Written by
Dr. Lauren Demos
Veterinarian, DVM
Written by
Dr. Lauren Demos
Veterinarian, DVM
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Dogs can eat any food and be just fine, right? Not necessarily. Nutrition in dogs shouldn’t be all that different from people—find something healthy, tasty, and nutritionally complete. Easy, right?
We spend lots of time thinking about food for ourselves, but only recently has dog food received the same attention in mainstream life. But it makes sense. Just because we’ve always fed dogs one way, doesn’t mean it needs to stay that way. And with all the different types of dog food that are now on offer, ranging from traditional dry and canned foods, to home delivery options, trying out different foods for our dogs has never been easier.
However, picking the right food can be a more challenging part of the process. So, here are some reviews on some of the options we like, to help you find the right food for your canine companions!
A Glance at Our Top Picks (2023 Update)
Image Product Details
Best Overall Dry
Science Diet Adult Dry Dog Food
High quality ingredients
Kibble size is appropriate for most breeds
Even picky dogs often like the flavor
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Best Overall Wet
Purina Beyond Natural Prebiotic Fiber
Easy to find online or in store
Balanced nutrition for adult dogs
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Best Value
Iams Proactive Healthy Weight Adult
Easy to find online or in store
Even picky dogs love the taste
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Best Food for Joint Health
Royal Canin Veterinary Adult Dog Mobility Support
Many people report good results for mobility
Tasty food well-liked by dogs
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Best For Beef Lovers
Cesar Steak Lovers Variety Pack
Great on its own or can be used as a kibble topper, as well
Most dogs love steak!
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The 9 Best Vet-Recommended Dog Foods
Science diet is a tried-and-tested pet food brand. They use science, along with research from their team of veterinarians and veterinary nutritionists, so the food is both well-liked by dogs, and provides them a healthy, balanced diet. This food combines great nutrition, and is a convenient option that is both tasty and healthy, so it gets our recommendation for best overall dry dog food.
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Corn
Protein: 20%
Fat: 11.5%
Calories: 363 kcal/8-oz cup
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Pros
High quality ingredients
Kibble size is appropriate for most breeds
Even picky dogs often like the flavor
Cons
Made for adult dogs, so not ideal for growing puppies or senior dogs
Dry food which some dogs might not like
Purina is a traditional maker of pet foods, so it has a long reputation in the industry for making quality foods. This is one of the best wet dog foods for the money, balancing both quality and value, and it’s an easy-to-find, great option for all-around feeding. You can even choose to feed a combination of both wet and dry food from the brand.
High quality ingredients
Kibble size is appropriate for most breeds
Even picky dogs often like the flavor
- High quality ingredients
- Kibble size is appropriate for most breeds
- Even picky dogs often like the flavor
Made for adult dogs, so not ideal for growing puppies or senior dogs
Dry food which some dogs might not like
- Made for adult dogs, so not ideal for growing puppies or senior dogs
- Dry food which some dogs might not like
Main Ingredients: Cod, Chicken, Fish Broth, Turkey, Liver, Salmon, Sweet Potatoes
Protein: 8%
Fat: 5%
Calories: 401 kcal/can
Pros
Easy to find online or in store
Balanced nutrition for adult dogs
Cons
May not be ideal for dogs that don’t like fish
Some dogs get gassy or develop smelly stools with fish-based foods
Also contains chicken so not suitable for dogs with poultry food allergies
A winner for those looking to balance nutrition and value is Iams’ Proactive Health Adult Weight Management. This food is easy to find in most stores, and is backed by the reputation of one of the leading pet food manufacturers. The balance of ingredients, availability, and cost makes this a top choice for the family dog that loves his or her food, and needs the nutrition to back up their adult dog requirements.
Easy to find online or in store
Balanced nutrition for adult dogs
- Easy to find online or in store
- Balanced nutrition for adult dogs
May not be ideal for dogs that don’t like fish
Some dogs get gassy or develop smelly stools with fish-based foods
Also contains chicken so not suitable for dogs with poultry food allergies
- May not be ideal for dogs that don’t like fish
- Some dogs get gassy or develop smelly stools with fish-based foods
- Also contains chicken so not suitable for dogs with poultry food allergies
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Ground Whole Grain Barley
Protein: 20%
Fat: 9%
Calories: 322 kcal/cup
Pros
Easy to find online or in store
Even picky dogs love the taste
Cons
Contains a chicken and egg protein mix (may not be ideal for dogs with poultry allergies)
- Royal Canin Veterinary Mobility Support – Best Food for Joint Health
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Main Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Wheat, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Pea Fiber
Protein: 23%
Fat: 10%
Calories: 316 kcal/cup
Royal Canin is a highly reputable pet food brand, with diets produced and backed by science and a team of veterinarians. What’s more—dogs love the tasty foods, while enjoying all the benefits of the research behind these various diets.
