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Best Dog Food Brands
You are what you eat — as is your dog. While there are countless variables that can set your dog up for a healthier, longer life, food is perhaps the most important.
“What you put in your dog’s bowl affects their overall health and risk of chronic diseases,” according to Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, canine nutritionist and author. That’s why it’s important to do your homework when choosing your dog’s food — and we’re here to help.
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Premium dog food made with natural ingredients. No artificial flavors, preservatives or colors. Multiple options and unique flavors, including smoked salmon, wild boar and venison. Prices range from $13.99 to $48.99 for dry food.
Specializes in healthy pet food to help pets stay active. Formulated with balanced levels of protein, fat, fiber and essential nutrients. Provides specific formulas for different stages of your pet’s life.
Provides fresh, refrigerated food for dogs and cats. Uses whole ingredients with no preservatives. Available online, in retail pet stores and grocery stores. May be served as meal topper or whole meal replacement.
Buy customized meal plans for your dog using fresh, whole ingredients. Meals are delivered pre-cooked and pre-portioned to your home. Prices start at around $30 a week.
Diets include chicken and turkey for all life stages, salmon for small breeds and bison or lamb with antiallergenic elements for sensitive dogs. All recipes include probiotics, antioxidants and omega oils. Prices start at $8.99.
Formulas are packed with protein, dietary fibers, vitamins C and E, zinc and linoleic acid for healthy skin and coat. A patented oral care kibble helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Prices start at less than $2.
Dog meals come with savory beef steak and smoky chicken flavors. Offers therapeutic diets and probiotic supplement that help guard against allergic reactions, diabetes and arthritis. Your dog can enjoy a T-bone steak for $1.48.
Recipes are made of either beef, wild boar, chicken, turkey or fish and vibrant superfoods, like coconut, chia, kale and blueberries. Food processors use only the cleanest ingredients and safest methods. Price range is $5.59-$50.
Diets cater to the needs of specific breeds, like bulldogs, dachshunds and chihuahuas. Ingredients are chicken, cornmeal, sorghum or dried egg products and vegetables and fruits. A 3.3-lb bag of dry mini chunks sells for $6.99.
Natural, healthy and holistic, dry food treats include biscuits, chewy meat morsels, meat jerkies and dental training goodies. Packed with antioxidants, their LifeSource Bits help prevent cancer. Prices range from $10 to $100.
Made from high-quality real beef, chicken, lamb or turkey and 23 essential vitamins and minerals. Also offers signature wet meals of ground and gravy recipes with a meaty dog-driven taste. Price range is $0.68-$19.
Diets contain organic chicken, lamb, turkey, crab meal, fish meal or eggs mixed superfoods like colostrum, coconut oil and chia seeds. Prices start at $2.89 for a can of beef pate. Buy in bulk to save on canned, raw and dry food.
Features beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, salmon and trout as protein sources. Recipes are packed with California avocado for wholesome nutrition for pets of all life stages, sizes, breeds and lifestyles. Price Range is $2.35-$54.99.
Offers high-quality and vet-approved kibble. Offers food customized for your dog’s needs. Uses all-natural Ingredients. Products range from kibble and mix-ins to supplements for your pups.
Offers diets of chicken, lamb, fish or egg blended with cereals and fats in perfect proportions. Processing goes through 120 quality tests that span from the suppliers to when the bags are sealed. Price range is $1.70-$49.99.
Offers products for dogs and cats of all breeds. Freeze-dried raw formula features whole foods and no artificial preservatives or additives. Made fresh in North America. Third-party tested for purity and potency.
Meal mixtures include beef or chicken meat, bone meal, poultry by-product, naturally preserved animal fat or eggs mixed with whole grain wheat or corn and a variety of essential vitamins and minerals. Prices start at $2.70.
4Health premium wet and dry dog food provides plenty of choices to find the right food for your pet. This brand offers grain-free, special care (for weight management and sensitive stomachs), and high protein options.
Specializes in nutritious, science-based dog food at each life stage. Puppies and smaller breeds like smaller bites and kibbles. Adults and larger breeds need whole grains due to increased activity. Price range is $4.50-$5.
Dry and canned dog food, plus treats, are available in a variety of protein options. Select from weight control, grain-free, grain-inclusive lines and more. Prices start around $35 for a 15-pound bag of dry dog food.
Made with beef meal, lamb meat or meal, turkey meal, chicken meal, fish meal and oil, or cooked or dried whole eggs. Natural flavors are blended in for taste and probiotics added to enhance the immune system. Prices start at $25.
Diets contain real beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, salmon, liver or egg mixed with whole grains, sunflower and fish oils, and fresh vegetables and fruits to create nutritious and great-tasting dog meals. Price range is $2-$34.
Formulas contain venison, bison, buffalo, lamb, chicken, duck or salmon and whole grains, brown rice, sweet potato, green peas or garbanzo beans. Food processing goes through 9 safety tests. Products are available for $10-$100.
