Best Dry Dog Foods in India - Reviews and Comparison 2021

Three points are covered when we talk about suitability.

1. Breed:- Not all dog food is suitable for all breeds. Brand manufacturers always mention on the packaging for which breed is the food suitable. Both types of food are available in the market, i.e. food that is best for the particular breed(s) or kibble that can be fed to all breeds.

2. Age:- There is a difference between what a puppy consumes and fully grown dog eats. Your dog’s age of development is a critical factor in deciding which dog food you should buy. A puppy is still at a developing stage, whereas an adult dog’s diet is more about maintenance and with an older dog, feed them as per their health and digestive systems.

3. Activity level:- Determine your pet’s activity level before feeding it. Each one of them needs enough calories with a balance of vitamins, proteins, minerals and other nutrients to perform a normal function. However, a diet enough for one could be either too less or too much for another.

Typically, all the dog food ingredients are mentioned on the package. It is essential to know the ingredients to find out if the food has your pet’s favourites. If elements will be identifiable only then you will know what exactly you will be getting. The feature is important from a health point of view as well. For example, if ‘meat-meal’ is mentioned on the product, there is no harm if a healthy dog consumes it; however, meat is an inclusive term, and it can be chicken, turkey, pork, etc. If your furry friend has a food allergy, all type of meat might not be best for it.

Only a complete and balanced food can keep a canine happy and healthy. Proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, fibres and other nutrients should be present in the required quantity. Dog food nutritional authorities have set dietary standards for dog food. You can check the label if the food has nutritious in the amount set by such authorities. And if your dog food exceeds these set standards, even better.

When it comes to food products, manufacturing and expiration date are essential to consider. Therefore, look for labels such as “best before” or “use by date” to know the product’s shelf life. Furthermore, some dog food comes with storage instructions to maintain its quality. It’s advisable to follow the same.

You need to understand your dog’s digestive tracts. You can do that based on your dog’s defecation as that will tell you if you are feeding it the right food. You can choose a brand food feeding time and quantity and repeat that for a week or so. If your pet experiences difficulty in passing stool, it’s time to change the food.

Just like humans, dogs too have a choice when it comes to food. If your dog resists chicken-flavoured dog food, switch to a lamb, salmon or egg flavour. Also, you never know, it might even find a vegetarian recipe tasty. The best way to find out which food your dog likes is by purchasing sample-sized bags of that food.

Nutrients-another crucial feature to consider when buying dog food. Different food has different nutrients in them, as per factors like age and breed. For instance, in the case of old dog food, go for nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which will keep your dog’s joints healthy. For an average adult-sized dog, buy food rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids as they will keep their skin soft and coat shiny. For a puppy, DHA is must as it promotes brain development in a young canine.

Some breeds have a sensitive mouth and teeth; therefore, texture plays an important role. Some dry dog foods have shreds mixed in them, which makes it easier for dogs to chew. Similarly, the size of the kibble also matters, as it is easy to eat a small kibble for any canine.

Who likes overcooked food? No one, not even a dog. Find a brand that offers minimally cooked dog food. When you cook natural food, it loses all of the nutrients, and it is not suitable for a canine’s health. Therefore, find food that is freshly packed for a healthy life of your pet.

Preservatives are as bad for a canine's body as for a human body. Many brands get away selling preservatives in the name of dog food at a low price. Dog food consisting of preservatives and fillers can affect the dog’s digestive system. Buy a dog food labelled as preservative-free.

Low-quality fillers, additives, preservatives, dyes, and artificial flavours are a big no-no. If the label reads ethoxyquin, glycerol monostearate, or propylene glycol, say bye to it. Dyes such as Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Red 40 are also harmful.

Give your dog a balanced diet. If it is too little, the dog will have nutritional deficiencies, too much food can lead to overweight and lethargy. So, this question doesn’t have a specific answer. On average, a dog needs 60 calories per kilogram per day to maintain weight. If it is an inactive canine, fewer calories are required. Similarly, a puppy or nursing dog needs more than average calories, at least 66 calories.

Additionally, most of the brands put feeding guidelines on the food package, and you can follow that as well.

Absolutely. In fact, pet parents with picky eaters add canned food to dry food for flavour and taste.

