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The Best Dry Dog Food | 2023

Last updated on May 9, 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

Show Contents
Our Take
Experts Included
Pros
Cons
  Top Pick

Blue Buffalo Antioxidant Dry Dog Food

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Blue Buffalo

Antioxidant Dry Dog Food

Overall Take

Essential NutrientsA high-quality dog food made with lamb that contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids.

Experts Included
DWYM Pets Experts plus Dog Food Advisor, Petsumer Report, Dog Food Guru, Business Insider and 3 more. Along with user reviews from Amazon, Walmart, Petco and Petsmart.
Pros
" Blue Buffalo Life Protection is a plant-based dry dog food using a moderate amount of named meat meals as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars. Highly recommended."
Cons
"Minus: This food does include probiotics (friendly bacteria that benefits the intestinal system and in turn the immune system of the pet), however they are not listed in the Guaranteed Analysis (no company guarantee bacteria is viable). - Contains caramel..."
  Runner Up

Iams ProActive Health Dry Dog Food

Iams

ProActive Health Dry Dog Food

Overall Take

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.

Experts Included
DWYM Pets Experts plus Dog Food Advisor, Dog Food Guru, Petsumer Report, Labrador Training HQ and 2 more. Along with user reviews from Amazon, Walmart and Petco.
Pros
" On the brighter side, by-product meals are meat concentrates and contain nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken."
Cons
"By-products, artificial ingredients, and sub-par meats do not equal premium quality. In case you’re wondering, Iams dog food has all of those yucky ingredients."
  We Also Like

Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Healthy Dry Dog Food

Rachael Ray Nutrish

Natural Healthy Dry Dog Food

Overall Take

For Puppies and AdultsThis dry dog food is free of gluten and other ingredients that can bother dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Experts Included
DWYM Pets Experts plus . Along with user reviews from Amazon.
  Strong Contender

Purina Pro Plan Hard Kibble Real Chicken Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan

Hard Kibble Real Chicken Dry Dog Food

Overall Take

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.

Experts Included
DWYM Pets Experts plus . Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
27

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the dry dog food available to purchase.
21

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

112

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Dog Food Advisor, Petsumer Report, Dog Food Guru, Labrador Training HQ, Business Insider.

184,532

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

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.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Overall

Blue Buffalo Antioxidant Dry Dog Food


Our Expert Score

8.7
7 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.9
3,180 user reviews

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

Blue Buffalo Life Protection is a plant-based dry dog food using a moderate amount of named meat meals as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars. Highly recommended.
- Dog Food Advisor
Decent meat and carbohydrate content, making this a good food for less active dogs. A great list of fruits and vegetables, , and tons of vitamins.
- PetFoodRatings.org
October 4, 2013 | Full review
Plus: Company states ingredients are USDA inspected, no confirmation provided if ingredients are approved human edible (food grade). - The mineral listings read to be chelated or proteinated (for better mineral absorption). - Contains flaxseed, alfalfa, kelp – health promoting...
- Petsumer Report
The ingredients in Blue Life Protection Formula Fish & Sweet Potato Recipe look good, for the most part.
- Dog Food Guru
Blue Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe has a moderate amount of protein and fat with a carbohydrate content on the high side (dry matter basis: protein 26.67, fat 15.56, carbs 40 percent). Most of the ingredients in...
- Dog Food Insider
December 12, 2014 | Full review
US-based company, wide variety of product choices, every recipe starts with high-quality animal protein, all-natural ingredients with no artificial additives, recipes designed with a holistic approach to nutrition, every formula contains LifeSource Bits for a boost of nutrition and flavor
- Business Insider
August 28, 2018 | Full review

What other experts didn't like

Near-average protein. Near-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
- Dog Food Advisor
Minus: This food does include probiotics (friendly bacteria that benefits the intestinal system and in turn the immune system of the pet), however they are not listed in the Guaranteed Analysis (no company guarantee bacteria is viable). - Contains caramel...
- Petsumer Report
However, we’re concerned about the fact that almost half the food is made up of carbohydrates. Even if these grains/carbs are not corn/wheat/soy, we don’t think this amount of carbs is good for most dogs. We are not opposed to...
- Dog Food Guru
There are several ingredients which seem odd in a maintenance dog food; and there are a few ingredients which look like they will cause stomach irritation and/or diarrhea.
- Dog Food Insider
December 12, 2014 | Full review
Numerous recalls in brand history, many recipes contain common proteins and other ingredients that may trigger allergies in some dogs (like chicken, rice, and fish), recent changes in recipe may cause digestive upset in some dogs
- Business Insider
August 28, 2018 | Full review

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Purina Pro Plan Hard Kibble Real Chicken Dry Dog Food

User Summarized Score

9.4
12,632 user reviews

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.

Overall Product Rankings

1. Blue Buffalo Antioxidant Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 13

2. Iams ProActive Health Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 11

3. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Healthy Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 1

4. Purina Pro Plan Hard Kibble Real Chicken Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

5. Merrick Natural Well Balanced Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

6. Wellness Core Healthy Skin Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 12

7. Orijen Tundra Canadian Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 11

8. CANIDAE All Life Stages Vet Formulated Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 12

9. WAG Nutritious Wheat-Free Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 1

10. Taste Of The Wild Super Foods Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 12

11. American Journey DHA Corn-Free Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 6

12. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Duck Healthy Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 12

13. Horizon Locally Sourced Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 7

14. Natural Balance Premium Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 7.7
Reviews Included: 12

15. Nature’s Recipe Real Chicken Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 7.4
Reviews Included: 13

16. Royal Canin Weight Maintenance Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 6.0
Reviews Included: 12

17. Diamond Naturals Enhanced Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 5.8
Reviews Included: 11

18. Purina ONE SmartBlend Omega-6 Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 5.6
Reviews Included: 13

19. Hill’s Science Natural Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 5.5
Reviews Included: 9

20. Pedigree Adult Complete Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 5.3
Reviews Included: 12

21. Purina Pro Plan Fortified Dry Dog Food

Overall Score: 5.3
Reviews Included: 8

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.

Kristin Forte/Simplemost Media

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.

Kristin Forte/Simplemost Media

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.

Kristin Forte/Simplemost Media

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.

Kristin Forte/Simplemost Media

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.

About The Author

Kate Streit 

Kate Streit is a professional writer based in Chicago. Kate loves her German Shepard-Golden Retriever mix, Luna. She and her husband adopted her in 2014, and to care for the most important member of the family, they strive to find the best products to pamper their pooch.