Top 10 dog foods: best dog food brand analysis & review

Top 10 Dog Foods: What is the Best Dog Food Brand?

The Top 10 Dog Foods Analysis - What is the best dog food brandproblem with the pet food market is that very few companies care how their dog foods affect our pets. The focus of most dog companies isn’t finding out what is the best dog food brand for optimum health of our dogs- it’s the nutritional sustainability and cutting costs.

Frankly, many pet owners are tired of feeding dogs commercial diets that eventually lead to more health problems. So after weeks of our dog food analysis and research, we managed to pick top 10 dog foods.

Research shows how quality of ingredients directly affect health of dogs¹. In fact, it’s possible to alleviate many conditions in dogs, such as canine arthritis or hip dysplasia with proper pet nutrition². Drawing from conclusions of many dog experts, dog food reviews, studies and vets³, it appears that aholistic approach to dog nutrition with all-natural and human-grade ingredients is the best way to keep our dogs healthy.

Compare Top 10 Dog Foods (reviewed below):





Dog Food BrandPriceQualityRating
The Honest Kitchen Force: Grain Free Chicken Dog Food$$$$A+4.3/5
Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food$$$A+4.6/5
Eagle Pack Natural Wet Canned Dog Food$$$A4.4/5
Organix Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food$$$A4.4/5
Halo Purely for Pets Spot`s Stew Adult Dog Wholesome$$$A-4.6/5
Grandma Lucy`s Freeze-Dried Grain-Free Pet Food$$B+4.4/5
Natural Planet Organics Chicken & Oats Adult Dog Formula$$B+4.4/5
Dr. Harvey`s Canine Health Miracle Dog Food$$A-4.5/5
Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Natural Dry Dog Food$$$B+4.4/5
Nutro ULTRA Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food$$$A4.6/5

* Please click on the dog food brand for more product details and prices. Alternatively, scroll down to read the review of each dog food.

Best Dog Food Brand Review - What is the Best Food for Dogs?The Honest Kitchen’s Dehydrated Food was chosen as the top best dog food brand with FDA-approved human grade ingredients. Dehydrated dog food is the closest thing to fresh, whole food and the next best thing to making homemade dog food.

However, no one single dog food brand cannot be the best for all dogs, according to science and veterinarians. We picked top 10 dog foods which are accepted as best dog food brands healthy for most dogs. This way you can choose what best fits your specific dog.

What you feed your dog will highly depend on several factors: dog’s age and his genetics, current health condition, activity levels and a few other aspects of his day to day life. We even had a whole podcast episode dedicated to discussing the safety of commercial pet foods and what to look out for.

Every one of these top 10 dog foods have been taken out of specific categories that we managed to research. That is best canned dog food, best dry dog food, best dehydrated or raw dog food, best puppy food and so on. We’ve considered the expense of every dog food brand and how much dog food costs.

Pet parents believe that their dog will receive a balanced diet from commercial dog foods that are often picked as top 10 dog foods on many dog food reviews websites. Sadly, that isn’t true.

What is the Best Dog Food Brand for HealthFinding out what is the best dog food brand for your specific dog and his health doesn’t mean that evaluation of ingredients alone is enough. Furthermore, research shows how majority of commercial dog food diets are often mislabeled. It’s not uncommon for these diets to be full of artificial stuff, colors, flavors and fillers that offer no nutritional value and potential side effects. Thus, it’s important to consider these factors as well.

We all know that everything our dogs eat has a direct effect on their health. If they eat something toxic, they’re going to get sick [1]. If they eat appropriate supplements, that will have a positive effect on their health. The same is true for the everyday diet [2]. The best dog food brand will benefit our pets’ overall health and well-being while providing them with the energy that they need throughout the day. But finding truly best dog food brands that are healthy is no easy feat.

It’s vital that as dog owners, we pay close attention to the food we feed our pets and that we know exactly which is the best dog food brand with healthiest ingredients that are 100% safe for dogs. From table scraps to commercial dog food diets, there are pros and cons to every canine diet and recipe. Veterinarians and dog nutritionists can be very helpful in determining best dog food to feed your dog. A quick consultation with a vet may be the most important thing you ever do for your dog, too.

The Best Dog Food Brand

The Honest Kitchen Force Dehydrated Dog Food Review

What Is the Best Dog Food Brand?

When you eat well you feel well – and the same can be said about your dog. Many common canine conditions like dry and itchy skin, excessive gas, upset stomach and a dry, dull coat can all be linked to improper diet.

Switching your dog away from high processed commercial diets and onto the holistic approach such as The Honest Kitchen Force Grain Free formula can have immediate effects for a dog’s overall health.

It appears I’m not the only pet owner who was extremely excited to discover and try The Honest Kitchen’s range of dog foods. As I was doing my research, I found many people to share my views on this.

