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The best dry dog food for every life stage, according to veterinarians

When choosing between wet and drydog food, you and your pups personal preferences play a big role. Both dry andwet foodcan be good nutritional choices for your dog, but each comes with pros and cons, saysDr. Dottie Laflamme, an independent animal nutrition consultant. Thebest dry dog foodis convenient, cost effective and can even benefitoral health. But keep in mind that canned food provides significantly more moisture than dry food, so consult your veterinarian if your dog has any conditions that might benefit from a moisture-rich diet.

While ingredient lists are informative, the quality of your dogs kibble is primarily determined by four factors, according to Laflamme: palatability, a complete and balanced recipe, affordability and whether the food meets your veterinarians approval based on your dogs nutritional needs.

To help narrow down thebest dry dog foods, we spoke with veterinarians about how to identify a complete and balanced recipe for your dogs diet. We also rounded up their recommendations for the best dry dog food to consider.

SKIP AHEAD Best dry dog food to consider this year | How to shop for the best dry dog food

How we picked the best dry dog food

While comparing dry food for dogs offered on the market today, our experts recommend keeping the following factors in mind:

• Breed size: To ensure your dog gets the nutrients they need, its important to purchase the appropriate food for their life stage and breed size, which can be categorized into three stages: growth, all life stages and adult maintenance.
• AAFCO statement: If your dogs dry food is labeled with a statement saying it meets the Association of Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommendations through formulation or food-trial testing, it means that it contains all the necessary nutrients for your dogs life stage and ensures a complete and balanced diet, says Dr. Anna Kaufman, a veterinarian at Bond Vet, which has locations across the United States.
• Nutritional guidance: A recipe created with the guidance of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist is more likely to provide the appropriate nutrients for your dogs age and breed size rather than relying on marketing tactics. Key ingredients to look for include an animal protein source, whole grains or high-quality carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables and healthy fats, says Dr. Nicole Savageau, a veterinarian with The Vets, which offers mobile vet visits across the United States.

Price: Dry dog food tends to be more cost-effective compared to wet dog food, primarily due to factors such as production costs, packaging, and shelf life, says Savageau. If budget is a concern, dry dog food can be a more economical choice. Given this, we considered a range of quality options at various price points.

Best dry dog food to consider this year

The following highly rated dry food share two important considerations: They meet or exceed the nutritional recommendations set by AAFCO and are formulated with the oversight of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. These factors ensure that your dog is getting the right nutrients for their age and breed size. However, you should always check with your dogs veterinarian first about your dogs specific dietary needs in conjunction with age to get an expert read on any dietary needs or restrictions.

Best overall dry dog food for adult small breeds: Royal Canin

Royal Canin is a favorite among our experts for the brands peer-reviewed research, owned facilities and well-regarded reputation among pet parents and veterinarians. Both Select updates editor Mili Godio and manager of editorial operations Shari Uyehara are fans of Royal Canin, too. Uyehara says her pup Loki, a 1-year-old cavalier King Charles spaniel, has been eating this dry food since he was just a few months old after her breeder recommended it. Royal Canin increases palatability by sourcing ingredients that dogs crave, like chicken and chicken fat, according to the brand.

Best dry dog food for weight management: Purina

The feeding instructions on the back of the kibble bag are merely a guide your veterinarian is the best resource for determining the appropriate number of calories your dog should eat, says Laflamme. Between veterinarian visits, you should monitor your dogs body condition using the nine-point scale based on observation and physical touch, she says. You can do this by standing above your dog, putting your thumbs over the backbone and fingers over the ribs. Gently move your hands from front to back. If you can easily count and feel your dogs ribs, they are likely a healthy weight.

If you and your veterinarian determine your dog is overweight, your veterinarian may suggest a reduction in calories or a weight management diet, such as this Purina ONE Weight Control formula. Its the recipe Laflamme feeds her own dogs and is part of Purinas budget line. However, if pet owners want to add probiotics and more natural ingredients to their dogs diet, a slightly pricier alternative is available from Purina, Purina Pro Plan Weight Management. While it may cost a bit more, Selects associate updates editor Zoe Malin says her 100-pound yellow lab, Chance, is both healthy and happy eating this formula.

