We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 10 Best Dry Dog Foods Fill your dog's bowl with crunchy food designed to meet their needs By Mary Jo DiLonardo Mary Jo DiLonardo Mary Jo DiLonardo is a writer and dog mom to Brodie, a border-collie mix who loves to learn. She is also bringing in new foster dogs in need of a home and has cared for over 75 dogs and puppies. In her 25+ years as a journalist, she has contributed to WebMD, CNN, and Treehugger, covering pets and animals, health and wellness, nature and sustainability, and all things environmental. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process and Anna Mejorada Anna Mejorada Anna Mejorada is an editor for The Spruce Pets and best friends with a Pomeranian named Gidget. She has tested hundreds of products, many with the help of Gidget, whose refined taste and cheerful nature continuously inspire Anna's work. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 04/08/25 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews What to Look For How We Chose FAQs Why Trust The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Dry dog food—also known as kibble—is a convenient way to feed a dog at any age. This type of canine cuisine is sold in bags (some of which are resealable), does not require refrigeration, and is typically less expensive per meal than fresh or wet dog food. Use SPRUCE50 to save 50% on your first order of our top healthy alternative pick on this list, Spot & Tango. Afterward, the subscription will revert to full price for the next scheduled delivery. “For many dogs, dry dog food can provide complete nutrition in a package that is easy to purchase and store in the home, and is easy to administer," shared Kathy Baker, DVM, of Lucy’s Veterinary Care in Smyrna, Georgia. The texture and long shelf life of dry dog food also provide options that canned dog food lacks. “Some pet parents who have hectic schedules will use an automated feeder to make sure their pup gets to eat on time, even if they can’t get home to them.” All of the featured dog food on our list meets the standards set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the leading nonprofit organization guiding state, federal, and international feed regulators to safeguard pet food. We also sought feedback from 407 dog parents, polling them on the brand of dog food that works for their household, while gleaning additional insights for dogs of all sizes, ages, and breeds. Top Picks Best Overall: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dog Food at Amazon $68 Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food at Amazon $68 Jump to Review Best for Puppies: Purina Pro Plan Puppy Food at Amazon $53 Jump to Review Best Budget: Iams Proactive Health Dog Food at Amazon $30 Jump to Review Best for Seniors: Fromm Mature Senior Dry Dog Food at Amazon $38 Jump to Review Best for Big Dogs: Royal Canin Giant Dry Dog Food at Amazon $100 Jump to Review Best for Small Dogs: Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini Dry Dog Food at Amazon $61 Jump to Review Best Organic: Tender & True Organic Dry Dog Food at Amazon $27 Jump to Review Best Subscription: Ollie Dog Food at Petco $48 Jump to Review Best Healthy Alternative: Spot & Tango Unkibble Custom Dog Food at Spotandtango.com Jump to Review Best Overall Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dog Food Credit: Amazon $68 at Amazon $65 at Chewy $65 at Target What We Like Chicken, lamb, beef, or fish are the first and main ingredients Formulations for puppies, adults, seniors, small, standard, and large breeds Ingredients include whole grains, fruit, and vegetables Never made with poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, or soy What We Don't Like Some flavors and formulations are difficult to come by If your canine enjoys a crunchy kibble, our top recommendation is Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula dry dog food. Each serving provides a high dose of protein mixed with vitamins and nutrients a dog needs. Among our 407 dog parent panelists who feed their dog Blue Buffalo, the majority praised the brand for its consistent and reliable use of high-quality ingredients. In terms of overall satisfaction, Blue Buffalo and Hill's Science Diet (our dry dog food choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs, found below), but ultimately Blue Buffalo's commitment to keeping their dog food free of common allergens, like corn, wheat, and soy, put it at the top of our list. There are three age categories, Puppy (2 to 12 months), Adult, and Senior (7+ years), and within each age range, you'll find size-specific formulas. For adult dogs, the sizes include toy (up to 12 pounds), small (up to 30 pounds), standard, and large breed (50 to 100+ pounds). Recipes are optimized for needs specific to size and age, like DHA, a nutrient puppies need for healthy brain and eye development, and glucosamine and chondroitin, to help large breeds maintain healthy joints and muscles throughout their life. All Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula dog foods are made with real animal-source protein (chicken, beef, lamb, or fish) as the primary ingredient. Recipes also include whole grains, vegetables, and fruit to provide calcium, phosphorus, prebiotics, fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The food is a crispy kibble with flavors dogs enjoy including chicken, beef, lamb, and fish (all mixed with brown rice), and chicken, lamb, and fish combined with oatmeal. All recipes are free of by-product meals, artificial flavors, and preservatives. Blue Buffalo sources ingredients from all over the world, but all of their food for pets is manufactured in the United States. