory root as a probiotic, and antioxidants from various fruits and vegetables.
This is a good dog food if you are looking for a grain-free food.
This is not a fish-based food but, for whatever reason, this seems to be the only TOTW food that has consistently been doing well with dogs that have been tested for dilated cardiomyopathy.
This doesn’t mean that people should rush out to buy this food.
We hope you will still heed the FDA’s advice. But, if you really prefer a grain-free food or your dog has to have one, we can recommend the Wetlands formula.
It has 32 percent crude protein and 18 percent crude fat. Duck, duck meal, and chicken meal are the first ingredients.
Sweet potatoes, peas, and potatoes are the next three ingredients. TOTW adds probiotics developed for dogs, dried chicory root as a probiotic, and antioxidants from various fruits and vegetables.
This is a good dog food if you are looking for a grain-free food.
17.
Instinct by Nature's Variety Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Rabbit Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 36.5% Min
- Fat: 20.5% Min
- Fiber: 3.5% Max
- Moisture: 10.0% Max
- Caloric Content: 4,460 kcal/kg, 524 kcal/cup
This dry dog food comes in beef, chicken, salmon,, and rabbit recipes. Bags are available in 4, 20 and 22.5 pound bags.
Instinct Original with Real Beef is a dry recipe from the Instinct Original product line, primarily containing beef and chicken meal. It contains 40% protein, 23% fat, and 29% carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of 57%. With multiple flavor options, it's an excellent choice for picky eaters. Highly recommended.
Instinct Original with Real Beef is a dry recipe from the Instinct Original product line, primarily containing beef and chicken meal. It contains 40% protein, 23% fat, and 29% carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of 57%. With multiple flavor options, it's an excellent choice for picky eaters. Highly recommended.
18.
HEALTH EXTENSION GRAIN-FREE CHICKEN & TURKEY RECIPE DRY DOG FOOD
Product Info
- Protein: 27% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
- Fiber: 5% Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
- Caloric Content: 405 kcal/cup, 3,565 kcal/kg
Health Extension makes holistic pet foods. They use whole food ingredients to make canned dog foods.
They use no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives and their foods are GMO-free.
They have grain-free wet foods, stews, and canned foods with 95 percent meat. We can especially recommend their chicken, beef, and turkey stews. These foods are made with real meat and whole vegetables.
They use no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives and their foods are GMO-free.
They have grain-free wet foods, stews, and canned foods with 95 percent meat. We can especially recommend their chicken, beef, and turkey stews. These foods are made with real meat and whole vegetables.
Best Organic Dry Dog Food Brands
There are not as many true organic dog food brands as many people probably think, at least in North America.
The National Organic Program in the U.S. is in the process of making organic standards for dog foods, but they don’t apply yet.
Some companies use a smattering of organic ingredients in their dog foods, but that’s not enough to technically be certified as an “organic” dog food.
In the United States, there are three different levels of organic certification – none of which is easy to achieve. A product can be labeled “made with organic ingredients” if at least 70 percent of the ingredients are certified organic.
Products can be labeled “organic” if all agricultural ingredients are certified as organic dog food. They may also be labeled “100 percent organic” if all ingredients and processing aids are certified organic. Most dog foods can’t achieve the highest organic status because some ingredients can be hard to find in organic form.
The organic industry is still much smaller than conventional farming, so it may become easier to find these ingredients in the future.
19.
GATHER FREE ACRES ORGANIC FREE-RUN CHICKEN DRY DOG FOOD
Product Info
- Protein: 30% Min
- Fat: 15% Min
- Fiber: 5% Max
- Calories: 3628 kcal/kg or 399 kcal/cup
Gather Free Acres Organic Free-Run Chicken Dry Dog Food is a premium-quality food made with certified organic chicken as the main protein source. Non-GMO vegetables like organic peas, lentils, blueberries, and cranberries provide additional nutrition and flavor.
Sustainably harvested krill provides EPA and DHA fatty acids for strong heart and brain function. The food is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, providing complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs.
Sustainably harvested krill provides EPA and DHA fatty acids for strong heart and brain function. The food is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, providing complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs.
20.
