Looking for the best dry dog food? Why is that? Because veterinarians say giving the right dog food contributes to your dog’s overall health and happiness, how do you select the best dry dog food?
Do you go for what the breeder says or what is on sale? Well, there’s a better way out that is going with what vets recommend. Veterinarians recommend the best dry dog food based on your dog’s breed, health status, and life stage.
I have researched and compiled a list of the 10 best dry dog foods recommended by vets.
But first, before I get to my list let me answer some questions about dry dog food that are of interest to you as a dog owner.
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons.
10 Best Dry Dog Food Recommended by Vets
Purina ONE SmartBlend Large Breed Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food
This is a high-protein food made to help maintain an ideal body condition, support growing muscles, and give your large breed puppy 100% nutrition for complete health.
Made with real chicken as the main ingredient and highly digestible nutrients, vitamins, plus glucosamine to support growing joints. It has a 4.7 rating with the following benefits.
- Its veterinarian recommended eliminating guesswork
- Contains real chicken no meat by-products
- High protein that supports growing muscles for large breed puppies
- Contains zero fillers
| Key Ingredients | Best for | Average Price |
| -Chicken – Rice flour -Chicken by-product meal -Corn gluten meal -Whole grain wheat | Large breed puppy | $21.98 |
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
Formulated with quality ingredients that support healthy growth and development, this food has a 4.6 rating. It’s made from premium quality real chicken, fruits, and vegetables.
A precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals is incorporated to support immune system health, life stage requirements, and a healthy oxidative balance.
The benefits of this food include:
- It contains real chicken meat
- It has no corn, wheat, soy or chicken byproducts
- Has DHA and ARA to support cognitive functions and retinal health
- With LifeSource Bits.
| Key Ingredients | Best for | Average Price |
| -Boneless chicken -Chicken meal -Brown rice -Oatmeal -Barley | Puppies | $16.98 |
Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food
This 4.6 rated recipe starts with real farm-raised chicken combined with wholesome grains and veggies. It’s formulated with easily digestible ingredients for a strong immune system, strong bones, healthy skin and coat
Benefits of taking this food include:
- Includes 22 nutrients found in mother’s milk
- It’s veterinarians recommended
- Omega-3 DHA is added to promote healthy cognition
- Specially formulated to suit the nutritional needs of large breed puppies
- Has real farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient
| Key Ingredients | Best for | Average Price |
| -Chicken -Ground whole grain corn -Chicken by-product meal -Ground whole grain sorghum -Corn gluten meal | Puppies | $31.64 |
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
This maintenance recipe containing buffalo meat and pasture-raised roasted venison and bison is designed to meet the nutritional needs of adult dogs. Vegetables, legumes, and fruits are added to help maintain vitality.
This grain-free, 4.7 star rated food also contains dried chicory roots to aid digestion.
Key benefits of this food include
- Real buffalo meat as the number one ingredient.
- Its ingredients are from trusted and sustainable sources.
- It’s nutrient-rich and highly digestible with species-specific probiotics
- It’s natural food.
| Key Ingredients | Best for | Average Price |
| -Buffalo -Lamb meal -Chicken meal -Sweet potatoes -Peas | Adult dogs | $13.99 |
American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
This is a 4.6 star rated food packed with protein and amino acids from real lamb. It combines sweet potatoes & chickpeas for energy and whole fruits & veggies for fiber and antioxidants.
Salmon oil and flaxseed provide Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy and shiny skin for your dog.
Benefits include:
- It’s ideal for food-sensitive dogs
- It’s rich in protein from real deboned lamb
- Contains Omega-3 DHA for brain development
- Packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables
| Key Ingredients | Best for | Average Price |
| -Lamb -Chicken meal -Turkey meal -Peas -Sweet Potatoes | Adult dogs | $15.49 |
Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food
This 4.7 star-rated chicken flavored food is full of B vitamins, zinc, and omega-6 fatty acids to keep your dog at its best. It contains leading levels of antioxidant vitamin E plus a special fiber blend for healthy digestion.
Benefits of this food include:
- It provides complete and balanced nutrition.
- Made with whole grains and a special fiber blend for healthy digestion.
- It supports oral health through its crunchy, unique texture that keeps teeth clean.
| Key Ingredients | Best for | Average Price |
| -Ground whole corn -Meat and bone meal -Corn gluten meal -Animal fat -Soybean meal | Adult dogs of all breeds | $12.60 |
Iams ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks Dry Dog Food
This is made with real, farm-sourced chicken as the first ingredient and comes in a small kibble size that gives complete and balanced nutrition. It’s formulated with seven essential nutrients to nourish your dog’s heart.
A specifically formulated blend of wholesome fibers and prebiotics are included for healthy digestion. It has a 4.8-star rating
Benefits:
- Veterinarians recommended
- Real farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient
- 100% Adult nutrition
- Promotes healthy digestion
| Key Ingredients | Best for | Average Price |
| -Chicken -Ground whole grain corn -Ground whole grain sorghum -Chicken by-product meal -Dried plain beet pulp | Small Breed Adult Dogs | $19.80 |
Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
This formula, made with nutrient-rich salmon with easily digestible rice and oatmeal, is formulated to nurture your dog’s sensitive skin and stomach. Fish oil is used as a source of omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy joints and mobility.