Best budget-friendly dry dog food: IAMS

When it comes to kibble, there is often a wide range of options available to pet parents at varying price points. For those on a budget, certain dry dog foods may include byproducts that help keep the cost down. Byproducts are ingredients that are not typically used for human consumption, says Stockman. Its not because the ingredients arent nutritious, but it might include meat that isnt visually appealing or internal organs that arent culturally accepted as a food source. Byproducts are a great source of vitamins and minerals for dogs, and from a sustainability standpoint, using byproducts also helps to reduce food waste, says Stockman.

IAMS recipe offerings are diverse, and IAMS Adult Minichunks is a standout choice due to its high-quality protein sources, such as lamb, chicken and whole-grain barley. The recipe also contains a blend of fibers and prebiotics to promote a healthy digestive system, according to the brand.

Best dry dog food for large-breed puppies: Wellness

When allowed to overeat, large-breed puppies tend to grow too quickly, and their bones might not be able to keep up, says Laflamme. This puts them at risk of developing orthopedic or skeletal issues. One of the best ways to prevent this is by keeping your puppy lean, limiting the amount of food theyre allowed to have and feeding them a diet specifically formulated for growing large breed puppies, she says.

Large-breed formulas that meet AAFCOs nutritional adequacy recommendations have all the protein and minerals your puppy needs, but with fewer calories. This Wellness formula has just 367 calories per cup, which includes protein from deboned chicken and chicken meal, as well as energy-rich carbohydrates like brown rice and oats, according to the brand. The formula also has glucosamine, which helps maintain joint health and is particularly beneficial for large-breed dogs, according to Wellness.

Best dry dog food for adult large breeds: Merrick

Most large-breed dogs are no longer considered puppies when they reach about two years of age. However, this can vary depending on the individual dog and when they stop growing. During this period, Laflamme recommends two options for transitioning your dog to a formula suitable for adult dogs: either switch to an all life stages food that provides nutrients for both puppies and adults, or consider an adult formula thats not suitable for a growing puppy.

This adult formula from Merrick is made in small batches in Merricks Hereford, Texas kitchen. Its packed with omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which means its specially formulated with glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy hips and joints, according to the brand. It also contains L-Carnitine, a supplement that helps to keep your gentle giant lean, according to Merrick.

Best dry dog food for small-breed puppies: Hill's

Puppies require more calories per pound of body weight than adult dogs to fuel their growth and active lifestyles. AAFCO recommends that puppy food include 22% protein and 8% fat, and other important vitamins and nutrients for growth.

According to both Laflamme and Kaufman, Hills is a trustworthy brand that delivers quality pet food to pet parents and their pups, and Hills Science Diets dry dog food for puppies is no exception. Its packed with the nutrients your puppy needs for a healthy start to life, like calcium and phosphorus to help build strong bones and teeth, and the omega fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to support healthy brain and eye development. The formula contains antioxidants and vitamins E and C to support your puppys developing immune system, according to the brand.

Best dry dog food for sensitive stomachs: Instinct

Many pet food diets are touted as grain-free, meaning they dont contain common carbohydrate grains, like wheat, rice and barley. But unless your pup has a gluten intolerance, grain-free diets arent known to provide additional benefits when compared to other complete and balanced foods, according to our experts. Unlike their gray wolf ancestors, theres evidence that domestic dogs are perfectly able to digest carbohydrates, says Dr. Jonathan Stockman, assistant professor of clinical veterinary sciences at Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine.

A novel protein or limited-ingredient diet may relieve your dogs symptoms if they have a food intolerance or a true food allergy. This option from Instinct uses rabbit as its protein source and leaves out any ingredients that include corn, wheat and soy, according to the brand. Additionally, probiotics and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids soothe the digestive tract, skin and any lingering inflammation.

How to shop for the best dry dog food

Theres a lot to consider when buying the best food for your dog, and most come down to you and your dogs personal preferences, as well as your dogs life stage and breed size, experts told us.

