The 8 Best Dog Foods with Grains In 2023
This updated guide reviews all of the best dry dog foods this year.
Choosing the right diet for your furry friend is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make as a pet parent. It’s more than just filling a bowl with kibble—it’s about providing nutrition that will nourish your dog’s overall well-being.
Whether you’re a seasoned dog owner or have just welcomed a new pup into your home, this article will help you navigate the vast world of dry dog foods. We’ll delve into the key nutrients, the importance of quality ingredients, and the top brands that prioritize your pet’s health.
To aid in your decision, we’ve curated a list of the best dog foods based on a comprehensive 40-point inspection. Let’s discover the perfect bowl of kibble to keep those tails wagging with joy!
#1. Wellness Complete Health Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal Dog Food
Top Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Oatmeal, 4. Ground Barley, 5. Peas
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, and large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,619 kcal
- Analysis: Protein (min.) 24% | Fat (min.) 12% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
- Form: Dry
This recipe is, without a doubt, one of the best dry dog foods on the market right now and most frequently recommended by veterinary and breeders. Prepared with an interesting combination of deboned chicken and whitefish, the formula is a complete and balanced diet for your pooch.
The special mixture gives your dog the full-body nutritional support they need for health maintenance and activity. The other mix of ingredients is loaded with antioxidants and other high-quality nutrients to support cognitive health and keep the immune system strong. The flavors will keep your dog hooked too!
#2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy Chicken Recipe Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Pea Protein, 3. Chicken Meal, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Flaxseed
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable for: Small, medium, and large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,662 kcal
- Analysis: Protein min. 36% | Fat min. 16%, | Fiber max. 5% | Moisture max. 10%
- Form: Dry
Puppies require more nutrients and protein than adult dogs to support their growing bodies. So if there’s one food we recommend for all puppies, it would be Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food. It’s made to replicate the diet of wolves and contains real foods like deboned chicken, peas, fish oil, and sweet potatoes.
Muscle growth is also at its peak during puppyhood, which is why the food has a 36% crude protein content to supply essential amino acids. The recipe also features taurine to promote heart health and reduce the risk of DCM, as well as DHA and ARA to support vision and brain development. Owners of sensitive or allergic breeds can also feed their pups this diet as it’s completely free from grains, wheat, corn, and soy.
#3. Nutro Natural Choice Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Whole Grain Barley, 4. Split Peas, 5. Brewers Rice
- Life Stage: Senior
- Suitable for: Small, medium, and large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,569 kcal
- Analysis: Protein (min.) 24% | Fat (min.) 12% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
- Form: Dry
Help your dog smoothly transition into old age with the human-grade Nutro Natural Choice Senior Dry Dog Food. It’s specifically formulated to keep senior dogs lean and active while preventing a host of health issues. Chicken meat and brown rice are the primary ingredients in the food to support muscle repair and keep your dog full of energy.
Moreover, the food is enriched with glucosamine and chondroitin, which builds cartilage and prevents hip/elbow dysplasia and arthritis in canines. Dogs also become vulnerable to diseases in their senior years, which is why the food contains antioxidants that strengthen immunity. Your dog will also receive loads of fiber from whole grains that will keep their gastrointestinal system operating smoothly.
#4. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Deboned Turkey Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Turkey, 2. Chicken meal, 3. Potatoes, 4. Chicken Liver, 5. Salmon Oil
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, and large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,698 kcal
- Analysis: Protein min. 34% | Fat min. 16%, | Fiber max. 4% | Moisture max. 10%
- Form: Dry
The special grain-free formula is a blend of deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal to give your little darling the much-needed protein boost that dogs need to maintain great health.
The high protein content is one of the main reasons why most dog parents pick this option, especially for growing pups and dog breeds that require an additional punch of protein for growth and maintenance. In addition to the novel protein sources, the recipe is made from wholesome, natural ingredients without any artificial flavors or colors.
#5. Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Chicken & Barley Dog Food
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Cracked Pearled Barley, 3. Whole Grain Wheat, 4. Whole Grain Corn, 5. Brewers Rice
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Large and giant breeds
- Caloric content (per cup): 363 kcal
- Analysis: Protein (min.) 20% | Fat (min.) 11.5% | Fiber (max.) 4.5% | Moisture (max.) 10%
- Form: Dry
Big dogs need different nutrients and more calories than the average canine. Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Recipe is created especially for such dogs, with support for joint health and enough calories to last a full day. It features chicken meat and whole grains that provide amino acids and fiber to keep your dog muscular and full of energy.
Additionally, the food is fortified with omega fatty acids to make your dog’s coat lustrous and skin healthier. Giant breeds are also prone to arthritis and joint problems, which the food prevents with glucosamine and chondroitin. The food also contains vitamins C and E for immunity strengthening and is free from artificial colors and preservatives.
#6. Iams ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks Dog Food
Top Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Ground Whole Grain Corn, 3. Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, 4. Chicken By-Product Meal, 5. Dried Beet Pulp
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,646 kcal
- Analysis: Protein (min.) 25% | Fat (min.) 14% | Fiber (max.) 4% | Moisture (max.) 10%
- Form: Dry
Iams ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks Dog Food is enriched with essential nutrients, including antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, to support a strong immune system and keep your dog in top shape. The inclusion of omega fatty acids helps promote healthy skin and a shiny coat, ensuring your dog looks and feels their best.
Additionally, the formula contains prebiotics and beet pulp to aid in digestion, promoting a healthy gut for optimal nutrient absorption. The recipe is based on other wholesome ingredients, including grains, fruits, and vegetables, for the additional minerals, vitamins, and acids to guarantee improved skin conditions.
#7. ORIJEN Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Turkey, 3. Flounder, 4. Whole Mackerel, 5. Chicken Liver
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, and large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,940 kcal
- Analysis: Protein min. 38% | Fat min. 18%, | Fiber max. 4% | Moisture max. 12%
- Form: Dry
Made from 85% animal ingredients and featuring tons of calories — Orijen Original Grain-Free Recipe is the best dry dog food for buyers with no budget restrictions. It’s based on the ancestral diet of canines and features whole foods like chicken, turkey, flounder, and mackerel meat, as well as lentils, cranberries, and various fruits and veggies.
Each of these whole foods offers a range of nutrients and tons of protein to boost muscle growth and energy levels. The recipe also contains 473 calories per cup, making it ideal for athletic and underweight dogs. All of these ingredients give the food a meaty and delicious taste, which is further enhanced by a coating of freeze-dried meat.
#8. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Buffalo, 2. Lamb Meal, 3. Chicken Meal, 4. Sweet Potatoes, 5. Peas
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable for: Small, medium, and large breeds
- Caloric content (per kg): 3,719 kcal
- Analysis: Protein min. 32% | Fat min. 18%, | Fiber max. 4% | Moisture max. 10%
- Form: Dry
Rich in essential omega acids, your pooch’s going to love the variety of protein-packed ingredients this recipe has for them.
The top animal-based protein is extracted from venison, bison, boar, lamb, salmon, and wildfowl. But it doesn’t end here. This particular recipe is my personal favorite for the excellent nutrient profile that it boasts, which I feel is ideal for different dog breeds.