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The right dog food provides balanced nutrition and dietary support for a dog's current needs, and those needs can change throughout their lifetime. Whether dry or wet, the food you put in their bowl should also appeal to their tastebuds, using ingredients that are nutritious and digestible. “There are numerous aspects to consider when evaluating dog foods,” Dr. Jennifer Frione, DVM, of Lakeside Animal Hospital told The Spruce Pets. “Factors to look at include the pet food label, ingredients, guaranteed analysis, the pet's age, and the pet's medical state or conditions.” We evaluated a wide range of dog food brands, seeking advice from veterinarians and selecting products that adhere to the standards set forth by theAssociation of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the leading non-profit organization guiding state, federal, and international feed regulatorsto safeguard pet food. We also sought feedback from 407 dog parents, polling them on the brand of dog food that works for their household, while gleaning additional insights for dogs of all sizes, ages, and breeds. You can learn more about our polling methodology below our recommendations, under the heading How We Found The Best Dog Food Brands. We also have additional tips on how to evaluate dog food brands for yourself in the What To Look For section, below. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best Overall Wet: Best Budget: Best Refrigerated: Best For Puppies: Best Whole Grains: Best Organic: Best for Large Dogs: Also Great: In This Article Our Picks What to Look for How We Found The Best Dog Food Brands FAQ Why Trust The Spruce Pets What We Like Made with easy-to-digest ingredients No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives Available as wet or dry food Formulas for breed size and specific health needs What We Don't Like Canned variety is not equipped with pull tab for opening Developed by veterinarians and manufactured in the United States, Hill's Science Diet dog food comes in a variety of flavors and formulations to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of every shape and size. It's our recommendation for most canines because dogs seem to enjoy it, and all products within the Hill's line of pet food meet or exceed the nutrient profiles and manufacturing guidelines of the AAFCO and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). The company employs over 220 Ph.D. nutritionists, veterinarians, and scientists, and its safety standards are modeled after those of human food manufacturers. Hill's Science Diet is readily available as both dry kibble and wet canned dog food, and the brand offers formulas for puppies, adults, and seniors. Within those life stages there are size specific variations (e.g. small breed, large breed) that make the food more amendable to different sized snouts and caloric needs. Hill's Science Diet dog food is always made with real animal protein as the first ingredient with human-grade ingredients providing essential vitamins and nutrients with each serving. They also offer special formulations to help manage and improve wellness issues and ailments, including weight management, joint discomfort, heart health, and food sensitivities that can have adverse effects on a dog's skin and coat and/or digestive system. With the right flavor and formulation for a dog, we found that consistently serving Hill's Science Diet leads to straightforward potty sessions and less dietary issues. But the price of this dog food has increased as of late, and the canned variety could benefit from an improved pull tab lid to make it easier to open without the use of a can opener. Hill's also makes a line of prescription foods for dogs with specific medical problems, Hill's Prescription Diet, but food within that line should only be served to a dog under the direction of a veterinarian and is only available with a prescription. Life Stage: Puppy, adult, senior | Food Type: Dry, wet | Breed Size: Mini, small, medium, large What We Like Made without by-product meals, corn, soy, or wheat Free of artificial flavors and preservatives Can be mixed with dry food What We Don't Like Some flavors and formulations are difficult to come by For dogs that prefer the texture of wet food, Blue Buffalo offers an assortment of formulations designed to support a dog based on their size and life-stage needs. From the dogs involved in our research team's survey, we found that Blue Buffalo's wet food is not only appetizing and easy to digest, but it's also unlikely to upset a sensitive stomach and can help improve the condition of a dog's skin and coat All of Blue Buffalo's meat-first recipes are made with human-grade ingredients and enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that dogs need. And throughout Blue Buffalo's full selection of foods and treats for pets, you'll never find by-product meals, corn, soy, wheat, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Blue Buffalo has eight lines of wet food for dogs to meet the dietary needs, health issues, and flavor preferences of all dogs, including Wilderness (high in protein), Freedom (free of grains and glutens), Baby Blue (for puppies), and Blue Basics (for skin and stomach care). Wet food from Blue Buffalo can be mixed with the brand's dry food to make each serving more cost effective, but be sure to adjust the portion size according to directions listed