Being a pet parent comes with its fair share of responsibilities, including feeding them a nutritious diet. From managing weight to building robust immune systems, there are numerous health benefits to giving your dog the right food, according to experts (balanced, of course, around their favorite dog treats).
“Commercially processed canned or kibble foods are formulated to meet dogs’ nutritional needs for proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals — they’re convenient, consistent and readily available, and they undergo a process of quality control and inspection that is meant to catch any contaminants or pathogens before they affect pets or people,” says Dr. Lori Teller, a board-certified veterinarian and immediate past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
I have written about all things dogs — and specifically dog food — for over three years. To help you search, I consulted veterinarians and animal nutrition experts on what to consider when shopping for the best dog food. Below, I compiled expert-recommended dog food brands to consider and options NBC Select staffers feed their own pets.
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Best for sensitive stomachs$71.98$89.98
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How I picked the best dog food
When choosing the right food for your dog, my experts recommend considering the following factors:
- AAFCO nutrition standards: Ensure the dog food meets AAFCO nutrition standards, which you can determine by looking at the nutritional adequacy statement on the label that will note the food is “complete and balanced.” All of the dog foods I list — including dry kibble and canned wet food — meet or exceed the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional standards.
- Ingredients and palatability: All of the following dog foods come from brands with a team of veterinary nutritionists on staff to regulate the use of high-quality ingredients (more on specific ingredients and formulas below). The ingredient list on the packaging displays all ingredients from highest to least amount by weight, which means the first three listed are the most crucial to consider, according to AAFCO.
- Nutritional value and proportions: Make sure brands provide a feeding guide on its packaging to help you determine the appropriate portions for your dog’s weight and size.
- Your dog’s size, weight and life stage: For example, you should feed your puppy food that’s specifically labeled for puppies until they reach their adult body weight. Some dog foods are labeled by size, like small, medium and large breeds, which means the size of the kibble is easier for them to ingest. Some brands like Royal Canin also has breed-specific formulas, which can help address common needs and concerns for certain dog breeds. All of the following brands offer high-calorie options for puppies and easily digestible kibble sizes for dogs of various sizes.
Best dog food in 2024
The list below includes options that align with experts’ guidance and ones that NBC Select staffers feed their own dogs.
Best overall dog food: Royal Canin Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
- Crunchy texture
- Multiple kibble sizes
- Resealable bag
- Nothing to note at this time
Royal Canin has some of the most diverse dog food options on the market — the brand makes both dry and wet dog food for various dog sizes, breeds and dietary restrictions, including food sensitivities and gastrointestinal issues. I feed my 6-year-old Havanese and bichon frise mix, Bella, Royal Canin’s small-breed dry dog food after my veterinarian recommended it. The small-breed kibble is made for small dogs 10 months to 8 years old that weigh between nine and 22 pounds.
Former NBC Select editorial operations manager Shari Uyehara regularly uses the same formula for her dog Loki, a 2-year-old cavalier King Charles spaniel, after it was recommended by Loki’s breeder. I’ve noticed that Bella prefers this brand over others, which she would often leave half-eaten. Royal Canin also has dry food formula for extra-small, medium, large breeds and giant breeds, as well as a puppy formula.
Food type: Dry | Texture: Crunchy kibble | Calorie content: 359 kcal per cup (small breed formula) | Main ingredients: Corn, chicken by-product meal, brewers rice, brown rice
Best dog food for puppies: Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Dry Dog Food
- Small-sized kibble
- Supports overall puppy health
- Easy to digest
- Nothing to note at this time
Hill’s Science Diet’s puppy food is made for dogs up to 1 year old and comes in small, easy-to-digest kibble, according to the brand. The formula has natural omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil that work to support healthy brain and eye development, as well as a vitamin E and vitamin C blend that helps support a healthy immune system in puppies, according to Hill’s. The food comes in a 4.5- or 12.5-pound bag, and the brand also has a canned puppy formula, which my experts say can be great to mix into your dog’s dry food.