Easy to find online or in store
Even picky dogs love the taste
- Easy to find online or in store
- Even picky dogs love the taste
Contains a chicken and egg protein mix (may not be ideal for dogs with poultry allergies)
- Contains a chicken and egg protein mix (may not be ideal for dogs with poultry allergies)
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Main Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Wheat, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Pea Fiber
Protein: 23%
Fat: 10%
Calories: 316 kcal/cup
Pros
Many people report good results for mobility
Tasty food well-liked by dogs
Cons
Requires a veterinary prescription or purchase through a veterinarian
Contains turmeric so may stain fabrics if left in contact
For a brand that mixes quality and value, Cesar is a great go-to. Easy-pop trays in a smaller size make great meals or accompaniments, for all-sized dogs that aren’t chow hounds. The steak variety pack is a nice touch, as it offers a variety of different flavors that all revolve around a steak lover’s dream.
Many people report good results for mobility
Tasty food well-liked by dogs
- Many people report good results for mobility
- Tasty food well-liked by dogs
Requires a veterinary prescription or purchase through a veterinarian
Contains turmeric so may stain fabrics if left in contact
- Requires a veterinary prescription or purchase through a veterinarian
- Contains turmeric so may stain fabrics if left in contact
Main Ingredients: Beef, Chicken Liver, Beef Lung, Chicken Broth, Water, Pork By-Products
Protein: 9%
Fat: 4%
Calories: 88 kcal/tray
Pros
Great on its own or can be used as a kibble topper, as well
Most dogs love steak!
Smaller tray size means less waste for small dogs
Cons
Some dogs will lick the gravy and leave the meat
A single tray may not be enough for larger dogs
Science Diet Adult Sensitive is a great choice for dogs that struggle to find a food that agrees with them. Sometimes, that means a dog with constant soft stools, or just regular bouts of vomiting. For others, it means itchy, dry skin. Consider this food as an option to help support your dog’s sensitive systems, in a tasty package!
Great on its own or can be used as a kibble topper, as well
Most dogs love steak!
Smaller tray size means less waste for small dogs
- Great on its own or can be used as a kibble topper, as well
- Most dogs love steak!
- Smaller tray size means less waste for small dogs
Some dogs will lick the gravy and leave the meat
A single tray may not be enough for larger dogs
- Some dogs will lick the gravy and leave the meat
- A single tray may not be enough for larger dogs
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Chicken Meal, Yellow Peas, Cracked Pearled Barley
Protein: 20%
Fat: 13%
Calories: 382 kcal/cup
Pros
Many dogs see significant improvements in vomiting or stool issues
Also supports skin health with added omega fatty acids
Cons
Not appropriate for dogs with chicken allergies
- Royal Canin Dental Diet – Best Prescription Dental Diet
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Main Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Chicken Fat, Wheat Gluten, Dried Chicory Root
Protein: 20%
Fat: 15%
Calories: 329 kcal/cup
Tooth brushing at home can be a nightmare when it comes to dogs, though it is a helpful way to address dental disease before it becomes a major issue. Treats can help to a degree, but can also contain high amounts of calories. Therefore, sometimes using a dental food can be a great alternative or supplement to the above.
Many dogs see significant improvements in vomiting or stool issues
Also supports skin health with added omega fatty acids
- Many dogs see significant improvements in vomiting or stool issues
- Also supports skin health with added omega fatty acids
Not appropriate for dogs with chicken allergies
- Not appropriate for dogs with chicken allergies
Main Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Chicken Fat, Wheat Gluten, Dried Chicory Root
Protein: 20%
Fat: 15%
Calories: 329 kcal/cup
Pros
Suitable as a main diet, or as a treat or diet topper
One of the best ways to help with oral health; clinically proven to reduce plaque buildup
Good alternative for dogs that don’t like or won’t allow tooth brushing at home
Different sizes available for small, medium, and large breed
Cons
Only available from veterinarians
Different sizes for small and large breeds
Not suitable for dogs that already have dental disease
For owners that are curious if limiting grains might make their dog feel better, this is an option to consider.
