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Best Dry Dog Foods for 2021

While there are now many different options to choose from when trying to pick the perfect dog food, dry canine kibbles have remained the standout choice for most pup owners.

Less messy, easy to measure, good for the teeth and not to mention cheaper overall, dry dog food makes feeding a hungry pup simple and sanitary!

However, not all dry dog foods are created equal, and too many companies get away with churning out nasty, low-quality grub for your little tyke.

So to ensure your mutt is getting the maximum nutrition possible, we’ve examined a whole host of dry dog food options, and put together a list of the most nourishing and balanced meals available to your four-legged friend!

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    Our Top Picks

    Image Product Details
    IAMS for Vitality Dry Dog Food
    • Large Breed or Small/Medium Breed options
    • Huge 12Kg size!
    • 85% protein with no artificial ingredients
    • Tailored minerals to strengthen teeth
    Check Price
    Crave High Protein Dry Dog Food
    • Protein-rich kibble with real meat
    • Grain-free
    • Lamb and Beef or Turkey and Chicken flavours
    • 3 packs of 1 Kg or 2.8 Kg bags
    Check Price
    Pooch And Mutt Soft And Shiny Dry Dog Food
    • Packed with both prebiotics and probiotics
    • Reduces skin allergies and may prevent food allergies from developing.
    • Rich in biotin and collagen
    Check Price

    The Top 10 Best Dry Dog Foods Reviewed

    1.
    IAMS for Vitality Dry Dog Food

    This dry dog food is stuffed with so many healthy ingredients that it almost beggars belief.

    Basing it’s nutritional contents on the seven signs of healthy vitality in dogs, IAMS product aims to be one of the most caring canine meals on the market and given the amount of wholesome goodness in this recipe, it may well have succeeded!

    For each area of vitality, IAMS have included an ingredient to effectively unlock it’s qualities, these areas being: a healthy coat, strong teeth and bones, strong muscles, a good immune system, smooth digestion and a healthy heart.

    Lovingly developed with vets, this crunchy kibble is infused with omega oils to boost the skin and fur, minerals to reduce teeth tartar, and also makes use of high quality animal protein to maintain muscle health.

    And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the vitamins and nutrients packed into this formula!

    Don’t believe us? Go and check out the ingredients list!

    Features

    • Large Breed or Small/Medium Breed options
    • Huge 12Kg size!
    • 85% protein with no artificial ingredients
    • Tailored minerals to strengthen teeth

    Specifications

    • Weight: 12 Kg
    • Dimensions: 57 x 43 x 14 cm

    2.
    Crave High Protein Dry Dog Food

    For muscly mutts who require a high-protein punch with every meal, it doesn’t get much meatier than Crave’s Dry Dog Food.

    Using natural ingredients and boasting a flavour dogs just can’t say no to, this meaty kibble helps satisfy canine cravings and features a protein-rich nugget that helps support their strong and healthy muscles.

    But it’s not just hairy bodybuilders who’ll benefit from Crave’s dry grub, as the kibble has also been manufactured with sensitive stomached mutts in mind.

    Aiming to reduce slow and painful digestion, Crave is made without maize, wheat, soy and dairy, and has no artificial colours or flavourings.

    It’s even suitable for all sizes of dog, so don’t worry if your Chihuahua is a featherweight, as Crave’s protein power is sure to unlock the animal within!

    Features

    • Protein-rich kibble with real meat
    • Grain-free
    • Lamb and Beef or Turkey and Chicken flavours
    • 3 packs of 1 Kg or 2.8 Kg bags

    Specifications

    • Weight: 3 x 2.8 Kg, 3 x 1 Kg
    • Dimensions: 44 x 25.5 x 21.3 cm (2.8 Kg)

    3.
    Pooch And Mutt Soft And Shiny Dry Dog Food

    Everyone wants soft and shiny hair, right? Even your dog!

    Since healthy hair comes from the inside out, this grain-free dog food is high in protein, biotin and collagen from fresh Herring, and rich in omega 3 & 6 essential fatty acids. The omega oils help to protect against allergens and skin conditions as well as locking moisture inside the skin to ensure it doesn’t dry out. Healthy skin, healthy hair.

