The Best Dry Dog Foods
Like all pet owners, you want to give your dog the best food out there. But it can be hard to know where to start when there are so many options on the market. What's the best probiotic kibble for your senior French Bulldog? Can your toy poodle handle the same brand as your hungry Great Dane? To help narrow your search, we researched dozes of the top dry dog food brands availableble. Here's our breakdown of which will get you the most bang for your buck, which will entice your finicky eater, and which one will settle your grumpy Yorkie's stomach.
Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Dry Dog Food
Nutrient-rich kibble for all
Whether your dog is big or small, picky or easy-going, or has a sensitive or iron-clad stomach, this dry dog food from Hill’s is sure to please them — and, by extension, you. The diet blend is packed with probiotic fiber and is specially formulated to break down quickly and easily in the stomach, helping it to ease digestion and promote a balanced gut microbiome. Not only is that great for your dog’s health, but it’s also nice for you, too, since a healthy gut means fewer messy stools for you to pick up.
- Promotes healthy skin and nails with vitamin E and omega 6 fatty acids
- Great for all sizes and ages
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Flavors are limited
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food
Give your dog a well-rounded diet
One of the keys to maintaining your animal’s health is to ensure they’re getting a diverse, well-rounded diet. Luckily, that’s the main goal of Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection dog food, which features a combination of real meats, whole grains, and even fruits and vegetables. Each ingredient is perfectly balanced to give your dog everything they need not only to survive but thrive, including high-quality proteins, essential vitamins and minerals, and Omega oils and fatty acids that promote immune system strength and skin and coat health.
Pros:
- Comes in several different flavor combinations
- Low-fat formula promotes healthy weight
- All-natural ingredients
Cons:
- Not great for smaller breeds
Hill’s Science Diet Small Paws for Small Breeds Dry Dog Food
Pint-sized nutrition
Small dogs’ stomachs are, well, small, which means they can be more sensitive to cheap or subpar dog foods than other breeds. Thankfully, Hill’s offers a specialized blend of diet food that’s designed specifically for smaller dogs, featuring soft, bite-sized chews that are easier to digest than other kibbles. What’s more, the formula also incorporates vitamins and nutrients that are uniquely tailored to extend life expectancy of small and toy breeds, such as nourishing Omega 6 fatty acids for skin and coat health, antioxidants for immune system strength, and natural protein for lean muscle growth.
Pros:
- Veterinarian-recommended formula
- Comes in chicken or lamb flavor
- Available in large or small-sized bags
Cons:
- More pricey than some options
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food
Digestion made easy
Are other dog food brands making your pup sick or leaving them with messy stools? They may have a sensitive stomach, in which case you should pick up a bag of this Purina Pro Plan dog food. Not only is it fortified with live probiotics and other vitamins that help ease digestion, but it also cuts out carb-heavy fillers that are known to make digestion more difficult, such as corn, wheat, and soy. Best of all, it comes in blends specially formulated for both large and small dog breeds.
Pros:
- Oatmeal-based formula is easy to digest
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Bags come in a variety of sizes
Cons:
- Flavors are limited
Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend with Probiotics Dry Dog Food
Simply irresistible
With the amount of bland, unappetizing dog foods on the market, can you really blame your pup for being picky? If you’re having trouble getting them to stay at their dog bowl, try filling it with this formula from Purina. Featuring crunchy kibble bits mixed with a variety of real shredded meats, such as chicken, beef, and salmon, it’s almost guaranteed to have your dog salivating at mealtime. To tell you the truth, we’re getting pretty hungry thinking about it ourselves.
Pros:
- Large 47-pound bag will last a while
- Also promotes healthy teeth, coats, and skin
- Lots of protein
Cons:
- Not so easy to store
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dry food good for dogs?
Yes, it is. Dry dog food is a tasty and healthy option for dogs of all sizes. It doesn’t go bad as quickly as wet dog food, and it is generally less expensive. Just like wet dog food, the quality of dry food depends on the quality of the ingredients. If you’re concerned about feeding a certain type of kibble to your pet, take a moment to look at the nutrients.
How much dry food should I feed my dog? How often should I feed him or her?
Typically, you should feed your dog either once or twice a day. It doesn’t matter which you choose, but it is important to be consistent so your dog can learn what to expect. The amount of food you give your dog will depend on their weight and the type of food. If your dog weighs between 26-50 pounds, it will usually need somewhere between 2-2.5 cups. Dogs that weigh 51-100 pounds generally need around 2.5-4.25 cups.
When should I switch my puppy to adult dog food?
Most dogs are ready to switch to adult food when they are between 9-14 months old. Larger dog breeds, such as German Shepherds and Great Danes, may need to wait until they are 12-24 months old because they mature slower than small and medium dogs. Ask your veterinarian to determine the exact time frame that is suitable for your dog. When your pup is ready to make the switch, give them about four days to fully transition by feeding them a mixture of puppy and adult food.
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