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula dog food is readily available and moderately priced, but some flavors can be more difficult to come by. The easiest to find for all life stages is Chicken & Brown Rice, which also happens to be a popular choice among the dogs we know. Flavors: Chicken & brown rice; lamb & brown rice; fish & brown rice; beef & brown rice; chicken & oatmeal; lamb & oatmeal; fish & oatmeal | Life Stage: Puppy, adult, senior | Packaging Size: 5, 15, 24, 30, or 34 pounds Best for Sensitive Stomachs Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food Credit: Amazon $68 $63 at Amazon $84 at Chewy View on Petco What We Like Chicken is first ingredient Contains prebiotic fiber from beet pulp Available without a prescription Canned versions available What We Don't Like Dry food only available in chicken flavor If your dog frequently experiences digestive issues, including diarrhea, constipation, or foul-smelling flatulence, you should first visit your vet to discuss the symptoms and determine the best course of action. It might be as simple as switching your dog's diet to dog food for sensitive stomachs. Our top kibble recommendation for dogs in this situation is Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Formula. Among our 407 panelists, Hill's Science Diet continuously ranked among the top choices with many dog parents noting their veterinarian's recommendation and the brand's ability to address specific health needs, like a sensitive stomach, among their top determining factors. Within the Sensitive Stomach & Skin Formula line there are two recipes for dry dog food: chicken and barley, and grain-free chicken and potato. There are also breed size-specific variations for small and large dogs and three canned wet food flavors. Each recipe is made with real chicken as the primary source of protein and the first ingredient. A serving also provides prebiotic fiber to help support digestive health and a balanced gut microbiome, along with nutrients, and vitamins, like vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids to keep your dog's skin and coat healthy. Flavors: Chicken & barley; grain-free chicken & potato | Life Stage: Adult | Packaging Size: 4, 15.5, or 30 pounds Best for Puppies Purina Pro Plan Puppy Food Credit: Amazon $53 at Amazon View on Chewy $20 $20 at Petco What We Like First ingredient and main source of protein is chicken, salmon, or lamb Provides DHA to support vision and brain development Offers formulations to address specific health needs High-protein diet to support muscle and bone development What We Don't Like May contain corn gluten or protein by-product meal, and/or pea protein Purina Pro Plan Healthy Puppy Formula provides probiotics for digestive health, omega-6 fatty acids derived from fish oil, and a variety of minerals and vitamins, including DHA—an essential nutrient puppies glean from mother's milk—for healthy brain and vision development. With each serving of Purina Pro Plan Puppy Formula your developing pup will get the protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus their body needs. Over 50 dog parents in our survey attribute their vet's recommendation as the lead determining factor in their choice to serve their puppy dog food from Purina Pro Plan. Purina Pro Plan uses real chicken, lamb, or salmon as the first ingredient in all of their puppy food recipes. The dry food comes in two forms, Healthy Puppy or Healthy Puppy Large Breed for dogs that will grow to over 50 pounds as an adult, and in five varieties: shredded blend chicken and rice, chicken and rice, lamb and rice, salmon and rice, and lamb and oatmeal, with the latter two formulated for puppies with sensitive skin and stomachs. The recipes are free of artificial flavors and colors but often include ingredients like pea protein and corn gluten meal, which some dogs are sensitive to. Flavors: Chicken & rice; lamb & rice; salmon & rice; lamb & oatmeal | Life Stage: Puppy | Packaging Size: 6, 18, and 34 pounds Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets The 10 Best Puppy Foods of 2026 Best Budget Iams Proactive Health Dog Food Credit: Amazon $30 at Amazon View on Chewy $48 at Petco What We Like Formulations for small and large breed puppies, adults, and seniors Contains no artificial preservatives or flavors Real chicken or lamb is the first ingredient What We Don't Like Recipes include fillers Within the Proactive Health line of dry dog food from Iams, there are formulas to meet the needs of puppies, adults, and senior dogs along with small breed and large breed-specific versions of the food for each age range. Each serving provides vitamins and nutrients a dog needs like fiber, prebiotics, omega-6 fatty acids, glucosamine, and antioxidants to help support digestion, energy, and overall health. The kibble comes in two flavors, Chicken & Whole Grains or Lamb & Rice, and all recipes are made with real meat as the first ingredient along with flaxseed, corn, egg, and soybeans. But the kibble is also made with by-product meals and fillers, which have ingredients that some dogs are sensitive to when consumed. Iams Proactive Health dog food is budget-friendly and readily available through online retailers and at big box