Switching to a premium dog food, like the top 5 listed below, could help you save money. It could also improve the overall health of your dog, including his coat and reduce the frequency of his bath. You should also notice the beneficial effects of a good dog food on your dog’s stool, which will result in a less invasive clean-up process!
However, there’s no denying that switching to a premium dog food is an expensive proposition. The manufacturers don’t want you to know it, but avoid buying the cheapest dog food. It’s like putting low octane in a high-performance car. The dog food equivalent to eating fast food every day.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Earthborn Holistic Natural Food | Best Overall |  |
| Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior Dog Food | Budget Pick |  |
| Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Earthborn Holistic Natural Food
Pros:
- Variety of flavors
- Sufficient protein percentage
- Great for diet and weight control
- Cheap price
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- No GMO’s
Cons:
- Ingredients contain grains…
- Has high carbohydrate content
- Average ingredient quality
- Not for puppies
- Has filler content
(Dry)
Earthborn Holistic Natural is a decent budget dog food.
The ingredients are not the best quality on the market, but the overall formulation provides enough protein and fat for a balanced diet. The carbs are a bit high, but most dogs need more carbs than a cat anyway.
2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Small Breed Dog Food Natural Dry Dog Food
The first dog food we would like to look at is the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Dog Food. This is more like a combination of weight-loss food, general healthy dog food, and low calorie and low fat dog food.
So if you are looking for something specifically for weight reduction, this isn’t it.
However, if you’re looking for a mix of weight control and nourishment, then this is one to look at. This was our pick for the best food for overweight dogs because the caloric intake is high. The American Kennel Association has advised owners to provide their dogs with between 10 and 20 calories per pound of actuality.
3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Large Breed Dog Food
Pros:
- Biologically formulated
- Life Source Bits
- Enhanced with Vitamin E
- Satiating fiber content
- Affordable price
- Loaded with fruits and veggies
- Available in multiple bags
- Comes in 7 different varieties
- Nutrient-rich formula
Cons:
- Not ideal for puppies
- Not ideal for dogs older than 9 years
- Frequent packaging complaints
4. Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Weight Control Dry Dog Food
Pros:
- High in protein – helps dogs maintain a healthy weight
- Grain-free – full of nutrients
- Contains three tasty flavors – chicken, fish, and lamb
- Can soak up excess liquids from your dog’s body
- Contains a mixture of fibers to control the digestion of fat
- Contains added psyllium husks to promote healthy digestion
- No chunks of added fillers or by-products
- Can be supplemented with canned weight control dog food
- Contains fruits and vegetables to bring greenery and fiber into your dog’s diet
- Contains added calcium and vitamins
Cons:
- Not a very good price
- The taste may not be suitable for all dogs
5. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
Pros:
- This dry dog food is grain-free, which means that it’s hypoallergenic
- Also, there’s no corn, wheat, soy, by-products, or artificial preservatives and flavors
- It comes in 3 different sizes – regular, large breed, and small breed
- The food’s high-quality canine protein gives your pet a balanced diet
- It’s formulated to support your dog’s immune system, thyroid health, skin and coat, and to offer long-lasting energy
- The low-fat formula assists in weight loss
- The option to switch between tender and regular formula
- No artificial colors or flavorings
Since the 1950s, Blue Buffalo has been providing healthy and holistic pet foods to keep pets healthy and strong.
This dog food contains only 4 ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, ground white rice, and ground whole brown rice.
All of these ingredients are natural, making it easier for your dog to digest and absorb nutrients.
6. Diamond Naturals Light Dry Dog Food Lamb Meal and Rice Formula
Diamond Naturals is a well-known brand in the dog food industry, and for good reason – it keeps your dog healthy by feeding them a varied diet with just enough calories to keep them healthy.
Protein is one of the most important nutrients when it comes to keeping your dog healthy, and Diamond Naturals contains high-quality protein from real lamb, which helps your dog reach and maintain a healthy body weight.
Real fruits and vegetables are also included in the dry dog food, which help improve digestive health and add color to the dog food. Along with the fruits and vegetables, we like the inclusion of whole eggs – an animal-based protein – for your dog’s overall health.
7. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food
This is all-natural dry dog food that’s available in a variety of flavors. It features fresh chicken, limited ingredients, and a choice of protein. The Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free is made with natural ingredients that help improve the overall health of your dog. This is a great option for picky dogs who don’t want to eat other premium brands.
Most dogs will overcome the loss of flavor if they have to. However, it’s a huge ordeal to switch dog foods. Which is why having various flavors is a must. You should be prepared to not be the same dog food once your dog realizes that they are going to have a different meal every time.
