Choosing the right dry dog food can feel like a daunting task, with countless brands vying for attention on pet store shelves. While kibble offers a convenient and often cost-effective feeding solution, navigating the plethora of options to find genuinely high-quality choices is a significant challenge. After consulting with trusted veterinarians and conducting thorough research, we’ve identified top-tier dry dog foods that prioritize premium ingredients and balanced nutrition. While Open Farm stands out as an excellent overall choice due to its sustainable and high-quality ingredients, we understand that no single option suits every dog. Therefore, this guide presents a curated list of expert-approved selections catering to diverse canine needs and preferences.
Our Top Recommendations for Dry Dog Food
Best Dry Dog Food Overall: Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef & Ancient Grains
Open Farm distinguishes itself in the pet food industry through its unwavering commitment to ethically sourced, sustainable, and traceable ingredients. This Canadian brand ensures that its meats, fish, and poultry are humanely raised, offering dual benefits of superior nutrition for dogs and a reduced environmental impact. Open Farm kibbles are free from artificial preservatives, chemicals, and low-quality fillers. Holistic veterinarian Dr. Candice Akers highlights the brand’s easily digestible carbohydrates as ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or senior dogs. Furthermore, Open Farm provides grain-free recipes and a specialized puppy formula, making it a versatile choice for dogs at various life stages.
Senior updates editor for Forbes Vetted, Karen Tietjen, shares her long-term positive experience: “We’ve been feeding my dog Open Farm for years and we’ve stuck with this brand because company uses quality, traceable ingredients. She is nine years old and quite healthy, and while we supplement her diet with real foods, I feel good knowing she’s eating nutritious kibble—I always recommend it to friends, too! Overall, I think it’s a great option for those who don’t have the time or budget to feed their dogs raw.”
Best Grain-Free Dry Dog Food: Merrick Limited Ingredient Recipe
For dogs with sensitivities or allergies, particularly to common proteins like chicken and turkey, Merrick’s Grain-Free Salmon and Sweet Potato recipe is a highly recommended option. Dr. Nick Horniman, a U.K.-based veterinary surgeon, notes its suitability for dogs with sensitive stomachs due to its focus on real deboned salmon as the primary ingredient. This natural recipe is also free from soy, corn, wheat, dairy, eggs, and artificial additives, making it a clean and beneficial choice for adult dogs of all sizes.
Best Freeze-Dried Dog Food: Stella & Chewy’s Stella’s Super Beef Dinner Patties
Freeze-dried raw foods, being less processed than traditional kibble, offer significant dietary advantages. Dr. Candice Akers favors Stella & Chewy’s Super Beef Dinner Patties for their nutrient density, containing a rich blend of beef, organ meats (liver, kidney, heart, tripe), and bone. These ingredients are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Akers also commends the brand’s practice of separating proteins, which is beneficial for dogs with food sensitivities.
Brinda Ayer, Forbes Vetted’s executive managing editor, adds a personal endorsement: “I like to mix up our dog’s dinner from time to time with the Stella & Chewy Super Beef Dinner Patties. I take about half of a patty and crumble it up over George’s kibble and he goes absolutely wild. The first five ingredients of these medallions are pure beef meat and organs, then assorted produce like pumpkin, broccoli, beets and blueberries, so I know George is getting a full slate of nutrition without any weird stuff.” Ayer also points out their convenience for travel, as the lightweight patties can be crumbled as high-value treats.
Best Raw-Coated Dry Dog Food: Stella & Chewy’s Raw-Coated Grain-Free Kibble
Stella & Chewy’s Raw Coated Kibble offers a compelling combination of kibble convenience and raw food nutrition. Dr. Akers recommends this high-protein formula, featuring a variety of responsibly sourced meats like beef, pork, lamb, bison, venison, and goat. The brand avoids harmful chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, and artificial ingredients. Available in both grain-inclusive and grain-free varieties, this kibble is designed to provide a wholesome meal. However, Dr. Akers advises a gradual transition for dogs accustomed to diets heavy in corn or rice, as some dogs may initially find the shift challenging.
