Below, we’ve listed more than 50 companies that collectively make more than 1,000 different dry dog foods that meet our selection criteria. To think that these foods make up a fraction of the dog food sold in North America is a testament to the massive size of the industry – estimated to have sold $31 billion worth of pet food in 2020.
The foods we listed aren’t the only ones sold in North America that meet our selection criteria. Again, the industry is so large that it would be impossible to consider every product from every company. Some companies make hundreds of pet foods, but just a single line (comprised of just a few foods) that meet our criteria; we didn’t include those. Instead, we focused our attention on the companies whose products all meet our standards – or who have a large product line of foods that all meet our standards.
SIZE MATTERS
This criteria eliminates the largest pet food manufacturers in the country – and they make pet food on a scale that dwarfs the manufacturers on our list. This makes a certain amount of sense: The largest pet food companies in this country are part of the largest human food companies. The largest pet food maker in the U.S., Mars Petcare (which makes Nutro, Royal Canin, and Pedigree foods), is a division of Mars, Incorporated. Nestlé Purina Petcare is a division of Nestlé SA. The ingredients we like to see in dog food are just not available in the amounts needed to produce pet food at the Mars and Purina scale.
This year, we also excluded companies that make foods that are sold only in one state or in a small region and those that make only a single product. We wanted to focus on products that are available nationally and companies that are large enough to maintain full-time staff who can, among other important tasks, provide accurate information about the company’s products to consumers in a timely fashion.
NO STORE BRANDS
We have been asked many times why we don’t include “store brand” foods, such as the products sold by Costco (Kirkland Signature and Nature’s Domain) and Whole Foods (Whole Paws). More recently, Amazon has rolled out its own pet food line (Wag) and Chewy followed suit (American Journey).
Here’s our issue with those products: It’s nearly impossible for a consumer to reach a knowledgeable human being about those foods. Do you need to know how much copper is in the food? Did you want to report that your dog got seriously ill after eating the food, or that you found a foreign object in a bag? Good luck reaching anyone. It’s impossible to find out where the foods are made, much less ask questions about their formulation.
WHAT’S IN A NAME
We’ve listed the foods alphabetically by their best-known name. It may not be a perfect method, but over the years we’ve found it’s the most ideal. If we list strictly by company, the people looking for Acana won’t find that food because it’s made by Champion and no one seems to know that. Does the food called Instinct Be Natural made by Nature’s Variety go under Be Natural, Instinct, or Nature’s Variety? Ack! We’ve tried to provide references to alternate names when we felt people might not find them under one name or another.
AVERAGE PRICE PER LB
The foods that are sold by some companies are all fairly similar in cost. But some companies have high-end lines and economy lines. When the average price per pound of one line is quite different than the price of another line from the same company, we reported this in the comments section of the report. This often correlates with the protein and fat levels in a product line; foods with more protein and fat tend to cost more.
MEATY DISCUSSION
We’ve also called out whether the foods are made with meat, meat meal, both of those, or in a very few cases of vegan or vegetarian foods, “veg.” When it comes to this chart, when we say meat or meat meal, we mean named meats: chicken, pork, beef, etc. We don’t mean “meat meal” or “poultry meal,” which are legal terms for pet food ingredients of unspecified mammal or poultry species. Please refer to the explanation of our selection criteria (below), which explains the difference.
In order to appear on our “approved dry dog foods” list (which begins on the next page), a company’s products must exhibit the following hallmarks of quality pet foods and contain few or none of the undesirable traits listed below.
HALLMARKS OF QUALITY
✓ Named animal protein sources at the top of the ingredients list. Ingredients in pet food are listed in order of the weight of that ingredient in the formula, so you want to see a named animal protein or named animal protein meal first on the ingredients list. (“Named” means the species is identified: chicken, beef, lamb, etc. “Meal” means
a dry, rendered product made from an identified species.)
✓ Meat supported by meat meal. When a fresh meat is first on the ingredient list, there should be a named animal-protein meal immediately or closely following the meat. Fresh or frozen meat contains a lot of moisture (which is heavy), but not that much protein, so if meat is first on the list, it acts like a diluted protein source; while it adds an appealing flavor and aroma to the food, it doesn’t actually contribute that much protein. That’s why we like to see another named source of animal protein appearing in the top two or three ingredients.
What’s best: meat only, meat meal only, or both? It depends on what works best for your dog and your budget; we just want you to be aware of the difference. Some companies use fresh meats supported by plant proteins; generally speaking, plant proteins are less appropriate for dogs than animal proteins (plant proteins lack the ideal amino acid profile required by canines).
✓ Whole foods. When vegetables, fruits, grains, and/or carbohydrate sources such as chickpeas or sweet potatoes are used, they should be whole. Ingredients that have already been processed, shipped, and stored before they are used in pet food will have lost quite a bit of their nutritive value before they are mixed with other ingredients and processed again (mixed with other ingredients and then either baked or extruded, dried, and coated).
✓ Ingredients that are certified as organic, humanely raised, or sustainably farmed. Companies will use wiggle words to lend the impression that they are using the best ingredients available. Certifications give these claims credibility.
LOOK OUT FOR THESE UNDESIRABLE TRAITS
Here are some things to look out for – undesirable attributes that indicate a lower-quality food:
X Animal products that are not specified by species. Meat meal, meat and bone meal, poultry meal, poultry by-product meal, animal fat, poultry fat: It’s bad enough that the origin of these ingredients is untraceable, but if you have a pet with a food intolerance or allergy you have to know what you’re feeding him in order to identify the problematic ingredient.