Castor & Pollux Organix
Product Info
- Ingredients: 10/10
- Food Safety: 7/10
- Nutritional Research: 10/10
- Multiple Recipes: 9/10
- Price: Moderate to High
- Overall Rating: 9/10
Organix is a USDA Organic food, meaning that all of the agriculture ingredients in the food are certified organic. It’s the only complete line of USDA organically certified pet food.
The number one ingredient in their foods is always organic free-range chicken or turkey. Their organic ingredients are produced without any chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, artificial preservatives, added growth hormones, or antibiotics.
Their foods have no corn, wheat, or soy. Their foods are also non-GMO.
Their foods are made in the United States in an organically-certified kitchen. They offer three recipes.
We can recommend Organix Organic Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe.
Note that all of these foods have lots of peas and some other ingredients that appear in the FDA’s warning.
Please note that we were going to include Newman’s Own dog foods in this section but their web site was down.
The number one ingredient in their foods is always organic free-range chicken or turkey. Their organic ingredients are produced without any chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, artificial preservatives, added growth hormones, or antibiotics.
Their foods have no corn, wheat, or soy. Their foods are also non-GMO.
Their foods are made in the United States in an organically-certified kitchen. They offer three recipes.
We can recommend Organix Organic Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe.
Note that all of these foods have lots of peas and some other ingredients that appear in the FDA’s warning.
Please note that we were going to include Newman’s Own dog foods in this section but their web site was down.
Best Dry Dog Food Brands for Small Breeds
21.
Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Adult Turkey & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Ingredients: 10/10
- Food Safety: 9/10
- Nutritional Research: 9/10
- Multiple Recipes: 9/10
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 9.5/10
If you’re looking for a healthy, high-quality diet for your small breed dog try this Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Adult Recipe. Made with deboned turkey and oatmeal, it is protein-rich and highly digestible. It features three animal proteins for high energy and strong muscles, plus plenty of healthy fats for beautiful skin and coat. It is also optimized to support your dog’s ideal body weight.
22.
Nature's Recipe Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Ingredients: 9/10
- Food Safety: 9/10
- Nutritional Research: 9/10
- Multiple Recipes: 8/10
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 8.8/10
For an affordable dog food that will nourish your small breed dog’s body from the inside out, consider this Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Small Breed Dog Food. It features real chicken as the #1 ingredient with sweet potato and pumpkin for digestible carbohydrates. This recipe is rich in antioxidants for healthy immunity with plenty of fiber and healthy fats. Plus, it is supplemented with glucosamine for joint health and mobility.
Best Dry Dog Food Brands for Large Breeds
23.
Nature's Logic Canine Beef Meal Feast Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 34% Min
- Fat: 15% Min
- Fiber: 5% Max
- Calories: 375 kcal/cup
Nature's Logic Canine Beef Meal Feast is a dry dog food recipe that primarily consists of beef meal. It contains 34% protein, 15% fat, and 36% carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 42%. Nature's Logic is one of the few dry brands that meet AAFCO nutrient standards through live feeding trials.
The Beef Meal Feast is a 100% natural, highly palatable, and nutrient-rich dry dog food, featuring high-quality beef meal from USA-raised cattle. The diet also includes concentrates of select fruits and vegetables, digestive enzymes, and plasma protein. It is made without the use of potatoes, peas, lentils, wheat, corn, rice, soy, potato, or chemically synthesized vitamins, minerals, trace nutrients, carrageenan, guar gum, or xanthan gum.
24.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Ingredients: 7/10
- Food Safety: 8/10
- Nutritional Research: 8/10
- Multiple Recipes: 9/10
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 8/10
As your large breed dog gets older, its metabolism slows down, so you need a recipe rich in protein to support lean muscle mass with limited fat to prevent obesity.
This Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula features chicken and brown rice in a nutritionally complete recipe designed specifically for large breed seniors. As an added bonus, it contains Blue Buffalo LifeSource Bits for vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
This Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula features chicken and brown rice in a nutritionally complete recipe designed specifically for large breed seniors. As an added bonus, it contains Blue Buffalo LifeSource Bits for vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Best Holistic Dry Dog Food Brands
25.
Go! SENSITIVITIES Limited Ingredient Duck Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 4.5% Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
- Caloric Content: 3991 kcal/kg or 439 kcal/cup
Petcurean Go! has three product lines. Their Fit + Free line is grain-free, with higher protein and lower carbohydrates.