This pet food brand has nutritious foods made with real ingredients for dogs and cats that you can buy online or in many pet stores. Request a sample online. A portion of all sales is donated to help animals in need.
Essential ingredients include high-quality proteins, fats and carbohydrates blended with a precise balance of nutrients. Prescription diets take care of specific organ care needs. Prices range from $3.69 to $99.99.
Offers diets made of meat and bone meal, poultry meal or soybean meal mixed with animal fats and ground yellow corn. Preserved with citric acid and beta hydroxy acid and enhanced by natural flavors. Price range is $2-$24.
Offers nutritionally-tailored dry and wet dog and cat food. Sells more than 200 formulas. Uses ingredients like poultry meal, milled corn, rice and fish oil. Product costs vary based on the pet’s breed, size and age.
Brings hand-packed healthy meals to your puppies, adults, seniors and sensitive furry friends. Raw ingredients are packed in cans and cooked in the sealed cans to lock in the nutrients and flavors. Price range is $10.99-$45.10.
Offers pet food meals and goodies from big brands, such as Rachel Ray Nutrish’ specialty meat recipes, Milk-Bone’s biscuit snacks, Kibbles‘nBits’ crunchy, meaty kibbles, Pup-Peroni’s beefy snacks and Gravy Train’s gravy treats.
Natural and often freeze dried, recipes contain 90% protein sourced from the real meats of beef, lamb, chicken, duck, rabbit and salmon mixed with fruits and vegetables. Tapioca is used to bind kibbles. Price range is $1.49-$60.
Known for their USDA-certified organic chicken and vegetable entrees. Meats include chicken, turkey, lamb, beef and liver. Their canned meals are ideal for puppies, seniors and less active pets. Prices range from $11.70 to $47.89.
Dog Food Buyers guide
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In this guide
Contents
Dog food buyers guide
Below, we’ll cover the essentials for picking out the best dog food for your pup. We start with the basics: the types of dog food that are available. Then, we cover the factors you should think about when selecting the best dog food. Plus, learn how to decode dog food labels so you know what your dog is consuming.
Types of dog food
There are several types of dog food available these days, including dry, wet, fresh, raw and freeze-dried. Which is right for you and your dog depends on your budget, availability in your area, your dog's health needs and other factors.
Dry dog food
Convenience makes dry food a popular choice. It’s available at pretty much any pet store and most grocery stores. It also has a long shelf life and stores easily.
A potential downside is that dry dog food is usually high in carbohydrates and made up of ultra-processed meats, which means it “contains high levels of advanced glycation end (AGE) products, which have been linked to disease processes,” according to Paola Cuevas, veterinary consultant with PetKeen. Its moisture content is also low (10% to 12%, compared with 75% to 78% in wet food), but as long as your dog gets plenty of fresh water, they should be fine.
Wet/canned dog food
Wet food can be more appealing to picky eaters. Not only is it higher in moisture content than dry food, but you’ll also have an easier time finding lower-carbohydrate wet food.
Like dry food, though, canned dog food is highly processed — and it’s typically more expensive than dry kibble. It may even contain higher levels of AGEs, Cuevas explained.
Freeze-dried dog food
Freeze-dried dog food is a convenient option if you want to feed your pup a raw diet, Cuevas said. It’s shelf-stable, easy to store and easy to serve.
Because the processing required in its production is lengthy, though, freeze-dried food is expensive. It’s also not as widely available as other dog food options.
Fresh dog food
If you’re looking for gently cooked foods for your dog, consider fresh dog food. These options contain fresh, minimally processed ingredients that are easy to name and recognize, Cuevas explained.
These days, fresh food with complete, balanced nutrition is commercially available, and many fresh dog food services will deliver to your door, though most require a subscription.
As you might expect, fresh food for your dog can be significantly more expensive than other options and requires more space — you need freezer space for storage and fridge space for thawing.
Raw dog food
Raw food has grown in popularity in recent years. Cuevas explained that this rise in interest is due to the inclusion of unprocessed, unaltered proteins with species-appropriate macronutrient ratios.
Sourcing ingredients for raw dog food can be difficult, though, and it comes with a higher risk of bacterial contamination (like salmonella and E. coli), which can be harmful to dogs and humans.
How to choose dog food
With all the options available today, how do you choose what’s right for your canine companion?
Here are three tips to keep in mind when shopping for dog food:
Experts say that, like humans, dogs regularly need basic, essential nutrients — water, proteins, fats, carbs, minerals and vitamins.
1. Factor in your dog’s age and size
Puppies and adult dogs have different nutritional needs, so it’s important to feed your dog the right food for their stage of life.
Puppies undergo such rapid growth in a brief span of time that they require extra calories and protein. They also need specific amounts of other nutrients like calcium, phosphorus and essential omega-3 fatty acids like DHA, which is instrumental for their neurological, brain and retinal development.
