When it comes to keeping your dog healthy, high-quality food is a must. Dry food, in particular, can play an important role in your pet’s diet. This popular choice offers several benefits, including helping to keep your companion’s teeth healthy by encouraging chewing.
Kibble tends to cause less mess that needs to be cleaned up later, and you can leave it out for your dog all day if you choose. Between the health benefits and the convenience, it’s easy to see why dry dog food is so popular among pet owners.
Now, you’re probably wondering how to pick the best one. We’ve reviewed the competition and included a list of the best dry dog foods available in the UK to help you select the right food for your furry friend.
A Quick Look at Our Winners in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Harringtons Complete Dry Dog Food
No artificial coloring
High in protein Includes essential
Vitamins A, D, and E
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Best Value
Burgess Supadog Adult Dry Dog Food
Relatively inexpensive
High in protein
Features zinc, calcium and biotin
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Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Dry Dog Food
High in protein
Healthy vegetables
Includes omega-6 fatty acids
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Best for Puppies
Harringtons Complete Puppy Dry Dog Food
Kibble appropriately sized for tiny mouths
High in protein
Features prebiotics
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Pooch & Mutt Complete Adult Dog Dry Food
Grain-free
Tons of protein
Antioxidants for cellular support
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The 12 Best Dry Dog Foods in the UK
- Harringtons Complete Dry Dog Food — Best Overall
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Crude protein: 22%
Crude fat: 13%
Harringtons Complete Dry Dog Food, Turkey, and Rice is the best overall dry dog food for adult dogs out of the products we reviewed. We loved its protein-heavy and antioxidant-rich formulation. Vets recommend you look for a food made up of at least 10% protein, and this choice far exceeds that recommendation.
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Crude protein: 22%
Crude fat: 13%
More than 25% of the product consists of turkey and meat meal. It also has antioxidants such as tocopherol (vitamin E) to support your dog’s cellular health. Although the product doesn’t contain added grain, it’s not grain-free as it has maize and barley.
Pros
No artificial coloring
High in protein
Includes essential Vitamins A, D, and E
Cons
Some customers received damaged packages
- Burgess Supadog Adult Dry Dog Food — Best Value
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Crude protein: 19%
Crude fat: 7%
Burgess Supadog Adult Dry dog Food with Tasty Chicken is the best dry dog food for the money. Although the first ingredient listed on the label is whole grain wheat, the product is rich in protein, containing 10% poultry meal by volume. It also has supportive nutrients such as Zinc and Biotin to ensure your canine friend has a soft, glossy coat.
No artificial coloring
High in protein
Includes essential Vitamins A, D, and E
- No artificial coloring
- High in protein
- Includes essential Vitamins A, D, and E
Some customers received damaged packages
- Some customers received damaged packages
Crude protein: 19%
Crude fat: 7%
Calcium and vitamin D are included to provide bone support for active animals. The kibble has been specially formulated to be super digestible, but it contains ingredients such as soy that might be problematic for some dogs.
Pros
Relatively inexpensive
High in protein
Features zinc, calcium and biotin
Cons
Protein mostly from meal
- Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream
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Crude protein: 25%
Crude fat: 15%
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream with Smoked Salmon meets all the requirements for a premium choice. It’s packed full of crude protein with 25% by volume. Salmon is the first ingredient listed, a sure indication of a premium product. The product also contains tomatoes, raspberries, and blueberries, which are all-natural sources of antioxidants.
Relatively inexpensive
High in protein
Features zinc, calcium and biotin
- Relatively inexpensive
- High in protein
- Features zinc, calcium and biotin
Protein mostly from meal
- Protein mostly from meal
Crude protein: 25%
Crude fat: 15%
It also features 15% fat and plenty of omega-6 fatty acids to keep your dog’s skin healthy and coat shiny. It’s appropriate for most breeds and ages. It also has plenty of vitamin D to help your dog’s bones stay strong.
Pros
High in protein
Healthy vegetables
Includes omega-6 fatty acids
Cons
Expensive
- Harringtons Complete Dry Puppy Food — Best for Puppies
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Crude protein: 28%
Crude fat: 12%
Harringtons Complete Puppy Dry Dog Food, Turkey, and Rice is our favorite for growing dogs. It provides the extra protein puppies require, 26% of the food by volume, and turkey is the primary ingredient. Its fat content, 12%, is also suitable for growing pups. It’s formulated with smaller kibble chunks to make it easy for tiny mouths to handle, and contains prebiotics to keep your companion’s tummy happy.
