Choosing the right dry dog food is crucial for your furry friend’s health and well-being. With countless options available, it can be overwhelming to make the best decision. To simplify your search, we’ve consulted with veterinarians and surveyed hundreds of dog owners to identify the top Dry Dog Food Brands that prioritize nutrition, quality, and palatability. This guide will help you navigate the world of dry dog food and select the perfect kibble to keep your canine companion happy and healthy.
Top Dry Dog Food Picks
Best Overall: Hill’s Science Diet
Best Subscription: Ollie Dog Food
Best Budget: Iams Dog Food
Best for Puppies: Purina Pro Plan
Best Whole Grains: Fromm Family Pet Food
Best Organic: Tender & True Dog Food
Best for Large Dogs: Royal Canin Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
Best Store Brand: Kirkland Signature Adult Formula Dog Food
Also Great: Purina ONE Dog Food
Best Overall
Hill’s Science Diet
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PHOTO: Hill’s
Buy at Amazon | Buy at Chewy | Buy at Walmart
What We Like:
- Formulated with easily digestible ingredients, ideal for sensitive dogs.
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, ensuring natural nutrition.
- Available in both dry and wet food options to suit different preferences.
- Offers specialized formulas catering to various breed sizes and specific health needs.
What We Don’t Like:
- Price point is higher compared to some budget brands.
Hill’s Science Diet dry dog food stands out as the best overall choice due to its veterinarian-developed formulas and commitment to high-quality ingredients. Manufactured in the USA, this brand adheres to stringent safety standards, mirroring those of human food production. Hill’s Science Diet offers a wide array of dry kibble formulations designed for every life stage, breed size, and specific health concern. Whether your dog has food sensitivities, requires dental support, or needs help with weight management, there’s likely a Hill’s Science Diet formula tailored to their needs.
The primary ingredient is real animal protein, complemented by human-grade components providing essential vitamins and nutrients. Dog owners in our survey reported consistent positive outcomes, including improved digestion and fewer dietary issues when feeding Hill’s Science Diet dry food. While the cost may be a consideration for some, the brand’s focus on quality and targeted nutrition makes it a worthwhile investment for your dog’s long-term health. For dogs with specific medical conditions, Hill’s Prescription Diet offers specialized veterinary formulas, available with a prescription from your veterinarian.
Life Stage: Puppy, Adult, Senior | Food Type: Dry, Wet | Breed Size: Mini, Small, Medium, Large
Best Subscription
Ollie Dog Food
Buy at Petco | View on Myollie.com
What We Like:
- Offers the flexibility to choose between fresh, gently baked dry food, or a combination.
- Provides virtual consultations with licensed veterinary professionals for personalized advice.
- Subscription service allows for convenient home delivery and customizable orders including supplements and treats.
- Available at select Petco locations for added accessibility.
What We Don’t Like:
- May be less economical for owners of very active, large breed dogs due to portion sizes and cost.
Ollie Dog Food excels as the best subscription service, emphasizing human-grade ingredients and vet-formulated recipes in their dry kibble and fresh food options. This brand prioritizes customization, allowing you to select fresh food, baked kibble, or a mix, catering to your dog’s textural preferences. You can further personalize your subscription by adding supplements, dental chews, and treats.
Upon subscribing, you’ll complete a detailed questionnaire about your dog’s specifics – age, breed, weight, activity level, allergies, and current diet. This information ensures tailored meal recommendations and grants you access to complimentary virtual consultations with veterinary health professionals via the Ollie app. Unlike some subscription-only brands, Ollie’s dry dog food is also available in select Petco stores, providing flexibility and consistency. While Ollie is a premium option with plans starting around $4 daily for smaller dogs, the quality, customization, and veterinary support justify the investment for many dog owners seeking top-tier dry dog food.
Life Stage: All | Food Type: Refrigerated, Dry | Breed Size: All
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ALT: Ollie dog food delivery box showcasing fresh dog food subscription service.
Best Budget
Iams Dog Food
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PHOTO: IAMS
Buy at Amazon | View at Chewy | Buy at Walmart
What We Like:
- Offers a range of formulations designed for specific health needs and life stages.
- Made with human-grade ingredients, ensuring quality and safety.
- Widely accessible in various retail locations and online.
