What Dog Food Is Most Recommended By Veterinarians

What Do Others Say About Merrick

As of the time of this update

Chewy customers rate Merrick Grain-Free 4.6 out of 5 stars and 93% say they would recommend it to others.

Heres an actual user review

Sample buyer reviewIm one to constantly look for the best to feed my dogs. I believe in researching ingredients and paying attention to the order in which they are listed on the product itself. Im even ultra-particular when it comes to the water that they drink. All of this combined is leading to long lives for my two Corgis. I switched from another famous natural brand to Merrick chicken and sweet potato based on what I read from other people, the ingredient list and the history of the Merrick product. Theres no question that dogs, like people, do better with quality foods as opposed to foods lacking in certain proteins, vitamins and minerals. Merrick is a premium food of which, my dogs will benefit highly. I recommend this completely.

• Merrick Chunky Grain Free Big Texas Steak Tips Wet Dog Food

Wet Dog Food Safety Tips

Keep in mind that wet dog food requires a bit more care than a simple dry kibble. Make sure you take the time to practice these food safety tips in order to ensure your pups health:

Keep a clean food bowl: Most dogs will gobble down their entire serving of wet food in one gobut if your dog is more of a picky eater, be sure to keep track of how much food is left in their bowl and for how long. Wet food shouldnt sit at room temperature for more than four hours and a wet food bowl should be washed between every feeding.

Use within three days: Due to the general lack of preservatives and additives,wet dog food is made to be eaten in three to five days or less. Be sure to cover it up and store it in the fridge.

Check the expiration date: Canned dog food will typically last unopened for up to five yearsbut if youre buying in bulk or planning to store food in your pantry for a while, consider double checking the date on the bottom before grabbing the can opener.

Best For Weight Loss: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight

For dogs that need a food designed for weight management, Blue Buffalo offers their healthy and holistic Life Protection formula. This recipe is formulated without extra calories from fat to help your dog maintain a healthy weight.

The Life Protection Formula for Healthy Weight starts with deboned chicken that supports muscle development and energy and follows with whole grains, fruits, and veggies. This recipe contains barley and brown rice for B-vitamins and minerals, as well as high-quality carbohydrates for energy and fiber. It also contains cranberries, blueberries, and carrots for vitamins and antioxidants.

In addition, Blue Buffalos Life Protection formula includesL-carnitine, an amino acid that helps support a healthy weight. This food has no chicken by-product meals, no artificial flavors or preservatives, and no corn, wheat, or soy. Plus, the kibble is specially formulated to retain the potency of its ingredients.

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Diamond Naturals Dog Food For Large Breed Adult Dogs

Ingredients:

Lamb Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, Oatmeal, Grain Sorghum, Dried Yeast, Rice Bran, Egg Product, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Dried Chicory Root, L-Carnitine, Kale, Chia Seed, Pumpkin, Blueberries, Oranges, Quinoa, Dried Kelp, Coconut, Spinach, Carrots, Papaya, Others, Vitamins and Minerals.

Highlights:

• Diamond Naturals Premium Large Breed Formulas Dry Dog Food for Adult Dogs with Real Meat Protein, Superfoods, Probiotics and Antioxidants
• High Quality Protein with real pasture raised lamb tailored for a large breed dog with optimal amino acids for lean and strong muscles.
• Antioxidants support overall health.
• Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acids for skin and coat.
• Glucosamine and Chondroitin for your dogs joint health.
• Probiotics to support digestive health.
• No corn, wheat, filler
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• 40 lbs bag.

Choosing Protein For Homemade Dog Food Topper

• Proteins like Beef, Venison, Lamb, Rabbit, Hamburger, Chicken and Turkey help with growth of your dog, maintenance of tissues, organs and provides the amount of hormones and enzymes.

• Fats from oil and meat help with the absorption of vitamins, protect the internal organs, and help maintain good skin and hair. I prefer using fish as the major source of fat.

• Carbohydrates like rice, beans and corn helps to keep the intestines healthy while supplying glucose to the organs and the brain.

• Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K promote the greatest benefits to the skin, eyes, and provide immunity for our dogs.

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Key Differences Between The Worst And Best Dog Foods

• The best dog food will exceed the minimum nutritional requirements Whilst all commercially available foods will reach the minimum required nutritional levels, the minimum is not enough to make your dog fully thrive.
• Protein According to Kate Barrington at Petsumer.com, the best dog food will have over 25% protein. This should be ideally from all animal sources, without using vegetable protein.
• Fat The best foods will have at least 10% fat content.
• Enriched with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
• The first five ingredients on the label should not contain any fillers, by-products, or additives.

Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken

Gentle Giants have produced a chicken-based dry budget dog food that is packed with vitamins and minerals. It uses twelve whole fruits and vegetables including beets, tomatoes, blueberries, cranberries, spinach, celery, and apples.

