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When choosing the best dry food for your puppy it is vitally important to find one suitable for your puppy’s breed size.
Unfortunately, choosing the wrong food (one that contains too much calcium) could cause permanent bone damage to your pup1 2 3 including a crippling form of hip dysplasia.
This is especially relevant for larger breeds.
To help, our team, headed by pet nutritionist Laura Ward, has shared recommendations of the best dry puppy food specifically for large and small breeds.
Our list also includes the best dry foods for puppies with specific health issues such as a sensitive stomach or allergies. There are grain-inclusive and grain-free recipes options to satisfy your personal feeding preferences, as well as premium and affordable choices to suit your budget.
Best Dry Puppy Foods December 2024
Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s best dry puppy foods for December 2024.
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Best Dry Puppy Food
Redbarn Grain-Free Puppy Recipe
Redbarn has recently introduced some puppy foods into its ranges – we love this grain-free puppy recipe as it is particularly high in protein.
The first five ingredients are animal proteins including beef and lamb, followed by functional ingredients to support brain development, joint health, digestion, and muscle growth.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this recipe contains 29% protein, 17% fat and 46% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 58%.
Read our review of the full Redbarn Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Contains probiotics and prebiotics
- Quality animal proteins
- Added glucosamine and chondroitin
Main Ingredients Beef, lamb, beef meal, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 29% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies (including large breeds) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Redbarn"I’ve been giving Redbarn products to my dogs for 40 years. Always dependable, always quality products. The new dog foods are excellent, as is the puppy formula. "
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Best Premium Dry Puppy Food
Open Farm Puppy Chicken & Salmon
Open Farm Puppy Chicken & Salmon Recipe is a grain-free dry food formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO for All Life Stages, including the growth of large breed puppies.
Made from humanely-raised chicken and pork and wild-caught salmon, we love this nutrient-dense kibble as it includes prebiotic fibers to support health digestion and is free from antibiotics, hormones and steroids.
Our dry matter analysis reveals a protein reading of 36%, a fat level of 18% and estimated carbohydrates of about 39% with a fat to protein ratio of 50%.
Read our review of the full Open Farm Gently Cooked Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Things we like
- High in fiber
- Free from antibiotics
- Humanely-raised meats
Main Ingredients Chicken, salmon, ocean whitefish meal, sweet potato, peas Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All puppies (including large breeds) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Open Farm"Our puppy loves this food. It smells wonderful and now his poops are more consistent. We have really liked this kibble very much. "
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Best Budget-Friendly Dry Puppy Food
Country Vet Naturals Growing Puppies
Country Vet Naturals Growing Puppies is a dry food formulated with chicken meal, a meat concentrate which contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken. This is particularly important for puppies as they are in a critical stage of growth and need high-quality protein to support muscle development and organ function.
We rate this protein-packed food highly as it contains prebiotic and probiotic cultures with highly-digestible ingredients to support digestive health. And at just $11.99 for a 5lb bag, it won’ break the bank either.
Dry matter analysis reveals a protein reading of 31%, a fat level of 20% and estimated carbohydrates of about 41% with a fat to protein ratio of 64%.
For more choices: See our Best Budget-Friendly Dog Foods page.
Read our review of the full Country Vet Naturals Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Pre- and probiotic cultures
- Complete and balanced
- High in protein
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, brown rice, brewer’s rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pork meal Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 31% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All dogs and puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy"Absolutely recommend this puppy food! My Corgi puppy loves it and her coat is so soft and shiny with this brand. Only thing she’ll eat!"
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Best Small Breed Dry Puppy Food
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Puppy Chicken & Oatmeal
This 5-star rated dry puppy food by Blue Buffalo supports your small breed puppy’s cognitive development with DHA, and includes plenty of protein for energy, growth and play.
Made with wholesome ingredients, this chicken & oatmeal recipe includes Blue Buffalo’s exclusive antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits to aid a healthy immune system.
The bulk of the protein is from chicken which promotes healthy muscle development and strong bones and teeth. Dry matter analysis reveals a protein reading of 32%, a fat level of 19% and estimated carbohydrates of about 41%, with a fat to protein ratio of 59%.
For more choices: See our Best Small Breed Puppy Foods page.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Chelated minerals
- High in fiber
- Antioxidants
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, barley, brown rice Type Grain-inclusive (contains grain) Protein Percentage 32% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For Small breed puppies and lactating female dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy"We are growing a healthy puppy and this Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is a major part of it. Our girl likes this food so much that we can use it as a training reward. "
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Best Large Breed Dry Puppy Food
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Brown Rice
Large breed puppies have specific nutritional requirements, particularly related to joint health and controlled growth to prevent issues such as hip dysplasia. This Nutro Natural Choice formula gets our approval because it’s designed to provide balanced nutrition to support these needs.
Made in the U.S., the formula is designed to promote a healthy skin and coat, digestion, and immunity. The number one ingredient is lamb, a rich source of high-quality protein, essential for large breed puppies to support their rapid development.
Dry matter analysis reveals this Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Brown Rice recipe has a protein level of 29%, a fat reading of 16% and estimated carbs of about 48%. The fat to protein ratio is 54%.
For more choices: See our Best Large Breed Puppy page.
Read our review of the full Nutro Dog Food range here
Things we like
- Made in the U.S.
