It can be a little overwhelming choosing the best dry dog food. With a plethora of different options out there, picking something that your dog will love, but while also satisfying their dietary requirements and not breaking the bank can be a challenge.
That’s before you’ve considered whether dry dog food is best, or if wet food is a more appropriate choice for your dog? There’s no one size fits all answer, but, kibble is a good choice for many reasons - it’s neater than wet food, can be left out for fussy or slow eaters without going bad, and doesn’t generally require any special storage options. Our best wet food guide also has tips for choosing a wet food if you want to mix it into your dog's normal kibble!
When thinking about the food you’re going to buy, make sure you check dog food ingredients carefully to make sure it provides everything your pooch needs. Protein should ideally come from a high-quality source, and it should also contain healthy fats to promote good brain health, as well as carbohydrates to keep energy levels high. It’s important to also think about vitamins, minerals and fiber too to keep your dog’s body running as smoothly as possible.
We spoke to Dr. Hannah Godfrey on choosing the best dry dog food, and how to pick the best food for your pet.
When choosing the best dry dog food for your dog, you’ll need to make sure it matches their life stage. I recommend puppies are fed puppy food while they are still growing, and this will vary depending on their breed. For instance, a large breed dog like a Labrador or Golden Retriever will continue growing until over a year old, while a breed like a Yorkshire Terrier will probably be done growing by 10 months or so. On the other hand, senior food is suitable for dogs over 7 or 8 years old.
PetsRadar's pick of the best dry dog food
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If you're looking for a reputable brand that offers high quality nutrition with everything your pup needs to thrive, then Purina ONE is hard to beat. Featuring real lamb as the first ingredient, this meaty kibble supports strong muscles and a healthy heart while also being great for the immune system.
Made with high-quality ingredients, including natural prebiotic fiber, Purina ONE Lamb & Rice Formula is easy to digest and nurtures your dog’s digestive microbiome to ensure their gut functions optimally.
High in protein, it also comes packed with Omega 6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals to support the skin and coat while also adding a sparkle to the eyes. You'll also find it increases energy levels and has natural sources of glucosamine to help maintain healthy joints.
One of the best value kibbles we've seen in a long time, this humongous 31 lb pack costs around $21, so it's ideal if you're on a budget and are looking for a complete and balanced formula that won't break the bank.
Granted, it hasn't got the super clean ingredient list that you would expect from expensive brands, but it still offers good nutrition that has everything your pup needs to thrive - including plenty of vegetables.
While it may not be free from gluten and fillers, it is antioxidant-rich and includes 23 essential vitamins and minerals. Super crunchy and with a rich meaty taste, this kibble is proving to be super popular amongst both pet parents and their canine companions thanks to its delicious flavor and outstanding value for money.
Wellness has an extensive range of wet and dry dog foods that are made in the USA from globally sourced ingredients, and our top pick from its line-up is its Complete Health Deboned Chicken and Oatmeal kibble.
Designed for whole body nutritional support, it extensive list of ingredients includes high quality protein in the form of chicken, wholesome grains including oatmeal and ground barley, plus antioxidant-rich, immunity-boosting blueberries and spinach.
With such a wide range of ingredients, of course, it's entirely possible that there are elements in there that your pooch won't take to, and reviews suggest that there are a few dogs out there who aren't keen, so if you're planning to introduce your pup to this dry dog food you might want to switch it over gradually.
Its quality kibbles measure around 10mm across, so are a good size for most dogs to munch comfortably, and they're packed with fiber and probiotics as well as omega fatty acids plus vitamin A and calcium, so they're definitely a healthy option.
One word of warning, though: only the smallest 5lb bag is resealable, so if you're planning on buying in bulk you should find a suitable container in order to keep things nice and fresh.
A hit with both pet parents and their furkids, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is one of the best natural kibbles available today. With real lamb as the first ingredient, and using only the highest-quality proteins and ingredients, this nutritious and delicious dry dog food ticks all the boxes.
Packed full of wholesome whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal, and overflowing with an array of healthy garden vegetables, this fiber-rich formula supports a healthy digestive system while still being gentle on the gastrointestinal tract, making it superb for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Featuring Blue’s exclusive antioxidant-rich Lifesource Bits that have been designed by holistic vets and animal nutritionists to deliver all the vitamins and minerals your furkid needs to thrive, it’s suitable for all life stages, and promotes a strong immune system and a healthy oxidative balance.
With calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, glucosamine for joint health, and an optimal balance of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for a shiny coat and soft skin, it also contains cranberries to help prevent urinary tract infections.
Free-from poultry by-products, corn, wheat, soy, and artificial flavors and preservatives, this high-quality natural kibble excludes all the potential allergens found in other brands. Containing everything your doggy needs and none of what they don’t, this food has been designed to ensure your canine companion thrives.
When it comes to premium dog foods based around your dog’s biological nutritional needs, Orijen is really hard to beat.
It uses only fresh and raw meats sourced locally in the USA in an assortment of formulas catering for dogs in all life stages from puppy to senior.
Orijen’s brand motto, as suggested by the name, focuses on producing high-quality dog food mixes that closely match that of their gray wolf ancestors – high in protein and low in carbohydrates, especially from high-glycemic sources such as potatoes.
