11 Best Dog Foods of 2024, Tested and Reviewed (2024)

A blended recipe of chicken, lamb and salmon goes into this multi-protein dry dog food. One of our pet pro's dogs has been eating this food brand since puppyhood and still loves it.

Like other dry dog food, "the crunch texture can help promote dental health," says Dr. Caos. "The mechanical action of chewing kibble can help reduce tartar buildup and maintain healthier teeth and gums while the abrasive action of chewing can help scrape away plaque." Aside from maintaining those pearly whites, this kibble is complete with what the brand maintains are "superfoods" including grains, seeds, fruits and vegetables along with the protein (each cup has at least 22% crude protein). It's pricier than most traditional supermarket brands but a little less costly than other premium brands, and it has many reviewers singing its praises.

We're showing Nutro's dry food for large breeds, but the brand also offers Ultra versions for small dogs, weight management, puppies and senior dogs as well as wet food and a limited-ingredient option for dogs with sensitive stomachs. We like that you can find Nutro online including on Amazon, in pet stores including PetSmart and in mass retailers like Walmart.

There are more affordable classic dry dog foods on the shelves, but for premium ingredients at a reasonable price we like Blue Buffalo. Deboned chicken is the first ingredient, followed by chicken meal, brown rice, and a mix that includes barley, oatmeal and many fruits and vegetables. The brand includes vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help boost a dog's immunity. On Amazon it gets more than 30,000 five-star reviews, with many reviewers calling it their dog's favorite.

Blue Buffalo is available many places including online, in pet stores, at supermarkets and in mass-retail chains. This link is to the adult chicken formula; there's also Baby Blue puppy food.

Fresh dog food must be refrigerated or frozen when it arrives through the mail, and it's more expensive than traditional kibble. Unfortunately you can't get a grasp on the exact monthly cost until you give it a try, since it varies depending on your dog's size and needs.

The brand says that plans start at less than $4 a day for small dogs, and average $8 a day between all breeds. Try now to get a plan customized for your pup! Our experts love how easy it is to personalize this dog food for your pet. In fact we've named it our favorite dog food delivery service and best dog food subscription box. You start by filling out a survey about your dog with their breed, weight and age, plus information about their activity level and any food sensitivities.

Then instead of you having to hunt down a food that's right for your pup, Ollie will cook and mail appropriate homemade meals, in flavors like chicken, turkey, pork and lamb. Choose from three different plans: the full fresh plan, the mixed bowl of half fresh and half Ollie kibble, or just a half-order of the fresh plan if you already have a dry dog food you like.

One of our analysts used Ollie for her finicky pup and particularly liked how easy the web site and app are to use, noting that you can change the delivery date or location. "I also love the compact packaging that doesn’t take up too much space in the freezer," she adds. "Food-wise, my super-picky Shiba seemed to like Ollie's fresh food much more than she ever liked kibble."

This popular meal service for dogs was founded back in 2015 with the idea that dogs, especially ones with food sensitivities, could thrive with homemade meals made of easily recognizable ingredients. The Farmer's Dog is particularly good for pets with sensitivities or allergies. The extremely detailed sign-up quiz helps you zero in on everything you need to consider to find the best formula for your dog, from their body condition (skinny, just right, rounded or chunky) to their activity level, pickiness, current food, health issues (including allergies and sensitivities) and whether or not they require a prescription diet.

Once you've filled out all of that information, The Farmer's Dog will provide you with a recommended plan including up to three flavors of freshly prepared dog food that they then flash-freeze. (We named them the best frozen dog food delivery service.) Protein can include chicken, beef, turkey or pork. Interestingly, they'll also sell you just the raw ingredients and teach you recipes if you want to try to DIY your dog's food at home.

Either way, their subscription is likely to be more expensive than store-bought food, and less convenient since you'll have to be home to receive your delivery and get it into the fridge or freezer. The brand says that plans start at $2 a day. To illustrate how costs can range, the web site gives an example of a 11-pound Yorkshire terrier whose fresh food plan is $2.80 a day and a 75-pound Labrador retriever mix whose fresh food plan is $10.39 a day. Fans say it's worth it if their dog thrives on it.

