Best Dry Dog Foods 2026: 7 Healthy Picks Trusted By Vets And Pup Owners

Type: Grain-inclusive (ancient grains) | Whole animal proteins: Beef | Crude protein: 26% | Calories per cup: 431 kcal | Life stage: Adults, seniors | Breed size: All | AAFCO-compliant: Yes  

Rarely do the words “ethically sourced” and “dog food” appear in the same sentence, but Open Farm changes that. The Canadian-based company is committed to sourcing ethical, sustainable and traceable ingredients (including humanely raised meat, fish and poultry). This practice has two major benefits: It ensures that pups are getting the best nutrition and lessens the negative impacts of food production on the environment. 

Open Farm kibble is also free of chemicals, artificial preservatives and cheap fillers. Colorado-based holistic veterinarian Dr. Candice Akers highlights the brand’s easy-to-digest carbohydrates—in this case, ancient grains like oats and millet—which she says are ideal for senior dogs or those with sensitive stomachs. The brand also carries grain-free recipes and a wholesome puppy formula for new four-legged additions.

Senior updates editor Karen Tietjen has been feeding her senior dog Open Farm for years, having stuck with the brand because of its quality and traceability of ingredients. “While we supplement her diet with real foods, I feel good knowing she’s eating nutritious kibble—I always recommend it to friends, too. Overall, I think it’s a great option for those who don’t have the time or budget to feed their dogs raw,” she says.

Type: Limited ingredient, grain-free, chicken-free | Whole animal proteins: Salmon | Crude protein: 24% | Calories per cup: 460 kcal | Life stage: All | Breed size: All | AAFCO-compliant: Yes  
“A lot of pups are allergic or intolerant to poultry such as chicken and turkey,” says Dr. Nick Horniman, a veterinary surgeon based in the U.K. For this reason, he recommends Merrick’s Grain-Free Salmon and Sweet Potato recipe, adding, “It is perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs.” Real deboned salmon tops the natural ingredients list, which is also free of soy, corn, wheat, dairy, eggs or artificial additives. Plus, it’s suitable for adult dogs of all sizes;  make sure to consult the feeding chart for the best proportions.

If you’re looking for grain-inclusive kibble, Merrick’s Healthy Grains formulas are also worth a mention. New York-based integrative veterinarian Dr. Ray Spragley recommends the beef recipe in particular, highlighting its digestible ancient grains and palatability among his canine patients. “The first ingredient is deboned beef, followed by high-quality grains such as brown rice, barley and oatmeal. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, as well as omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, which are great for skin health,” he says.

Type: Freeze-dried raw; limited ingredient; grain-, gluten- and pea-free | Whole animal proteins: Beef | Crude protein: 44% | Calories per patty: 56 kcal | Life stage: All | Breed size: All | AAFCO-compliant: Yes  

Both Akers and New York-based holistic veterinarian Dr. Tina Aiken say that freeze-dried raw foods, which are much less processed than kibble, can be very beneficial to a dog’s diet. One of Akers’ favorites is Stella & Chewy’s Super Beef Dinner Patties. “This recipe includes multiple organ meats such as the liver, kidney, heart, tripe and bone. These are important nutrient-dense ingredients full of vitamin A, magnesium and the whole B-vitamin complex,” she says. Plus, Akers says this pick is suitable for pups with food sensitivities, too: “The brand is also great at separating proteins. This means they don’t mix chicken livers into their beef recipes and vice versa,” she explains.

Editorial director Brinda Ayer, dog mom to a boxer mix, says she likes to mix up her pup’s dinner from time to time with Stella & Chewy’s Super Beef Dinner Patties. “I take about half of a patty and crumble it up over George’s kibble, and he goes absolutely wild. The first five ingredients of these medallions are pure beef meat and organs, then assorted produce like pumpkin, broccoli, beets and blueberries, so I know George is getting a full slate of nutrition without any weird stuff.” Ayers also offers a helpful tip if you’re traveling with your pup: The pucks, which are very lightweight, can be crumbled up to use as “higher-value” treats in between meals.

Type: Grain-free, Pea-free, freeze-dried raw coating | Whole animal proteins: Beef, pork, lamb, venison, goat | Crude protein: 35% | Calories per cup: 413 kcal | Life stage: All | Breed size: All | AAFCO-compliant: Yes  

Combining the convenience of kibble with the taste of raw freeze-dried meat, Stella & Chewy’s Raw Coated Kibble is a formula Akers often recommends her four-legged patients. Its high-protein formula is packed with beef, pork, lamb, bison, venison and goat. Plus, the brand only uses responsibly sourced ingredients and excludes harmful chemicals, hormones, antibiotics or artificial ingredients. Stella & Chewy’s offers this kibble in grain-inclusive, grain-free and legume-free varieties—or a combination of the latter two, like the featured Red Meat Recipe above.

Akers advises, however, there’s a chance you may have challenges transitioning to this pick if your dog is used to a diet of corn- or rice-heavy kibble. “I have heard some instances of certain batches of food that had palatability issues. Pet parents may have a harder time transitioning from ‘junk food’ directly to more ‘healthy food,’” she says. As with any new food, you’ll want to make the transition slowly over the course of seven to ten days, starting with roughly 25% of the new food and 75% of their current food, and increasing the ratio as the days go by. 

Type: Gluten-free, grain-free | Whole animal proteins: Salmon, turkey | Crude protein: 30% | Calories per cup: 390 kcal | Life stage: Puppy | Breed size: All | AAFCO-compliant: Yes  

Horniman recommends Nulo’s puppy formula, which is made with at least 80% animal-based protein from real salmon or turkey. “The formula includes fruits and vegetables such as carrots, blueberries and apples, which can make a huge difference when it comes to supporting your puppy’s growth and development,” he says. 

The formula also contains several key fatty acids that help support the development of your puppy’s brain and eyes. In addition to being grain-free, the Freestyle Puppy formula is also free from poultry and egg, in case your pup has sensitivities or allergies.

Type: Grain-free | Whole animal proteins: Turkey, chicken | Crude protein: 31% | Calories per cup: 401 kcal | Life stage: Senior | Breed size: All | AAFCO-compliant: Yes  

“For senior dogs, I look for a kibble that is a bit easier to digest. Older dogs don’t make as many digestive enzymes as younger dogs,” Akers shares. One brand that fits her criteria is Open Farm, whose formulas (like this grain-free one tailored to seniors) contain functional ingredients like pumpkin and sweet potato, balanced with a variety of animal proteins. It also includes two types of fatty acids that are beneficial to mobility and joint health, as well as several vitamins that support digestion.

Type: Gluten- and grain-free; no corn, wheat or soy | Whole animal proteins: Turkey, chicken, salmon, herring | Crude protein: 38% | Calories per cup: 473 kcal | Life stage: All | Breed size: Small and medium | AAFCO-compliant: Yes  

Akers specifically named the Orijen brand as an example of high-quality kibble, pointing to this small-breed formula for pint-sized companions. To understand why, one only has to look at the ingredient list: “Here we see lots of whole-prey animal proteins, dehydrated (not rendered) muscle meats, lots of nutrient-dense organ meats, a few whole legumes, superfoods, antioxidants and herbs,” Akers says. Plus, the formula, which contains a high percentage of animal-based protein (85%), is designed to both support the high-energy needs of small dogs and help them maintain a healthy weight, according to the brand.