Here is your round-up of the nine best dry dog food options. (Spoiler alert: Purina One was our top pick!). If you’ve decided that dry dog food is best for your dog, then the next choice to tackle is which product is the best fit.
You will need to consider size – particularly if you have a large breed or a toy breed – plus whether you dog has a a sensitive stomach or skin allergies? And are you purchasing for a puppy or a particularly picky eater? All of these will help determine which is the best dog food option for you.
Dry dog food is less messy and can be easier to store. It's also easier to portion out and can help prevent overfeeding. When choosing a dry food option, the protein should be from a high-quality source, and it should contain enough healthy fats and carbohydrates to support brain health and energy levels.
We also spoke to vet, Dr Rebecca MacMillan, about choosing the best dry dog food for your pet.
The quick list
The best overall dry dog food
With real lamb as the first ingredient, you can rest easy knowing that this food is filled with high-quality ingredients, including a natural prebiotic fiber to support digestive health. We love that this formula is high in protein but is also packed with omega-6 fatty acids.
Best dry dog food for small dogs
This line of Hill's Science Diet dry dog food has been specially formulated for small and toy dog breeds. It's made with all-natural, digestible ingredients that will be easy on your dog's stomach.
Best budget dry dog food
This may be a cheaper option, but that doesn't mean that it skimps on ingredients. It is packed with real beef, ensuring that your dog is receiving a high-protein meal. It even has live probiotics to protect your dog's gut health.
Best dry dog food for sensitive stomachs
A digestive care formula targeted for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Formulated by vets and animal nutritionists, this dry dog food is made with high-quality ingredients, with real chicken being first on the list.
Best dry dog food for skin allergies
If your pooch has skin allergies or a sensitive stomach, this is the choice for you. Made with real salmon and ground rice, among other easy-to-digest ingredients, this formula is targeted to provide all the nutrients your dog needs.
Best dry dog food for largedogs
This formula is formulated with L-carnitine to support lean muscles, and glucosamine and chondroitin to protect joints, which is perfect for large-breed dogs. It has real chicken as its first ingredient and is paired with a brown rice recipe.
These wholesome ingredients work together to support your dog's immune system and overall health.
Best dry dog food for senior dogs
Real lamb is the first ingredient on this list. The ingredient list is also packed with fiber-rich foods, such as barley and brown rice to support your mature dog.
Best dry dog food for puppies
This grain-free formula has been designed to support the quickly growing bodies of puppies. With 85% animal protein in each serving, it contains plenty to fuel your pup's growth.
Best dry dog food for picky eaters
We love these all-natural ingredients for dogs that are picky eaters. Real chicken is at the top of the list, followed by brown rice, cranberries, and vegetables. This formula is made to help support strong muscles and joint support.
The best dry dog foods we recommend
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The best overall dry dog food
If you're looking for a reputable brand that offers high-quality nutrition with everything your pup needs to thrive, then Purina ONE is hard to beat. Featuring real lamb as the first ingredient, this meaty kibble supports strong muscles and a healthy heart while also being great for the immune system.
Made with high-quality ingredients, including natural prebiotic fiber, Purina ONE Lamb & Rice Formula is easy to digest and nurtures your dog’s digestive microbiome to ensure their gut functions optimally.
High in protein, it also comes packed with omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to support the skin and coat while also adding a sparkle to the eyes. You'll also find it increases energy levels and has natural sources of glucosamine to help maintain healthy joints.
Best dry dog food for small dogs
It's important to consider the size of your kibbles if you're the owner of a toy dog breed or a small dog. You don't want the kibbles to be too big as they can pose a possible choking hazard for your pooch.
This line of Hill's formulas has been carefully crafted with small and mini dogs in mind. Not only is it the perfect size, but it is also packed with vitamins and minerals to support your dog's health. One of the best ingredients in this formula is DHA, from fish oil to support healthy brain and eye development.