• Ensure your dogs food meets AAFCO standards. AAFCO is a non-profit group that establishes nutritional guidelines for pet food based on life stages. Although AAFCO doesnt approve or regulate pet food formulas, pet food companies that include an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement conduct thorough testing to ensure their food meets AAFCO nutritional standards for safety and quality.
• Consider your dogs life stage. Dry dog food is typically labeled as growth, which is specifically formulated for growing puppies or all life stages, which means it meets the minimum AAFCO nutritional requirements for both puppies and adult dogs. Food for puppies must include a minimum of 22% protein and 8% fat, in addition to other important vitamins and nutrients, like DHA, calcium and phosphorus, according to our experts. Adult dogs, on the other hand, require food formulated for maintenance, or they can eat food labeled as all life stages. Maintenance dry food must include a minimum of 18% protein and 5% fat.
• Make sure its made for your dogs breed size. Our experts suggested feeding according to breed size to meet the unique growth patterns and health needs of small- and large-breed puppies and adult dogs.
• Ensure the brand consults veterinary nutritionists. A recipe developed with the guidance of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist ensures the recipe has been formulated with the necessary nutrients for your dogs age and breed size.
• Keep in mind, price doesnt always equal quality. You should consider a range of quality options across various price points that meet AAFCO standards and are suitable for your dogs breed, size and life stage.

Frequently asked questions

The best dry dog food is the one that is palatable to your dog and meets AAFCO's nutritional guidelines for their life stage, according to our experts. It should also be affordable and approved by your veterinarian based on your dog's nutritional needs. Meat doesnt need to be the primary ingredient in food, as dogs are omnivorous and can get the necessary amino acids from plant-based sources, says Laflamme. Unless your dog has an allergy or intolerance, grain-free dry food isnt necessary, veterinarians told us.

Both complete and balanced wet and dry dog food formulas can be nutritious choices for your dog, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Dry food is a convenient and cost-effective option for pets, and certain dental diets approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council can also promote oral health. This higher moisture content in wet food can help keep dogs hydrated, especially if they don't drink enough water on their own , says Savageau . You should also consult with your veterinarian if your dog has any conditions such as renal disease that can benefit from a moisture-rich diet.

If labeled with the AAFCO statement for puppies (growth) or all life stages, dry dog food is a healthy option for your puppy. The AAFCO statement means that the recipe meets or exceeds the associations recommended nutritional requirements for growth, which include an appropriate balance of protein (minimum 22%), fat (minimum 8%) and vital vitamins and minerals, such as DHA and calcium. It's crucial to choose a recipe based on your dog's breed, as large- and small-breed puppies have distinct growth patterns and, as a result, differing calorie needs, according to Laflamme.

The best way to store dry dog food is in an airtight container that is kept in a cool dry space, says Kaufman. All dog food bags should be placed in this container and properly sealed once opened. Make sure you wash this container regularly. A good rule of thumb is to wash it every time you finish a bag of food.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. Dottie Laflamme is a veterinarian and an independent consultant of animal nutrition. She formerly worked for Purinas Research and Development team until her retirement in 2015.
• Dr. Jonathan Stockmanis a veterinarian and an assistant professor of clinical veterinary sciences at Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a veterinary consultant for Petco but does not receive financial compensation to recommend any brands.
• Dr. Nicole Savageau is a veterinarian with The Vets in Austin, Texas.
• Dr. Anna Kaufman is a veterinarian at Bond Vet, which has locations across the United States.

Why trust NBC Select?

Janelle Leeson is a Portland-based freelance writer who holds a bachelor of science degree in biology. Her approach to pet-care writing and reporting is rooted in scientific principles that consider a pets biological need for play, proper nutrition and environmental enrichment.For this piece, Janelle interviewed two experts who specialize in veterinary nutrition. She also researched dozens of dry dog foods on the market that met criteria based on our experts insights. She included dry dog foods recommended by experts, along with those that are highly rated and meet expert shopping guidance.

Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle

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