This dog food is more expensive than other brands, but if your dog has a sensitive stomach and/or has allergies, it may be worth it. Your dog can be seriously harmed if you feed them the wrong kind of dog food.
8. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein
Pros:
- All natural
- High protein and fiber level
- Only uses natural ingredients
- Enhanced with probiotics
- No chicken by-product meal or corn
- Farm raised, grass fed and cage free (No antibiotics and/or growth hormones)
- Heart-healthy formula
- Contains more whole foods, and vitamins and minerals
- The lack of artificial flavors, harmful preservatives, hormones and antibiotics means that this is highly unlikely to cause an adverse reaction in your pet
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- While it does have grains, it doesn’t have any corn
- Some dogs might not like the taste
- It’s pricier than other similar products
- It’s not handy to have this on your dog food for months to come, instead, you have to purchase smaller amounts
9. Weruva Classic Dog Food
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- Helps reduced allergic inflammation
- Easily digestible
- Mildly spicy for some dogs
- No corn, no soy, and no wheat
- Great for cats as well
- Additional protein from fish
- Mild and low-fat
- Helps with dental health
- Comes in a can for easy storage
Cons:
- Contains monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Cannot be sold in CA, NJ, VT, NH, or LA
- Contains carrageenan
- Could be better in taste
Our top pick for best natural dog food is the Weruva Paw Lickin’ Chicken with Chicken Breast in Gravy. It’s free from animal byproducts, corn, soy, wheat, and added sugar. Instead, there’s the addition of organic egg along with a variety of good-for-you ingredients, like organic pumpkin, papaya, and blueberries.
The chicken is hormone-free and freshly prepared in the USA with updated new ingredient sourcing every week. And the company has given a commited to never using antibiotics or added artificial preservatives.
The food is lightly spiced with a hint of molasses, giving it a good enough flavor and aroma for dogs with moderate taste.
10. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food Small Breed Healthy Weight
Pros:
- Free from artificial colors
- Free from artificial flavors
- Free from wheat, corn, soy, and gluten
- 100% complete and balanced
- 100% natural with no artificial ingredients
- Rich in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids
- Light on the stomach with high digestibility
- No artificial ingredients like preservatives, carrageen or propylene glycol
- The animal-based protein ingredients are cage free, hormone free and human grade
Cons:
- The product bag mentions that the caloric content is higher than other brands (which I believe is the dog’s total caloric requirement for the day)
- Although the ingredients are organic, the dog food is a little expensive
- The small dog adult recipe is not available for purchase in sites like Amazon and Walmart
This diet dog food by Wellness is the best dry food for small dogs. It is recommended by veterinarians as a healthy small dog food. It is a complete and balanced formula for all life stages.
The dry food contains 21% crude protein and 6% crude fat with 3.5% crude fiber. The product is free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
11. Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low Calorie Dry Dog Food
Grain Free.
Our top pick is Natural Balance Fat Dog Dry Dog Food which is designed for overweight adult dogs. It’s much cheaper than the other two brands but it’s just as healthy. This grain-free dog food comes in chicken or lamb flavor and is hypoallergenic, with no dyes, artificial colors, or flavors.
The Fat Dogs formula is made with all-natural chicken sources, peas, and garbanzo beans. This brand’s stated that its goal is to make you and your pet fall in love with their food. They’ve had positive results and enthusiastic feedback from both pet owners and veterinary teams.
12. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein
Pros:
- Consumers like the high-quality protein in this food
- They also like that it’s grain free
- They claim that their dog is healthier their dogs and their coats more shiny since they switched
- It’s also reasonably priced
Cons:
- Some consumers say that their dogs need more fiber
- Consumers say that dogs need to eat more of this type of food than their old foods to feel full
0.2 lb
13. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior Dog Food
Pros:
- Age is just a number to this dog food!
- Comes in convenient sealed bags
- Senior dogs can get their daily dose of Biotin and Manganese
- Contains whole chicken
Cons:
- Can be a little expensive
- The product is more grainy than some wet dog foods
This food can be used as a treat for puppies or to be given to adult dogs. The small kibbles are a great way to clean those teeth and help those gums and teeth.
This dog food is in a whitish-beige color and a very pleasant aroma for the nose. The blue color of this dog food signifies that it contains high quality proteins.
14. NUTRO Wholesome Essentials Adult Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
4-lb bag.
The NUTRO Nutrtion dog food uses wholesome ingredients, like carrots, barley, and spinach, to promote healthy weight loss and help your dog reach their ideal weight.