stores, supermarkets, and other good places to buy dog food. Flavors: Chicken & whole grains; lamb & rice | Life Stage: Puppy, adult, senior | Packaging Size: 7, 15, or 30 pounds Best for Seniors Fromm Mature Senior Dry Dog Food Credit: Amazon $38 at Amazon View on Gofromm.com View on Petflow.com What We Like Real chicken is first ingredient, then vegetables, whole grains, and fruits Blend of probiotics and prebiotics to support regularity Recipes are free of fillers What We Don't Like Not as widely available as other brands Includes cheese, which irritates some dogs' digestive systems For senior dogs over the age of 7, Fromm Classic Mature Adult Dog Food provides a protein-rich diet made with chicken as the primary ingredient. It's formulated to meet the changing needs of dogs as they get older by supporting and fortifying mobility, immunity, and energy. The recipe is made with whole grains (brown rice and barley), fruits, and vegetables to provide complete and balanced nutrition in each serving. A blend of prebiotics and probiotics developed by Fromm is optimized to keep the digestive system and metabolism functioning properly and to help prevent unintended weight gain. The formula also includes cheese, which may be irritating to some dogs. Among the 400-plus dog parents we polled, Fromm received top marks for the reliable use of quality ingredients along with overall satisfaction, engagement, and enjoyment experienced by their dog. Fromm's dog food is produced in the United States, and the family-owned business has been making pet food for decades. But the food is usually more expensive than other options that made our list and it's not as widely available. Flavors: Chicken | Life Stage: Senior | Packaging Size: 15 or 30 pounds Best for Big Dogs Royal Canin Giant Dry Dog Food Credit: Royal Canin $100 at Amazon View on Chewy View on Petco What We Like Glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids for bone and joint health Taurine included to support heart health Formulated for dogs over 100 pounds What We Don't Like Kibble size may vary within the same package Royal Canin Giant Adult Dry Dog Food is formulated for dogs over 100 pounds to support the nutritional needs that come with a larger frame and beefy paws (like Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees, and Great Danes), Our panel attributes their dog's continued health to Royal Canin dog food suited to their specific needs. Since larger breeds continue to grow during their first two years, this dog food is best suited for doggos two and older. Existing as a giant dog puts stress on joints, so this food is fortified with glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (providing EPA and DHA) to support bone, muscle, and joint health. The chicken-flavored kibble also contains taurine for heart health, fiber to keep the digestive system working, and antioxidants for immunity. Chicken by-product meal made from high-in-protein and nutrient-rich animal parts, like organs, is the first ingredient in this balanced food. The use of animal-sourced by-product meals reduces cost and food waste without necessarily degrading the value of the food, but some pet parents prefer to avoid it. This food also has larger-sized pieces of kibble to encourage chewing, but the size of each piece might vary within the same package. Flavors: Chicken | Life Stage: Adult (at least 2 years old) | Packaging Size: 30 pounds Best for Small Dogs Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini Dry Dog Food Credit: Amazon $61 at Amazon $58 at Chewy $63 $61 at Petco What We Like No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives Each piece of kibble is smaller than typical Made with real chicken or lamb as the first ingredient What We Don't Like Only two flavors For smaller dogs weighing two to 30 pounds, Hill's Science Diet Adult Mini & Small Dry Dog Food comes in two flavors, Chicken & Brown Rice or Lamb & Brown Rice, and each piece of kibble is smaller than the typical size to make the mealtime experience more enjoyable. The food is made with real chicken or lamb as the primary ingredient along with easy-to-digest ingredients, like pumpkin, to keep their digestive system on track. As with all of Hill's Science Diet food for dogs, the recipes for mini and small dogs were developed in the United States by veterinarians and scientists to provide the optimal mix of protein, fats, and carbs adult dogs of this size require. Since little dogs eat smaller portions, the bags of food are also smaller (4.5 or 15.5 pounds), to prevent the kibble from getting stale. The food is made without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, and there are also formulas for dental care, sensitive stomachs & skin, weight management, and mobility support. Flavors: Chicken & brown rice; lamb & brown rice | Life Stage: Adult | Packaging Size: 4.5 or 15.5 pounds Best Organic Tender & True Organic Dry Dog Food Credit: Amazon $27 at Amazon $28 at Chewy What We Like Animal Welfare certified by Global Animal Protection (GAP) Non-GMO verified by Non-GMO Project Free of artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors What We Don't Like Not all products are made with USDA-certified organic ingredients Tender & True uses USDA-certified organic ingredients to create two organic recipes for dogs of all sizes and life stages, Organic Chicken & Liver and Organic Turkey & Liver, and two organic kibble recipes optimized for small breed dogs, Organic