Choosing the right food for your dog can be tough. Every dog has different tastes and health needs. And on top of that, you need to find a food that fits into your budget and daily routine. With so much to juggle, buying food from someplace inconvenient can be just one more choice to make. If there’s a good food choice available somewhere you already shop at regularly, that’s one less hurdle between your pup and dinner. With that in mind, here are some of our favorite food choices available at Target right now for your dog.
A Glance at Our Winners in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Food
High in meat protein
Rich in fatty acids and chelated minerals
Healthy whole grains
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Best Value
Iams Proactive Health
Smaller kibble size
High in prebiotics and antioxidants
Great value
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Premium Choice
Blue Wilderness Wolf Creek Stew
High in protein
Hydrating
Delicious beef base
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Best for Puppies
Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Recipe
Digestible grain and protein
Formulated for growing puppies
Lots of wholesome added veggies
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Vet’s Choice
Purina One Smartblend Tender Cuts in Gravy
Recommended by our vets
Ideal for weight management
Supports healthy digestion and muscle growth
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The 8 Best Dog Foods at Target
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Food—Best Overall
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Main ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal
Protein content 24%
Fat content 14%
There isn’t one perfect dog food, but it’s hard to beat Blue Buffalo Life Protection Chicken & Brown Rice Food. This dry dog food is our overall best pick for dog food at Target because it has excellent nutrition that will fuel your dog all day. It is a good diet for adult dogs of any size, with a meat-first diet supported by healthy, easy-to-digest whole grains like brown rice. This food is high in antioxidants, chelated minerals, and fatty acids, which make it a great choice for most dogs. It does contain some plant-based protein, but since it is an overall high-protein food the impact is minimal. Although it’s on the pricier end of the foods on this list, it is well worth the price.
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Main ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal
Protein content 24%
Fat content 14%
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Pros
High in meat protein
Rich in fatty acids and chelated minerals
Healthy whole grains
Cons
Some protein from plant sources
More Expensive Dry Food
- Iams Proactive Health — Best Value
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Main ingredients Chicken, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, chicken by-product meal, dried plain beet pulp
Protein content 25%
Fat content 14%
If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, Iams Proactive Health Chicken and Whole Grains is the way to go. This healthy dry food is high in prebiotics and antioxidants that help your dog stay in tip-top shape. It is formulated to support bone, joint, immune system, and coat health, and comes in a smaller kibble size that makes it easier to eat for smaller dogs. There are some things we don’t like about this food, like added ingredients that are there for color and flavor, but it is much healthier than the average food at its price point. One thing to be aware of is the low moisture content—while dry food ideally is at about 10% max moisture, this is only 1.5%, so it’s not the best choice if your dog struggles with hydration already.
High in meat protein
Rich in fatty acids and chelated minerals
Healthy whole grains
- High in meat protein
- Rich in fatty acids and chelated minerals
- Healthy whole grains
Some protein from plant sources
More Expensive Dry Food
- Some protein from plant sources
- More Expensive Dry Food
Main ingredients Chicken, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, chicken by-product meal, dried plain beet pulp
Protein content 25%
Fat content 14%
Pros
Smaller kibble size
High in prebiotics and antioxidants
Great value
Cons
Low moisture
Contains added colors or flavors
- Blue Wilderness Wolf Creek Stew – Premium Choice
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Main ingredients Beef, beef broth, water, chicken liver, chicken
Protein content 8.5% (47% DMB)
Fat content 3% (16.5% DMB)
Wet food can get pricy, but sometimes it is the best choice for your dog. Blue Wilderness Wolf Creek Stew canned food is our premium choice because of its delicious chicken-and-beef base that will keep dogs begging for more. It is high in protein, with nearly 50% protein content by dry matter basis, making it ideal for active dogs. It works well as a main food source or mixed in with a different dry food to add flavor and moisture. Although we love this overall, it is grain-free, which isn’t ideal for many dogs. Recent research suggests that grain-free diets can contribute to certain health problems, so you should research to decide if it is right for you.