X Animal by-products. This includes meat by-products and poultry by-products, as well as meat by-product meal and poultry by-product meal. These animal protein sources are nutritious, but are handled with far less care than more expensive animal protein sources (i.e., without refrigeration and with less sanitation). We’d choose a food that contained meat by-products over one with meat by-product meal; the unrendered ingredients must be used for food production quickly, whereas the industry handles ingredients that are going to be rendered with less urgency.
X Ingredient splitting. This is where two or more very similar food “fractions” appear on the ingredients list. Because the ingredients are listed in descending order of their weight, a manufacturer can make it appear that a high-quality ingredient is represented in the food in a greater amount than it really is. This is accomplished by using several fractions or versions of an ingredient as separate ingredients (i.e., rice, brewer’s rice, rice bran, rice protein meal). If all the iterations of that ingredient were combined or reconstituted, they would outweigh and push the higher-quality ingredient down on the ingredients list.
X Blood products. May be called animal plasma, blood meal, blood protein, or dried animal blood. We can’t offer evidence that supports this recommendation, just our gut instinct. Blood is high in protein, but it instinctively feels like an ingredient that could prove problematic, as using protein-rich cattle brains and spinal column tissue turned out to be. These tissues are banned in human food and animal feed due to their ability to transmit bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also known as mad cow disease). Besides, there are ample alternative sources of animal protein.
X Added sweeteners. Sweeteners are used to increase the palatability of carbohydrate-heavy foods.
X Artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives (such as BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin). The color of the food doesn’t matter to your dog. And it should be flavored well enough with healthy meats and fats to be enticing. Natural preservatives, such as mixed tocopherols, can be used instead.
Whole Dog Journal’s Approved Dry Dog Foods for 2021
Products appear alphabetically by best-known name. In some cases, this is synonymous with the name of the company; in others, it’s the name of the food line.| Product Name/Company Information | Average Price/lb. | # Varieties, # Grain-Free | Meat, Meal, Both, Veg? | Min. Protein/Min. Fat | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACANA (Champion) Edmonton, AB (877) 939-0006 acana.com/en_US acana.com/en_CA | Can $3.02 US $3.02 | 20, 17 GF (Can) 22, 16 GF (US) | Both | 29% - 35% Protein 11% - 22% Fat (Can) 27% - 33% Protein 10% - 19% Fat (US) | Champion owns and operates manufacturing plants in Canada and the U.S. The foods that are made in Canada are sold in Canada and internationally. The foods made in the U.S. are sold only in the U.S. The product formulations are slightly different in each country, as many ingredients are locally sourced. A few varieties are made with grain and cost less ($2.24/lb average) than the grain-free varieties. The “Acana Singles” line uses only one animal protein source and is more expensive ($3.23/lb average). |
| ADDICTION Kent, WA (425) 251-0330 addictionfoods.com | 4.46 | 8, 7 GF | 6 Meal, 2 Veg | 20% - 26% Protein 8% - 14% Fat | Addiction foods are made in New Zealand, and its animal protein sources reflect this provenance: salmon, kangaroo, and free-range lamb and venison. Addiction offers two vegetarian foods, one of which is a prescription variety made with hydrolyzed plant protein for dogs with allergies. |
| ANNAMAET Hatfield, PA annamaet.com | 2.79 | 14, 7 GF | 10 Meal, 4 Both | 23% - 33% Protein 7% - 20% Fat | Annamaet’s formulas are made with low-ash chicken, salmon, or lamb and healthy whole grains (no legumes). The company uses biodegradable packaging, certified sustainable fish sources, and marine microalgae as a sustainable form of omega 3 fatty acids. Nice! |
| ARTEMIS La Habra, CA (800) 282-5876 artemiscompany.com | 3.1 | 13, 3 GF | Both | 20% - 28% Protein 6% - 20% Fat | Artemis makes three lines: Fresh Mix ($2.49/lb average) is its original line. H.I.T. line ($3.97) contains high protein, high fat, and no legumes or potato. Osopure line ($2.83) is grain-free (contains legumes). |
| AVODERM (Breeder’s Choice) Irwindale, CA (866) 500-6286 avodermnatural.com | 2.34 | 18, 10 GF | 11 Meal, 7 Both | 20% - 30% Protein 8% - 16% Fat | Breeder’s Choice, has been through a few ownership changes, including a very recent one that put the company back into independent hands (it was purchased by Central Garden & Pet in 2006). But its foods have always been made at its southern California manufacturing plant, which is SQF Level 3 Certified and Global Food Safety Initiative Approved. All Avoderm’s foods contain avocado. “Revolving Menu” foods are all grain-free and use meat and meal. We like the grain-containing foods. |
