Deciding what dog food to buy for your pet is something many pet owners struggle with. Today’s shoppers are overwhelmed with myriad options, each with their own flashy packaging, added ingredients for health, and claims for why they are different from all the other brands on the shelves.
On top of that, every dog is their own individual. From palatability to food intolerances, not every diet is going to work well for every dog. So how do you decide?
Many people find themselves reaching for a familiar brand, as brand trust is a huge component in the pet market. When we buy a dog food, we are placing an immense amount of trust in whatever brand we select to provide a safe and healthy product for our beloved companion(s).
Many people continue to feed the same brand the dog’s breeder or the shelter recommended while others turn to their veterinarian for advice when they want to switch up their dog’s diet. Any of these approaches might lead to a perfectly suitable food that both you and your pup are happy with. However, they can just as easily result in a diet that does not necessarily fit well with your dog’s individual needs.
The reality is that there is no single “best” dry dog food for all dogs. Nutritional needs vary based on life stage, activity level, metabolism, breed size, body condition, and health history. Your dog’s needs are also likely to change during their lifetime, so if you notice issues arising, a change in diet may be a good starting place. Finding the best food for your dog requires looking beyond marketing claims and understanding what actually matters in dry food formulation. We hope that the process we used to select our top recommended dry dog foods can help you in this process!
The Best Dry Dog Foods of 2026
How To Pick the Best Dry Dog Food for Your Dog
When picking a dog food, the logical starting point is to evaluate the manufacturer behind the product to see if they align with your values and expectations. With hundreds of pet food companies and thousands of dry formulas available, quality standards differ widely. Responsible companies invest in qualified nutrition expertise, maintain strong quality control standards, and are transparent about ingredient sourcing and manufacturing practices. Some conduct feeding trials to validate their formulas, while others rely solely on computer formulation and chemical analysis to meet nutrient standards. While ingredient lists are important, the company’s commitment to formulation integrity and safety is equally critical.
Once you have found the manufacturers you align with, your options will be significantly narrowed. You can then begin to select the best candidates for dry foods for your specific dog, such as a diet for active dogs, seniors, large-breed puppies, those with sensitive stomachs, etc. that also fits well with your budget. When selecting any diet, you should keep the following considerations in mind:
- When shopping for any food, our preference is always for a product that contains meat and/or meat meal in the top two ingredients. Meat ingredients in the top five or more ingredient spots are even better.
- We prefer legumes (chickpeas, lentils, peas) to be used in minor roles and not have their impact in the diet minimized through ingredient splitting.
- If the food you are selecting contains functional ingredients meant to convey a health benefit, such as added omega fatty acids, probiotics, glucosamine, additional vitamins, etc., look for the levels on the guaranteed analysis. This indicates they have been tested for and are present and verifiable in the formula.
All Life Stages/Puppy Foods
Every complete and balanced dry dog food must carry a nutritional adequacy statement referencing standards set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This statement indicates whether the product is formulated for growth, growth and reproduction, adult maintenance, or all-life stages. Foods labeled for growth, growth and reproduction, or all life stages meet the higher nutritional demands of puppies and pregnant/nursing females, including higher levels of protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus.
An all life stages diet is safe for adults but may provide more calories than some sedentary dogs require. Large-breed puppies, in particular, require carefully controlled calcium and phosphorus levels to support proper skeletal development, so look for product labeled formulated for growth including growth of large breed dogs to ensure proper growth of dogs expected to be 70 pounds or larger.
Adult Maintenance Dry Dog Foods
Adult maintenance dry foods are formulated specifically to meet the needs of mature dogs whose growth phases are complete and nutrient requirements are lower. These formulas often contain slightly lower levels of protein and fat, making them less energy dense than diets designed for growth but some adult maintenance foods are still relatively high in protein or fat, so it is important to look beyond the label claim and review the guaranteed analysis and calorie content.
For less active or overweight adult dogs, choosing a formula with moderate protein levels and controlled fat can help maintain an ideal body condition. Comparing calories per cup is particularly helpful when looking for a diet that fits your dog’s energy needs, as you still want to feed them enough bulk to help them feel satisfied.
High Protein Dry Dog Foods
While there is not an established maximum protein value for dog food, dogs can eat and thrive on foods that contain significantly more protein than the minimum required amount. This high level of protein is not necessary for dogs and foods with high levels of protein tend to be considerably more expensive than their lower-protein counterparts. That being said, some dogs, such as working dogs or canine athletes involved in endurance activities, may do better on high protein foods to support their higher metabolism and muscle mass.
Low Fat Dry Dog Foods
The AAFCO minimum amount of crude fat that must be in dog food is 4.95% as-fed for an adult maintenance food and 7.65% as fed for puppy foods. Low fat dry dog foods are typically selected for dogs that are sedentary, diabetic, or overweight, those that have or are prone to pancreatitis, or those recovering from medical conditions.