According to canine nutritionist Laverdure-Dunetz, it’s also important not to overfeed puppies — this could cause too-rapid growth and create developmental orthopedic problems later.
In general, size determines how long a young dog should eat puppy food. “Not all puppies grow at the same rate,” Cuevas explained. “While small breeds will grow until about one year of age, large breeds will continue developing until they’re 18 months, even two years for some.”
On the other hand, adult dogs need food that helps them maintain their body functions. Because they’ve stopped growing, their food isn’t as calorie-dense and has lower levels of fat and protein.
Many adults can stay on the same maintenance food throughout their life, even into their senior years. Note, though, that because seniors’ metabolism and activity levels decline, they’ll generally need about 18% fewer calories than their younger selves to avoid obesity, according to Laverdure-Dunetz.
2. Assess your dog’s activity level and health needs
It’s important to select food that matches your dog’s activity levels and health needs. Active dogs typically need more energy (calories) than dogs who like to lounge.
Your dog’s health will also dictate your ideal food choice. If your dog has allergies, food sensitivities or other health issues (like kidney or arthritis problems), they may need food that particularly addresses those needs. Some health-specific dog foods are available by prescription only, so make sure to discuss any urgent health issues with your veterinarian.
3. Consider ingredient quality and nutritional balance
No matter what type of food you opt for, looking for good quality for the price. But what does that mean? High-quality dog food “contains fresh, natural, minimally processed ingredients and is free from artificial additives,” Laverdure-Dunetz explained.
Also look for food that’s nutritionally balanced, featuring the right combination of nutrients based on your dog’s age and health.
How to read dog food labels
Most dog food labels are confusing to read, but there are three main things to look for, according to Cuevas:
- Guaranteed analysis: This can help you evaluate if the food contains the correct macronutrient (carbohydrates, fat and protein) formulation for your dog.
- Ingredient list: Bypass marketing language on the front of the package and go directly to the ingredient label. Ingredients are listed in descending order of their weight.
“Aim for whole, recognizable foods,” Laverdure-Dunetz advised. If a food contains animal ingredients, avoid unnamed sources like “meat byproducts” or “animal liver.” Other red flags include artificial additives; certain preservatives like BHA, BHT or ethoxyquin; thickeners like carrageenan; and added sugars.
- AAFCO statement: The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets standards for pet foods. Having that label means the food at least includes the minimum amount of protein and fat and the maximum amount of fiber and moisture recommended.
“A dog food with that label is complete and balanced, providing all the nutrition a dog needs,” Cuevas said. If you see “intermittent” or “supplemental” on the label, though, the food isn’t considered complete and balanced.
FAQ
Can I make homemade dog food?
In general, fresh food offers more health benefits than processed. The catch? “When making your own dog food, it’s vital to get it right, or you risk serious nutritional gaps,” Laverdure-Dunetz explained. Seek help from a qualified expert to make sure you’re meeting your dog’s nutritional needs.
Is grain-free dog food better for my dog?
Grain-free food isn’t necessarily better for your dog — whole grains can be a wholesome part of a dog’s diet. “Dogs have evolved to digest grains,” Laverdure-Dunetz said.
Plus, the FDA has been investigating grain-free foods and a potential link to a canine heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy. The veterinary community, however, hasn’t come to an official conclusion yet.
What are some common signs of food allergies in dogs?
The most common signs of canine food allergies are digestive issues like gas, vomiting and diarrhea and inflammation of the skin. If your dog’s skin looks red and irritated and becomes itchy after a change in diet, the new food might be the culprit. Recurrent ear infections are also common signs of food allergies.
How do I transition my dog to a new food brand?
Switching dog foods too rapidly can cause digestive issues like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. With a gradual change, though, your dog’s digestive system can adjust. Here’s her basic blueprint for transitioning:
- Days 1-2: 80% old food, 20% new food
- Days 3-4: 60% old food, 40% new food
- Days 5-6: 40% old food, 60% new food
- Days 7-8: 20% old food, 80% new food
- Days 9+: 100% new food
Are premium dog food brands worth the extra cost?
Premium dog food brands aren’t necessarily worth it. In general, you can find a balanced, nutritional diet for your dog at almost every price point, according to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton, Massachusetts — it all depends on your budget.
Information in this guide is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only; it is not legal, health, investment or tax advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use.
Article sources
- Pet Food Institute, “ A to Z of pet food .” Accessed September 6, 2023.
- National Library of Medicine, “ Nutrient and Maillard reaction product concentrations of commercially available pet foods and treats.” Accessed September 6, 2023.
- Cummins School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, “ Expensive eats? Comparing the costs of different types of dog food.” Accessed September 6, 2023.
- Journal of Small Animal Practice, “ UK dogs eating raw meat diets have higher risk of Salmonella and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli faecal carriage.” Accessed September 6, 2023.
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