Choosing your pet’s daily sustenance is an important part of being a responsible dog parent, and these days, we’re lucky enough to have more options on pet store shelves than ever. Plus, new research in canine nutrition is pushing us to choose much more wholesome and nutritious foods for our dogs’ overall health and longevity.
I’ve always been very picky about the kibble I feed my pets. I want Lady and both my cats to live long, happy, and healthy lives, and I understand that the food I fill their bowls with is a major contribution to that.
Whether you’ve just added a new furry member to your family or you’re looking to switch up your dog’s diet, we can help! Here are my personal favorite healthy dog food brands that I’ve fed to my own animals or have thoroughly researched just for you!
The Best Healthy Dog Food Brands That You Can Buy Right Now
1. Orijen
When it comes to healthy dog food brands, Orijen is king! Their wide selection of vet-recommended dog food is rooted in nutritious and high-quality ingredients to create a biologically-appropriate diet. I fed Lady their puppy kibble when I first brought her home and could rest easy knowing she was consuming more antioxidant-rich fruits, protein, and healthy fatty acids with every bowl she emptied.
However, if you want to feed your pets Orijen, be prepared to pay a hefty price at the counter! This dry dog food brand doesn’t come cheap at approximately $90-$120 for a 20 lb. bag, but if you can afford to make the switch, every dime will be well-worth your pet’s health!
Orijen is also known for their fantastic freeze-dried dog treats in six tasty flavors, so be sure to treat your dogs to something extra delicious and nutritious!
Order a Bag of Orijen Grain-Free Dry Food Now!
2. Weruva
If you’re interested in adding wet food to your dog’s diet, I highly recommend giving Weruva a try. This brand was recommended to me by a friend when I first adopted Lady, and I haven’t turned back since!
They are mostly known for their “Dogs in the Kitchen” and “Cats in the Kitchen” wet food pouches, which come in a wide variety of flavors that will have your pets licking their lips long after they’ve finished their meal! Each recipe is made with grain-free ingredients and are packed with essential nutrients, animal-sourced protein, and omega fatty acids for a healthy and happy dog.
The well-portioned pouches also make it easy to feed to your pets on their own or mix it in with their everyday dry food as a special treat.
Try the “Weruva Dogs in the Kitchen” Pooch Variety Pack Today!
3. Stella and Chewy’s
I discovered this new pet food brand while researching raw diets for dogs, and I decided to give their freeze-dried dinner patties a shot. Lady was all over it!
Their food is made using the same ingredients your dog would naturally eat in the wild including single-source protein, fruits, and vegetables. The result is an all-natural freeze-dried patty that only requires just a spoonful of water before its ready for consumption.
Feeding instructions are included on each bag, so it’s easy to make the transition from dry dog food to a raw diet. If you’re just hoping to spruce up your dog’s regular chow, the Meal Mixers are another great option!
Get Stella and Chewy’s Raw Diet For Your Dog’s Today!
4. Nutro
This is the dry dog food that I have Lady on right now, and she loves it! Their mantra is, “Clean is the New Standard,” and this philosophy certainly shines through their premium dry pet foods.
The Non-GMO ingredients, including sunflower oil, whole grains, seeds, and high-quality protein are perfectly blended to provide your pets with a healthy and delicious meal every time.
They also have limited-ingredient, ultra, and breed-specific options. That way, you can pick and choose the food that is perfect for your dog and their needs.
Check Out Nutro Dog Food and Get Your First Bag Now!
5. American Journey
Made for everyday adventures, American Journey dog food features grain-free recipes, real meat, and high-quality complex carbohydrates. I fed Lady American Journey for a full year and would definitely consider going back to it!
There are several different recipes and flavors to choose from, their most popular being the Salmon and Sweet Potato (which is also the one I fed Lady). No matter which food you choose, however, you can be sure that the kibble will nourish your dog’s body in the way that suits him/her best.
Buy One Bag of American Journey and Get Another FREE for a Limited-Time on Chewy Now!
6. Wellness
Say goodbye to boring dog food and say hello to Wellness, a mouthwatering blend of proteins, antioxidants, and wholesome whole grains!
Without the fluff of fillers, Wellness has created exceptional recipes that will have your pets licking the bowl clean. Plus, they’ll have consumed enough nutrients and carbohydrates for all-day energy and happiness.
Their grain-free Core brand is also ideal for dogs in need of a high-protein diet!
Try Wellness Dog Food and Order a Bag Today!
7. Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild prides itself on its ability to offer high-grade and grain-free pet foods at an affordable price!
Packed with probiotics, this balanced diet uses real meat, fish, or fowl as its first ingredient and backs it up with premium-level extras like real fruits, vegetables, and sweet potatoes. Your dog will also love the unique and cravable flavors such as wild boar, bison, and smoked trout.
Treat Your Dog to Taste of the Wild Dog Food Today!
8. Rachel Ray Nutrish
I was a little apprehensive about trying this brand at first, but Lady loved the wet food so much that I just had to keep buying it.
Using the same culinary talents that made her famous, Rachel has crafted a line of super premium dog and cat foods that are just as wholesome as they are delicious. The best part? A portion of each Nutrish purchase goes to The Rachel Ray Foundation, an organization that helps animals in need. Consider me sold!