Smaller kibble size
High in prebiotics and antioxidants
Great value
- Smaller kibble size
- High in prebiotics and antioxidants
- Great value
Low moisture
Contains added colors or flavors
- Low moisture
- Contains added colors or flavors
Main ingredients Beef, beef broth, water, chicken liver, chicken
Protein content 8.5% (47% DMB)
Fat content 3% (16.5% DMB)
Pros
High in protein
Hydrating
Delicious beef base
Cons
No grains
Expensive
- Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Recipe—Best for Puppies
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Main ingredients Chicken, whole brown rice, chicken meal, split peas, chicken fat
Protein content 27%
Fat content 16%
Puppies are growing fast, and Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Food is our pick for the best puppy food because it’s designed to give them everything they need on the way. It is high in protein and fat, with highly digestible ingredients like chicken and brown rice that are perfect for developing tummies. It also has lots of wholesome added fruits and vegetables that add vitamins to the food, including apples, blueberries, and carrots. Unfortunately, along with the wholesome ingredients, there is one ingredient that recent research suggests is not as dog-perfect as we once thought: dried peas. Although these were once a staple of dog food, a recent FDA warning shows a link between peas and increased heart troubles is being investigated. Because of this, some pet parents might consider a different brand.
High in protein
Hydrating
Delicious beef base
- High in protein
- Hydrating
- Delicious beef base
No grains
Expensive
- No grains
- Expensive
Main ingredients Chicken, whole brown rice, chicken meal, split peas, chicken fat
Protein content 27%
Fat content 16%
Pros
Digestible grain and protein
Formulated for growing puppies
Lots of wholesome added veggies
Cons
Contains peas
- Purina One Smartblend Tender Cuts in Gravy—Vet’s Choice
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Main ingredients Lamb and chicken broth, liver, lamb, wheat gluten, pork lungs
Protein content 10% (50% DMB)
Fat content 3% (15% DMB)
Standard dog food isn’t right for every dog. If your dog is a bit on the flabby side or struggles with food regulation, we recommend our Vet’s Choice product, Purina One Smartblend Tender Cuts in Gravy. Our Vet’s Choice recommendations are reviewed by qualified professionals to make sure that they are safe and healthy options for dogs with special diets. This food is ideal for weight management because it is high in protein and lower in fat and carbs. It isn’t a grain-free diet, instead using a small amount of brown rice, a healthy grain, alongside wheat flour. Its formula helps meet your dog’s nutritional needs and supports healthy digestion and muscle growth while cutting back slightly on calories. Although this isn’t ideal for all dogs, it might be perfect for yours.
Digestible grain and protein
Formulated for growing puppies
Lots of wholesome added veggies
- Digestible grain and protein
- Formulated for growing puppies
- Lots of wholesome added veggies
Contains peas
- Contains peas
Main ingredients Lamb and chicken broth, liver, lamb, wheat gluten, pork lungs
Protein content 10% (50% DMB)
Fat content 3% (15% DMB)
Pros
Recommended by our vets
Ideal for weight management
Supports healthy digestion and muscle growth
Cons
Not ideal for all dogs
Target’s exclusive line of pet products, Kindfull All Life Stages Dog Food, is another great choice, and their lamb and brown rice dog food is a high-quality, meat-first food that dogs will love. If your dog struggles with the most common proteins, this lamb and brown rice meal is a good alternative that is easy to digest and healthy. With a 23% protein content and a 15% fat content, it contains a healthy balance of macronutrients. It also contains lots of great vitamins and minerals including omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil. Kindfull’s biggest drawback is that their foods contain peas, which new research suggests aren’t the safest vegetable addition to dog foods as they have been linked to a higher risk of some heart conditions. Despite that, it is an overall healthy and reasonably priced dog food option.
Recommended by our vets
Ideal for weight management
Supports healthy digestion and muscle growth
- Recommended by our vets
- Ideal for weight management
- Supports healthy digestion and muscle growth
Not ideal for all dogs
- Not ideal for all dogs
Main ingredients Lamb, lamb meal, brown rice, Brewers rice, pea protein,
Protein content 23%
Fat content 15%
Pros
Novel protein flavor
Contains omega-3 fatty acids
High-quality ingredients
Cons
Contains peas
- Cesar Rotisserie Chicken Flavor Gourmet Food
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Main ingredients Chicken, whole grain corn, ground wheat, meat and bone meal, Brewers rice
Protein content 26%
Fat content 12.50%
Cesar Rotisserie Chicken Flavor Gourmet Food is a great lower-cost option for small dogs. Formulated with smaller-sized kibble and lots of healthy ingredients, this food is high in protein and comes in at 4.5% fiber, much higher than the average dog food. It uses whole grains including milled corn and wheat and brewer’s rice to fill in the dog food and has all the ingredients your dog needs for a healthy nutritional balance. Although this is a good option overall, there are lots of additives we are a little less enthusiastic about, including lots of artificial colors and added flavors that don’t do much for your pup’s health.
