Last Updated on 2 years by Jenny Sovann
Your pooch is entirely dependent on you for happiness and health. Therefore, you must understand your pet’s dietary requirements. Remember what you feed your Fido will determine his health and life longevity. For years, the debate over whether to feed your dog with wet or dry food has been going on. However, recent research has proven that best healthy dry dog foods provide nutritional benefits that your pets needs.
The research shows that wet food is ideal for hydration. In contrast, canned food is perfect when your pet has constipation. On the other hand, healthy dry dog food is an inexpensive alternative for ensuring that your dog feeds on nutritious food. Nevertheless, selecting a well-balanced best healthy dry dog foods can be a headache considering the varieties available on the market. To steer you in the right direction, we have compiled this detailed guide on the best healthy dry dog foods available in 2020.
Best Healthy Dry Dog Foods In 2023
10. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
Price: Reasonably priced
Weight: 15.5 lb
Flavor: Not specified
Special feature: Uses DHA from fish oil, high quality protein, veterinarian Recommended.
Best for: Ideal for large breeds or several growing puppies
Check Price on Amazon NowGive your dog a seat at the dinner table with Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food. This food is specially made with a real chicken food and oats for a fully balanced meal. It is full of antioxidants, and optimal calcium levels for controlled bone growth. This makes it not only great for puppies but also elder pets suffering from joint and other mobility issues.
Ensure your young pet has the best start in life so that they reach their full growth potential. This meal also includes balanced minerals such as fish oil DHA. This promotes brain function and eye development. What’s more, it comes with a new kibble shape and formula, which enhanced the overall pet’s health.
Pros and Cons
- Made of 100 percent natural ingredients
- Promotes better digestion
- Support brain and eye development
- No specified flavor
9. Cesar Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Price: Very affordable
Weight: 5 lb
Flavor: Filet Mignon
Special features: Crunchy Kibble with tender meaty pieces, real beef or poultry, has a re-Sealable zipper on.
Best for: Ideal for growing puppies or smaller dog breeds
Check Price on Amazon NowGive your new puppy the best shot in life with these crunchy kibbles with tender meat pieces. Forget food that consists of artificial flavors. The Dry Dog Food Cesar is made from real beef. It also has a unique blend of healthy vegetables to ensure a balanced diet.
Besides, it also includes other naturally sourced ingredients, which consist of antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids. These nutrients not only support healthy gums but also improve your pet metabolism. Even better, the food is easy on your furry friend’s digestive system.
Pros and Cons
- Made using real meat
- Available in several flavors
- It supports healthy gums
- Not ideal for large dog breeds
8. NUTRO Wholesome Essentials Dry Dog Food
Price: Reasonably priced
Weight: 15 lb
Flavor: Chicken
Special features: With essential antioxidants, made with non-GMO ingredients, 100 percent natural food.
Best for: Ideal for large dog breeds and elderly pets.
Check Price on Amazon NowThis dry food for dog starts with a tasty and delicious appeal for your pet. It is made from farm-raised chicken to ensure high nutrients concentrations. This makes it ideal for supporting healthy joints as well as ensuring your pets maintain a trim and fit physique.
Another reason why you may opt for this food is that it features Non-GMO ingredients, no colors, or artificial preservatives. To ensure optimal growth, the recipe is made from rich nutrients ingredients. Equally, the mouth-watering real chicken flavor, leaves your pet wanting some more.
Pros and Cons
- Rich in Nutrients, Full of Flavor
- Has no artificial color or flavor
- Decent capacity
- Not ideal for small puppies
7. Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food
Price: Fairly priced
Weight: 28 lb
Flavor: Smoked salmon
Special features: Premium ingredients, highly digestible, the optimal amino acid profile.
Best for: Ideal for all dogs sizes from puppies to adults
Check Price on Amazon NowTaste the wild is a well-recognized brand when it comes to dry dog foods. True to the original recipe, this food type is ideal for dogs that are sensitive to regular protein sources such as beef and chicken. Even better, this grain-free food has the right protein to fat ratio. This ensures that your pooch enjoys the best and healthy ingredients.