| AZMIRA Tucson, AZ (800) 497-5665 azmira.com | 2.56 | 2 | Meal | 22% Protein 8% Fat | Azmira makes two dry dog foods. Both contain whole grains and meat meals (lamb & fish, turkey & fish), and no legumes or isolated plant protein sources. |
| Be Natural (See Instinct) | |||||
| BIXBI (See “Liberty” and “Rawbble”) | |||||
| BLACKWOOD (BrightPet Nutrition) Lisbon, OH (888) 843-1738 blackwoodpetfood.com | 1.64 | 13, 3 GF | Meal | 20.5% - 28% Protein 9% - 18% Fat | BrightPet Nutrition Group (formerly Ohio Pet Foods) owns and operates its own manufacturing plants. About half of its “Solutions” line (sensitive skin, sensitive stomach, etc.) is grain-free; the grain-containing foods contain no legumes. Its “Everyday Diet” foods all contain grain. |
| BORéAL Beamsville, ON (800) 253-8128 borealpetfood.com | 2.74 | 16, 8 GF | 4 Both, 12 Meal | 24% - 29% Protein 12% - 18% Fat | The products in the “Original” line (average price$3.49/lb) are grain-free and contain meat and meat meal. “Proper” line foods ($2.48) use a single animal protein source each (meat meals), grains, and legumes. The grain-free “Vital” line ($2.25) contains legumes and a single animal protein source. None of Boréal’s foods contain potato. |
| CANIDAE Stamford, CT (800) 398-1600 canidae.com | 2.34 | 45, 23 GF | 41 Both, 4 Meal | 22.5% - 35% Protein 5% - 19% Fat | Two new lines have been added1: Canidae and Canidae CA. Website says the latter is an “independent pet store exclusive” line coming in 2021 (no prices available yet). Four of the five All Life Stages foods ($1.62/lb) use meat meal only; the 5th one, and ALL of Canidae’s other foods, use meat and meat meal. The Pure ($2.53, as much as 27% protein) and Pure Grain Free ($3.04, as much as 32% protein) lines are “limited-ingredient” foods. Pure Petite ($3.30) foods are grain-free and have a small kibble size. Under the Sun foods (the economy line, at $1.74/lb) feature a single animal protein. |
| CARNA4 Toronto, ON (855) 422-7624 carna4.com | 6.21 | 3, 2 GF | Meat | 29% Protein 15% Fat | Carna4 uses fresh chicken, duck, or fish (depending on the formula), liver, eggs, and salmon, whole produce, and certified organic sprouted seeds to make this baked food in small batches. |
| CASTOR & POLLUX Amarillo, TX (800) 875-7518 castorpolluxpet.com | 4.35 | 19, 14 GF | Both | 25% - 34% Protein 13.5% - 16% Fat | Organix ($4.60/lb) is “the only complete line of USDA organically certified pet food.” First ingredient of each Organix food is either organic free-range turkey or chicken. Company says Pristine is “the only complete line of responsibly sourced pet food,” containing either grass-fed beef or lamb, wild-caught fish, or free-range turkey or chicken. |
| Core (See Wellness) | |||||
| Champion (See “Acana” and “Orijen”) | |||||
| CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL Cos Cob, CT (800) 658-0624 chickensouppets.com | 1.64 | 13, 4 GF | Both | 21% - 30% Protein 6% - 18% Fat | First ingredients in all the company’s foods are fresh named meat or meats and then a meat meal or two. Its four grain-free foods contain legumes. Company’s “Fill a Bowl, Feed a Soul,” program provides more than 1 million meals to shelter pets every year. |
| CLOUDSTAR (see Wellmade) | |||||
| DR. GARY'S BEST BREED Findlay, OH (800) 500-5999 bestbreed.com | 1.96 | 18, 3 GF | Meal | 21% - 32% Protein 7% - 17% Fat | Dr. Gary’s offers a nice variety of grain-containing foods and just a few grain-free, low-glycemic foods made with legumes. All formulas are formulated with sources of fiber with synergistic prebiotic and probiotic characteristics that work together to feed good bacteria in the stomach and intestines. |
| EAGLE PACK (Wellpet) Tewksbury, MA (800) 225-0904 eaglepack.com | 1.73 | 7 | Meal | 23% - 30% Protein 6% - 19% Fat | Each variety has one or two meat meals at the top of the ingredient list and contains whole grains (brown rice, barley, oatmeal). Probiotic amounts appear on the guaranteed analysis (that’s good). |
| EARTHBORN HOLISTIC (Midwestern Pet Foods) Evansville, IN (812) 867-7466 earthbornholisticpetfood.com | 2.28 | 21, 12 GF | 13 meal, 7 Both, 1 Meat | 22% - 38% Protein 7% - 20% Fat | “Holistic” line ($1.90/lb) has five grain-containing and five grain-free foods. “Venture” ($2.91) foods are grain-and legume-free, limited-ingredient. New “Unrefined” line ($2.40) features “ancient grains” and no chicken, legumes, or potatoes. |
| EVANGER'S Markham, IL (847) 537-0102 evangersdogfood.com | 1.99 | 5, 3 GF | 2 Meal, 3 Both | 24% - 33% Protein 6% - 15% Fat | Evanger’s dry fog foods are made by an independent contract manufacturer. Some varieties contain meat and meat meal; some are meal only. Sold directly and by other online retailers. |
