The 20 Best Dry Puppy Food (Updated Review)

There are many types of foods available, and as a pet owner, you want the best for your pup. We know that a nutritious diet is essential for health and your puppy’s development.

Your pet needs a healthy balanced diet throughout life, which will vary throughout life, so you need to choose dry food that will meet your puppy’s physiological needs. Dry food should contain all the necessary vitamins, minerals, micro, and macronutrients to support your pet’s health.

Young animals develop rapidly, needing to consume appropriate protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals for proper growth and development. Your pup needs increasing amounts of certain nutrients up to one year of age, and a balanced diet is essential. Puppies tend to have a more sensitive tummy than older dogs, so changing food should be done over 7-10 days to minimize upsets.

Dr. Edele Grey

There is a stereotype that ready-made food, unlike raw, does not benefit the puppy’s body, and can even harm the puppy, but this is entirely false. Some are actually produced with human-grade ingredients, not waste. Proven quality brands can provide a complete diet for your pet containing all vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Conversely, with raw or homemade diets, it can be challenging to ensure they are nutritionally balanced; thus, the best option may be to choose a high-quality food for the puppy, which will help your fur-baby grow up healthy and strong.

At each stage of a growth and development, they need to be fed a specific combination of nutrients.

Products designed for adults do not meet the requirements for little puppies and are unsuitable. There are separate types of food for ages from 2 to 12 months, specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs at each growth stage. Weaned puppies around two months of age, require about twice as many calories per day than their adult counterparts. Puppy diets need more protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus for growth and bone development. A balanced combination of nutrients is essential because deficiency or overabundance can lead to developmental problems in the animal. Commercially available dry food simplifies this process because these specially selected recipes are formulated, taking into account the needs of a growing puppy at each stage. ^[3]

Unique small kibble with high caloric content has been developed for little pups. They’re high in protein to support the rapid growth of puppies at this young age. As the puppy’s growth slows, their requirement for protein reduces until they transition to standard adult nutrition, which varies depending on their breed and adult size.

There are many opinions among breeders about the best dry puppy food brands and even specific recipes. Therefore, when getting a puppy, the potential owner is offered feeding options that should be safe and suitable for a particular breed. You should also receive about 7 days’ worth of their usual food to slowly transition their diet should you decide to change their kibble. ^[1]

The Best Dry Food for Puppies: Our TOP-5 Recommendations

*Ratings are formed by the Author of the article and based on own research and customer reviews.

Dry Puppy Foods Products (All Reviews)

1. Purina ONE SmartBlend Large Breed Puppy Formula Dry Food

Purina ONE puppy food is an excellent choice of food for large breed. This brand has many formulae to meet the needs of almost any puppy. This recipe is highly appreciated by and their paw-rents too.

The product consists of high-quality ingredients, including chicken and rice flour. The feed contains 28% raw protein and at least 13% natural fat. A perfect balance of nutrients, including antioxidants, ensures that your puppy will develop a healthy digestive and immune system.

2. Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Large Breed Dry Puppy Food

Iams puppy food contains natural, high-quality ingredients and a wide range of vegetables as a source of fiber. This formula contributes to the proper development of brain and body systems, giving them all the energy they need to play and grow.

Natural fish oils with DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), contribute to the development of brain and eyes. Full of essential minerals, this product helps to strengthen teeth and bones, while antioxidants help develop a robust immune system.

3. VICTOR Select Nutra Pro Active Puppy Formula Dry Food

This natural diet has been created specifically to satisfy the appetite of small puppies. Containing natural ingredients such as chicken, potatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes.

Added probiotics and prebiotic fibers, the food is easy to digest, while the omega-3 and 6 fatty acids help to maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat for your little puppy. Supplemented with DHA, this product supports healthy brain development.

4. Merrick — Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Puppy Dry Food

Merrick’s puppy food is produced in the USA from quality ingredients and meeting industry safety standards. This recipe does not contain soy, wheat, or corn. Carbohydrates and healthy fiber in this version of Merrick formula are from brown rice, oatmeal, peas, and barley.

Key Features:

• Chicken is the primary ingredient, and the food also contains fruit and vegetables.
• A gluten-free recipe with no artificial colors or flavors.
• Probiotics help digestion.
• Contains DHA to support healthy brain development in a puppy.

5. American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Dry Food

American Journey food is perfect for puppies, containing added flaxseed and salmon oil increases the nutritional value. Grain-free, this product is suitable for puppies with special diets. Grain-free, corn-free food for puppies with natural ingredients that is easy to digest that your pup will love.