Dr. Conrad highly recommends this brand since she finds it to be one of the "most nutritionally balanced" options on the market. Omega-6 fatty acids help keep a dog's skin and coat healthy and shiny, while EPA and DHA (found in the salmon and fish oil) help promote heart health. It also features natural prebiotic fiber to help improve digestive health by cultivating helpful intestinal bacteria, so it's good for a dog with a sensitive stomach.

When reading the ingredient list, you'll see this option mainly relies on fish proteins, with a variety of vitamins and minerals like vitamin-E and vitamin-A supplements as well as choline chloride to keep pup's liver healthy. It is also poultry-free, which can be a taste preference for some picky pups.

There are many other Pro Plan varieties for dogs of different sizes and with different issues. Just a few include a high-protein mix with beef, a weight management formula for large dogs and a puppy formula. Purina is a well-known mass-market brand available online, in pet stores, in grocery stores and in large retail chains. If you need to pay less, you can also check out the Purina One line.

Though most dogs don't need a grain-free diet, your vet might recommend one if your dog has shown sensitivities or allergies to grains.

"Every dog is unique, and their nutritional needs may vary," Dr. Caos explains. "While some dogs thrive on grain-free formulas, others may do well on diets containing grains." This beef-and-sweet potato recipe is packed with 32 percent protein and is formulated for all breeds. It also includes omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and shiny fur, and glucosamine and chondroitin that help keep joints and hips healthy. Deboned beef is the first ingredient, followed by lamb meal, salmon meal and then sweet potatoes.

There are relatively limited number of grain-free varieties in the Merrick line but they do sell grain-free dog food for puppies. Also popular: The Merrick grain-free wet dog foods, such as a canned steak dinner. The brand is widely available online, in pet-food stores and at some mass retailers.

There are a few reasons you might want to opt for wet dog food like this one by Wellness, according to Dr. Caos. For dogs with existing dental issues that may have trouble chewing hard food, and for dogs that don't seem to drink enough water throughout the day, the high moisture content makes this type of food easier to chow down on and helps keep dogs hydrated. Dr. Caos also notes that wet dog food can be more appealing to pets due to its "softer texture, stronger smell and richer flavors."

Canned food tends to be a bit more expensive than dry kibble, but it's a less expensive option than fresh. Cans are heavy and you'll need to store unused portions of an open can in the fridge. But unlike with fresh dog food, canned food is shelf-stable and can last a good long while unopened. The main protein source in this one is lamb and beef, but it also features a variety of added vitamins and supplements to help promote your pet's healthy immune system, digestion and strong bones.

Other flavors include turkey and even a venison and salmon mix, and you can buy Wellness dog food in many stores, including PetSmart and Walmart, and on many web sites, including Amazon and Chewy.

Hill's Science Diet is another one of the dog food brands that Dr. Conrad specifically recommends due to its "nutritionally balanced" formula that's great for many different types of dogs.

This version for small and mini breeds is especially popular with pet owners, with more than 22,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. It's got extra-small kibble made for tiny jaws and is formulated with omega-6 and vitamin E for a shiny coat and healthy skin. Chicken meal is the first ingredient and its main source of protein, but there's also rice, whole grain wheat, soybean, barley and corn in the mix.

This one is meant for adult dogs ages 1 to 6. If your small dog tends to get chunky there's also a weight management formula, one for small dogs with a sensitive stomach and there's a senior formula for small dogs ages 11 and older. There's a different adult formula for dogs who fall into the middle ages of 7 to 10 — the brand's age labeling is a bit confusing. Hill's Science Diet is sold primarily at pet stores, veterinarian offices and online.

Hyper-specific formulas are a hallmark of the Royal Canin brand, which offers dozens of blends so you can find the one that best matches your dog's size and age. This variety, for large adult dogs 56 to 100 pounds, is made of bigger kibble pieces for their strong jaws. It's a chicken formula (like almost all Royal Canin dog food) that's also packed with antioxidants, vitamins and omega fatty acids for your big dog's shiny coat, bone health and joint support.

What if your dog is extra large? There's also a formula for giant breeds who weigh over 100 pounds. Royal Canin also tailors meals for specific breeds like its Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler formulas. The shape of the kibble changes for each one! Finally, if your future biggie is small right now small, the brand has large breed puppy food. This brand is pricey and though it's sold at pet stores, veterinarian offices and online, it's not usually in grocery stores or mass-retail chains.

