For people who keep pets, they know that these domesticated creatures are more than just animals. A unique personality to each, these companions can be emotionally connected to their owners (and vice versa) to a level that can make other family members jealous.
Keeping a pet such as dogs require great responsibility. Good care of these humble animals is essential for their physical and mental health. Pack predators from an evolutionary point of view, these domesticated creatures used to hunt for food. This meant a lot of exercise and lesser amount of food.
Modern dogs as pets get food from us and don’t have to hunt. As such, they require a very balanced diet, or end up fat and unhealthy. There are many companies in the United States that cater for dogs and selecting the right one can be a tedious task. Here at PetFoodio.com, we have compiled the top ten best dog food so that your life can become a bit easier:
Our Top Picks : Best Dog Food for 2024
WHOLE EARTH FARMS
Whole Earth Farms is a brand that you should know about. If you don’t, go and buy one. Available in kibble and canned, the company behind this brand claims their dog food is made from natural ingredients, is high in protein and none of the ingredients are sourced from China and does not contain soy, corn or wheat. The brand has a wide selection of flavors, ranging from beef to duck meat and caters to all kinds of breeds and ages. The brand gives a complete guide on amount of feed to be given to all ranges of dogs (by weight and age) and how many times a day.
There have been little to no negative reviews about this food from dog owners and they report that their pets love this food. The high quality of ingredients lead to a healthier, active dog and a shiny coat
Owners do report that food has a bit of a strong smell, so if you are living in tight quarters, make sure you and your family is ok with it, or have a strong ventilation system.
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL
Making dry and wet food for dogs, the main firm started as a storybook publishing company that printed soul-inspiring stories for children and adults. Describing its products as food for the mind, the company has been in business for 23 years. As it diversified, it was inspired to start making quality foods for pets since it received thousands of submission stories regarding pets and their owners.
Blending a fine balance of nutrition, their products are made from good quality ingredients and are filled with vitamins and antioxidants. Their food comes in grain free, dry and wet forms. There is also a specialized line of dog food that is dedicated to large breed puppies and adults. Dog food in this category is designed for heavy musculature dogs and strong bones.
NOTE: Chicken Soup For Soul has different kinds of meats added in each blend. Read the ingredients carefully if your pet is allergic to certain meats.
RACHAEL RAY NUTRISH ZERO GRAIN
The Zero Grain line is one of the best Rachael Ray has to offer. As a cook with her own successful TV show, Rachael Ray started the dog food line after she realized that although many brands of dog food exist, none is offering a gourmet style high quality good food that a man’s best friend needs. Her carefully blended food for dogs is not only delicious (for dogs, of course), but as a trained chef, Rachael made sure that the food is perfectly balanced having the right quantity of vitamins and other nutrition required by canines. The recipes she has made are based on what her pit-bull, Isaboo ate.
Low quality dog foods contain grains such as soy and wheat as fillers. Although, speaking biologically, dogs can digest fruits and vegetables, but years of inbreeding have caused the immune and digestive systems to be compromised and weakened. In modern times, some dogs’ digestive system have troubles with grains. That is why Rachael Ray has a no grain line of products for dogs. The products are made of real turkey, beef, chicken and seafood. Possessing no grains and having natural ingredients, the food is allergy friendly. The fresh fruits and vegetables give the food a perfect balance that your pet requires. The Zero Grain line comes in flavors: Turkey and potato; beef, potato and bison; salmon and sweet potato, chicken and sweet potato.
The price is a bit high compared to other foods, but remember, this range consists of specialized blends and Rachael has made the same effort to make it good and nutritious, as she would in any of her cooking for us humans.
BLUE BUFFALO
Blue Buffalo dog food is renowned for its high-quality ingredients that cater to the nutritional needs of dogs of all ages and breeds. The brand emphasizes the use of real meat, wholesome grains, garden veggies, and fruit, ensuring that pets receive balanced and nutritious meals. Their recipes often exclude poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives, which appeals to pet owners seeking natural food options for their furry friends.
Furthermore, Blue Buffalo offers specialized formulas to address various health needs, including weight management, sensitive stomachs, and life stage requirements, making it a versatile choice for many dog owners.
