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10 Most Popular Healthy Dog Food Brands

Breeding Business is passionate about all sorts of domesticated pets. They have written dozens of articles across the web.
Published on
Sunday 24 December 2017
Last updated on
Tuesday 9 May 2023
Top 10 Most Popular Healthy Dog Food Brands
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Dog food brands are plentiful, but rare are the authentically healthy dog food brands that deliver on their high and mighty claims. The Association of American Feed Control Officials has very low standards when it comes to dog food labeling.

In other words, fantastic claims can easily be made and mislead the general public. Only very savvy dog owners who can afford spending hours and hours searching for the most honest brand will be able to navigate through a web of lies or exaggerated promises written in bold font on beautiful packaging. Marketing drives the healthy dog food market and it rests on a few buzzwords: complete and balanced, grain-free, raw, BARF, freeze-dried, vitamins, trace elements, PREY, amino acids, etc.

In order to help you out and shorten your decision-making stage in your quest for the best healthy dog food brand, we have reviewed and compiled a list of brands we trust. To be fair, all brands exaggerate their claims and try to pretend that their kibble is better than the next one. This is fair play, but we just hate when this little game goes too far.

We have not been paid or compensated by any of these brands. Ever.

1. Orijen

— Most Popular Healthy Dog Food Brand

Orijen is manufactured in the United States. It is a high-protein dry dog food. Orijen makes puppy food, a large breed of puppy food, and specialty dry foods for senior dogs and dogs that are overweight. The brand is sold in retail pet stores like Petco and Petsmart. It is, also, sold at Walmart. Amazon has the most SKUs and is probably the best spot to get it from. Furthermore, a four-and-a-half-pound bag retails for $23, approximately. It also provides a balanced diet appropriate for dogs.

There have been conflicting stories about high-protein dog food causing kidney stones but these studies aren’t thorough enough. Dogs naturally require a high protein intake so it only makes more sense to feed them high-protein dog food.

There are eight different kinds of dog food manufactured by Orijen. These include puppy, puppy large, original (chicken and fish-flavored), six fish (including oily fish like mackerel that are high in essential fatty acids), Regional red (includes organ meat), Tundra, Fit & Trim, and Senior dog. Moreover, all are labeled as “complete and balanced” which means that the dog food satisfies the guidelines of AAFCO.

Furthermore, many pet owners stated that Orijen’s healthy dog food solved their pet’s health problems like skin and digestive issues. In addition, buyers also liked how its delicious taste makes it appetizing for their dogs. Moreover, Orijen is present at most dog exhibitions and is loved by a lot of dog owners. It does not also have any history of recalls since 2009. However, the only issue for some customers is that it can be a bit pricey especially if you have several dogs to feed.

Pros

  • High in protein
  • Complete and balanced nutrients
  • AAFCO approved 
  • Aids in skin and digestive issues
  • Wide variety of flavors

Cons

  • Some noticed an unpleasant smell
  • Packaging 

2. Stella & Chewy’s

— Perhaps the Most Underrated Dry Dog Food

Stella & Chewy’s makes five types of dog food. It has beef, chicken, chicken for small breeds, whitefish, and chicken for puppies. Also, it is advertised as being grain-free, and potato-free. It includes canine probiotics and omega fatty acids for coat health. The website states that dog food includes “organic” fruits and vegetables. The website states that it is manufactured in the United States with no ingredients coming from China. There is, also, dog food that is described as “raw” which means that it is freeze-dried.

Moreover, the recipe follows the whole prey model, meaning that the entire animal is used to make the dog food. Organ meats and bones are all put in the dog food. In this way, there are different sources of nutrients. In the wild, the entire carcass is consumed, and the theory goes that if that system is followed in making dog food the dog is more than likely to have the balance of nutrients needed. It isn’t clear how much is known about the nutritional requirements of dogs in their different stages of life. That also makes substantiating the claims of various products very difficult to evaluate. Veterinarians are usually trained more in disease and disease prevention than dietary requirements for optimal health.