Raw dog food seems to be all the rage, with marketing that seems to say the closer dog food is to a fresh kill, the more appropriate it is for your dog. The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) cautions against handling and serving actual raw protein to your pup, because it can give you or your pet a foodborne illness.

We think a freeze-dried raw dog food, like these Meal Mixers from Stella & Chewy's, is a smart way to go if you want to try the trend without the danger of preparing raw meat yourself. (Plus, it's shelf-stable!) They are single-sourced high-protein pieces, 40 percent crude protein, and the brand suggests you mix it with your dog's regular kibble. That way your pet gets the added taste and a blast of protein.

"My dog loves everything Stella & Chewy," reports one of our Lab leads. Because each bag is essentially about 95 percent meat, they are expensive. This 35-ounce pouch is about the same price as many 30-pound bags of dry dog food. So it really is just meant as a topper, as the brand says, to "kickstart your kibble." A slightly less-expensive alternative is the brand's dinner dust that you shake onto dry dog food like a seasoning. Stella & Chewy's is sold in pet stores and online.

One of our Lab pet parents loves using the Nom Nom web site to regularly receive meals for her large dog. But another prefers to only use the fresh food sometimes as a meal topper. If you're just fresh-food curious or only want to serve homemade dog food as a treat or topper, we like that you can pick up seven pouches of Nom Nom dog food through web sites including Chewy and at stores including PetSmart.

Nom Nom offers four ready-cooked flavors plus a variety pack. You receive them frozen and will want to put them in the fridge if you'll serve them soon or freezer if you're saving them for a special occasion. Each recipe includes protein, veggies and vitamins. What you're missing out on by just picking up these pouches is having the brand tailor a recipe for your dog's special needs. For that, you'd want to move to a subscription through nomnomnow.com.

The Good Housekeeping Institute reviews all kinds of pet products, including food-based products like dog treats and dog supplements.

We test brands with our Lab experts who have dogs, send brands out to tester families and read through hundreds of online reviews to understand real-life usage. We also scour each product's ingredient list and check and double-check to be sure each dog food is available no matter where you live in the U.S. For this story we also consulted two veterinarians to ensure that we're only recommending the safest and healthiest dog foods.

Our final list consists of reliable brands we trust, veterinarian-recommended products and our Good Housekeeping pros' favorites. Each brand meets nutritional requirements set by the Association of American Feed Control (AAFCO) to ensure that your pet will have all the nutrients for their life stage.

Dogs need animal protein — even if you're a vegetarian, your dog can not be. But grains, fruits and vegetables are all perfectly okay to be in your dog's food along with the meat, poultry or fish that is their main sustenance.

✔️ Trust the vet: "Your veterinarian knows your dog's specific needs and can provide valuable guidance on selecting the right dog food," Dr. Caos says. "They can consider factors like age, breed, size, activity level and any health conditions in order to recommend an appropriate diet."

✔️ Your dog will have opinions: You can lead a dog to a premium kibble but you can't necessarily make it eat. You may need to try a few flavors to hit on what they love, so buy a small bag when you're trying a new dog food.

✔️ Find a formula that fits them: While puppy food may be formulated to support their growth, senior dog food is created to help their joints, bone and skin as they get old. The American Kennel Club notes that large dogs can be more prone to musculoskeletal problems than their small breed counterparts, so you'll want to ensure that you're purchasing dog food specifically for large breeds if you've got one, since it has a different balance of nutrients. Smaller dogs, meanwhile, benefit from a food for them that has smaller kibble pieces that are easier for them to eat.

✔️ Check the ingredient list: "High-quality ingredients [should be] the primary components of the dog food," Dr. Cao says. "The first few ingredients should ideally be named animal protein sources, such as chicken, beef or fish. Avoid foods that list vague terms like 'meat meal' as the main protein source."