Our selections fall above the required minimum fat level for adult maintenance dry dog food but are not appropriate for puppies. Low-fat options make up for the reduced fat in the formula by increasing the concentration of one of the other macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein, or both. This is where you should take your own dog’s biological needs into account when choosing a low fat dog food—does your pup do better on a higher-protein or higher-carbohydrate food?
Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Foods
While there is no official regulatory definition of a “limited ingredient” diet, these formulas generally feature a reduced number of primary protein and carbohydrate sources. Some manufacturers use just 5-6 major ingredients for their foods while others contain 10-12 or more.
Limited ingredient dry dog foods are typically chosen for dogs with suspected food sensitivities or when conducting an elimination diet. The goal is to simplify the diet, making it easier to identify and avoid ingredients that may trigger digestive upset or immune responses. Fewer major ingredients can help clarify which components are well-tolerated, so we tried to select diets with as few major ingredients as possible.
Grain-Free Dry Dog Foods
Grain-free dry dog foods remain a popular choice among pet parents, though their rise in popularity has been accompanied by ever-evolving research and discussion. Because kibble production requires starch for structure, grain-free formulas replace traditional grains with alternative carbohydrate sources such as peas, lentils, chickpeas, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.
Since U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) advisory warning of a possible link between grain-free foods and dietary-induced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), grain-free diets have been steeped in controversy. While no definitive causal link has been established, some experts continue to examine the role of heavy legume inclusion and amino balance in these cases. Current understanding suggests that while grain-free diets are not inherently harmful, they are not inherently superior either. They may be appropriate for dogs with confirmed grain sensitivities, though true grain allergies in dogs are uncommon.
Pet food manufacturers will often use a high inclusion of legumes as they can serve as both a carbohydrate source as well as an inexpensive source of protein in dog diets. However, the amino acid profiles of plant proteins are often not as optimal for dogs compared to animal-based proteins. When evaluating grain-free options, we advise that animal proteins remain the primary ingredients and that special attention be paid to identify ingredient splitting to try to minimize the impact that legumes play in the diet.
Budget-Friendly Dry Dog Foods
Our budget-friendly foods are not the least expensive on the market, but that is because the least expensive diets available do not meet many of the requirements needed to be on the WDJ approved dry dog food list. The cheapest foods on the market tend to be heavy in legume usage and often contain unnamed animal protein and fat sources, such as “meat and bone meal,” “animal by-product meal,” and “animal fat.” Because of this, we tried to balance quality and price to provide you with budget-friendly foods we feel good about recommending.
Alternative Protein Dry Dog Foods
Alternative protein dry dog foods in this article encompass vegetarian, vegan, and insect-based formulations. These diets may be selected for dogs with multiple confirmed animal protein allergies or for owners who have ethical or environmental concerns about traditional animal agriculture. At present, most alternative protein dog foods are formulated for adult maintenance and are not appropriate for growing puppies.
Best All Life Stages/Puppy Dry Dog Food
Nulo Challenger High-Protein Kibble Alpine Ranch Beef, Lamb & Pork Recipe
Deboned Beef, Deboned Lamb, Salmon Meal, Turkey Meal, Deboned Pork, Chicken Meal, Organic Oats, Organic Barley… View all
Things we like:
- Named meats are the first six ingredients
- Inclusion of probiotics
- Many nutrients on the guaranteed analysis including EPA and DHA (especially beneficial for puppies) and taurine
First 10 ingredients: Deboned Beef, Deboned Lamb, Salmon Meal, Turkey Meal, Deboned Pork, Chicken Meal, Organic Oats, Organic Barley, Chicken Fat, Organic Millet
- Protein: Min 35%
- Fat: Min 8%
- Calories: 438 Kcal/cup
- Cost: $4.42/lb
Best Dry Dog Food For Large Breed Puppies
Nulo Challenger High-Protein Kibble for Large Breed Puppy Alpine Ranch Beef, Lamb & Pork
Deboned Beef, Deboned Lamb, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Organic Oats, Organic Millet, Organic Barley… View all
Things we like:
- Named meats are the first six ingredients
- Inclusion of probiotics
- Many nutrients on the guaranteed analysis including EPA and DHA (especially beneficial for puppies) and taurine
