Best Dry Puppy Foods
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Puppy owners love to ask…
What’s the Best Dry Food for Puppies?
But how could a one-size-fits-all dry dog food be “best” for every puppy?
After all…
There are 2 different TYPES of dry puppy food.
One designed for large breed puppies.
And another for smaller breeds.
Unfortunately…
Choosing the wrong food (one that contains too much calcium) could cause permanent bone damage to your pup.1 2 3
Including a crippling form of hip dysplasia.
Especially for larger breeds.
Which is why we urge you to choose a food that’s designed to be safe for YOUR dog’s breed size.
What’s Your Puppy’s Breed Size?
Large breed puppies are those whose adult weight is expected to be more than 50 pounds.
Now…
Because larger breeds are at greater risk for hip dysplasia…
And since small and medium breeds can safely eat a wider selection of dry dog food…
The Dog Food Advisor has created a special list of foods that are best for EACH breed size.
On the list below, we’ve included both grain-inclusive and grain-free recipes to satisfy your personal feeding preferences.
Top 20 Best Dry Puppy Foods April 2024
Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s top 20 best dry puppy foods for April 2024.
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1. Redbarn Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Redbarn Grain-Free Sky is one of 3 dry recipes studied in our review of the Redbarn dry product line.
Redbarn Sky derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh turkey and chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 31% protein, 17% fat and 7% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 10%.
A wholesome grain-free product. Recommended with confidence.
Read our review of the full Redbarn Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Turkey, chicken, chicken meal, duck meal, turkey meal Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 31% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds -
2. Jinx Dry Dog Food
Salmon and Sweet Potato recipe is one of 4 dry recipes included in our review of the Jinx product line.
This Jinx recipe derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh salmon. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 16% fat and 46% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.
A fully-balanced, grain-inclusive dog food. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Jinx Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Salmon, pearled barley, ground peas, turkey meal, brown rice Type Grain-inclusive (pearled barley, brown rice) Protein Percentage 30% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies including large breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at ThinkJinx.com"I’ve had my pup on jinx for a year now and his tummy issues are no longer an issue. I’ve gone through so many brands before I found jinx and I’m so thankful I found them when I did."
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3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy is one of 21 recipes included in our review of the Blue Buffalo Life Protection product line.
This Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula derives the majority of its animal protein from chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 18% fat and 44% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.
A superior growth formula.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley Type Grain-inclusive (contains grain) Protein Percentage 30% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies including large breeds -
4. Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Dry Puppy Formula
Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Puppy is one of 13 recipes included in our review of the Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain product line.
This Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 22% fat and 32% estimated carbs… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Farmina Ancestral Grain Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, dehydrated chicken, whole spelt, whole oats, chicken fat Type Grain-inclusive (contains grain) Protein Percentage 38% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All puppies including large breeds -
5. Wellness Complete Health Dry Puppy Food
Wellness Complete Health Puppy is one of 13 recipes included in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.
This Wellness Complete Health formula derives the bulk of its meat protein from deboned chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 20% fat and 40% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 62%.
A top pick for controlled growth.
Read our review of the full Wellness Complete Health Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, ground barley, peas Type Grain-inclusive (contains grain) Protein Percentage 32% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies including large breeds -
6. Go! Carnivore Dry Puppy Food
Go! Carnivore Puppy is one of 5 recipes included in our review of the Go! Carnivore product line.
This Go! Carnivore product derives the bulk of its animal protein from poultry meal, salmon meal and deboned poultry. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 40% protein, 20% fat and 32% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
An above-average growth recipe.
Read our review of the full Go! Carnivore Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 40% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Small and medium breed puppies -
7. Orijen Dry Puppy Food
Orijen Puppy is one of 9 recipes included in our review of the Orijen product line.
This Orijen all life stages product derives most of its meat protein from deboned poultry and fish. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 23% fat and 26% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full Orijen Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey, turkey giblets (liver, heart, gizzard), flounder, whole mackerel Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 43% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All puppies including large breeds -
8. Chicken Soup for the Soul Puppy Chicken, Turkey and Brown Rice
Chicken Soup for the Soul Puppy Chicken, Turkey and Brown Rice is one of 11 recipes included in our review of the Chicken Soup for the Soul product line.
This Chicken Soup for the Soul all life stages food derives the majority of its animal protein from poultry and poultry meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 20% fat and 39% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
A quality growth recipe.
Read our review of the full Chicken Soup for the Soul Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, cracked pearled barley Type Grain-inclusive (contains grain) Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For Small and medium breed puppies -
9. Instinct Raw Boost Dry Puppy Food
Instinct Raw Boost Puppy is one of 12 recipes included in our review of the Instinct Raw Boost product line.
