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3 days ago · 1. Open Farm Grass Fed Beef. Rating: Grass Fed Beef is one of 21 dry recipes revied in our review of the Open Farm product line. This Open Farm recipe obtains the bulk of its animal protein from beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 18% fat and 38% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 48%.
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- Best Grain-Free Dog Foods
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- Best Large Breed Dog Food
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- Overview
- How we picked the best dry dog food
- Best dry dog food to consider this year
- Best dry dog food for small-breed puppies: Hill's
- Best dry dog food for adult small breeds: Royal Canin
- Best dry dog food for large-breed puppies: Wellness
- Best dry dog food for adult large breeds: Merrick
- Best dry dog food for weight management: Purina
- Best dry dog food for sensitive stomachs: Instinct
- Best budget-friendly dry dog food: IAMS
When choosing between wet and dry dog food, you and your pup’s personal preferences play a big role. Both dry and wet food options can be good nutritional choices for your dog, but each comes with pros and cons, says Dr. Dottie Laflamme, an independent animal nutrition consultant. Dry dog food is convenient, cost effective and can benefit oral health when formulated for dental care. However, canned food provides significantly more moisture than dry food, so talk with your veterinarian if your dog has any conditions that might benefit from a moisture-rich diet.
While ingredient lists are informative, the quality of your dog’s kibble is primarily determined by four factors, according to Laflamme: palatability, a complete and balanced recipe, affordability and whether the food meets your veterinarian’s approval based on your dog’s nutritional needs.
To help narrow down the list of quality dry foods for your dog, we spoke with veterinarians about choosing the most appropriate dry food for your dog and identifying a complete and balanced recipe. Plus, we rounded up foods recommended by the experts we spoke to.
SKIP AHEAD Best dry dog food to consider this year | How to shop for the best dry dog food
•Best for small-breed puppies
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy
While comparing dry food for dogs offered on the market today, our experts recommend keeping the following factors in mind:
•Breed size: To ensure your dog gets the nutrients they need, it’s important to purchase the appropriate food for their life stage and breed size, which can be categorized into three stages: growth, all life stages and adult maintenance.
•AAFCO statement: If your dog’s dry food is labeled with a statement saying it meets the Association of Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommendations through formulation or food-trial testing, it means that it contains all the necessary nutrients for your dog’s life stage and ensures a complete and balanced diet, says Dr. Anna Kaufman, a veterinarian at Bond Vet, which has locations across the United States.
•Nutritional guidance: A recipe created with the guidance of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist is more likely to provide the appropriate nutrients for your dog’s age and breed size rather than relying on marketing tactics. Key ingredients to look for include an animal protein source, whole grains or high-quality carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables and healthy fats, says Dr. Nicole Savageau, a veterinarian with The Vets, which offers mobile vet visits across the United States.
The following highly rated dry food share two important considerations: They meet or exceed the nutritional recommendations set by AAFCO and are formulated with the oversight of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. These factors ensure that your dog is getting the right nutrients for their age and breed size. However, you should always check ...
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy $43.69 $45.99 $45.99 $49.99 Puppies require more calories per pound of body weight than adult dogs to fuel their growth and active lifestyles. AAFCO recommends that puppy food include 22% protein and 8% fat, and other important vitamins and nutrients for growth. According to both Laflamme and Kaufman, Hill’s is a trustworthy brand that delivers quality pet food to pet parents and their pups, and Hill’s Science Diet’s dry dog food for puppies is no exception. It’s packed with the nutrients your puppy needs for a healthy start to life, like calcium and phosphorus to help build strong bones and teeth, and the omega fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to support healthy brain and eye development. The formula contains antioxidants and vitamins E and C to support your puppy’s developing immune system, according to the brand.
Royal Canin Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food $59.99 $59.99 $66.99 $59.99 $61.99 Royal Canin is a favorite among our experts for the brand’s peer-reviewed research, owned facilities and well-regarded reputation among pet parents and veterinarians. Both Select updates editor Mili Godio and manager of editorial operations Shari Uyehara are fans of Royal Canin, too. Uyehara says her pup Loki, a 1-year-old cavalier King Charles spaniel, has been eating this dry food since he was just a few months old after her breeder recommended it. Royal Canin increases palatability by sourcing ingredients that dogs crave, like chicken and chicken fat, according to the brand.
Wellness Complete Large Breed Puppy
Wellness Complete Large Breed Puppy $62.69 $65.99 $72.99 $65.99 $72.99 When allowed to overeat, large-breed puppies tend to grow too quickly, and their bones might not be able to keep up, says Laflamme. This puts them at risk of developing orthopedic or skeletal issues. “One of the best ways to prevent this is by keeping your puppy lean, limiting the amount of food they’re allowed to have and feeding them a diet specifically formulated for growing large breed puppies,” she says. Large-breed formulas that meet AAFCO’s nutritional adequacy recommendations have all the protein and minerals your puppy needs, but with fewer calories. This Wellness formula has just 367 calories per cup, which includes protein from deboned chicken and chicken meal, as well as energy-rich carbohydrates like brown rice and oats, according to the brand. The formula also has glucosamine, which helps maintain joint health and is particularly beneficial for large-breed dogs, according to Wellness.
Merrick Healthy Grains Large Breed
Merrick Healthy Grains Large Breed $84.53 $88.98 $88.98 Most large-breed dogs are no longer considered puppies when they reach about two years of age. However, this can vary depending on the individual dog and when they stop growing. During this period, Laflamme recommends two options for transitioning your dog to a formula suitable for adult dogs: either switch to an all life stages food that provides nutrients for both puppies and adults, or consider an adult formula that’s not suitable for a growing puppy. This adult formula from Merrick is made in small batches in Merrick’s Hereford, Texas kitchen. It’s packed with omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which means it’s specially formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy hips and joints, according to the brand. It also contains L-Carnitine, a supplement that helps to keep your gentle giant lean, according to Merrick.