High in protein
Healthy vegetables
Includes omega-6 fatty acids
- High in protein
- Healthy vegetables
- Includes omega-6 fatty acids
Expensive
- Expensive
Crude protein: 28%
Crude fat: 12%
It’s packed full of vitamin E and omega 3 to give your canine companion’s immune system a boost and even features manganese to help support your dog’s joint health. It also includes zinc to help your dog’s muscles work efficiently. Puppies as young as three weeks can start snacking safely on the kibble.
Pros
Kibble appropriately sized for tiny mouths
High in protein
Features prebiotics
Cons
Contains grains, but no added wheat
Expensive
- Pooch & Mutt Complete Adult Dry Food
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Crude protein: 24%
Crude fat: 11%
Pooch & Mutt Complete Adult Dry Dog Food, Superfood Blend is a great choice for dogs with allergies and those who suffer from stomach sensitivities. Pooch & Mutt, the company behind this nutritional powerhouse, sees food as an essential medicine for your dog.
Kibble appropriately sized for tiny mouths
High in protein
Features prebiotics
- Kibble appropriately sized for tiny mouths
- High in protein
- Features prebiotics
Contains grains, but no added wheat
Expensive
- Contains grains, but no added wheat
- Expensive
Crude protein: 24%
Crude fat: 11%
The first ingredient on the label is chicken, which is a whopping 38.5% of the product by volume. It features healthy fats and oils such as linseed and salmon oil to give your dog energy and keep its coat healthy. It also contains sweet potatoes to provide fiber. It’s a great choice for anxious canines, as it features calming ingredients such as chamomile.
Pros
Grain-free
Tons of protein
Antioxidants for cellular support
Cons
Expensive
- Wagg Complete Kennel Chicken Dry Dog Food
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Crude protein: 22%
Crude fat: 8%
Wagg Complete Kennel Chicken and Vegetable Dry Dog food is a high-quality choice that hits all the nutritional high points for most adult dogs. It’s specifically formulated to meet working dogs’ higher caloric and protein demands, making this a great choice for active animals. It features 20% protein by volume.
Grain-free
Tons of protein
Antioxidants for cellular support
- Grain-free
- Tons of protein
- Antioxidants for cellular support
Crude protein: 22%
Crude fat: 8%
Made with love, each individual nugget of food contains the complete range of included nutrients, ensuring your canine will receive all the nutrients it needs even if it’s not in the mood to eat a ton. The product also contains vitamin D and calcium to ensure your furry friend has all the nutrients required for healthy teeth and bones. It also tends to be one of the least expensive of the high-quality options available.
Pros
Contains prebiotics
Vitamin C for immune protection
High in protein
Cons
Grain-heavy—contains less meat than the competition
- Harringtons Complete Senior Dry Food
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Crude protein: 20.5%
Crude fat: 7.5%
Harrington’s Complete Senior Dry Food is a wonderful option if you’ve got a senior pet who might benefit from a bit of nutritional support to increase mobility. It provides chondroitin and glucosamine to decrease joint pain and increase mobility.
Contains prebiotics
Vitamin C for immune protection
High in protein
- Contains prebiotics
- Vitamin C for immune protection
- High in protein
Grain-heavy—contains less meat than the competition
- Grain-heavy—contains less meat than the competition
Crude protein: 20.5%
Crude fat: 7.5%
It also features a fruit and vegetable-based probiotic, Fructo-Oligo-Saccharide (FOS), to improve your canine friend’s digestion. With vitamin D and manganese for strong bones and teeth, your senior dog will be able to remain active for longer. Harringtons Complete has a fat content by volume of 7.5% and omega fatty acids, so it’s ideal for an aging pup.
Pros
Chicken is a primary ingredient
Contains probiotics
Provides chondroitin and glucosamine
Cons
Some customers received discolored kibble
- James Wellbeloved Complete Hypoallergenic Dog Food
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Crude protein: 23.5%
Crude fat: 10.5%
James Wellbeloved Compete Hypoallergenic Dry Dog Food is a fantastic option for pets with food sensitivities. The kibble features antioxidants from superfoods such as kale, quinoa, and chia seeds. It has a ton of protein, containing 23% turkey meal by volume. It relies on a single source of protein, turkey, to make the kibble easier to digest.
Chicken is a primary ingredient
Contains probiotics
Provides chondroitin and glucosamine
- Chicken is a primary ingredient
- Contains probiotics
- Provides chondroitin and glucosamine
Some customers received discolored kibble
- Some customers received discolored kibble
Crude protein: 23.5%
Crude fat: 10.5%
The product contains antioxidants such as green tea and pomegranate extract to support your pet’s cellular health. It also has brown rice to provide carbohydrates for energy and fiber to improve digestion. Unfortunately, it contains pea fiber, which may be linked to heart issues such as canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
Pros
High in protein
Antioxidants from green tea and pomegranate
Health carbohydrates
Cons
Contains pea fiber
- Wagg Wheat Free Complete Dry Dog Food
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Crude protein: 25%
Crude fat: 9%
Wagg Wheat Free Complete with Chicken and Rice is an affordable, high-quality option ideal for pets with wheat sensitivities and other allergies. It delivers more than 25% animal protein and 9% fat by volume, plenty to keep your pup energetic and its coat nice and glossy.