on the product label to avoid overfeeding your dog which can lead to weight gain. Life Stage: Puppy, adult, senior | Food Type: Dry, wet, refrigerated | Breed Size: Toy, small, standard, large What We Like Budget-friendly Formulations for specific health needs Made with human-grade ingredients What We Don't Like Recipes include fillers Within Iams collection of dog foods there are varieties to meet the needs of dogs according to their age, lifestyle, and size, and all recipes include fiber, grains, and omega-6 fatty acids to help support digestion, energy, and overall health. Iams offers kibble and canned dog food at budget-friendly prices available at big box stores, supermarkets, and through online retailers. There are formulations to address specific health needs that are common among dogs, such as weight management, joint and bone support, and digestive maintenance. Meat or fish is the first ingredient in all of Iams food for dogs, but recipes also include by-product meals and fillers. The flavors and textures are enjoyed by dogs, but their human guardians participating in our testing collective would like to see more vegetables added to Iams recipes. Life Stage: Puppy, adult, senior | Food Type: Dry, wet | Breed Size: Extra small, small, medium, large, extra large What We Like Made with human-grade ingredients sourced from farms in the United States Appeals to picky eaters Never made with meat-meal by products What We Don't Like Difficult to make cost effective for large dogs Does not offer senior specific formula, but food is suitable for seniors The preserving power of a refrigerator is the only preservative used to keep each serving of FreshPet food ready for your canine to consume, and we've found that it's more likely appeal to picky eaters. Plus, the brand's quality ingredients received high marks among our home testers putting FreshPet on par with our Best Overall pick, Hill's Science Diet. All recipes are made with human-grade ingredients, including farm-raised chicken, fish, beef, eggs, fruits and vegetables, all sourced and manufactured within the United States. FreshPet offers the freshness, flavor, and nutritional value of making home cooked meals for a dog all conveniently packaged in a resealable bag or a slice and serve roll. For large dogs, a resealable bag offers five pounds of food with protein-rich chunks, and for smaller dogs, each one pound bag is full of smaller-sized nutritionally balanced morsels. The sausage-shaped roll is easy to slice and cut into pieces that align with your dog's size, but it's also soft and easy for them to chew. Within FreshSelect's dog food offerings, there are grain-free recipes and puppy-specific formulations, but it can be more difficult to find some of the flavors. And for large breed dogs, feeding your dog FreshPet will likely be more expensive than dry or canned food which typically has a longer shelf life. FreshPet food must be refrigerated at all times, and once a packaged is opened, it should be consumed within seven days. Life Stage: Puppy, adult | Food Type: Refrigerated | Breed Size: Small, medium, large What We Like Formulations to address specific health needs and breed size Calcium and phosphorous for proper teeth and bone development DHA for brain and vision development Antioxidants and probiotics for immune and digestive health Glucosamine for joint health and mobility What We Don't Like Recipes may contain corn gluten meal, protein by-product meal, and/or pea protein Giving a puppy the proper nutrition will help them grow into a healthy adult, and Purina Pro Plan offers a curated selection of puppy food designed to meet the evolving needs of a developing dog. More than 50 dog parents in our testing collective fill their dog's bowl with a recipe from this brand citing their vet's recommendation as the lead determining factor in their choice. Both large and small breed size formulas are packed with protein to meet caloric expenditure of an the energetic puppy as they learn and explore. For strong bones, teeth, brain, and vision development, each serving provides calcium, phosphorous, and DHA, which is derived from fish oil. Antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals are also included in each serving to keep the immune system and digestive track functioning properly. Purina Pro Plan is budget-friendly, readily available, and comes in a variety of flavors puppies enjoy with meat or fish as the first ingredient. But recipes often include by-product meals, corn gluten meal, and/or pea protein. The latter of which (pea protein) is suitable for dogs in small doses and is primarily used in Purina Pro Plan's Sensitive Skin and Stomach recipes. Life Stage: Puppy, adult, senior | Food Type: Dry, wet | Breed Size: Small, medium, large What We Like Made with human-grade ingredients with meat, fish, vegetables, whole grains, and fruits Recipes are free of fillers, e.g. corn syrup, artificial flavors, and white flour Family owned and operated in Wisconsin What We Don't Like Not as widely available as other dog food brands Packaging is not as user friendly as other brands All dog food from Fromm Family Pet Food provides probiotics for digestive regularity, omegas for a shiny coat, amino acids for proper muscle function, and high-quality complex carbohydrates for energy and fiber. All recipes are always free of fillers, such as artificial flavors, corn syrup, and white flour, which provide no nutritional value