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Dogs are a special part of our lives. They amuse, entertain, and watch over us. These family members depend on us for care on a daily basis. Providing the best quality food is a small price to pay for the unconditional love your dog has for you. The best dry dog food brands know that kibble is more than food in a bowl. They understand that dogs deserve wholesome ingredients to deliver lifelong nutrition and support their wellness.

So how do you know which dry dog food to buy? Let’s review the best dry dog foods so you can discover which is right for your best friend.

10. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food





Once available only in veterinarian offices, Hill’s Science Diet brand is now commercially available. Made in the USA, it is now sold in 87 countries.

The Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food has no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. Omega 6 fatty acids, Vitamin E, and other nutrients support a healthy coat and skin. Vitamins C and E provide support for a healthy immune system. This easy to digest formula is made from natural ingredients for complete nutrition.

9. NUTRO WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS Large Breed Adult Pasture-Fed Lamb & Rice Recipe Dog Food





The NUTRO brand of dog food has been around for 90 years. With products made in the USA, these natural pet food pioneers focus on clean, wholesome ingredients.

In this recipe, pasture fed lamb provides protein for muscle support. NUTRO utilizes natural sources for healthy joints and essential antioxidants to boost immune systems for overall health.

8. Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Adult Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Adult Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dog Food belongs to Purina’s line of performance foods.

This food has a combination of dried kibble and “tender shredded pieces” for a variety of textures. Chicken is listed as the first ingredient. A prebiotic fiber (from wheat bran) aids in healthy digestion. Skin and coat support is provided by Vitamin A and linoleic acid (an Omega 6 acid).

7. Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dry Dog Food

The second entry from Hill’s Science Diet is the Large Breed Chicken and Barley Recipe. The first ingredient listed is chicken, followed by cracked grain wheat and cracked pearl barley. It is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. There is additional support for joints and the immune system.. The Hill’s blend of omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, and other nutrients claim a noticeably shinier coat in 30 days. It is made in the USA.

6. CANIDAE Life Stages Dry Dog Food for Puppies, Adults & Seniors

Canidae makes their food in the USA, sourcing the best ingredients available through independent, family owned businesses like themselves. The All Stages formula is unique as it is designed for all breeds, ages, and sizes. This makes feeding time easier in households with multiple dogs.

Canidae’s HealthPLUS Solutions is applied to the individual pieces of kibble after the cooking process. This trio contains live probiotics, antioxidants, and omega 6 and 3 acids. There are surprising ingredients like sage and papaya listed on the bag, but no corn, soy, or wheat. Their food never contains fillers, preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, antibiotics, or hormones.

5. Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Dog Food

While some consider the Rachel Ray pet foods to be a newcomer, the actual company is Ainsworth Pet Nutrition. They’ve been around more than 75 years.

Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies recipe is made from U.S. farm raised chickens. There are no fillers, poultry by-product meal, wheat gluten, or wheat in it. Beet pulp adds fiber and natural prebiotics to support digestion. Peas and carrots provide essential vitamins and minerals, while chicken fat delivers natural fatty acids for coat and skin support. The brown rice is a great source of carbohydrates, fiber, and B vitamins.

4. Wilderness BLUE Buffalo High Protein Dry Adult Dog Food

BLUE Buffalo began as a passion project for the Bishop family who wanted to create the best possible pet food. The name is a tribute to their beloved Airedale, Blue, who struggled with cancer.

Made with deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal, BLUE Wilderness Chicken Formula Grain Free is protein rich. Potatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes provide complex carbohydrates, while blueberries, carrots, and cranberries provide antioxidants. BLUE Wilderness strives to maintain a perfect carbohydrate to protein ratio for optimum health. The little blue pieces in the kibble mixture are called LifeSource Bits. These are manufactured separately from the kibble in a “cold-formed” process. LifeSource Bits contain nutrients, antioxidants, and eight water-soluble vitamins. All of their products are made in the USA.

3. Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dry Dog Food for Puppy

Taste of the Wild is made by Diamond Pet Foods, Inc. a private, family owned business with a passion for quality. They have focus on natural, holistic ingredients and exceptional food safety standards. They’re serious about quality down to providing their own reverse-osmosis purified water and maintaining air quality control during manufacturing.

The High Prairie Puppy Formula with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison is a grain free kibble made from real roasted meat and a variety of vegetables and fruits. It contains Taste of the Wild’s K9 Strain® Probiotics and prebiotic fiber for digestive health. Amino acids, antioxidants, an omega fatty blend, and DHA provide nutrition for your growing puppy. The grain free formula is easily digestible for puppies and provides them the energy they need to grow.

2. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Wellness Pet Food began in the 1997 as collaboration between animal nutritionists, veterinarians, and food scientists. Wellness Foods are made in the USA and backed by the company’s Wellness Guarantee.

Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Original Formula provides premium proteins like turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal for lean muscle tone and mass. Whole foods like peas, potatoes, apples, blueberries, kale, and broccoli, provide additional nutrition. This formula focuses on healthy skin and coat, digestive health, and strong joints.

1. BLUE Buffalo Life Protection Dry Adult Dog Food





BLUE Buffalo’s second entry on the list is their Life Protection Formula Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe. Besides the addition of whole grains, the other difference between the Life Protection Formula and the Wilderness formula is the enhanced LifeSource Bits.

Exclusive to the Life Protection Formula is the Super 7 Antioxidants ingredients added to their already nutrient and vitamin packed LifeSource Bits. Apples, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, pomegranate, pumpkin, and spinach are added during their “cold-formed” process to preserve nutrients. The Life Protection Formula promotes healthy muscles, an active life, strong bones and teeth, mobility and joint function, immune system support, and a healthy skin and coat.

Final Thoughts

Finding wholesome, healthy foods for your dog used to be a challenge. They either weren’t available locally or you had to make a special trip to the vet’s office. Now it’s just a matter of choosing from the best dry dog food brands. Quality food with quality ingredients can help your dog stay healthy and active. Good owners know good dogs deserve good dog food. When they hold a special place in your heart, shouldn’t they have something special in their bowl?