Best Dog Food Brands in 2024

Patrick MacFarland Patrick MacFarland · Updated October 3, 2024

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A woman, wearing a light blue shirt, is feeding a large white dog from a metal bowl indoors. A blue bag of pet food from one of the best dog food brands and a puppy are visible in the background.

In recent years, healthy living has been trending up — and not just for ourselves, but our pets too. The days of feeding your dog cheap, dried-out kibble are long gone. The best dog food brands offer something more for your furry friend — more nutrition, more flavor, more variety.

Because of this trend, there are more brands than ever on the market. And unfortunately, healthier dog food is pricey, so you want to be sure you’re making the right choice.

Let’s explore the 10 best dog food brands in 2024. These labels are the cream of the crop. At the end of the day, the health of your dog is what matters.

Best Dog Food Subscription Services

Food subscription services have become very popular. Just like Hello Fresh and Home Chef, there are many dog food companies that are subscription based. Here are our top dog food subscription brands.

The image shows an orange circle containing the white text "The Farmer's Dog" in a playful handwritten font, reflecting one of the best dog food brands out there.

#1: The Farmer’s Dog

The Farmer’s Dog subscription service is the gold standard for your dog. The company offers a variety of human-grade meal packages that are delivered right to your doorstep.

You can choose from four protein options: turkey, chicken, pork and beef. Each also has a variety of nutrients and vegetables. The food your dog eats will all be healthy and fresh.

  • Each box costs between $1.50 to $17.50, depending on the dog breed.
  • Subscription plans per month can range from $40 to $500 per month.
  • Dog owners fill out a custom form to get a recommended meal plan personalized to their pet.

The Farmer’s Dog was started because the owner’s dog suffered from digestive issues. He created dog food that is personally catered to each dog. The Farmer’s Dog truly cares about the dog and what they eat.

Other benefits of food from The Farmer’s Dog include:

  • No chicken meals, which often are sourced from diseased animals
  • No preservatives
  • The food isn’t overprocessed like typical kibble
  • Easy-to-use packaging
  • Over 100,000,000 meals have been delivered

Your food will be delivered within days of your order. Your dog’s meal is made fresh and then quickly frozen. This process locks in the nutrients your dog needs to thrive.

The subscription plan is also catered to your needs — you get to choose how often the food gets sent to you. At the end of the day, the Farmer’s Dog is a company that was created with dogs in mind, which is why it’s the #1 dog food subscription brand on the market.

Golden retriever puppy in a box with text offering 80% off the first box from "The Farmer's Dog," known for the best dog food for allergies.

As a Proud Partner, we’re offering you a Special Discount on your first box of The Farmer’s Dog!

#2: Spot & Tango

Spot & Tango is a dog food brand that emphasizes fresh ingredients. Its subscription services are personalized to each dog and it strives itself as the only “fresh dry” dog food on the market.

  • Each meal can cost anywhere from $1 to $5 per day or more depending on the dog breed.
  • Subscription meals can range from $30 to $200 per month, depending on the dog breed.

The dog food that Spot & Tango will send you is veterinarian approved and formulated. All ingredients are fresh and healthy, leading to a higher quality of life for your pooch.

There are two food choices — UnKibble and Fresh. You can pick between cod/salmon, turkey, lamb, beef and chicken.

#3: Nom Nom

Nom Nom isn’t just a clever dog food name, it’s also a dog food company that strives to deliver healthy and nutritious food right to your door. The subscription service uses fresh, quality food that’s tailored to your dog’s specific needs.

  • You can expect meals for one week to cost $40 for a medium sized dog.
  • When it comes to large dogs, you can expect meals to cost $65 per week.

Nom Nom works quite easily — following simple steps. First, you tell them info about your dog. They come up with meal plans that are specifically tailored to their breed, size, age and more.

Nom Nom prides itself on sending you food that won’t be boring and that your dog will love. You can even request a Sampler Pack first before committing to a meal plan.

#4: JINX

The owners of JINX are dog parents that decided to create a food company that was all about nutritious and healthy food. There are a variety of proteins you can choose for, all of them are veterinary approved and healthy for your dog.

  • A bag of adult dog food can range between $18 and $65 depending on the size of the bag, the breed, and age.
  • Specifically, a 4-pound bag costs around $20.

JINX gives several options besides dry dog food, like wet food, treats and meal toppers. They even offer beef crumbles you can add to your dog’s food.

The recipes that you order help your dog maintain a healthy lifestyle, too. The food isn’t just beneficial, but it also leads to benefits that can be good for your dog in the long run.

#5: Ollie

Ollie is a dog food company that prides itself on using natural ingredients like human-grade meat, fruits and vegetables. Ollie adds grains for more nutritional value and collaborates with veterinarians to be precise in the health and nutrition of their dog food.

  • Small dogs: Full fresh is $22 per week, Mixed bowl is $19 per week, and Half Fresh is $15 per week.
  • Medium dogs: Full fresh is $55 per week, Mixed bowl is $45 per week, and Half Fresh is $38 per week.
  • Large dogs: Full fresh is $69 per week, Mixed bowl is $59 per week, and Half Fresh is $41 per week.

