The Best Dry Dog Food
By Elena Rodriguez
ORIJEN Original is the high-protein, grain-free pick for dogs of any life stage, including large-breed puppies. The catch is calorie density: the brand lists 473 kcal per cup, so portions need care.
Dry food is what most dogs eat every day, so it's worth choosing carefully. We read the brand product pages for three dry foods, each suited to a different kind of dog: a grain-free, high-protein recipe; a grain-inclusive recipe; and a recipe built on novel proteins. Every number here comes from those pages. The line to check on any bag is the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement. "All Life Stages" means the food is formulated for growth as well as adult maintenance, while "maintenance" means adults only.
Overall: ORIJEN Original Dry Dog Food
Who it's for: owners who want a grain-free, high-protein kibble for any age. The brand's AAFCO statement covers All Life Stages, including growth of large size dogs.
Why we like it: it has 38% min crude protein. The brand says its first five ingredients are fresh or raw chicken, turkey, salmon, whole herring, and chicken liver.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: at 473 kcal per cup, it's the most calorie-dense food here, so measure portions and watch your dog's weight.
Also great: ACANA Classics Chicken & Barley Recipe
Who it's for: owners who prefer grains, for puppies or adults. It has the same All Life Stages statement as ORIJEN, including large-size growth.
Why we like it: it pairs chicken with pearled barley and oats, and it has fewer calories than ORIJEN (397 vs. 473 kcal per cup). It also lists glucosamine and probiotics.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: it has less protein than ORIJEN (25% min), and the brand lists only 4 lb and 22.5 lb bags.
For a change from chicken: Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison
Who it's for: adult dogs only. The AAFCO statement is for maintenance.
Why we like it: it's grain-free with roasted bison and roasted venison and 32% min protein. The brand says its probiotics are added after cooking.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: water buffalo is the first ingredient, and the list also includes lamb meal and chicken meal, so it isn't chicken-free.
For senior dogs: ACANA Classics Chicken & Barley Recipe
None of these foods is a senior formula. ACANA Classics comes closest: its page lists glucosamine (300 mg/kg min) and calcium/phosphorus (1.2% / 1% min), and it has fewer calories per cup than ORIJEN. Ask your vet before switching an older dog's food.
For puppies: ORIJEN Original Dry Dog Food
ORIJEN Original states All Life Stages, including growth of large size dogs (70 lb or more as an adult). For a grain-inclusive option, ACANA Classics has the same statement.
The verdict
Start with ORIJEN Original if you want the most protein and a food for every life stage. Choose ACANA Classics if you'd rather feed grains or want fewer calories per cup. Taste of the Wild High Prairie is the adult-only option for dogs that need a change from chicken.
