dry dog food with most meat
Finding the Best Dry Dog Food with Meat or Meat Meal (Or Both)
A few years ago, we added a column in our Approved Dry Dog Foods tables an additional data point for people who are looking for certain attributes in their dogs food. The column is Meat, Meat Meal, or Both. The information in this column helps consumers find products that are among the more than 1,100 options on our Approved Dry Dog Foods list that contain only a fresh or frozen source of (named) animal protein (in this instance, meat would be indicated in this column), meat meal (meaning a dry, rendered meal made from a named animal source), or Both, indicating both a named meat and a named meat meal (e.g., chicken and chicken meal).
The reasons behind our collection and inclusion of this information were thoroughly outlined in Meat and Meat Meal: Sorting Through Animal Protein Sources. But, to recap in an abbreviated way, meat is (relatively) fresh tissues from slaughtered animals. Because it contains a lot of moisture, its protein content is relatively low. In contrast, the protein content in meat meal is much higher, because much of the moisture (water) has been removed with heat. Pet food makers can use meat meal alone to produce a kibble with sufficient (and far more than sufficient) levels of protein, but if they use meat only, they often have to also include one or two or three sources of plant-sourced proteins. Often, the makers of premium pet foods use both, in order to have a higher-protein product thats also maximally palatable (attractive in taste and aroma) to dogs.
SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: Whole Dog Journals 2022 Approved Dry Dog Foods
Whats better: Meat or Meat Meal in Dog Food?
Whats best? We wont take a position on this. Its practically a political or religious topic among some pet owners! Our opinion is always, Whatever works best for your individual dogs. Performance, in pet-food industry parlance, is whats most important to us.
The companies who make and market foods with meat only make a case for their stance. Halo is probably the most vociferous about it; they have a whole page of information containing their rationale here. When you read marketing materials, though, you always have to be alert for hyperbole. Their page begins:
Meat meal is a primary ingredient in most dry cat food and dog food, and it is made from taking slaughterhouse and fish processing factory remnants that are not edible for humans, and cooking them, processing them under high heat, and dehydrating them into a dry powdery substance that goes into kibble.
What they dont say is that the meat used in pet food is also taken from slaughterhouse and fish processing factory remnants that are not edible for humans and, to make kibble, is cooked under high heat and pressure and then dried into a granular substance.
That said, there are certain benefits to foods made without meat meal, and they perform best for some dogs. For other dogs, the often-high inclusion of plant-sourced proteins (or other factors) may offset those benefits.
Our recommendation is always this: Try products with different formulations and attributes and this is critical keep track of what you are feeding and what changes (if any) you observe in your dog. Its absolutely undisputed that some dogs do better on foods without meat meal in them, some do better on foods without a high inclusion of plant proteins in them, and some dogs do fine on almost anything at all. But if you dont keep some sort of record, youll likely be at a loss to understand what works best for your dog.
SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: Whole Dog Journals 2022 Approved Dry Dog Foods
How to find the best dry dog food with our database
There are two ways you can go about finding foods on our Approved Dry Dog Foods list that contain either meat only, meat meal only, or both. Of course, you can simply sort all the foods on our list by clicking on the top of that column and then scroll.
But if you really want to have fun, use the filters in the new searchable database! You can start simply by using the filter for the Meat, Meal, or Both column. By selecting Meat using that filter, I see that we have 158 products that contain no meat meal among all the products on our Approved Dry Dog Foods list.
Note: When I start examining the products in that list, I remembered one little complication: Some of the products found in that search contain dehydrated meat or freeze-dried meat. There is a reason we didnt separate those potential responses in the Meat, Meat Meal, or Both column: There is little reason to distinguish those ingredients from meat in terms of quality. Both dehydrated and freeze-dried meats are subjected to their moisture-removing processes quickly, before the material can begin to go rancid or experience significant pathogenic bacterial growth. And neither is subjected to the kind of heat or fat-removing process that so radically alters the cellular structure of meat meals. In our view, meat, dehydrated meat, and freeze-dried meat all fall under the category of meat.