| EVOLVE Red Bay, AL (800) 705-2111 evolvepetfood.com | 2.04 | 12, 7 GF | Both | 12% - 34.5% Protein 3.5% - 18% Fat | “Classic” line made with meat, meat meal, and whole grains. “Grain Free” line contains meat, meat meals, legumes, and sweet potatoes. “Simply six” foods are limited-ingredient and made with grains. Evolve has two baked foods that are also grain-free. Company is family-owned and -operated, plant is Safe Quality Food (SQF) certified. |
| FARMINA New York, NY (888) 292-9965 farmina.com/us | 3.76 | 41, 27 GF | Meat | 23% - 42% Protein 11% - 22% Fat | All Farmina foods are made with fresh meats only (no meat meals). Twelve “Ancestral Grain” foods and two “Ocean” foods are the only ones that contain grain. “Ocean” foods all contain fish. “Quinoa Functional Canine” grain-free line addresses specific issues (skin, digestion, etc.) Company offers a “free nutritional support” consultation to pet owners. |
| FIRSTMATE North Vancouver, BC (800) 658-1166 firstmate.com | 2.56 | 14, 10 GF | Meal | 18% - 32% Protein 8% - 20% Fat | Family-owned and -operated, FirstMate makes its own foods in British Columbia. Most foods contain a single animal-protein source. “Grain-Friendly” foods use no potatoes or legumes. Grain-free foods use no peas (potatoes and pumpkin, instead). |
| FROMM Mequon, WI (800) 325-6331 frommfamily.com | 2.24 | 33, 14 GF | Both | 21% - 30% Protein 11% - 18% Fat | Another family-owned and -operated company. All Fromm foods contain meat and meat meals. “Classic” line ($1.27/lb) are “life-stage” foods (puppy, adult, mature adult) with whole grains. Half of the “Four Star” line ($2.66) are grain-free and use legumes and potatoes. The “Gold” line ($1.96) are also life-stage foods. The formulas in this line are eclectic and may contain grain, potatoes, and/or legumes. |
| GATHER (Petcurean) Chiliwack, BC (866) 864-6112 petcurean.com | 5.75 | 3, 2GF | 2 Meat, 1 Veg | 22% - 30% Protein 11% - 15% Fat | All three foods are certified organic and grain-free. “Wild Ocean” variety features line-caught cod; chicken variety uses certified free-run birds. We’re not wild about vegan diets for dogs, but Gather’s vegan food might help a dog who is allergic to most meats. |
| GO! (Petcurean) Chiliwack, BC (866) 864-6112 petcurean.com | 3.38 | 18, 13 GF | Both | 22% - 36% Protein 10% - 18% Fat | Go’s “Carnivore” foods are all grain-free and may contain several animal protein sources (both meats and meat meals). “Sensitivities” line are limited-ingredient and grain-free. “Skin & Coat” line contains grains. Petcurean utilizes a “test and hold” program; foods don’t leave the manufacturing plant until quality results are clear. |
| GRANDMA MAE'S Newark, DE (888) 653-8021 grandmamaes.com | 2.83 | 18, 10 GF | 15 Meal, 3 Both | 23% - 32% Protein 7% - 16% Fat | Roughly half of Grandma Mae’s foods are grain-free (containing legumes); all products formulated with extra methionine. Products are manufactured in an EU-certified plant and sold only in independent pet supply stores. This company also utilizes a “test and hold” program. |
| HALO Tampa, FL (800) 426-4256 halopets.com | 3.6 | 10, 5 GF | 9 Meat, 1 Veg | 20% - 28% Protein 10% - 18% Fat | Only fresh meats are used in all Halo foods; no meat meals. However, this means plant proteins (soy, pea, or potato) are used to prop up protein levels. Meat sources include cage-free poultry, pasture-raised beef, and wild-caught fish from certified sustainable fisheries. Halo makes one vegan variety. |
| HEALTH EXTENSION Hauppauge, NY (800) 992-9738 healthextension.com | 2.25 | 12, 6 GF | Both | 24% - 27% Protein 9% - 18% Fat | Family-owned company. All foods contain meat and meat meals; deboned meats always appear first on label. Chondroitin, omega 3 fatty acids, and probiotics appear on guaranteed analyses. |
| THE HONEST KITCHEN San Diego, CA (866) 437-9729 thehonestkitchen.com | 3.89 | 9, 5 GF | Meat | 23% - 27% Protein 13.5% - 16% Fat | This is exciting: The first dry kibble-like food for dogs that is truly, legally, human-grade. 100% of the ingredients are legally “edible,” and the food is made in a manufacturing plant that makes only edible (human) food. This is not an extruded food but mixed, cold-pressed into “clusters,” and then “slowly roasted and gently dehydrated.” Meat is always the first ingredient; whole grains, vegetables, fruit, legumes, and healthy oils (coconut, salmon) are in each variety. |
| HOUND & GATOS St. Francis, WI (888) 896-2951 houndgatos.com | 3.67 | 5, 3 GF | Meat | 27% - 30% Protein 16% - 19% Fat | Company uses only fresh meats (no meat meals). Grain-free varieties are legume-free (they use sweet potato and tapioca for carb sources). Only “ancient grains” are used in the grain-containing varieties. All foods contain added taurine. |
| I AND LOVE AND YOU Boulder, CO (855) 459-5683 iandloveandyou.com | 2.7 | 13, 11 GF | Both | 28% - 34% Protein 14% - 15% Fat | A fresh meat appears first in each food’s ingredient list, followed by a meat meal. Only two varieties contain grains; only “ancient grains” are used. Two varieties are baked, not extruded. “Lovingly Simple” line is limited-ingredient. All foods contain prebiotics and probiotics; the latter appear on the guaranteed analysis. |