Their pricing plans are simple and are even advertised with complete transparency. What’s more is that each meal plan is catered to the individual characteristics of your dog. Specifics are key, which is why Ollie is one of the best dog brands in 2024.

Top Fresh Dog Food

You may like subscription services, but sometimes you may not be able to afford it or need more flexibility in your feeding. So what’s the best alternative? The next best thing is to buy your dog fresh dog food. Let’s take a look at some of the best fresh dog food brands in 2024.

#6: Freshpet

If you’ve ever taken a walk down the pet food aisle in any grocery store or Target, you’ve probably seen Freshpet’s refrigerators. This major brand is readily available and a much better option for your pet than typical dry kibble.

Freshpet uses real ingredients that are human-grade. It’s packed with fibers, proteins, vegetables and the best nutrients. They steam-cook their fresh food.

  • Bite Size 1-pound meal costs $10.
  • A 1.5-pound dog food roll costs about $8.
  • A 4.5-pound bag of dog food costs between $28 to $35.

Freshpet is veterinary-approved because they want to be exact on their healthy ingredients. Their products range from a variety of options.

The best part is they have several brands for your choosing ranging from home cooked-style types of options, to brands that are specific in being healthy for dogs and also the environment.

#7: Just Food For Dogs

Just Food For Dogs is a unique dog food company that has various dog food options for you. Sometimes, a one-size-fits-all approach is not the best way to go. Sometimes you want your dog to experience a variety of different food options. That’s why they offer frozen meal packs, fresh meal packs, custom diet packs and even DIY homemade options with their ingredients.

  • A chicken and white rice frozen 14-pack costs $77.
  • A chicken and white rice panty 12-pack costs $45.
  • The DIY chicken and white rice bag costs $13.

Launching in 2010, Just Food For Dogs launched its first-ever kitchen for dogs. This was revolutionary in the dog food world. It prides itself on being the best when it comes to fresh food. What’s better is that they conduct scientific research and check with veterinarians to make sure their food is as healthy as possible.

Best General Dog Food Brands

Next up are the general dog food brands. These brands are some of the most popular and recognized out there. They tend to be less expensive than subscription services or fresh dog food, but they are the best from the rest of the whole lot. Let’s take a look at them.

#8: Royal Canin

Royal Canin is a dog food brand that strives to create tailored food products for all types of dogs, whether they are old or young, big or small. In fact, they have tailored their dog food to the specific breed of your dog. This is monumental in the dog food industry.

  • 17-pound Adult Food Bag can range from $25 to $80 depending on the dog’s breed.
  • 2.5-pound Puppy Food Bag can range from $20 to $30 depending on the dog’s breed.

Since the 1960s, Royal Canin has used 200 formulas to come up with tailored dog food that is specific to the age and breed of the dog. This makes it a top-notch service that has prescription-grade dog food. They pride themselves in ensuring their food is as healthy as possible for each specific dog breed.

The brand has food specially formulated for senior dogs. Additionally, Royal Canin offers prescription dog food for a variety of needs.

  • Urinary disease
  • Renal disease
  • Gastrointestinal disease
  • Weight management

#9: Hill’s

Hill’s Pet Nutrition markets itself as a science-backed dog food company. It offers a wide range of options for your dog. It even has prescription options for those dogs that suffer from medical ailments and need more specialized food.

  • Adult 11+ small dog breed that is 15 pounds costs $55.99.
  • Adult 6+ large dog breed that is 15 pounds costs $46.99.

Hill’s has other options including entrees, pouches, variety packs and even treats. Hill’s science-tests all its products, which makes things a lot easier for you in choosing the right dog food.

#10: Purina Pro Plan

Purina is a dog food brand that people sometimes associate in with lower-grade, store-bought dog food. However, they do have a more advanced nutrition option — Purina Pro Plan. It’s more nutrition-driven and science-backed.

  • The Pro Plan is 3.33 per pound/ 6-pound bag is roughly $19.99.

The Purina Pro Plan strives itself to be more nutritious than its regular Purina dog food brands. The Pro Plan comes in various options including wet food, dry food, and even a Sport nutrition type of option for those dogs that love to exercise.

There are also various protein choices and 80 formulas to come up with a more balanced, nutritious dog food for you. It also makes sure that scientists and veterinary professionals approve of the food that the Pro Plan comes up with.

Bottom Line

When you’re prioritizing the health of your dog, go for food that’s most beneficial. You may save money upfront with cheaper food, but in the long term it may negatively impact your dog. Dog food brands like The Farmer’s Dog, Freshpet, Royal Canin and the others on our list are the best in terms of nutrition and quality.

When you’re transporting dogs, you need healthy food and plenty of water. The dog-loving transporters on CitizenShipper have experience with feeding and storing fresh food while on the road. If you need to transport a dog, look no further than our #1-rated dog transportation marketplace.

As a Proud Partner, we’re offering you a Special 80% Discount on your first box of The Farmer’s Dog!

Disclaimer: CitizenShipper is a partner of The Farmer’s Dog and may earn commissions by referring customers.

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