Whether you've welcomed a rescue dog into your home or proudly own a pup certified by the American Kennel Club, the responsibilities of pet ownership are both numerous and essential for your dog's well-being. Dogs enrich our lives with their boundless joy and vitality. From providing love and care to ensuring they have a comfortable place to rest, responsible pet parenting encompasses a range of crucial aspects. One of the most important is ensuring that your furry friend receives the proper nutrition.
The question of what to feed your dog is a versatile one, that requires consideration of factors such as their age, size, breed, and any existing health concerns. In addition it's important to have a rotating diet with little to preferably no preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, and chemicals because of the adverse impact they have on a dog's digestive system. And more importantly, every dog owner should know their dog's food intolerances.
We've put together a custom list of dog food brand recommendations by pet lovers, pet experts, and brands noted by well-versed canine nutritionists. While reading this article, it's important to remember that every dog is unique, so before making any dietary changes, it's important to consult your veterinarian or canine expert and know their intolerances to ensure the well-being of your furry friend.
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Wellness CORE Grain-Free Large Breed Chicken & Turkey Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Large Breed natural dry dog food is suitable for your big buddy to live his best life. Wellness CORE designed this kibble to promote “lean body mass, muscle tone and a healthy coat and skin”. What’s unique about the Wellness CORE brand is they only use real meat as the primary ingredient in their recipes and their uncompromisable high- quality ingredients. So the next time you’re out to buy your large furry friend more food, consider Wellness CORE Grain-Free Large Breed Chicken & Turkey Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food. Remember that it is important to slowly transition your dog from his/her current diet as it takes a few days for the body to adapt to new nutrient levels.
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Raised Right
Raised Right dog food is favored for its health benefits, taste, and is often recommended for several key reasons. Firstly, the use of human-grade ingredients assures higher quality and safety standards, comparable to those acceptable for human consumption. This ensures safer and higher quality food options for dogs. Additionally, the recipes are formulated by experts like veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker and pet-food formulation expert Steve Brown, ensuring nutritional adequacy and balance. Their expertise guarantees that the food not only meets the AAFCO's minimum nutrition requirements but also maintains a balance of high protein content with very few carbs, without added synthetic vitamins or minerals.
The brand also emphasizes low-carb, high-protein recipes, which align with a dog's natural dietary needs. The minimal use of fillers such as potatoes, rice, wheat, and oats is a notable feature. Furthermore, Raised Right offers limited ingredient recipes, which are especially beneficial for dogs with specific dietary needs or allergies, helping reduce the risk of allergic reactions and promoting overall health. The brand's commitment to safety and transparency is evident through lab safety testing of each batch before shipping, providing reassurance about the quality of food. Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, noting improvements in dogs' energy levels, digestion, skin, and coat health after switching to Raised Right dog food.
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Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food
In comparison to kibble, wet dog food is known for its easy ability to chew, more protein packed portions, and less preservatives that can be harmful to your pup. One brand that stands out in the wet dog food segment is Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food. Nom Nom fresh dog food is highly rated because of the human grade ingredients in each meal. Nom Nom is also highly rated because of the specification it undergoes to ensure the meal is exactly right for your dog. With filters like age, weight, diet concerns, previous food your pup has eaten and more. Nom Nom creates the perfect wet dog food recipe that includes the exact nutrients your furry friend needs.
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The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food
Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food stands out among other dog food brands not only because it is a wet dog food recipe, but because each recipe is designed by a veterinary nutritionist and made with human grade ingredients. If your pup is struggling to eat all his or her food, and is extremely picky when it comes to loving their food, the Farmer’s Dog Fresh food may be right for you. More unique properties of this brand include 100% complete and balanced nutrition meeting “AAFCO nutrient standards for all life stages”. And “fresh food that’s safe enough for humans to eat, but that’s nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs”.
Quick tip! If your dog consumers raw foods, then it's important to test for raw food intolerances too.
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Ollie
Ollie dog food is renowned for its premium quality, using human-grade ingredients and a significant amount of named meats as its primary protein source. This focus on high-quality, fresh, and unprocessed ingredients not only makes the food appealing and digestible for dogs but also ensures a higher standard of safety and nutrition. Ollie's recipes are free from grains, fillers, chemicals, or preservatives, aligning with a natural diet that's beneficial for dogs. Such a quality-focused approach, while more expensive compared to other dog food options, is often considered worthwhile for those who value fresh and wholesome food for their pets.