| INSTINCT (Nature's Variety) Saint Louis, MO (888) 519-7387 instinctpetfood.com | 3.02 | 32, 23 GF | Both | 24% - 37.5% Protein 11% - 21.5% Fat | Instinct’s “Be Natural” foods ($2.00/lb) contain grain. “Limited Ingredient Diet” foods ($3.43) are grain-free and contain one animal protein source and one vegetable. “Original” foods ($2.93) are grain-free; meat is the first ingredient, a meat meal is always second. “Raw Boost” line ($3.73) is its largest (18 foods, 14 grain-free); each “Raw Boost” food contains kibble and nuggets of freeze-dried raw meats. |
| KASIKS (Firstmate) North Vancouver, BC (800) 658-1166 firstmate.com | 2.44 | 3 GF | Meal | 25% Protein 12% Fat | Simple, limited-ingredient formulas, consisting of a meat meal first on the ingredients list and then legumes. FirstMate is family-owned and -operated. |
| LIBERTY (Bixbi Pet) Boulder, CO (303) 666-1070 bixbipet.com | 2.99 | 6, 4 GF | Meat | 24% - 29% Protein 15% - 17.5% | Only fresh meats (no meat meals) are used, always appearing first on the ingredients list. Grain-free varieties use legumes; two varieties with grain use sorghum and oats. Bixbi sells direct to consumers; also sold in Whole Foods / natural grocery stores as Liberty by Buckley Pet Products. |
| LIFE'S ABUNDANCE Jupiter, FL (877) 387-4564 lifesabundance.com | 2.49 | 5, 1 GF | Meal | 25% - 30% Protein 11.5% - 19% Fat | All varieties have a meat meal first on the ingredients list; the sole grain-free variety contains legumes and potato. Food is made in small batches and shipped fresh. Company is employee-owned; products are sold and shipped direct to consumers. |
| LOTUS Torrance, CA (888) 995-6887 lotuspetfoods.com | 3.99 | 14, 8 GF | 9 Meat, 5 Both | 18% - 30% Protein 9% - 16% Fat | Lotus’ foods are baked (not extruded) in small batches in Canada. All products contain fresh meat; some also contain meat meal. Grain-free varieties contain legumes and sweet potatoes. Family-owned company: “There is no multi-national conglomerate or private equity company telling us how to make our food.” |
| MERRICK (Nestlé Purina) Amarillo, TX (800)664-7387 merrickpetcare.com | 3.33 | 51, 36 GF | Both | 21% - 38% Protein 10% - 17% Fat | All Merrick foods have a fresh meat first on the ingredients list. “Backcountry” line ($3.48/lb) features kibble that is coated with freeze-dried meats and contains freeze-dried meat nuggets; some are grain-free. The five foods in its “Classic” line ($2.77) contain grain. The “Full Source” foods ($3.75) contain meat, meat meal, and organ meats. The 14 foods in its “Grain Free” line ($3.40) contain peas, potatoes, and/or sweet potatoes. The “Lil’Plates” foods ($3.38) are have smaller kibble sizes. “Limited Ingredient” foods ($2.73) contain either rice, oatmeal, and/or barley or sweet potatoes (in the case of the grain-free foods). |
| NATURAL BALANCE Upland, CA (800) 829-4493 naturalbalanceinc.com | 2.26 | 33, 19 GF | 1 Meat, 32 Both | 19% - 32% Protein 7.5% - 16% Fat | Natural Balance’s “L.I.D.” (limited ingredient) line ($2.34/lb) includes 24 foods, 14 grain-free. “Original Ultra” foods ($2.05) are grain-free, use meat and meat meal, and legumes and sweet potatoes. The “Targeted Nutrition” foods ($2.01) are meant for dogs with certain issues (overweight, digestive sensitivity, joint health). |
| NATURE’S VARIETY (See “Instinct”) | |||||
| NOW FRESH (Petcurean) Chiliwack, BC (866) 864-6112 petcurean.com | 4.23 | 13 GF | Meat | 24% - 29% Protein 10% - 18% Fat | All of these life-stage foods (puppy, adult, senior) are grain-free and have a deboned, fresh meat as the first ingredient. Potatoes and peas are the major carb sources. All varieties are available in a “small-bite” size. |
| NULO Austin, TX (512) 476-6856 nulo.com | 2.96 | 35, 23 GF | Both | 27% - 33% Protein 7% - 18% Fat | Nulo’s “Challenger” foods ($3.83) contain “ethically sourced” meats (such as which appear in the first several places on the ingredients list) and “ancient grains.” The grain-free “Freestyle” line ($3.21) uses legumes and sweet potatoes. Its “Frontrunner” foods ($2.37) use “low-glycemic” grains such as oats, barley, spelt, quinoa, brown rice, and millet. About half of the “Medal Series” foods ($2.98) are grain-free; the first three ingredients are meat. |
| NUTRAM Elmira, ON (519) 669-6240 nutram.com | Can $2.74 | 15, 6 GF | Both | 22.5% - 36% Protein 9% - 17% Fat | All Nutram’s foods contain fresh meats and meat meals. Nutram uses grains and legumes as carb sources in its foods that contain grain. In its grain-free foods, a variety of legumes are used. Not yet available in the U.S. |
| NUTRIENCE Baie d’Urfé, QC (800) 554-2436 nutrience.com | 3.36 | 28, 17 GF | 5 Meal, 23 Both | 24% - 38% Protein 11% - 18% Fat | All foods except for the “Original” foods contain both fresh meat and meal meals; “Original” foods ($2.33) contain grain and use meat meals only. Grain-free “Care” line ($3.64) is solution-oriented: dental health, sensitive skin, etc. “Grain Free” foods ($3.75) use legumes and sweet potatoes. “Infusion” line contain grains and are life-stage foods offered for regular, large, and small dogs. Grain-free “Sub Zero” line ($3.75) is highest in protein. |
