The Top 10 Dog Food Plans

Best Fresh Dog Food

Fresh dog food has become increasingly popular over recent years. Typically made with human-grade ingredients and free from preservatives, fillers and byproducts, fresh dog food can be a great choice for picky eaters and dogs with sensitive stomachs.

The best fresh dog food should be formulated for your dog’s specific needs, including age, activity level, size and weight. It should also comply with the standards created by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, also known as AAFCO, which recommend minimum levels of protein, fat and carbohydrates.

Our top picks for fresh dog food include Farmer’s Dog, Ollie and Nom Nom, three reputable brands that customize a fresh dog food delivery plan based on your dog’s needs. Here are the highlights:

• Farmer’s Dog: Four recipe options available, vet formulated to exceed AAFCO standards, made fresh with human-grade ingredients in USDA-approved kitchens.
• Ollie: Five recipe options made with human-grade ingredients, all have been vet-formulated to meet AAFCO standards.
• Nom Nom: Four recipe options that are formulated by board certified veterinary nutritionists and made fresh in U.S. kitchens.

Best Dry Dog Food

The best dry dog food should meet your dog’s nutritional needs for activity level, size, weight and life stage, and should comply with AAFCO standards to meet recommended minimum levels of protein, fat and carbohydrates.

Look for high-quality ingredients you can recognize, and avoid fillers like corn, wheat and soy, along with byproducts and artificial ingredients. The first five ingredients make up the bulk of the recipe, and should come from meat and whole food products.

Our top picks for dry dogs food include:

• Open Farm: Made with ethically and sustainably sourced premium proteins, non-GMO fruits and veggies, healthy grains and other superfoods. Available in an array of formulas suitable for all different life stages and needs.
• Jinx: Made with high-quality proteins, superfoods and pre and probiotics for better digestion and nutrient absorption. Available in puppy and adult formulations and a variety of flavors.
• Ollie: A gently-baked formula featuring minimally-processed, all-natural ingredients, no preservatives or fillers and high-quality proteins, made in small batches and cooked slowly at low temperatures for maximum nutritional value.
• Pets Table: Made with all-natural ingredients and no fillers, this food is shelf stable and gently air dried at a low heat for optimal nutrition and flavor.

Best Freeze Dried Dog Food

Freeze dried dog food is different from other types of dry dog food, which are usually baked, air dried or dehydrated. Freeze drying food involves a process that sucks the moisture out at very cold temperatures. The foods remain raw, and some pet owners prefer this method because it retains nutrients and enzymes that may otherwise be lost in a cooking or baking process. We always recommend checking with your vet before switching your pet to a new style of food.

Our top pick in this category is RawMix by Open Farm. Available in a variety of different recipes and formulations, RawMix is made from sustainably sourced proteins, infused with bone broth and includes non-GMO fruits and veggies. RawMix can be fed as a meal, or as a tasty topper on kibble, which is a great option for picky eaters. 

Best Wet Dog Food

Wet dog food has a higher water content than kibble, which is great for hydration, and is usually more palatable for picky eaters. The best wet dog food should have real meat as the first ingredient and be free from artificial additives. Wet food can be particularly beneficial for dogs with dental issues or those who need a little extra moisture in their diet. 

Our top brands for wet dog food include:

• Jinx: Offers two formulations of wet food made with high-quality ingredients; a traditional canned paté and a shelf-stable recipe that resembles homemade food with fresh chunks of meats and veggies, plus bone broth.
• Open Farm: Like all of their other food formulations, Open Farm’s wet foods are made with ethically-sourced and humanely-raised proteins, non-GMO veggies and 100 percent traceable ingredients. This wet food is paté-style and comes in a variety of recipes, or a sampler pack so your pup can try them all.

When we think of wet food for dogs, most of us will imagine the canned paté style that we highlighted above. However, all of the options in our Best Fresh Dog Food category fall into the highly-palatable, wet food style that has a higher water content and can be more enticing than kibble for picky eaters—and appropriate for dogs with dental issues.