    Herring is rich in essential amino acids alongside prebiotics and probiotics that ensures a healthy gut microbiome, and since Herring is more easily digestible than other meats, this dry dog food is also a good choice for those with a sensitive stomach.

    Features

    • Packed with both prebiotics and probiotics
    • Reduces skin allergies and may prevent food allergies from developing.
    • Rich in biotin and collagen

    Specifications

    • Weight: 2Kg, 10 Kg
    • Dimensions: 30.2 x 21.4 x 20.8 cm (6 Kg)

    4.
    Harringtons Complete Turkey & Veg Dry Mix Dog Food

    Harringtons have been one of the most popular dog food brands over the last decade and when looking at their all-natural and nurturing ingredient lists, it’s easy to see why!

    All of their dry dog foods contain no artificial ingredients and use a concoction of nutrients, vitamins and minerals to create the most nourishing meal possible for your pup.

    This Turkey & Veg Dry Mix is no exception, using high-quality turkey kibble infused with citrus, yeast and yucca extracts. This trio of goodness helps boost your canine’s immune system, eases digestion issues and even reduces unpleasant odours and flatulence! Added omega oils also add a glossy shine to your canine’s coat and a portion of kelp provides a healthy way for your mutt to up their vitamin intake.

    It’s the natural choice for well-nourished, happy pooches!

    Features

    • Citrus extract to support the immune system
    • Beef, Chicken, Lamb and Salmon flavours also available
    • Contains kelp for natural vitamins and minerals
    • 2 Kg to 5 Kg sizes
    • Yeast extract for easier digestion

    Specifications

    • Weight: 2 Kg, 5 Kg
    • Dimensions: 25.7 x 22.5 x 12.1 cm (2 Kg)

    5.
    Royal Canin Dog Food X-Small Adult Dry Mix

    Royal Canin are well known for their specialist medical dog foods, which come in all sorts of varieties to help solve everything from gastrointestinal bloat to diabetic doggy issues.

    But even Royal Canin’s standard noshes can offer disease-free canines a wealth of health benefits, and so this dry mix for extra small pups is the perfect choice for keeping your mutt in mint condition.

    This dinky kibble’s mixture of fibres, psyllium and highly digestible proteins makes for an easier internal transit for your little tyke, meaning it’s great for the likes of Chihuahuas and Pomeranians, who are often prone to constipation.

    And with ingredients designed to improve urinary tract health, it can even offer an easier wee, for your wee pup!

    Features

    • Suitable for all dogs up to 4 Kg
    • Improves coat and urinary tract health
    • Reduces formation of teeth tartar
    • Small and palatable kibble

    Specifications

    • Weight: 1.5 Kg
    • Dimensions: 8 x 18.5 x 40 cm

    6.
    James Wellbeloved Lamb & Rice Complete Dry Puppy Food

    Puppies require a complete and nutritious diet to help them become a fit and fighting adult, and so it’s paramount we owners pick them up the perfect puppy provisions.

    Thankfully, James Wellbeloved’s Complete Puppy Food is a fantastic choice, with a smaller design to help accommodate smaller mouths as well as featuring all the natural goodness your pup requires!

    With no unhealthy additives, this Lamb and Rice dish boasts hypoallergenic qualities and uses balanced fibres to support the digestive system.

    Vital for puppies, it also contains extra calcium and phosphorus which can prove key ingredients in helping to strengthen bones and supporting skeletal development.

    For those adverse to doggy trumps, this recipe also contains a healthy amount of yucca extract, helping to neutralise stool odours and prevent excessive gas.

    And for those not adverse to doggy trumps… we suggest you probably seek help.

    Features

    • Extra nutrients to help puppies grow
    • Hypoallergenic
    • Nourishing lamb, brown and pearl rice with whole barley
    • No additives

    Specifications

    • Weight: 2 Kg
    • Dimensions: 32.4 x 19.8 x 11.2 cm

    7.
    Chappie Complete Dry Dog Food for Adult Dogs

    Although better known for their tinned varieties of dog food, mutt owners shouldn’t sleep on Chappie’s dry option, which is still one of the best-kept secrets in this glamourous world of pooch grub.

    Developed specially by nutritionists and veterinarians, Chappie’s have created an easily digestible doggy dinner, packed full of all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients your pup needs to live a healthy, happy lifestyle.