Food type: Dry | Texture: Crunchy kibble | Calorie content: 393 kcal per cup | Main ingredients: Chicken, brown rice, whole grain wheat
Best dry dog food for sensitive stomachs: Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food
- Easy to digest
- Novel proteins
- No wheat, soy or corn
- May take time to adjust
- Kibble is all same size
Some dogs are sensitive to certain food ingredients, which can cause excessive itching, loose stools, occasional vomiting and other symptoms. Investing in a dog food formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs and skin can help minimize these issues. This option from Purina does not have corn, wheat or soy, so it’s easier to digest for dogs with an intolerance to these ingredients. However, these types of ingredients should only be avoided if your dog has an intolerance because they are full of healthy vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates, experts say. To help your dog maintain a complete and balanced diet, the formula has high-protein salmon (novel proteins like salmon that aren’t common in a dog’s diet help with sensitive stomach issues, according to experts), probiotics and prebiotic fiber for digestive and immune health and omega-6 fatty acids to help support a healthy skin and coat, according to the brand.
Food type: Dry | Texture: Crunchy kibble | Calorie content: 407 kcal per cup | Main ingredients: Salmon, barley, rice, oatmeal, canola meal, fish meal
Best subscription dog food: The Farmer’s Dog Subscription Dog Food
- Delivers to your home
- Custom formula
- Easy to store
- May take time to adjust
- More expensive
The Farmer’s Dog is a subscription plan that delivers fresh, ready-to-eat dog food to your door. Each prepared meal delivery comes with the exact portions your dog needs based on their age, weight, breed, activity level and build. Before you place an order, you’ll fill out a questionnaire and the brand calculates the plan that fits your dog’s caloric and nutritional needs.
You can store the food pouches in your fridge or freezer, and each package lasts up to four days in the fridge after being thawed, according to the brand. NBC Select social editor Sadhana Daruvuri feeds The Farmer’s Dog to her 2-year-old Maltipoo, Bandit: “I knew friends who tried it, and their dogs were all big fans, so I did a trial with Bandit and it was obvious he liked it way more than his kibble,” she says. Bandit was always a picky eater regarding his kibble, Daruvuri says, until she noticed a huge difference in how excited he was to eat after switching to The Farmer’s Dog. Subscription prices start at $2 per day and delivery options range from one week to two months of food (plan pricing varies based on your dog’s weight, breed, activity level and more).
Food type: Fresh | Texture: Soft, easy to chew | Calorie content: n/a (based on questionnaire) | Main ingredients: Human-grade (based on questionnaire)
Best food for active dogs: Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance Salmon & Cod Dry Dog Food
- Maintains healthy weight
- Good for picky eaters
- Not for older dogs
NBC Select commerce analytics manager Amanda Smith feeds this Purina Pro Plan formula to her 3-year-old rat terrier Mac, a picky eater who found this option more palatable than others. Specifically made for active adult dogs, this dry food has glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids to help maintain joint health and mobility, according to the brand. It also has a ratio of 30% protein and 20% fat to keep their energy up, according to Purina. This food is available in several flavor combinations to fit your dog’s preferences, including turkey, duck and quail, salmon and cod, and beef and bison formulas.
Food type: Dry | Texture: Crunchy kibble | Calorie content: 473 kcal per cup | Main ingredients: Salmon, rice, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, beef fat
Best dog food for large breeds: Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
- Maintains healthy weight
- Large kibble size
- Good value for size
- Large bag sizes
Purina employs several veterinary nutritionists to help determine healthy formulations and ingredients. The brand’s highly rated Pro Plan dog food is geared toward dogs of different sizes and in all stages of life, including large-breed adults and puppies, according to the brand. The Purina Pro Plan formula has natural prebiotic fiber for digestive health and omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A for skin and coat health, according to the brand. NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin says her large 100-pound yellow lab Chance eats the weight-management dry kibble from the brand, which has a more optimized protein-to-fat ratio because he’s 10 years old and less active.