Turkey & Oats and Organic Chicken. Tender & True takes great care when sourcing ingredients for all of their pet food products, and partners with credible nonprofit organizations to reinforce sustainability practices, animal welfare, and keep artificial chemicals, added hormones, and antibiotics out of the ingredients used to create pet products. On each package of organic dog food from Tender & True, you'll find the seal for Animal Welfare Certification from the Global Animal Protection (GAP) organization, USDA Organic certification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and non-GMO verification from the Non-GMO Project. The kibble recipes are made with turkey or chicken as the first ingredient and are always made without corn, soy, and wheat. The food is suitable for puppies starting at 6 months of age as well as senior dogs. Tender & True manufactures dry food, wet food, and treats for dogs and cats in the United States. Flavors: Organic chicken & liver; organic turkey & liver; organic turkey & oats (small breed); organic chicken (small breed) | Life Stage: Adult, senior, puppy | Packaging Size: 4, 11, or 20 pounds The 8 Best Sustainable Pet Food Brands For Dogs and Cats Best Subscription Ollie Dog Food Credit: Ollie $48 at Petco View on Myollie.com What We Like Targeted to your specific dog's needs Easy to order and make changes on the app Fresh, human-grade ingredients with no artificial products What We Don't Like Pricey option If you’re looking for a good subscription dog food for your pet, we are fans of Ollie Dog Food. With a variety of customizable options to choose from, including allergies, dietary restrictions, activity level, health concerns, age, and weight, you’ll be able to get food that’s made for your pet. Ollie offers fresh and dry food. There are two dry options: baked chicken with carrots and baked beef with sweet potatoes. Made with fresh, human-grade ingredients with no artificial fillers, additives, or by-products, all of Ollie’s food is developed in collaboration with veterinary nutritionists and meets AAFCO quality and safety standards. It’s simple to order and adjust your deliveries and food options through the Ollie app, and for those with a subscription, you can have virtual consultations with licensed pet professionals. Flavors: Chicken & carrots; beef & sweet potatoes | Life Stage: All | Packaging Size: Varies by plan Best Healthy Alternative Spot & Tango Unkibble Custom Dog Food View on Spotandtango.com What We Like Fresh, whole ingredients Made with real meat Personalized for your dog What We Don't Like Limited flavor options Use SPRUCE50 to take 50% off your first Spot & Tango order. Afterward, the subscription will revert to full price for the next scheduled delivery. Spot & Tango Unkibble is a fresh and healthy alternative to standard dry dog food. This brand’s dry food is made with human-grade ingredients, including chicken, beef, and cod, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits. All of their recipes meet AAFCO standards and are created by veterinary nutritionists. Prior to ordering, you provide information about your dog (age, weight, and activity level), and a personalized meal plan is created for your pet. The food is delivered with a measuring scoop and instructions on how much and how frequently to feed your dog. Dry food flavors are limited to beef and barley, turkey and sweet potato, and cod and salmon, but there are fresh recipe options as well. Flavors: Beef & barley; turkey & sweet potato; cod & salmon | Life Stage: All | Packaging Size: Varies by plan Final Verdict Our favorite dry dog food is Hill’s Science Diet Small Bites. Hill’s foods are highly recommended by veterinarians, come in many flavors and sizes, and have no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. If you are feeding a puppy, consider Purina Pro Plan High-Protein Puppy Food. It features meat, poultry, or salmon as the first ingredient and has added nutrients to benefit a growing puppy. What to Look For When Buying Dry Dog Food AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Be sure any food you choose has an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement that indicates the food is nutritionally complete and balanced. These foods have undergone laboratory testing and have had feeding trials to make sure they offer complete and balanced nutrition for the life stage of the dog. Nutrition and Ingredients “The ingredients should start ideally with a meat source and sound like things you recognize as food,” Kathy Baker, DVM, told The Spruce Pets. “The bottom section of the ingredient list will include many vitamins and minerals and those names may not sound familiar to many, but are very important to your pet.” There's no need to be concerned by the term “meal” either, since it just means that a product has been crushed into small pieces. “So chicken meal is a perfectly fine ingredient. It just means chicken that has been ground up,” says Baker. However, by-product meal can be a little trickier. “Here in the US, chicken hearts, livers, and gizzards are considered by-products, but are perfectly great sources of protein. However other less digestible portions of animal also fall into the by-product category, so that can be a little harder to know what is actually in the food.” Sometimes prescription diets have ingredient lists that don’t sound familiar or start with a grain. “But the manufacturers—Hill’s, Purina, Royal Canin to name a few—of those