    By using wholegrain maize and wheat in their recipe, Chappie’s canine cooks have ensured maximum nourishment for your dog, with starch to raise energy levels and plenty of fibre to aid smoother digestion. A necessary addition of fats and acids also prevents a dull and itchy epidermis, while a generous infusion of vegetables helps to boost the immune system!

    With no added sugar or artificial nastiness, it’s guaranteed to make your pooch a happy Chappie!

    Features

    • Meat source with wholegrain cereal
    • Low in fat, high in protein
    • Beef or Chicken flavour
    • No artificial ingredients or added sugar

    Specifications

    • Weight: 15 Kg
    • Dimensions: 61 x 47 x 15 cm (15 Kg)

    8.
    Lily's Kitchen Breakfast Crunch Dry Food

    A fun and innovative twist on daily dry dog food, Lily Kitchen’s Breakfast Crunch allows your mutt to join in on morning activity with a breakfast-themed bowl of kibble.

    Coming in the form of small breakfast biscuits, these crunchy nuggets are a unique formula of turkey and chicken livers with the added twist of yoghurt, berries and oats!

    These are then topped off with botanical herbs like rosehips and marigold for a hound’s holistic health, while a dash of clear pressed salmon oil puts a spring in their step and a gleam in their coat. Baked until golden and crunchy, the biscuits are also great for dog gnashers and the ample amount of fruit and fibre promises smooth and easy digestion.

    Just try not to mistake it with your own cereal, as chicken and turkey corn flakes probably aren’t the most appetising way to start your day.

    Features

    • Fun, breakfast cereal style dog food
    • Complete and nutritionally balanced
    • Contains yoghurt, berries and sunflower seeds
    • 30% Chicken and Turkey flavour

    Specifications

    • Weight: 800 g
    • Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 11 cm

    9.
    Pedigree Dry Dog Food For Adult Dogs

    Pedigree remains one of the most respected and trusted dog food brands in the UK thanks to their leading attitude towards nutrition, and this dry dog food option certainly doesn’t skimp on tradition!

    Focusing on what they believe to be a dog’s four universal needs, this Pedigree kibble aims to offer serious benefits for your canine’s coat, dental care, digestion and immune system, giving your pup vital protection through nourishment.

    With a specially designed texture, these dry nuggets help clean a dog’s teeth, while it’s active ingredients help prevent tartar build-up to keep your mutt’s mouth bacteria-free. There’s also plenty of natural fibres and proteins to aid digestion, and the inclusion of essential oils helps keep skin supple and hydrated.

    Vitamin E, antioxidants and minerals then provide a trio of defence when it comes to your dog’s immune system, meaning this healthy kibble has your canine’s quartet of needs more than covered in just one generous helping!

    Features

    • Vitamin B for energy and vitality
    • Natural fibres and proteins
    • Prevents tartar and cleans teeth
    • Essential oils to boost skin and coat

    Specifications

    • Weight: 12 Kg
    • Dimensions: 58.6 x 39.4 x 12 cm

    10.
    Wagg Beef and Veg Kennel Complete Dog Food

    Designed for working dogs, Wagg’s Kennel range of dry dog food provides a cavalcade of canine goodness within its chunks, meaning domestic doggy’s can reap all the benefits too!

    B vitamins and carbohydrates offer your pup bags of extra energy, meaning they can keep up their electrifying pace for longer, while a 22% protein intake ensures their muscles repair and strengthen.

    But this kibble doesn’t just improve physical health, as a combination of zinc, biotin and Omega 3 oils promote healthy skin and a blend of C and E vitamins also help support your canine’s immune system.

    It’s the easiest way to keep your dog’s tail wagging!

    Features

    • Chicken & Veg or Beef & Veg flavour
    • Prebiotics for a healthy gut
    • Vitamin C for healthy gums
    • Contains calcium for strong teeth and bones

    Specifications

    • Weight: 15 Kg
    • Dimensions: 64 x 44.2 x 13.4 cm

    Buying Guide

    How To Choose A Dry Dog Food

    Consider Dog’s Age and Health

    The nutritional needs of each dog are all slightly different, and so you need to consider your canine’s condition before randomly selecting a foodstuff. Puppies and Seniors usually require specialised food which contains extra quantities of the ingredients they need to thrive, usually those which support or promote bone and joint health. If your dog has a medical condition or food intolerances it’s probably also better to purchase medical/veterinary-approved prescription food.

