The 20 Best Dog Foods of 2017

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Dogs have unique nutritional needs that are different from humans and other animals. Some ingredients are potentially harmful and may even be fatal if ingested over long periods of time. This is why it is strongly encouraged to avoid giving pets scraps from the dinner table. It is also important to understand which ingredients commonly found in dog food are healthy, and which are not. Not all dog foods are created equally. Many of the budget brands include fillers that can cause kidney damage as well as other health problems in dogs and puppies. In fact, there have been lawsuits over potentially dangerous ingredients used in popular brands. The best dog foods are the ones that do not contain fillers or preservatives that are unhealthy for your pet. They include only healthy foods that will give your dog the nutrition that is needed for maintaining good health.

There are many well-meaning dog owners who simply do not realize that the type of foods they are feeding their pets can either promote good health or cause serious issues that compromise the well being of their pets. With so many different brands available on the market it can be difficult to know which is the best choice. Unless you know what to look for, how could you possibly know which one to purchase? This is one of the reasons why we have done the research to find the most highly rated pet food formulations for giving dogs the nutrition that they require to be healthy. You may be surprised to find that the brand you are currently using is not on the list.

The following brands have been approved as being among the best choices based on their ingredients. They are highly rated by experts who understand which ingredients and ingredient combinations are good choices for dogs. Here are the best dog foods that are recommended as being excellent for dog health in 2017:

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20. Merrick Whole Earth

This brand offers both kibble recipes as well as canned food for dogs of all types. It is manufactured in the United States and contains probiotics that are good for your dog’s digestive system. Ingredients include turkey and chicken meal, oatmeal brown rice, pearl barley, whole barley, chicken fat, natural chicken flavor and chicken meat, Salmon oil for healthy Omega 3 fatty acids, Zinc Amino Acid complex, manganese amino acid complex, Choline Chloride, vitamin B12 supplement, D calcium, Vitamin D2, Niacin, biotin, riboflavin, folic acid and other important vitamins and minerals for your dog’s balanced diet. The whole oatmeal ingredient makes it a good choice for dogs with stomach sensitivity. Antioxidants help to boost the immune system.

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19. Nutro

Nutro dog food is made from chicken that is raised on farms in the US. It is packed with amino acids and whole oatmeal for dogs with sensitive stomachs. The formulation includes a hearty supply of minerals, vitamins and natural fiber that helps dogs to build muscle, enhance coat health and maintain a healthy immune system.

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18. Newman’s Own Dog food

This brand was developed in 1993. Each formulation is designed to meet the health and nutritional needs of all types of dogs including puppies, adults, older dogs, and those who need to watch calories. Each bag contains organic ingredients with a makeup of a minimum of 70% organic grains and vegetables which are certified. These products meet the USDA standards for beign organic. They also contain chicken meal, chicken, organic oats, barley, peas, soybean meal, sorghum, brown rice, millet, rice, chicken fat and other ingredients that supply the vitamins, minerals and omega 3 amino acids.

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17. Evangers Nutritionally Complete and Balanced Chicken & Rice Dog Food

This formulation adheres to the AAFCO dog food profiles that is suitable for all of the life stages of a dog. The first ingredient is chicken. This dog food does not contain any fillers of soy, wheat or corn. It is recommended in teh Whole Dog Journal as a top choice for canine nutrition. It contains natural ingredients including healthy vegetables, fruits, berries, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It is naturally preserved with Citric acid and rosemary extract and contains probiotics which promote digestive health.

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16. Nutrisca

Nutrisca is a high protein blend of natural ingredients containing vitamins and minerals. There are no grains, tapioca starch or potatoes in this diet. It contains ingredients rich in antioxidants including cranberries, apricots, blueberries and carrots. It also contains chicken, chicken meal, chickpeas, peas, Menhaden fish meal for omega 3 amino fatty acids, probiotics and natural preservatives.

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15. Primal Pet Foods

Primal Dog food is created from natural raw food ingredients. It contains freeze dried beef formulated especially for dogs. There are no GMOs, glutens or grains. Each dog food produced also contains duck meat, pheasant, lamb, rabbit, sardine, chicken and turkey. It is available in different flavor and natural meat selections. Raw meat is first freeze dried and then ground, making it especially appealing to your pet. Other healthy ingredients include certified organic fruits, vegetables, sunflower seeds, apple cider vinegar, salmon oil, quinoa sprout powder and vitamin E supplement. The ingredients are natural and contain balanced and healthy nutrition for canines.

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14. Honest Kitchen Embark

Embark dog food is made with cage free turkey meat, eggs, coconut, potatoes, spinach, apples, celery and carrots. It does not contain GMOs, soy, corn or preservatives. It contains zinc amino acid, vitamin D3 supplement, potassium, iron amino acid, copper, and other healthy vitamins and minerals.

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13. Orijen Dog Food

Orijen is an award winning dog food world wide. This product is made in the USA. The formula is grain free and comes packed with protein from natural ingredients. It contains deboned chicken, turkey, whole eggs, yellowtail flounder, whole Atlantic mackerel, and other meats that are locally sourced. It also contains vegetables and fruits. The breakdown is 85% poultry, eggs and fish and 15% vegetables and fruits. It does not contain plant proteins or potatoes.

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12. Organix Adult Dog Food

This highly recommended brand of adult dog food is manufactured by Castor & Pollux. It includes chicken as the number one ingredient. In addition, fresh fruit and vegetable purees which are certified organic along with organic brown rice, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and fiber make a complete and balanced nutritious diet for dogs. This product does contain organic millet, oats, peas, poultry fat, salmon meal, quinoa, dried eggs, flaxseed, and is preserved with natural rosemary extract.