Their Original dry dog food is trademarked as 'Biologically Appropriate' by satisfying various meat-quality criteria; two-thirds fresh or raw and one-third dehydrated or raw meats, including chicken, turkey, mackerel, herring, and sardine.
This results in a market-leading minimum of 85% meat inclusion in their formula and produces a macro-nutrient breakdown of 43% protein, 21% fat and only 28% estimated carbohydrates.
With the majority of the fat coming from meat sources and whole eggs, the carbohydrates are sourced from an impressively diverse range of low-glycemic, highly digestible fruit and vegetables, ranging from fresh pumpkin and zucchini to blueberries, cranberries and brown kelp.
If we’re being cautious, the inclusion of whole peas may cause stomach irritation in some dogs, but it’s hard to find much wrong with the nutritional profile of this product.
The primary downside of Orijen dry dog food is its price, but if you can afford it you won’t find a more complete dry option on the market.
For the youngest furry member of your family, it’s hard to go past IAMS with their solid reputation for providing quality wet and dry food dishes that are always hugely popular with dogs.
Created to fit a puppy’s specific needs, this kibble features real, farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient to promote strong muscles, plus essential minerals to help build strong bones.
Veterinarian-recommend, it contains 22 key nutrients like those found in mother’s milk, including omega-3 DHA to promote healthy cognition and comes enriched with antioxidants to help develop a robust immune system.
Offering complete and balanced nutrition, this kibble contains no artificial preservatives, flavors, or fillers.
Like humans, as dogs age, their health and stamina slowly decline and their bodies lose the ability to repair themselves and maintain normal body functions.
As a result, when looking for options to suit your ageing pooch, formulas high in protein and fiber with an adequate fat balance and suitable carbohydrate levels could be the best option.
Nutro ticks these boxes, offering a minimum crude protein content of 24% coming from whole chicken, as well as high-quality lamb and chicken meals to maintain your dog’s lean muscle mass and satiety.
The formula’s real strength lies in its rich superfood profile to promote glossy coats and increased energy, including Vitamin B-rich oatmeal, Flaxseed, Chia seeds, and Chicken fat as sources of healthy omegas and dried fruit and vegetables like kale, spinach, pumpkin, and blueberries.
Alongside glucosamine and chondroitin for optimal joint health, chelated minerals (ones that are chemically attached to proteins) to aid digestion are included, an ingredient typically added in higher-quality dog foods.
With a 24% protein content, and a fat level of 12% the formula represents an above-average protein, and below-average fat content when compared to its competitors.
The formula doesn’t include added probiotics, something usually included in senior dog food formulas to improve nutrient absorption. It also opts for sunflower oil over higher Omega 3 oils, such as flaxseed or canola.
Additionally, the formula includes three different rice products (brown rice, brewers rice, rice bran). Rice bran is considered a strong source of fiber, while brown rice and brewers rice provide only a modest nutritional benefit to dogs, primarily as a source of energy, but can be harder to digest.
But overall, the formula is one of the top options for ageing dogs, particularly with regards to the strength of the macro and micro-nutrient offering from its high superfood content.
If your dog suffers from digestive issues, then Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin is specially formulated to help. The brand features prebiotic fiber to fuel gut bacteria and support a balanced microbiome, as well as natural, good quality ingredients, to support your dog's digestive health.
For dogs that are particularly prone to loose stools or are especially picky eaters, Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin has helped plenty of dogs enjoy a stable diet free from stomach complaints and their owners enjoy peace of mind.
It can be used for all breed sizes, but if you have a puppy in the household or your dog is currently pregnant, you'll want to consider another product. However, Hill's Science Diet do have a wide range of dog foods so if you've been intrigued to try the brand but have a young dog in the family, you can try their puppy formula instead.
If you've been considering buying the product on the basis of skin issues, it's important to note that skin problems in dogs can be caused by different medical issues, including skin allergies, so look to check in with your vet before purchase as you might find they actually require medication instead.
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin can help to create a shiny coat, but shouldn't be considered as a complete solution to this problem.
Best dry dog food: FAQs
How to choose the right dry dog food
Choosing the right dry dog food for your pet requires considering several factors before making a decision.
The first thing to consider is whether your dog has special needs. Age, disease, activity level, and allergies all play a part in picking an appropriate kibble.
You'll also want an option that fits in your budget, and that your dog actually wants to eat. This means taking a look at the ingredients, and opting for a choice that is high in protein, carbohydrates, and balanced nutrients.
Which dried dog food is best?
There is no one size fits all dry dog food, because each dog has its own needs. When choosing a dog food you want an FDA approved food that includes a balance of ingredients to ensure it has everything your furry friend needs to thrive.
When choosing a dog food, it may take time to find the kibble that fits your budget, and your pooch's needs. Remember the most important thing is finding an option your dog will eat, so they have all the vitamins and minerals they need for a long life of wagging tails, and belly rubs!
Read next: How to increase your dog's appetite.
Dr Hannah Godfrey studied Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College London. After graduating in 2011, Dr Godfrey went on to become a veterinary surgeon, conducting surgery consultations on a range of animals at a small independent practice in Cardiff, South Wales, UK. Dr Godfrey has a strong interest in soft tissue surgery. When she’s not helping animals back on their feet, Dr Godfrey writes a number of veterinary and animal-focused articles.
