Discover Cyndi's Favorite Dog Food Brands
Cyndi's Favorite Dog Foods - 2024
Check out my Top Dog Food Picks for Fall/Winter 2024.
Ever wondered what the best dog food is? I get asked all the time! That’s why I’ve compiled a list of my favorite commercial dog foods, based on thorough research and what my own dogs enjoy.
The Importance of Quality Dog Food
Why Choosing the Right Dog Food Matters
Choosing the right dog food is crucial for maintaining your dog’s health and vitality. Food is the foundation of your dog’s health, providing the essential nutrients they need to thrive. In the context of a holistic health pyramid, nutrition forms the base, supporting all other aspects of well-being. With so many options available, it’s essential to select a brand that will do no harm and that avoids low-quality, toxic ingredients. Ensuring your dog receives high-quality nutrition is the first step in a comprehensive approach to their overall health, including prevention, exercise, mental stimulation, supplements, and enrichment. To learn more about harmful ingredients in premium dog foods, check out this page.
Why Cyndi's Picks Outshine the Rest
Premium Canine Cuisine
I recommend dog foods crafted with superior ingredients to ensure your canine companion receives the best nutrition possible. These brands use whole meat instead of meat meal and include whole foods like sweet potatoes. They are higher in protein and lower in carbs. Many are even human-grade, organic, humanely raised, and sustainably farmed ingredients.
High-Quality Ingredients
I choose only the finest ingredients to provide optimal nutrition for your dog. Many of the brands I recommend use human-grade, ethically sourced, organic, and humanely raised whole food ingredients, which are far superior to feed-grade options.
Minimal Processing
My selected brands use minimal processing to retain the natural nutrients and flavors of the ingredients.
Specialized Nutrition
Each brand offers specialized nutrition tailored to meet your dog’s specific dietary needs.
Transparency and Trust
I trust these brands because they are transparent about their ingredient sourcing and production processes.
Conventional Dog Food
In contrast, standard brands often compromise your dog’s health by using inferior ingredients. They rely on by-products, soy, and corn gluten meal instead of whole meat. These brands use high-carb ingredients that promote inflammation and obesity, and low-quality meat meals for protein. Many even include harmful additives like menadione and other known toxic ingredients.
Low-Quality Ingredients
These foods are packed with cheap, low-quality ingredients that can be harmful and even toxic to your dog’s health.
Heavily Processed
Extensive processing strips away essential nutrients, leaving behind a less nutritious product.
Misleading Variety
While they offer numerous formulas, the fundamental poor quality of ingredients and processing methods make them inferior.
Lack of Transparency
Many brands are not upfront about their ingredient sourcing and production methods, making it hard to trust what you’re feeding your dog.
Cyndi's Favorite Dog Food Brands
Open Farm
Open Farm is known for its ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients. They offer a variety of dog food options, including dry kibble, freeze-dried raw, gently cooked, and a new air-dried formula, all made with high-quality, traceable ingredients.
Nulo
Nulo focuses on high animal-based protein and low carbohydrate recipes to support lean muscles and stable energy levels. Their products often include probiotics for digestive health and are designed to cater to pets with specific dietary needs.
Carna4
Carna4 prides itself on using fresh, whole food ingredients without synthetic additives. Their dog food is gently baked to retain nutrients and includes organic sprouted seeds for added health benefits.
Ziwi Peak
Ziwi Peak offers air-dried and canned dog food made from free-range, ethically sourced meats from New Zealand. Their recipes are high in protein and free from added fillers, providing a nutrient-dense diet that mimics a raw food diet.
A Pup Above
A Pup Above uses a sous-vide cooking method to prepare their human-grade dog food, ensuring maximum nutrient retention and flavor. Their recipes include non-GMO vegetables and are designed to be both nutritious and delicious.
Green Juju
Green Juju provides whole food supplements and freeze-dried raw and new frozen raw dog food made with organic ingredients. Their products are designed to boost your dog’s nutrition with superfoods, fermented pastes, and bone broths.
OC Raw
OC Raw offers raw and freeze-dried dog food made with high-quality meats and fresh produce. Their recipes are simple, nutritious, and cater to dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.
Small Batch
Small Batch produces raw, freeze-dried, and lightly cooked dog food using sustainably sourced, organic ingredients. Their products are designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition with the benefits of a raw diet.
Favorite Dog Food Brands by Category
Dry (Kibble) Dog Food
Dry kibble is a convenient and popular choice for many pet parents, offering a balanced diet with a long shelf life. Look for brands that use high-quality ingredients and avoid artificial additives.
Top Picks for Dry Kibble Brands
- Open Farm
- Nulo
- Carna4
Air Dried Dog Food
Air-dried dog food offers a nutrient-dense diet that mimics raw feeding without the need for refrigeration. This method preserves the food naturally while enhancing flavor.
Top Picks for Air Dried Brands
- Ziwi Peak
- Open Farm
- Earth Animal Wisdom
- The Pet’s Table
- Sunday’s for Dogs
- Red Barn – Air Dried
Freeze Dried Dog Food
Freeze-dried dog foods provide the benefits of raw nutrition with the convenience of dry food. These brands retain the natural flavors and nutrients of raw ingredients.
Top Picks for Freeze Dried Brands
- Open Farm
- Nulo
- Small Batch
- Green Juju
- Small Batch
- Dr. Marty’s
- The Simple Food Project
- Steve’s Real Food
Frozen Raw Dog Food
Frozen raw dog food is a minimally processed option that preserves the natural nutrients and flavors of its ingredients. Made from a mix of meats, organs, bones, and occasionally vegetables, this type of food is stored frozen to maintain its freshness and nutritional value.
Top Picks for Raw Food Brands
- OC Raw
- Solutions Pet Food
- Green Juju
- Small Batch
- Tucker’s
- Steve’s Real Food
- All Provide
- Viva Raw
- Evermore
Gently Cooked Dog Food
Gently cooked dog foods are prepared at lower temperatures to maintain nutritional integrity. They offer a home-cooked taste that dogs love, using wholesome, human-grade ingredients.
Top Picks for Gently Cooked Brands
- A Pup Above
- Open Farm
- Stella & Chewy’s
- All Provide
- Small Batch
- Raised Right
- My Perfect Pet
Download Cyndi's Dog Food List
This is my list of 37 favorite dog food brands. The spreadsheet includes details on process type, life stage formula, LID or solution-based formulas, breed size, approximate carb content, and certifications. It also outlines my criteria for selecting these brands. Download it now to ensure your canine companion gets the best nutrition possible.
Get Personalized Nutrition Advice for Your Dog
Ensure your canine companion gets the best nutrition tailored to their needs. Schedule a nutrition consultation with me, Cyndi – a Canine Nutrition Specialist and Dog Food Geek. I can help you pick the ideal dog food brand for your dog’s health and longevity.