The 7 Best Dog Foods in 2025, Recommended by Vets

Boasting fresh chicken as the first ingredient, this offering from Hill’s Science Diet line is fortified with an exclusive blend of omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to support your pet’s health.

“This is an excellent choice for adult dogs,” says Dr. Higgs. “It contains antioxidants to reduce damage to cells and reduce inflammation, prebiotic fiber and whole grains to help digestion, and omega fatty acids to keep the skin healthy.”

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe is recommended for dogs ages 1–6, and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

“This is a balanced, high-quality adult dog food,” says Dr. Higgs. “Protein is about 20%, making it a great choice for most average house dogs. However, it may not be appropriate for high-energy or working dogs.”

This formula contains Eukanuba’s 3D DentaDefense, which is proven to reduce tartar thanks to its polyphosphate, crunchy texture, and S-shaped dog kibble that helps to remove plaque. This product is also listed on the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s approved list of products.

“I like that it has a special kibble formulation to promote dental health and prevent tartar buildup,” says Sonja Cox, DVM, a veterinarian at Chewy.

Featuring high-quality chicken as the first ingredient, it also contains supplements that are designed to support joint and digestive health.

“This food includes glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for joint health, DHA and vitamin E for brain function, nutrients to support an active lifestyle, and a prebiotic blend for digestion,” notes Dr. Higgs. Prebiotics are special types of fiber that feed the billions of microorganisms that live in your dog’s digestive tract, known as the gut microbiome. A healthy microbiome supports the immune system and overall digestive health.  

This food is specially formulated for medium adult dogs, making it appropriate for dogs over 12 months old and weighing 24–54 pounds.

Gentle on the stomach, Purina’s Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach offering can help keep your pup’s digestive system regular.

“This diet is a good option for dogs with sensitive stomachs, since lamb and oatmeal are very easy to digest,” says Stephanie Howe, DVM, a Chewy veterinarian. “It contains probiotics and prebiotics, which also help maintain the balance of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract.”

For dogs who also suffer from sensitive skin, this diet contains a high level of omega-6 fatty acids to promote skin and coat health.

“I love this food and think it is a great option—it’s one of the most recommended over-the-counter products,” says Dr. Higgs. “I like the lamb because it resonates with the philosophy that novel proteins can be beneficial for skin-related food allergies.”

Featuring extra protein, this option from Purina is also fortified with natural sources of glucosamine to support healthy joints.

“I like that this is an affordable diet for adult dogs that helps promote healthy weight, lean muscle mass, and joint health,” says Heather Zarrella, DVM, a veterinarian at Chewy.

With a mix of tender, chewy morsels and crunchy kibble, it’s also popular with picky eaters. “Dogs tend to love this food due to the softer pieces,” says Dr. Cox. “It also has omega-6s, which are great for the skin and coat.”

It’s important to note that this diet is designed for weight management, not weight loss, says Dr. Higgs. “The ‘healthy weight’ formulation may give some pet parents the idea that they can overfeed the diet, which could lead to weight gain,” she notes. 

Flavors, aromas, and texture come together to create a tempting option in Royal Canin’s Size Health Nutrition.

“Royal Canin provides excellent nutrition and a highly palatable diet, meaning it’s a good choice for active, picky eaters,” says Dr. Higgs.

​​Featuring a kibble size specifically for medium-breed dogs, it’s also fortified with vitamins, minerals, and supplements to promote your dog’s overall health.

“I like that this diet has prebiotics and antioxidants to support immune health, and fatty acids to maintain skin and coat health,” says Dr. Zarrella. “The unique kibble shape encourages chewing.”

For dogs who are extremely picky or are suffering from a reduced appetite, Royal Canin also makes wet food that can be mixed in for a special treat.

Designed for adult dogs of all sizes, Iams Proactive Health contains 30% protein, 18% fat, and nutritious grains for sustained energy.

“I like that this diet contains high-quality protein to support lean muscle, and minerals to maintain joint health,” says Dr. Zarrella. “This food also contains L-carnitine to help maintain healthy fat metabolism.”

“Lean chicken, turkey, and egg provide a mix of proteins, creating an ideal diet for working dogs and those that participate in agility sports,” says Dr. Higgs. “However, high-protein diets are not appropriate for all dogs,” she adds.

“High-protein diets may not be ideal for all dogs, such as those with kidney disease, low energy, or obesity,” says Dr. Higgs. “Pet parents should consult with their veterinarian to ensure this is a good diet for them.”

This highly digestible option from Dog Chow includes 23 vitamins and minerals to support your dog’s health, without adding any artificial flavors or fillers.

“This is an affordable, complete, and balanced dry dog food for adult dogs,” says Dr. Howe. “The antioxidants in the food assist with immune function and brain health.”

The ingredient list may not seem as appealing as those of premium brands, but “chicken byproduct” isn’t the deal-breaker that some pet food commercials lead you to believe, says Dr. Higgs. “Byproducts” are simply parts of the animal that are not commonly consumed by people in the United States, such as organs and skin.

“If the label contains things like byproduct, this is not bad or a sign that the food isnot nutritious,” she says. “In fact, animal byproducts are safe, nutritious, and excellent sources of protein for pets.”