First 10 ingredients: Deboned Beef, Deboned Lamb, Salmon Meal, Turkey Meal, Deboned Pork, Chicken Meal, Organic Oats, Organic Barley, Chicken Fat, Organic Millet
- Protein: Min 32%
- Fat: Min 14%
- Calories: 410 Kcal/cup
- Cost: $4.42/lb
Runners Up:
Best Adult Maintenance Dry Dog Food
Merrick Healthy Grains Real Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe
Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal, Lamb Meal, Chicken Fat, Salmon Meal… View all
Things we like:
- Named meats are four of the first 10 ingredients
- 85% animal ingredients
- Added probiotics and glucosamine
First 10 ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal, Lamb Meal, Chicken Fat, Salmon Meal, Quinoa, Natural Flavor
- Protein: Min 25%
- Fat: Min 16%
- Calories: 442Kcal/cup
- Cost: $3.08/lb
Runners Up:
Best High Protein Dry Dog Food
Orijen Amazing Grains Fit & Trim
Chicken, chicken giblets (liver, heart, gizzard), cod, whole herring, turkey giblets (liver, heart… View all
Things we like:
- Named meats are the first seven ingredients
- 85% animal ingredients
- Added probiotics and glucosamine
First 10 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Giblets (Liver, Heart, Gizzard), Cod, Whole Herring, Turkey Giblets (Liver, Heart, Gizzard), Dehydrated Chicken Liver, Dehydrated Sardine, Oat Groats, Millet, Eggs
- Protein: Min 42%
- Fat: Min 13%
- Calories: 411Kcal/cup
- Cost: $4.76/lb
Runners Up:
Best Low Fat Dry Dog Food
Chicken Soup for the Soul Classic Weight Care Brown Rice, Chicken & Turkey Recipe
Whole grain brown rice, chicken, turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, cracked pearled barley, peas, oatmeal… View all
Things we like:
- Named meats are 4 of the 5 first ingredients
- Guaranteed omega fatty acids
- Added L-carnitine for healthy fat metabolism and muscle maintenance
First 10 ingredients: Whole Grain Brown Rice, Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Peas, Oatmeal, White Rice, Faba Beans
- Protein: Min 21%
- Fat: Min 6%
- Calories: 328Kcal/cup
- Cost: $2.07/lb
Runners up:
Best Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe
Deboned salmon, salmon meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley, sweet potatoes, canola oil, natural flavor… View all
Things we like:
- Single protein source
- Poultry-, lamb-, and beef-free for dogs with protein sensitivities
- Added L-carnitine for healthy fat metabolism and muscle maintenance
First 10 ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Sweet Potatoes, Canola Oil, Potato Protein, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed
- Protein: Min 21%
- Fat: Min 14%
- Calories: 462Kcal/cup
- Cost: $3.45/lb
Runners Up:
Best Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Farmina N&D Quinoa Skin & Coat Quail Medium & Maxi
quail, dehydrated quail, pea starch, sweet potatoes, hydrolyzed pork liver, chicken fat, herring oil, quinoa seed… View all
Things we like:
- Animal proteins are 3 of the first 5 ingredients
- Alternative poultry protein
- Added L-carnitine, glucosamine, and omega fatty acids
First 10 ingredients: Quail, Dehydrated Quail, Pea Starch, Sweet Potatoes, Hydrolyzed Pork Liver, Chicken Fat, Herring Oil, Quinoa Seed, Natural Flavors, Flaxseed
- Protein: Min 23%
- Fat: Min 12%
- Calories: 369Kcal/cup
- Cost: $6.49/lb
Runners Up:
Best Budget-Friendly Dry Dog Food
Chicken Soup for the Soul Classic Large Breed Adult Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe
Chicken, turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, cracked pearled barley, whole grain brown rice, peas, oatmeal… View all
Things we like:
- First 4 ingredients are named animal protein sources
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- No byproduct meals
First 10 ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Peas, Oatmeal, White Rice, Faba Beans
- Protein: Min 23%
- Fat: Min 12%
- Calories: 374Kcal/cup
- Cost: $1.85/lb
Runners Up:
Best Alternative Protein Dry Dog Food
Jiminy’s Cravin’ Cricket
Dried Crickets, Oats, Sweet Potato, Brown Rice, Chickpeas, Potato Protein, Quinoa, Dried Yeast… View all
Things we like:
- Insect meal as primary protein source
- Low reliance on legumes
First 10 ingredients: Dried Crickets, Oats, Sweet Potato, Brown Rice, Chickpeas, Potato Protein, Quinoa, Dried Yeast, Sunflower Oil, Peas
- Protein: Min 25%
- Fat: Min 14%
- Calories: 407Kcal/cup
- Cost: $4.12/lb
Runners Up:
Search Our Dry Dog Food Database
If you’re trying to find the ideal dry food for your dog, we suggest checking out our list of Approved Dry Dog Foods (available to WDJ subscribers). This year, we not only updated our list to include more than 1,200 individual dry dog foods, but we also enhanced the database itself. You can now compare specific products, save your favorites, and share your search results with others along with filtering your search by company, ingredients, price range, and other criteria.
When selecting the best diet for your dog, keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation for dog food. Feed each dog the food that suits them best and consult your veterinarian or a nutritionist if you have any questions.
