10 Best Dog Food Brands

1. Redbarn

Redbarn Pet Products is a family-owned company that has been making high-quality pet food for over 25 years. They are best known for their grain-free, air-dried dog food, which is made with 85% or more meat, fish, or poultry. They also offer a variety of other pet food products, including treats, chews, and supplements.

Many dogs enjoy the crunchy texture of Redbarn dog food. It is a great option for dogs of all ages and breeds. It is high in protein, palatable, easy to digest, grain-free, and free from artificial ingredients. If you are looking for high-quality dog food that your dog will love, Redbarn is a great choice.

Pros

• High in protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair.
• It is grain-free, which is a good option for dogs with allergies or sensitivities to grains.
• Air-dried, which is a gentle preservation method that helps to retain the nutrients in the food.
• Made with whole foods including meat, bones, and vegetables.
• Free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors.

2. Open Farm

Open Farm is a pet food brand that focuses on using human-grade ingredients to create nutritious and wholesome meals for dogs and cats. Their philosophy revolves around transparency and sustainability, emphasizing the sourcing of ethically raised meats and sustainably grown produce.

Their recipes are formulated with a high proportion of protein, typically ranging from 30% to 40% depending on the specific formula. This high protein content provides essential amino acids that support muscle growth, maintenance, and overall health. Open Farm offers a variety of formulas to cater to the diverse needs of dogs.

Pros

• Low in carbohydrates, which can be beneficial for dogs who are overweight or have diabetes.
• Provides detailed information about the origins of their ingredients.
• Variety of specialized formulas for different life stages and breeds of dogs.
• Formulated with a limited number of ingredients, avoiding unnecessary additives and fillers.
• Ingredients are of the same quality as the food that is fit for human consumption.

3. Instinct Raw Pet Food

Instinct Raw Pet Food is a brand of raw dog food that is made with frozen raw meat, bones, and vegetables. The food is minimally processed and does not contain any artificial ingredients or fillers.

However, it has some cons. Raw food can be messy to handle, and it is important to wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw food. Some dogs may not be able to digest raw food properly. It also requires thawing the food properly before feeding it to your dog, which can take long for preparation.

Pros

• High-quality source of protein that helps to build and repair muscles, and also provides energy.
• Raw bones provide dogs with calcium and other minerals that are essential for bone health.
• Contains essential vitamins and minerals in the case of raw vegetables and fruits suitable for dogs.
• Does not contain any artificial ingredients or fillers.
• Highly palatable for dogs and filled with natural prebiotics and probiotics.

4. Merrick Pet Care

Merrick Pet Care is a well-established pet food company that has been providing nutritious and wholesome meals for dogs and cats for over 30 years. They are known for their commitment to using high-quality ingredients, innovative recipes, and a focus on pet health and well-being.

They ensure that their formulas provide a balanced blend of nutrients, including essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, to support overall health and well-being. Some Merrick formulas contain ingredients that some pet owners or veterinarians consider controversial, such as menadione, a synthetic form of vitamin K.

Pros

• Uses high-quality ingredients, including real meat, poultry, and fish as primary protein sources. They avoid artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
• Offers a variety of grain-free formulas, catering to dogs with grain sensitivities.
• Recipes are formulated with high protein levels and palatable to dogs, using natural flavors and aromas.
• Transparency and traceability of the ingredients used.
• Balanced blend of nutrients, including essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.

5. Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild is a popular brand of dog food known for its emphasis on using high-quality, natural ingredients inspired by a dog's ancestral diet. They are renowned for their unique flavor profiles, coming from different regions of the world. Their formulas feature ingredients like smoked salmon, roasted bison, and venison.

This reputable pet food brand prioritizes quality, innovation, and pet health. It is often positioned as a premium dog food brand with a relatively affordable price compared to some other premium brands.

Pros

• Uses high-quality ingredients, including real meat, poultry, and fish as primary protein sources. They avoid artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
• Offers a variety of grain-free formulas, catering to dogs with grain sensitivities or those who benefit from a grain-free diet.
• Recipes are formulated with high protein levels, providing essential amino acids for muscle growth and maintenance.
• The inclusion of omega fatty acids from sources like salmon oil supports skin and coat health.
• Includes probiotics to support digestive health.

6. Purina

Purina is a well-known and widely available brand that produces a variety of pet food products, including dog food. Popular product lines include Purina Dog Chow, Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Beneful, and Beyond.

Purina Pro Plan is often recommended by veterinarians and is formulated to address specific health concerns such as weight management, sensitive skin, and digestive issues. It also invests in research and innovation to continually improve its formulas, incorporating scientific advancements in pet nutrition.