but are commonly added to dog food to cut costs. Fromm Family Pet Food has been making food for dogs using human-grade ingredients since 1904. The business continues to be family owned and operated out of Wisconsin sourcing meat, fish, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables from fully vetted farms. This brand offers wet and dry dog food for puppies, adults, and seniors with recipes and textures formulated to address the needs of small breeds and large breeds along with weight management, food sensitivities, and protein preferences. Fromm dog food is typically carried by speciality pet food stores, so for some it might be more laborious to find. Life Stage: Puppy, adult, senior | Food Type: Dry, wet | Breed Size: Small, medium, large, giant What We Like Made with USDA certified organic ingredients Free of artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors Produced in certified organic kitchen in the United States What We Don't Like Some recipes are more difficult to come by The Castor & Pollux brand of dog food offers two lines, Organix and Pristine, both of which are composed of wet and dry dog food recipes that are free of artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors. The Organix line is made with USDA certified organic ingredients in a certified organic kitchen in the United States. For wet and dry Organix dog food, the first ingredient is always organic free-range chicken or turkey. Castor & Pollux works closely with third-party certification experts to guarantee all of the ingredients in their Organix dog foods are produced without chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, artificial preservatives, added growth hormones or antibiotics. The Pristine line is made with responsiblyraised, caught, or grown ingredients and the first ingredient is always meat or poultry raised without any antibiotics or hormones, or wild caught fish. This line also incorporates USDA organic fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Each batch of Castor & Pollux dog food is quality tested, and within their two lines, there are specific recipes for puppies, adults, and seniors along with specialized variations for small breeds and for dogs with food sensitivities, including grain-free and potato-free recipes. Life Stage: Puppy, adult, senior | Food Type: Dry, wet | Breed Size: Small, all The 6 Best Sustainable Pet Food Brands What We Like Formulas for large (56+ pounds) and giant (100+ pounds) dogs Science backed nutrition Mixing wet and dry foods is encouraged to give dog variety in their bowl Recipes and formulas for age, size, breed, and health concerns What We Don't Like Kibble size varies between bags of the same recipe First ingredient is often a meat by-product meal Royal Canin has dog food formulated to address the needs of large dogs (56-100 pounds) and giant dogs that weigh over 100 pounds. Due to their size, bigger dogs tend to put a lot of stress on their heart and their joints so giving them food designed to support their needs with taurine, glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids (EPA and DHA) enhances their overall well-being. Royal Canin has been using science-led nutrition for over 50 years to create pet food. They offer a vast range of wet and dry food for dogs with flavors, aromas, and textures dogs can't resist. In addition to Giant and Large dogs, Royal Canin has formulas and variations for dogs of all ages, sizes, and to address specific health issues, like sensitive skin & coat, digestive aliments, and dental concerns. The brand also has formulas for select breeds designed to meet the specific needs shared among purebred dogs, including Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and German Shepherds. The nutritionally balanced food typically uses meat by-product meal as the first ingredient which is still rich in protein and nutrients, but some pet parents prefer to avoid. And the size of each piece of kibble varies between batches of the same recipe. Life Stage: Puppy, junior, adult, mature, senior | Food Type: Dry, wet | Breed Size: Very small, small, medium, large, giant What We Like Natural ingredients with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients No fillers used in recipes Effective recipes for sensitive stomachs and weight maintenance What We Don't Lik Ingredients include by-product meals From general maintenance and support to addressing specific health and wellness concerns (e.g. joint issues, cognitive support, and skin sensitivities) Purina ONE has a vast selection of formulas. Over 40 real dog parents in our testing survey feed their dog Purina ONE to effectively alleviate their dog's health issues, including sensitive stomachs and weight management. Purina ONE is more widely available—and at a lower price point—than Purina Pro Plan (they share Nestlé Purina PetCare as a parent company), and in terms of price and quality, it's also comparable to Iams, our Best Budget pick for dog food brands. Purina ONE recipes are made with natural ingredients and fortified with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Wet and dry dog foods are made without fillers and all are manufactured in the United States. Life Stage: Puppy, adult, senior | Food Type: Dry, wet | Breed Size: Small, medium, large Final Verdict Our top choice for most dogs is Hill's Science Diet. Within the brand's vast selection of recipes there is a formula designed to give each dog the