Pedigree Dry Dog Food: Adult Complete Nutrition
Its large-kibble formula is designed to promote clean, healthy teeth, and it includes glucosamine/chondroitin for joint health and vitamins E and C for antioxidant delivery. Corn and meat and bone meals set the foundation for this product that includes root vegetables, soybeans, grains and legumes, a combination that delivers a generally low-priced product. Nice white chompers!
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Original Dry Dog Food
Exactly the same puppy food as #55, this simply features larger kibbles for puppies that will be big dogs. Some puppies have stomach challenges with transitioning from milk to solids, and the wheat may help resolve them. It’s important that puppies can digest all their food well in order to get all its benefit. Grow baby!
Has Honest Kitchen Dog Food Ever Had A Recall
With the very sad news in the last few days, that yet another pet food recall has been announced by a major pet food manufacturer, following the illness and deaths of some beloved pets, we would like to assure our customers, that our products do not contain any wheat or wheat gluten ingredients and have not been.
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The 12 Best Healthy Dry Dog Foods
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Dog food is much more diverse than many dog owners realize. Not all dog foods are created equal and each recipe is unique in its own way.
When it comes to choosing a dog food for your dog, dry food is a great option.
Dry food has a longer shelf-life than wet food, helps keep your dogs teeth clean, and is generally easier to feed.
Plus, there are many different types of food to choose from so you can customize your dogs diet according to its unique nutritional needs.
Keep reading to learn more about the dietary needs of dogs and how to choose a healthy dry dog food. Youll also receive our top picks for the best dry dog food.
What Dog Food Do Dogs Love The Most

Studies show that the average dog prefers beef and pork over chicken and lamb. They also like warm, moist food over cold, dry foods. Like humans, these preferences can come from what they ate growing up. Dogs like a variety in their diet, and if they have to eat the same thing every day, they could get sick of it.
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Are Grains In Dry Dog Food Bad For My Dogs Diet
Grain-free diets are an excellent option for dogs with a sensitive gut. The allergen-free recipe does not trigger food-related sensitivities in dogs. However, whole grains contribute valuable nutrients including minerals, vitamins, fiber, and essential fatty acids. They are not fillers and can have beneficial health implications.
Whole Earth Farms Dry Dog Food
Rating:
Whole Earth Farms Adult recipe is one of 2 kibble recipes included in our review of the Whole Earth Farms product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, turkey meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Other recipes: Small breed, turkey, salmon, pork, beef, puppy and more
- Price: $
- See both available recipes
This Whole Earth Farms product derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and turkey meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 16% fat and 47% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.
A quality yet affordable, grain-inclusive kibble made by Merrick. Highly recommended.
Sample buyer reviewI recently switched to this food due to the recent controversy over Grain Free. This was the only affordable food I found with quality ingredients listed. My dogs love it and it will be the only food I fees from now on.
This Holistic Select formula derives most of its meat protein from fresh salmon, as well as anchovy and sardine meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 16% fat and 44% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 48%.
An exceptional grain-free dog food offering numerous recipe and flavor options. Highly recommended.
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Pedigree Choice Cuts Variety Pack Wet Dog Food
Chicken-based, both the country stew and beef-flavored cans in this 12-count variety pack include chunks of moist chicken/grain/fruit/vegetable blend in gravy. Each can contain fatty acids and supplements dogs need. This Pedigree product can be served alone or used to augment flavor in dry dog food. It’s a tasty topping doggie style.
Avoderm Natural Revolving Menu Turkey Recipe
This dry food starts with turkey and turkey meal, beans and peas avocado and a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other supplements round it out. An assortment of natural food oils are also included to help maintain healthy skin and coat. Why not have a full belly and smooth, healthy skin and shiny coat?
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A Guide To The Different Types Of Dog Food
There are several types of dog food on the market, each with its own purpose and benefits. To help you understand the difference between each type, heres a breakdown of nine common types of dog food.
Remember to always consult with your veterinarian before changing your dogs diet. They are your best resource for understanding your dogs health needs.
Hill’s Ideal Balance Chicken And Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food Bag
The Science Diet people have also created this dry brand that stays completely away from artificial anything and focuses on a protein and rice formulation: chicken and brown. Apples, cranberries, and vegetables combine with flax and Omega oils for full-body health and vigor. It’s a balancing act for dogs.
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Merrick Brand Dog Food
The ingredients that make Merrick a great choice include deboned duck, deboned chicken, turkey meal, salmon meal which is a source of omega 3 fatty acids, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, potato protein and lamb meal.
Merrick dog food also uses duck fat and chicken fat preserved with mixed tocopherols, blueberries, apples, salmon oil, organic alfalfa, natural flavor and salt.