Best budget dry dog food
Best dry dog food for senstive stomachs
A hit with both pet parents and their furkids, Blue Buffalo True Solutions Digestive Care dog food is one of the best natural kibbles available today. With real chicken as the first ingredient and using only the highest-quality proteins and ingredients, this nutritious and delicious dry dog food ticks all the boxes.
Packed full of wholesome whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal and overflowing with an array of healthy garden vegetables, this fiber-rich formula supports a healthy digestive system while still being gentle on the gastrointestinal tract, making it superb for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Featuring Blue’s exclusive antioxidant-rich Lifesource Bits that have been designed by holistic vets and animal nutritionists to deliver all the vitamins and minerals your furkid needs to thrive, it’s suitable for all life stages and promotes a strong immune system and a healthy oxidative balance.
With calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, glucosamine for joint health, and an optimal balance of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for a shiny coat and soft skin, it also contains cranberries to help prevent urinary tract infections.
Free from poultry by-products, corn, wheat, soy, and artificial flavors and preservatives, this high-quality natural kibble excludes all the potential allergens found in other brands. Containing everything your doggy needs and none of what they don’t, this food has been designed to ensure your canine companion thrives.
Best dry dog food for skin allergies
Skin allergies in dogs can be tricky to navigate. Symptoms of skin allergies can be frequent itching, skin or ear infections, hair loss, and redness of the skin. We always recommend working with your vet to develop the best plan to tackle allergies. However, a lot the the time, vets will recommend a change in diet.
That's where the Purina Pro Plan for Sensitive Skin and Stomach comes in. This formula has been specifically designed for pooches with sensitive skin or skin allergies. It's also great for dogs with sensitive stomachs. The salmon and oatmeal are designed to be easily digestible and gentle on their digestive systems.
This formula also contains 26% of protein, which is higher than some other options on this list. The secret star of this product is the live probiotics that are added. This is to support the immune and digestive system.
Best dry dog food for large dog breeds
Large dog breeds need plenty of solid nutrients to support their larger frames. This is why one of our tips for caring for large-breed dogs is investing in quality dog food that is designed for them.
Blue Buffalo has created a unique formula designed to support bigger dogs. Along with all-natural chicken as its first ingredient, this list also includes L-carnitine, glucosamine, and chondroitin. All these will promote good joint health in dogs and support lean muscles.
Their Blue Life Protection Formula boasts real meat, wholesome grains for energy levels, and even omega three and six fatty acids to promote skin and coat health.
This dry dog food is perfect for dogs from one to seven years old and has been expertly crafted by vets and animal nutritionists.
Best dry food for senior dogs
Like humans, as dogs age, their health and stamina slowly decline, and their bodies lose the ability to repair themselves and maintain normal body functions. That's why choosing quality dog food to support their changing bodies is on our list of tips for taking care of senior dogs.
As a result, when looking for options to suit your aging pooch, formulas high in protein and fiber with an adequate fat balance and suitable carbohydrate levels could be the best option.
Nature's Recipe ticks these boxes, offering a minimum crude protein content of 24% coming from whole chicken, as well as high-quality lamb and chicken meals to maintain your dog’s lean muscle mass and satiety.
The formula’s real strength lies in its rich superfood profile to promote glossy coats and increased energy, including Vitamin B-rich oatmeal, flaxseed, chia seeds, and lamb fat as sources of healthy omegas and dried fruit and vegetables like kale, spinach, pumpkin, and blueberries.
Alongside glucosamine and chondroitin for optimal joint health, chelated minerals (ones that are chemically attached to proteins) to aid digestion are included, an ingredient typically added in higher-quality dog foods.
With a 24% protein content and a fat level of 12%, the formula represents an above-average protein and below-average fat content when compared to its competitors.
But overall, the formula is one of the top options for aging dogs, particularly with regard to the strength of the macro and micro-nutrients offered from its high superfood content.
Best dry dog food for puppies
For the youngest furry member of your family, it’s hard to go past Nulo with their solid reputation for providing quality wet and dry food dishes that are always hugely popular with dogs.
