The dog park crew has reviewed hundreds of dog foods brands and have found these ten contenders to be the best on both price and quality for 2018
Blue Buffalo: the best choice for newbies
This silver standard dog food is complete in its nutritional profile. The availability of this product in stores and online retailers makes it the new standard for conscious dog owners. The brand has enough types to keep Fido interested by rotating meat sources. It is definitely a step up in quality compared to Pedigree and other brands. However, I feel like the ingredient profile doesn’t attract picky eaters as well as other brands. When looking at a dog food I like to check the number of added chelated minerals. If the list is short, the food sources provide most nutrition, if it long…. the ingredients don’t shine through. All in all, I had to add Blue Buffalo, despite its long list of added minerals, because when I get price conscious members to switch to Blue from Pedigree or RandoKibbles or Ol’ Roy, the dogs win.
The price ranges around $1.53 a pound making this a viable feed with grain-free options.
Ingredients:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Tomato Pomace, Peas, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Potatoes, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Potato Starch, Dried Chicory Root, DL-Methionine, Caramel Color, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Garlic, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Lysine, Parsley, Dried Kelp, Blueberries, Cranberries, Apples, Spinach, Blackberries, Pomegranate, Pumpkin, Barley Grass, Turmeric, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Copper Sulfate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Taurine, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, L-Carnitine, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Beta Carotene, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.
BLUE Life Protection Formula Adult Lamb and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food 30-lb
Caloric Content
3,627 kcal/kg, 378 kcal/cup
Victor Dog Food: best for the working dog
This Texas-based company is making moves in the dog feed community by providing a nutritious and budget-friendly dog food. The protein sources vary along with the percentage of protein/fat/carbohydrates. If you run with your pooch, or have them working the farm, Victor is the best choice for a working breed. The feed is cost-effective for picky eaters.
The cost per pound varies around $1.95 and is available on most online retailers.
Ingredients
Beef Meal, Sweet Potato, Chicken Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Pork Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal (source of DHA-Docosahexaenoic Acid), Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Dried Egg Product, Flax Seed (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acid), Yeast Culture, Natural Chicken Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Dried Kelp, Salt, Montmorillonite, Tomato Pomace (source of Lycopene), Dried Carrot, Choline Chloride, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Dried Chicory Root, Taurine, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Selenium Yeast, L-Carnitine, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Lecithin, Fructooligosaccharide, Folic Acid, Yeast Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Citric Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Victor Active Dog & Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 30-Pound
Caloric Content
3,640 kcal/kg, 397 kcal/cup
Taste of the Wild: Untamed Quality
Dare I say it? Buffalo meat. Venison. Wild boar? Yes, indeed. Taste of the Wild is one to impress with a wide range of meat sources for your pet. It can be found at most holistic pet food retailers. The brand is owned by Diamond pet food company which produces quite a few other lesser quality brands and can be discerning for those wanting to shop local. But, the features in Taste of the Wild make it a recommendation for the majority of pet owners. Not only are all the recipes grain free, they also contain fruits in vegetables to balance your dog’s diet.
You are looking at about $1.63 per pound at most online retailers.
Ingredients
Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes, Canola Oil, Egg Product, Bison, Roasted Venison, Beef, Natural Flavor, Tomato Pomace, Potato Protein, Pea Protein, Ocean Fish Meal, Salt, Choline Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Raspberries, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid.
Caloric Content
3,719 kcal/kg, 370 kcal/cup
Canidae: Multi-Dog Delight
Do you have more than one dog? two? three? four?….. a whole doggo farm?! Well Canidae is going to be a great option for you. This product is available in larger size bags so you can stock up and save. The nutrient profile remains standard with an multiple protein sources. However, this feed is somewhat lacking in protein content at 24%. I usually supplement this with a hard boiled egg twice a week!
At around $1.29 per pound you are going to be hard-pressed to find a natural food at a cheaper rate.
Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, White Rice, Rice Bran, Peas, Potatoes, Oatmeal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Millet, Tomato Pomace, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed Meal, Ocean Fish Meal, Choline Chloride, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Inulin (from Chicory Root), Lecithin, Sage Extract, Cranberries, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract, Sunflower Oil, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite), Papaya, Pineapple.
CANIDAE All Life Stages Dog Dry Food Multi-Protein Formula, 44 lbs
Caloric Content
3,600 kcal/kg, 468 kcal/cup
Acana: best ingredient quality overall
Okay. Okay. I know what you are thinking. This seems like a pricey food. But looking at the ingredients list below you are going to see a field of green, good nutritious foods. The brand is Champion Pet Foods and is a very pet-conscious brand. When Petsmart acquired Chewy in one of the largest online retailer sales in history, they promptly pulled their food from the site. The move was in accordance with their policy to stay far away from sub par pet feeds, many sold at Petsmart (Source: Champion Pet Foods Facebook Page). Back to the quality! My dog is a picky eater and he will always gobble this up even without a scoop of wet food on top. You can also see the crazy amount of organ meats in this food. Sounds gross? Maybe. But these organs meats mimic our pets ancestral diets. Take a look at the ingredients and see for yourself. The dog park crew can attest to how fit and energetic my pup is on this and a month with this feed will change your pet for the better. This line of foods also carries Orijen which is of very high-quality. However, its extremely high protein content hasn’t sat well with our everyday house-pets.
The price ranges around $2.39 per pound making this a more expensive but much higher quality food.