Food type: Dry | Texture: Crunchy kibble | Calorie content: 407 kcal per cup | Main ingredients: Chicken, rice, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn
Best canned wet dog food: Royal Canin Adult Gastrointestinal Canned Dog Food
- Great for sensitive stomachs
- Low-fat
- Maintains gut health
- Needs vet approval
- More expensive
- Non-resealable can
Suppose you prefer to incorporate canned food into your dog’s meals. In that case, Royal Canin has various wet food options tested by veterinary nutritionists that can help you provide them with a little more diversity at dinnertime. Though it’s pricier, this low-fat option can be good for adult dogs with gastrointestinal issues or sensitive stomachs, according to the brand. (Though remember you’ll need your vet’s approval to order it.) The formula has prebiotics to help maintain good bacteria in the gut, a blend of dietary fibers that can promote healthy digestion and omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil to help soothe the GI tract, according to Royal Canin.
The brand also has other options to tackle various concerns, including weight loss, digestive care and joint care (all of which need veterinarian approval). If you don’t want your vet’s approval first, you can opt for the brand’s regular adult canned dog food.
Food type: Wet | Texture: Soft, easy to chew | Calorie content: 345 kcal per can | Main ingredients: Pork by-products, pork liver, brewers rice flour, corn grits, corn meal
Best frozen dog food: Just Food For Dogs Fish & Sweet Potato
- Locally sourced produce
- Last a long time
- Easy to store
- Individually packaged
- May need to ease into new diet
Just Food For Dogs has pouches of high-protein food with a low-calorie count, so it’s great for dogs who may be overweight or don’t get regular exercise, according to the brand. It has a variety of meal options made up of locally sourced produce and have only one source of protein for a limited ingredients diet, including venison, lamb and turkey. The meals are made for all life stages, and they include a feeding guide on the packaging so you know how much to feed your dog. All pouches last up to 18 months in the freezer, and thawed meals stay fresh when sealed in the original package for up to seven days, according to the brand. Once you open the pouch, the brand recommends using it within five days
This sweet potato and fish option provides a balanced diet for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those in need of a novel protein due to allergies, according to the brand. If you’re unsure which dog food to buy, the brand also has a variety pack with recipes like venison and squash, lamb and brown rice, and beef and potato.
Food type: Fresh | Texture: Soft, easy to chew | Calorie content: 26 kcal per ounce | Main ingredients: Cod, sweet potatoes, potatoes, green beans, broccoli
Best poultry-free dog food: Merrick Grain Free Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
- Novel proteins
- Good for allergies
- Small kibble size
- Grain-free
This Merrick salmon and sweet potato formula is great for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those who experience allergies to common proteins. Studies show that proteins like beef and chicken are among the most reported causes of allergies in dogs, so it’s important to look out for common signs of allergies — like excessive itching and vomiting — to figure out what works best for them, says Dr. Joe Wakshlag, professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. However, most dogs don’t usually experience these types of allergies, so you don’t need to avoid chicken and turkey unless you think your dog may have an allergy or intolerance, says Wakshlag.
Food type: Dry | Texture: Crunchy kibble | Calorie content: 392 kcal per cup | Main ingredients: Deboned salmon, salmon meal, whitefish meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas
Best dog food for digestive and joint health: Kirkland Signature Adult Formula Chicken, Rice and Vegetable Dog Food
- Good source of protein
- Promotes joint health
- Budget-friendly
- No bag size variety
NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez feeds her 8-year-old pitbull Baylor this Kirkland Signature dry dog food with chicken, whole grain brown rice and vegetables. “Baylor has a really sensitive stomach and this dry food is one of the only ones we found that she can tolerate,” says Alvarez. “We’ve been feeding her this one for years and when we’ve tried to switch it up in the past, she either doesn’t like it or her stomach gets really upset.” The food has probiotics to maintain digestive health, and glucosamine and chondroitin to help support healthy joints, according to the brand. The brand also makes a small breed formula.
