Is Feeding Your Dog Nothing But Dry Food
Searching for a safe and healthy dry dog food can be a obstacle! Dog food labels are perplexing as well as leave important information out. We did the legwork for you as well as compiled our list of Best Dry Dog Foods For 2022.
DOG FOOD REVIEW CRITERIA
Each food in this checklist has actually been examined based upon the active ingredient quality and also ingredient security by DogFoodReviews.com. It’s fine to check out how much healthy protein and fat is in a food, but at the end of the day, the food needs to be secure for your canine to consume (and numerous foods consist of active ingredients that are fairly harmful). Each food’s rating is an average of the ingredient high quality and also the active ingredient safety and security.
Below are some of the requirements we search for:
PET DOG FOOD INGREDIENT QUALITY
- Does the food have way too much carbohydrate?
- Are plant sources utilized to increase healthy protein web content?
- Does it consist of unnamed pet healthy protein?
- Exist extreme minerals and vitamins included?
- Are complimentary amino acids added to balance poor quality proteins?
- Does it include refined or seed oils?
CANINE FOOD INGREDIENT SAFETY
- How much processing is associated with making the food?
- Does the food contain rice?
- Does the food consist of understood genetically customized foods?
- Does the food consist of foods recognized to be high in chemicals?
- Does the food have all-natural taste?
Each food is objectively evaluated using these requirements. You can check out the full Evaluation Criteria utilized to evaluate the pet foods.
This is NOT a paid list and there are no affiliate web links. We’ve partnered with Dog Food Reviews to make sure canine proprietors have objective, objective criteria to help them select the best dry dog food on the market.
Since you recognize exactly how we assess the foods, let’s find the most effective completely dry dog food for 2022. The foods evaluated include air-dried, baked and cold-pressed foods, along with more standard kibbles.
# 1: THE NEW ZEALAND NATURAL PET FOOD CO.
WOOF AIR-DRIED best dry pet dog
food WILD VENISON RECIPE INGREDIENTS: Venison, Lamb, Lamb Green Tripe, Lamb Heart, Lamb Liver, Lamb Kidney, Ground Lamb Bone, Bok Choy, Carrot, Blueberries, Cranberries, Kelp, New Zealand Green Mussel, Honey, Rosemary, Coconut Oil, Hoki Oil, Vitamin D3, Salt, Choline Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Complex The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. supplies 3 air-dried pet food dishes with an average score of 9/10. Bush Venison as well as Beef rating 9.5/ 10, while the Chicken weighs in at 9/10. Each food loses an component security point for modest handling, yet this applies to all air-dried foods. On the whole, air-dried and also baked foods may be much less processed than kibble, which is thought about an ultra-processed food.
Better Bones HOMEMADE DIETS MADE EASY Better Bones is naturally air dried bones from grass-fed Australian livestock. It’s the secure as well as natural method to balance your pet’s raw or residence prepared meals.
The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. Air-Dried food line averages 47% protein and 11% carb, as determined.
When it involves active ingredient quality, the source of carb originates from foods like bok choy and carrots, which are reduced in starch as well as are not high-pesticide or GMO plants. This is absolutely preferable to the beans and grains commonly discovered in completely dry foods. The food additionally includes a range of meats as well as body organ meats, which supply normally happening minerals and vitamins . There are some added minerals, but they are excellent quality and there are less than 5 added, offering this food a excellent score for active ingredient high quality. The exemption is the Chicken Recipe, which includes 5 added vitamins. This gives it a rating of 9/10.
Although there are no lost factors for this, coconut oil is added to this food. It’s worth noting that coconut oil has been linked to enhanced intestine permeability and also swelling in pets in some studies.
The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. is a small firm that utilizes active ingredients that are locally sourced from New Zealand. The company additionally provides freeze-dried foods and also treats .
At the time of writing, The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. has not been recalled.
