The 5 Best Dog Foods To Keep A Hungry Pooch Happy And Full

Feeding your dog the right food for their needs is essential to their health and happiness. But with so many options available on the market, it can be overwhelming to try and choose the best one. In general, the best dog food should have a good balance of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fats), and it should provide all the necessary upsetting your dog’s stomach. By choosing the right food, you can help ensure that your dog maintains a healthy weight, shiny coat, strong teeth, and plenty of energy to enjoy all the adventures that come their way.

Best Dog Food to Consider

Here at Dogtime, we’re well aware of how daunting a task it can be to choose the right food for your dog. It’s important to remember that not all dog foods are created equal, and choosing one that’s not right for your dog can have a significant impact on their health and well-being. The good news is that choosing the right dog food can have equally positive effects. To achieve that, we think it’s important to focus on a few key qualities while shopping: ingredient quality, nutrition, potential allergens, and of course, cost value.

To start, the quality of the ingredients in your dog’s grub is crucial for their overall health. Look for high-quality sources of protein, such as real meat, and avoid fillers and byproducts. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can also provide essential vitamins and minerals. That ties in with our next point: overall nutrition. Different dogs have different nutritional needs depending on factors such as age, breed, and activity level, so make sure the food you choose is appropriate for your dog. We always recommend consulting with your veterinarian if you have any questions about your dog’s nutritional needs.

Just like humans, dogs can have food allergies or sensitivities. Common allergens in dog food include corn, wheat, soy, and chicken. If your dog has any known allergies or sensitivities, make sure to choose a dog food that does not contain those ingredients.

Finally, we think it’s important to take price into account. Food is, after all, something your furry friend needs in their dog bowl on a daily basis, so it’s important that you can afford to buy your chosen food regularly. But it’s also important that you don’t cheap out and buy the least expensive option. When it comes to food, we usually get what we pay for. High-quality dog food can be expensive, but since your dog is a part of your family, we think it’s worth the investment in your dog’s health.

By considering all these factors before shopping, we think it’ll be easier to make an informed decision and ensure your furry friend is getting the food they need to thrive.

Purina Pro Plan Dog Food

We’ve all seen the slick marketing from boutique brands touting their fancy dog food. What many people might not know, though, is that when it comes to canine nutrition, many of the boutique brands use sham data and misleading tactics to persuade customers that their dog food formulation is better. The truth is, though, that there are a few mainstream brands that produce science-backed formulations approved by major veterinary associations, and Purina is one of them. Purina Pro Plan is the premium option in their dog food collection, so it’s essentially the best of the best. And because it’s so affordable, this is a food you won’t have to think twice about buying month after month.

Pros:

• Available in a wide variety of sizes
• Main ingredients are chicken, rice, and whole grain wheat
• Excellent cost value

• Crumbly; can make a bit messy if eaten outside of a bowl
• Some might find the scent off-putting

Royal Canin Dog Food

Another household name, Royal Canin makes surprisingly good kibble. This blend is one of our favorites for a few reasons. To start, it boasts a blend of vitamins and antioxidants that can help support the immune system and bolster the dog’s overall health. Add to that the array of easy-to-process proteins and prebiotics, and you’ve got a gut-friendly dog food formulation. This particular version is intended for small-breed puppies, which are defined as those who will to an expected weight of somewhere between 9 and 22 pounds. With that in mind, the kibble is extra small so that a little pup with a weak jaw can munch on this without having to chomp too hard. Aside from all that, we love that this food is specially formulated to provide a growing pup the energy they need as they quickly get bigger. But if you don’t have a puppy, don’t let that stop you — Royal Canin has offerings for dogs of all sizes, not just small puppies.

Pros:

• Fortified with L-carnitine
• Easy to digest
• Small pieces are specially designed for puppies

Cons:

• Though it’s typically easy to process, it may cause gas in some dogs
• Some pooches may not find it appetizing

Eukanuba Dog Food

Another unexpectedly good dog food, this formulation from Eukanuba is ideal for those who want to give their pooch the best possible food on a limited budget. This is especially important for those of us with large dogs, because our jumbo-sized furry friends are fierce eaters. Since they eat so much, it’s important to find a dog food that doesn’t bankrupt us. It’s also important that the food provides our dogs with everything they need — not just to feel satiated, but also to thrive. This formulation achieves that in a number of ways. For example, its inclusion of real animal proteins as well as chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine helps bolster canine joints and muscle development. The kibble also contains healthy fats to promote brain function and maintain a healthy, lustrous coat. There’s a reason many vets and breeders recommend this line from Eukanuba: this stuff is simply good.