Moreover, Stella & Chewy also meets the dog food nutritional content standards created by The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Aside from that, it has good buyer reviews stating how their dogs extremely like the dog food very. Plus, some pet owners even recommend it for dogs with allergies since it does not have any allergens and is good for sensitive dogs. 

A twenty-five-ounce bag of patties is $48. Stella & Chewy’s is available at Petco and Petsmart as well as online on Amazon. It is a wonderfully qualitative dry dog food with a very decent price tag considering its high nutritional profile.

Pros

  • AAFCO approved
  • Does not contain potential allergens
  • High nutritional profile

Cons

  • Some kibbles arrive in crumbs
  • Packaging issues

3. ACANA

— A Locally-Sourced Healthy Dog Food Brand

ACANA dog food advertises to include regionally grown meats and carbohydrates. It is supposed to be biologically appropriate and balanced nutrition. They do not make any special dog food for puppies or seniors. This dog food costs $77 for a twenty-five-pound bag. It is not the cheapest food around. The flavors include various chicken flavors and fish. An oily fish like mackerel is in one of its formulas. Essential fatty acids contribute to coat health.

ACANA has a frequent buyer program. After purchasing twelve bags of dog food, the thirteenth bag is free. ACANA is sold online and is sold at major retailers like Petco, Petsmart, and Walmart. ACANA participates in a voluntary safety recall program. All dog food is manufactured in the United States or Canada. The dog food markets itself as a Whole Prey system in which organ, cartilage, and meat are all included.

ACANA is a sub-brand from Orijen with a heavy focus on sourcing the best ingredients locally.

Pros

  • Recommended for picky eater
  • Transparent with the amount and type of meat used
  • Packed with essential nutrients and vitamins

Cons

  • Can be expensive
  • Some complained about receiving a bad batch of products

4. Primal Pet Foods

— Expensive Raw & Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Primal Pet Foods has nine different varieties of raw frozen dog foods. It has chicken, duck, venison, beef, lamb, pheasant, rabbit, turkey, sardine, and pork. The total protein content is often less than 20% which is very low for a healthy dog food brand. The website states that dog food is suitable for all life stages and meets AAFCO guidelines for complete and balanced.

The lack of dog food tailored for growing puppies and senior dogs makes the quality of this dog food circumspect since the nutritional needs of growing puppies and senior dogs are very different. It is not easy to verify whether or not this dog food is beneficial for the average dog. The website describes organ meats and bones as part of dog food. The low percentage of protein puts this claim in question.

A fourteen-ounce bag of turkey and sardine is $31; this is a costly dog food compared to canned dog food and other dry dog foods. It is available online. Sardine is a cheap fish and there are some reviewers that have objected to the smell of the product. In general, oily fish like sardines, and mackerel have essential fatty acids which have been found to have some efficacy in maintaining a healthy coat.

Pros

  • High digestibility
  • Transparent with ingredients and nutritional profile
  • AAFCO approved

Cons

  • Lower protein compared to other brands
  • Can be expensive

5. Eagle Pack

— Great Value for Money!

Eagle Pack makes three different kinds of puppy food and six different adult dry dog food. It includes specially formulated puppy food for large/giant breeds. It, also, includes reduced-calorie dog food for overweight dogs. There is a large and giant breed puppy food, original chicken meal and pork meal, and small breed chicken meal & pork meal puppy food. The adult food includes original Adult lamb meal and brown rice, original chicken meal and pork meal, reduced-fat adult, large and giant breed adult, small breed chicken meal and pork meal, and power adult.

The power of adult dog food is for especially-active dogs. It includes glucosamine hydrochloride for joint health. Eagle Pack is one of the more reasonably priced high-end dog food. A thirty-pound bag of dog food costs about $40. This dog food is available online and is available at all retail pet stores and Walmart. It is a complete and balanced dog food as certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.