Ingredients
Deboned beef, deboned pork, beef meal, whole green peas, red lentils, pinto beans, pork meal, beef fat, chickpeas, green lentils, whole yellow peas, deboned lamb, herring oil, lentil fiber, natural pork flavor, beef tripe, beef liver, beef kidney, pork liver, pork kidney, pork cartilage, lamb tripe, lamb liver, lamb kidney, dried kelp, whole pumpkin, whole butternut squash, kale, spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, carrots, apples, pears, freeze-dried beef liver, freeze-dried pork liver, freeze-dried lamb liver, zinc proteinate, mixed tocopherols (preservative), chicory root, turmeric, sarsaparilla root, althea root, rose hips, juniper berries, dried lactobacillus acidophilus, dried bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product.
Orijen Acana Heritage Meats Dog Food, 25 lb
Caloric Content
3405 kcal/kg, 388 kcal per cup
Earthborn Holistic: Earth-minded 
The dog park crew has had major luck with this brand when it comes to allergy-prone pups. The ingredient lists focuses on limited meat sources as well as being grain free. There is also something that people like about the brand. This was the only brand I was able to get my parents to switch to despite multiple attempts! Hopefully you will upgrade your feed with less teeth pulling. Overall, the ingredients are simple and well-balanced, no red flags here except the “Natural Flavor” which could contain some chemicals.
The price ranges around $1.85 per pound with higher protein options and multiple meat-sources.
Ingredients
Herring Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Pea Protein, Tapioca, Pea Fiber, Dried Egg Product, Sweet Potatoes, Salmon Meal, Whitefish Meal, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Blueberry Fiber, Cranberry Fiber, Apples, Blueberries, Carrots, Spinach, Cranberries, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Salt, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Yucca Schidgera Extract, Rosemary Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product.
EARTHBORN HOLISTIC, Coastal Catch, 28 Pound Bag
Caloric Content
3,688 kcal/kg, 350 kcal/cup
Diamond Naturals: best for Large breeds
Diamond naturals is one of the best feeds for large breeds. The cost per bag is well under-a-pound and maintains a high quality nutrient profile for larger dogs. There are multiple varieties (especially their large breed puppy!) and meat sources which puts this food on the list! You can also find it at Tractor Supply Co. if you need to purchase multiple bags. Usually we try to stray away from larger food companies like Diamond, but they really delivered a quality product on this one.
The price ranges around $.92 per pound with higher protein options and multiple meat-sources.
Ingredients
Lamb Meal, Ground Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, Peas, Millet, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Egg Product, Rice Bran, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Fish Meal, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, Kale, Chia Seed, Pumpkin, Blueberries, Oranges, Quinoa, Dried Kelp, Coconut, Spinach, Carrots, Papaya, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Vitamin E Supplement, Beta Carotene, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid.
Caloric Content
3,550 kcal/kg, 332 kcal/cup
Merrick Grain-Free: best for High-Protein
Buffalo, chicken, duck, lamb, rabbit, salmon, Texas beef, turkey, venison. WOW! Any food picky dog like mine is going to find something they like on this list of quality food. We really enjoy that even though the meat ingredients vary the quality remains the same as it is not a meal (grinded meat) it is rather whole deboned meats. The food also has high-protein contents to keep your pet energized!
The price ranges around $2.27 per pound with higher protein and multiple meat-sources.
Ingredients
Deboned Beef, Lamb Meal, Peas, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Natural Flavor, Potato Protein, Pork Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed Oil, Apples, Deboned Salmon, Salmon Oil, Blueberries, Organic Alfalfa, Salt, Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate), Choline Chloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.
Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food, 25 lbs.
Caloric Content
3,663 kcal/kg, 422 kcal/cup
Zignature: Best for allergies
Something about this food gives it extreme palatability for dogs. Many dogs of ours have really been benefited from this switch if they are allergic to regular meat sources. One dog made the switch to this when grain-free, chicken, and beef all gave him an itchy rash. Yikes! Luckily the crazy cool meat sources of Zignature allowed for Honey to get better. Who knew kangaroo meat was available!? Check this food out if your dog has severe allergies and you can’t fit the bill on prescribed nutrition.
The price ranges around $2.03 per pound with higher protein and multiple meat-sources.
Ingredients
Lamb, Lamb Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, Pea Flour, Sunflower Oil (Preserved with Citric Acid), Pea Protein, Flaxseed, Natural Flavors, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Selenium Yeast), Chorine Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Blueberries, Carrots, Cranberries, Lactic Acid, DL Methionine, Calcium Iodate, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols.
Zignature Lamb Dry Dog Food, 27-Pound
Caloric Content
435 kcal/cup
Instinct Raw Boost: The power of R.A.W
Many of our readers have switched to a RAW diet or 50% kibble/50% RAW meats. Many dogs see great results on that type of switch. For example, you might feel better and less bloated by eating a head of broccoli rather than a can of spinach! Pet owners looking to add RAW to their pets diets but don’t have the time to make the correct RAW recipes might want to look to Instinct Raw Boost. The price does reflect the quality of ingredients including the freeze-dried meats. The only thing we would look out for in this product is if the RAW bites are not plentiful in each bag. Happy feeding!
The price ranges around $3.49 per pound, which is high, but has added value with the freeze-dried bites.
Ingredients
Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Salmon Meal, Chicken Eggs, Tapioca, Freeze Dried Chicken, Dried Tomato Pomace, Natural Flavor, Menhaden Fish Meal, Freeze Dried Chicken Liver, Pumpkin seeds, Freeze Dried Chicken Heart, Montmorillonite Clay, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Carrots, Apples, Cranberries, Salt, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Dried Kelp, Salmon Oil, Blueberries, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract
Caloric Content
4,279 kcal/kg, 491 kcal/cup
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