Dry dog food comparison tool

Click here for testing insights. Models Considered. Consumers Consulted. Hours Researched. Updated November Written by Lauren Corona.

Table of Contents Buying guide for best dry dog food Types of dry dog food What to look for in a dry dog food What to avoid in a dry dog food Considerations for selecting a dry dog food Dry dog food prices Tips FAQ. Buying guide for best dry dog food Your dog is a member of your family, so of course you want to do your best for him.

The fact is, there's no single dry dog food that's hands-down the best option for all dogs. What's right for one dog might not work for another, so finding the ideal food for your pup can take some experimentation. When testing dog food, we evaluate the ingredients to determine how healthful the food really is.

We look for quality sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, vegetables, and fruits. We scrutinize ingredient labels for less desirable ingredients such as filler and unnatural preservatives, colorings, and flavorings. When testing, we compare complete dry dog foods to mixers. Complete dog foods contain everything your dog needs to stay healthy.

Mixers are designed to mix in with high-quality foods, thereby reducing costs. Since dogs have unique taste buds and flavor preferences, we measure palatability by looking at the number of flavor combinations offered. If you have a picky dog, you may need to try several flavors before finding a winner. We consider which ingredients are best avoided by dogs with allergies, such as gluten, grains, and soy. We note whether a product lists an open or mixed formula. During testing, we consider different price points to find quality dog food for all budgets.

Prices are compared in pounds rather than per bag. We think about how often consumers will need to buy dry dog food and estimate how long each bag is meant to last. We appreciate dry dog food that promotes healthy eating. In addition to the ingredients list, we evaluate where the food is made and whether it promotes joint health. Check the FDA website to see if your chosen dog food brand has frequent recalls. The odd recall might be excusable, but a brand with multiple recalls may not be trustworthy.

Sugar is completely unnecessary in a dog's diet. Steer clear of any dry dog food that contains sugar or other sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup or sucrose. We spent 7 hours researching 21 different dry dog foods before choosing our top 5 favorites. We then tested our favorite with our four-legged coworkers and consulted with a pet expert. Other Products We Considered. The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value.

We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.

Diamond Naturals. Hill's Science Diet. Pacific Stream Recipe. The presence of fiber improves stool, promotes weight maintenance or weight loss, improves colon health, and helps with digestion issues. It adds to the overall health benefits to your dog. All dogs require a certain amount of fat in their diets to maintain health and strength. They need fat to gain the energy they require to run and play.

However, if your dog likes transitioning between different flavors and recipes, you can introduce varieties. This is a subjective question. You must take different factors such as breed, age, gender, body composition, activity level, and temperament of your dog into account before picking up the right option available. But generally, a diet that offers a blend made from quality ingredients is considered healthy and beneficial for your dog.

It is important to understand that not all proteins are made equally. Dogs need higher protein content with great digestibility. Meat-based protein is the best source providing this essential nutrient to your dog. There are potential drawbacks to giving your dog just a raw food diet. Failure to keep up with the nutritional standards cause deficiencies and imbalances and can lead to various infectious diseases. You can give certain raw foods like fruits and vegetables in addition to a balanced nutritional diet as supplements.

This is one of the fundamental factors that I always keep in mind before finalizing my top lists of dog foods. 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. 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. 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.

When it comes to getting your hands on the best healthy dog food available out there, there are various considerations you cannot miss. With the variety and qualities readily available in the market today, it becomes highly challenging to pick the most suitable brand that you think will be perfect for your pooch.

With this primary information in hand, you can instantly eliminate all the options that according to you are not suitable for your dog. This leaves you with fewer options in hand and therefore, makes it easier for you to compare and decide. The factors mentioned above will help you determine the specific nutritional needs of your dog.

Dogs require different ranges of nutrients in varying quantities over different life-stages. What you must feed your puppy will be distinctive from what your adult canine needs. Similarly, your super-active working dog will have a different nutrient profile requirement while you need to be very specific about what you feed your senior dog.

This is particularly a great benefit for parents of several different kinds of dogs. The dietary requirement of a super active dog is different from a dog dealing with obesity. For instance, if your dog is allergic to certain ingredients, you should definitely read the label in detail to steer clear of any option that includes those ingredients. Similarly, if your dog is overweight, you should opt for an option with fewer calories and lesser calorie-dense proteins to control weight.

A reliable pet food manufacturer will try making label reading easy. Look for options that list down real meat and meat by-products. However, make sure the source of the by-product is clearly mentioned so you know if it is healthy for your dog or not. This label can further simplify your hunt for the best dry dog food. Complete and balanced nutrition means that the diet contains everything your four-legged friend needs to be fit, healthy, and happy.

It contains enough protein, carbs, fats, and other micronutrients such as minerals and vitamins that could help your dog maintain optimal health. To earn this badge and to flaunt it off as a label, the manufacturing companies must match the AAFCO standard nutrient profiles. These standards are set by the canine nutrition authorities and the badge guarantees that it has passed the set feeding trial.

If the nutrient profile of a certain brand is higher than the set standard by AAFCO, it is considered even better. Meow Mix Original. Turkey By P meal. Friskies Indoor. Royal Canin Feline Health. Chick By P meal. Brown rice. Wheat gluten. Royal Canin. Chic k By P meal. Chicken By P meal. Pro Plan Focus Kitten Chicken. Chicken ByP meal. Iams ProActive Health Adult. Corn grits. Chicken Soup Soul Adult.

Pearled barley. Purina One. True Instinct. Poultry ByP meal. Pea starch. Cassava flour. Max Cat Adult. Roasted chicken. Wheat flour. Ground whole wheat. Iams Healthy Naturals Chicken. Chick en meal. Natural Balance Indoor Ultra.

Brown Rice. Science Diet Healthy Kitten. Whole Wheat. Chick liver flavor. Science Diet. Adult Indoor. Powdered Cellulose. Pea Bran Meal. Fancy Feast Gourmet Chicken. Brewer rice. Poultry By Product. Science Diet Sensitive Stomach. Pork fat. Purina Deli Cat. Our website is an independent organization and has no relation to the manufacturers, so our reviews are completely objective.

Glucosamine and chondroitin help maintain healthy hips and joints, while omega fatty acids support healthy skin and shiny coat. This adult dry dog food's main ingredient is chicken; high quality protein with wholesome grains like oatmeal. Expertly selected ingredients and added nutrients support immune health, energy levels, joint and bone health, and healthy skin and coat.