You can to add as many more selection attributes that might be helpful to you and then sort the results by clicking on the top of meat, meat meal, or both column. For example, say I want a dry dog food that contains both meat and meat meal (because Im not afraid of meat meals, I find the meat-containing foods are more palatable to my dogs, and Im not a huge fan of plant-sourced proteins) but also doesnt contain chicken or beef and I need it to be on the low end of the range of fat. I started with my filters set like this:
Whoa! That resulted in only two foods, both weight management products. And look! They both contain lots of protein-containing plant-products. This makes sense because I started with a fat content that was too low. Think about it: Kibble is made with protein, fat, and carbs. If you reduce the fat a lot, the protein and carbs necessarily increase. Legumes contain both. So maybe, to find products that better meet my criteria, I need to increase the amount of fat Ill accept in the candidate products, and use another filter to eliminate grain-free dog foods (which almost always contain legumes). I got 34 candidate foods when I set my filters like this:
Looking down the list, I do actually still see some products that contain legumes, but there are enough candidates to choose from that I would still have plenty of products to try.
Try the filters in the searchable database! Have fun! And let us know in the comments if you are having trouble of any kind setting up your filters.
SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: Whole Dog Journals 2022 Approved Dry Dog Foods
Best High Protein Dog Food
Turkey Patties is one of6 raw frozen recipesanalyzed inour reviewof the We Feed Raw product line.
This We Feed Raw recipe obtains the better part of its animal protein fromturkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 49% protein, 25% fat and 18% estimated carbs which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.
Other recipes: Venison, duck, lamb, beef, and chicken
Read our review of the full We Feed Raw Dog Food (Raw Frozen) range here
Main Ingredients Turkey tails, turkey gizzards, turkey wings, turkey liver, wfr vitamin + mineral mix Type Grain-free AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at WeFeedRaw.com"I have been feeding my dogs We Feed Raw for 3 years now and they love their food, their coats are always shining. They are active, happy, healthy dogs."
Ancient Stream is one of 4 dry recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild with Ancient Grains product line.
Taste of the Wild Ancient Streams derives the majority of its animal protein from fresh salmon in addition to both salmon and fish meals. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 17% fat and 42% estimated carbs which produces a favorable fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
A new, grain-inclusive product line from one of the industrys most popular brands. Contains no legumes. A top pick.
Read our review of the full Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Salmon, salmon meal, ocean fish meal, grain sorghum, millet Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All dogs (including large breed puppies) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Being in the K9 industry for the past 10 years, TotW is one food that's always reliable. I recommend it for working dogs and family pets alike. We rotate between the grain-free and ancient grains formulas to ensure proper taurine absorption. If you have a picky eater or a dog who has trouble maintaining weight, I highly recommend this food."
Adult Beef is one of 11 wet recipes covered in our review of the Raised Right Fresh product line.
Raised Right Adult Beef gets most of its meat protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis shows the recipe contains 61% protein, 24% fat and 8% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 39%.
All recipes contain a single source of animal protein with no hidden fillers. One of the best high-protein fresh foods on the market. Easily recommended.
Read our review of the full Raised Right Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Beef, beef heart, carrots, beef liver, cranberries Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 61% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs Orijen Original is one of 9 dry recipes analyzed in our review of the Orijen product line.
This particular Orijen recipe obtains the better part of its animal protein from fresh chicken, turkey, flounder, and whole mackerel. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 20% fat and 28% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
Ever since its founding, Champion Petfoods, the maker of Orijen, has supported a meat-based, biologically appropriate diet. This is a proven, balanced design and a top high-protein option. Recommended with confidence.
Read our review of the full Orijen Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey, flounder, whole mackerel, chicken liver Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 43% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"A few months ago I adopted a 14 month old Labradoodle, and I have had a difficult time getting weight on her because she just isnt interested in eating. This dog food has helped tremendously! Apparently, it taste good to her and is very nutritious because she looks and acts so much better. It is wonderful to see her playing, and her coat looks fabulous."
Active Dog is one of 8 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Dr. Tims product line.
Dr. Tims Pursuit Active Dog gets the better part of its meat protein from chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis demonstrates the formula contains 33% protein, 22% fat and 36% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
Dr. Tims products are prized by members of the large breed athletic and sporting dog community. A top choice and one thats especially easy for us to recommend.
