Best Dry Dog Foods
Featured image in public domain / Wikimedia Commons
Best Dry Dog Foods For Your Canine
Dry dog foods offer a high-quality, cost-effective solution to ensure you’re providing your dog with all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs for good health and a long life. Dry dog food is also beneficial for oral health as it reduces plaque and tartar buildup, and they don’t require refrigeration like other canned dog foods. But what are the best dry dog foods?
When you’re looking for the best dry dog food for your canine, you should look closely at the ingredients. Here’s a list of some of the best dry dog foods that are mostly free from fillers and preservatives that could be harmful to your pet.
Best Dry Dog Foods to Buy in 2020
Best Dry Dog Food Overall: Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food
The Wellness pet food company has a reputation for making some of the healthiest, highest-quality pet foods. Their products are rich in fruit and vegetable antioxidants, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals.
They also contain live probiotics and come in delightful natural flavors. Wellness Complete Health Dry Dog Food is perhaps the best recipe you can find on the market.
Key features:
- Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, peas, and ground barley
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy coat and skin
- Probiotics for healthy digestion
- Ideal for adult dogs
This recipe is an excellent source of complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs. The main ingredient is protein-rich chicken. According to expert analysis, the recipe encompasses 27% protein, about 52% carbohydrates, and 13% fat, resulting in approximately a 50% fat-to-protein ratio.
The chicken meal also enhances its protein content. This dry dog food derives most of its carbohydrate energy from oatmeal, potatoes, barley, and peas. Supplementary energy sources include flaxseed and chickpeas.
Chicken fat is the primary source of fat in this recipe and is an excellent source of concentrated energy for dogs. Ground flaxseed supplements the chicken fat, helping maintain a balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for your pet’s healthy skin and coat.
The other ingredients include natural flavors, synthetic supplements, extracts, and dried fermented products that serve as probiotics, promoting healthy digestion for your pet.
Best Dry Dog Food with Probiotics: Nulo Grain Free Dog Food
If you want to provide your dog with the benefits of a probiotic-rich diet, Nulo Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a recipe to try.
Key features:
- Over 80% of animal-based protein
- No corn, wheat, soy, chicken, or egg proteins
- Lamb-derived Vitamin B6 and niacin for increased energy
- Amino acids for a healthy heart and lean muscle mass
- Probiotics for healthy digestion
- Phosphorous and calcium for healthy bones
- Whole veggies and fruits for strong immunity
Nulo pet food products are formulated with high-quality ingredients. Their recipes don’t contain rice, wheat, soy, white potato, tapioca, gluten, corn, or other fillers. The first three ingredients are usually protein from reliable animal sources, and the ingredients are designed to deliver stable energy while maintaining low glycemic content.
Nulo Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is one of the best dog foods with probiotics, with 84% animal-based protein like turkey and salmon. This recipe promotes a healthy weight and lean muscle growth. It’s also an excellent energy booster, and the smaller kibble size encourages better chewing habits.
Best Budget Dry Dog Food: Diamond Naturals Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe
Diamond Naturals is an excellent option for pet owners on a budget, and this is a budget-friendly option for those looking for a lamb-based recipe.
Key features:
- Main ingredients: Lamb meal, ground white rice, sorghum, cracked pearled barley, egg product
- Vitamins and antioxidants from real fruits and veggies to promote overall health
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Best for adult dogs
This Diamond Naturals formula derives most of its animal protein from lamb meal. It also contains real fruits and vegetables, including kale, peas, coconut, and blueberries.
These natural ingredients ensure your dog gets all the protein and minerals it needs to stay healthy. The recipe encompasses 26% protein, 51% carbohydrates, and 16% fat, resulting in approximately a 61% fat-to-protein ratio.
Additionally, this recipe provides your dog with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to support healthy skin and an attractive coat, and it includes antioxidants for overall well-being.
Best Dry Dog Food for Seniors: Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
Nutro has a team of experts that customize their recipes to your pet’s life stage and health needs. They only use natural ingredients sourced from vetted and trusted suppliers. Their senior dog food is an excellent way to meet your aging dog’s nutritional needs.
Key features:
- Main ingredients: Protein-rich chicken, lamb, and salmon
- 14 superfoods to promote overall good health
- High levels of omega fatty acids
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Best for dogs aged five years and older
This recipe derives its animal protein from salmon, pasture-fed lamb, and farm-raised chicken. These lean animal proteins provide amino acids that help your dog develop strong, lean muscles. It also contains whole grains, which provide essential nutrients for a healthy digestive system that ensures optimum nutrient absorption.
This recipe also contains naturally sourced glucosamine and chondroitin. These compounds promote healthy cartilage and help maintain healthy joints. It also has the right balance of omega fatty acids for healthier skin and a shinier coat.
You won’t find any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives in this dry dog food, and its quality flavor makes it easy to feed picky eaters.
Best Dry Dog Food for Puppies: Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Puppy Food
Blue Buffalo Wilderness has you covered if you’re looking for a high-quality, chicken-based diet for your pup. Loaded with lean protein, fatty acids, and other potent nutrients, this dry dog food provides complete nutrition for young dogs.
