8 Best Dry Dog Foods in 2025, Recommended by Vets
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All products in this article have been reviewed by our trusted vets and experts. PetMD is owned by Chewy.
Finding the best dry dog food for your dog can be a challenge, especially since there are thousands of dry dog food options on the market.
When looking for the best dry dog food for your dog, you'll want to make sure it is complete and balanced, while meeting any specific nutritional requirements for your individual pet.
Our team of veterinarians has reviewed multiple dry dog food brands, focusing on nutritional content, ingredient quality, and palatability.
After extensive evaluation, they compiled a list of their top nine best dry dog foods for your beloved pup.
Everything Our Vets Recommend
What To Look For When Buying Dry Dog Food
When shopping for the best dry food for dogs, our vets recommend products that meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a private, non-profit organization that establishes standard ingredient definitions and nutritional requirements for pet food.
A complete-and-balanced diet will include the following:
- Protein: Protein is important for your dog’s muscle growth and repair. It provides the building blocks for enzymes, hormones, and other vital body processes.
- Fats: Fats are a dense source of energy and essential for absorbing vitamins. Essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play a key role in maintaining your dog’s healthy skin and coat.
- Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates provide energy for an active lifestyle. They also help in your dog’s gastrointestinal health and cognitive function.
- Vitamins: Vitamins are necessary for immune system function and overall health. There are different types of vitamins, and each plays a unique role, from promoting bone health to fighting infections.
According to AAFCO, dry dog food should have a good balance of vitamins A, B12, D, and E; thiamine; riboflavin; pantothenic acid; niacin; pyridoxine; folic acid; and choline. - Minerals: Minerals support bone health, nerve function, and overall cellular processes. They are essential for maintaining balance and fluids in the body.
AAFCO lists the following minerals in its dry dog food nutritional requirements: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, iodine, and selenium. - Water: Water is essential for life. It helps with digestion, regulates body temperature, and aids in nutrient absorption. Maintaining hydration is vital for your dog’s health.
How We Selected the Best Dry Dog Food
This list of the best dry dog food was meticulously curated by a panel of veterinarians who are employed by Chewy, the publisher of PetMD.
They were asked to choose the best dry dog food, in their honest opinion, across multiple categories (as listed above) based on the following:
- Their knowledge and practical experience
- Review of information published by the pet food manufacturers
- Dog food attributes, such as high-quality ingredients, nutrient and vitamin content, and overall palatability
Opinions and product recommendations in this article belong solely to the review panel of vets and animal health experts.
Manufacturers and vendors cannot buy placement in Vet Verified content, or exert influence on our panelists as they evaluate products.
Our sole goal with this program is to provide pet parents with the information they need to make the best decision for their pets.
Our Vet Pick: Best in Show
Our vets highly recommend Purina Pro Plan's Complete Essentials dry dog food as one of the best dry foods for dogs, largely due to the fact that the brand employs animal nutritionists and underwent feeding tests using AAFCO procedures to ensure this diet provides complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all life stages.
This dry dog food, like all the others on this list, meets AAFCO’s nutritional standards for a complete and balanced diet.
It’s also a high-protein formula that supports lean muscle development in your dog, includes vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids to support healthy skin and shiny coat, and is formulated with guaranteed live probiotics, which may help boost your dog’s digestive and immune health.
Plus, the mix of crunchy kibble and soft, shredded pieces makes mealtime both fun and tasty. It is also available in large breed, small breed, and senior.
- Formulated with guaranteed live probiotics
- Contains vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids to support a healthy coat
- High-protein formula
- Meets AAFCO nutritional standards
- Available for different size breeds and life stages
Our Vet Pick: Best Dry Dog Food for Large Dogs
When it comes to the best dry food for large dogs, our vet team recommends Hill's Science Diet Large Breed dry dog food. This brand is trusted by vets for its science-based nutrition, and it is formulated to meet AAFCO’s nutritional standards.
Large dog breeds need fewer calories due to their slower metabolism, and Hill’s Science Diet tailors its formula accordingly, focusing on joint support and a vitamin and mineral profile suited for larger dogs.
The food includes natural glucosamine and chondroitin, which can help in developing healthy joints.
The formula is also rich in omega-6 fatty acids to support skin and brain health, as well as antioxidants like vitamins C and E to help bolster immunity and overall wellness.
- Promotes joint health with glucosamine and chondroitin
- Formulated with omega-6 to promote skin health
- Offers antioxidants to build strong immune support
- Meets AAFCO nutritional standards
Our Vet Pick: Best Dry Dog Food for Small Dogs
For nutrition tailored to smaller dog breeds, our vets recommend Royal Canin, another brand that’s science-backed, and formulated and balanced by a board-certified nutritionist.
As with other dry dog foods on the list, it meets AAFCO’s nutritional guidelines for adult maintenance, but it’s also specifically formulated for the higher metabolism and nutritional needs of small breeds weighing 20 pounds or less.
