Verified as of October 2024

Best Dog Food

The best dog foods provide a balanced blend of high-quality ingredients, designed to support your dog’s overall health and well-being. Formulated by experts, these options include a mix of protein-rich meats, wholesome grains, and essential vitamins and minerals tailored to your dog’s breed, size, age, and activity level.
Written by Julia Ogden
Verified by Laura Ward
1
Save 50% On Your First Order + Free Shipping!
Human-grade
Fresh, named meats
Complete and balanced
Vet-formulated
Review summary

The Farmer’s Dog is a premium fresh food range made up of four recipes – beef, turkey, chicken and pork. All the formulas are suitable for dogs at all life stages.

 

Laura Ward, the Dog Food Advisor’s pet nutritionist is a big fan, calling the food “outstanding.”

 

Laura said: “The Farmer’s Dog recipes are created by board-certified veterinary nutritionists and deliver high levels of protein without too much fat. We find The Farmer’s Dog Food to be an outstanding, grain-free range. Each recipe uses a generous amount of fresh named meat as its main protein source and none of the ingredients are controversial… thus earning the brand a 5 star rating.

star
star
star
star
star
Highly Recommended
1
20% Off + Free Shipping With Code DFA20
Humanely-raised meats
Sustainable packaging
Complete & balanced recipes
Beneficial for dogs with allergies
Review summary

Open Farm Grain-Free is a dry dog food range made from premium, ethically sourced ingredients such as humanely-raised meats and sustainable fish.

 

By avoiding grains this product line, which consists of 11 recipes, can be beneficial for dogs with grain sensitivities or allergies. Instead, Open Farm uses alternative carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, lentils, and chickpeas which tend to be more gentle on digestion and provide sustained energy.

 

Open Farm is known for its ingredient transparency. You can trace the origin of every ingredient back to the source and none of the recipes contain artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. This makes it an appealing choice for pet parents who want to know exactly what’s in their dog’s food and what they are consuming.

star
star
star
star
star
Highly Recommended
1
Exclusive! 60% Off + Free Shipping On First Orders
Vet-designed
Complete & balanced
Human-grade ingredients
Suitable for all dogs and puppies
Review summary

Ollie fresh dog food is made up of five vet-designed recipes suitable for dogs at all life stages. They are made from quality ingredients, which contain protein from human-grade meat sources, as well as recognizable grains, fruits and vegetables.

 

These formulas — turkey with blueberries, chicken with carrots, beef with sweet potatoes, lamb with cranberries and pork with apples – are the closest you’ll get to feeding your dog human food.

 

Many pet parents who have switched to fresh food report noticeable improvements in their dog’s overall health and well-being. These anecdotal reports are supported by some scientific evidence suggesting that fresh food can be more digestible and nutrient-rich.

star
star
star
star
star
Highly Recommended
1
Exclusive 40% off first orders of Redbarn puppy food
Packed with protein
High levels of fat
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
Easily digestible
Review summary

Redbarn Grain-Free Puppy recipe is a 5-star rated food formulated specifically for the nutritional needs of growing puppies, containing higher levels of protein and fat — essential for the development of strong muscles, bones, and maintaining energy levels.

 

It is one of five dry foods in a premium grain-free range made by Redbarn, a family-owned business founded more than 25 years ago.

 

This particular recipe includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support brain development, vision, and a healthy coat and skin, crucial for growing puppies. It also contains ingredients that are easy on a puppy’s developing digestive system — such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes and peas — thus helping to reduce a digestive upset or sensitivity.

star
star
star
star
star
Highly Recommended
1
Just Food For Dogs
Huge! Get 50% Off Your First Order
Human-grade ingredients
Designed to support aging bodies
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
Review summary

Just Food for Dogs Pantry Fresh Joint & Skin Support is especially beneficial for older dogs that need extra support for their joints.

 

It is one of nine recipes in a fresh food range made by Just Food For Dogs, a company founded in 2010 by entrepreneur Shawn Buckley.

 

This particular formula is designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of senior dogs, with a focus on supporting muscle maintenance, joint health, and skin vitality. It provides a balanced mix of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals to support a dog’s aging body.

star
star
star
star
star
Highly Recommended
1
50% off + Free Shipping On First Orders
Customized portions
Whole food ingredients
High in protein
Easily digestible
Review summary

Nom Nom dog food is a great option for small breed dogs because the fresh, whole-food ingredients are easy for small breeds to digest.

