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We’re always on the hunt for the best food money can buy; our fur babies deserve nothing less. But with a sea of kibble options, finding the right fit for your pup can feel overwhelming. And that’s before you factor in the fresh food, toppers, dehydrated mixes, and everything in between. The first step when choosing a dog food is to consult your online pet store or local vet, as they know what is best for their favorite, slobbery patients. However, for those who want even more recommendations or even a place to start before your annual visit, we have that covered. We spoke with Dr. Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian for Wellness Pet Company as well as Dr. Katy Nelson, senior veterinarian at Chewy, about what to look for in a dog food formula, what to avoid, and also any tips and tricks for choosing the right chow for your Chihuahua and the best munchies for your Maltese. Keep reading to see Dr. Nelson’s top dog food recommendations or jump to our FAQ to learn more about the best ingredients (and the worst) to feed your pooch. Best Dog Food Brands Best Human-Grade: Spot & Tango Fresh Food There are four recipes to choose from: Turkey + Quinoa, Beef + Millet, and Lamb + Brown Rice. Each product is formulated according to the AAFCO’s established requirements for animals of all sizes and breeds in all stages of life. I will say that each freshly frozen package is small enough to place in your fridge for the day to defrost without taking up too much room and won’t spoil. If you’re only serving fresh food, one package should last a day for all three meals. But, if money is tight, add fresh food as a topper to your current kibble for added nutrition. Depending on your dog’s nutritional needs, prices can be as low as $1.06 a meal or as high as $3.08. Although there isn’t a Spot & Tango discount code, they do offer 20% off your first two weeks and shipping is free. Read our full review here. Size options: Available in personalized portions | Flavors: Beef + Barley, Turkey + Potato, Cod + Salmon Best Adult Dog Food for Small Breeds:Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food For smaller dogs, such as Frenchies and terriers, try something like this from Blue Buffalo. Its first ingredient is meat, which is important when shopping for a dog food brand. “You then want to see ingredients you recognize,” said Dr. Bernal. The kibble size isn’t too big, so smaller mouths don’t need to struggle to get a proper mouthful. The formula is also filled with antioxidants, Glucosamine for joint mobility, and omegas for a glossy coat. Size options: Available in 5-15 pound bags | Flavors: Chicken & Brown Rice, Lamb & Brown Rice Best Large Breed Dog Food: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food Similarly, if you own a bigger dog, such as a golden retriever or mastiff, Blue Buffalo has an option for them, too. We like the option made with deboned chicken, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. However, there’s also a lamb favor if your pooch is fancy! Size options: Available in 15-34 pound bags | Flavors: Chicken & Brown, Lamb & Brown Rice, Best Naturally Preserved: The Honest Kitchen The Honest Kitchen uses a natural approach to preserving food without chemicals, using ingredients like vitamin E, mixed tocopherols, and small amounts of rosemary extract to extend shelf life. From our firsthand experience, The Honest Kitchen delivers not only on quality but also on taste, at least according to our four-legged testers. Every product they tried, from treats to Clusters, dehydrated and PourOvers, was met with eager anticipation and clean bowls. In a crowded marketplace filled with marketing buzzwords and unverified claims, The Honest Kitchen stands out for its commitment to transparency, quality and real food. Read our full review here. Size options: 5-pound bag, 20-pound bag | Flavors: Chicken, beef, turkey Best Pantry Fresh: JustFoodforDogs “This brand has some great fresh and frozen recipes including JustFoodForDogs Fish & Sweet Potato Recipe Frozen Human-Grade Fresh Dog Food which is a high-protein, low-calorie recipe promoting healthy weight and crafted with fresh, human-grade ingredients including wild-caught Alaskan cod, sweet potatoes, broccoli and green beans,” said Dr. Nelson, using Chewy’s Fresh and Prepared Food Finder for help. If you’re wondering “how much food to feed my dog?” The packaging clearly indicates the best portion for your dog, so there is no guessing. Like the brand says, this shop is just for dogs and puppies. Shop the full selection at Chewy.com, making sure to take a look at the variety pack listed above. Read our full review here. Size options: Available in 5.5-72 ounce pouches (cases vary) | Flavors: Beef & Turkey, Beef & Russet Potato, Chicken & White Rice, Fish & Sweet Potato, Venison & Squash, Lamb & Brown Rice, Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni, Sampler Variety Pack Best Dog Food for Puppies: Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Puppy Food “The recipe is crafted with high-quality protein, including chicken as the #1 ingredient to help build lean muscles and the food includes glucosamine and EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid, for joint health and mobility,” said Dr. Nelson. “Plus, vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids will help nourish your pup’s skin and coat.” This dry dog food is sold in a variety of sizes from six to 34 pounds, lasting your pup a while until they become a big kid… well, big dog. Size options: Available in 6-34 pound bags | Flavors: Chicken & Rice, Lamb & Rice Best Non-GMO: Freshpet Vital Chicken Recipe Fresh Dog Food “I’ve been feeding Freshpet to my pups for years!” said Dr. Nelson. “I love that the only preservative that they use is your refrigerator. Fresh, natural ingredients are used and they’re slowly steamed to preserve the maximum nutrient availability.” This expert pick made the list, as this is what Dr. Nelson feeds her own furry family member. The Freshpet collection can be found on Chewy, including the chicken recipe pictured above. Size options: 1.75 pound bag | Flavor: Chicken Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Orijen Amazing Grains Puppy Dry Dog Food “With 4.9 stars, ORIJEN Amazing Grains Puppy Dry Dog Food is specially crafted to meet the nutritional needs of your growing puppy and protein-packed with poultry and fish to support your pup’s muscle development,” said Dr. Nelson. “This food also supports your dog’s digestive health with prebiotics and probiotics—soluble and insoluble fiber from inulin—and a premium grain blend.” ORIJEN is sold at Chewy in a variety of flavors and sizes, with this dry food kibble coming in a small four-pound bag and a larger 22.5-pound bag. Size options: Available in 4-22.5 pound bags | Flavor: N/A Best Organic Dog Food Freeze-Dried: Open Farm Turkey Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food For those of you who’d like to prepare your dog fresh meals every day, consider this a less labor-intensive alternative. The dog food is freeze-dried to maintain nutritional freshness and features a host of organic veggies and fruits. Most importantly, the first three ingredients are turkey, providing a healthy dose of protein for your K9. Size options: Available in 3.50-22 ounce bags | Flavor: Turkey Recipe Best Grain-Free Dog Food: Wellness CORE Puppy (Grain Free) “CORE recipes are crafted based on the nutritional philosophy that dogs, based on their primal ancestry, thrive on a natural diet mainly comprised of meat. Packed with premium protein along with nutrient-rich superfoods and nutritional supplements to ensure your puppy has everything they need to thrive from the CORE,” said Dr. Bernal. Starting at $20 for the four-pound bag, the dry kibble can be ordered to pick up in store, or shipped to your home for easy feeding. Size options: Available in 4-26 pound bags | Flavor: Chicken & Turkey Recipe Best for Coat Health: American Journey Puppy Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food “This high-protein dog food with real, deboned lamb is not only delicious for your pup but full of amino acids that help maintain lean muscle mass, plus salmon oil and flaxseed provide omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, including long-chain DHA, help support your dog’s skin and coat health and brain and eye development,” said Dr. Nelson. There are an array of sizes to order, should you shop at Chewy. We love the option to bundle and save, with two four-pound packages or two 12-pound bags, shipped right to your door. Size options: Available in 12-24 pound bags | Flavors: Chicken & Sweet Potato, Lamb & Sweet Potato Best Dog Food for Senior Dogs: Wellness CORE Digestive Health Age Advantage (grained) “Designed specifically for the needs of senior dogs, Wellness CORE Digestive Health Age Advantage is a highly digestible, probiotic-coated kibble crafted with a unique blend of prebiotic fibers to support digestive health. This recipe is made with guaranteed levels of Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Calcium to support healthy joints and bones. So, every dog, at any age, can live their best life,” said Dr. Bernal. Size options: Available in 4-24 pound bags | Flavor: Chicken & Brown Rice Best for Small Senior Dogs: Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Small Bites Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food “This is an easy-to-digest food for senior dogs who prefer a smaller kibble size. Its synergistic ingredient blend encourages youthful vitality and promotes an ideal weight,” said Dr. Nelson. This best senior dog food comes in small bites come in many sizes, from a small five-pound bag to the largest 33-pound package, all sold on Chewy’s site. Size options: Available in 5-33 pound bags | Flavor: Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice Recipe Best Splurge: American Journey Senior Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food “This is a grain-free senior dry dog food that helps support healthy aging with real chicken as the first ingredient, plus a blend of targeted nutrients. Its antioxidant blend helps support a healthy immune system while omega fatty acids help maintain skin and coat health and medium chain triglycerides naturally occurring in coconut oil help support brain health in aging dogs to encourage cognitive wellness,” said Dr. Nelson. No need to journey to the store, either, as Chewy can ship this 24-pound bag of kibble right to your home. You can also set up an Autoship subscription, saving more time and money when you need a refill. Size options: Available in 24 pound bag | Flavors: Chicken & Sweet Potato, Salmon & Sweet Potato Best for Weight Loss: Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight “This natural dry food for dogs is specially formulated with reduced calories and lowered total fat to support healthy weight loss and weight maintenance in less active or overweight adult dogs,” said Dr. Bernal. Keeping your pet’s weight under control is no small feat, which is why the vets recommended this kibble made with nutrient-rich whole foods to fill up your pup. Size options: Available in 5-30 pound bags | Flavors: Beef & Barley, Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal, Lamb & Barley, Whitefish & Sweet Potatoe Best Wet Food for Weight Loss: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Hearty Vegetable & Chicken Stew Canned Dog Food “If you’re looking for canned food, this is a good pick as it’s lean and delicious recipe delivers 100% precisely balanced nutrition and contains prebiotic fibers for gentle digestion,” said Dr. Nelson. “When fed this nutrition, over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks, adding not only to their life expectancy but also their overall quality of life.” We wanted to add an option for wet dog food, should you prefer the whole and hearty taste of vegetable and chicken stew, sold in a package of 12 or 24. Size options: Available in 12.5-12.8 ounce cans (case of 12) | Flavors: Chicken & Vegetables, Hearty Vegetables & Chicken Best Dog Food for Allergies: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Skintopic Adult Dry Dog Food No one likes being itchy — even dogs. For Fido’s allergies, go with Royal Canin. It has a Dermauxilium Complex for skin health, as well as highly hydrolyzed protein to promote better stools and digestion. The food also has a host of vitamins and minerals. Size options: Available in 8-25 pound bags | Flavors: N/A Best for High-Protein: Iams Minichunks High-Protein with Real Lamb Dry Dog Food Infused with antioxidants to improve immune health, this recipe also features omega-6 fatty acids to promote vibrant skin and a lustrous, healthy coat. It has three flavors available and comes in a variety of sizes depending on your dog’s breed and weight. Best Topper: Stella & Chewy’s Chewy’s Chicken Meal Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Topper Topping your dog’s food is a great way to add extra nutrients without significantly increasing the cost per meal, unlike pricier options like Farmer’s Dog or Spot & Tango fresh food delivery services. This option offers a variety of flavors, sizes, and bundle deals to suit your dog’s needs. Best Wet for Puppies: Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition For those newborns gradually transitioning from their mother’s milk, this gentle formula crafted from an ultra-soft mouse ensures an easy and enticing feeding experience. Each can contains 5.1 ounces and is available in a case of 24. Best Strong Immune System for Seniors: VICTOR Purpose Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food Joint health is crucial for your dear aging pup. “In general, [senior dogs] will have lower energy requirements, lower dietary phosphorus needs, we want to restrict dietary sodium, quality protein source (lower if kidney disease is an issue) and increase in fiber,” said Dr. Hockaday. This 15-pound bag has prebiotics and probiotics to strengthen the dog’s immune and digestive system and focuses on mineral complexes to regulate the metabolism. Dr. Hockaday said that “the prebiotic effects of grains in both diets are very beneficial to maintain healthy gut flora in large-breed dogs.” FAQ How to choose a good dog food? There are a bunch of factors that go into choosing the right food for your dog, many of which will be addressed by your vet. If not, we also got expert intel from Dr. Bernal, breaking it down into simple steps — trust of the brand, nutrition, ingredients and format. We’ll get into a lot of this later, but here are a few tips. [Look for] trust in its manufacturing practices, food safety processes and quality assurance programs See if the brand has undergone AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) testing and meets requirements Dry vs. wet food? Neither is the better format, as both have benefits. For example, dry recipes deliver more nutrient-dense nutrition while wet recipes have a high moisture content. What ingredients should I look for? The ingredients list of a dog food bag can be confusing, with buzz words like “healthy,” “raw,” and “organic” thrown around. But what ingredients should we really be looking for when choosing a substantive and delicious dish for your dog? “Look for [bags that] include fresh meat as the first ingredient, concentrated meat meals as second and or third ingredients,” said Dr. Bernal. “You then want to see ingredients you recognize.” In addition, other vitamins and minerals are important for well-rounded health of your pup, said Dr. Nelson. “Amino acids, which build and repair tissues, help maintain healthy skin and coat and support the immune system; fatty acids, which also maintain healthy skin and coat, and are essential for joint health and a healthy immune system. Vitamins and minerals are important to ensure that the pet’s nutrient requirements are met,” she said. What ingredients should I avoid? There are a few ingredients that you want to watch out for. Dr. Nelson warns of a few specific ingredients to be on the lookout for. “Items like BHA, melamine and artificial dyes are the products that I steer pet parents away from when choosing foods,” she said. There is also a misconception that grains and corn are bad for dogs, when really they do serve a purpose aside from just a filler for pet food companies. “Grains provide a healthy source of carbohydrates in pet food, and meat meal is simply a dried end-product of the cooking process and can contain high-quality and digestible whole meat products,” explained Dr. Nelson. However, it’s important to note that many of the grains used in kibble are not human-grade, which is why many vets recommend fresh food without preservatives and high-quality grains. Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post