High in protein
Antioxidants from green tea and pomegranate
Health carbohydrates
- High in protein
- Antioxidants from green tea and pomegranate
- Health carbohydrates
Contains pea fiber
- Contains pea fiber
Crude protein: 25%
Crude fat: 9%
It even has yucca to minimize the smell of your dog’s stinky poo! The formulation includes copper to protect your dog’s nerve function, and since it doesn’t have any added sugar, it’s a good option if you’re worried about your pet’s weight or dental health.
Pros
Grain, soy, and dairy-free
Features probiotics
High in protein
Cons
High cereal content
Contains pea fiber
- Lily’s Kitchen Chicken and Duck Countryside Casserole
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Crude protein: 23.5%
Crude fat: 12%
Lily’s Kitchen Chicken and Duck Countryside Casserole provides a ton of protein—chicken, duck, and chicken liver are the first three ingredients listed on the label. The formula includes sweet potatoes to deliver fiber and nutrients such as vitamin C and iron. And it’s packed with healthy vegetables featuring cell-strengthening antioxidants, such as cranberries and spinach.
Grain, soy, and dairy-free
Features probiotics
High in protein
- Grain, soy, and dairy-free
- Features probiotics
- High in protein
High cereal content
Contains pea fiber
- High cereal content
- Contains pea fiber
Crude protein: 23.5%
Crude fat: 12%
It contains botanicals such as rose hips to give your pet’s immune system a boost, and the kibble’s joint care mix provides glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and methylsulfonylmethane to relieve your dog’s achy joints. It also has prebiotics, including mannan oligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides, to support your pet’s digestive health.
Pros
Grain-free
High in protein
Contains glucosamine and methylsulfonylmethane
Cons
Features pea protein
Contains lentils
- Arden Grange Adult Dry Dog Food
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Crude protein: 25%
Crude fat: 15%
Arden Grange Adult Dry Dog Food is a great option for adult dogs who suffer from allergies. It’s a grain-free product that meets most adult dogs’ nutritional requirements with high-quality ingredients.
Grain-free
High in protein
Contains glucosamine and methylsulfonylmethane
- Grain-free
- High in protein
- Contains glucosamine and methylsulfonylmethane
Features pea protein
Contains lentils
- Features pea protein
- Contains lentils
With a fat content of 15%, the kibble provides more than enough to keep your four-legged friend healthy. It features omega-3 and 6 fatty acids to keep your dog’s immune system up and running. If your dog tends to have stinky bowel movements, you’ll love the added yucca because it can reduce the intensity of the smell. It also delivers healthy doses of joint-saving compounds such as glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Skinner’s Field & Trial Dry Dog Food
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Crude protein: 25%
Crude fat: 10%
Skinner’s Field & Trial Dry Dog Food is an excellent option for active dogs. It contains 22% protein from chicken by volume, which is more than enough to meet the nutritional needs of adult pups. Formulated with Vitamin D and Iron, the kibble provides tons of support to help your dog build strong teeth and bones.
Healthy fat percentage
No added wheat or gluten
Contains probiotics
- Healthy fat percentage
- No added wheat or gluten
- Contains probiotics
Crude protein: 25%
Crude fat: 10%
It also has selenium, an essential nutrient your buddy needs for optimal metabolic function, and vitamins E and A deliver antioxidants to encourage healthy cellular activity. Unfortunately, the product does have peas, which may cause heart issues in some breeds, although the final verdict on the issue is still out.
Pros
Made for working dogs
Iron to protect against anemia
Cons
Contains peas
Expensive
Heavy on brown rice
- Lily’s Kitchen Wild Woodland Walk Dog Food
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Crude protein: 22%
Crude fat: 13%
Wild Woodland Walk, with Duck, Salmon and Venison is another favorite from Lily’s Kitchen. Packed with nutrients, the kibble has 35% protein by volume. Formulated with duck, salmon, and venison sourced from ethical farms, it’s a great choice that nourishes your dog in an environmentally responsible way.
Made for working dogs
Iron to protect against anemia
- Made for working dogs
- Iron to protect against anemia
Contains peas
Expensive
Heavy on brown rice
- Contains peas
- Expensive
- Heavy on brown rice
The product also provides glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to keep your dog’s joints healthy. Lily’s Kitchen contains cranberries, spinach, and goldenrod to encourage cellular regeneration. Because it’s made with salmon, the kibble is loaded with omega fatty acids your dog needs for a healthy immune system.