Food type: Dry | Texture: Crunchy kibble | Calorie content: 393 kcals per cup | Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, chicken fat
Best wet food for sensitive stomachs: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Canned Dog Food
- Good for several sensitivities
- High moisture content
- Can mix with dry food
- Non-resealable can
I typically mix my dog Bella’s dry kibble with canned food to add moisture and texture to her nightly meal. However, her veterinarian recommended this wet food since she has a very sensitive stomach. So far, it’s one of the only canned foods that hasn’t caused any discomfort or side effects. The turkey and rice stew is Bella’s favorite, but the brand also has salmon and chicken recipes.
Food type: Wet | Texture: Soft, easy to chew | Calorie content: 253 kcal/can | Main ingredients: Chicken broth, turkey, carrots, pork liver, rice, chicken
Best prepared wet dog food: Purina Beneful Prepared Meals Beef & Chicken Medley
- Dogs love the flavor
- Resealable container
- Can serve on its own
- Nothing to note at this time
As a treat, Smith mixes a scoop of this prepared meal with Mac’s dry food about once a week. The stew comes with veggies, chunks of real beef, real chicken and rice. It’s also a fully balanced meal, so you can serve it on its own as long as you follow your dog’s recommended portion size (you can calculate portions on the brand’s website), or sprinkle it on top of your dog’s favorite kibble.
Food type: Wet | Texture: Soft, easy to chew | Calorie content: 265 kcal per tub | Main ingredients: Beef and chicken broth, beef, wheat gluten, liver, white rice
How to determine the best food for your dog
The two biggest factors that determine whether your dog’s food is good for their health is whether it’s nutritionally complete and balanced and whether you’re giving your dog the right portions based on their size and weight. When selecting your pet’s food, it is important to consider the information on the label and beyond the label.
On the label, the nutrition adequacy — or the AAFCO statement — indicates the species and life stage the food is formulated for and how it’s substantiated, either by formulation or feeding tests. But what isn’t on the label can be equally as important. The Global Nutrition Guidelines set by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) recommend investigating the brand to determine the people involved in the product’s formulation and manufacturing and whether the company routinely analyzes its finished products for nutrient content, pathogens and other items that don’t belong in dog food.
“Do they have veterinarians on staff or, more specifically, do they have veterinary nutritionists who are board-certified in that field? Brands that provide the best diets also invest in research,” says Dr. Brian Roberts, a board-certified veterinarian and regional medical director in the Mid-Atlantic region with VCA Animal Hospitals.
Below, I highlight some key considerations experts suggest when shopping for high-quality dog food.
Meets AAFCO nutrition standards
Experts say any good dog food will meet the AAFCO nutrition standards. “You can determine if a pet food meets your pet’s nutritional needs by looking at the nutritional adequacy statement on the label — if this statement includes the phrase ‘complete and balanced,’ then the product is intended to be fed as a pet’s sole diet and should be nutritionally balanced,” says Roberts.
“We have the AAFCO to make sure that everything you feed [your dog] is nutritionally complete,” says Wakshlag. You should be able to find the statement, which the FDA considers one of the most important aspects of a dog or cat food label, on the back label (in small font).
While AAFCO has feed control officials that develop standards, definitions and policies for the sale and distribution of pet food, among other animal feeds, the voluntary membership association doesn’t regulate, test, approve or certify pet food, so there’s no such thing as an “AAFCO approved” brand or product.
Ingredients and palatability
Finding the best food for your dog is much less about the specific ingredients than you may think. Dog owners should focus on the nutrients their companion is getting from those ingredients instead, says Dr. Richard Hill, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and associate professor at the University of Florida Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences.
However, the ingredient list can give you an idea of what nutrients your dog can get from their meal. The AAFCO states that an ingredient list is required to display all ingredients from highest amount to least amount by weight, which means the first three listed are the most critical — this will help you determine if the formula is vegetable-based with things like corn and brown rice or meat-based with chicken, fish or lamb, experts say.
