The Best Dry Dog Food | 2023
We looked at the top 21 Dry Dog Food and dug through the reviews from 112 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Dry Dog Food.
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Our Picks For The Top Dry Dog Food
- The Best Dry Dog Food
- 1. Blue Buffalo Antioxidant Dry Dog Food
- 2. Iams ProActive Health Dry Dog Food
- 3. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Healthy Dry Dog Food
- 4. Purina Pro Plan Hard Kibble Real Chicken Dry Dog Food
- 5. Merrick Natural Well Balanced Dry Dog Food
- 6. Wellness Core Healthy Skin Dry Dog Food
- 7. Orijen Tundra Canadian Dry Dog Food
- 8. CANIDAE All Life Stages Vet Formulated Dry Dog Food
- 9. WAG Nutritious Wheat-Free Dry Dog Food
- 10. Taste Of The Wild Super Foods Dry Dog Food
- 11. American Journey DHA Corn-Free Dry Dog Food
- 12. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Duck Healthy Dry Dog Food
- 13. Horizon Locally Sourced Dry Dog Food
- 14. Natural Balance Premium Dry Dog Food
- 15. Nature’s Recipe Real Chicken Dry Dog Food
- 16. Royal Canin Weight Maintenance Dry Dog Food
- 17. Diamond Naturals Enhanced Dry Dog Food
- 18. Purina ONE SmartBlend Omega-6 Dry Dog Food
- 19. Hill’s Science Natural Dry Dog Food
- 20. Pedigree Adult Complete Dry Dog Food
- 21. Purina Pro Plan Fortified Dry Dog Food
Essential NutrientsA high-quality dog food made with lamb that contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids.
Provides EnergyAlthough you can get this dry dog food in a 3.3-ounce bag, you'll save if you stock up with the 40-pound bag.
For Puppies and AdultsThis dry dog food is free of gluten and other ingredients that can bother dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Best for Digestive HealthSince this dry dog food bag weighs in at 47 pounds, it's a good choice when you want to stock up.
Why we recommend these dry dog food?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 21 Dry Dog Food and also dug through the reviews from 112 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Dry Dog Food.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
Blue Buffalo Antioxidant Dry Dog Food
Our Take
Made with high-quality protein from lamb as the first ingredient, this dry dog food also contains essential omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to keep your dog's coat shiny and his skin healthy. This tasty food also contains garden veggies, fruit and whole grains.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
The Best Bang For Your Buck
Purina Pro Plan Hard Kibble Real Chicken Dry Dog Food
Our Take
Taste isn't the only reason you'll want to go with this dry dog food. It's formulated to contain live probiotics that support your pet's digestive health. It's also high in protein with both crunchy and soft pieces that are sure to appeal to your dog's senses.
Our Dry Dog Food Findings
Blue Buffalo Antioxidant Dry Dog Food
What We Liked: Made with high-quality protein from lamb as the first ingredient, this dry dog food also contains essential omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to keep your dog’s coat shiny and his skin healthy. This tasty food also contains garden veggies, fruit and whole grains.
Iams ProActive Health Dry Dog Food
What We Liked: It’s the real chicken in this dry dog food that will keep your pet coming back for more. With the added fibers and prebiotics, the chow is easier to digest than other dog foods on the market. There are also added antioxidants to boost your pet’s immune system.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Healthy Dry Dog Food
What We Liked: You won’t find any artificial flavors or preservatives in this dry dog food. Instead, the kibble is made using real beef, rice and peas. The added vitamins and minerals, as well as the prebiotics, provide the nutrition and digestive support dogs of all stages need to enjoy a healthy life.
Purina Pro Plan Hard Kibble Real Chicken Dry Dog Food
What We Liked: Taste isn’t the only reason you’ll want to go with this dry dog food. It’s formulated to contain live probiotics that support your pet’s digestive health. It’s also high in protein with both crunchy and soft pieces that are sure to appeal to your dog’s senses.
Merrick Natural Well Balanced Dry Dog Food
What We Liked: Designed for all dog breeds, this dry dog food is a healthy option and is made using real deboned chicken. Ancient grains are then added to the formula, as they help your pet properly digest the food. Also included are essential vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids for a shiny coat and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support.
Our Dry Dog Food Buying Guide
Dogs are like members of our families, so of course, we want to keep them as healthy and happy as possible. The foundation for that is proper nutrition. A consistent, high-quality diet is the key to keeping your dog looking and feeling great. Feeding your dog the best dog food will keep them functioning at their best and can ward off chronic diseases, leading to a longer life. Dry dog food is very common and convenient, as it does not require refrigeration.
There’s a ton of different types of dry dog food out there, so the choices can be overwhelming. You should look for dog food that is labeled as “complete and balanced,” which means the food contains the minimum amount of all the nutrients necessary for dogs. This standard is regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Keep in mind that buzzwords like “premium” and “immune supporting” are not regulated and should not carry much weight in your choice.
Just as with human food, you want to make sure your dog is eating a diet with real, whole foods and one that is free from artificial preservatives and additives. Make sure your dog’s food contains a high-quality animal protein source, like lamb, chicken or turkey. Leading brands contain multiple protein sources, including chicken, turkey, flounder and egg.
Many veterinarians recommend avoiding dog food that contains grains like corn, wheat and soy, as dogs do not need these starches. Although many healthy dog foods contain carbohydrates in the form of fruit and vegetables, brands like Taste of the Wild tout their grain-free recipe.
Other healthy ingredients include probiotics, which benefit the intestinal and immune systems, and minerals. Minerals should be chelated or proteinated for maximum absorption.
Some dogs need special diets, and diets should be adjusted for puppies and senior dogs. The right dog food for your pet will meet all of their needs and come at an affordable price.
DWYM Fun Fact
Dogs have been humans’ companions for more than 30,000 years. In the beginning, man’s best friend’s diet did not get the consideration it does today. Dogs generally ate the scraps that were left over from their humans. Around 1860, businessman James Spratt introduced the first commercially prepared dog food. Official nutritional requirements for dogs and cats were established in the mid-1980s. Dry dog food, or “kibble” as we know it today, became popular in the 1950s.
As of 2017, commercial pet food was a $26 billion industry. These days, a lot of pet parents are turning to online retailers to get their dog food delivered straight to their door.
The Dry Dog Food Tips and Advice
- Make sure to feed your dog the proper amount. Overfeeding your dog ups their risk of obesity and associated health problems. There are some formulas to determine how much you should be feeding your dog depending on their size and breed, and your veterinarian can also provide you with guidance.
- Puppies need small, frequent meals, while adult dogs can eat just one to two meals per day. Some dogs are grazers, meaning that they will eat small amounts throughout the day, but many more will eat all the food that is given to them at a time, which is why it’s important not to overfeed them.
- Price is an important factor in dog food, as it’s one of the major ongoing expenses associated with being a pet owner. A higher price tag does not necessarily translate to a superior product.
- To keep your dog’s food fresh, make sure it is sealed. Some brands come with resealable tops, or you can put it in an airtight container, preferably made of glass or stainless steel. Make sure you keep your dog food in a cool, dry place. Moisture and heat can compromise the food’s safety and quality.
- Just like human food, dog food has an expiration date. Dry dog food is generally good for one year. Never give your dog food that smells or looks spoiled.
- It’s important that the food you choose is a good fit for your dog. If your dog rejects a food or it makes them sick, it may not be the optimal choice for them. Consult with your veterinarian to find the type of food that’s best for your pet.
- Make sure you wash the bowls your dog eats and drinks from regularly, ideally every day. Once a week, they should be sanitized with a bleach solution. Stainless steel bowls are the easiest to keep clean.