Different from other food, it contains fish and sweet potatoes ingredients, which are great, especially for pets with sensitive digestive systems. Moreover, these ingredients are also supplemented with fruits and vegetables to ensure a healthy lifestyle.
Pros and Cons
- Made using healthy and safe ingredients
- It is excellent for pets with digestive issues
- No added flavors
- Contains too much protein for pets with kidney problem
6.Wag Amazon Brand Dry Dog Food
Price: Reasonably priced
Weight: 30 lb
Flavor: Turkey
Special features: Nutritious vegetables, contains no added grains, high-quality ingredients.
Best for: Perfect for young to old dogs
Check Price on Amazon NowJust like yourself, you need to ensure that your royal companion eats the healthiest foods. The WAG Amazon dry dog food is a 35 percent protein recipe that is made from lentils, poultry, and peas. This creates a safe grain-free alternative for your Fido. The naturally sourced ingredients ensure that your best furry friend thrives outside.
To ensure that your pet gets nothing short of the best, this food is formulated with the help of registered veterinarians. Moreover, it comes in a bag of 30lbs, so you don’t have enough to keep going for an extended period.
Pros and Cons
- Tasty turkey flavor
- Promote healthy growth in young dogs
- Comes in a decent 30 lbs
- The bag could benefit from a re-sealable feature
5. NUTRO Wholesome Essentials Dry Dog Food
Price: Fairly priced
Weight: 30 lb
Flavor: Chicken
Special features: 100 percent natural ingredients, includes a good blend of antioxidants, tasty, chicken flavor.
Best for: Big or small, this food offers nutrition for all dogs
Check Price on Amazon NowEvery time you fill your pooch’s bowl with these crunchy balls, your pet will do a happy dance. It is made from 100 percent natural ingredients. The first ingredient in this food is the farm-raised chicken. Next, the diet consists of natural fiber, which ensures healthy digestion.
Other great ingredients that we love are the antioxidants that ensure a healthy immunity while the omega fatty acids promote a healthy coat. In the same breath, this formulation consists of no GMO ingredients, preservatives, or artificial flavors.
Pros and Cons
- GMO-free ingredients
- Promotes healthy skin and bones
- Full of vitamins and minerals
- Kibble size could be larger
4. Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food
Price: Fairly priced
Weight: 33 lb
Flavor: Roasted chicken
Special features: Enriched with omega-6 fatty acid and zinc, well balanced diet, no added flavors or sugar.
Best for: Ideal for large dog breeds or several puppies
Check Price on Amazon NowYour fur baby deserves nothing short of the best. And, if you are in the market for a healthy, highly nutritious diet, then your search ends with this dry food. It is made from regionally sourced natural ingredients. The food is protein-rich and easy on your pet’s digestive system. It consists of roasted chicken, vegetables, and rice, which offer your pet energy and nourishment they need.
Some of the other notable ingredients that make this formulation stands out include zinc, B vitamins, and omega-six fatty acids. What’s more, this balanced food also includes unique fiber blend, which promotes healthy digestion.
Pros and Cons
- Delicious Chicken Flavor
- Support Healthy Digestion
- Full of antioxidants and vitamins
- High protein content might not be great for pets with kidney problem
3. Blue Buffalo Life Dry Dog Food
Price: Relatively high
Weight: 30 lb
Flavor: Chicken & Brown Rice
Special features: High quality protein sources, vitamins and Minerals, omega 3 & 6 fatty acids.
Best for: Ideal for adult dogs
Check Price on Amazon NowLarge dog breeds have high needs for protein and vitamins. The protein helps in maintaining lean muscle mass. Vitamins help to boost the immune system while fat in providing energy. Designed specifically for large dog breeds, this dry food brings the right balance between these ingredients.
Its formulation consists of oatmeal and fish as the main ingredients. These ingredients provides healthy fat, protein, and dietary fiber. Along these lines, the recipe also has a unique blend of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants for a complete and balanced diet.
Pros and Cons
- Made using certified organic ingredients
- Highly digestible
- Supports a healthy immune system
- Not a grain-free recipe
2. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
Price: Affordable
Weight: 4.5 lb
Flavor: Chicken
Special features: Nourishing omega six fatty acids, made with natural ingredients, veterinarian Recommended.