Eagle Pack is adored by dog breeders because of its compromise: it is available at a reasonable price and is qualitative.

Pros

  • Complete and balanced nutrients
  • Certified by AAFCO
  • Has low-fat analysis

Cons

  • Some dogs did not like it
  • Shipping complaints

6. Fromm

— Some Sort of Fine-Dining Dog Food

The Fromm Family dog food looks like the menu from a five-star restaurant. There are over two dozen varieties of dog food including such exotic flavors as Hasen Duckenpfeffer and Chicken au Frommage. All are complete and balanced so all are healthy alternatives.

There are four different kinds of puppy food. One is specifically for large and giant breed puppies. There are two different dog foods just for weight management, and one dog food designed for senior or less active dogs. A couple of alternatives include vegetables like broccoli and fruits like blueberries. It is not clear whether broccoli is an ingredient that most dogs would take to but it definitely offers a better nutritional profile. Warning, though, there is a fair amount of wheat in this brand of dog food. Dogs with allergies may have difficulty with products that contain wheat.

A thirty-three-pound bag of food costs $50. Shipping is free with an online purchase. This dog food is available at Petco, Petsmart, and Amazon. It may be available at Walmart, but this high-end type of dog food is rarely stocked at Walmart. There is, also, a variety of canned dog food made by Fromm Family.

Pros

  • Offers different types of dog food based on your dog’s needs
  • Unique flavors
  • No chemical preservatives

Cons

  • Comes with wheat (potential allergen)
  • Mildly expensive

7. Nature’s Logic

— Very Promising Nutritional Profile!

Nature’s Logic does not sell puppy food or specialty food like weight control or senior dog food. It sells dry dog food in beef, chicken, duck and salmon, lamb, pork, rabbit, sardine, turkey, and venison. All varieties are balanced and complete. Sardine is an oily fish that contains essential fatty acids and probably would be good for coat health. Lean proteins like venison and rabbit are probably good choices if weight control is an issue with a particular dog. There seems to be a lot of spice listed in the ingredients as well as some probiotics that are of questionable nutritional value for dogs. Dogs have such a keen sense of smell that the preponderance of spice in this dog food seems more aimed at the human serving up the food than the dog’s sensibilities.

A fifteen-pound bag of this dog food costs $40. This dog food is available at Walmart, Petco, and Petsmart. The company, also, manufactures a variety of canned dog foods and treats. The company advertises that it does not add any synthetic chemicals or additives to its dog food. The addition of probiotics to dog food seems to be a welcome additive, but let’s hope these do what they are meant to.

Pros

  • Improves skin and coat
  • Contains essential fatty acid
  • Helps in weight control or management

Cons

  • Minimal additives (additional probiotic)
  • Might not be for picky eaters

8. Wysong

— A Very, Very Wide Range of Products (Too Wide?)

Wysong manufactures eight different kinds of dog food. It has adult, growth (for puppies), senior, synorgon, fundamentals, allergen, vegan (are dogs going vegan, too?), nurture with quail. Anergen is described as hypoallergenic dog food for dogs with food sensitivities and intolerances. A five-pound bag of Wysong dog food costs $25. It is available online and at Petco and Petsmart.

There is some research suggesting that probiotics—at least the good bacteria in a dog’s gut—have benefits for dogs. Human probiotics probably will not hurt a dog, but the digestive system of a dog is significantly different. Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium (among others) have shown some efficacy in dogs. These bacteria are listed in the ingredients in the Wysong dog food.

Strangely enough, nowhere on the website did the words “complete and balanced” appear. This is the minimum standard any dog food should meet. Hopefully, Wysong has met the guidelines of AAFCO to ensure a dog’s health is not compromised by a poor choice of food or cheaply sourced ingredients. Wysong has actually sued its rival company Purina claiming that Purina has made false advertising claims. The lawsuit contends that the pictures of premium-grade cuts of meat are not contained in that bag of Purina dog chow. Advertising with those delicious-looking pictures is more in the nature of puffing, and so how meritorious Wysong’s claims are against the pet food giant remains to be seen.