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# 2: ZIWI PEAK ORIGINAL AIR-DRIED
ziwipeak canine food testimonial CHICKEN RECIPE INGREDIENTS: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, New Zealand Green Mussel, Chicken Bone, Lecithin, Inulin from Chicory, Dried Kelp, Minerals (Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Selenium Yeast), Salt, Parsley, Preservative (Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid).
Ziwi Peak provides 6 air-dried canine food dishes in their Original line, with an typical score of 9/10. Each food sheds an active ingredient safety factor for modest processing, however this relates to all air-dried foods. Overall, baked and also air-dried foods might be much less refined than kibble, which is taken into consideration an ultra-processed food
. Ziwi Peak’s Provenance Air-Dried food line standards 33% healthy protein and 4% carb, as calculated. Foods which contain less than 15% carb will not shed points for extreme carbohydrate content and also this food definitely is low in carbohydrates. The Original line is fairly high in fat with an average of 24%, and it’s a bit lower in protein than some contending brands.
When it concerns component top quality, the carbohydrate resource originates from low-starch as well as high high quality active ingredients like inulin from chicory and kelp. Both are low in starch as well as are low pesticide or GMO plants. Both are healthy and balanced additions. The food also includes a range of meats and also body organ meats, which supplies naturally happening minerals and vitamins . With that stated, there are a handful of included vitamins as well as several added minerals, which sets you back the food an ingredient quality factor. The added minerals are high top quality and natural.
Ziwi Peak came from as a smaller brand name yet has been acquired by FountainVest Partners, a big personal equity firm based in China. Although this is not straight pertaining to product quality, bigger companies often tend to have even more of an commitment to their financiers as well as item high quality has a tendency to decrease in bigger firms.
Ziwi Peak has not been remembered at the time of creating.
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# 3: ZIWI PEAK PROVENANCE AIR-DRIED.
best dry pet food.
POULTRY RECIPE INGREDIENTS: Chicken, Whole Kahawai, Duck, Chicken Heart, Turkey, Chicken Necks, Chicken Liver, Whole Eggs, New Zealand Green Mussel, Chicken Bone, Lecithin, Duck Bone, Inulin from Chicory, Dried Kelp, Dried Apple Pomace, Minerals (Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Selenium Yeast), Turkey Gizzard, Turkey Liver, Turkey Bone, Salt, Parsley, Preservative (Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols), Turkey heart, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid).
Ziwi Peak uses 3 air-dried canine food dishes in their Provenance line, with an typical score of 8/10. The Provenance line standards 38% healthy protein as well as 1% carb, as computed.
When it involves active ingredient quality, Provenance sheds factors for a large number of included minerals as well as vitamins , which are substandard to food-based micronutrients and also can suggest reduced high quality ingredients. With that said said, the included minerals are are high and organic top quality.
When it pertains to component safety and security, air-dried foods are moderately processed, so there will certainly be a little fine there. Some known high-pesticide crop active ingredients like apples additionally make an appearance, however further down the ingredient panel so they’re less of a worry.
Overall, this is a high fat/low carbohydrate food with good quality components.
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# 4: ZEAL CANADA AIR-DRIED.
best completely dry pet dog food.
POULTRY RECIPE INGREDIENTS: Chicken, Chicken tender, Chicken liver, Bamboo fiber, Dicalcium phosphate, Pumpkin Powder, Salt, Coconut oil, Yeast extract, Yucca Schidigera extract, Parsley, Calcium Carbonate, Green lipped mussel, Magnesium Sulphate, Rosemary remove, Choline, Zinc proteinate, Riboflavin, Selenium yeast, Manganese Proteinate, Copper proteinate, Potassium chloride, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Thiamine, Pantothenic acid, Niacin, Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Pyridoxine, Calcium iodate.
Passion Canada provides 5 air-dried pet food recipes, with an average rating of 7.8/ 10. Like all air-dried foods, each food sheds an ingredient safety factor for modest handling. While air-dried as well as baked foods might be less refined than kibble, which is thought about an ultra-processed food, there is still refining and also a likely succeeding loss of phytonutrients.