Key features:
- High-quality protein from deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal
- Available in two flavors: Chicken Formula Grain-Free and Chicken Formula Large Breed Grain Free
- No corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives
- Ideal for small, medium, and large breed puppies
The main ingredient of this recipe is real chicken, an excellent source of high-quality lean protein. This protein works with sweet potatoes, peas, cranberries, blueberries, and other ingredients to provide carbs, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients to meet your growing pup’s dietary needs.
Additionally, this recipe contains DHA and ARA, essential amino acids present in mother’s milk. These amino acids promote cognitive functions in growing dogs. Your puppy will also get enough calcium and phosphorous for healthy bone development.
This Blue Buffalo Wilderness formula provides the right balance of omega fatty acids to help your pup develop healthy skin and a lustrous coat and has the right-sized kibble for your puppy’s small jaws.
Best Dry Dog Food for Large Dogs: IAMS ProActive Health Adult Large Breed Dog Food
IAMS provides a wide range of products for dogs of all ages, sizes, and health needs. When choosing the best dry dog food for large dogs, it’s essential to go for a recipe that includes nutrients and supplements that promote healthy joints and an overall strong skeletal structure.
IAMS’s recipe is an excellent option if you want a recipe that meets all the nutritional needs of a large breed dog.
Key features:
- Main ingredients: Chicken, ground whole barley, ground whole grain barley, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, chicken by-product meal
- No fillers or artificial preservatives
- Includes only wholesome grain; no wheat or soy
- Healthy supplements
This recipe derives its animal protein from farm-raised chicken and eggs, and this high-quality protein helps your dog develop and maintain strong muscles. It also contains the right balance of vitamins and minerals to provide healthy bones and joints for active large-breed dogs.
It also contains a balanced ratio of wholesome grains, vegetables, prebiotics, and other wholesome fibers to promote efficient digestion and a healthy immune system. Your dog will also get sufficient antioxidants for its overall well-being.
This formula is ideal for large dog breeds that require a diet to support their health and energy needs, but it may not be the best option if you’re looking for a dog food that is exclusively rich in protein.
Best Dry Dog Food for Small Dogs: Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Dog Food
If you want to provide your small breed dog with a balanced, grain-free diet with no artificial additives, Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Dog Food is an ideal choice.
Key features:
- Main ingredients: Venison, garbanzo beans, lamb meal, lentils, peas
- Omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- No grains
- Best for small breed adult dogs
Real venison is the first ingredient in this recipe. It provides a high-quality protein your dog needs for strong muscle development. Lamb, duck, egg, and ocean fish supplement the recipe’s lean protein content.
It contains 36% protein, approximately 36% carbohydrates, and 20% fat, yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%. This small breed dog food formula also has added vitamins and potent antioxidants from real fruits and vegetables to support your dog’s overall well-being.
Additionally, it contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to ensure your dog has a healthy coat and shiny skin. Your dog will also get enough probiotics and prebiotic fiber to promote healthy digestion.
This protein-rich recipe comes in small-sized kibbles to ensure it’s easy on your small breed dog’s teeth and stomach.
Best Dry Dog Food for Active Dogs: Eukanuba Premium Performance 21/13 SPRINT
If you have an active dog and are looking for the best dry dog food, Eukanuba Premium Performance 21/13 SPRINT is an excellent option to consider. This formula offers a perfect blend of nutrients to help active canines maintain optimum performance during regular and intense sprint sports activities.
Key features:
- 21% protein and 13% fat content for optimal energy
- Glucosamine, chondroitin, and EPA for nimble joints
- Sufficient fiber and probiotics for healthy digestion
- Tailored carb levels to provide quick bursts of energy
This Eukanuba Premium Performance formula contains at least 21% protein and 13% fat, with scientifically tailored carbohydrate levels to help your dog maintain optimum performance during intense activities like dock diving, flyball, and agility.
It also contains glucosamine, EPA, and chondroitin sulfate to promote healthy joint development. Your dog will also get an improved blend of fibers and probiotics for efficient digestion. Additionally, this recipe has DHA and plenty of antioxidants to support a healthy brain and overall well-being.
Best Dry Dog Food for Sensitive Skin and Stomach: Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Recipe
If your dog has digestive issues and you’re looking for the best dry dog food, Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Recipe could be an excellent choice. This dog food is ideal for dogs who often get upset stomachs or usually have diarrhea or loose stools.
Key features:
- Main ingredients: Chicken, brewers rice, yellow peas, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley
- Prebiotic fiber for healthy digestion
- Vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat
- Easily digestible for optimum nutrient absorption
Besides being great for sensitive stomachs, this recipe can also help your dog if it exhibits skin problems like dull hair or excessive irritation as it is rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Combined with Vitamin E, these fatty acids make this recipe ideal for dogs with sensitive skin, ensuring your dog has healthy skin and coat. This Hill’s Science Diet formula has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, making it perfect for dogs with a sensitive stomach.
Veterinary nutritionists have tested this recipe to ensure it is easily digestible and has the right balance of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants to meet all your dog’s nutritional needs.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best dry dog foods can be challenging. You need to consider several factors, including your dog’s size, age, breed, and health condition. Whether you’re looking for the best dry dog food for large breeds, puppies, small breeds, or any other dogs, we hope this review helps you find the best dry dog food for your companion’s specific needs.
