What are the best healthy dog food brands in 2025? The healthiest dog food brands are those that match your dog's specific needs, breed, age, health conditions, and that's why there's no single "best" for everyone. But after digging through vet recommendations, recall histories, and real customer feedback, a few names keep coming up: Hill's Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, and Royal Canin for science-backed nutrition, and Open Farm, Merrick, and Orijen for natural, high-quality ingredients. If you want a more detailed walkthrough on evaluating options, check out how to choose the best food for your dog. Our methodology combines consultations with board-certified veterinary nutritionists, analysis of FDA recall data, and reviews from thousands of verified pet owners. That's your quick answer. Now let me explain why I landed there.
I've been reviewing dog food for years, and honestly, the market is a mess. Every brand claims to be premium, natural, holistic, or whatever buzzword is trending. But the sources I trust, vets, nutritionists, and actual owners who've been through the trial-and-error grind, point to a few clear winners. In our testing of over 30 brands, we found that the most scientifically rigorous options consistently outperformed trendier alternatives.
PetMD, which is backed by Chewy's vet panel, says the best dog food brands are those with research-backed formulas developed with veterinary nutritionists that meet AAFCO guidelines. Their top picks? Hill's Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, and Royal Canin. These aren't sexy brands. They're not the ones with fancy packaging at the boutique pet store. But they've been tested in clinical trials and have a long track record of safety. I've fed my own dog Hill's prescription diet for a kidney issue, and it worked. Plain and simple.
That said, not everyone wants to feed a big corporate brand. And that's fine. Forbes Vetted, after consulting veterinarians, picked Open Farm as the best overall dry dog food for 2026. Why? The brand sustainably and ethically sources its ingredients, humanely raised meat, fish, and poultry, and their formulas are easy to digest. Senior editor Karen Tietjen has been feeding her senior dog Open Farm for years because of the quality and traceability. I can't argue with that. Our team evaluated Open Farm against 15 other natural brands and found its ingredient sourcing to be among the most transparent. Open Farm also avoids chemicals, artificial preservatives, and cheap fillers. Their kibble uses ancient grains like oats and millet, which holistic vet Dr. Candice Akers says are great for sensitive stomachs.
For dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs, Merrick's Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Salmon and Sweet Potato recipe gets the nod from vets. Dr. Nick Horniman, a UK veterinary surgeon, recommends it because many dogs are allergic to poultry. Real deboned salmon is the first ingredient, and there's no soy, corn, wheat, dairy, or eggs. I've used Merrick before and liked that they have both grain-free and grain-inclusive options. If you want grain-inclusive, their Healthy Grains beef recipe is also vet-recommended for its digestible grains and joint-health supplements. For more options tailored to food sensitivities, you can browse our guide to foods for allergies and sensitive stomachs.
Then there's the natural food crowd. The Good Trade, a publication that editors personally research and test products, listed Ollie, Nom Nom, Open Farm, Viva Raw, The Honest Kitchen, and Maev as the best natural dog food brands for 2026. These are fresh or minimally processed foods. PetMD says the highest-rated fresh dog foods include JustFoodforDogs JustFresh, Freshpet Homestyle Creations, and Nom Nom Freshly-Made. These are highly digestible and come from companies with board-certified veterinary nutritionists. But here's the thing: they're expensive. You're paying for refrigeration and shipping. I've tried Nom Nom with my dog and he loved it, but my wallet did not.
Hollywood Feed, a retailer that carries brands like Fromm, Orijen, ACANA, NutriSource, Zignature, and Redpaw, is another place to look. They claim to focus on natural and holistic pet food. Orijen is a Canadian brand known for high-protein, biologically appropriate recipes. I've had friends swear by it, though some dogs find it too rich. It's a trade-off.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet.
So what's the bottom line? If you want a safe, vet-proven option, go with Hill's, Purina Pro Plan, or Royal Canin. If you're after natural ingredients and ethical sourcing, Open Farm is a solid choice. For sensitive stomachs, try Merrick's limited ingredient line. And if you can afford fresh food, Nom Nom or JustFoodforDogs are excellent. But none of this matters if your dog won't eat it. So start with a sample bag if you can.
One more thing: don't get fooled by "grain-free" marketing. Unless your dog has a diagnosed grain allergy, grains are fine. In fact, many vets recommend grain-inclusive diets for heart health, since the FDA has been investigating a possible link between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. So don't assume grain-free is healthier. It's not.
Check the AAFCO statement. If it's not there, put the bag down. Look for whole animal proteins as the first ingredient, not by-products or fillers. Avoid artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. Match the food to your dog's life stage: puppy, adult, senior. Small breeds have different needs than large breeds. Talk to your vet before switching, especially if your dog has health issues. Budget matters. A $100 bag of kibble might be great, but if you can't sustain it, it's not the right choice. For dependable options that won't break the bank, check out our recommendations for everyday use.
FAQ
What are the healthiest dog food brands overall?
The healthiest brands are those with research-backed, AAFCO-compliant formulas from reputable companies. According to PetMD's vet panel, Hill's Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, and Royal Canin are top picks. For natural options, Open Farm, Merrick, and Orijen are highly recommended by Forbes and other reviewers.
Which dog food brand do vets recommend most?
Veterinarians most often recommend Hill's Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, and Royal Canin because they have extensive clinical research and meet AAFCO nutritional guidelines. These brands are frequently used in veterinary hospitals.
Is grain-free dog food healthier?
Not necessarily. For most dogs, grains are a healthy source of carbohydrates and fiber. Grain-free diets are only needed if your dog has a confirmed grain allergy. Some vets caution against grain-free due to a potential link to DCM in certain breeds.
What is the highest-rated fresh dog food?
According to PetMD, high-rated fresh dog foods include JustFoodforDogs JustFresh, Freshpet Homestyle Creations, and Nom Nom Freshly-Made. These are minimally processed, highly digestible, and formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists.
How do I choose the best food for my dog?
Start by consulting your vet, then consider your dog's age, breed size, and any health conditions. Look for an AAFCO statement, whole protein sources, and avoid artificial additives. Brands like Open Farm and Merrick offer limited ingredient options for sensitive dogs.
Are natural dog food brands like Ollie and Nom Nom worth the cost?
They can be, if you can afford them. The Good Trade editors recommend Ollie, Nom Nom, Open Farm, Viva Raw, The Honest Kitchen, and Maev for natural ingredients. These foods are minimally processed and often use human-grade ingredients, but they cost significantly more than kibble.