Pros

• Uses a combination of animal proteins, grains, and other ingredients to provide a balanced and complete diet for dogs.
• Offers specialized formulas for puppies, adult dogs, seniors, and dogs with specific dietary needs.
• Provides both wet and dry dog food options, allowing pet owners to choose based on their dog's preferences and needs.
• Extensive collection of dog food formulas, including grain-free, high-protein, specialized formulas for different breeds.
• Prioritizes real meat, poultry, and fish as primary protein sources, ensuring that dogs receive essential amino acids for muscle growth and maintenance.

7. Nulo

Nulo is a leading pet food brand renowned for its high-quality ingredients, innovative formulas, and commitment to pet health. Nulo places a strong emphasis on including high-quality animal proteins as the main ingredients in its formulations. These proteins often come from sources like deboned meat, fish, and poultry.

It is positioned as a premium pet food brand, and its products may be priced higher compared to some mainstream brands. Nulo is more known for its dry dog food, and the wet food options are relatively limited.

Pros

• Many of Nulo's formulations are grain-free, using alternative carbohydrate sources such as sweet potatoes.
• Some recipes include probiotics to support digestive health and a balanced gut flora.
• The inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids, often sourced from fish oil, supports skin and coat health.
• Provides limited ingredient diet (LID) options for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.
• Palatable and appealing recipes with variety of formulas for different needs

8. Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo is a well-known and respected pet food brand that has been providing nutritious and high-quality meals for dogs and cats for over 40 years. It holds a "True Blue Promise." This promise ensures that their ingredients are sourced from trusted suppliers, undergo rigorous quality checks, and are free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.

Blue Buffalo includes what they call "LifeSource Bits" in many of their formulas. These are small, dark kibbles that contain a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support the overall health of pets. Their signature blend of essential nutrients is designed to support a dog's overall health and well-being.

Pros

• Includes real meat as the primary ingredient, such as deboned chicken, lamb, or fish.
• Offers limited ingredient diets (LID) for dogs with food sensitivities and grain-free options.
• Takes a holistic approach to pet nutrition, focusing on the overall well-being of pets and not just their nutritional needs.
• Offers a comprehensive range of formulas to cater to the diverse needs of dogs with palatable and appealing to dogs, using natural flavors and aromas

9. Hill's Science Diet

Hill's Science Diet is one of the best dog food brand that has been providing nutritious and balanced meals for dogs and cats for over 80 years. They are known for their commitment to scientific research, using evidence-based formulations to create optimal nutrition for pets.

It is formulated by veterinarians and nutritionists, aiming to provide balanced and complete nutrition for pets. In addition to regular diets, Hill's Science Diet offers prescription diets designed to address specific medical conditions under veterinary supervision.

Pros

• Use cutting-edge science to understand the specific nutritional needs of dogs at different life stages and with varying health conditions.
• Offers specialized formulas for dogs that are overweight or prone to obesity. These formulas typically have reduced calorie content and increased protein levels to promote lean muscle mass.
• Has developed formulas to address specific health conditions, such as urinary tract health, joint health, and skin and coat health.
• Palatable and appealing to dogs due to use of natural flavors and aromas from high-quality ingredients.
• Products are widely available in veterinary clinics, pet supply stores, and online retailers.

10. Royal Canin

Royal Canin is a globally recognized pet food brand that has been providing high-quality and nutritionally balanced meals for dogs and cats for over 50 years. They provide nutritionally tailored formulas for specific needs using high-quality ingredients with no artificial additives.

Many veterinarians recommend Royal Canin diets, and the brand collaborates with veterinary professionals to develop specialized nutrition. It offers diets tailored to different life stages, including puppy, adult, and senior. Diets typically include a balance of essential nutrients to support overall health, including skin, coat, and immune function.

Pros

• Addresses specific health needs such as dental care, joint health, weight management, and urinary health in various formulations.
• Widely available in veterinary clinics, pet supply stores, and online retailers.
• Unique shapes and sizes for kibbles are designed to encourage breed-specific chewing habits and to cater to the preferences of different breeds.
• Often formulates diets to be highly digestible, suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues.
• Breed-specific formulations, tailoring diets to the unique needs of specific dog breeds, sizes, and life stages.

Conclusion

All these brands are renowned and highly sought-after due to their premium quality and reputation. So, naturally they are more expensive than other brands. Also, not all the formulations by these brands may be suitable for all dog breeds.

Similarly, some of them might contain controversial ingredients like menadione, a synthetic form of vitamin K. Not all pet owners may prefer a science-based approach and rather opt for more natural approach. So, there is no hard and fast rule on what brand is the best for your dog. Always discuss with your veterinarian before you select a pet food for your furry friend.