Iams Proactive Health Adult Minichunks Dry Dog Foodby Iams

- Fiber: 5.9%
- Calories: 360 kcal/cup
Description: Weruva Caloric Melody dry dog food is another young company that has broken onto the scene and into our list of top dog food brands as one of the best dry dog foods with high-quality ingredients.
They are not yet well-known, but if they continue to include grass-fed lamb and focus on certified GMO-free ingredients , they should quickly gain more popularity.
The company is very transparent and open about sourcing ingredients, but its prices are still very high.
Weruva Caloric Melody Reviews:
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How To Deal With Weight Loss And Sensitivities
Uh oh: Your dog’s weigh-in at the vet didn’t go so well. Now what? While the doc may prescribe a special therapeutic diet, many brands sell food intended for chubbier pups as well.
“Weight-loss foods should be formulated with a lower-calorie density and may contain higher concentrations of other nutrients such as protein,” Streeter says. “Often, they are also higher in fiber, which should help them feel more full.”
Wegmans Bruiser Kibble Variety Mix
This brand of dry dog food has ingredients that have been considered dangerous for dogs to eat, including BHA, xantham gum, BHT, corn gluten, and food coloring.
Wegmans Bruiser Kibble Variety Mix demonstrates the motto that you typically get what you pay for.
It is affordable dog food, but if youre looking to give your dog stable nourishment, you should look for an alternative option.
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How To Choose The Best Dog Food For Your Pup
Figuring out the best food for your dog may take some trial and error as well as research, says Dr. Mitchell.
Dr. Mitchell recommends starting by talking to your veterinarian. We have the opportunity to see thousands of dogs and know what diets they are eating and often have a sense of what most dogs seem to fare best on. We are also aware of recalls and the frequency of recalls from different manufactures, which is an important consideration, she says.
Typically, once the veterinarian makes a dog food recommendation, according to Dr. Mitchell, theyll instruct the pet parent to feed that food for 4-6 weeks. At the end of that period, the veterinarian will evaluate the pet to determine if the chosen diet was the best for them, she says.
An Easily Digestible Kibble Packed With Probiotics
PetSmart
Dr. Krause recommends the brand Wellness because it has longevity and a wide selection of flavors and formulations. That includes its Core Digestive Health line, which features protein and brown rice recipes. In order to promote a healthy gut, these kibbles are highly digestible, coated with probiotics and are combined with digestive enzymes. Also worth noting is Wellness other health-focused varieties, including puppy, senior, raw and low-fat formulas.
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Buying Guide For Best Dog Food
A good diet is one of the keys to keeping your canine companion happy and healthy, but how do you select the best dog food?
Even a trip to your local grocery store will reveal 10 or 20 different brands and formulas, and if you head to a dedicated pet store or look online, that number increases exponentially.
If you’re not entirely sure what you’re looking for, picking the correct food for your furbaby can seem about as confusing as a lecture on quantum physics .
If you need help, you’re in the right place! Here at BestReviews, we’ve done extensive research so you don’t have to.
This fair and thorough review will tell you everything you need to know about how to pick out a good food that will suit your dog’s individual requirements. We dont accept manufacturer samples, so you can be confident our analysis is unbiased.
Whats The Best Dog Food
Not all dry dog food is created equally, and premium labels can be deceiving. Dog food quality are all over the place.
The pet food industry is not well regulated, says Dr. Carly Fox, a veterinarian at New Yorks Animal Medical Center. Because of this, Dr. Fox warns buyers to not be fooled by packaging and marketing and not to discount the bigger sellers.
Fox recommends shoppers make sure dog food has been evaluated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials first, and then read the ingredient list to make sure the dog food is rich in high-quality protein and doesnt contain cheap fillers like corn . Pretty packaging and premium small-batch blends dont necessarily make the best dry dog food.
Artisanal brands may have not been evaluated by AAFCO. Larger brands that are more familiar to you have the money and research to make their food the best it can be, says Fox.
Dry dog food is more convenient because it can be left out for hours, or days, and it doesnt stink . But if your pet doesnt drink enough water, or is older, wet food is a good choice because it provides extra hydration and is easier to eat, which can be important for elder pooches with dental issues.
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Merrick Grain Free Real Buffalo And Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
De-boned buffalo brings lean protein into the 70% meat offering of this food. The other 30% is peas, sweet potatoes, and other veggies. This brand is particularly focused on avoiding China-based and filler-grain products and adds in joint-support compounds and multi-vitamins/minerals. Where the buffalo roam!
What To Look For In Dog Food For Picky Eaters

While Ive established that every dog can have a different preference, there are a few ingredients that are generally tastier and more flavorful. So, look for more of those ingredients:
- More Meat Almost all dogs enjoy meat. So, if your dog doesnt show interest in any food, in particular, it may be because of a lower amount of meat. Sometimes dog foods can contain a lot of non-meat proteins. So, look for a different product with more meat proteins.