Suitable as a main diet, or as a treat or diet topper
One of the best ways to help with oral health; clinically proven to reduce plaque buildup
Good alternative for dogs that don’t like or won’t allow tooth brushing at home
Different sizes available for small, medium, and large breed
- Suitable as a main diet, or as a treat or diet topper
- One of the best ways to help with oral health; clinically proven to reduce plaque buildup
- Good alternative for dogs that don’t like or won’t allow tooth brushing at home
- Different sizes available for small, medium, and large breed
Only available from veterinarians
Different sizes for small and large breeds
Not suitable for dogs that already have dental disease
- Only available from veterinarians
- Different sizes for small and large breeds
- Not suitable for dogs that already have dental disease
Main Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Turkey Meal, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat,
Protein: 26%
Fat: 16%
Calories: 393 kcal/cup
Pros
Made in the US
Added vitamins and nutrients to help skin, coat and digestion
Cons
Some dogs don’t like the taste
Often requires an online purchase as may not be readily available in store
Purina Pro Plan is a well-known line of diets produced by one of the longest standing pet food companies. Most dogs love the taste, and the company has stood the test of time in providing quality food at a great value.
Made in the US
Added vitamins and nutrients to help skin, coat and digestion
- Made in the US
- Added vitamins and nutrients to help skin, coat and digestion
Some dogs don’t like the taste
Often requires an online purchase as may not be readily available in store
- Some dogs don’t like the taste
- Often requires an online purchase as may not be readily available in store
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Poultry By-product Meal (Source Of Glucosamine), Soybean Meal
Protein: 26%
Fat: 16%
Calories: 387 kcal/cup
Pros
Nutritionally balanced so can be fed as primary food, or in combination with others
Contains live probiotics for GI health
Cons
Not ideal for dogs that need low protein diets
Not easily found in many stores
Nutritionally balanced so can be fed as primary food, or in combination with others
Contains live probiotics for GI health
- Nutritionally balanced so can be fed as primary food, or in combination with others
- Contains live probiotics for GI health
Not ideal for dogs that need low protein diets
Not easily found in many stores
- Not ideal for dogs that need low protein diets
- Not easily found in many stores
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Vet-Recommended Dog Foods
Ultimately, how do you pick a good food for your dog? Hopefully, we’ve helped to introduce some of favorite foods that we find helpful in our own canine households. That said, never hesitate to seek out additional advice—even informal advice, such as that from friends, collegues, and family, who can sometimes provide interesting observations.
Dogs can certainly have personal preferences, just like people. They may prefer dry over wet food, or a certain texture. Flavors, too, can be an important factor for some dogs. So, don’t give up if they don’t like a poultry based food. Instead, try seafood or beef, to see if you get a different response.
Next, you want to pick food that meets any specific medical needs your dog may have. Generally, these are selected with the help of your dog’s vet.
If you are going to transition your dog to a different food, or have different foods on offer, follow the rules of thumb for switching between one to the other, to prevent gastrointestinal upset. Traditionally, this involved starting with a 75:25 blend of old and new foods, gradually swapping this ratio around every 24-48 hours, until only the new food was on offer. Some dogs may do fine with a straightforward swap, however, so find out what works best for your pooch and stick with that.
Pet foods, in recent years, have made unfortunate news for containing imbalanced vitamins and minerals, or for being contaminated with bacteria or other items that you don’t want your dog eating. Some of these ended in recalls in recent years. One of the most assured ways to avoid contaminated dog foods is to stick to well-established brands that have been around for a long time. They are more likely to catch issues with different food batches early on, or prevent them altogether.
Remember, we still don’t know nearly as much about pet nutrition as we would like. So, just because something is data-backed for people (e.g., gluten allergies), doesn’t always mean the same information applies to our pets. When in doubt, talk to your dog’s vet!
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, these reviews make the process of choosing the right dog food slightly easier. We’ve picked out top choices based on availability, taste, and value, that are also simply good, healthy food options to feed your dog.
The best overall dry food for adult dogs, in our opinion, is Science Diet Adult Chicken. We love how the tasty combination is healthy and nutritionally balanced for pups of all shapes and sizes.
Equally important, we found Purina Beyond Wet to be the best overall canned food for adult dogs—not only for taste, but because it is easy find in stores or online, and for the good balance of nutrition it provides.
For best value overall, we like Iams Proactive Health— a classic dry food, that seems to have nailed the balance of taste and quality, and at a great value.
Featured Image Credit: Dmytro Zinkevych, Shutterstock
