What is the Best Dog Food

 Your dog is an important and cuddly member of your family, and you need to make sure they’re in tip-top shape, and that’s why you need to feed it the best dog food Not only does the food need to taste good, but there are many other benefits to picking the right food, such as good muscle tone, appropriate energy levels, weight maintenance, good absorption and digestion, a shiny coat, heart health, and so much more. 

5 Things to Know Before Buying Dog Food:


    Breed: Consider your dog’s breed, because different types have a different diet plan they must follow in order to stay healthy. When you purchase dog food, make sure the ingredients are suitable.

    Age: Your dog’s nutrient and caloric needs are different at each stage of its life. Dogs should be fed puppy food until they’re a year old, adult food until they’re seven, and senior food after that. 

    Size: Some dog foods are better for smaller or larger breeds, more appropriate for a Greyhound than a Chihuahua, and it’s important your dog is fed a diet that has the appropriate amount of ingredients for its size. 

    Ingredients: At minimum to help a dog maintain weight and health, the food needs at least 18 percent protein, 5 percent fat, and a max percentage of fiber and moisture. Most foods should guarantee at least the minimum levels of other nutrients like calcium, sodium, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy oils. 

    Dry or Wet Food: While dogs may prefer wet food, dry food is better for the teeth and mouth because they have to chew it. Wet food is better for dogs who need to lose weight, or to help them recover from an illness, or dogs who have mouth pain. 


Our pick for the best dry dog food is the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Dog Food (due to its natural ingredient list and real meat products), and we went with Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy for wet dog food because of its ease of serving, real meat chunks, and gravy that dogs love. 


If you enjoyed this review, you might also like Best Dog Harness, Best Dog Beds, Best Dog Crates, and Best Dog Treats.

Our Top Picks

Top Pick

Top Pick

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

Best Overall Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food



Manufacturer :

  Blue Buffalo

Where to Buy

$55.98

Amazon

$55.98

Chewy

$55.98

Petco

Pros


    Protein-rich real meat is the first ingredient

    Includes Blue’s exclusive LifeSource Bits to support immune system health

    All natural ingredients; contains no chicken by-product, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives


Cons


    Some reviewers say the quality has changed


Product Snapshot


It’s no wonder Blue Buffalo is a top-selling dog food brand. We chose the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Adult Dry Dog Food as the best dry dog food because this formula was created to support the holistic health and well-being of adult dogs. Since its number-one ingredient is always high-quality, real meat, followed by fruits, veggies, and whole grains, it helps your dog build and maintain healthy muscles and bones. Formulated with essential proteins, carbohydrates, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, your dog’s coat and skin will shine and its teeth will gleam.


Recommended by vets and animal nutritionists, Blue dry dog food is made with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support a healthy immune system, while eliminating meat by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, and preservatives.

Specs


Size

    30-pound bag

Food Form

    Dry kibble

Breed Recommendation

    Toy breed, Small breed, Large breed

Special Ingredients

    Fruit, Veggies, Minerals, Vitamins, Antioxidants, Whole grains, Essential proteins

Available Flavors

    Fish & brown rice, Lamb & brown rice, Chicken & brown rice, Small bite chicken & brown rice, Healthy weight chicken & brown rice


Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy Adult Wet Dog Food

Best Wet Dog Food



Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy Adult Wet Dog Food

Manufacturer :

  Mars Petcare

Where to Buy

$11.52

Amazon

$9.92

Walmart

$11.52

Chewy

Pros


    Made in the USA

    Made with real meat

    Single-serve pouches


Cons


    Each package is a meal for a small dog but a snack for a bigger dog


Product Snapshot


We were attracted to the simplicity of the Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy Adult Wet Dog Food pouches since they’re easy to store and dish out, but it’s also one of the most-loved and top-rated dog foods out there. Dogs go crazy for Pedigree Choice Cuts, which are made with real, juicy meat bites, and gravy—and they’re made in the USA. 


This wet dog food provides dogs with a balance of oils and minerals to promote healthy skin and a gleaming coat. Plus, it is high in protein but low in fat, providing for your dog’s dietary needs.

Specs


Size

    3.5-ounce pouch 

Food Form

    Chunks in gravy 

Breed Recommendation

    All breeds 

Special Ingredients

    Biotin, Calcium, Vitamins

Available Flavors

    Beef, Chicken, Filet mignon


Purina Pro Plan Puppy Dry Dog Food

Best Dog Food for Puppies



Purina Pro Plan Puppy Dry Dog Food

Manufacturer :

  Purina

Where to Buy

$58.98

Amazon

$58.98

Chewy

$58.98

Petco

Pros


    No artificial flavors or colors

    Probiotics for digestive health

    Features real chicken as the first ingredient


Cons


    Check the expiration date, depending on where you order from


Product Snapshot


Your puppy needs lots of TLC in their first year, and that’s why we chose the Purina Pro Plan High-Protein Puppy Food as our top choice for pups. Touted by vets, Purina makes puppy food that features protein as the first ingredient (in this case it’s chicken) and has added probiotics and antioxidants to support digestive health. 


With DHA from omega-rich fish oil, vitamins and minerals, and calcium for strong teeth and bones, Purina offers your puppy just the right amount of high-quality, specialized nutrition they need to grow strong and healthy.

Specs


Size

    34-pound bag 

Food Form

    Dry shredded kibble 

Breed Recommendation

    All breeds 

Special Ingredients

    Calcium, Omega-6, Antioxidants, DHA from omega-rich fish oil

Available Flavors

    Chicken & rice, Chicken & rice shredded blend


Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Best Dog Food for Large Dogs



Wellness CORE Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Manufacturer :

  WellPet LLC

Where to Buy

$72.99

Amazon

$72.99

Chewy

$72.99

Walmart

Pros


    Larger kibble size

    Grain-free; no corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors

    Formulated with antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids


Cons


    Expensive


Product Snapshot


Wellness Core Natural Dry Dog Food is a natural, grain-free, high-protein choice for larger breeds that comes with larger-sized kibble for easier consumption and promotes better chewing. With chicken, turkey, fruits and vegetables, and formulated with antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids, this top-rated grub is the perfect choice for big dogs.


Formulated with a high amount of protein for strong muscles and a lean body mass, this dry dog food supports healthy skin and coats. Plus, it’s made in the USA of locally sourced, non-GMO ingredients to create the tastiest and healthiest meal.

Specs


Size

    26-pound bag 

Food Form

    Dry kibble 

Breed Recommendation

    Large breeds, Giant breeds 

Special Ingredients

    Fruits, Turkey, Chicken, Vegetables

Available Flavors

    Chicken & Turkey


Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Senior Dry Dog Food

Best Dog Food for Older Dogs



Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Senior Dry Dog Food

Manufacturer :

  Blue Buffalo

Where to Buy

$59.98

Amazon

$59.98

Walmart

$59.98

Petco

Pros


    Protein-rich chicken is the first ingredient

    Specially formulated to support dogs in their older years

    All natural ingredients; contains no chicken by-product, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives


Cons


    Expensive


Product Snapshot


Older dogs require specially formulated food to support them, and that’s why we chose Blue Buffalo Wilderness High-Protein Senior Dog Food as our top choice for senior dogs. This protein-rich meal features chicken as its number-one ingredient, followed by antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals designed to support your senior dog’s health, optimal weight, and lean muscle. 


Blue Buffalo’s dog food, which is made without corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives, supports your dog’s immune system. Plus, with glucosamine, chondroitin, and EPA to support healthy joint functions and overall mobility, they’ll have lots of energy to stay active later in life.


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