AAFCO has developed several safety standards for ingredients used in pet food, and it goes in depth about common pet food labels.
- Organic food needs to follow production and handling requirements set by the USDA’s National Organic Program, which regulates all organic crops, livestock and agricultural products, to be recognized by the association.
- Human-grade has no real definition in any animal feed regulations because very few pet food products can be officially considered edible by humans, AAFCO says.
- Natural food has to be derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources and cannot be produced by a chemically synthetic process (although ingredients can have trace amounts of chemically synthetic compounds and still be considered natural).
“Some say natural ingredients like whole chicken are better than something processed like chicken meal; however, both are from the same source — chicken meal is just dehydrated chicken,” says Roberts.
Nutritional value and proportions
To ensure you’re giving your dog the appropriate nutrients and proportions, check the food’s energy density — shown as kcal (calories) per cup, can or ounce, similar to the nutritional facts on human foods — and its feeding guidelines.
“Generally speaking, commercially prepared brands of dog food have all the essential nutrients that a dog needs for healthy life function,” says Dr. Kristin Michael, a board-certified veterinarian and medical director at VCA Liberty Animal Hospital. “Each specific brand and type of dog food should have clearly labeled feeding amounts for your dog’s ideal weight.”
Once you determine feeding guidelines, you should keep an eye on your pet’s weight with the Body Condition Score, which is a visual scale that evaluates the amount of fat on key parts of the dog’s body (a 4 or 5 score is ideal). Vets use this scale to help gauge a pet’s body condition at each medical appointment and monitor it over the lifespan of a pet, says Michael. “A dog outside of [a healthy] range in either direction could be struggling with a medical issue that needs to be addressed,” she says.
Unfortunately, the top nutritional disease in dogs is obesity and, in some breeds, this can take as much as two years off their lifespan, according to Hill. A lot of obesity problems in dogs come down to the owner’s inability to understand their dog’s calorie intake: “We often pay attention to what’s on the side of the bag, and those recommendations are for the normal, active dog — a lot of dogs aren’t normal and active,” says Wakshlag. (More on dogs and obesity below.)
Your dog’s size, weight and life stage
Generally, your dog’s food should match their life stage. For example, you should feed your puppy food that’s specifically labeled for puppies until they reach their adult body weight — small breeds can switch to adult dog food at seven to nine months, while bigger breeds typically switch at 12 to 14 months, according to the American Kennel Club. “Giant breed dogs can remain on a puppy diet until 1.5 years since they continue to grow for longer than standard sized dogs,” says Michael.
According to Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, if your senior dog is healthy and eating a nutritionally balanced diet in the later stages of its life, there is no need to change its food.
You’ll often see certain dog foods labeled for small, medium and large breeds — these labels mostly deal with the size of the kibble and whether it’s easy for them to ingest. Some brands like Royal Canin have breed-specific formulas, which can help certain breeds’ needs.
“Manufacturers that follow nutritional science have developed diets with ingredient content for specific classes of breeds who are predisposed to certain problems,” says Roberts. “Many large and giant breeds can develop joint problems in life — some of which are linked to certain ingredients — and diets labeled ‘giant breed’ take this into consideration.”
Be mindful of whether the formulas are actually beneficial or just marketing tactics, and you should double-check the ingredients list and nutritional content to make sure the food is actually serving its purpose for your breed, says Wakshlag.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Lori Teller is a board-certified veterinarian and the former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
- Dr. Joe Wakshlag is a professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Dr. Brian Roberts is a board-certified veterinarian and regional medical director in the Mid-Atlantic region with VCA Animal Hospitals.
- Dr. Richard Hill is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and associate professor at the University of Florida Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
- Dr. Kristin Michael is a board-certified veterinarian and medical director at VCA Liberty Animal Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am an updates editor at NBC Select who has written a variety of dog-related stories, including treats, toys, travel carriers and car safety. For this article, I spoke to six veterinarians and veterinary nutritionists about how to shop for dog food and researched dozens of options on the market to recommend the best ones to shop.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