In terms of pricing, Blue Buffalo positions itself as a premium dog food brand, reflecting the high quality of its ingredients and formulations. While it may be more expensive than some budget brands, many pet owners find the investment worthwhile for the health benefits it provides to their pets.
Customer reviews often highlight the noticeable improvements in their dogs’ energy levels, coat quality, and overall well-being after switching to Blue Buffalo. Positive feedback frequently mentions the brand’s effectiveness in catering to dogs with dietary sensitivities or allergies, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted choice among discerning pet owners.
AVODERM BY BREEDER’S CHOICE
AvoDerm is a line of all natural dog food by Breeder’s Choice- a brand that has been in the canine business since 1947. The AvoDerm products were launched back in 1982 and in the 36 years, the AvoDerm has made a unique place in the canine pet community. The ingredient promoted in this food is avocado. Full of vitamin A, C and E, it also contains folate, potassium, niacin and essential fatty acids, the fruit has all the right ingredients for making fur and coat bright, silky and shiny.
The company has dedicated foods for puppies, small breeds and large breeds. There are special dedicated foods for dogs who are in their later stages of life, requiring chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine to maintain aging joints. There is also a weight control food for those dogs who get little exercise and are overweight.
A unique product offered by Breeder’s Choice is a vegetarian variant of dog food. Believe it or not, there are dogs out there who are allergic to meat proteins. The vegetarian formula uses specific plants to deliver the perfect balance of protein, vitamins and essential fats to your dog.
Their formulas do not contain any wheat, corn or artificial flavors. The power of the super fruit avocado is incorporated, delivering the best of nutrition to your pet.
EARTHBORN HOLISTIC
If there is ever a one a kind dog food, I will be surprised if it would not be from Earthborn. The firm has a vast selection of dog foods, dry and wet. The company strictly believes that a good dog food is more than the sum of its ingredients. With a good research and development behind it, the manufacturer has found the ultimate balance of taste and nutrition any kind of dog might need. The company makes two brands of dog food, each with a unique feature and designed for a specific need of our canine companions:
- Holistic: this range has everything a dog needs during its life cycle. The puppy formula is designed to have lots of DHA, a type of omega 3 fatty acid that promotes healthy brain and eye development, proper levels of calcium and phosphorous for those growing bones. There is a special formulated food for small breeds that require high energy levels, yet weight control; a regular adult feed and a special fish and potato for those dogs who have trouble digesting regular meat. Other formula include weight control and grain free versions.
- Venture: For the adventurous, the Venture line has some pretty unique meats and formulations. All variants are grain free, full of essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and have a great taste. The six formulations are: Alaska Pollock and pumpkin; duck and pumpkin, pork and butternut squash, rabbit and pumpkin, squid and chickpeas, turkey and butternut squash.
INSTINCT RAW BOOST
A small food company for pets, Nature’s Variety makes the Prairie brand which is holistic, high in animal proteins and comes in a variety of flavors to suit the individual dog’s needs. Prairie has five basic ingredients in all of its variants:
- Meat: Proteins are the cornerstone for any good dog meal. Proteins gives lean muscle and the energy required by the dog.
- Whole Grains: Barley, oatmeal and rice are a rich source of fibers that are essential for a good digestive system.
- Fruits and vegetables: these are the source of vitamins and salts that give coats shine and make the bones strong.
- Omegas: Fish and flaxseeds are the best source of healthy omegas, another reason that your dog will have a shiny coat and a good skin
- Power of raw: Freeze dried raw food is coated on the kibble to ensure that your dog gets the best of food, as nature intended.
The Prairie kibble comes in flavors of chicken, beef, lamb and salmon. Wet food comes in chicken, beef, salmon, lamb, turkey and duck, beef and bison, pork and sweet potato.
There are also treats that are unique in flavor: pumpkin and cranberries, peanut butter and banana, chicken and cheddar cheese, bacon and apples.
NATURE’S RECIPE GRAIN FREE
Another premium dog food company, Nature’s recipe has been in the business of giving the best of nutrition to pets for the last 35 years. The firm knows the worth of meat and vegetables that are essential for a dog’s health. It selects the best of meats for protein and vegetables for those vitamins and minerals that help your dog grow strong. Many plain dog food manufacturers use wheat and barley to provide sustenance and it is a great source of plant protein. But some dogs (like us humans) can develop allergies and sensitivities to some specific grains. To cater for this, Nature’s Recipe makes special grain free products.