Dog owners who also reviewed this dog food brand agree with my Honest Kitchen dog food review and the points I make here. Indeed, processed dog food can be thought of in the same light as processed foods for human. It’s no better for your dog than greasy fast food is for you. Minimally processed dog food that is made with whole food ingredients will work for your dog’s body the way that fresh fruits and vegetables work for yours.

Why The Honest Kitchen Dog Food?

We have found that all the ingredients in The Honest Kitchen dog food are actually superb for pets, and contain no artificial stuff. The poor ingredients found in many other dog food brands such as artificial flavors and byproducts may not affect your dog immediately, but over time they will make him feel sluggish or even lead to disease or illness [3].

* Scroll down for a complete breakdown and a detailed The Honest Kitchen dog food review.

We’ve previously written about The Honest Kitchen making headlines all over the Internet with their breakthrough holistic dog food formulations and human grade ingredients, as well as their very healthy chew treats for pets made from natural and wild caught Icelandic fish.

Video: good Dog Breeding and they get stuck dogs in action Humping review

It’s true that higher quality pet foods cost more, but they will actually save you money in the long run. Personally, I believe that if your dog is healthier he won’t need to go to the vet as often, and a healthier dog means that it’s less likely you’ll have emergency veterinarian expenses pop up.

This dog food from The Honest Kitchen provides balanced nutrition for dogs of all ages. The dog food that you choose to feed your pet needs to meet all of his nutritional needs. Like us, dogs need many different nutrients to survive including:What Is the Best Dog Food Brand - Honest Kitchen Dog Food Review

  • Amino acids from proteins
  • Carbohydrates
  • Fatty acids
  • Minerals
  • Vitamins

Depending on your pet’s size, age and breed, his individual dietary needs will vary [1]. Commercial diets are typically formulated for one specific group or age bracket. For example, you can purchase dog food for puppies, senior dogs, active dogs and dogs that need to lose weight. Higher quality diets, like dehydrated dog food from The Honest Kitchen, offer whole food nutrition that incorporates all the dietary needs of a canine, meaning it is a suitable diet for virtually any dog [2].

A balanced diet that dog foods such as The Honest Kitchen provides won’t require as many additional dog supplements either. Best dog food brands will promote a healthier skin and coat, so your grooming costs will be cut. A high quality diet will also aid in proper dental health, meaning your expenses on dental cleanings and other dental health needs will be reduced too [4].

Nutritional breakdown of The Honest Kitchen dog food

What Is the Best Dog Food Brand - Honest Kitchen Dog Food ReviewForce is one of the most popular Honest Kitchen recipes. This dog food has been formulated to be ideal for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes.

Guaranteed analysis:

  • Calories: 447 (per cup)
  • Protein: 24%
  • Fat: 15%
  • Carbohydrates: 53%

Ingredients (all ingredients dehydrated): Chicken, organic flaxseed, potatoes, celery, sweet potatoes, apples, organic kelp, honey, pumpkin, green beans, cabbage, bananas, papayas, basil, garlic, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate.

Ingredients’ sources and benefits:

Meat and protein content matters for dogs, and for this brand.

Main meat source – chicken. A 10 lb box of Force contains 16 lbs of free-range chicken.

Chicken is a good source of protein, niacin and B6, which helps to support energy metabolism for dogs. The Honest Kitchen’s free-range chicken is from Petaluma Poultry, in California, USA. It is USDA certified free-range, humanely raised, vegetarian fed without the use of animal fat or by-products and is never fed antibiotics.

Veggies and fruits are also here.

A 10 lb box of Force contains 1/2 of a small pumpkin, 1 1/2 bunches of celery and 2 1/2 bananas.

Pumpkin contains potassium, iron, vitamin A, B-complex, C and E, as well as antioxidants. Pumpkin is low in calories and fat and high in dietary fiber. The Honest Kitchen’s pumpkins hail from South America and Mexico. Celery is a great source of potassium, folate, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin C. This celery is grown in Europe. Bananas are a good source of potassium, minerals and vitamin C. Bananas contain all 8 essential amino acids and are filled with vitamin B6, C, carotenoids, fiber, magnesium, and potassium. These bananas are from the Philippines.

However, Force isn’t this company’s only food, and they have a range of other incredibly healthy options.

The Honest Kitchen also offers the following dog food recipes:

  • What Is the Best Dog Food Brand - Honest Kitchen Dog Food ReviewThe Honest Kitchen Zeal: Grain Free White Fish Dog Food
  • The Honest Kitchen Revel Chicken and Whole Grain Dog Food
  • The Honest Kitchen Embark: Grain Free Turkey Dog Food
  • The Honest Kitchen Keen: Turkey & Whole Grain Dog Food
  • The Honest Kitchen Preference: Base-Mix Dog Food

Most importantly: By now, as owners we understand that all-natural and holistic approach to canine diet is the only way to move forward, and the pet food market must react. It’s a fact that The Honest Kitchen is one of the most unique pet food manufacturers out there.

As owners, we have to embrace these brands as a sign for other companies to adopt the same manufacturing practices to ensure better quality of all pet food.

