Doggies have brought so much joy into our lives — they’re an endless source of entertainment, our closest confidants, and our best friends, to say the least. Considering everything that our four-legged friends do for us, it’s not an overstatement when we say that there is nothing, really, nothing we wouldn’t do for our much-loved dogs. This includes providing them with a regular diet of high-quality dog food, which we feel is only fair that we pamper them with. After all, a healthy diet is the key to a happy and healthy life for all our four-footed friends, isn’t it? However, just going through the list of Chewy dog food brands was enough to baffle us.
With the dizzying number of choices we were faced with, we’re sure that every pet caretaker has the same decision crisis in front of them – which brand is the best? Here’s a lowdown on the best doggie food brands on Chewy, right from wet and dry to dehydrated, human-grade, and many more kinds.
Pedigree
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We begin with what is one of the most popular brands of dog food ever, Pedigree. We like this budget-friendly food brand that’s also a hit with our dogs. It’s a top-scoring brand in terms of value for money, as we could buy larger quantities for half the price of quite a few other brands. What’s more, it was more widely available than many other brands and we found it in retail stores as well. Coming to the products, Pedigree sells both dry and wet food as well as formulas for common issues like weight management and different breed sizes. Moreover, it even has a variety of dog treats.
One of the brand’s most popular dog foods is the Pedigree Dentastix Large Original Chicken Flavor Dental Dog Treats, as is evident by the 4.7 rating from nearly 2,500 reviews! These textured, chewy treats promote better everyday oral health by freshening breathing, cleaning teeth, and reducing tartar buildup. The large sticks are designed for doggies weighing more than 30 lbs and ours loves the patented X-shape design!
Pros
- The treats are relatively inexpensive, and it’s one of the best dry Chewy dog food brands.
- Our dogs love the taste and don’t waste any food.
- It comes in multiple flavors.
Cons
- Some users said that the ingredients’ quality could be better.
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Purina One
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Purina is one of the bestselling brands from Purina, or Nestlé Purina PetCare, and is especially a top choice for doggies with stomach issues and sensitive stomachs. Also, it’s a more affordable choice than Purina Pro Plan, the more expensive brand, and is still made with high-quality ingredients. Offering both dry and wet food, this brand has great formulas for small breeds, helping them not only maintain a healthy weight but also tackle issues like coat and skin health and weight management.
The Purina ONE Natural SmartBlend Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is one of the bestselling products in this category. Crunchy kibble and meaty, tender morsels came together in a drool-worthy taste that our dogs loved. Moreover, the food also provides immune system support, has minerals, vitamins, and omega-6 fatty acids, and promotes a soft coat and healthy skin.
Pros
- This is great for doggies with sensitive stomachs.
- It helps dogs maintain a healthy weight.
- They’re one of Purina’s more affordable options.
Cons
- The flavors are limited.
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Hill’s Science Diet
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Next, we have Hill’s Science Diet which receives a high score, particularly in terms of ingredient quality. Our dog vet recommended this brand, as do many others, and it’s an excellent choice for pups with health problems. For instance, this brand features formulas to help with conditions like allergies, digestive issues, and weight management. If that wasn’t enough, it even has a line of prescription dog foods for medical problems like kidney and urinary issues. With many options for different-sized dogs, the brand’s food also has smaller kibbles, options for senior dogs and puppies, and both dry and wet food.
Amongst its best wet food options is Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Hearty Vegetable & Chicken Stew Canned Dog Food. Available in hearty chicken and vegetable options, it comes in cases of either 12 or 24 cans. This delicious and lean recipe is also nutritive, great for weight loss and better quality of life, and for promoting a healthy weight.
Pros
- There are different kibble sizes available.
- There are specific formulae for specific health conditions.
- The quality of the ingredients is excellent.
Cons
- It’s quite expensive.
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Purina Pro Plan
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Purina Pro Plan has always been one of the popular dog food brands and is usually generally considered the premium brand from Purina, or Nestlé Purina PetCare. The food features high-quality ingredients and our doggies, large and small, loved the taste. Moreover, some owners even said that using this brand of food helped their dogs live to older ages! What’s more, there’s a wide range of formulas available, including dry and wet foods for sensitive stomachs, weight management, different breed sizes, etc. Since the kibbles are smaller, they’re perfect for training.