The brand caters to dogs of various life stages with up to seven different recipes, providing complete and balanced meals tailored to individual dietary needs. Ollie's meals are formulated by veterinarians to meet the rigorous AAFCO guidelines, ensuring nutritional balance and safety. In addition to the food itself, Ollie offers convenient services like auto-shipping, which can be adjusted as needed, along with free shipping and a 100% money-back guarantee. This combination of high-quality, human-grade food, and customer-focused services makes Ollie a highly recommended choice for dog owners who prioritize their pet's health and well-being.
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Fresh Pet
Fresh dog food is a growing segment in the dog food market. Pet owners know there is a difference in the quality of ingredients in comparison to dry food and the amount of nutrition its furry friend consumes in comparison to dry food as well. With this in mind Fresh Pet stands out among other brands by including real chunks of meat in their meals. The only downside pet owners share in reviews is that Fresh Pet is not as accessible when shopping for pet food. Because of the freshness of ingredients the shelf life is way shorter than typical pet foods and must be stored in cold displays. If you’re interested in trying Fresh Pet, check out the Fresh Pet website to view where the closest retail store has this product available.
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Just Food For Dogs
Just For Dogs stands out in the pet food industry with its human-grade, fresh dog food, earning the top spot in a survey of 16,000 veterinarians. The brand's commitment to providing the highest quality nutrition is reflected in its recipes, developed by veterinary nutritionists, and prepared in USDA-certified kitchens. Their all-natural product range, free from artificial preservatives and flavors, includes a variety of food, treats, supplements, and nutritional blends, catering to the diverse dietary needs and tastes of dogs. The company's mission to offer the best in canine nutrition, combined with the tastiness of its products, has garnered positive feedback from both pets and their owners, making Just For Dogs a highly recommended choice for those seeking nutritious and appealing meals for their dogs.
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A Pup Above
A Pup Above is a premium dog food brand that emphasizes high-quality, human-grade ingredients to provide optimal nutrition for dogs. Their unique approach involves a sous-vide cooking method, which gently cooks the food at a low temperature to retain maximum nutrients and flavor. This method not only ensures that the food is delicious and palatable for pets, but also preserves the natural integrity of the ingredients. A Pup Above offers a range of recipes, catering to various dietary needs and preferences, including options for dogs with sensitivities or allergies. With a commitment to sustainability and sourcing ingredients from trusted farms, this brand stands out in the pet food market for its health-conscious and eco-friendly ethos.
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Purina Beyond Grain Free Dog Food
Purina Beyond Grain Free Dog Food is highly recommended for its quality, despite Purina's broader reputation. It stands out due to its higher meat content compared to standard supermarket offerings, superior grain selection avoiding common fillers like corn and sorghum, and grain-free recipes free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Meeting AAFCO nutrient guidelines for adult maintenance, it offers a nutritionally balanced diet for dogs. This line has received positive reviews and high ratings, such as 4.6 out of 5 stars, indicating strong customer satisfaction and making it a preferred choice for dog owners, especially those looking for healthier, grain-free options for their pets.
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Orijen Dry Dog food
Dog owners highly regard Orijen Dry Dog Food for its exceptional quality, evidenced by its top ratings like a 5-star rating from Dog Food Advisor. Its appeal lies in its rich composition of fresh, whole animal ingredients, including free-run poultry, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs, constituting 85% of its formula. This aligns closely with a dog's natural dietary needs, mimicking their native diet in the wild with a high animal protein content. The brand is also known for its rigorous quality control, producing its own food in company-owned facilities and transparently sourcing ingredients. Furthermore, dog owners often prefer dry food like Orijen over wet dog food due to its longer shelf life, convenience in storage and serving, cost-effectiveness, and dental health benefits for dogs, as chewing dry kibble can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
We've explored the top 10 dog food brands, each with its own distinct features tailored to meet the diverse preferences and needs of our furry friends. Remember, every dog is unique, they could have allergies or intolerances, and their nutritional requirements can vary. It's crucial to consult your veterinarian when selecting the right food, as dietary changes can impact your pet's habits, whether for better or worse. These options have been carefully chosen to cater to a wide range of your pet's needs. So, don't hesitate to revisit this list to ensure that your loyal companion receives the care and nutrition they truly deserve.
