Top Dog Food Brands for Your Pup's Health and Happiness

Choosing the right dog food can be a complex yet crucial decision for any pet owner, as it directly impacts the health and longevity of your furry friend. There are numerous brands available on the market, each offering a variety of ingredients and nutritional benefits tailored to different breeds, ages, and dietary needs. From grain-free options to formulas rich in omega-3 fatty acids, understanding the unique offerings of each brand can help you make an informed choice. For a comprehensive guide on the best dog food brands, read more below.

Illustration of dog food

Best brands of dog food in 2025

Royal Canin

Royal Canin, a French manufacturer founded in 1968 by veterinarian Jean Cathary, is a global leader in dog food, focusing on breed-specific and health-focused nutrition. Their formulas are developed through extensive research, utilizing high-quality ingredients and employing rigorous quality control. In 2024, they were awarded as the most trusted pet food company. The company offers a wide range of diets, including veterinary prescription options, with an average protein content of 27% and 16% fat, ensuring the well-being of pets. For more information about their products, visit their official website.

Hill's Science Diet

Hill's Science Diet, established in 1907, is a leading brand in the pet food industry, offering a wide range of dog food products formulated with high-quality, natural ingredients to meet various health needs, including weight management and digestive health, and is often recommended by veterinarians. Their formulas are designed with a precise balance of nutrients and undergo rigorous testing, and while some recipes may contain ingredients of moderate nutritional value, many feature real meat as a primary ingredient, and they do not include artificial flavors or preservatives. The brand also supports shelters by providing balanced pet nutrition and is a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive since 1976. You can find more information on their products at Hill's Science Diet website.

Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo, established in 2002, is a leading U.S. pet food brand, known for using real meat as the first ingredient in their recipes and for their exclusive LifeSource Bits, a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Despite a 4% drop in net sales in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, Blue Buffalo's Life Protection Formula experienced a sales volume increase in early 2024, with dry food contributing to over 60% of their net sales. In 2017, Blue Buffalo's net sales amounted to approximately $1.27 billion, and while their revenue was $870 million in 2023, they continue to be a strong brand in the pet food market, earning a 4.5-star rating from Dog Food Advisor. You can find more information on their products at: Blue Buffalo's official website.

Orijen

Orijen is a premium dog food brand, recognized for its biologically appropriate recipes that include up to 90% animal ingredients, such as fresh or raw free-run chicken and turkey, and wild-caught fish, mirroring a dog's ancestral diet. The first five ingredients in each bag are fresh meat or fish, and they are made in their own kitchens in the USA and Canada. Orijen dog food is made with nutrient-dense, succulent parts of prey, including organs and bones, and it's crafted with high-quality ingredients, including protein-rich meat and wholeprey ingredients. The brand offers grain-free and grain-inclusive options that meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines for all life stages. The food is freeze-dried coated for a raw flavor, and it focuses on providing nourishment, not just fullness. For more details, you can visit their official website.

Purina Pro Plan

Purina Pro Plan, launched in 1986, is a high-quality dog food brand that was the first to use real meat as the number one ingredient, with formulas offering 30% protein and 20% fat for active dogs, and many vets recommend it due to its balanced nutrition and specialized options; the brand also offers specialized formulas for sensitive skin, with overall ratings between 3.5 and 4.5 stars. Purina Pro Plan has a history of over 125 years and is a trusted choice by professional dog breeders, handlers, and enthusiasts as a result of their focus on science-based nutrition. For more information, visit their official website.

Wellness

Wellness, established in 1997, is a leading natural pet food brand that started with a focus on wholesome ingredients, quickly gaining popularity among dog owners. They offer a variety of recipes, including grain-free and high-protein options, with an average protein content of 29% and a fat level of 15%. The company's commitment to quality is demonstrated through their state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in the USA, where they test all batches of food for key nutrient indicators and salmonella, ensuring complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all life stages. They also produce Old Mother Hubbard treats, which date back to 1926.

Iams

Iams, established in 1946, is a well-known pet food brand that focuses on providing high-quality nutrition for dogs, with recipes that often include real animal protein as a primary ingredient, such as chicken, which can be as high as 18% in some formulas, and they use a blend of fiber and prebiotics to support healthy digestion; Iams offers a variety of formulas tailored to different life stages and breed sizes, and their dry food generally contains around 28% protein, 15% fat, and 49% carbohydrates. Despite some reviews noting the presence of fillers or by-products, Iams remains a popular choice for pet owners seeking a balanced diet for their dogs.

Canidae

Canidae, established in 1996, is a trusted brand crafting high-quality dog food with premium proteins, often using named meat meals as a primary source and incorporating whole ingredients like sweet potatoes and peas, with some product lines achieving a 4.5 to 5-star rating; their recipes often exclude corn, wheat, and soy and they offer various lines such as the PURE line, known for being beneficial to dogs with sensitivities, and the All Life Stages line, which has an average protein content of 27%; the company focuses on sustainability and provides options for different life stages and dietary needs, and their products are considered a good value for the quality of the ingredients.

Nutro

Nutro, established in 1926, is a long-standing pet food brand focused on natural ingredients, offering a variety of high-quality dog food recipes including grain-inclusive options. Despite a 1.5% market share decrease in the past 5 years, Nutro emphasizes sustainability and ingredient transparency and was recently involved in a Farmers Market for Dogs event in 2024.

Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild, established in 2007 by Diamond Pet Foods, a family-owned company founded in 1970, is a popular brand known for its high-protein, grain-free dog food with a focus on novel proteins like bison and venison, and is one of the fastest-growing pet food brands globally, aiming to provide quality nutrition and fair value for pet owners by manufacturing all dry foods in their company-owned plants. For more information, visit Taste of the Wild's official website.