veterinary/prescription diets have done an immense amount of research and testing to create a diet to help with very specific medical problems and I believe in them wholeheartedly,” says Baker. “That doesn’t mean an individual pet may not have a sensitivity to one of these diets, but they are very important weapons in your veterinarian’s toolbox to help manage certain medical problems.” Life Stage It’s important that you choose food that is appropriate for your dog’s life stage. Most foods will either say growth (puppy), adult, senior, or all life stages. Puppies typically eat growth food for the first year of their lives. Dogs can switch to senior foods depending on their health and activity level. Small dogs are typically considered senior by age 7, while other dogs might be considered senior by age 5 or 6 because they have shorter lives. Portioning Guidance Start by asking your veterinarian if they have thoughts about how much to feed, particularly if your dog doesn’t have an ideal body condition. “For most dogs I will use the feeding guide on the packaging as a loose jumping off point,” says Baker. But she points out that for feeding trials, research dogs are typically not spayed or neutered. “Many of our household pets are spayed/neutered and they usually need 20 to 30 percent fewer calories than their intact counterparts. In general, most dogs need a little less than the feeding guide recommends unless they are working/athletic dogs.” How We Chose the Best Dry Dog Foods To evaluate the incredible range of available dog foods, our research panel put together a comprehensive questionnaire, asking dog owners to describe the qualities that matter most to them when they choose a dog food brand. We learned what brands were recommended by veterinarians, and which had the most trustworthy list of ingredients. We also looked for high-value brands that can fit in people's budgets, and brands with wide retailer availability. We also gathered details about a dog's size, breed, and age, which helped us make picks tailored to a wide range of dogs, since the best dog food for a French Bulldog puppy won't be the best dog food for a full-grown Newfie. In total, 407 respondents described how they and their dogs felt about the dog foods they used at home, using a combination of numerical scores and detailed feedback. FAQ How long does dry dog food last? Every package of dry dog food should have a “best by” or expiration date. If the package is unopened and kept in a climate-controlled environment, it should last that long, which is typically about 12 to 18 months from the date it was manufactured.“Once the package is opened I recommend consuming kibble within two months as long as it is kept climate controlled,” says Baker. “If kibble is exposed to high temperatures, the fat in the kibble can spoil, so bags of dog food need to be climate controlled. Extreme cold may change the texture a bit, but doesn’t damage the food.”If a bag of dry kibble is open for a long time, the flavor can change. “Some animals definitely act like my children saying the chips are stale,” says Baker. Can dry food be mixed with wet dog food? Absolutely, says Baker, who has one dog who has to be really hungry to eat just dry dog food. “Many pet owners like the convenience and cost of kibble, but our pets prefer the taste of wet, so mixing some wet with some kibble either mixed in or as a topper can make everyone happy.”Many dogs prefer to have some wet food in their diet because it can be tastier and smell better than just kibble. “I think about it like eating a protein bar for every meal of my life,” says Baker. “I would really miss all the other flavors and textures.”Dogs with some health concerns like kidney disease or diabetes can benefit from higher moisture or lower carbohydrates by eating at least some of their diet from wet food. Is wet dog food better than dry? Your dog might say yes, because canned food is so tasty.“In certain situations wet can be better than kibble to minimize certain preservative ingredients, provide extra moisture, also provide a food that is easier to consume for pets with dental disease or esophageal or gastric disease,” says Baker. “It can also be better for pets who are ill and may need something a little more tempting to entice them to eat or pets who have nasal disease affecting their sense of smell.” Why Trust The Spruce Pets This story was updated by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a happy pomeranian named Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets. We also took a comprehensive survey on preferred brands and feeding habits. Each respondent provided data on their dog's age, size, and breed, in addition to a detailed history of the dog food brands and products they mutually enjoy. We also considered recommendations from veterinarians, trainers, and rescue workers and considered features such as ingredients, flavors, cost, and package sizes. A previous version of this story was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo who has covered animals and pets for several decades. Mary Jo has fostered more than 60 dogs and puppies. She is always searching for the healthiest and most effective products to use with them such as best dog food for older dogs and best dog bowls. We consulted with Kathy Baker, DVM, of Lucy’s Veterinary Care, to identify what qualities make a great dry dog food. The 21 Best Dog Foods of 2026 Explore more: What to Buy Dog Products Dog Food Advertisement