What We Don’t Like:
- Recipes contain byproduct meals and fillers, which are less desirable for some dog owners.
For budget-conscious dog owners, Iams Dog Food provides an excellent balance of affordability and nutritional value in their dry kibble. Iams offers a comprehensive selection of dry dog foods tailored to different ages, lifestyles, and sizes, including specialized formulas for weight management, joint support, and digestive health. This budget-friendly brand ensures wide availability in major retailers, supermarkets, and online stores.
Iams dry dog food recipes prioritize meat or fish as the first ingredient, followed by fiber, grains, and omega-6 fatty acids to support digestion, energy, and overall well-being. While Iams incorporates byproduct meals and fillers in their recipes, it remains a popular choice among dog owners seeking quality dry dog food at an accessible price point. Dog owners in our survey appreciate the variety and palatability of Iams dry food, though some would prefer recipes with more vegetable content.
Life Stage: Puppy, Adult, Senior | Food Type: Dry, Wet | Breed Size: Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large
Best for Puppies
Purina Pro Plan
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PHOTO: Purina
Buy at Amazon | View at Chewy | View at Petco
What We Like:
- Offers specialized puppy formulas for different breed sizes and health needs.
- Contains calcium and phosphorus to support healthy teeth and bone development in puppies.
- Includes DHA for optimal brain and vision development.
- Enriched with antioxidants and probiotics to bolster immune and digestive health.
- Formulated with glucosamine to support joint health and mobility.
What We Don’t Like:
- Recipes may include corn gluten meal, protein byproduct meal, and/or pea protein, which are less preferred by some owners.
Purina Pro Plan stands out as the best dry dog food for puppies, offering a budget-friendly and widely available range designed to meet the unique nutritional demands of growing dogs. Recommended by veterinarians and trusted by numerous dog owners, Purina Pro Plan puppy formulas are crafted to support healthy development. Over 50 dog parents in our survey feed their puppies Purina Pro Plan dry food, citing veterinarian recommendations as a key factor.
Purina Pro Plan provides both large and small breed puppy formulas, packed with protein to fuel energetic puppies. Real meat or fish is the primary ingredient in these kibble recipes. To support crucial development stages, each serving is fortified with calcium, phosphorus, and DHA (from fish oil) for strong bones, teeth, brain, and vision. Antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals are added to promote a healthy immune system and digestive tract. While some recipes may contain byproduct meals, corn gluten meal, and pea protein, Purina Pro Plan remains a highly recommended dry dog food choice for puppies, especially considering its nutritional profile and veterinary endorsement.
Life Stage: Puppy, Adult, Senior | Food Type: Dry, Wet | Breed Size: Small, Medium, Large
Best Whole Grains
Fromm Family Pet Food
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PHOTO: Fromm
Buy at Amazon | View at Petflow.com | View at Petsuppliesplus.com
What We Like:
- Utilizes human-grade ingredients, including quality meat, fish, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
- Formulas are free from fillers like corn syrup, artificial flavors, and white flour.
- Family-owned and operated company with a long history in pet food manufacturing in Wisconsin.
What We Don’t Like:
- Availability is less widespread compared to major dog food brands; often found in specialty pet stores.
- Packaging may be less user-friendly compared to some contemporary brands.
Fromm Family Pet Food earns the title of best whole grains dry dog food, with a legacy dating back to 1904. This family-owned Wisconsin-based company is committed to using human-grade ingredients sourced from vetted farms. Fromm dry dog food recipes feature meat, fish, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, ensuring wholesome nutrition for your dog. All Fromm dry kibble formulas include probiotics for digestive health, omega fatty acids for a shiny coat, amino acids for muscle function, and high-quality complex carbohydrates for sustained energy and fiber. They avoid nutritionally empty fillers like artificial flavors, corn syrup, and white flour.
Fromm offers dry and wet dog food options for puppies, adults, and seniors, with formulations tailored for small and large breeds, as well as specific needs like weight management and food sensitivities. While Fromm dry dog food may be less readily available in mainstream pet stores, its commitment to quality ingredients and balanced nutrition makes it a top choice for owners seeking whole grain-based kibble.