Since it contains no flavors or artificial colors, the Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is the perfect guilt-free food. The easily digestible oatmeal is gentle on the digestive system, thanks to the prebiotic fiber, while the sunflower oil supports a radiant and shiny coat. And since it’s made with real salmon, it delivers excellent levels of protein and a “paw-some” taste!
Pros
- The kibble sizes are perfect for training.
- Doggies love the taste.
- The ingredients are of high quality.
Cons
- There’s not a lot of variety.
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Iams
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It’s frustrating for us when the quality of dog food is inconsistent, but that’s not a problem with Iams. We love the reliably high quality of this dog food we have used for years. Besides using good ingredients in its formulas, the brand has helped immensely to improve the coat health of our doggies. While it offers a good selection of dry dog food, its wet options are fairly limited. However, the price is quite reasonable, especially for the quality of the food. Plus, there are many formulas for different breed sizes and life stages.
“We loved the variety of formulas available for different kinds and sizes of dog breeds.”
WOW Travel
The Iams Proactive Health Minichunks with Real Chicken & Whole Grains Dry Dog Food is a balanced and complete meal, supporting vibrant whole-body health. Made with a blend of prebiotics and natural fiber, this formula supports whole-body health and has seven essential nutrients. Finally, the smaller kibbles made mealtime more enjoyable for specific doggie breeds.
Pros
- The quality has been consistent for years.
- The price is reasonable for the quality.
- It helps with coat and skin health.
Cons
- Some formulas have more fillers than one would like in their dog’s food.
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Royal Canin
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Sitting at the top of the list is the brand Royal Canin, which is perfect for dog breeds that are prone to specific health problems. It’s one of the only food brands to offer breed-specific formulas, like the unique kibble shape of the French Bulldog Dry Dog Food that makes it easier for short snouts to chew. What’s more, it even helps reduce stool and gas odor, thanks to their highly digestible proteins. Moreover, the brand has a plethora of options to address specific health concerns, whether it’s digestive woes, allergies, or even breed size-specific issues. Overall, Royal Canin gets top marks when it comes to healthy food and ingredient quality.
Royal Canin also happens to be one of the best wet Chewy dog food brands and one of the best foods in that category is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat Loaf Canned Dog Food. Available in cases of 6, 12, and 24, it’s perfect for picky eaters thanks to its flavorful nature. This low-fat dog food loaf is easy to digest and helps support healthy bacteria in the gut, solving stool issues as well.
Pros
- We love the breed-specific formulas.
- It’s made from digestible and fibrous proteins.
- The kibbles are tailored to different snout sizes, making them interesting and easy to eat.
Cons
- None, really.
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How To Choose The Best Dog Food Brands on Chewy?
Food type
There are many types of dog food available in the market today, and each has its benefits. They’re outlined below.
- Fresh Foods: Fresh foods have lightly cooked ingredients, but are harder to store as they have to be necessarily refrigerated. Freshpet is a favorite amongst dog parents.
- Wet Food: Is your dog a picky eater? Wet food cans and their flavorful characteristic makes them more appetizing to picky eaters. What’s more, they’re high in moisture as well as less processed than dry foods.
- Dry Food: The easiest to store and also the most affordable, dry food could, however, contain many fillers and is also highly processed.
- Homemade and raw diets: While these are becoming increasingly popular, they might not be nutritionally adequate. So, it’s better to consult a vet nutritionist for the same.
Nutrition
An important factor when choosing dog food brands is whether it’s a complete source of nutrition for your dog or not. So, we always read the label to ensure that we’re feeding our doggo a balanced and complete diet. Specifically, we look for the Nutritional Adequacy Statement, which indicates that the dog food meets the AAFCO standards. Plus, it also indicates what life stage the dog food is intended for.
Meanwhile, why don’t you go through our list of favorite Chewy.com dog bowls to give your doggos their food?
Can I switch brands between dog foods without making my dog sick?
It’s best to not rush the process and introduce your pet to new food gradually. New food can be introduced as a side dish, going on from there.
What are the most popular dog food brands?
There are four major, popular, and vet-recommended dog food brands, including Iams, Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, and Purina.
What is the healthiest dog food?
Since dog food is very subjective, what works well for one doggie might not for another. So, while we can’t exactly pinpoint the ‘healthiest’ option, we can list the different factors for the same. These include your dog’s personal tastes, health conditions, lifestyle, breed, size, and age.
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