The dry flavors, at first glance, do not seem to have much variation. Sweet potato, for antioxidant source and pumpkin minerals and vitamins are present in all, with mostly chicken as meat and just one salmon flavor. One may wonder that such an established manufacturer is making same kinds of flavor, but on closer inspection, you will find that each variety is catered for a special need. There is an Easy To Digest version, which has chicken and is designed for all stages of a dog life, from puppies to adults. The Adult version has lamb to provide all the protein, but also maintain lean muscle mass at the same time. Similarly, the wet food also has limited flavors, mostly of chicken, but catered for those specific needs your dog may have.
PURE BALANCE GRAIN FREE
What do you do when you want a good high quality food for your dog but don’t have the budget for those expensive ones? Well, you head over to Walmart!
Walmart collaborated with Ainsworth, the company behind Rachael Ray’s line of pet food, to make meals for the quality conscious, yet on a budget. This brand has everything your pet needs to eat. The base is actual meat and chicken. There are no byproducts used as replacement. The line is grain free and does not contain wheat or corn that are usually in foods that are priced at these. The brand also claims that it does not contain any artificial colors and flavors- and definitely no preservatives.
Normally, food without preservatives go bad quickly, but considering that this is Walmart and has a very high turnover volume, you can rest easy since that means your canine friend is getting good meals.
The product line gives you five flavors:
- Chicken and Brown Rice: This is for those who want their pets to have good eye development and a healthy hear.
- Lamb and Brown Rice: For those canines who have sensitive stomachs and skin.
- Salmon and Pea: A perfect combination for dogs with certain meat allergies and requiring good eye vision.
- Bison and Pea: For the wild and tough ones- providing excellent digestive properties.
Apart from this, Walmart also claims that there are added vitamins and minerals to boost the dog’s digestive and immune system. A downside of all the added energy is that this food is designed for active pets. If your dog is in its later stages of life or does not get much exercise, this may not be for it.
PURINA BEYOND
Knowing exactly what your pet is eating is the most important thing a pet owner can ever do. Purina Beyond is a flavor of dog food by Purina’s line of Beyond that takes away your worries in this regards. The Purina brand comes in two flavors:
- White Meat Chicken and Whole Barley: A dog food that has is made from real chicken- no poultry by products are in it; does not contain corn or wheat and no artificial preservatives, it is good. Some people find it confusing that the manufacturers claim that there are no poultry byproducts and yet, chicken meal is written on the ingredient list. Chicken meal is different from byproducts as it contains no bone, cartilage or skin. You can breathe a sigh of relief now that you know your pet is getting the best.
- Lamb and Whole Barley: Similar to the chicken variant, the manufacturer claims it is made from real lamb and does not have any poultry byproduct, artificial flavors, colors, no wheat and corn.
Although when you look at its ingredients, you will find that there is brewer’s rice and whole barley in it. These grains do not upset stomachs of sensitive dogs, but are a high source of carbs and you will need to watch your pet’s weight if it is not getting much in the form of exercise. The food also has dried eggs to give that protein boost for proper muscular growth and spinach gives the required vitamins.
Final Thoughts
There you go folks! Ten different dog foods that are good for your four pawed friends and are widely available.
Shopping for dogs can be difficult, especially if you are not satisfied with the food you are giving it. A dog, like humans, has a personality and likes. It cannot speak to let you know that it prefers the lamb to the chicken. However, you, as an owner, should know well enough. When not sure, always buy a small bag of a new brand or flavor and introduce slowly. We suggest that you mix 25% of the new food with the old one for a couple of weeks.
This will help the dog in adjusting to the new type of food. If there are any issues, such as upset stomach or appetite loss, you will know it and you can safely discontinue the new food. This also helps you in knowing if there are other issues such as rough coat or skin.
If the dog is adjusting well, increase the new food by 25% every second week until it is 100% what your canine friend eats.
What do you think? Have we missed anything? Let us know.