Life Stage: Puppy, Adult, Senior | Food Type: Dry, Wet | Breed Size: Small, Medium, Large, Giant
Best Organic
Tender & True Dog Food
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PHOTO: Courtesy of Amazon
Buy at Amazon | View at Chewy | Buy at Walmart
What We Like:
- Made with USDA-certified organic ingredients, ensuring the highest standards of organic farming.
- Certified by Animal Welfare, reflecting ethical and humane treatment of animals in ingredient sourcing.
- Offers balanced formulas suitable for all life stages of dogs.
What We Don’t Like:
- Palatability may vary; not all dogs are equally enthusiastic about the flavor.
- Wet food can sizes are inconsistent across different recipes.
Tender & True Dog Food earns the distinction of best organic dry dog food, committed to using USDA-certified organic ingredients. This brand works closely with third-party experts to ensure ethical sourcing from farms and fisheries that prioritize humane animal treatment and avoid antibiotics, hormones, and GMOs. Tender & True offers two organic dry kibble recipes optimized for small breeds, and two organic recipes for all sizes and life stages in both dry and wet formats, plus a freeze-dried raw formula. All recipes are grain-free, manufactured in the USA, and free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors.
Tender & True dry dog food provides peace of mind for owners seeking organic, ethically sourced kibble. While the palatability might not appeal to every dog, and wet food can sizes vary, the brand’s dedication to organic and humane practices makes it a top choice in the organic dry dog food category.
Life Stage: All | Food Type: Dry, Wet, Treats | Breed Size: All
Best for Large Dogs
Royal Canin Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
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PHOTO: Amazon
Buy at Amazon | Buy at Chewy | View at Petco
What We Like:
- Offers specialized formulas for large (56+ pounds) and giant (100+ pounds) breed dogs.
- Formulated with science-backed nutrition to meet the specific needs of large breeds.
- Encourages mixing wet and dry food to enhance variety and palatability.
- Provides a wide range of recipes tailored to age, size, breed, and health concerns.
What We Don’t Like:
- Kibble size can vary between bags of the same recipe, which can be inconsistent.
- Often lists meat byproduct meal as the first ingredient, which some owners prefer to avoid.
Royal Canin Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food is the top choice for large dogs, recognizing their unique physiological needs. Large breeds are prone to joint and cardiac stress, making targeted nutrition crucial. Royal Canin’s dry kibble formulas for large (56-100 lbs) and giant breeds (100+ lbs) are scientifically formulated to address these concerns, incorporating taurine, glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids (EPA and DHA) to support heart and joint health. Royal Canin utilizes science-led nutrition to create palatable dry and wet dog foods.
Beyond large breeds, Royal Canin offers a wide variety of dry dog food formulas for all ages, sizes, and specific health issues, including breed-specific recipes for breeds like Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. While Royal Canin dry dog food uses meat byproduct meal as a primary ingredient, it is nutritionally balanced and protein-rich. Some inconsistencies in kibble size have been noted. However, Royal Canin’s focus on science-backed nutrition and breed-specific needs makes their large breed dry food a leading choice.
Life Stage: Puppy, Junior, Adult, Mature, Senior | Food Type: Dry, Wet | Breed Size: Very Small, Small, Medium, Large, Giant
Best Store Brand
Kirkland Signature Adult Formula Dog Food
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PHOTO: Amazon
Buy at Walmart | View at Costco.com
What We Like:
- Features highly digestible chicken and egg protein sources.
- Contains probiotics and prebiotics, beneficial for dogs with sensitive stomachs and digestion.
- Includes glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health, especially important for aging dogs.
What We Don’t Like:
- Ingredient sourcing transparency is limited, which may concern some owners.
Kirkland Signature Adult Formula Dog Food, Costco’s store brand, offers premium dry dog food at a fair price, making it the best store brand pick. Kirkland provides a range of dry kibble formulas for all life stages, including puppies, adults, mature dogs, small breeds, and weight management. Kirkland Signature Adult Dog Food comes in flavors like chicken, salmon, lamb, and turkey, with a wet food stew option. Most dry formulas include probiotics and prebiotics for digestive support and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
While ingredient sourcing information is limited, user reviews suggest positive long-term health outcomes, indicating consistent quality. Purchasing directly from Costco ensures freshness. Be cautious when buying Kirkland dry dog food from third-party retailers, as prices may be higher and freshness less guaranteed. Kirkland Signature dry dog food offers a reliable and affordable option for quality nutrition.