The first six ingredients in these foods are premium meat proteins. Fit + Free comes in puppy, adult, and senior formulas.
Their Sensitivity + Shine line can be fed to all dogs but it’s especially good for dogs with specific dietary needs and food sensitivities.
These are all life stages formulas made with select meat proteins, unique sources of carbohydrates, and essential omega fatty acids.
The Daily Defense line is nutritionist-recommended for preventative care.
These are all life stage formulas made from premium quality meat proteins, antioxidants from fruits and vegetables, and essential omega fatty acids.
Go! is a very good brand for dogs that are fussy eaters. Go! foods have no growth hormones, by-products, or artificial preservatives.
We recommended Go! Daily Defense Turkey Stew as a top canned food. We also like Go! Daily Defense Chicken Recipe kibble.
The first six ingredients in these foods are premium meat proteins. Fit + Free comes in puppy, adult, and senior formulas.
Their Sensitivity + Shine line can be fed to all dogs but it’s especially good for dogs with specific dietary needs and food sensitivities.
These are all life stages formulas made with select meat proteins, unique sources of carbohydrates, and essential omega fatty acids.
The Daily Defense line is nutritionist-recommended for preventative care.
These are all life stage formulas made from premium quality meat proteins, antioxidants from fruits and vegetables, and essential omega fatty acids.
Go! is a very good brand for dogs that are fussy eaters. Go! foods have no growth hormones, by-products, or artificial preservatives.
We recommended Go! Daily Defense Turkey Stew as a top canned food. We also like Go! Daily Defense Chicken Recipe kibble.
26.
Holistic Select
Product Info
- Ingredients: 10/10
- Food Safety: 7/10
- Nutritional Research: 9/10
- Multiple Recipes 10/10 :
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 9/10
Holistic Select pays a lot of attention to the dog’s digestive system which makes up about 70 percent of the dog’s immune system. Their food has 100 million active probiotics in each pound along with prebiotics to feed the growth of healthy bacteria.
They use six different kinds of probiotics to improve the variety of healthy gut bacteria as well as digestive enzymes to help break down the food in your dog’s digestive tract so your dog will get the most nutrition from his food.
Their kibbles are produced at their own facility in Indiana. They never use artificial flavors, preservatives, or other chemicals.
Holistic Select has a full range of products such as grain-inclusive, grain-free, maintenance foods, all life stage, foods for puppies, adults, seniors, weight management food, and foods for large and giant breed dogs.
They also have canned foods. We have already recommended the Holistic Select Grain Free Adult & Puppy Health Salmon Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe.
We also like the Adult Health Anchovy & Sardine and Salmon Meal Recipe and their other grain-inclusive kibbles.
They use six different kinds of probiotics to improve the variety of healthy gut bacteria as well as digestive enzymes to help break down the food in your dog’s digestive tract so your dog will get the most nutrition from his food.
Their kibbles are produced at their own facility in Indiana. They never use artificial flavors, preservatives, or other chemicals.
Holistic Select has a full range of products such as grain-inclusive, grain-free, maintenance foods, all life stage, foods for puppies, adults, seniors, weight management food, and foods for large and giant breed dogs.
They also have canned foods. We have already recommended the Holistic Select Grain Free Adult & Puppy Health Salmon Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe.
We also like the Adult Health Anchovy & Sardine and Salmon Meal Recipe and their other grain-inclusive kibbles.
Best Vet-Recommended Dry Dog Food Brands
Please note that vet-recommended and prescription dog foods (see below) can have ingredients that are not normally considered desirable by dog owners.
If your dog has to have one of these foods for health reasons, consider them medicinal. Medicine often doesn’t taste good or sound good on paper, but it can be effective.
27.
Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food
Product Info
- Ingredients: 6/10
- Food Safety: 10/10
- Nutritional Research: 10/10
- Multiple Recipes: 10/10
- Price: High
- Overall Rating: 9/10
The perennial favorite in this category, Hill’s pioneered vet-recommended dog foods decades ago. If you like to feed dogs “people” food, you should not read the ingredients of Hill’s dog foods.
You won’t like them at all. Hill’s is completely science and nutrition-based. They don’t cater to trends in feeding dogs ingredients that sound appealing to humans.