Read our review of the full Dr. Tims Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, whole oat groats, dried beet pulp Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult and small or medium breed puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My English setter, a Llewelyn has been on Dr. Tims Pursuit dog food since she was a puppy, over ten years ago. She is a very active dog and thrives on this food. She has been very healthy. Her white and spotted fur coat is shiny!! I highly recommend this product."
Meadowland is one of 6 dry recipes contained in our review of the Acana product line.
Acana Meadowland receives most of its meat content from deboned chicken and deboned turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 19% fat and 35% estimated carbs which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.
A superior, grain-free kibble, offering balanced nutrition. Made by the same company that makes Orijen.
Read our review of the full Acana Regionals Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, chicken liver, turkey giblets (liver, heart, gizzard), chicken meal Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 38% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I have a very fussy fur son. There are about 2 or 3 foods he will eat without turning his nose up and walking away. Acana I have had EXCELLENT results with all blends!!! It's a good feeling when he actually eats a food that has such excellent ingredients and the best part - ONE THAT YOU CAN TRUST!"
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy is one of 13 recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic product line.
This Merrick Classic product derives the bulk of its animal content from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis shows the food contains 31% protein, 18% fat and 43% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
A top-rated dry puppy food thats completely based on a safe, proven grain-inclusive design. Contains no legumes.
Read our review of the full Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 31% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies (including large breed puppies) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"After weeks of searching for a reliable dog food for our toy poodle puppy we finally found Merrick, he is healthy and and is fur is so soft, he is only ten weeks old yet he has so much energy, we are very glad."
Extreme Athlete is one of 13 dry recipes analyzed in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete draws much of its animal content from chicken meal and fresh chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the formula contains 36% protein, 28% fat and 29% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 78%.
An exceptional grain-inclusive formula, offering multiple recipe and flavor options. A top-rated, high-protein pick, containing no plant-based protein concentrates.
Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, chicken, ground white rice, chicken fat, cracked pearled barley Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Dogs love it, and do great. Ive tried several types of foods, but always come back to this. It also makes my dogs coats shiny, and keeps a good weight on them. Especially since they are very active Belgian Malinois."
Canine Chicken Meal Feast is one of 11 dry recipes included in our review of the Natures Logic product line.
Natures Logic Canine Chicken Meal acquires the bulk of its meat fraction from chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis shows the recipe contains 40% protein, 16% fat and 36% estimated carbs delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 42%.
Natures Logic is one of only a handful of brands that meets AAFCO nutrient guidelines using actual real-live canine feeding trials. Top choice from a trusted and ethical manufacturer.
Read our review of the full Natures Logic Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, millet, chicken fat, pumpkin seed, yeast culture Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 40% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and Adult dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I have been looking for a more natural dry food with some greens and fruits. I have used this product in the frozen form, and was pleased to find it also as a dry food. I like the small kibble. My dogs are doing great on it, maintains weight and coats are beautiful. Thanks fir a great product!"
Great Plains Red Recipe is one of 7 dry recipes covered in our review of the Merrick product line.
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Great Plains Red Recipe receives the better part of its animal protein from deboned beef, lamb meal, and salmon meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 19% fat and 30% estimated carbs delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 45%.
An above-average kibble fortified with bits of freeze-dried raw beef. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Grain-Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned beef, lamb meal, salmon meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 43% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Love this food !! My dogs are so healthy no majors problem with them ! Keeps them full longer and the skin is so shiny ! The best product ever for your dogs."
Hi Pro Plus is one of 5 dry recipes evaluated in our review of the Victor Classic product line.
Victor Classic Hi Pro Plus receives most of its meat content from beef meal. Dry matter label analysis demonstrates the food contains 33% protein, 22% fat and 37% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
One of the best grain-inclusive kibbles on the market. A classic, fully-balanced high protein recipe. Weve always admired Victors simple designs. Feed with confidence.
Read our review of the full Victor Classic Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Beef meal, grain sorghum, chicken fat, pork meal, chicken meal Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adult and small or medium breed puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Our breed recommended this dog food & our Goldendoodle has been on this food for over a year now. He absolutely loves his food & runs to his bowl every time he knows its time to eat. He has a great coat, maintains a health weight & has solid poops. Highly recommend for active puppies & dogs!"