This means that your dog will not only be enjoying a flavor sensation, they will also be absorbing Vitamin A, Vitamin B 12, and Vitamin C from natural sources. These aim to foster good immune health in your dog. We are a little disappointed in this formula’s protein and fat content.

Containing only 22% protein, this food falls below the average amount in this price bracket. Still, this will adequately meet the nutritional needs of your dog and support their muscles and bones.

This formula has been designed for dog’s with sensitive stomachs, so it might be a good idea to try this if your pet is having digestive trouble with standard canine food.

Whilst, it isn’t really competitive with premium foods, Gentle Giants will be more than adequate for pet parents on a tight budget.

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The Reputation Of The Dog Food Company

Do you remember the 2007 melamine pet foods recall and recent Salmonella contamination scares? They affected even some of the biggest brands. This may make it difficult to know which dog food brand is trustworthy, as almost all popular brands had to contend with bacterial infection at some point. Going with the so-called freshly prepared diet or boutique raw diet is not helpful either.

It is difficult to find a spotless brand when it comes to dog foods bacterial contamination. So, some pet owners choose to narrow it down and to contend to brands that have been associated with fewer problems. But it is not good enough. The top commercial dog food brands I have listed in this article are highly reputable, and therefore, you can expect to be provided with safe and healthy meals.

What Are The Top 5 Healthiest Dog Foods

• Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie.
• Instinct RawBoost Mixers.
• Orijen Original Dry Dog Food.
• Organix Chicken & Oatmeal Dry Dog Food.
• Zignature Lamb Limited Ingredient Canned Dog Food.
• Freshpet Fresh From the Kitchen.
• The Farmers Dog.

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Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary So Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin products at Chewy

If you have a small dog with any type of urinary issues, this food will help you to keep him in better health and mood. It was specially developed to support the urinary tract and bladder health, which will keep your dog from frequent trips outside and peeing inside the house without making him dehydrated. Its effective and has a great influence on your dogs health, thats why you need your veterinarians authorization to buy it. Royal Canin is one of the most trusted dog food brands that keep providing the dogs with nutrition and foods of high quality.

Best For Puppies: Blue Buffalo

Courtesy of Amazon

Puppies have specific nutritional needs, since they are constantly growing and developing. Blue Buffalo offers several product lines aimed at puppies: Blue Basics, Baby Blue, Blue Freedom, Blue Life Protection Formula, and more. Food for puppies is also available in both canned and dry options, as well as in options tailored by breed size. This gives pet owners lots of options to choose the best food for their dog.

Blue Buffalo prioritizes the quality of ingredientsall food is made from natural ingredients. There is a thorough explanation for why every ingredient is included in food available on the manufacturer’s website, so you can better understand your dog’s diet.

All food is made in the companys two United States-based factories, and adheres to nutritional standards from the Association of American Feed Control Officials and the Global Nutrition Committee of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Blue Buffalo products can be purchased at major online retailers.

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Wet Dog Food: What To Look For

There are endless wet dog food options on the marketbut certain brands and formulas significantly outperform others in terms of quality of ingredients and nutritional value. Heres what to look for when shopping for the best wet dog food:

Seek out the AAFCO statement: AAFCO stands for the Association of American Feed Control Officials, which is an organization that checks to make sure that the food your pet is eating is formulated correctly to support health. There will be a statement on the can that says this food is certified by AAFCO to be complete and balanced for all life stages. If that statement is not present, Wooten suggests choosing a different food.

High-quality meat: Canned food should be primarily meat and water, so look for canned food that has an identifiable meat source as the first ingredient, and water or broth in the first three ingredients, Wooten recommends.

Avoid gluten: Gluten is often used as a binder in canned foods, but Wooten suggests avoiding it if you can. Choose foods that do not have corn gluten, wheat gluten, or white riceyou just dont need it in canned food. Instead, choose foods that use potato starch or potatoes, just make sure these ingredients are listed after the top 6-7 ingredients , she says.

Fruits and veggies: Fruits and veggies are good to have in canned food as well, but the same rule appliesthey need to be further down the ingredient list.

Wellness Core: Wellness Natural Pet Food

Looking for a vet recommended grain-free dog food option? Wellness COREs grain-free dog food formulas are made with organic and high-quality protein options like chicken, fish, turkey and duck.

It helps your dog get rid of and prevent skin and food allergy and inflammation. Besides managing food sensitivities, the food is known to provide significant benefits to the dogs.

Why Choose Wellness CORE: Wellness Natural Pet Food for your Dog?

• Grain-free formula are made with high-quality meat based protein
• It includes antioxidants, probiotics, glucosamine and fatty acids
• Made with chickpeas and lentils and prepared in the US

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Victor Classic Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Victor Hi-Pro Plus is one of 4 kibble recipes included in our review of the Victor Classic product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Beef meal, grain sorghum, chicken fat, pork meal, chicken meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Other recipes: Chicken, puppy, active sporting dog formula and more
• Price: $

Victor Hi-Pro Plus derives the bulk of its meat protein from beef meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 22% fat and 37% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.