Novel protein flavor
Contains omega-3 fatty acids
High-quality ingredients
- Novel protein flavor
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids
- High-quality ingredients
Main ingredients Chicken, whole grain corn, ground wheat, meat and bone meal, Brewers rice
Protein content 26%
Fat content 12.50%
Pros
High in fiber
Good for small dogs
Lower cost option
Cons
Contains artificial colors and flavors
- Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct
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Main ingredients Turkey, corn gluten meal, soy flour, beef fat, chicken meal
Protein content 30%
Fat content 17%
Purina One SmartBlend True Instinct Real Turkey & Venison food is a delicious alternative flavor if your dog doesn’t like the most common dog food flavors. It is nutritionally balanced and full of omega-6 fatty acids that support healthy skin, heart, and immune system in your dogs as well as antioxidants that are ideal for your dog’s immune system. The primary protein source, turkey, has many health benefits that make it a great choice for some dogs. This food is quite high in protein, with about a 30% overall protein content, but it does get some of that protein from plant-based sources like soy, which are less digestible than meat for dogs.
High in fiber
Good for small dogs
Lower cost option
- High in fiber
- Good for small dogs
- Lower cost option
Contains artificial colors and flavors
- Contains artificial colors and flavors
Main ingredients Turkey, corn gluten meal, soy flour, beef fat, chicken meal
Protein content 30%
Fat content 17%
Pros
High in protein
Full of omega-6 fatty acids
High in antioxidants
Cons
Contains soy protein
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Dog Food at Target
There are lots of options available out there for dog food and picking the right food for your dog can be tricky. Here are some of the things to consider.
High in protein
Full of omega-6 fatty acids
High in antioxidants
- High in protein
- Full of omega-6 fatty acids
- High in antioxidants
Contains soy protein
- Contains soy protein
Ingredients
Just like any food, you need good ingredients to make good dog food. Dogs need a mix of meat and plant-based food, but heavy on the meat. Most healthy dog foods will have meat as the first ingredient. There are lots of healthy meat sources, with chicken and beef being the most common.
Grains are another important part of dog food. Whole grains such as whole wheat, brown rice, and whole corn are all great options. Other whole grains include oats or oatmeal, sorghum, and millet. Processed grains such as white flour or rice aren’t ideal for dog food because they leave out essential nutrients. Some dogs require a grain-free diet, however, if your dog can process grains, it is recommended because many grain-free diets are linked to heart health problems. Some vegetable ingredients such as lentils and legumes are also linked to heart health problems.
Fat and Protein
Because dogs need a high-meat diet, it stands to reason that they need fat and protein too. Protein should always be a primary calorie source for dogs. Most dog food should be about 15–30% protein by weight—wet foods might show a significantly lower protein content on the can because of the high water content. They should also have somewhere between 5–20% fat, roughly. More active dogs need higher amounts of fat and protein, while less active dogs might do better with less dense food.
Health/Size/Breed
Every dog is different, and different types of dogs need different food. Puppies need specially formulated food that is heavy in fat, protein, and specific nutrients they need to grow. Most adult dogs can eat any adult or maintenance-formulated dog food, but there are also foods tweaked for specific purposes. This includes foods optimized for older dogs, for various breed sizes, and for weight loss or gain. In addition, some dogs might have food intolerances or medical conditions that require specialty diets.
Final Thoughts
With so many great options, Target is definitely a good place to shop for your dog’s food. Our best overall pick is the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Chicken & Brown Rice food because of its all-around health and quality. For a low-cost, high-value choice, we picked Iams Proactive Health Chicken and Whole Grains, which is packed with grains and full of prebiotics and antioxidants. The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wolf Creek Stew is a premium wet food that will have your dog salivating over every meal. Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Recipe is our pick for puppy food because it is perfectly balanced for growing dogs. Finally, our Vet’s Choice for weight management is Purina One Smartblend Tender Cuts in Gravy.
- See also: 10 Best Dog Foods at Tractor Supply – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Irina Kozorog, Shutterstock