Your vet can also tell you if there's anything to avoid with your dog. For instance, most dogs don't need grain-free dog food, but some dogs do benefit from it. "If your dog has specific dietary restrictions or allergies, choose a food that accommodates those needs," Dr. Caos says. The FDA studied grain-free dog food to see if there was a link between it and canine heart disease; the study was inconclusive. A more recent study from the University of Missouri found no link between grain-free diets and the development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). But to be safe, don't put your pet on a grain-free diet until you've received clearance from the veterinarian.

✔️ Get expert-formulated recipes: To ensure your pet is getting the healthiest (and tastiest) chow, you'll want to look for brands that use board-certified nutritionists to formulate the diet. This means they'll test for nutrient content and adequacy, and assess the food for contaminants. Most major brands do this.

"Look for dog foods labeled as 'complete and balanced' by reputable organizations like the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)," says Dr. Caos. According to the AAFCO, when a dog food says it's “complete," it means it contains all of the nutrients you'll need for your pet at its life stage. "Balanced," on the other hand, means that those nutrients are in the right ratios. Different doggie life stages require different ratios of nutrients.

Here's a handy guide to know how much chicken is actually in that "chicken and rice" recipe:

If the ingredient is present in the name of the dog food, it must make up at least 95% of the food (not including water). If water is included in these numbers, then the combined ingredients in the name must make up at least 70% of the food. The ingredient listed first is the most prominent one in the recipe. So, if you're looking at "chicken and rice" dog food, at least 95% of the product by weight will be made up of both chicken and rice with the rest of the 5% comprised of vitamins and minerals to help your pup stay healthy. However, if the name of the food comes with a descriptor like "dinner," "platter" or "entrée," then the meat ingredients in the name must only make up 25% of the product. Finally, if it's described as "food with chicken," than chicken must only make up 3% of the food.

Ingredients are listed in descending order based on how much of the dog food they make up by weight.

Find feeding directions on the container to know how much food to pour for your pet based on their weight.

If you're in the market for dog food, you've probably heard two of the most common buzzwords: grain-free and human-grade.

"There is no reliable evidence that suggests that it is harmful to feed grains to dogs," according to what the Clinical Nutrition Team at Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center wrote on their blog. "Whole grains, rather than being 'fillers,' can contribute valuable nutrients." Dr. Caos notes that while some pets thrive on grain-free diets, others need healthy whole grains. "The decision between grain-free formulas should be based on careful consideration of your dog's nutritional needs, health status and professional guidance from a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist," he says. Similarly, human-grade food signifies that the ingredients all meet federal regulations for humans, but according to AAFCO, just because the food is human-grade does not mean it is nutritionally best (or safe) for your dog.

If you have made the decision to switch your dog's food to a new brand, it may seem like a daunting task to get them on board with the change. To make it go smoothly:

• Transition slowly: One of the things that may prevent your pet from getting acclimated to a new food is a too-abrupt transition. "Gradually introduce the new food by mixing small amounts of it with the old food over a period of about seven to 10 days," Dr. Caos says. "Start with a small proportion of the new food and gradually increase the amount while decreasing the old food. This allows your pet's digestive system to adjust."
• Monitor your pet's response: Keep an even closer eye than usual on your dog's behavior and note any physical changes, like their appetite, energy level and more. "If you notice any concerning symptoms or persistent issues, consult with your veterinarian for further guidance," Dr. Caos says.
• Try some variety: Picky eaters may take a bit longer to warm up to new flavors and smells. "Consider offering different flavors or varieties of the new food to see if there's a particular one your pet prefers," Dr. Caos says. "You can also try warming the food slightly or adding a small amount of low-sodium chicken broth or water to enhance palatability."
• Chat with your vet: "If your pet continues to have difficulty adjusting to the new food, it's advisable to consult with your veterinarian," Dr. Caos explains. They should be able to offer personalized recommendations.

The Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on pet essentials for decades. This story was originally written by Jamie Spain, who vetted many of the picks with her own dog. For insight on dog nutrition, she consulted Dr. Alejandro Caos, DVM, a veterinarian with The Vets, and Dr. Megan Conrad, M.B.B.S., an associate veterinarian at Wellhaven Pet Health.

This article was most recently updated by Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn who works in our Pets & Parenting Lab reviewing products such as dog coats and jackets and cat toys. While her own pets are felines, her cousin lives right downstairs from her with a dog, so she gets plenty of canine time, too!