nutritional support needed with a flavor and texture they'll enjoy. If you’re looking for more approachable priced dog food, Iams offers wet and dry dog foods made with meat or fish protein as the first ingredient, and formulations are specialized for dogs all ages and sizes. Your dog’s age, size, lifestyle, and medical conditions should all factor into your choice of a dog food brand. Some foods are best for small adult dogs, while others are better for large dogs. A growing puppy has different nutritional needs than an adult dog, and a dog who is overweight shouldn’t be given the same food as a highly active sporting dog. If you’re uncertain about your dog’s life stage and particular food needs, talk to your vet to figure out what type of food will work best. “The Association of American Feed Control Officers (AAFCO) has developed specific guidelines for defining ingredients, testing, feeding trial protocols, and official terminology for dog foods,” explains Dr. Frione. “When choosing dog food, make sure it meets the standards outlined by AAFCO, which should be noted on the packaging.” This nutritional adequacy statement is typically found on the back of the bag underneath the guaranteed analysis, and it usually reads something like, “[Brand] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance/adult dogs.” If you notice the food is labeled as “short-term," "intermittent," or "complementary,” it is not a complete source of nutrition for your dog. The AAFCO also has comprehensive guidance on reading dog food labels. Another way to assess the quality of a dog food brand is by determining how its products are formulated. Dr. Frione and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) both recommend looking for a brand that employs a veterinary nutritionist, ideally with a Ph.D. in animal nutrition, as recipe development is a complex process that’s not taught in most veterinary school programs. A nutritional balance dog food can come in the form of dry kibble or wet food. The former is usually packaged in a bag and the latter is most often canned. One is not necessarily better than the other, but you may find one is preferred by your dog. In some cases, you may find it cost-effective to mix dry food and wet food. Before doing so, you should adjust the portion based on guidelines for your dog's weight to make sure you aren't overfeeding your dog. To evaluate the incredible range of available dog foods, our research panel put together a comprehensive questionnaire, asking for dog owner's to describe the qualities that matter most to them when they choose a dog food brand. We learned what brands were recommended by veterinarians, and which had the most trustworthy list of ingredients. We also looked for high-value brands that can fit in people's budgets, and brands with wide retailer availability. We also gathered details about a dog's size, breed, and age, which helped us make picks tailored to a wide range of dogs, since the best dog food for a senior French Bulldog won't be the best dog food for a Golden Retriever puppy. In total, 407 respondents described how they and their dogs felt about the dog foods they used at home, using a combination of numerical scores and detailed feedback. FAQ What is the best way to find out if a dog food brand is recalled? “Talk to your veterinarian if you hear a dog food may have been recalled,” says Dr. Frione. “The FDA website will also report recent recalls.” You can find a current list of FDA recalls and withdrawals, as well as the reason for the recall, on the agency’s website. Is it bad to mix dog food brands? “At Lakeside Animal Hospital, we recommend staying with one type of food, as switching food regularly has often led to gastrointestinal upset,” says Dr. Frione. If the dog food you’re feeding your pet is not a complete source of nutrition, you may want to talk to your vet about switching to a different food or supplementing your dog’s diet. This story was updated by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a happy pomeranian named Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets. We also took a comprehensive survey on preferred brands and feeding habits. Each respondent provided data on their dog's age, size, and breed, in addition to a detailed history of the dog food brands and products they mutually enjoy. A previous version was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and lifelong animal lover who currently owns two dogs, both of whom she feeds Purina Pro Plan dog food at the recommendation of her vet.Rabideau consulted with Dr. Jennifer Frione, DVM, owner of Lakeside Animal Hospital, for guidance on what to look for in a dog food. The 17 Best Places to Buy Dog Food, According to 407 Dogs and Their Humans:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-dog-food-brands-4843452-288291ec7574447fa5bcb360f5ea6918.jpg "The 9 Best Dog Food Brands, According To More Than 400 Dogs (1)")
Best Whole Grains
Fromm Family Pet Food
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Best for Large Dogs
Royal Canin Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
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What to Look for in a Dog Food Brand
Intended Life Stage
Nutritional Adequacy Statement
Veterinary Nutritionist Formulated
Dry Food vs. Wet Food
How We Found The Best Dog Food Brands
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
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