Dog Food Brand Reviews & Comparisons
We're not here to tell you which brand is "the best" — because that doesn't exist. What we DO is break down each brand honestly: what's good, what's overpriced, and who should actually buy it. No sponsored placements, no fluff.
Purina Pro Plan
$10.90/kg · ~$68/month for 70lb dog
The sweet spot. Excellent research, widely available, and doesn't charge a premium for the name. Works for most dogs.
- ✅ Backed by extensive research
- ✅ Multiple formulas for different needs
- ✅ Easy to find in stores
- ⚠️ Some formulas have fillers
Royal Canin
$14.50/kg · ~$91/month for 70lb dog
Breed-specific formulas are their thing. But you're paying for the brand more than the actual quality difference.
- ✅ Extensive breed-specific options
- ✅ Good for dogs with specific needs
- ❌ Expensive relative to quality
- ❌ Marketing over substance
Hill's Science Diet
$13.20/kg · ~$83/month for 70lb dog
Vet-recommended and solid for dogs with sensitive stomachs. The prescription line is genuinely helpful.
- ✅ Strong veterinary recommendation
- ✅ Excellent for sensitive stomachs
- ✅ Good prescription diet options
- ⚠️ Pricey for everyday formulas
Blue Buffalo
$11.80/kg · ~$74/month for 70lb dog
The "natural" marketing is strong, but ingredient quality is inconsistent. Some formulas are great, others are just pricey.
- ✅ Good ingredient sourcing (LifeSource bits)
- ✅ Variety of formulas
- ❌ Recall history is concerning
- ❌ Premium pricing for mid-tier quality
Taste of the Wild
$9.40/kg · ~$59/month for 70lb dog
High protein, reasonable price. Great option if you want something better than budget but don't want to pay premium.
- ✅ High protein formulas
- ✅ Affordable for the quality
- ✅ Good ingredient sourcing
- ⚠️ Not for all dogs (some have issues)
Iams ProActive Health
$7.20/kg · ~$45/month for 70lb dog
The budget option that doesn't suck. Good for healthy adult dogs who don't have special needs.
- ✅ Affordable
- ✅ Good for healthy adult dogs
- ❌ Not for puppies or seniors
- ❌ Lower protein than competitors
Pedigree
$5.10/kg · ~$32/month for 70lb dog
The most popular brand for a reason — it's cheap and available. But the quality reflects the price.
- ✅ Extremely affordable
- ✅ Found everywhere
- ❌ Lots of fillers and by-products
- ❌ Not recommended for long-term
Hill's Prescription Diet
$18.50/kg · ~$115/month for 60lb dog
Veterinary therapeutic diets for dogs with specific medical conditions. Clinically proven for kidney, urinary, digestive, and allergy management.
- ✅ Clinically proven for medical conditions
- ✅ WSAVA-compliant with full-time nutritionists
- ❌ Requires vet prescription
- ❌ 2-3x cost of premium kibble
The Farmer's Dog
$22.00/kg · ~$100/month for 50lb dog
Human-grade fresh food delivered to your door. Pre-portioned, vet-formulated, and convenient. Excellent for sensitive dogs.
- ✅ Human-grade ingredients
- ✅ Excellent for allergies and digestion
- ❌ 3-5x cost of premium kibble
- ❌ Requires refrigerator/freezer space
Stella & Chewy's
$28.00/kg · ~$175/month for 60lb dog
The gold standard of freeze-dried raw. 95% meat, organs, and bone. Minimal processing preserves natural nutrients and enzymes.
- ✅ 95% meat, organs, and bone
- ✅ Minimal processing preserves nutrients
- ❌ Extremely expensive — our priciest brand
- ❌ Not WSAVA-compliant
Store Brands (Generic)
$3.80/kg · ~$24/month for 70lb dog
Save your money. You'll spend more at the vet than you saved on food. Not worth the risk.
- ✅ Very cheap
- ❌ Poor quality ingredients
- ❌ Often fails AAFCO requirements
- ❌ Can cause health issues long-term
Brand Comparison at a Glance
| Brand | Price/kg | 70lb Dog Cost/Mo | Protein % | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stella & Chewy's | $28.00 | $175 | 38% | Raw/ancestral diets |
| The Farmer's Dog | $22.00 | $100 | 36% | Fresh/food sensitivities |
| Hill's Prescription Diet | $18.50 | $115 | 23% | Medical conditions |
| Royal Canin | $14.50 | $91 | 25% | Breed-specific needs |
| Hill's Science Diet | $13.20 | $83 | 24% | Sensitive stomachs |
| Blue Buffalo | $11.80 | $74 | 26% | "Natural" preference |
| Purina Pro Plan | $10.90 | $68 | 26% | Overall best value |
| Taste of the Wild | $9.40 | $59 | 32% | High protein needs |
| Iams | $7.20 | $45 | 22% | Budget-conscious |
| Pedigree | $5.10 | $32 | 21% | Short-term only |
Head-to-Head Brand Comparisons
Can't decide between two brands? See our detailed side-by-side comparisons:
Common Questions About Dog Food Brands
Is expensive dog food actually better?
Not necessarily. The price difference between premium and mid-tier brands often comes down to marketing, not quality. Purina Pro Plan at $68/month performs similarly to Royal Canin at $91/month for most healthy dogs. You're often paying for the brand name and fancy packaging.
What's the best dog food brand for puppies?
Puppies have different nutritional needs — they need more protein, fat, and specific calcium/phosphorus ratios for proper growth. We recommend Purina Pro Plan Puppy, Hill's Science Diet Puppy, or Royal Canin Giant Breed Puppy (for large breeds). Don't skimp on puppy food — it's foundational for their development.
Should I trust "grain-free" dog food?
The grain-free trend was based on a hypothesis that proved largely incorrect. The FDA investigated a potential link between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and found a correlation. Unless your dog has a diagnosed grain allergy (rare), there's no benefit to grain-free — and it costs more. Save your money.
How do I know if my dog food is good quality?
Look for: real meat as the first ingredient (not "chicken meal" as the only protein), named fat sources (like "chicken fat" not "animal fat"), and no artificial colors or preservatives. Skip foods that use vague terms like "meat by-products" or list corn/wheat as the first ingredients.
Don't see your question answered? Contact us and we'll help you find the right food for your pup.
Learn more about who we are and how we research and compare dog food brands.