Find the Perfect Rachel Ray Nutrish Dog Food Now!
9. Canidae
Formulated for pets with sensitive stomachs, Canidae uses simple recipes comprised of only seven to ten ingredients. The nutritionally dense meat and fish used to create the food also serve to dish out some irresistible flavors that all dogs love.
Whether your pup is prone to tummy aches or not, he/she will be sure to devour every last bite.
Give Canidae Dog Food a Try and Order a Bag Today!
10. Instinct by Nature’s Variety
This is another great option if you’re interested in putting your pet on a raw diet. Nature’s Variety enriches their raw-coated kibble with 70% real animal ingredients and oils, 30% vegetables, and 0% grain, corn, wheat, and soy.
They have changed the lives of pets all over the country and helped them live longer and healthier lives, and your canine companion could be next!
Order Your First Bag of Instinct by Nature’s Variety Now!
Choosing the Right Food For Your Dog
Each dog is different, therefore, they all eat differently too! When choosing a dog food brand for your pet, it’s important to take into consideration exactly what your pet requires out of their nutrition. Here are some things to consider before you make the trip to the pet store:
- What breed is your dog?
- How old is your dog?
- Is he/she active or relatively relaxed?
- How much exercise does your dog get each day?
- How much does your dog weigh, and are you aiming to help your dog lose or gain weight?
- Does your dog have any allergies?
- Does he/she have a sensitive digestive system?
Finding the right healthy dog food brands for your own pet will require you to know your dog and match his/her dietary needs based on a variety of factors.
That may sound like a lot of extra work, but no worries! You can experiment and try different foods for a while and see how your dog likes them. If it doesn’t work or your dog doesn’t seem to acquire a taste for it, switch out with another brand! See what your dog enjoys and have fun with it! 🙂
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed or not sure where to start, talking with your veterinarian is always a good idea. Ask the doctor about foods they would recommend for your dog based on their current bill of health, and they’ll be able to give you a good answer.
Transitioning Your Dog to a New Food
A dog’s digestive system isn’t designed like ours, so without a proper transition, your dog’s new food could upset their stomach and make them sick!
You should gradually mix in small amounts of the new food with their current kibble over a period of seven days. Each day, you’ll add just a bit more than the last. By the seventh day, you can take away the old food completely and fill your dog’s bowl with the new brand.
Here are some extra tips from Hills Pet to keep in mind when transitioning to a new dog food:
- Puppies 12 months and older should transition to an adult food to ensure they are receiving proper nutrients. For even better results, choose an adult dog food catered to your dog’s breed size!
- Small and medium dogs should transition to a mature adult or senior dog food to gain vitamins and nutrients needed for their older lifestyle. Larger breeds should transition around the age of five.
- If your dog is pregnant or nursing, energy-rich foods with increased calcium are a good choice.
Interested in Even More Healthy Dog Food Brands? Try Chewy and Get 30% Off Your First Autoship Order
When it comes to researching the best food for your dog, Chewy is a great place to start! As one of the go-to online destinations for pet parents and veterinarians alike, Chewy has upheld its 100% satisfaction guaranteed policy on every order. If something isn’t right, they’ll fix it!
When shopping for dog food on Chewy, you’ll be able to choose from hundreds of different brands and flavors. Plus, each product listing includes important information that will help you choose the perfect chow for your pets such as nutritional information, and feeding instructions. Most will also come with a fun two to three-minute video that features even more helpful information about the brand, and of course, adorable dogs!
I’ve used Chewy to easily order my pets’ food, treats, toys, and accessories from the comfort of my own couch for years. Their personalized services and excellent customer service continues to impress, and the prices are just about unbeatable. Whenever I’m in a pet store, I’ll compare prices on Chewy to save myself some pocket cash.
The shipping is fast (and free with orders over $50), all of my packages have arrived on time with exactly what I ordered, and they even send you personalized Christmas cards! I could talk all day about how much I love Chewy, but in a nutshell, if you’re not shopping for your pets here…you’re missing out!
Set Up Your First Autoship Order and Save
Chewy’s Autoship makes it easier than ever to ensure you never run out of your pets favorite food and treats! Plus, it saves you money and requires just a few simple steps to set up.
All you have to do is:
- Visit Chewy.com.
- Add your pet’s food, treats, toys, etc. to your cart and proceed to check-out.
- Select Autoship and choose how often you’d like for these items to be delivered.
- Sit back and relax! You’ll receive a notification when your order is shipped.
Once you set up your first Autoship order, you don’t have to feel married to it. In fact, you can change what items are shipped and when they’re shipped at any time! Chewy will send you a friendly reminder of your next Autoship a few days prior to the shipment date in case you’d like to change it…or simply cancel it completely.
If that wasn’t enough, adding items to Autoship can also save you 5-10% off certain brands, many of which are among the best dog foods on the market.
Ready to get started? Set up your first Chewy Autoship and save 30% on your order!
Disclosure: There are affiliate links included with this blog post. By clicking the links and/or making your purchases through them, you’ll be supporting Doggone Destinations while enjoying fantastic products that have our paw stamp of approval, so thank you! 🙂
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