It is fortified with guaranteed live probiotic and omega-6 fatty acids and it has a 4.6-star rating.
Benefits of this food include:
- Nutrient-rich primary protein
- No wheat, soy or corn
- Easily digestible carbohydrates
- Has live probiotics and prebiotic fibers
| Key Ingredients | Best for | Average Price |
| -Salmon -Barley -Ground rice -Oatmeal -Canola meal | Adult dogs with a sensitive stomach and skin | $14.48 |
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Senior Farm-Raised Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Starting with high-quality farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient, this tasty crunchy recipe provides nutrition tailored for your small breed’s unique needs. It’s crafted with natural fiber and essential antioxidants.
This food, with a rating of 4.7, also includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for brain power and glossy coat.
Benefits of the food include:
- Made with farm-raised Chicken
- Contains wholesome oatmeal
- It’s tailored to meet nutritional needs for small breed senior dogs
- Contains essential antioxidants
| Key Ingredients | Best for | Average Price |
| -Chicken -Chicken meal -Brewers rice -Split peas -Whole brown rice | Small breed senior dogs | $12.97 |
Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
This promotes alertness and mental sharpness for senior dogs. It has chicken as the number one ingredient and a blend of DHA & EPA, antioxidants, and B vitamins.
It’s fortified with guaranteed live probiotics, vitamin A, and linoleic acid. It boasts a rating of 4.6.
Benefits of this food include:
- Has chicken as its first ingredient
- Promotes mental alertness and sharpness
- It’s fortified with guaranteed live probiotics
- Added Omega-6 and vitamin A
| Key ingredients | Best for | Prices |
| -Chicken -Rice -Whole grain corn -Whole grain wheat -Barley | Senior dogs | $ 56.98 |
Best Dry Dog Food: Buyers Guide
What’s Dry Dog Food?
This is a low moisture content food, usually up to 11%. It’s in the form of biscuits or bread packed in small bags, packets, or boxes. While dry foods also contain ground meat and fats, they have more carbohydrates which hold the biscuit together to give it structure and texture.
Best dry dog food what to look for
Healthy dry dog food must contain the following hallmarks of quality:
- Quality protein sources– Good dog food must contain a lot of animal protein in the form of whole, fresh, or single source meat stated clearly.
- Whole wheat source as the main or top two ingredients– Protein from meat contains amino acids essential for a dog’s health.
- Whole unprocessed grains and vegetables– Unprocessed foods ensure the preservation of nutrients.
Grain vs Grain-free
Dry dog food can either be grain or grain-free. Grain-inclusive dog food contains healthy grains as a source of carbohydrates. It contains grains like rice, wheat, barley, and oatmeal.
On the other hand, Grain-free food does not include these grains but uses alternative sources of carbs like potatoes and pea flour.
What to Consider When Buying The Best Dry Dog Food
Important considerations to make before buying the best dry food for your dog include:
Clear ingredients: Full ingredients should be clearly stated on the food packet. Avoid foods with ambiguous ingredients.
Protein and fat levels: Check out the guaranteed analysis section of the food label for the amounts of protein and fat present.
Your dog’s age and health: You need to know your dog’s age as well as his nutritional needs for you to go for what meets these needs.
Best-by dates: Your dog deserves the freshest food available. Consider dry dog food with a best-by date of 11 months from the date of purchase.
What Dog Food Is Killing Dogs?
These ingredients can be harmful to your dog’s health.
Meat by-products: They include products from meat production whose quality can’t be ascertained.
Generic fat source: Labelled as ‘rendered fat’, this is a loosely regulated ingredient.
Artificial preservatives including BHA/BHT, TBHQ, Ethoxyquin, Sodium metabisulphite, etc.
Additives like sweeteners are unnecessary.
Dry Dog Food FAQs
How is dry dog food made?
The US Food and Drugs Administration regulates pets products and ingredients. Every dry dog food starts with a recipe of ingredients. The ingredients contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins and minerals.
Selected ingredients are grounded, mixed with water to form the dough, and then baked at high temperature. Later through extrusion, the food is put under high pressure then cut into biscuit-like pieces that are then dehydrated to remove all moisture.
How long does dry dog food stay fresh?
The quality of food quickly declines on opening. Therefore, it should be consumed within 6 weeks after opening.
What’s the best way to store dry dog food?
Dry dog food should always be stored in a cool, dark place away from sunlight. The bag should be resealed on opening.
What can I mix with dry dog food?
Warm water or broth can be used to moisten the food, help release the aroma and flavor and make it more appetizing.
Can dog food go bad in heat?
Yes, it can. Exposure to heat causes further dehydration inside the bag, reducing its shelf life.
How We Reviewed
A thorough review of various vet recommendations and customer feedback on their experiences using the foods. We only reviewed anything that had a 4.5 rating and above from Amazon. Which means customers were satisfied with the products.
Overall Pricing
The cost of dry dog food varies depending on various aspects. However, the overall pricing ranges between $ 9 for the lowest price to $ 30 for the premium brands.
Final Thoughts
Veterinarians know what food is best for your dog. Vet recommended foods are formulated with highly researched quality ingredients and have been tried and tested under strict regulations.
Get a happy tail wag by filling your dog’s bowl with a choice from this list of vet-recommended dry dog foods.