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11. Hi-Tek Naturals Grain Free Lamb Meal and Sweet Potato Formula Dry Dog Food

This formulation meets AAFCO standards and is intended to provide energy and stamina for dogs without the use of grains or grain products. It contains pork, chicken and duck meal, sweet potatoes, lamb meal, minerals and vitamins. It also contains probiotics for enhanced digestive health. Additional ingredients include duck meal, pork meal, chicken meal, egg, salmon meal, flaxseed, sea salt, tomato, blueberry, choline, raspberry, added vitamins and minerals and is naturally preserved with organic ingredients.

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10. Fromm Dog Food

Fromm formulation for dogs contains chicken and duck meal, which contains up to 300% more protein than the fresh meat. It also includes oats, brown rice, barley, fish meal, omega 3 proteins, pork, pork meal, pearled barley, white rice, pea protein, dried tomato, cheese, salmon oil, flaxseed, chicken cartilage, added vitamins and minerals and multiple natural fruits and vegetables for enhanced and balanced nutrition. Fromm Dog Food is rated with four out of five possible stars.

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9. Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost

This dog food formulation contains freeze dried raw meat along with kibble that is high in protein. Raw meat i the natural food that dogs instinctively crave. This blend is made to meet the nutritional needs and the desires of dogs so they will enjoy the food they are eating as well as the nutritional benefits. It also includes healthy oils which are required for your pet’s healthy coat and skin. Ingredients are Beef, beef liver, beef broth, potatoes, cracked barley, whole brown rice, cracked brown rice, chicken meal, chloride, salt, choline chloride and vitamin E supplements. It is also enhanced with other vitamins and minerals.

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8. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Venison Dry Dog Food

A unique formulation of dog food that is made with fresh venison. This food is grain free and uses potato fiber for the carbohydrate portion. It is a good choice for dogs who have allergies to kibble or sensitive stomach. It contains Omega 3 fatty acids which are derived from flaxseed for healthy skin and coat. Other ingredients include salmon oil for DHA, vitamin E supplement, and a complete list of recommended vitamins and minerals for canine health and a balanced diet.

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7. Acana Dog Food

Considered to be one of the top dog food brands, Acana contains essential vegetables and meats. It is available online but is difficult to find on the shelves of retailers in the US. It contains duck meal, deboned duck, peas, whole pears, steel-cut oats, whole potato, duck liver, duck fat, oat flakes, sun cured alfalfa, algae meal, cranberries, blueberries, kelp, chicory root, angelica root, marigold flowers, vitamins, minerals, sweet fennel, lavender and peppermint leaf.

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6. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dog Food

Made with roasted venison and bison, lamb meal, egg product, sweet potatoes, peas, pea protein, ocean fish, fish meal, salmon oil, dried chicory root, antioxidant rich berries, fruits and vegetables, beef, potato fiber and canola oil. It is also packed with added vitamins and minerals.

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5. Earthborn Holistic Dog Food

This formulation contains high levels of protein. It includes bison and lamb meal, Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins C, E and D3, fruits and vegetables which are rich in antioxidants, and immune boosting fruits and vegetables.

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4. Diamond Naturals Dog Food

Diamond Naturals is a healthy and balanced canine formula that contains selenium and vitamin E additives for the best possible antioxidant nutrition. It is also fortified with Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids for skin and coat health. Ingredients include beef meal, peas, ground white rice, cracked pearled barley, rice bran, chicken fat, pea protein, fish meal, egg product, dried beet pulp, flaxseed, salt, a variety of fruits and vegetables and vitamin and mineral additions.

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3. Wellness Core Air Dried Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food

This strongly recommended dog food is intended for adult dogs. It contains 70% protein from natural raw sources which help to give full grown dogs plenty of stamina, energy and the necessary building blocks for muscle and tissue development. It is completely grain free so there are no unnecessary fillers included. Ingredients are deboned chicken, chicken meal, whitefish, natural chicken flavor, ground flaxseed, tomatoes, chickory root extract, apples, carrots, spinach, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and vitamin and mineral supplements. This formulation contains ingredients which have been naturally air dried to help preserve the integrity of the nutrients which occur naturally in raw foods for optimum pet health.

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2. Holistic Select Dog Food

Holistic Select Dog Food is one of the most highly recommended brands for dog food safety. The manufacturer has gone over and above safety and health requirements for pet food and demands only the highest in quality and nutrition in the products that they deliver. This dog food adheres to rigorous standards in quality and in delivering balanced nutrition. It contains chicken meal, ground white and brown rice, oatmeal, pork meal, chicken fat, sardine meal, dried egg product, carrots, pumpkin, menhaden fish oil, dried beet pulp, anchovy meal, alfalfa meal, tomato pomace, apples, quinoa and peas. This dog food also contains added vitamins and minerals as recommended for canine health and nutrition.

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1. Dr. Harvey’s Dog Food

Dr. Harvey’s dog foods have received 5 star ratings out of a possible 5 stars. The product is made with freeze dried beef, which preserves the natural nutrients stored in the meat, particularly amino acids. It also includes raw chicken and whole eggs for additional protein rich foods. It also includes flaxseed meal, carrots and potatoes to ensure that dogs get the necessary carbohydrates and antioxidants needed to maintain good health. A variety of natural fruits, vegetables and herbal ingredients are included in the formulation. In addition to this, vitamin and mineral supplements have been added.

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