Passion Canada’s Air-Dried food line averages 38% healthy protein and also 12% carbohydrate, as computed. Foods that have much less than 15% carbohydrate will certainly not lose factors for too much carbohydrate material.
When it comes to ingredient high quality, the carb resource is low in starches like potatoes, grains and vegetables , which is preferable. This food does contain bamboo fiber, which is likely a lower top quality source of fiber. The foods likewise contain lecithin from sunflower, which is a high-pesticide crop– but with that stated, it totals up to a little percentage of the food. Some foods also include a variety of organ meats, which provides normally occurring vitamins and minerals . With that said said, there are numerous included minerals as well as vitamins , which costs the food component top quality factors. The added minerals are high top quality and natural.
Passion is a relative newbie to the pet grocery store and also claims their foods are in your area sourced. The food is produced in Canada.
Passion has not been recalled at the time of composing.
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# 5: SUNDAYS FOR DOGS.
best completely dry pet dog food.
POULTRY RECIPE INGREDIENTS: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Eggs, Millet, Oat, Pumpkin, Kale, Ground Bone, Fish Oil, Sea Salt, Flaxseed, Parsley, Turmeric, Chicory Root, Kelp, Mixed Tocopherols, Ginger, Blueberries, Carrots, Apples, Tomatoes, Shiitake Mushrooms, Broccoli, Oranges, Cranberries, Spinach, Beets, Tart Cherries, Strawberries.
Sundays offers 2 air-dried canine food dishes: chicken as well as beef. The brand name uses an typical score of 7.5/ 10. The Sundays foods ordinary 36% healthy protein as well as 22% carbohydrate, as determined. Foods which contain greater than 15% carb but less than 30% are considered moderately high in carbohydrate content as well as will certainly shed a point. The food averages 17% fat, which makes it reduced in fat contrasted to other air-dried foods.
The Chicken Recipe features 2 recognized high-pesticide foods in the top 5 ingredients: millet and oats. Both of these crops are commonly spray-dried with Roundup right before harvest, which makes the pesticide content of the food possibly extremely high.
Rounding out component top quality, the Beef Recipe consists of fish oil yet the kind and also types of fish is not called– as well as this will certainly set you back a point. Healthy protein sources ought to constantly be named and not generic, otherwise it can be assumed the component is lower high quality.
What we simulate is that the food contains no included vitamins or minerals , which indicates the active ingredients are or else top quality.
Aside from the high-pesticide foods in the Chicken Recipe, there are no added factors shed, besides the moderate quantity of handling for air-dried foods.
There are no lost points for this, it should be noted that Sundays consists of glam active ingredients. While it’s preferable to have actually added foods like blueberries, broccoli and mushrooms, these components all appear after salt on the tag, that makes it most likely that they are just present in trace amounts.
Sundays is a little, store brand that’s owned and also developed by vet Tory Waxman. The food is made in a USDA kept track of kitchen area in Ohio.
Sundays has not been recalled at the time of composing.
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# 6: CARNA4 BAKED AIR-DRIED.
best dry pet dog food.
Carna4 uses 6 foods in their Baked Air-Dried line. The line uses an average score of 7.3/ 10.
Carna4 averages 28% healthy protein and 35% carbohydrate, which is taken into consideration relatively high in carbohydrate material as well as sets you back the food some ingredient quality points. The food standards 15% fat.
The carbohydrate resource for Carna4 comes from natural sprouted barley seed. While barley is a high pesticide plant, the barley is grown and natural so it will certainly not be spray-dried with Roundup like the majority of barley plants are. Sprouted grains are also more absorbable for pet dogs and arguably a better ingredient. A few of the dishes do consist of natural rice, which can be high in arsenic. Non-organic potatoes also make an look and also are a high-pesticide, genetically modified crop. Non-organic, high-pesticide apples likewise appear in a few of the foods. Both of these foods are further down the component checklist as well as there are no genetically changed or high-pesticide foods in the leading 5 components.
Carna4 is among a handful of completely dry foods that does not include any kind of included vitamins or minerals , which indicates better components and less processing.