Best Raw Dog Food

We touched on raw dog food briefly in our Best Freeze Dried Dog Food category, as that preparation method uses raw food and retains its nutrients through the freeze drying process. 

Some say that a raw food diet can help improve dogs’ digestion due to the natural enzymes that raw foods contain. Others cite a healthier skin and coat, cleaner teeth, better breath and more energy. There are a handful of potential benefits and risks to feeding your dog a raw food diet, and we highly suggest discussing both with your vet to determine if raw food is right for your pup.

Our favorite brands for raw dog food include:

• Maev: Formulated by veterinary nutritionists and made with human-grade, USDA-certified meats, veggies and fruits.

• We Feed Raw: Made with USDA, human-grade meats and formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist to meet or exceed AAFCO nutrition standards. 

Best Dog Food for Allergies, Sensitive Stomach and Health Issues

Allergies in dogs can manifest as skin issues or gastrointestinal problems, and a quality specialty diet can help alleviate some of these issues. Similarly, some pups need a special diet to support their kidneys, liver or other health issues. 

Just Food for Dogs is our top pick in this category, as they carry a wide variety of specialized formulas, such as renal, hepatic, metabolic and critical care support formulas. These formulas require a prescription from your vet, which you’ll need to provide before purchasing this line of products. You can shop by health goal on their website to find formulas suitable for healthy digestion, skin and coat issues and more. They even have a line of foods made with novel protein sources, which are great for dogs that may have allergies to certain proteins.

Just Food for Dogs also offers a consultation with a nutrition consultant to help customize your dog’s food to meet their exact needs. We haven’t found a more comprehensive experience than this, so pet parents, if your dog has special dietary needs, this brand is for you.

Best Grain Free Dog Food

Grain-free dog food can help dogs with certain sensitivities or health issues, but it might not be healthy for all dogs. We recommend checking with your vet if you think your dog may benefit from a grain-free diet.

The best grain free dog food will provide all the essential nutrients your dog needs, with alternative sources of carbohydrates like sweet potatoes or peas.

Raised Right is our top pick for grain-free dog food. All of their formulas get their nutritional content from whole-food sources like muscle meat, organ meat, fish oil, berries and vegetables, and are veterinary-formulated to meet AAFCO standards for a balanced diet using only whole foods and no synthetic vitamins or minerals.

Best Dog Food for Puppies

Puppies need nutrient-dense food to support their rapid growth and high energy levels. Look for food that is specifically formulated for puppies and is rich in protein, healthy fats and essential vitamins. 

Our top recommendation for puppy food is Open Farm. With options specially formulated for large breed puppies and small to medium breed puppies, all of Open Farm’s foods are made from high-quality, sustainably sourced proteins, non-GMO fruits and veggies and infused with bone broth and tasty chunks of freeze dried raw proteins. They have a variety of different formulas and flavors, including grain-free and ancient grain recipes. A focus on ethically-sourced and humanely-raised proteins, no fillers and a clean ingredient list make Open Farm a top choice in this category.

Best Senior Dog Food

Senior dogs have different nutritional needs than adult dogs and puppies, including joint support and lower calories to prevent weight gain. The best senior dog food includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, omega fatty acids for a shiny coat and antioxidants to support the immune system. 

We recommend Open Farm for senior pups, as they’ve created a food specifically formulated for senior dog needs, with natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to promote healthy joints, natural antioxidants to support a healthy immune system and humanely-raised, free-to-roam protein sources. Open Farm has a commitment to traceability, with all of the ingredients in this recipe coming from certified family farms, so you can feel good about helping your dog live their absolute best life.

Best Dog Food for Small Dogs

The best food for tiny-but-mighty pups has a nutritional profile that’s specially formulated for small breeds and is smaller and easier to chew. You’ll also want to make sure that it is made with high-quality ingredients and no byproducts or fillers, and that it meets the nutritional standards set by AAFCO. 