| NUTRISOURCE Perham, MN (800) 525-9155 nutrisourcepetfoods.com | 1.99 | 36, 17 GF | 7 Meal, 29 Both | 22% - 33% Protein 9% - 22% Fat | There are 33 foods in the “Nutrisource” line ($2.04); about half are grain-free foods that use legumes. Most contain meat and meat meal. Just three foods are in the economy “Choice” line ($1.39), containing grain and meat meals. The “Pure Vita” limited-ingredient line ($2.97) uses both meat and meat meals; only 4 of 13 varieties in this line contain grain. Legumes are used in the grain-free varieties. |
| OPEN FARM Toronto, ON (833) 399-3403 openfarmpet.com | 3.34 | 16, 8 GF | Both | 26% - 32% Protein 12.5% - 16% Fat | Open Farm’s deal is this: All food-source animals are certified humanely raised, grass-fed/free-range; all fish is wild-caught. All contain fresh meats and meat meals. Grain-free foods use legumes, sweet potato, and/or pumpkin. Foods with grain use “ancient grains” (oats, quinoa, millet, brown rice). |
| ORIJEN (Champion) Edmonton, AB (877) 939-0006 orijen.ca/en_CA orijen.ca/en_US | Can $4.13 US $4.18 | 9 GF | Meat | 38% - 42% Protein 13% - 20% Fat | Orijen foods are all grain-free and all contain only fresh and dehydrated meats (including organ meats); no rendered meat meals are used. These are very high-protein foods. Legumes are used as carb sources. Glucosamine, chondroitin, probiotics, omega 3 and 5 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA are all included on the guaranteed analysis. |
| PINNACLE (Breeder’s Choice) Irwindale, CA (866) 500-6286 pinnaclepet.com | 2.77 | 7 GF | Both | 25% - 30% Protein 10% - 15% Fat | All Pinnacle foods are grain-free and all contain both meat and meat meal. Carb sources include legumes, pumpkin, and quinoa. New “Brothibbles” line has bone broth in the ingredients list (10th or so). |
| PROFESSIONAL+ (Diamond) Meta, MO (800) 977-8797 professionalpluspetfood. | 1.07 | 4 GF | Both | 23% - 26% Protein 10% - 15% Fat | All of these foods contain meat and meat meals (1st and 2nd on the ingredients list) and are grain-free, containing legumes and sweet potatoes. Only one variety (Chicken & Pea) is for dogs of all life stages; the rest are for adult dogs only. |
| RAWBBLE (Bixbi) Boulder, CO (303) 666-1070 bixbipet.com | 3.23 | 7, 4 GF | Meat | 27% - 30% Protein 17% - 18% Fat | All Rawbble recipes have deboned meat as a first ingredient and do not contain meat meals. Grain-free varieties use whole legumes; “ancient grains” (millet, sorghum, and quinoa) are used in the rest. Salmon oil is the fat source in all but one formula; the outlier uses duck fat. |
| SKOKI (Firstmate) North Vancouver, BC (800) 658-1166 firstmate.com | 1.2 | 1 | Meal | 26% Protein 12% Fat | This is Firstmate’s economy food, but we like the simple formula: chicken meal, oatmeal, rice, chicken fat, fish meal, lamb meal, tomato pomace, and vitamins/minerals. Old-fashioned. Nice. |
| SOLID GOLD Chesterfield, MO (800) 364-4863 solidgoldpet.com | 2.45 | 21, 13 GF | Both | 18% - 41% 6% - 18% Fat | All foods contain fresh meat and meat meal. Grain-free varieties use legumes, sweet potato, and/or pumpkin. Barley, oatmeal, and/or brown rice are used otherwise. Foods with a wide range of protein and fat are available to suit any dog. |
| SPORT DOG FOOD West Hampton Beach, NY (631) 684-9900 sportdogfood.com | 2.37 | 11, 3 GF | Meal | 26% - 31% Protein 14% - 22% Fat | All foods are made with meat meal and none contain peas or any other legume. “Active Series” foods contain grains (sorghum, millet, and/or oatmeal) and may also contain sweet potato and cassava. “Elite 2.0” foods are grain-free; sweet potato, cassava, and/or dried potato are carb sources. “K9 Series” foods contain sorghum and millet and are potato-free. Sold on the company website and shipped direct. |
| STELLA AND CHEWY'S Oak Creek, WI (888) 477-8977 stellaandchewys.com | 3.56 | 33, 18 GF | Both | 22% - 36% Protein 12% - 18% Fat | All of Stella and Chewy’s foods are made with fresh meat and meat meals. “Stella’s Essentials” line ($2.73) is extruded. “Raw Coated Baked Kibble” foods ($3.62) are (as you might guess) baked and coated with freeze-dried meat. “Raw Blend Baked Kibble” foods ($4.70) are coated with freeze-dried meat and have nuggets of freeze-dried meat mixed into the kibble. The latter two lines also include organic fruit and vegetables. Legumes are used in the grain-free varieties. Grains used include barley, oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, and millet. |
| SUMMIT (Petcurean) Chiliwack, BC (866) 864-6112 petcurean.com | 1.79 | 4 | Meal | 21% - 28% Protein 8% - 17% Fat | Summit is Petcurean’s economy line. All four life-stage varieties (puppy, adult, reduced-calorie, and large-breed) are made with three meat meals (chicken, salmon, and lamb) and grain (oatmeal, brown rice, rye, and barley). |