Key Features:

• Fruit and vegetables such as blueberries, carrots, and dried algae provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your puppy’s immune system. 
• Salmon oil and Flaxseed contain omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, including the long-chained DHA, which will give your pup a healthy, shiny coat, intense eyes, and brain.
• Supports muscle growth and bone health

6. Eukanuba Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Food

For your fur-baby to grow up healthy and robust, they -need proper nutrition to support their rapidly growing body. Eukanuba Puppy Lamb & Rice dry dog food provides a complete, balanced diet that plays a fundamental role in the development of your pet’s body.

The recipe includes high-quality animal proteins, optimal levels of calcium and phosphorus, and added DHA and optimized fats and carbohydrate levels. Also, prebiotics and vitamin E support your puppy’s immature digestive and immune systems.

Key Features:

• Complete and balanced nutrition for small and medium-sized puppies up to 12 months of age.
• Supports muscle growth and bone health with high-quality animal protein, calcium, and phosphorus.
• Supports healthy brain development with DHA.

7. Nutro Ultra Puppy Dry Food

Nutro puppy food contains farm-raised chicken meat as the primary ingredient. The food is made from high-quality lean proteins, antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy oils that will help your dog inside and out. Combined protein sources from high-quality natural and entire ingredients provide optimal levels of amino acids while tasting great. 

Even though the product is created for puppies, you can feed this food to pregnant and nursing dogs.

Key Features:

• Contains all the essential nutrients for the optimum health of your dog.
• Lean animal proteins from farm-raised chicken.
• Packed with antioxidants to help maintain a strong immune system.

8. Tuffy’s NutriSource Chicken and Rice Formula Breed Dry Puppy Food

The Tuffy’s NutriSource formula is designed to provide optimal nutrition and easily digested for the healthy growth of small breed puppies. The size of the kibble is designed for little puppy mouths. Chicken is the primary source of protein that helps develop and maintain muscle mass and strength. 

Key Features:

• The easily digestible formula of rice and oatmeal.
• Contains all the essential nutrients for optimal health of your pet.
• Does not contain animal by-products or whole corn.

9. Purina Pro Plan Dry Puppy Food

Meet the needs of your favorite pet with Purina Pro Plan dry puppy food. It contains high-quality protein sources, including chicken, as the primary ingredient. Natural ingredients help develop and maintain healthy muscles for their active lifestyle.

DHA from omega-rich fish oil helps nourish your fur-baby’s brain and vision development, while calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals will strengthen their teeth and bones. This premium food will help your puppy to grow up happy and healthy. 

Key Features:

• The anti-oxidant creamy formula helps a puppy’s developing immune system.
• DHA From omega-rich fish oil helps the development of your puppy’s brain.
• Calcium, phosphorus and other minerals help strengthen teeth and bones.

10. CANIDAE PURE Puppy Recipe, Limited Ingredient, Grain Free Premium Dry Food

Dry food from the manufacturer CANIDAE PURE is made from natural ingredients, real meat, and fish (salmon, lamb, duck, boar, bison, or chicken) combined with whole foods such as sweet potatoes, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. This recipe is free from corn, wheat, and soy. Additional probiotics support healthy digestion, while vitamins/minerals, and anti-oxidants promote overall health. 

Key Features:

• Free from wheat, corn, and soy.
• Contains probiotics to support healthy digestion, antioxidants for a healthy immune system, and omega-6 and 3 fatty acids for healthy skin and a gleaming coat.

11. Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Large Breed Formula Dry Food

We recommend that you try Purina Pro Plan Focus Chicken & Egg, a thoroughly purified dry puppy food for sensitive large breed puppy. A limited number of natural ingredients including chicken, egg, pea starch and cassava flour with no grain fillers. This formula contains a mix of vitamins and minerals to support the development of your large breed’s brain and immune system. ^[2]

Key Features:

• The recipe is created to maintain an appropriate, moderate growth rate for large breed puppies.
• Glucosamine supports the development of joints and cartilage.
• A high-protein formula with real chicken as the primary ingredient.
• Enriched with probiotics for digestion and immunity.

12. Fromm Puppy Gold Dry Food, 5-Pound Bag

Fromm Family Foods aims to give its customers the best of everything. Therefore, it is an excellent choice for feeding young puppies, containing a variety of proteins, such as chicken, duck and lamb meat, eggs, and cheese. The company produces food according to the highest quality standards. 

Key Features:

• The food includes red meat (beef, lamb, and pork), eggs, and cheese as sources of high-quality protein. 
• Added probiotics ensure proper digestion.
• Formulated for growing puppies, pregnant, and nursing dogs.

13. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Food, Puppy, Large Breeds, Chicken Meal & Oats Recipe

Large breed puppies need special care. Hill’s Science Diet for Large Breed puppies has been created specifically to give your puppy everything they need in the early stages of life so that they can reach their full potential.