Best Dry Dog Food For Puppies: Nulo Freestyle Puppy Grain-Free Recipe
Nulo’s puppy formula is a top choice recommended by Dr. Horniman, featuring at least 80% animal-based protein from real salmon or turkey. This formula is enriched with fruits and vegetables like carrots, blueberries, and apples, supporting healthy growth and development. Key fatty acids are included to promote brain and eye development. Notably, the Freestyle Puppy formula is free from grains, poultry, and eggs, making it suitable for puppies with sensitivities or allergies.
Best Dry Dog Food For Seniors: Open Farm Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food
For senior dogs, an easily digestible diet is crucial. Dr. Akers recommends Open Farm’s Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food, which features easily digestible carbohydrates balanced with various animal proteins. This formula is also enhanced with essential fatty acids to support joint health and mobility, alongside vitamins that aid digestion.
Best Dry Dog Food For Small Breeds: Orijen Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Dr. Akers highlights Orijen’s Small Breed formula as an excellent example of high-quality kibble for pint-sized dogs. The ingredient list emphasizes whole-prey animal proteins, nutrient-dense organ meats, legumes, superfoods, and herbs. With 85% animal-based protein, this formula is designed to meet the high energy demands of small dogs while helping them maintain a healthy weight.
Why Trust Our Recommendations
The Forbes Vetted team is dedicated to rigorous research, expert interviews, and hands-on testing to identify the best pet products. Our canine-related articles, including those on the best dog beds and leashes, reflect our commitment to helping owners provide healthy and happy lives for their pets. We consulted directly with holistic veterinarians and veterinary nutritionists to understand the critical factors in choosing dry dog food, especially for dogs with specific needs. Transparency in ingredient sourcing and adherence to AAFCO nutritional standards were paramount in our selection process. Customer reviews and real-world experiences further validated our choices, ensuring all recommended foods consistently achieve high ratings.
Key Factors When Choosing Dry Dog Food
High-Quality Animal Protein
Prioritize dry dog foods that list clearly named animal proteins, such as beef, chicken, or fish, as primary ingredients. Veterinarians advise against foods that heavily rely on grains, legumes, or ambiguous “meat meals” for protein. Brands like Open Farm and Stella & Chewy’s clearly list animal-based proteins, ensuring digestible nutrition from trusted sources. Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef & Ancient Grains and Stella & Chewy’s Super Beef Dinner Patties exemplify this standard.
AAFCO Compliance
Always look for an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutritional adequacy statement on the food label. This confirms the food is complete and balanced according to industry standards, ensuring your dog receives essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Nulo Freestyle Puppy Recipe and other recommended foods clearly display these compliance statements.
No Artificial Additives or Fillers
Avoid foods containing artificial preservatives, fillers, and additives like BHA, BHT, dyes, or processed byproducts. Opt for brands with transparent ingredient lists. Orijen Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food and Merrick Limited Ingredient Recipe are excellent choices that avoid these detrimental ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the most vet-recommended dry dog food?
While veterinarians rarely agree on a single “best” dry food, they generally endorse brands with high-quality, transparent ingredients and ethical sourcing. Open Farm and Stella & Chewy’s are frequently mentioned by holistic vets for their ingredient integrity and standards. However, the most personalized recommendation will come from your own veterinarian, who understands your dog’s specific needs.
What do vets say about dry dog food?
Many veterinarians view dry dog food as a nutritious, convenient, and budget-friendly option. They stress the importance of quality, recommending that owners look for the AAFCO statement to ensure nutritional completeness and balance. Vets also advise prioritizing foods with named animal proteins and minimal artificial additives or fillers. Consulting your vet is crucial for selecting the best option for your individual dog.
What is the healthiest food to feed a dog?
The healthiest diet is highly individual, depending on your dog’s age, health status, and specific dietary requirements. While fresh or human-grade foods are increasingly recommended, high-quality dry foods, such as the top picks from Open Farm, can also provide excellent nutrition. The ultimate goal is a diet tailored to your dog’s unique needs, best determined in consultation with your veterinarian.