There are no extra points shed, except for the modest quantity of handling for air-dried foods.
Carna4 is another little, boutique brand name as well as it’s the second Canadian firm on our listing. Carna4 is produced in an EU accredited human pastry shop in Quebec.
Carna4 has actually not been recalled at the time of composing.
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# 7: NATURE’S LOGIC DISTINCTION GRAIN-FREE.
best completely dry canine food.
BEEF RECIPE INGREDIENTS: Beef, Beef Meal, Millet, Pork Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Menhaden Fish Meal, Spray Dried Pork Liver, Pumpkin Seeds, Yeast Culture, Montmorillonite Clay, Dried Kale, Dried Kelp, Spray Dried Porcine Plasma, Dried Tomato, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Apple, Dried Carrot, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Blueberry, Dried Apricot, Dried Spinach, Dried Broccoli, Dried Parsley, Dried Cranberry, Dried Artichoke, Dried Mushrooms, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Pineapple Extract, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract.
Nature’s Logic is the highest ranked kibble n our Top Dry Dog Food list. Their Distinction Grain-Free line uses 3 foods with an ordinary score of 7.3/ 10.
Nature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free averages 32% protein and also 29% carbohydrate, which is thought about greater in carbohydrate web content as well as costs the food an ingredient top quality point. The food standards 15% fat.
When it involves ingredient high quality, the carbohydrate source is pudding origin, which is not a high-pesticide plant. Nature’s Logic is distinct for a kibble in that it consists of no added vitamins or minerals , which maintains its active ingredient high quality score fairly high. It needs to also be noted that it is formulated making use of feeding tests and not developed to fulfill AAFCO minimal demands.
When it comes to ingredient safety and security, this is a kibble as well as contains meals, making it an ultra-processed food. Extruded foods are warmed four different times during manufacturing, which will create major losses in some energetic enzymes, vitamins, amino acids as well as phytonutrients. Studies likewise show that ultra-processed foods are connected to a greater rate of all-cause mortality in humans, so the food does lose some safety points here.
There are likewise some high-pesticide active ingredients in the food (kale and also spinach), however they show up even more down the label and are not in the leading 5 ingredients.
Generally, this is our highest ranking kibble and also the only truly ultra-processed kibble that’s devoid of added minerals and also vitamins .
Nature’s Logic started as a tiny firm win Lincoln, Nebraska and also was obtained in 2021 by Mid America Pet Food, which manufactures Victor, Wayne Feeds and also Eagle Mountain. MAPF manufactures their product in Mt. Pleasant, Texas as well as it’s assumed Nature’s Logic is currently made in that plant.
Nature’s Logic has actually not been remembered at the time of creating.
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# 8: NATURE’S LOGIC DISTINCTION.
best completely dry canine food.
BEEF RECIPE INGREDIENTS: Beef, Beef Meal, Millet, Pork Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Menhaden Fish Meal, Spray Dried Pork Liver, Pumpkin Seeds, Yeast Culture, Montmorillonite Clay, Dried Kale, Dried Kelp, Spray Dried Porcine Plasma, Dried Tomato, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Apple, Dried Carrot, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Blueberry, Dried Apricot, Dried Spinach, Dried Broccoli, Dried Parsley, Dried Cranberry, Dried Artichoke, Dried Mushrooms, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Pineapple Extract, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract.
With 4 dry foods, Nature’s Logic’s Distinction line has an typical score of 6.9. The foods in this line are similar to the Distinction Grain-Free line, with an average of 32% healthy protein, 30% carbohydrate and 13% fat.
The food is higher in carb than we would love to see, however still lower than lots of comparable kibbles. Like all Nature’s Logic foods, this line sporting activities entire food nutrition with no included minerals or vitamins .
Like the Distinction Grain-Free Line, Distinction is a kibble and also is ultra-processed. It’s additionally worth keeping in mind that it includes meal as its second active ingredient, which is an additional ultra-processed active ingredient. But also for kibble buyers that can not manage air-dried, Nature’s Logic is at the top of our list.