 

With real meats like chicken, beef, or turkey, and nutrient-rich vegetables such as carrots and spinach, the food is gentle on sensitive stomachs too.

 

Since small breeds often have higher metabolic rates, they need nutrient-dense food to support their energy levels. Nom Nom’s recipes are designed to provide all essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in balanced portions.

 

The customized meals help maintain a healthy weight, which is important for small breeds prone to obesity or weight-related issues.

star
star
star
star
star
Highly Recommended
1
Exclusive! $50 Off Your First Order With Code DFA50
Includes glucosamine and chondroitin
No chicken or poultry
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Complex carbohydrates to sustain energy
Review summary

Blue Wilderness Adult Large Breed Salmon with Wholesome Grains is one of three formulas designed specifically for large breed dogs in a dry food range made up of 15 recipes in total.

 

This protein-rich recipe by Blue Buffalo promotes muscle development, helps strengthen bones and teeth, and supports lasting mobility. It is made with no chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and no corn, wheat, or soy.

 

Unlike grain-free options, this food includes wholesome grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. These grains provide complex carbohydrates, offering sustained energy that large breeds need due to their higher activity levels and larger muscle mass.

star
star
star
star
star
Highly Recommended
1
Save up to 35% with Autoship! See discount in cart
Nutrient-dense
Includes probiotics
Packed with protein
Ideal for dogs with allergies
Review summary

Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried dog food is a high-protein, raw nutrition option designed to provide dogs with a balanced diet while supporting their overall health.

 

Each of the five recipes in the range are made with premium ingredients such as meat, organs and bone, combined with fruits and vegetables. Freeze-drying preserves the raw ingredients’ nutritional integrity and natural flavors, making them appealing to dogs.

 

Packed with high-quality animal proteins (such as beef, turkey, or salmon) to maintain strong muscles, these recipes also include probiotics to promote healthy digestion and strengthen the immune system. They are formulated without grains or high-glycemic carbohydrates making them ideal for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.

star
star
star
star
star
Highly Recommended
1
Canidae
Save up to 35% with Autoship! See discount in cart
Versatile
Nutritionally balanced
Vet-formulated
Affordable
Review summary

Canidae All Life Stages dog food is a versatile, nutritionally balanced dry formula designed to meet the dietary needs of dogs at all life stages — puppies, adults, and seniors — thus making it an excellent and affordable option for households with multiple dogs of different ages or breeds.

 

These vet-formulated recipes consist of six formulas all made with high-quality proteins such as chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish, to ensure dogs get the nutrients they need. Canidae uses no corn, wheat, or soy and this range is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives too.

 

Since this food is formulated for dogs at all life stages, there’s no need to transition your pet onto different options as they grow.

star
star
star
star
star
Highly Recommended
1
We Feed Raw
Exclusive 40% Discount + Free Shipping!
Pre-packaged
Convenient
Human-grade
Complete & balanced
Review summary

We Feed Raw dog food is a good option for pet parents interested in a raw feeding approach. The brand uses fresh, human-grade ingredients, including meat, organs, and bone, which are essential for a balanced diet.

 

The meals are pre-packaged which is especially helpful for those new to raw feeding or those who want the benefits without the time-consuming preparation.

 

We Feed Raw range is made up of six recipes – venison, duck, lamb, beef, turkey and chicken – to provide dietary variety, which can be beneficial for dogs’ nutritional intake.

 

Many pet parents report improvements in their dog’s digestion and overall health when switching to a raw diet, including healthier coats, more energy, and better dental health.

star
star
star
star
star
Highly Recommended

As featured on

How we rate food
Our brand ratings, assessed on a scale of up to 5, are determined by a sophisticated algorithm that incorporates TrustPilot reviews, User Engagement scores and comprehensive reviews sourced from The Dog Food Advisor.
Dog Food Advisor
Since 2008, The Dog Food Advisor has researched, reviewed and rated more than 5,373 dog food products. We know who actually makes each dog food, the brand’s recall history and the company’s safety practices.
TrustPilot Rating
TrustPilot serves as an expansive, worldwide platform where individuals can share their product experiences through reviews and star ratings. In cases where a brand lacks a TrustPilot score, its rating will rely on the Dog Food Advisor rating.
Engagement Score
The User Engagement score, ranging from 3.00 to 5.00, reflects the level of interaction users have with a brand's chart listing over the past week. The more clicks a brand receives relative to its peers, the higher its engagement score.