- Formulated for large breeds
- High in protein
Main Ingredients Deboned lamb, chicken meal (source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), brewer’s rice and split peas Type Grain-inclusive (contains grain) Protein Percentage 29% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Large and giant breed puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy"I have an 8 month old puppy who's growing rapidly. I wanted to give him a different puppy food and this one is filling for him. "
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Best Dry Puppy Food for a Sensitive Stomach
Go! Solutions Carnivore Puppy Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey & Duck
This grain-free puppy food gets the thumbs up from us as it is ideal for pups with a sensitive stomach thanks to added digestive enzymes, probiotics and prebiotic fiber from dried chicory root to support gut bacteria and healthy digestion.
The first six ingredients are quality meat and fish proteins, rich in essential amino acids to support healthy growth in puppies.
Dry matter analysis reveals Go! Solutions Carnivore Puppy Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey & Duck has a protein level of 40%, a fat reading of 20% and estimated carbohydrate content of 32% with a fat to protein ratio of 50%.
For more choices: See our Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach page.
Read our review of the full Go! Solutions Carnivore Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Added digestive enzymes
- Meat and fish protein sources
- Pre- and probiotic fiber
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 40% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For All puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy"Great food for our Boston puppy. He loves his food. Stools are firm. No more gas. We are elated to have found a diet for him that agrees with his system. "
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Best Dry Puppy Food for Picky Eaters
Instinct Raw Boost Puppy with Real Chicken
It can be a real worry when your puppy refuses to eat, but once an underlying health condition has been ruled out by a vet, a recipe formulated specifically for picky eaters might help.
We recommend Instinct Raw Boost Puppy with Real Chicken, a high animal protein kibble made from freeze-dried raw meat that should tempt even the fussiest palates!
This grain-free recipe includes cage-free chicken as the first ingredient, offering all the protein your puppy needs, plus natural DHA for brain and eye health.
Our dry matter analysis reveals a protein level of 40%, fat content of 24% and estimated carbohydrates of 30% with a fat to protein ratio of 60%.
For more choices: See our Best Dog Foods for Picky Eaters page.
Read our review of the full Instinct Raw Boost Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Freeze-dried raw
- High in protein
- Made in the U.S.
Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey meal, peas, menhaden fish meal Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 40% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy"Our puppy was a picky eater! The pieces of the kibble were the perfect size for him. He would eat the whole bag if I let him! "
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Best Dry Puppy Food With Grains
Jinx Jr Whole Grain Chicken, Brown Rice, Sweet Potato Recipe
Jinx Jr Whole Grain Chicken, Brown Rice, Sweet Potato Recipe is a 5-star rated food packed with all the nutrients a growing puppy needs to thrive.
The bulk of the protein comes from organic chicken and whole grain brown rice offers a balanced source of carbohydrates and fiber to sustain energy and aid digestion. The recipe also includes vitamin-rich sweet potatoes, pumpkin and blueberries to support a puppy’s immune system.
Dry matter analysis reveals a protein level of 33%, fat 16% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 43%. The fat to protein ratio is 47%.
For more choices: See our Best Dog Food with Grain page.
Read our review of the full Jinx Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Organic chicken
- Vitamin-rich sweet potato
- High in fiber
Main Ingredients Organic chicken, chicken meal, ground peas, pearled barley, brown rice Type Grain-inclusive (contains grain) Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All dogs and puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Jinx"This Jinx Puppy recipe is a hit with my little one! Packed with real chicken and whole grains, it provides the perfect balance of nutrition for growing pups. Plus, I appreciate that it's made with natural ingredients, giving me peace of mind. Highly recommend for any puppy parent looking to give their furry friend a healthy start! "
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Best Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food
Merrick Grain-Free Puppy Real Chicken & Sweet Potato
This grain-free recipe by Merrick is specially formulated to meet your growing puppy’s unique dietary needs and the small-sized kibble is easy for tiny teeth and mouths to chew.
Real, deboned chicken is the first ingredient in this recipe, which features a holistic blend of protein and healthy fats to help maintain lean muscle mass plus DHA to promote brain development.
We particularly like this puppy food as it contains plenty of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids to nourish the skin and coat, along with glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy hips and joints.
Dry matter label analysis reveals it has a protein level of 32%, fat of 17%, estimated carbohydrate content of 44% and a fat to protein ratio of 54%.
For more choices: See our Best Grain-Free Dry Dog Foods page.
Read our review of the full Merrick Dog Food range here
Things we like
- Healthy fats
- Glucosamine and chondroitin
- Rich in amino acids
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 32% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All dogs and puppies, especially small breeds Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy"My small breeds love this food, as they are finicky. It’s easy for them to chew size wise too. "
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Best Dry Puppy Food for Allergies
Nulo Freestyle Puppy Salmon & Peas
This Nulo Freestyle Puppy recipe is great for puppies with allergies as the bulk of the protein comes from salmon which is also high in omega-3 fatty acids.
These fatty acids can help with inflammation and skin and coat problems, like itching, dandruff, as well as joint aches and pains. Nulo’s guaranteed calcium levels also promote strong teeth & bones.
Dry matter label analysis reveals it has a protein level of 33%, fat of 19%, estimated carbohydrate content of 40% and a fat to protein ratio of 57%.
For more choices: Read our Best Dog Food for Allergies page.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Fish meat
- Low glycemic index
Main Ingredients Deboned salmon, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, whole peas, chicken fat Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All dogs and puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy"My small breeds love this food as they are finicky. It’s easy for them to chew size wise too. "
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Final word
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