This Instinct Raw Boost growth formula derives the majority of its animal protein from chicken, chicken meal and turkey meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 24% fat and 31% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
An exceptional growth formula.
Read our review of the full Instinct Raw Boost Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, peas, egg product Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 37% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Small and medium breed puppies -
10. Blackwood Puppy Food Growth Diet
Blackwood Puppy Food Growth Diet is one of 5 recipes included in our review of the Blackwood Everyday Recipes product line.
This Blackwood growth formula derives the majority of its meat protein from chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 19% fat and 43% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
A superior all life stages recipe.
Read our review of the full Blackwood Everyday Recipes Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, brown rice, millet, chicken fat, ground grain sorghum Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 30% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All puppies including large breeds -
11. Fromm Gold Dry Puppy
Gold Puppy is one of 9 dry formulas included in our review of the Fromm Gold product line.
Fromm Gold Puppy nets most of its meat protein from fresh chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals a dry kibble recipe containing 30% protein, 20% fat and 42% estimated carbs… and resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.
This fully balanced design is high in nutrient digestibility. The company uses third party pathogenic bacteria testing to verify the safety on every batch. We also note the inclusion of Fromm’s proprietary blend of probiotics for healthy digestion.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Fromm Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, chicken broth, oat groats, pearled barley Type Grain-inclusive (contains grain) Protein Percentage 30% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies including large breeds -
12. Wellness Core Dry Puppy Food
Wellness Core Puppy is one of 12 recipes included in our review of the Wellness Core product line.
This Wellness Core growth formula derives most of its animal protein from chicken and poultry meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 40% protein, 19% fat and 33% estimated carbs… which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 49%.
An excellent choice.
Read our review of the full Wellness Core Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, potatoes, peas Type GGrain-freerowth Protein Percentage 40% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies including large breeds -
13. AvoDerm Chicken Meal and Brown Rice Puppy
AvoDerm Puppy is one of 9 recipes included in our review of the AvoDerm product line.
This AvoDerm Natural growth formula derives the bulk of its animal protein from chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 18% fat and 45% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 62%.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full AvoDerm Natural Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, ground brown rice, ground white rice, chicken fat, oatmeal Type Grain-inclusive (contains grain) Protein Percentage 29% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies including large breeds -
14. Nulo Freestyle Puppy Turkey and Sweet Potato
Nulo Freestyle Puppy Turkey and Sweet Potato is one of 9 recipes included in our review of the Nulo Freestyle product line.
This Nulo Freestyle growth formulation derives the majority of its meat protein from turkey, turkey meal and salmon meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 37% protein, 20% fat and 35% estimated carbs… which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 55%.
An exceptional food.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned turkey, turkey meal, salmon meal, chickpeas, chicken fat Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 37% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies including large breeds -
15. Nutro Ultra Dry Puppy Food
Nutro Ultra Puppy is one of 9 recipes included in our review of the Nutro Ultra product line.
This Nutro Ultra growth product derives the bulk of its animal protein from chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 19% fat and 42% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 61%.
An excellent growth formula.
Read our review of the full Nutro Ultra Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain barley, whole grain oats, whole grain brown rice Type Grain-inclusive (contains grain) Protein Percentage 31% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Small and medium breed puppies -
16. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy is one of 13 recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic product line.
This Merrick Classic product derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 18% fat and 43% estimated carbs… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Merrick Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal Type Grain-inclusive (contains grain) Protein Percentage 31% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All puppies including large breeds -
17. Annamaet Grain-Free Ohana Puppy Food
Annamaet Ohana is one of 7 recipes included in our review of the Annamaet Grain-Free product line.
Annamaet Ohana derives most of its meat protein from fish and fish meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 18% fat and 41% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.
A top recipe for growing dogs.
Read our review of the full Annamaet Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Cod head, whitefish meal, coconut flour, lentils, whole dry eggs Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All puppies including large breeds -
18. Holistic Select Grain Free Adult and Puppy Health
Holistic Select Grain Free Adult and Puppy Health is one of 11 recipes included in our review of the Holistic Select Grain Free product line.
This Holistic Select Grain Free all life stages product derives most of its meat protein from salmon and fish meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 16% fat and 44% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 48%.
A superior all life stages recipe.
Read our review of the full Holistic Select Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Salmon, anchovy and sardine meal, potatoes, peas, menhaden fish meal Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 32% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For Small and medium breed puppies
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