    Analyse The Ingredients List

    The only way to ensure there is nothing nasty or unnecessary in your mutt’s meal is to trawl through the ingredients list.

    Find The Right Balance

    Although we often stress how important it is to give your dog a balanced diet, there are still some food groups they require more than others to stay healthy. For example, although carbohydrates have their benefits for dogs, they should never be higher in quantity than protein or fats in a dog’s food. As a rule, try and find dog grub which is highest in protein, and then features fats as a close second.

    Features To Look Out For

    Oils and Fatty Acids

    You’ll often see dry dog food including things like oils and fatty acids in their contents, which admittedly doesn’t sound like the sort of thing you want in a dry kibble. However, essential fats like these are incredibly important when it comes to hydrating your mutt’s skin and keeping their coat shiny and glossy

    Hypoallergenic

    This often just means that ingredients like wheat, gluten, soy and dairy have been removed from the product. However these aren’t actually very common allergies, and so if you suspect your dog has an allergy you’re better off purchasing a hydrolysed protein dog food.

    Grain-free

    Removing grains from a dog’s food actually has almost no positive effects, so there’s no need to purposely seek out a grain-free grub option.

    Teeth Cleaning Agents

    Nobody likes cleaning their dog’s teeth, but there are ways you can lessen your daily brushing quota. Certain dry dog food is designed with a texture that helps prevent tartar build-up and some even contain a calcium agent that helps clean teeth.

    High Protein

    Protein is absolutely vital to all dog diet’s and so it’s crucial you choose dog food which has a natural protein source as it’s the main ingredient. You should ideally look for options with a minimum of 18% protein.

    Vitamins and Minerals

    For nutritional balance, a pup needs vitamins and minerals, as well as all the health benefits that come with them.

    Digestion Aids

    One of the most common complaints people have about dogs and their diet is gastrointestinal issues, ranging from minor to serious. It’s therefore important to choose kibble which promises smoother digestion thanks to fibrous ingredients or prebiotics.

    No Artificial Ingredients

    Too many dog foods are filled with nasty junk and preservatives that your canine just doesn’t need. If your dog food doesn’t stress that it’s made from natural ingredients or free from additives, that’s probably because it’s not.

    Sizes

    There’s no point buying a 1 Kg bag of dry food if you’ve got a Great Dane, as it’s highly likely they’re going to gobble it up within a few days! Save yourself some money and buy the bag size appropriate for your pup.

    Breed Size

    Some forms of kibble are marketed towards certain sized breeds as different sized dogs often require different levels of proteins or carbohydrates in their diet. Make sure you check your food is suitable for all breeds, or that it is designed for your pup’s.

    Other Buyers Ask...

    Which are the best dry dog food brands?

    Pedigree and IAMS are two of the most trusted dog food brands in the UK and their ‘Vital’ dry food ranges are easily the most beneficial for your pups. Whereas many other branded kibbles contain just a few extra ingredients to provide health benefits elsewhere, these two brands contain everything your dog needs to display vitality in every area of their health from coat, teeth and joints to their immune and digestive systems.

    How much should dry dog food cost?

    Buying dry dog food can get pricey, and so you need to be on the lookout for cheaper options which don’t sacrifice on their quality of ingredients.

    If you’ve got a big dog, you may be having to purchase a 15 Kg bag of dry food every month, and so ideally, you don’t want to be spending more than £25 for the largest bag available.

    For smaller dogs, you can purchase a smaller sized bag and you won’t need to spend more £15 a month.

    How long does a bag of dry dog food last?

    Naturally, this completely depends on the size of your dog, and the size of bag you buy!

    As a general rule, a small dog under 10 kg in weight needs no more than 180 g of dry dog food a day.

    That means a 15 Kg bag would last them a minimum of 2 and a half months!

    Conversely, a 40 + Kg pup usually eats no less than 540 g of dry food a day, which means a 15 Kg bag would only last them a maximum of 27 days, less than a month!

    Therefore to keep your dog food purchases on a monthly basis, you need a bag size of 12 Kg or more for incredibly large dogs, but probably only need a 5 Kg for dogs under 10 Kg.