We love Open Farm for small-breed specific food. It’s been specially formulated for pint-sized pups and is available in an ancient grain recipe as well as grain free. With optimized natural ingredients to support digestion, and guaranteed levels of omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat. All of Open Farm’s dog foods are made with humanely-raised and sustainably-sourced proteins, with no byproducts, fillers, artificial flavors or preservatives. Just another reason to feel good about this brand and what you’re feeding your furriest family member. 

FAQs

What is the best dry dog food?

Selecting the best dry dog food involves considering nutritional content, quality of ingredients and any specific health needs that your dog has. The best dry dog food should meet your dog’s needs for activity level, size, weight and life stage, and should follow AAFCO standards for recommended minimum levels of protein, fat and carbohydrates.

Look for high-quality ingredients you can recognize and avoid fillers like corn, wheat and soy, along with byproducts and artificial ingredients. The first five ingredients make up the bulk of the recipe, and should come from meat and whole-food products.

Here are some top recommendations:

• Open Farm: A focus on ethically and sustainably-sourced premium proteins, with non-GMO fruits and veggies, healthy grains and other superfoods. Available in an array of formulas suitable for all different needs and life stages.
• Jinx: Made with high-quality proteins, superfoods and pre- and probiotics for better digestion and nutrient absorption. Available in puppy and adult formulations and a variety of flavors.

• Ollie: Made in small batches and cooked slowly at low temperatures to preserve nutritional value, this gently-baked formula features minimally-processed, all-natural ingredients, no preservatives or fillers and high-quality proteins.

• Pets Table: Made with all-natural ingredients and no fillers, this food is shelf stable and gently air dried at a low heat for optimal nutrition and flavor. 

What is the best dog food for small dogs?

Choosing the best dog food for small dogs requires attention to their unique dietary needs, including an optimized nutrient profile, smaller kibble size and specific ingredients to support their energy levels and overall health.

Open Farm is a top choice for small-breed dog food. They have a grain-free option as well as an ancient grains formula. Both contain optimized ingredients to support the needs of small dogs, like pumpkin and sweet potato for digestion, and guaranteed levels of omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat. All of Open Farm’s dog foods are made with humanely-raised and sustainably-sourced proteins, with no byproducts, fillers, artificial flavors or preservatives, so you can feel good about what you’re feeding them.

What is the best dog food for puppies?

Growing puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. Most important is choosing a dog food that is specifically formulated for puppies, as it will contain the right amounts of protein, healthy fats and vitamins essential for their growth and development. 

Our top choice for puppy food is Open Farm. They have options specially formulated for large-breed puppies and small- to medium-breed puppies, and all of Open Farm’s foods are made from high-quality, sustainably-sourced proteins, non-GMO fruits and veggies and infused with bone broth and tasty chunks of freeze dried raw proteins. You’ll also find a variety of different formulas and flavors, including grain-free and ancient grain formulas. A focus on ethically-sourced and humanely-raised proteins, no fillers and a clean ingredient list make Open Farm a top choice in this category.

What is the best dog food for dogs with allergies?

If your dog suffers from allergies, they may be experiencing skin issues or gastrointestinal problems. A specialty diet that’s formulated to minimize these issues can help provide relief while delivering balanced nutrition.

Our top recommendation for best dog food for allergies is Just Food for Dogs. They carry a wide variety of formulas that address different needs, and you can shop by concern on the site, with food formulated for digestion issues, skin and coat issues and more. You can also schedule a consultation with a nutrition consultant who can help customize your dog’s meal plan to meet their dietary needs. All in all, this is a comprehensive choice for dogs dealing with allergies, and you’re sure to find the right food for your pup here.

What is the best wet dog food?

With a higher water content than kibble, wet food is good for hydration and can be a more palatable option for picky eaters. It’s also a great choice for dogs with dental issues. 

Here are our top recommendations for best wet dog food:

• Jinx: Choose from two formulations of wet food made with high-quality ingredients; a traditional canned paté and a shelf-stable recipe that resembles homemade food with fresh chunks of meats and veggies, plus bone broth.

• Open Farm: A high-quality, paté-style wet food made with ethically-sourced and humanely-raised proteins, non-GMO veggies and 100 percent traceable ingredients.