Created to fit a puppy’s specific needs, this kibble features real, farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient to promote strong muscles, plus essential minerals to help build strong bones.
This formula contains 22 key nutrients like those found in mother’s milk, including omega-3 DHA to promote healthy cognition, and comes enriched with antioxidants to help develop a robust immune system.
Offering complete and balanced nutrition, this kibble contains no artificial preservatives, flavors, or fillers. There is also a range of dry dog food for large puppies!
Best dry dog food for picky eaters
Along with the popular chicken and rice flavor, this range also comes in three other flavors that you can choose from – including beef and a fish option. So, no matter your pup's preference, there is a flavor they are sure to love.
As with the other Blue Life options on this list, you can count on all-natural and wholesome ingredients to nourish your pooch. All ingredients are designed to support your dog's immune health, joint support, and mobility. Not to mention skin coat and health.
This is also a great choice if your dog has allergies. This formula is free from soy, corn, and wheat. All of which are common food allergies in dogs. We also love the fact that there are no animal by-products in this line. No matter which food flavor you choose. If you want to read even more about this product, you can check out our Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula review for more details.
How to choose the best dry dog food
Choosing the right dry dog food for your pet requires considering several factors before making a decision. The first thing to consider is whether your dog has special needs. Age, disease, activity level, and allergies all play a part in picking an appropriate kibble.
You'll also want an option that fits your budget and that your dog actually wants to eat. This means taking a look at the ingredients and opting for a choice that is high in protein, carbohydrates, and balanced nutrients.
Dr. Rebecca MacMillan says, "Ingredients are listed in order of weight, so you want to see a type of meat protein at the top. This protein should be named rather than just being referred to as generic ‘meat’."
You also don't need to be put off by the term by-product.
"The term by-products refers to meat products that humans wouldn’t tend to eat, for example, organ meat. By-products like heart, kidneys, and liver all have excellent nutritional value for our pets," says MacMillan.
Price (RRP) | Suitable for over 1 year of age | Suitable for sensitive stomachs | |
|---|---|---|---|
Purina One Dry Dog Food | $28.77 | Yes | Yes |
Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini Dogs | $20.89 | Yes | No |
Purina Pro Sensitive Skin | $68.38 | Yes | Yes |
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Digestive Care | $37.98 | Yes | Yes |
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed | $66.48 | Yes | No |
Nature's Recipe Mature Dry Dog Food | $33.72 | Yes | Yes |
Nulo Freestyle Dry Puppy Food | $26.99 | No | Yes |
Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Dry Dog Food | $41.38 | Yes | No |
Which dried dog food is best?
There is no one-size-fits-all dry dog food because each dog has its own needs. When choosing dog food, you want an FDA-approved food that includes a balance of ingredients to ensure it has everything your furry friend needs to thrive.
When choosing dog food, it may take time to find the kibble that fits your budget and your pooch's needs. Remember, the most important thing is finding an option your dog will eat, so they have all the vitamins and minerals they need for a long life of wagging tails and belly rubs!
Read next: How to increase your dog's appetite
Alexis is a Digital and Syndication writer for PetsRadar and she produces everything from our listicles to buying guides, features, and deals. Growing up with cats, dogs, and fish, Alexis brings her own personal experience and knowledge to the content she writes.
Originally from the United States, Alexis graduated from Bowling Green University with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in English Language and Literature. She began her editorial career working as in Editorial Intern at Ohio Magazine and fell in love with lifestyle journalism.
Alexis has also worked for titles across the UK including Daily Mail, Space.com, and Black Women Rising Magazine.
Alexis works hand-in-hand with qualified vets to bring accurate and helpful information to pet parents and is passionate about creating content that will not only support pet parents but also offer them an enjoyable read.
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).
She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
Edited by: Georgia Guerin and Megan Milstead.
Recent updates
We regularly review our buying guides to ensure the products are relevant, available and up to date. This page was last updated in March 2025 by Alexis De Leaver.