You won’t find organic, free-range, or other popular food ideas here. Instead, they choose ingredients based solely on nutritional value.
Veterinarians and many dog owners agree that these foods work for dogs that need special diets.
They also have foods for dogs that don’t have any health problems. Depending on your dog’s needs, Hill’s literally makes hundreds of formulas with their prescription dog foods, Science Diet brand, Healthy Advantage brand, and Ideal Balance brand.
If you have doubts, Hill’s does an enormous amount of pet food research so they can back up their formulas.
If your dog has a health problem, check their web site to see if they have a dog food that might help. They probably do.
You won’t like them at all. Hill’s is completely science and nutrition-based. They don’t cater to trends in feeding dogs ingredients that sound appealing to humans.
You won’t find organic, free-range, or other popular food ideas here. Instead, they choose ingredients based solely on nutritional value.
Veterinarians and many dog owners agree that these foods work for dogs that need special diets.
They also have foods for dogs that don’t have any health problems. Depending on your dog’s needs, Hill’s literally makes hundreds of formulas with their prescription dog foods, Science Diet brand, Healthy Advantage brand, and Ideal Balance brand.
If you have doubts, Hill’s does an enormous amount of pet food research so they can back up their formulas.
If your dog has a health problem, check their web site to see if they have a dog food that might help. They probably do.
28.
Dr. Gary’s Best Breed
Product Info
- Ingredients: 9/10
- Food Safety: 10/10
- Nutritional Research: 8/10
- Multiple Recipes 9/10 :
- Price: Moderate
- Overall Rating: 9/10
There are several dog foods made by veterinarians. One brand we especially like is Dr. Gary’s Best Breed. Dr. Gary’s Best Breed has been making dog food since the early 1990s though it’s still something of a well-kept secret today.
The food is based on “common sense nutrition.” Ingredients are approved for the European Union.
Chicken meal is made from chicken that is fit for human consumption. The company has three grain-free formulas, seven grain-inclusive formulas, and six specialty formulas for specific breeds and active/working dogs.
The All Breed Dog Diet is a good example of one of their foods. The first ingredient is chicken meal followed by oatmeal and pearled barley.
The food has 25 percent crude protein and 12 percent crude fat. Dr. Gary’s also uses green-lipped mussels in their foods for joint and connective tissue health.
The food also contains probiotics, a balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and healthy fiber. We think Dr. Gary’s Best Breed is a good brand made by a veterinarian and more people should know about it.
The food is based on “common sense nutrition.” Ingredients are approved for the European Union.
Chicken meal is made from chicken that is fit for human consumption. The company has three grain-free formulas, seven grain-inclusive formulas, and six specialty formulas for specific breeds and active/working dogs.
The All Breed Dog Diet is a good example of one of their foods. The first ingredient is chicken meal followed by oatmeal and pearled barley.
The food has 25 percent crude protein and 12 percent crude fat. Dr. Gary’s also uses green-lipped mussels in their foods for joint and connective tissue health.
The food also contains probiotics, a balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and healthy fiber. We think Dr. Gary’s Best Breed is a good brand made by a veterinarian and more people should know about it.
Dog Food Brands to Avoid
Dog food companies often mislead dog lovers into thinking dogs need to eat like humans, but good canine nutrition is not the same as good human nutrition.
Dogs and humans have different amino acid and protein requirements, leading to an increase in protein in pet food, initially with more meat and later with plant proteins like peas, lentils, and legumes.
Corn and wheat have been shunned in recent years, but they can play an important role in a dog’s diet when properly cooked. Peas, lentils, and legumes provide virtually none of the precursor nutrients for the dog’s body to make taurine.
To avoid grain-free dog foods, it is important to examine the first 5-10 ingredients and avoid foods that contain large amounts of peas, lentils, legumes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, or root vegetables. Many dog foods today may contain peas or potatoes far down on the list of ingredients, but if the ingredients read “chicken, peas, sweet potatoes, chicken fat, pea protein,” it is a food to void.
Final Thoughts
Ingredients are listed by weight before cooking, so if the second or third ingredient contains harmful ingredients, it means the food contains a lot of them. Avoid expensive, highly-regarded brands with inferior or poor-quality products. Companies formulating recipes without enough nutrition research and sometimes without veterinary nutritionists on staff should be avoided.
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