Pros:

• DentaDefense can also improve your dog’s dental health
• Fantastic cost value
• Main ingredient is chicken

Cons:

• Some may be put off by the number of fillers in the ingredient list
• Though it’s great for some dogs, others may not react well to it; be sure to monitor your dog’s health after you start implementing this formulation

Purina Pro Plan Dog Food

There’s been a lot of talk in recent years of the importance of gut health in humans — but what about man’s best friend? Gut issues can have systemic effects on a dog’s body, and sensitive skin is an example of that. If your dog has a sensitive tummy prone to gas, or itchy, flaky, oily skin and related ailments that are caused by diet, this kibble might be worth a try. That’s because it’s specially formulated for sensitive skin and stomachs. Purina achieves that by packing this formulation with live probiotics, sunflower oil, and prebiotic fiber, just to name some of the beneficial ingredients. A quick look at the list of ingredients shows us that this is indeed a premium formulation offered at a more-than-fair price.

Pros:

• Fantastic value when purchased in bulk
• Wide range of flavors and sizes
• May help alleviate skin conditions caused by diet

Cons:

• We think the price is fair considering the high quality, but that doesn’t mean it’s cheap
• Might give some dogs bad breath

Hill’s Science Dog Food

Though most vets recommend kibble for younger dogs, some older dogs may do better with wet dog food for a few reasons. As dogs age, they may start to experience dental issues or have trouble chewing and digesting dry kibble. Wet food is easier to chew and digest, which can be beneficial for older pooches with dental problems or sensitive stomachs. Additionally, wet food typically has a higher moisture content than kibble, which can help prevent dehydration. Hill’s Science Diet formulated this tasty blend with all that in mind and more. It’s packed with protein to help your older dog maintain their muscle as they age, and it’s even fortified with minerals that support heart and kidney health.

Pros:

• We appreciate that the main ingredients are real whole foods
• Can help your senior dog maintain weight and muscle
• Mixes well with kibble

Cons:

• The smell might make it a little unpleasant to handle, but this is true of many dog foods
• Might be a little too liquidy for some

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best type of dog food?

There isn’t a single correct answer here. This depends on your dog’s individual needs, such as their age, size, and activity level. Generally, high-quality dry or wet food with a protein source as the first ingredient is recommended. Look for options that include added vitamins and minerals, and avoid fillers and artificial preservatives. All that being said, we’re not licensed experts on all this, so please consider consulting with your veterinarian to determine the most suitable type of dog food for your furry friend.

Is grain-free dog food better?

While some dogs may benefit from a grain-free diet, there isn’t much evidence to suggest that grain-free diets are inherently better for dogs. In fact, some evidence suggests grain-free dog food may even be harmful to some dogs, as it has been linked to heart disease, such as DCM. Grains can provide valuable nutrients for dogs, so most vets recommend grains as part of a canine diet.

Should I feed my dog a raw food diet?

The jury’s still out on this one. A raw food diet can have benefits for some dogs, such as healthier skin and coat, improved digestion, and increased energy. But it also carries risks, as raw meat can contain harmful bacteria and parasites that can make both dogs and humans sick. Additionally, a raw food diet may not provide all of the necessary nutrients that a dog needs. It’s important to do thorough research and, more importantly, consult with a veterinarian before switching to a raw food diet.

How much should I feed my dog?

Again, this depends on your dog’s size, age, and activity level. Typically, adult dogs should be fed once or twice per day, while puppies require more frequent feeding. Follow the feeding guidelines provided by the dog food manufacturer, but adjust the amount as needed based on your dog’s Body Condition Score (the canine equivalent of BMI). You probably don’t need us to tell you this, but for the sake of diligence: avoid overfeeding your dog, as obesity can lead to a variety of health issues.

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