I’ve done more research on this manufacturer. As a company, Honest Kitchen company produces a line of FDA approved, natural, holistic, human-grade foods for dogs which are made with love in a human food facility and not in a pet food plant to maintain the highest possible quality standards.

All of these dog foods are gently dehydrated to remove only the moisture, which retains the natural nutrients found in the fresh whole food ingredients. The Honest Kitchen’s dog foods are developed with uncompromising attention to detail, by a company of pet lovers with a passion for food. And I’m not paid by this company to write about them, either.

Key points about The Honest Kitchen’s Force dog food:

  1. Grain-free, gluten-free, corn-free, soy-free, wheat-free
  2. No preservatives, no fillers, no by-products, no GMO ingredients
  3. Free range chicken, organic: flax-seed, potatoes, celery, sweet potatoes, apples and more
  4. FDA-approved, 100% Human Grade from farm to bowl
  5. Made in the USA with no ingredients sourced from China
  6. Real and whole food ingredients that are the most healthy for dogs

We all know that the better quality food we feed our dogs the healthier they will be. And holistic best dog food brands are healthiest for our pets. It’s rare to find a brand that can equal The Honest Kitchen Force.

How other dog food reviews and websites rated this brand?

What Is the Best Dog Food Brand - Honest Kitchen Dog Food ReviewThere are many websites that specialize in dog food reviews and ratings. I’ve looked through all of them to see what they thought about this dog food brand and how their Honest Kitchen dog food reviews analyzed and rated The Honest Kitchen Force. Here’s the breakdown:

  • The Evolved Dog: Positive
  • My Pawsitively Pets: Positive
  • Amy Shojai: Positive
  • Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food
  • Eagle Pack Natural Wet Canned Dog Food
  • Castor & Pollux Organix Dry Dog Food
  • Halo Purely For Pets Spot’s Stew Puppy Formula
  • Grandma Lucy’s Grain-Free Freeze Dried Dog Food
  • Natural Planet Organics Adult Formula Dry Dog Food
  • Dr. Harvey’s Canine Healthy Dry Dog Food
  • Rachel Ray Nutrish Just 6 Dry Dog Food
  • Nutro Ultra Weight Management Dog Food
  • What to look forward to

    The study of canine nutrition is just getting started. Research into the best diet for dogs, the links between nutrition and disease and even the ingredients in commercial dog foods have just begun. There is still so much left to learn, and you can be sure that experts in the field will continue working in this field [17].

    The trends in pet foods often mimic the trends in the human food industry. Currently health and sustainability are the two biggest movements in both markets. Researchers have quickly begun to realize that with the increasing human population and the increasing pet population we won’t be able to feed everyone forever.

    New developments in sustainability and nutrition are on the horizon, and it will benefit both you and your pet if you take notice of them. The one thing that we know for sure is that nutrition is directly linked to overall health and well-being – and that’s as true for our dogs as it is for us. Staying on top of the latest research in canine nutrition will help you feed and care for your pet in the best way possible.

    Wrapping it up

    We love our dogs. They are like furry family members. The worst thing about being a dog owner is that we live much longer than our canine companions. If you want your pet to have the healthiest, happiest and longest life possible you need to feed him the best dog food brand to meet his nutritional needs.

    It’s no secret that the best dog food brand will cost you more money up front, but think of the savings that you’ll get in the long run. Better nutrition means a healthier dog, so you’ll end up spending less in veterinary care over the course of his lifetime. High-quality dog food offers added supplements for optimum health. This means you won’t have to pay for common dietary supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, omega fatty acids and pre- and probiotics.

    The best dog food brand should be a necessity when thinking about adopting a dog. Speak with your veterinarian before adopting to discuss the best dietary options for the dog that you’re considering. Be sure to check out how much that dog food will cost you and make sure that you can afford it. If not, you need to wait and adopt a canine companion when you can afford the best care for him.

References and further readings

  1. Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs
  2. Changing To A New Dog Food – Your Guide to an Easy Transition
  3. A Study of the Nutritional Effect of Grains in the Diet of a Dog
  4. Dry or Canned: Which is Best?
  5. Myths and Misconceptions Surrounding Pet Food
  6. Puppy Feeding Fundamentals
  7. Pet Foods: How to Read Labels
  8. The Truth About Cat and Dog Food
  9. Influence of Diet on Oral Health in Cats and Dogs
  10. Frequently Asked Questions about General Pet Nutrition
  11. Feeding the Modern Dog
  12. Kibble Confusion
  13. Dogs Keep Dying: Too Many Owners Remain Unaware of Toxic Dog Food
  14. 2010 AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
  15. Nutrition and Cancer: What We Can and Can’t Do
  16. Dog Health: Nutrition
  17. Why Dogs Get Cancer

Photos of the The Honest Kitchen’s Dehydrated Dog Food and the video review of the best dog food brand by Samantha Randall © Top Dog Tips. All rights are reserved.


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