Aside from that, it may also help maintain the ideal weight with optimized calorie content and L-carnitine.
Another thing our vets liked was the inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which may enhance brain, joint and skin health.
Royal Canin also focuses on palatability, ensuring even the fussiest eaters are tempted, as one of our vets can personally attest. Considering all this, it’s easy to see why our vets deem this one as the best dry dog food for small dogs.
- Contains L-carnitine for weight management
- Has omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) for skin and coat health
- Small kibble size for palatability
- Meets AAFCO nutritional standards
Our Vet Pick: Best Dry Dog Food for Skin Allergies
For dogs with skin allergies, our vet team’s choice is Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach.
A complete-and-balanced diet tailored for pups with skin sensitivities, it includes alternative protein sources like salmon, lamb, or turkey, which may be better for dogs with allergies to other proteins.
The formula also features easily digestible grains like rice, barley, and oatmeal, plus natural prebiotic fiber for a healthy gut.
Additionally, sunflower oil provides omega-6 fatty acids, known for their skin-supporting and anti-inflammatory properties.
While this is our vets’ pick for the best dry dog food for skin allergies, we still recommend consulting with your vet to ensure it’s the right choice for your dog, especially if they are having chronic or severe skin and stomach issues.
- Probiotics added along with highly digestible ingredients
- Contains omega fatty acids for healthy skin
- Meets AAFCO nutritional standards
Our Vet Pick: Best Dry Dog Food for Senior Dogs
“Senior dogs tend to have arthritis causing joint pain, can have a decline in cognitive function, and a slower metabolism,” says one of our vets.
So when it comes to supporting our aging furry companions, Purina’s Pro Plan Bright Mind wins the spot for the best dry dog food for senior dogs because it is specially formulated to address those concerns.
It contains brain-supporting nutrients like DHA, EPA, B vitamins, and arginine to boost cognitive function.
But the standout ingredient for our vets is the addition of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), which provide extra energy for the brain to help keep your dog alert and focused.
It also has high-protein ingredients that may help promote healthy muscle mass and improve mobility.
“I have recommended this food to pet parents with senior dogs and have seen good results with it,” says one of our vet panelists. “[They] have reported that their dogs were more alert and focused.”
- Includes MCTs for brain energy
- Formulated for senior dogs’ unique needs
- Contains EPA for joint health and mobility
- Meets AAFCO nutritional standards
Our Vet Pick: Best Dry Dog Food for Puppies
The dog food you buy for your growing pup sets the stage for their health and development. Our vets love that it is formulated by board-certified nutrition vets, meets AAFCO nutritional standards, and is backed by feeding trials.
Our vets recommend food that’s specially designed to support growth and high energy levels. That’s why our vet team is all in on Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend dry puppy food formula.
It has real chicken as the No. 1 ingredient, combining crunchy kibble with tender, meaty shreds for a taste and texture that’s engaging for puppies.
Essential nutrients like DHA from omega-rich fish oil support brain and vision development, while antioxidants and live probiotics bolster the immune system and digestive health.
Plus, it provides a great balance of calcium and phosphorus to promote strong bones and teeth during these critical growth phases.
- Crunchy and shredded kibble for engaging texture
- Uses real chicken as main ingredient
- DHA for brain and vision development
- Calcium and phosphorus for healthy bone growth
- Meets AAFCO nutritional standards
Our Vet Pick: Best Dry Dog Food for Weight Loss
Our vet team highly recommends Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight dry dog food for maintaining your dog's weight in a healthy, effective way.
The high protein formula enriched with L-carnitine helps enhance fat metabolism, while preserving muscle mass even as your dog sheds pounds.
Plus, the high-fiber content means your dog feels full and satisfied, reducing the urge to overeat.
Our vets also think it's a great option for dogs with big appetites but that need to watch their calorie intake.
- Low-calorie, high-fiber formula
- Contains L-carnitine for faster metabolism
- Made with real chicken
- Meets AAFCO nutritional standards
Our Vet Pick: Best Dry Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Dogs who frequently suffer from an upset stomach may benefit from a dog food with highly digestible ingredients, prebiotics, and fiber—though you should still consult with their veterinarian first.
Royal Canin Digestive Care Dry Dog Food, available for small, medium, and large dogs, checks all the boxes. It’s formulated with highly digestible proteins and a special blend of prebiotics and fiber to promote balanced intestinal flora and improve stool quality.
Our vets also like that it's highly palatable, which can be very useful when your dog’s stomach is upset and they don’t feel like eating.
Again, while this food comes highly recommended by our vet panel, you should still consult with your veterinarian to make sure there are no underlying health causes for your dog’s digestion issues.
- Made with highly digestible ingredients
- Contains prebiotics and fiber
- Meets AAFCO nutritional standards
- Formulated for small, medium, or large breeds