Pros
High protein content
High-quality protein
Contains probiotics
Cons
Contains peas
Picky dogs disliked the flavor
Some customers received damaged packages
Buyer’s Guilde: Buying the Best Dry Dog Food in the UK
While we’ve provided reviews of our favourite picks, there are several factors to take into consideration when making a decision about what food to choose for your companion, including the kibble’s nutritional qualities, your dog’s specific physical needs, your dog’s personal preferences.
High protein content
High-quality protein
Contains probiotics
- High protein content
- High-quality protein
- Contains probiotics
Contains peas
Picky dogs disliked the flavor
Some customers received damaged packages
- Contains peas
- Picky dogs disliked the flavor
- Some customers received damaged packages
How to Read a Dry Dog Food Ingredient List
While the products on our list should meet the nutritional requirements of most dogs, part of being a responsible pet owner is being informed enough to make good decisions about what to feed your four-legged friend. Step one is to check the ingredient list.
The first ingredient you see is what your dog is getting the most of, so look for products where healthy proteins are listed first. And just in case you’re wondering if you see protein meal on a label, it means that all the water and fat have been removed from the ingredient.
What Ingredients to Look For in a Product
Adult dogs are healthiest when consuming a diet made up of around 10% protein and 50% carbohydrates. Most dog food labels include clear information about protein percentages. Healthy sources of carbohydrates include rice, vegetables, and other grains.
But if your dog has a sensitive stomach or suffers from allergies, you might consider a grain, soy, and dairy-free kibble.
Supplements
Most dry dog foods are supplemented with a variety of vitamins and minerals. Look for products containing omega fatty acids, which can do wonders for your dog’s coat, and vitamin E to support your pup’s cellular health. Try to avoid products with artificial colors.
Dog Specificific Factors to Consider
It’s important to take your dog’s specific needs into account when selecting a kibble. Think about your dog’s size, age, and health conditions when selecting dry dog food.
Size of Your Dog
Small and large dogs benefit from a diet responsive to their specific needs. Small dogs sometimes have trouble eating dry food if the kibble is too big for them to chomp down on.
If your four-footed loved one is a toy or miniature breed, consider selecting a dry food formulated to be easy for smaller dogs to eat. Larger breeds that are known to suffer from physical issues such as hip dysplasia do well with a kibble designed to limit weight gain.
Age
Puppies and elderly dogs have special nutritional needs. While most vets recommend that you feed adult dogs twice a day, that number increases with puppies who need to eat three times a day. And while our youngest canine companions are growing, they often need extra protein to support their development.
They also require almost twice as much food per pound as adult dogs. Puppies’ nutritional needs rapidly change as they grow. They develop quickly in the first 6 months, so it’s critical to communicate with your vet about what to feed your new family member.
Most owners realize that their elderly dogs have different dietary requirements. Senior dogs tend to gain weight, because they move around less and their metabolisms often slow down.
Many begin to suffer from arthritis and have trouble with stiff joints, making it difficult for them to stay active and healthy. Some older dogs benefit from a dry dog food formulated for senior animals featuring reduced calories and additives such as glucosamine, which is a compound that may decrease joint pain.
Activity Level
Ensuring your pet maintains a healthy weight goes a long way towards protecting your companion’s overall health. Some adult dogs, particularly small breeds that are primarily indoor pets, can benefit from a diet specifically formulated to meet their needs for a low-calorie diet.
Alternatively, if you have an active dog, consider using a high-energy formula with tons of protein and antioxidants to support your dog’s muscle condition and immune system.
What Your Dog Likes
Ultimately, your dog’s happiness is the most important thing, so keep an eye out to see if it seems to like the new kibble you provided. It can sometimes take dogs anywhere from 5 to 7 days to become accustomed to a new food.
But if you’re simply substituting flavors and sticking with the same brand, your buddy probably won’t have as many issues. Keep an eye out for any tummy problems like vomiting or diarrhea after you introduce any new dry food. It might be an indication that your dog needs more time to adjust to its new diet or a sign of an adverse reaction to an ingredient in the new food.
Conclusion
Our overall pick for the best dry dog food in the UK is Harringtons Complete Dry Dog Food with Turkey and Rice. It hits all the high points delivering sufficient protein, healthy fats, and more than enough carbohydrates.
We were also impressed by Burgess’ Supadog Adult Dry Dog Food with Tasty Chicken option and its winning combination of high-quality ingredients at a great price. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream with Smoked Salmon is our favorite premium option, and it’s packed with high-quality ingredients.
Featured Image Credit: Adriana Morales, Pixabay