Best for: Ideal for adult Small Dog Breeds
Check Price on Amazon NowEven if you have a little dog breed, when he is fully-grown, he needs precise nutrition to meet his needs. This pet food is formulated with easily digestible and healthy nutrients. The naturally sourced ingredients are suited for your little furry friend mouth.
It has a high protein content that ensures optimal lean muscle growth and nourishing omega fatty acids. Similarly, it consists of an antioxidant blend that promotes a healthy lifestyle. Equally, it has a new kibble shape, which is easy for your pet and no artificial colors or preservatives.
Pros and Cons
- Natural, great-tasting ingredients
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Includes clinically proven antioxidants
- Not ideal for small puppies
1. Purina ONE SmartBlend Adult Dry Dog Food
Price: Very affordable
Weight: 31.1 lb
Flavor: Chicken
Special features: Made from real chicken meat and rice, protein-Rich Meals, comes with an array of flavors and textures.
Best for: Ideal for adult dogs
Check Price on Amazon NowWhile we have very cheap dry dog food brands, the Purina One Smartblend food is not only affordable but also decent quality. This nutrient-rich formula is designed to meet your adult pooch’s nutritional needs. It brings a decent blend of minerals, vitamins, and nutrients that supports your pet’s health requirement.
Another unique characteristic that makes this food stand out is that it is found in various forms. Choose from the kibble with meaty morsels or crunchy kibbles and please your pet. Moreover, this food promotes healthy digestion, weight, and is ideal for pets with sensitive stomachs.
Pros and Cons
- Natural chicken & rice formula
- Help to support healthy joints
- Tasty and healthy food
- Not ideal for pets that are sensitive to chicken ingredients
Choosing the Best Healthy Dry Dog Foods
Now that you already know the best healthy dry food for your pet, it is easier for you to make your choice. However, if you are still not decided, the following guide might help you make an informed decision.
Quality of the ingredients
Obviously, the quality of the ingredients in a particular food formula will determine its overall condition. Therefore, we recommend going for recipes with naturally sourced ingredients. Avoid foods with artificial color, additives, or preservatives.
Avoid plant protein and opt for animal protein
The first ingredient to look at in dry food is animal protein. Foods that are made from real beef, fish, or poultry make a good option. Additionally, you should also ensure that the formula contains a good blend of minerals and vitamins
Digestible carbohydrate and healthy fats
While it you shouldn’t be too specific on the carbohydrates in the food, you should ensure that the formula consists of digestive carbs. These are valuable energy and fiber sources. Equally, healthy fat provides energy for your pet. Other essential fats that you need to consider are fatty acids. The latter ensures the proper brain and a smooth coat.
What are the advantages of dry food?
Dry food contains only 3% to 12% moisture. The concentrated energy content is based on dehydrated fresh meat and frozen meat, dried feed, blood, and fat. When you give dry food, make sure that your dog drinks well. The moisture softens the croquettes and increases the volume in the stomach. This facilitates digestion significantly and sufficient saturation already occurs with smaller portions.
Dog owners also benefit from the benefits of dry food. Dog food Test winners not only offer the best value for money but due to the low humidity, the durability is much higher than with wet food. The feeding area is easier to keep clean than when wet feeding, where many chunks land in the heat of the moment next to the bowl. A bag of dry food can be easier to carry on the way when traveling with the dog.
Dry food is to support dental care, the chewing also trains jaws and teeth. Thus, you save the purchase of Kauartikeln but pamper your dog quietly with occasionally with a treat from dried natural products such as lungs, rumen or beef jerky. Does your dog reject dry food? Pay attention to the size of the croquettes, but if he still does not like eating, you should make an appointment with the vet. He will check the dentition for malpositions and sick teeth.
Conclusion
Remember, only best healthy dry dog foods will provide your pet with the right nutritional benefits. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that you pick the right formula according to your pet’s breed size and age. After this, ensure that the recipe is made from nutritious and natural ingredients. Luckily, all the reviewed healthy dry dog food comes with the best ingredients. So if you are looking to get started, don’t hesitate to choose any of our above-reviewed dog foods. All the best!