NUTRO Nutrion dry dog food is chock-full of whole grains and natural sources of fiber to keep their intestinal tract healthy. Plus, they can use up to 12% of the food as roughage without compromising proteins or caloric intake. Dogs between 12 and 24 months old can use this food to prevent adult-onset dog obesity.
15. Nutro Ultra Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food
Pros:
- Optimum protein levels; minimizes the possibility of obesity
- USDA approved; ensures nutritional requirements are met
- Large amounts of Real roasted bantam peanuts
- Large amounts of Real roasted beavers
- Aids in the digestion of food
- Contains probiotics and fiber
- Helps slow digestion, keeping your dog fuller for longer periods of time
- Great for dogs with gas, upset stomachs, food allergies, and sensitive stomachs
- No corn, wheat, soy, or byproducts
- It also does not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Cons:
- Does not digest well
- Is not recommended for large, active dogs
- May cause asthma and stomach irritation
- Has a strong odor
- Does not reduce obesity
7-Pound.
As we all know, obesity is a growing problem for both people and their pets. The number of obese pets in America has increased greatly in the past few years. A significant amount of people have blamed their pets’ weight problem on human table scraps, such as burgers and fries.
16. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet
This dog food from Blue Buffalo is another great choice if you’re looking for something to aid your dogs weight loss.
This food is designed specifically to help maintain and prevent overweight adult dogs. A complete diet, it can also be used in addition to a weight loss program, formulated with a special formula which is easy to digest.
It’s made with real turkey as the number one ingredient. Chicken is also listed toward the top of the ingredient list. The first five ingredients are ingredients your dog can easily digest.
17. Avoderm Natural Weight Control Dry Dog Food
Dog owners who are looking for a diet dog food that offers nutritional value and comes with ingredients that are digestible should check out Avoderm Natural Weight Control Dog Food.
Avoderm Natural Weight Control Dry Dog Food contains healthy levels of dietary fiber, premium protein like chicken and whole grains to control your dogs hunger as well as digestive system.
The grains contain no artificial colors, preservatives or flavors. The chicken is also free from additives, artificial preservatives or fillers like by-products.
18. Wellness CORE Natural Wet Grain Free Canned Weight Management Dog Food
Pros:
- High protein and fiber content
- No by-products, fillers, artificial preservatifers or colors
- Made with natural fibers and antioxidants
- Grain-free formula
- Award-winning
- Rich in digestible animal protein and organic nutrients
- Made with organically grown cold pressed virgin coconut oil, one of nature’s finest sources of ‘good’ saturated fats
- Free of wheat, corn, whole grains, artificial varieties of vitamins or minerals
- No meat by-products, fillers or artificial preservatives or colors
- All natural, high-quality proteins
Cons:
- High in fats and proteins
- Very costly
- More than 4% high protein may cause digestive issues if not fed as directed
19. Solid Gold
Pros:
- Made with real, all natural ingredients
- Solid Gold pet food is made in the USA
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- Excellent for dogs that have sensitive stomachs
- Antioxidant rich
- Protein sources include low fat beef, chicken, lamb and chews
- Very low calorie and low fat
- AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement
- Complete and balanced nutrition for weight management
- Very digestible and hypoallergenic
Cons:
- Higher than average price
- Inconsistent quality control
- Some dogs may become picky eaters with the taste of the food
Solid Gold foods are made from natural ingredients with no artificial additives, fillers, colorings, or preservatives. Containing no grains or gluten, it's a healthy grain-free alternative.
20. Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Wet Dog Food
Pros:
- No chicken or poultry by-product meals
- 90% meat, organs and cartilage for dogs
- 30% protein
- Poultry Meal as a Main Source of Animal Protein
- Whole Earth Farms Chicken Meal as a Main Source of Animal Protein
- Green Peas as a Whole Source of Vegetable Protein
- Canola Meal as a Source of Fat
- Dried Egg Product as a Source of Fat
- Lamb Meal as a Source of Fat
- chicken fat as a Source of Fat
21. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein
Pros:
- Made with a high protein 30% protein recipe for dogs
- Contains several beneficial ingredients like sweet potatoes and peas
- Made with all-natural ingredients
- Apetétically-prepared to make it tasty and appealing to dogs
- Contains all-natural flavorings and limited chemical ingredients
- Made using easy-to-digest ingredients
- Contains antioxidants
- The formula is made with probiotic and digestive enzymes
- Contains arctic char and wild-caught whitefish
- Contains a probiotic regimen
Cons:
- You cannot feed this to your dog alone
- This is not ideal for a dog suffering from cognitive conditions like senility
- The word “natural” is misleading
22. DISCONTINUED: NUTRO ULTRA Adult Weight Management Chunks in Gravy Canned Dog Food 12.5 Ounces cans
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- Contains 100% fresh chicken and turkey
- Vegetarian grain-free diet with lettuce and peas
- Hypo-allergenic, low calorie, and low fat diet
- Contains omega 3 and 6 for improved skin and coat health
- Contains antioxidants for joint health
- Doesn’t cause weight gain due to low fat content
- Highly palatable for easy consumption
- Comes in a can (if you want to store the food for later)
- Good price-to-quantity ratio
Cons:
- Contains poultry by-product meal
- Weak pate broth
- Contains ground corn which is not suitable for dogs
- Doesn’t come with a small breed size
- Contains corn and chicken flavor which is not easily digestible
23. Solid Gold
Pros:
- Made with real, all natural ingredients
- Solid Gold pet food is made in the USA
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- Excellent for dogs that have sensitive stomachs
- Antioxidant rich
- Protein sources include low fat beef, chicken, lamb and chews
- Very low calorie and low fat
- AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement
- Complete and balanced nutrition for weight management
- Very digestible and hypoallergenic
Cons:
- Higher than average price
- Inconsistent quality control
- Some dogs may become picky eaters with the taste of the food
Solid Gold foods are made from natural ingredients with no artificial additives, fillers, colorings, or preservatives. Containing no grains or gluten, it's a healthy grain-free alternative.
24. Natural Balance Original Ultra Reduced Calorie Dry Dog Food
Pros:
- A high concentration of meat protein
- Natural, grain free diet
- One of the lower calorie dry dog food in the market
- Contains natural digestible fibers to aid digestion
Made from high-quality muscle meat to ensure essential nutrients are not compromised.
It’s a little bit heavy on proteins and slightly more deficient in essential vitamins and minerals.
Protein content may not be suitable for senior pets.
25. Ultra Weight Management Adult Canned Dog Food 12.5 Ounces
Pros:
- Nutrient-dense ingredients
- Tasty flavors; perfect for picky dogs
- Several flavors available
- Help to lose weight in overweight dogs
- Great for diabetic dogs
- Helps dogs to maintain a healthy weight
- Easy to feed; the cup makes portioning quick and easy
- Contains no corn, wheat, or soy
- The majority of the protein is meat-based
- Nitrogen-balanced formula
Cons:
- Some dogs may not be fans of the smaller kibble
- Some dogs don’t particularly like the taste
- Not the best option for a dog who doesn’t like a meaty kibble
- The ingredient list may also be a bit long
- Some dogs don’t like canned food
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best and healthiest dog food on the market?
Best and healthiest dog food is like the holy grail of dog food attributes. A dog food that is both has a pretty short list of contenders. For what it’s worth, I love Orijen.
That being said, I will tell you that the healthiest dog food on the market would, in fact, be whatever your dog has never eaten before.
So, with that in mind, let’s try and determine what the best dog food brand is.
What is the best dog food for losing weight?
Dogs need fat in their diet. Dogs need the fat when they are burning calories. You should feed a dog food with no less than 6 percent fat and no more than 12 percent fat.
Canned food tends to be higher in fat. You can try the dog food brands listed on this page or our most comprehensive dog food list which comes in at a whopping >1500 foods.
If you have a Large dog, then I would recommend a brand with at least 12% protein. If you have a smaller dog then it can get by with less. But, your dog should always have at least 12% protein to maintain health.
What dog food is killing dogs?
Depends on who you ask. Some grain-free dog food brands are being accused of being responsible for deaths and severe illness among dogs.
It’s difficult to know where the truth lies with any story like that. What are the odds that these dogs could have possibly likely been poisoned by something else?
It’s easy to vilify these grain-free brands because it makes for a juicy story. It’s harder to see if there is any truth behind it.
I’m not saying grain-free dog food is the best, but the media definitely makes it sound like some sort of mass conspiracy.
What is the best dog food for a reasonable price?
I think if you are just buying one bag of dog food, then the best dog food is the one that is on sale. You have to take into account the quality of the ingredients. Look for one that has a lot of natural ingredients, and also make sure that you are buying a dog food that is of high quality without a lot of sugar in it.
Conclusion
Let’s start by defining what kinds of diet foods you’ll need to feed your dog. Diets are, after all, dictated by how your dog should eat based on their activity level.
If your dog is significantly overweight, the first thing you should do is consult your vet. Your dog may have medical conditions that are preventing them from exercising due to pain.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Earthborn Holistic Natural Food | Best Overall | |
| Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior Dog Food | Budget Pick | |
| Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein | Upgrade Pick | |