- Animal Fats Some fat is essential for dogs. It also makes food taste better. Look for food with animal fat. Just make sure you know the amount of fat your dog can safely consume per meal.
- Greens Fruits and vegetables can also enhance the flavor of food. Dogs love greens like spinach, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts. They also like pumpkin and sweet fruits.
- Broth Picky dogs love wet food more than kibble. Look for food prepared in broth with savory gravy or stew for your fussy one.
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Hill’s Science Diet Adult Light Dry Dog Food
Some breeds, elderly dogs and those with a bit less exercise than they need benefit from a leaner food. This chicken-based food dials back the calories without compromising protein for healthy muscle and weight. A bit of extra low-cal filler keeps the hunger pangs away. For the wanna-be fat poodle in every dog.
Purina Pro Plan Shredded Chicken
Packed With Prebiotics!
With this ideal dry food blend, Purina offers a full blend that both aids in digestion as well as offering the protein your dog needs for maximum health. This pro, the special blend offers real chicken meat as its #1 ingredient. Alongside this, the rice offers your dog his daily carbohydrate intake which aids in digestion and provides sustainable energy throughout the day. What makes this Purina blend a top source in the market is its prebiotic fiber which is sourced from natural wheat bran. The prebiotics assists in smoother digestion and promotes intestinal health.
Purinas nutrition is backed by research and expertise as well as years of experience. Its also the choice of dog food for competitors and holds high praise in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Shows. Dogs who are normally picky eaters have no problem accepting this wonderous treat blend and find it palatable. Recommended by vets, the Purina Pro Plan is easily accepted by dogs of all types and sizes while some say it is easy to chew. Its definitely praised by many buyers saying its their #1 pick and favorite dry dog food of all time. However, some users have complained of finding worms and moths in their bags upon receiving it.
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Merrick Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes
- Caloric Content: 3,641 kcal/kg
If your picky eater also has allergies, then we recommend giving Merrick Grain-Free Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food a try. This dry food blend is packed full of nutritious ingredients such as real deboned beef, sweet potato, apples, and blueberries, which offers a great taste as well as health benefits.
There is also chondroitin and glucosamine, which offers mobility support, as well as omegas-3 and 6 fatty acids, for healthy skin and a shiny coat.
The kibble size is quite small, which may not suit all dogs, but it is gluten-free and free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, as well as being poultry-free, which are all great benefits.
Hills Prescription Diet Metabolic Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food
Special Diet: | Veterinary diet, weight control |
While Hills has a unique line of over-the-counter dog foods, it also offers a wide variety of prescription dog foods, like this Metabolic Chicken Flavor. For dogs that need assistance with weight loss, this is one of the best foods out there. As an increasing number of pets are struggling with obesity, its no wonder that Hills Prescription Diet Metabolic is popular. This dog food lives up to its reputation and is a great alternative if your dog doesnt like Royal Canin veterinary foods.
- Prescription diet
Special Diet: | N/A |
Blue Buffalo is a highly respected dog food brand that offers whole food ingredients and great-tasting food. All Blue Buffalo dog foods are free from chemical additives and by-products. The addition of Life Bits adds flavor boosts packed with a blend of DHA, glucosamine, and chondroitin to promote your dogs skin, brain, and joint health.
- Promotes cognition and joint health
- Nutritionally complete
Special Diet: | Gluten-free |
Rachel Rays Nutrish line of dog food is becoming increasingly popular as a whole-ingredient, nutritionally complete choice for dogs. All Nutrish food is gluten-free, but its important to know that this doesnt mean its grain-free, as most recipes contain brown rice.
- Fully balanced nutrition
Special Diet: | Limited ingredient, sensitive digestion |
- Limited ingredient
- Protein is the number-one ingredient
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What To Avoid Feeding Your Pooch
It is very important to stick to quality when it comes to your dogs diet. This is one of the fundamental factors that I always keep in mind before finalizing my top lists of dog foods. I dont compromise on quality and neither, should you. Look for options that use quality poultry, meat, and fish as their foundation ingredient. Opting for dog food with a great animal protein source as the first ingredient is essential unless your pooch has kidney issues.
Here are a few things you should stay away from when narrowing down your list of best dry dog foods.
1. Artificial additives, preservatives, colors, and flavoring
Avoid anything that has the word artificial on it. These things compromise on the quality of dog food and are also detrimental to your canines health. Additives and artificial ingredients can also trigger allergies and sensitivities in some dogs. Low-quality grain-based diets usually have a list of these artificial ingredients and should be avoided completely.
2. Unnecessary fillers
While whole grains make great ingredients in dog foods, refined grains are nothing but low-quality fillers that your poochs tummy isnt going to appreciate. To stick to the best doggies food option, avoid anything that includes unnecessary fillers and look for options with more meat-based formulations, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy oils, and seeds.