An affordable, all life stages kibble recently added to our budget-friendly dog foods list. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewI have 5 active dogs of all different ages. Its been a struggle to find a quality, decently priced food that kept a good weight on all of them and didnt mess with their allergies. Theyve been on this food since April and its been amazing! No bad reactions when switching to Victor, no allergies, and they are all a good weight. Highly recommend.

Rating:

Annamaet Ultra is one of 7 kibble recipes included in our review of the Annamaet product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, whole dry eggs, herring meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Other recipes: Puppies, salmon, small breed, senior, weight loss and more
• Price: $$

Especially popular with sporting dog professionals. Enthusiastically recommended.

Best Overall: Royal Canin

Think of it as pet food fit for kings and queensRoyal Canin offers foods for all sorts of dogs: purebreds, young, old, large, and small. Plus, you can choose from wet and dry food options with this brand.

The companys values are inspiring: Not only do they focus on making food thats healthy for pets, but they are also intent on reducing their environmental impact. The company got its start in France in the 1960s, and has gone on to be an international brand, with food sold around the world. Royal Canin is available for sale at local pet foods stories and vet offices, as well as many popular online retailers.

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When Would My Dog Need A Prescription Diet

There are many times in a dog’s life that they may need a prescription diet. For instance, a diabetic dog might need a diet higher in protein and less in carbohydrates. Purina makes a product called EN. The EN is a diet specific for dogs that have gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, and diarrhea. It’s easy to digest. When they’re older and their kidneys are not working as well as they should, some dogs may need a special diet. So going to the veterinarian regularly and also using your instincts about any changes in your own animal’s behavior is crucial. And if nutrition is part of the answer, then that’s what you need to do: go on a prescription diet.

If you still have other questions and you’d like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at , you can email us, or you can reach out on Facebook. But please do reach out, and we’ll get back to you as fast as we can.

Purina Pro Plan Focus Dog Food

Rating:

Pro Plan Large Breed Adult is one of 18 kibbles featured in our review of the Purina Pro Plan Focus product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken, brewers rice, whole grain wheat, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Other recipes: Puppy, small breed, sensitive skin and stomach, senior, weight management and more
• Price: $

Focus Large Breed Adult derives the majority of its animal protein from fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 14% fat and 49% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 46%.

Pro Plan is one of the dog food brands most frequently mentioned by breeders and veterinary professionals.

Each recipe has been expertly formulated by a team of board certified veterinary nutritionists.

In addition, the entire Pro Plan product line is designed and manufactured according to rigorous guidelines recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Purina Pro Plan is one of the very best brands youll find on this or any list. And its easy on the budget, too. Highly recommended.

Actual buyer reviewMy black lab loves this food. Her coat is beautiful, her energy is high, and she digests it easily. My vet recommended this food and I couldnt be happier. I saw a noticeable difference within days of feeding this to her. My dog eats the dry food with a little bit of the PPP wet focus for large breeds. Do not hesitate to feed this to your pups.. its a game-changer!

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Best Dog Food For Digestive Problems: Pet Plate

Veterinary Nutritionist Dr. Renee Streeter, DVM, DACVN, believes that nutrition for pets is highly individualized, but Pet Plate, which she helped develop, is a win for many very picky dogs. Some of my most difficult-to-feed patients will routinely eat Pet Plate very well, she says. These dogs also tend to have digestive issues and these are the same dogs that usually benefit from this type of highly digestible diet. Pet Plates dog meals are made using fresh chef-cooked meals with high-quality, human-grade ingredientsincluding chicken, beef, lamb, lentils, sweet potatoes, and string beansat a USDA-inspected facility that follows the same food safety protocols as Whole Foods. The meals are flash-frozen to preserve the nutrients, then shipped directly to your door. Pet Plate meals are personally tailored for each pooch , and arrive in a frozen, insulated box similar to Blue Apron. Talk to your veterinarian or board-certified veterinary nutritionist to help determine the best foods for your fur baby.

Best Dog Food For Dogs With Dietary Needs: Nutro

The pack of Los Angeles-based veterinarian Jeff Werber, DVM, includes four dogs with a variety of dietary needs, so he feeds them Nutro. I like the brand because its varieties contain quality, real, recognizable ingredients that serve a purpose and meet my dogs nutritional needs, says Dr. Werber. More importantly, Nutro satisfies all his dogs taste budsnot an easy feat when you have four pups to please. He uses the senior variety formula for Herbie and Pierce, Tommy eats the adult formula, and Denzel dines on the limited ingredient variety because he has a chicken sensitivity. Here are some of the things your dog wishes you knew.

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