| TASTE OF THE WILD (Diamond) Meta, MO (800) 342-4808 tasteofthewildpetfood.com | 1.84 | 16, 12 GF | 3 Meat, 13 Both | 25% - 32% Protein 15% - 18% Fat | “Prey” line ($2.20) is limited-ingredient and grain-free, containing a fresh meat (no meat meal). “Taste of the Wild” line ($1.76) is grain-free, using legumes, meat, and meat meal. “Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains” foods ($1.75) contain meat and meat meal, and sorghum, millet, and/or quinoa. |
| TENDER AND TRUE Omaha, NE (877) 616-4455 tenderandtruepet.com | 3.6 | 7, 5 GF | Both | 26% - 30% Protein 16% Fat | Fresh meat and meat meals are present in all of these foods. Three grain-free organic foods are offered; legumes, tapioca, and potato starch are the carb sources. Two formulas use grain (brown rice) as well as tapioca starch and potato starch. Certified sustainable fish are used in two grain-free varieties. |
| TIKI DOG Chesterfield, MO (866) 821-8562 tikipets.com | 3.85 | 5 GF | Both | 26.2% - 28.2% Protein 16% - 19% Fat | Tiki Dog’s foods are meant for small dogs and have small-sized kibble. They are made with deboned meat, meat meals (1st and 2nd), and liver. They are all grain-free (legumes serve as carb sources), and all the foods are baked, not extruded. |
| TRIUMPH Red Bay, AL (800) 705-2111 triumphpetfood.com | 1.68 | 11, 6 GF | 9 Both, 2 Meal | 20% - 26% Protein 10% - 16% Fat | All foods in the “Free Spirit” line ($1.94/lb) are all grain-free. The two “Simply Six” limited-ingredient foods ($1.64) contain rice and peas. The three “Wild Spirit” foods ($1.47) contain grains and are legume-free. Triumph manufactures its own products in Safe Quality Food (SQF) Level 3-certified facilities. |
| TUSCAN NATURAL Las Vegas, NV (888) 408-0895 tuscannatural.com | 2.7 | 5, 2 GF | 2 Meal, 3 Both | 24% - 35% Protein 12% - 20% Fat | “Simply Pure” foods are limited-ingredient (lamb meal & rice; chicken meal & rice). Fish variety contains fish, fish meal, sweet potato, chickpeas. “Harvest” recipe uses meat and meal, legumes, and rice. Grain-free “Carne” contains meat, meat meal, potatoes, and legumes. |
| VērUS Abingdon, MD (888) 828-3787 veruspetfoods.com | 3.3 | 8, 3 GF | 5 Meal, 3 Both | 17% - 26% Protein 8% - 15% Fat | Five VēRUS foods are made with meat meal and grains (whole oats, sorghum, brown rice, and/or barley); its three grain-free foods contain meat and meat meal and legumes, sweet potatoes, tapioca starch, and/or yams. VēRUS includes a maximum ash content on the guaranteed analysis; nice. VēRUS foods are made in an EU-certified facility. |
| WELLMADE (Cloudstar) St. Louis, MO (800) 361-9079 cloudstar.com | 2.4 | 5 GF | Meal | 24% - 26% Protein 8% - 15% Fat | All Wellmade foods are baked, contain meat meal, and are grain-free; legumes and tapioca are the carb sources. Three varieties are chicken-based (adult, large-breed, “light”). All varieties are for adult maintenance only. |
| WELLNESS (Wellpet) Tewksbury, MA (800) 225-0904 wellnesspetfood.com | 2.95 | 55, 32 GF | Both | 22% - 38% Protein 8% - 19% Fat | All but one Wellness foods contain meat and meat meal (Simple Duck & Oatmeal contains meat only). “Complete Health” life stage foods ($1.65/lb) are available in regular and small kibble sizes. “Core” foods ($3.14) are higher-protein foods. “Core RawRev” foods ($3.96) are essentially Core plus nuggets of freeze-dried meats. “Core Six” foods ($3.18) contain just six ingredients: meat, meat meal, legumes, plus vitamins/minerals. “Simple” foods ($2.84) contain one animal protein source and legumes and/or potatoes. Wellness operates its own manufacturing facility. |
| WHOLE EARTH FARMS (Merrick) Amarillo, TX (800) 323-3353 feedgoodness.com | 1.86 | 11, 8 GF | Both | 24% - 27% Protein 8% - 15% Fat | Whole Earth Farm’s is Merrick’s economy line. All of its foods contain meat and meat meal. It has three life-stage varieties that contain grain (brown rice, oatmeal, barley); they also include peas and potatoes. The grain-free varieties use peas, sweet potatoes, and potatoes as carb sources. |
| ZIGNATURE Valencia, CA (888) 897-7207 zignature.com | 2.85 | 20, 17 GF | Both | 25% - 32% Protein 14% - 18% Fat | All of Zignature’s foods contain fresh meat and meat meal. None contain chicken. Three “legume-free” foods use oats, millet, and/or quinoa. All but one of Zignature’s grain-free foods use only one animal protein source per formula and a number of exotic proteins can be chosen – helpful for dogs who are allergic to several common proteins. Four varieties are available in a “small bite” size. |
I just skimmed the previous list of dog foods. Acana and Addiction are the only names I am familiar with. I thought it was interesting that you list Addiction as being made in NZ (as I believe it is) but what gave me pause was that Kangaroo was listed as an ingredient….we don’t have kangaroos in NZ …Do they import that ingredient from Australia?
do you have any rating on — Exclusive signature large breed puppy chicken & brown rice ?
