A balanced diet is crucial for dogs to live their best furry lives. The food that goes into our furry friends’ bodies can quite literally make or break them, so it’s up to owners to provide only the best. Given that dog foods are not all made equal, it can be a difficult feat to try to determine which brand is best. This is why we’ve looked into the best dog food brands that the market has to offer so you won’t have to. This list comprises brands that have garnered thousands of positive reviews on online pet stores.
However, it’s important to note that, besides ingredients and nutritional content, there are other key factors to consider when choosing what’s best for your dog and their specific needs. Such key factors include life stage and size, special dietary needs, brand reputation, and much more. Dog food is not one-size-fits-all so it’s always good to check in with your veterinarian before making any switches. Let’s get into it.
10. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food for Small Dogs
Formulated for small dog breeds, this dry dog food from Hill’s Science Diet is a balanced, easy-to-digest meal packed into tiny kibble that your dog is sure to enjoy. Each kibble is packed with amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants to support your pup’s overall wellness.
Hill’s Science Diet offers these highly-rated options for small dogs:
- Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Barley Recipe
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Paws Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Small Paws Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe
To explore more of the brand’s dog food selection for small breeds, visit their official website.
9. Royal Canin Dry Dog Food for Large Dogs
This big-kibble dog food from Royal Canin is geared towards big dog breeds that have big dietary requirements. Large dogs need nourishment that promotes lean muscles and strong joints as a way to fuel their vitality without adding extra weight, and this dry dog food from Royal Canin provides exactly that.
Royal Canin offers these top-rated large dog food formulas according to need:
- Large Adult Dry Dog Food
- Large Puppy Dry Dog Food
- Large Weight Care Dry Dog Food
The brand also offers specific formulas depending on breed. To find one for the breed you’re caring for, visit Royal Canin’s official website.
8. Purina Pro Plan
If you’re looking for a brand that caters to a variety of needs, Purina Pro Plan is a veterinarian-approved brand that offers over 80 dog food formulas thanks to the research made for each of their products. Whether it’s for your dog’s sensitive skin or stomach or for their specific athletic requirement, Purina Pro Plan is a good choice for canines with particular dietary needs.
Here are some of Purina Pro Plan’s highly-rated dog foods:
- Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Puppy Large Breed Salmon & Rice
- Pro Plan Adult 7+ Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice
- Pro Plan All Ages Sport Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice
Explore more of the brand’s various formulations by visiting their official website.
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7. Wellness Canned Dog Food
Wellness canned dog food is great for dogs with dental issues or those who prefer wet dog food. It features high-quality proteins that have been turned into a smooth and filling meal that also supports hydration. It’s ideal for dogs that struggle to eat dry kibble and great to try for picky eaters.
Two highly-rated Wellness products are:
- Wellness CORE Digestive Health Beef Flavor
- Wellness Complete Health Pate Variety Pack
Wellness also offers these products in different flavors. To check what taste your dog might enjoy, visit their official website.
6. Merrick Grain-Free Dog Food
For dogs that are sensitive or allergic to grains, Merrick might be a good dog food brand to try without sacrificing nutrition and taste. The brand’s grain-free variety lists real meat that has been deboned as its first ingredient, making it a high-protein option that your dog will thank you for.
Merrick’s top grain-free options include:
- Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato
- Grain-Free Healthy Weight
- Grain-Free Grammy’s Pot Pie in Gravy
The brand also offers these variants in other flavors your dog might like. To check, visit Merrick’s official website.
5. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
Featuring whole grains and meats as the base ingredients, this particular formula from Blue Buffalo is one that provides the taste that dogs get excited about while also satisfying all of their nutritional requirements. Tiny dark kibble called LifeSource Bits are mixed in with the regular kibble to add a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for increased immunity and well-rounded diet.
Blue Buffalo’s highly-rated dog food options include:
- Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice
- Life Protection Formula Adult Small Breed Chicken & Brown Rice
- Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken & Brown Rice
Check out more of Blue Buffalo’s meat-first options for your dog’s needs by visiting the brand’s official website.
4. Nutro Ultra Dry Dog Food
This dry dog food from the Ultra line by Nutro boasts a blend of salmon, lamb, and chicken, making it another high-protein option for energetic dogs. It also includes a superfood mix of kale, spinach, and chia for a formulation that supports your dog’s agility, stamina, and overall wellness.
Two highly-rated products under Nutro’s ULTRA line are:
- Puppy, The Superfood Plate with Chicken, Lamb and Salmon
- Toy Breed, Adult Superfood Plate with Chicken, Lamb, and Salmon
To see all options under the brand’s ULTRA dry dog food line, visit their official website.
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3. Stella & Chewy’s Meal Mixers
Meal mixers may not be the star of your dog’s dish, but they surely boost your dog’s overall nutritional intake during mealtimes. This one from Stella & Chewy’s is a high-protein and nutrient-dense supplement that delivers both health benefits and flavor with every scoop.
Stella & Chewy’s top-rated meal mixers include:
- Dandy Lamb Recipe
- Stella’s Super Beef
- Perfectly Puppy Beef & Salmon Recipe
The brand offers other highly-rated flavors that your dog might love. To check for what’s available, visit Stella & Chewy’s official website.
2. Ollie Fresh Dog Food
Ollie is a well-reviewed fresh dog food subscription service that delivers right to your doorstep. They use only the best human-grade ingredients in their vet-formulated pre-portioned meals, which have been said keeps dogs happy and healthy. The brand also boasts of a wide range of choices in terms of customizability. Dog owners also tend to prefer Ollie over other similar fresh dog food providers, as Ollie is more conveniently packaged, which helps with hygienic storage and preparation. There’s no denying that Ollie does have positive reviews, premium ingredients, and a desirable packaging concept. However, when it comes to practicality, their prices might be considered a bit of a splurge. Ollie’s higher price range is a downside that dog owners report to be a factor in why they choose not to continue with their subscription plan.
If you’re looking for a fresh dog food provider that simplifies your dog’s mealtimes and don’t mind spending a little more than usual on dog food, then Ollie might be the service to try.
To get a customized formula for your dog, visit Ollie’s official website.
1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food
The Farmer’s Dog (TFD) is another fresh dog food provider and often the competitor pitted against Ollie. What puts The Farmer’s Dog number one on this list and not its competitor is the fact that it checks more boxes in terms of affordability (they start at $2/day), ingredients, and positive reviews.
While it tends to be a tie between The Farmer’s Dog and Ollie when it comes to ingredients and reviews, TFD takes the lead with their gently-cooked formulated foods that lock in important nutrients, ultimately making for dog food that boosts your dog’s vitality, clears your dog’s skin, and makes your dog’s coat shinier than before. All of this is according to reviews submitted by satisfied owners, who also add that TFD formulas have helped lessen their dogs’ odor. Not only that, owners who have used TFD also report that their dogs are now able to pass healthier-looking stools since switching to The Farmer’s Dog. All in all, The Farmer’s Dog is a fresh dog food delivery service that provides highly nutritious solutions that are tailored to your dog’s needs without compromising on flavor. They use fresh human-grade ingredients and deliver pre-portioned meals that help dogs eat healthier just like their owners.
To see how The Farmer’s Dog might help your dog eat better like you, visit their official website.