Purina ONE + Plus
Purina ONE + Plus Adult Dry Dog Food $30.00 $31.58 $33.58 $31.99 The feeding instructions on the back of the kibble bag are merely a guide — your veterinarian is the best resource for determining the appropriate number of calories your dog should eat, says Laflamme. Between veterinarian visits, you should monitor your dog’s body condition using the nine-point scale based on observation and physical touch, she says. You can do this by standing above your dog, putting your thumbs over the backbone and fingers over the ribs. Gently move your hands from front to back. If you can easily count and feel your dog’s ribs, they are likely a healthy weight. If you and your veterinarian determine your dog is overweight, your veterinarian may suggest a reduction in calories or a weight management diet, such as this Purina ONE Weight Control formula. It’s the recipe Laflamme feeds her own dogs and is part of Purina’s budget line. However, if pet owners want to add probiotics and more natural ingredients to their dog’s diet, a slightly pricier alternative is available from Purina, Purina Pro Plan Weight Management. While it may cost a bit more, Select’s associate updates editor Zoe Malin says her 100-pound yellow lab, Chance, is both healthy and happy eating this formula.
Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Rabbit
Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Rabbit $93.09 $97.99 Many pet food diets are touted as grain-free, meaning they don’t contain common carbohydrate grains, like wheat, rice and barley. But unless your pup has a gluten intolerance, grain-free diets aren’t known to provide additional benefits when compared to other complete and balanced foods, according to our experts. Unlike their gray wolf ancestors, there’s evidence that domestic dogs are perfectly able to digest carbohydrates, says Dr. Jonathan Stockman, assistant professor of clinical veterinary sciences at Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine. A novel protein or limited-ingredient diet may relieve your dog’s symptoms if they have a food intolerance or a true food allergy. This option from Instinct uses rabbit as its protein source and leaves out any ingredients that include corn, wheat and soy, according to the brand. Additionally, probiotics and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids soothe the digestive tract, skin and any lingering inflammation.
IAMS Adult Minichunks
IAMS Adult Minichunks Dry Dog Food $29.98 $29.98 $30.99 $29.99 $31.99 When it comes to kibble, there is often a wide range of options available to pet parents at varying price points. For those on a budget, certain dry dog foods may include byproducts that help keep the cost down. “Byproducts are ingredients that are not typically used for human consumption,” says Stockman. It’s not because the ingredients aren’t nutritious, but it might include meat that isn’t visually appealing or internal organs that aren’t culturally accepted as a food source. Byproducts are a great source of vitamins and minerals for dogs, and from a sustainability standpoint, using byproducts also helps to reduce food waste, says Stockman. IAMS’ recipe offerings are diverse, and IAMS Adult Minichunks is a standout choice due to its high-quality protein sources, such as lamb, chicken and whole-grain barley. The recipe also contains a blend of fibers and prebiotics to promote a healthy digestive system, according to the brand.
- Maya Dollarhide
- Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Adult Food. Best dry dog food for small dogs: Castor Pollux ORGANIX Grain-Free. Small breed dogs need easy-to-chew and swallow dry food, plus pro- and prebiotic fiber to help their small stomachs digest food easily.
- Castor Pollux ORGANIX Grain-Free. Best dry dog food for skin and other allergies: Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. If you’re searching for food without fillers like corn, gluten, and corn, you may want to try Merrick brands.
- Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. Best dry dog food for sensitive stomach: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry Dog Food. One of the dog food companies recommended by vets like Taylor, Royal Canin dry food is a smart choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry Dog Food. Best dry dog food for senior dogs: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior. Senior dogs often need a special diet to ensure they are getting all the nutrition they need to thrive, both physically and mentally.
Ads · Best dry dog food reviews
Jan 17, 2024 · Nancy Kerns. - Published: January 17, 2024. 7. Have you ever been overwhelmed with questions while walking through the food aisles, trying to select a good food for your dog? We all have! Read on - we've offered lots of guidance, as well as a long list of quality manufacturers.
May 1, 2024 · Find out the top dry dog food choices for different breeds, sizes and needs, based on expert advice and quality ingredients. Learn how to decipher nutrition labels, avoid common pitfalls and choose sustainable options.
- Fran Sales
May 10, 2024 · Highlights for the best dry dog food. Best overall: Wellness Complete Health Lamb and Barley Recipe - See at Chewy. Best budget: Rachael Ray Nutrish Dish Beef and Brown Rice - See at Chewy
Apr 18, 2024 · Dry dog food comes in countless forms, but we’ve narrowed things down to thirteen of our top picks at any price point. From common proteins to the exotic, we’ve got you covered. 1. Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food
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related to: best dry dog food reviewsBlue Buffalo Provides Natural Nutrition Enhanced With Vitamins, Minerals & Other Nutrients. Made With The Finest Natural Ingredients. Take The True BLUE Test Today!
Science Is At the Heart of How We Help Pets Live Their Best Lives. Find the Best Dog Food. Food Products Developed w/ High Quality, Delicious Ingredients. Ask Your Vet About Hill's
See What Other Customers Have To Say About Our Delicious, Nutritious Dog Food. Backed By Multiple Published Studies. Groundbreaking Results. Outstanding Daily Nutrition.