I see no listings for Nature’s Logic or Canine Caviar. Two that I have used. Is there a reason why? Thank you
I am assuming that Nature’s Logic was left off because it contains “animal plasma” and WDJ stated that they eliminated foods that contain animal plasma products because they might be dangerous.
I just ordered the Raw Food Diet – Part 2. When I try to download the publication an Error msg appears. File damaged cannot download. PLEASE send me a non-corrupted file or credit my credit card. Thank you for your assistance.
THE INFORMATION U GAVE ME ABOUT FATS CARBS PROTEIN IS TOTALLY CONFUSING CAN U CALCULATE THIS IN LAYMAN TERMS?
Hi
This is a very nice blog. Thank you very much to share your informative knowledge. We know that dogs’ health on depending on nutrition foods. So, we must ensure dogs dry food.
Last year Wellpet’s Holistic Select made the list, why not this year? I used it because it was on your list. What’s up?
perhaps you should read ingredients for products you suggest. Sadly most have chemicals, additives and dyes. Canned dog food is heated destroying nutrition
I found it odd you list Zignature and Arcana they are not on the diet related cardio myopathy warning list from the FDA. If I remember correctly Signature is high up the list.
I have been a subscriber for 3 years. I have never been able to find approved dog food. I keep continue to receive emails asking me to subscribe/join.
Very frustrating.
I get my pet’s brand(s) at Petco. I also had trouble finding the listed foods at first. I refer to the list at Petco. There are so many.
Hard to find the good brands in my local stores or even online. I purchased Canidae MultiProtein from PetCo to try to use the same food for my 3 year old lab service dog and my 13 year old golden. I was disappointed to find that it contains no meat, only meat meal. My service dog trainer recommended Eukanuba so that is what I have been using but everywhere I look now the meat first products are sold out.
I just subscribed to see your recommended list of dog foods. And I am disappointed! I picked just 1 for an example that is Zignature. That Have ingredients at the top of their list that we should not be feeding our dogs!. PEAS, PEA FLOUR ,PEA PROTEIN, CHICKPEAS, SUNFLOWER OIL, NATURAL FLAVORS, DRIED BEET PULP, IRON, COPPER. AND THE LIST GOESS ON… THIS FOOD IS GARBAGE!!! JUST 1 OF MANY ON YOUR LIST!
Lamb, Lamb Meal, Peas, Pea Flour, Pea Protein, Flaxseed, Chickpeas, Natural Flavors, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Sunflower Oil (preserved with Citric Acid), Dried Beet Pulp, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Salt, Chorine Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Poteinate, Cobalt Proteinate), Vitamins (Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Blueberries, Carrots, Cranberries, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols.
I agree. According to a CNN article, Zignature has the second highest number of cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) reported to the FDA. I suspect that it is a matter of which of their dog foods you select, but I subscribed to get better information than is available for free on the web, and this article does not meet that goal. This is an important topic, and I think a subscription service such as this should put more effort into providing easily understandable, thorough information.
I recently read about the dehydrated dog food “Sunday’s”. Do you have any information about this brand?
A friend likes Dr Harvey. Can you comment on why it is not on the list?
This web site sends me in circles. I signed in. I wanted the article on Dry Dog Food 2021. On that page it says I need to sign in. I click to do so. And around in circles I go!
then I tried Dashboard, downloads and clicked to download this article. Again: On the page it says I need to sign in. I click to do so. And around I go again!!!!!!!
What do I need to do to actually access the article!?!?!
I got the same thing!
I believe you need to be a paying subscriber – I am and can access the article easily. It’s worth the year subscription.
This list is of dry dog food, does the raw dehydrated fall under that category? I didn’t see any dehydrated food that I’m familiar with.
Why is it I try to access an article and I can’t get to it, yet I’m a signed in subscriber. Very frustrating.
I cant find or see the list of reccomended dog foods.
I just subscribed yesterday and I can’t even log in! It won’t let me! Am I doing something wrong? I try to view dry food list and it says must be a subscriber, which I am, and I put in my info hit log in and it repeats all over again……very frustrating.
Sherry Mustic
I am surprised to see that you left Nature’s Logic off your list because of its inclusion of plasma but included a number of lower quality foods that contain synthetic vitamins and legumes and potatoes, including “ingredient splitting” peas and pea flours. Most recent studies about cardiac issues are pointing toward legumes (which are often used as substitutes for quality animal proteins) as an ingredient that may block the absorption of taurine. I like to rotate foods. My guy does really well on Nature’s Logic which adds no synthetics and I sometimes add Farmina to his rotation. Stella and Chewy’s Essentials line is out now after repeated loose stools and diarrhea. He also enjoys Primal and sometimes Ziwi Peak as toppers. Thanks for your research.
Do you have any comments on OPEN FARM or THE HONEST KITCHEN dry foods
Hi. I am waiting for my free issue but definitely will subscribe after that. Am in the process of changing my dogs food and need to know sooner that later which dog food to change to.
How can I get the sooner?
Thanks, Kristi Gates