Besides the processing, the food safety and security score is significantly impacted by the addition of millet as the carb source. Like most grains, millet is generally spray-dried with Roundup before harvest, making this a very high chemical (herbicide) food. Organic millet would substantially boost the score of this food.
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# 9: ORIJEN ORIGINAL DRY DOG FOOD.
best dry dog food.
REGIONAL RED INGREDIENTS: Beef, Wild Boar, Goat, Lamb, Lamb Liver, Beef Liver, Beef Tripe, Wild Boar Liver, Mutton, Whole Mackerel, Pork, Goat Meal, Beef Meal, Lamb Meal, Mackerel Meal, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Beef Kidney, Pork Liver, Herring Meal, Mutton Meal, Whole Green Peas, Whole Green Lentils, Whole Navy Beans, Whole Chickpeas, Natural Pork Flavor, Beef Fat, Pollock Oil, Pork Kidney, Lentil Fiber, Pea Starch, Whole Yellow Peas, Lamb Tripe, Wild Boar Heart, Dried Kelp, Whole Pumpkin, Whole Butternut Squash, Collard Greens, Whole Apples, Whole Pears, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Dried Chicory Root, Turmeric, Sarsaparilla Root, Althea Root, Rosehips, Juniper Berries, Citric Acid (Preservative), Rosemary Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product.
Orijen deals 9 completely dry foods in their initial line. The line has an average score of 6.9 as well as averages 38% protein, 20% carbohydrate and also 17% fat.
When it involves active ingredient top quality, this food scores reasonably high due to its reduced carb content. There are a SMALL number of included nutrients , but the minerals are excellent quality and also organic. The food likewise includes a great selection of healthy proteins and also liver.
Like every kibble, Orijen is ultra-processed. Extruded kibbles are warmed four different times throughout manufacturing, which will trigger significant losses in some energetic enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and phytonutrients. Studies likewise show that ultra-processed foods are connected to a greater rate of all-cause mortality in humans, so the food does lose some safety factors right here.
There are multiple high-pesticide active ingredients in the food, consisting of lentils, peas, apples and chickpeas and also this reduces the active ingredient security rating. The food additionally consists of all-natural taste, which is frequently animal absorb or MSG. All-natural taste is a low quality component with limited safety and security studies.
Although Orijen has the same ordinary rating as Nature’s Logic Distinction, it’s run across 9th place because of the all-natural taste. This is unfortunate because the food is reduced in carb and higher in protein. However both are reasonable options for a kibble.
Orijen is produced by Canadian company, Champion Petfoods. It’s manufactured internal in both Canada and the US. It provides primarily ultra-processed kibble, but additionally has a canned as well as freeze-dried line.
To day, Orijen pet food has actually not been recalled in Canada or the United States.
It deserves nothing that their moms and dad business, Champion Petfoods had actually 2 suits submitted versus it.
In 2020, Animal Equality questioned Champion’s case that the trout in the ACANA line was wild captured when it was identified by the AE organization as farmed fish. The fit was settled with Champion Petfoods altering their marketing insurance claims and also promising far better transparency in its fish sourcing.
Additionally in 2020, the Organic Consumers Association took legal action against Champion Petfoods for misleading advertising under both the ACANA as well as Orijen brand. The organization declared that declarations such as “free-run” chicken were deceptive. This situation has actually additionally been fixed with Champion Petfoods making changes to their product packaging and also advertising and marketing.
It’s fine to look at just how much protein as well as fat is in a food, yet at the end of the day, the food requires to be safe for your dog to eat ( as well as many foods consist of components that are fairly dangerous). Like all air-dried foods, each food sheds an active ingredient safety and security factor for moderate handling. The foods also contain lecithin from sunflower, which is a high-pesticide plant– but with that said, it amounts to a little percentage of the food. Researches additionally reveal that ultra-processed foods are connected to a greater rate of all-cause death in humans, so the food does lose some security factors below.
Studies also reveal that ultra-processed foods are linked to a higher price of all-cause death in people, so the food does shed some security points below.