The best dry dog foods strike a balance between premium ingredients and pour-in-the-bowl convenience. Compared to other feeding styles, kibble is typically more affordable, less messy and longer lasting. The challenge is deciphering nutrition labels and finding the truly high-quality options in a market crowded with subpar choices. After consulting trusted veterinarians, we determined that Open Farm, a sustainable pet food brand, makes the best formula overall. Because there’s no one-size-fits-all option, though, we also assembled an expert-approved list of additional picks tailored to pups with various needs and preferences.
We named Open Farm the best dry food overall thanks to its sustainable, high-quality ingredients.
Dr. Tina Aiken, DVM, a holistic veterinarian in New York, emphasizes that a dog’s nutritional requirements depend on multiple factors, including age, breed size and specific health conditions. Keeping that in mind, certain quality markers in dry dog food are universally important. Dr. Ray Spragley, DVM, an integrative veterinarian in New York, recommends first checking for the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement on the label, which indicates the kibble is nutritionally complete and balanced. Dr. Candice Akers, DVM, a holistic veterinarian in Colorado, highlights the importance of animal-based proteins and advises avoiding foods that rely primarily on grains like wheat and soy, or legumes for protein.
Additionally, Spragley advises steering clear of byproducts, artificial additives and chemical preservatives like BHA. Ultimately, consulting your veterinarian will help you find the ideal dry dog food tailored specifically to your pet’s individual needs. Ahead, we’ve simplified your search with vet-approved and staff-tested options worth considering.
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Open Farm
Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef & Ancient Grains
Rarely do the words “ethically sourced” and “dog food” appear in the same sentence, but Open Farm changes that. The Canadian-based company is committed to sourcing ethical, sustainable and traceable ingredients (including humanely raised meat, fish and poultry), which has two major benefits: It ensures that pups are getting the best nutrition and lessens negative impacts on the environment. Open Farm kibbles are also free of chemicals, artificial preservatives and cheap fillers. Akers also likes the brand’s easy-to-digest carbohydrates, which she says are ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or who are senior. The brand also has grain-free recipes and a wholesome puppy formula for new four-legged additions.
What our editors say: Karen Tietjen, senior updates editor for Forbes Vetted, shares, “We’ve been feeding my dog Open Farm for years and we’ve stuck with this brand because company uses quality, traceable ingredients (and low-quality ingredients is a huge problem in the pet food industry). She is nine years old and quite healthy, and while we supplement her diet with real foods, I feel good knowing she’s eating nutritious kibble—I always recommend it to friends, too! Overall, I think it’s a great option for those who don’t have the time or budget to feed their dogs raw.”
Amazon
Merrick Limited Ingredient Recipe
Dr. Nick Horniman, MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon based in the U.K. and the founder of online pet pharmacy My Pet’s Vet, explains, “A lot of pups are allergic or intolerant to poultry such as chicken and turkey.” For this reason, he recommends Merrick’s Grain-Free Salmon and Sweet Potato recipe, adding, “It is perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs.” Real deboned salmon tops the natural ingredients list, which is also free from soy, corn, wheat, dairy, eggs and any artificial additives. Plus, it’s suitable for adult dogs of all sizes, but make sure to consult the feeding chart for the best proportions.
Chewy
Stella & Chewy’s Stella’s Super Beef Dinner Patties
Both Aiken and Akers say that freeze-dried raw foods, which are much less processed than kibbles, can be very beneficial to a dog’s diet. One of Akers’ favorites is Stella & Chewy’s Super Beef Dinner Patties. “This recipe includes multiple organ meats such as the liver, kidney, heart, tripe and bone. These are important nutrient-dense ingredients full of vitamin A, magnesium and the whole B-vitamin complex,” she says. Plus, Akers says this pick is suitable for pups with food sensitivities: “The brand is also great at separating proteins. This means they don’t mix chicken livers into their beef recipes and vice versa,” she explains.
What our editors say: Brinda Ayer, Forbes Vetted’s executive managing editor and mom to a boxer mix, shares, “I like to mix up our dog’s dinner from time to time with the Stella & Chewy Super Beef Dinner Patties. I take about half of a patty and crumble it up over George’s kibble and he goes absolutely wild. The first five ingredients of these medallions are pure beef meat and organs, then assorted produce like pumpkin, broccoli, beets and blueberries, so I know George is getting a full slate of nutrition without any weird stuff.” Ayers also offers a helpful pro tip if you’re traveling with your pup: The pucks, which are very lightweight, can be crumbled up to use as “higher-value” treats in between meals.
Chewy
Stella & Chewy’s Raw-Coated Grain-Free Kibble
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