Importance of Good Dog Food
Your beloved pet needs the best dog food you can give them. Not only does a good dog food fuel your pet, but it also ensures that they grow and develop into a strong and healthy dog for the long haul.
When you don’t provide a good dog food for your pet, their health suffers. Dogs who do not receive the proper nutrition are prone to health concerns.
The best dog foods provide a high protein percentage for your dog, while also providing all the necessary micronutrients needed for their health.
Five Best Dog Foods
As a certified dog trainer, I have tried and come across many different dog foods throughout the years. I’ve used that experience to provide you with an all-encompassing guide to the best dog foods on the market.
Each of these foods has a certain scenario or feature that sets it apart from the rest: taste, all-around use, value, etc. It is difficult to provide an all-encompassing choice of which dog food is best, but we have ranked them in terms of quality, price, versatility, and more.
Here is our unbiased review of the top 5 best dog foods available!
All-Around Favorite Dog Food
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Review Highlights:
“… Kibble is good size, smells fresh and dogs finish the entire portion they are offered …”
“… The dogs actually started eating straight out of the bag… I did the research, I did the comparisons, and I am happy with Wag …”
“… Our [dog] loves this dog food. He would eat an entire bag if we let him…”
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The first thing I do when considering a dog food is take a look at the ingredients. The first (and preferably second) ingredients should be protein sources. This brand hits the mark, with a high protein percentage and a low price point!
Feature Highlights:
- Choose from Salmon, Turkey, Beef, and Lamb flavors.
- Real protein is the first ingredient (and the second).
- Offers trial-sized bag to test the food, and the option to subscribe and save 10%.
- Contains no added grains, corn, or wheat.
This food provides a whopping 35% protein content, with protein as the first two ingredients. You can choose from a variety of protein sources if your dog has allergies.
This dog food brand provides low prices without sacrificing quality. The cost is equivalent to or lower than similar competitors. Recommended for: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Shih-Tzus, German Shepherds, and more.
Best Wet Dog Food
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Review Highlights:
“… We feed her half dry kibble, with half a can of Blue Wilderness… she is happier than ever before! No problems since. Probably a hell of a lot healthier too …”
“… Blue Buffalo was by far the best food for my Cooper. I have a new dog! I’m so grateful for Blue. They gave me my Cooper back …”
“… But no matter what she gets for her meals she always gets Blue Buffalo! It’s the best quality food… giving her good food is important for her health …”
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If you’re looking for a quality wet food to mix with your dog’s kibble, this is a great choice. Dogs across the board love the taste and texture of this dog food.
Feature Highlights:
- High protein, high moisture, grain-free wet food for your dog.
- Made without wheat as a thickening agent.
- Features real meat as the first ingredient.
A good wet food can be a wonderful way to entice your dog’s appetite for their dry kibble. It can also be incredibly important for dogs who do not drink enough water. This wet food provides a great taste to incentivize your dog to eat their food and a high moisture content,
Though this food has a high protein content, you should not use it as your dog’s primary food source. This is because even small breeds need dry kibble to properly clean their teeth and to meet their minimum nutritional requirements. Recommended for: Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds, Pointers, and more.
Best Value Dog Food
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Review Highlights:
“… My sister in law is a vet tech and this is what she feeds her dogs. She says it gives them great nutrition and is affordable. My dog especially loves the shredded bits …”
“… been using this brand for over a year now – no more throwing up, no more loose bowls and he eats it quickly… he is eating with gusto! …”
“… This food was recommended by our vet. My dog loves this food and wolfs it down at every meal …”
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Many “affordable” dog foods toss the most important nutritional factors out the window. Fortunately, we love this dog food because you still get real protein as the first ingredient and a high protein percentage.
Feature Highlights:
- Provides 26% protein content for your dog’s energy needs.
- First ingredient is real protein.
- Added probiotics for your dog’s digestive health.
This food provides you with a variety of flavor choices, all of which have a real protein source as the first ingredient. You can choose from salmon, chicken, lamb, and beef based on your preferences or any potential allergies.
You want the most bang for your buck, and your dog wants a tasty food. Thankfully, with this product, you get the best of both worlds. It even features unique shredded bits to add texture and help encourage your dog to finish their bowl. Recommended for: Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Border Collies, and more.
Best Dog Food for Small Breeds
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Review Highlights:
“… This food helps keep his coat really shiny, and he simply loves the taste. You just can’t go wrong with Blue! …”
“… No corn or wheat to cause any skin allergies, no fillers or mystery products. And she thrives on this food for the two years I’ve had her. No scratching at herself, eats the bowl right up….”
“… This food has NO junky fillers in it. It is all top quality ingredients. You will feel good knowing that you are doing the very best that you can by your furry little friends …”
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Your small breed dog needs balanced nutrition. Many pet owners tend to spoil their small breeds, but they still need dog food with real protein as the first ingredient, and a high protein percentage.
Feature Highlights:
- Choose from fish, chicken, or lamb flavor.
- Made specially for small breed dogs with high levels of protein and carbohydrates.
- No artificial preservatives, wheat, corn, soy, or artificial flavors.
Just because your dog is smaller doesn’t mean you should slack on their nutrition. With this dog food, you don’t have to worry about that because it provides real lamb and real turkey as the first two ingredients. Your dog also receives all its necessary vitamins and minerals.
This food also contains omega fatty acids, including fish oil, to help encourage healthy joints, skin, and coat. Additionally, it contains a variety of fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, spinach, apples, cranberries, and more. Recommended for: Chihuahuas, Shih-Tzus, Maltese, Toy Poodles, and more.
Best Dog Food for Large Breeds
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Review Highlights:
“… I was impressed with both the quality of the ingredients in Nutro Lite and the price. We are very pleased… Such a great food brand. I recommend this food to all my family and friends. Definitely worth it. …”
“… As soon as he TASTED it, he took right to it and really likes it … I can’t say enough about how PLEASED I am with this food. I wish I had tried this food MUCH sooner. HIGHLY recommend! …”
“… I have 10 dogs and they all love this dog food. The other dog food had to many fillers and large dogs ate too much… its better for them. …”
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The best dog foods for large breeds support healthy joints, and one of the best ways to do that is to make sure your dog is not overweight. That’s where this product comes in. With Nutro Healthy Weight, your large breed receives all the nutrients and vitamins that they need while also maintaining lean muscle.
Feature Highlights:
- Made with farm-raised chicken, rice, and sweet potato.
- Real chicken is the first ingredient, and protein content is 22%.
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
As is the case with all the best dog foods, real protein is both the first and second ingredients. Consequently, the first ingredient is chicken, and the second is chicken meal with glucosamine and chondroitin. It also does not contain any chicken by-products or unnecessary fillers.
In addition to a high protein content and quality ingredients, this dog food also helps your dog maintain a healthy weight. Every extra pound on a dog’s frame strains their joints, and in large breeds this can be a serious problem. Because this food provides weight regulation, you can feel confident that your dog is getting the best nutrition with this food. Recommended for: Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Boxers, Labrador Retrievers, and more.