Life Stage: Puppy, Adult, Mature | Food Type: Dry, Wet | Breed Size: All
Also Great
Purina ONE Dog Food
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PHOTO: Walmart
View at Amazon | View at Chewy | Buy at Walmart
What We Like:
- Formulated with natural ingredients and fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
- Recipes are made without fillers, focusing on nutritional density.
- Offers effective formulas for dogs with sensitive stomachs and weight management needs.
What We Don’t Like:
- Ingredients include byproduct meals, which are not preferred by all dog owners.
Purina ONE Dog Food is another excellent dry dog food option, offering a wide range of formulas for general maintenance and specific health concerns. Purina ONE provides dry kibble options for joint health, cognitive support, and skin sensitivities, all made in the USA with natural ingredients, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, without fillers. Over 40 dog owners in our survey reported positive results using Purina ONE dry food to manage their dogs’ sensitive stomachs and weight.
Purina ONE is more widely accessible and often more affordable than Purina Pro Plan, while maintaining a comparable quality to Iams, our Best Budget pick. While Purina ONE dry dog food recipes include byproduct meals, it remains a popular and effective choice for many dog owners seeking reliable and reasonably priced kibble.
Life Stage: Puppy, Adult, Senior | Food Type: Dry, Wet | Breed Size: Small, Medium, Large
Final Verdict
For most dogs, Hill’s Science Diet dry dog food is our top recommendation. Their extensive range of recipes ensures a formula for every dog’s nutritional needs and taste preferences. If affordability is a key factor, Iams dry dog food provides quality wet and dry options with meat or fish as the primary protein source, catering to various ages and sizes.
What to Look For in a Dry Dog Food Brand
When choosing a dry dog food brand, consider these key factors:
Intended Life Stage: Select a dry dog food formulated for your dog’s specific life stage—puppy, adult, or senior—as nutritional needs vary with age, size, lifestyle, and health conditions. Consult your veterinarian if you are unsure about your dog’s specific needs.
Nutritional Adequacy Statement: Look for an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutritional adequacy statement on the packaging. This confirms the dry dog food meets established nutritional standards for your dog’s life stage. Avoid foods labeled “short-term,” “intermittent,” or “complementary” as they are not nutritionally complete.
Veterinary Nutritionist Formulated: Opt for dry dog food brands that employ veterinary nutritionists, ideally with a Ph.D. in animal nutrition. These experts ensure recipes are scientifically formulated for optimal canine health. Brands like Hill’s Science Diet prioritize veterinary nutritional expertise.
Dry Food vs. Wet Food: Both dry kibble and wet food can be nutritionally balanced. Dry dog food is convenient and often more economical. You can also mix dry and wet food, adjusting portions accordingly to avoid overfeeding.
How We Found the Best Dry Dog Food Brands
Our recommendations are based on a comprehensive evaluation process. We surveyed 407 dog owners to understand their priorities when choosing dry dog food brands, including veterinarian recommendations, ingredient quality, value, and availability. We gathered details about dogs’ sizes, breeds, and ages to ensure our picks cater to a wide range of needs. This combined approach of expert consultation and real-world dog owner feedback informed our selection of the best dry dog food brands.
FAQ
What is the best way to find out if a dry dog food brand is recalled?
Consult your veterinarian immediately if you suspect a dry dog food recall. The FDA website also provides a current list of recalls and withdrawals with reasons for the recall.
Is it bad to mix dry dog food brands?
It is generally recommended to stick to one type of dry dog food to avoid gastrointestinal upset. Frequent switching can be disruptive to your dog’s digestive system. If your current dry dog food is not nutritionally complete, consult your vet about switching or supplementing your dog’s diet.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
This guide is updated by Anna Mejorada, a pet product expert at The Spruce Pets and owner of a Pomeranian. We combine thorough research, expert consultation, and feedback from a large survey of dog owners to provide reliable and practical dry dog food recommendations. Previous versions of this guide incorporated insights from Camryn Rabideau and veterinary guidance from Dr. Jennifer Frione, DVM, ensuring a comprehensive and trustworthy resource for dog owners.