Made from natural ingredients, the DHA comes from fish oil DHA to support your dog’s eye development and brain function. High-quality protein helps your large dog build and maintain muscle. 

Key Features:

• Specially designed with optimal calcium levels for controlled bone growth rate.
• Contains a balanced set of minerals to strengthen strong bones and teeth in large puppies. 
• The feed contains fish oil DHA to support healthy brain and eye development in growing dogs.

14. ORIJEN Puppy High-Protein, Grain-Free, Premium Quality Meat, Dry Food

Origen puppy food is designed for large breeds of dogs and is recognized as an excellent choice for growing puppies. Containing an impressive 80% high-quality proteins (turkey, chicken, liver, heart, ocean fish and eggs) and 20% fruit and vegetables. All ingredients are sourced in Canada.

This product is enriched with probiotics and prebiotics for healthy digestion. Together, these premium ingredients provide a high-protein diet that will enhance your fur-baby’s immune system.

Key Features:

• Fresh and natural ingredients: chicken, turkey, eggs, herring, flounder, and mackerel.
• 80% meat ingredients; 20% vegetables and plant products.
• Supports muscle growth and bone health in active pups with high-quality animal protein and optimal levels of calcium and phosphorous.

15. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice Dry Food

The original formula with chicken, duck, and brown rice is created to meet all your growing puppy’s needs. 

Key Features:

• Supports the development of the immune, nervous, and digestive systems.
• Helps support a growing heart, eyes, bones, and teeth.
• Optimal balance of premium proteins and essential nutrients.

16. Canidae All Life Stages

Canidae is a highly reputable brand, vet-formulated to provide nutrition to your pooch without using corn, wheat, soy, or by-product meat in their food.

Canidae’s All Life Stages line is an excellent grain-inclusive choice with a mix of chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish meals animal proteins.

Key Features:

• Canidae doesn’t use corn, wheat, or soy, and uses healthy grains.
• This formula includes healthy grains like brown rice, white rice, rice bran, oatmeal, and barley for DCM-safe carbohydrates.

17. Wellness Complete Health Natural Puppy Health Recipe Dry Food

This product is suitable for puppies from weaning onwards, and specially formulated meet the unique needs of small dogs with a nutrient-rich whole food. The small sized kibbles help small puppies to easily chew their food.  Ingredients are completely natural, with no artificial colors or flavors, preservatives, or meat by-products.

Key Features:

• Contains only natural premium ingredients.
• DHA for healthy development of brain and eyes.
• 100% complete and balanced daily nutrition.

18. Castor & Pollux Organix Puppy Recipe

Organix is leaders in the production of environmentally friendly pet food. High quality is maintained through the use of premium, natural ingredients. Prepared in the USA meeting all quality standards. 

Key Features:

• DHA for the healthy development of the brain and eyes.
• Includes organic flaxseed, organic blueberries, and organic coconut oil.
• No chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, artificial preservatives, no added growth hormones nor antibiotics.

19. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Food

This grain-free formula provides excellent nutrition for your growing puppy. The product produced from real meat and a mix of other protein sources, fruit, and vegetables with natural antioxidants supports healthy lifestyle. The highly digestible protein and small kibble size make this food perfect for puppies. Probiotics and prebiotic fibers help support healthy digestion while providing all the energy your growing puppy needs.

Key Features:

• High-quality ingredients, including vitamins and minerals.
• Provides complete and balanced nutrition.
• Fruit and vegetables contain anti-oxidants.

20. Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy Natural Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Food

Rachael Ray Nutrish Bright Puppy dry dog food is made with real chicken and brown rice. Using simple, natural ingredients supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Chicken farming in America is the number one ingredient.

Key Features:

• DHA to help support brain development and healthy vision.
• Contains antioxidants that help support a healthy immune system.
• No artificial flavors, colors or artificial preservatives.

READ MORE: How Many Treats Per Day For A Puppy

FAQ

READ MORE: Wet vs. Dry Dog Food

Article Sources:

1. “4 Reasons to Choose an Ancient Grains Dog Food | Taste of the Wild.” Taste of the Wild Pet Food, tasteofthewildpetfood.com/health/nutrition/4-reasons-to-choose-an-ancient-grains-dog-food/
2. “Natural Dog Food.” Purina, purina.com/dogs/dog-food/natural
3. “Dog Care Guide & Dog Care Tips.” IAMS, iams.com/pet-health/dog-care
4. “Start Training Your Puppy.” Blue Buffalo, bluebuffalo.com/articles/dog/8-12-weeks/