Pros

  • Contains above-average protein
  • Good for dogs with sensitive allergies
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Some dogs did not like it 
  • Can be pricey

9. Pinnacle

— Popular Grain-Free Dog Food Brand

Pinnacle makes six different varieties of dry dog food, and all are advertised as grain-free. There is a chicken & vegetable, trout and sweet potato, duck and sweet potato, salmon & potato, and turkey and potato. The significance of being grain-free and then including a starch-like potato seems inconsistent and a questionable marketing ploy. The total protein in dog food is around 25%.

The Pinnacle brand’s website states that the dog food meets the AAFCO standards, but the words “complete and balanced” are conspicuously absent. No dog food that does not meet this minimum standard should be given to a dog. It is not possible to see the label on the dog food. There is no recipe designed specifically for puppies or for senior dogs. Dog food is labeled as suitable for all life stages. The nutritional requirements of a growing puppy and a senior dog are very different so we think that there should be a distinction made between adulthood and puppyhood. The ingredients do show the probiotics that are good for dogs which is a plus!

The percentage of protein should be higher especially if the product is advertised as being grain-free. Wheat is a grain that many dogs have allergies or sensitivities to. Potato is a complex carbohydrate (starch) that may fill a dog up but does not offer much nutrient value. A four-pound bag of dog food costs $24, It is sold online and at retail pet stores.

Pros

  • Free from allergens
  • Average protein level
  • Applicable for all dog ages and sizes
  • Certified by AAFCO

Cons

  • Contains potatoes (complex carbohydrate)
  • Lower protein level thatn expected

10. The Honest Kitchen

— A Nice Human-Grade Dog Food Brand

The Honest Kitchen has several lines of dog foods. The perfectly natural line has a puppy formula, an adult dog, and a senior variety. All are advertised as being complete and balanced as well as totally human-grade. There is a signature line of dog food that has different recipes with various meats and vegetables. The Honest Kitchen also makes toppers and treats.

There is another line that is grain-free and includes beef and fruits, fish recipes, as well as chicken and turkey. These grain-free alternatives include potato or starch as key ingredients. These dog food are likely to be filling for a dog, and generally provide 20% of protein. There is, in addition, a premium line of snacks and cookies for healthy active dogs. Active dog food contains a bit more protein than the other varieties—at 26%. Fortunately, most of their products do not list wheat or grains as one main ingredient. Dogs with food sensitivities may want to devour this particular brand’s pet food.

A 10-lb box will set you back over $70 – and this is the cost of quality and premium dog food. One problem with some of these natural products is that once the package is opened the dog food may spoil more easily. It probably does not save much money if the nutritional content of the dog food is subject to deterioration. This dog food is available online and is sold on Chewy and Amazon.

Pros

  • Recommended for picky eaters
  • Complete and balanced nutrition
  • Free from allergens

Cons

  • Can spoil easily once opened
  • Some dogs are not fond of it

3 comments on “10 Most Popular Healthy Dog Food Brands”

  1. DebraDvorak

    Could you tell me where would dog foods “Signature Zentials” and “Taste of Wild – Sierra” rate? Unfortunately neither have specific large breed puppy formulas for my Golden Retrievers. I like Zignature because of variety of meats and no recalls from what I can see. And after trying about 5 dog foods they like these 2 the most,

  2. Caroline

    I agree with the editor’s choice of dog food brands on this article. My dog kiki likes the Orijen (Chicken and Fish flavour) and I use it more often now. She has become fussy, haha…Yeah! Orijen is top of the top!

  3. shilpa loverr

    I have a German Shepherd from 5 years. At beginning, i used different types of food brands for my dog. But my dog became very unhealthy. I Can’t understand what to do. One of my friends suggested me MarshallsPetZone.com . They diagnosed my dog very well. They suggested me Royal Canin for my dog. Now my dog is very healthy and fit

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