Dogs that are too active tend to eat a lot, which is not a problem. However, it is vital if they don’t chew it properly. Eating in large amount and fastly can result in an upset stomach and digestive system. Use obstacles in such a case, place a large object such as a softball. If this doesn’t work, take some food in your hands and offer it to your pet. This will slow down its speed. If you are parents to more than one pet, give them separate bowls to eliminate competition.

Again, there is no specific answer for this one.

Feed your pooch food that is healthy for it, and it likes. To find this out, try both types of food, dry and wet. Observe your furry friend- which one it seems to eat better, which one it enjoys the most. However, dry food comes with a few benefits, such as your dog has to chew more in case of dry food, which helps in maintaining excellent dental hygiene. When it comes to storage, it is much easier to store dry food than wet dog food. In addition to it, wet food needs to be consumed relatively quickly because it has a short shelf life. Last but not least, dry dog food is economical than wet dog food.

Brands spend quite a time and money researching the best ways to ensure dog food have a longer shelf life, so storing dry food in the original bags is the first step you should take to keep dog food fresh. However, the food packet must be tightly resealed every time after opening. Otherwise, store dry dog food in an airtight container, and cool place.

Many brands give storage guidelines at the back of the package, take a cue from that. 

Wash your hands for a minimum 20 seconds with soap and water, both before and after handling dog food. Throw the old, used, or spoiled pet food in a safe way. Clean the food bowls and scooping utensils with soap and hot water. Never use the food bowl as a scooping utensil, use a spoon or cup for the same.

If you’re looking for a tasty premium dry dog food that will give your dog a protein boost, Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Paws™ Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe dog food ticks both of these boxes. This veterinarian recommended brand has a chicken meal and no by-products in it. Soyabean oil and peas have been added to it for providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your dog.

It is not all-breed dog food. This chicken meal and rice recipe dog food is best for toy breed and adult dogs (1-6 years). The blend of Omega-3, Omega-6 & Vitamin E gives healthy skin & luxurious coat to your furry friend.

All-in-all it has all the nutrients to keep your toy dog healthy and satisfied.

If you are looking for balanced and easy to digest food, that has both vitamin and protein, Pedigree adult dry dog food is it. It is ideal for adult pugs, beagle, labrador, golden retriever and german shepherds. Your ageing friend will enjoy the combination of meat, vegetables and rice.

You will see Pedigree assured five signs of good health- a healthy skin & coat, strong bones & teeth, firm stool quality, strong muscles, and a strong immune system. It is also available in 1.2 kg and 10 kg pack.

The wet version of Pedigree Dog food is also available in the market.

With over 3,000 reviews, this dry canine food has made it at number third into our top slot. 

Nutritional needs of adult small breed dogs vary from large breed dogs. They are at a growing stage and certainly shorter and more active; therefore, they call for more energy. Royal Canin has put all those ingredients in this Mini Adult package keeping needs of small breed dogs (10 months to 8 years) in mind.

Your companion breed of Chihuahua, Mini, Mini Pom, Pug, Shitzu, York Shire Terrier will love this. It has a balanced ratio of protein and fat. Its ingredients are right for their sensitive immune system. Also, it is enriched with other essential minerals and vitamins, including  L-carnitine and DHA for metabolism and brain development, respectively.

With real chicken and no artificial ingredients, Drools Chicken and Egg Adult Dog Food is our budget pick. It is fortified with all the required vitamins and minerals needed by all-breed adult dogs.

This dry dog food features Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, thereby giving healthy skin and beautiful coat to your pooch. Several antioxidant and nutritional foods are available in it. With ingredients such as chicken, whole dried egg, corn, rice, wheat, this dog food is rich in proteins (24%). Moreover, this formula is supplemented with essential nutrients that help in controlling Tartar build-up.

Packed with healthy and natural ingredients including chicken, cereal and vegetables, Purepet Chicken & Veg Adult Dog Food has everything that an adult dog needs. It also contains the by-products of the first three ingredients. The protein and fat are in the right ratio to maintain the ideal weight of an adult dog and keep it active and agile.

It is a complete meal, and you can serve it without adding any homemade or canned food to it. To sum up, it has all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants required to boost your dog’s vitality and support its immune system.

Looking for a complete puppy meal, then this is it. This chicken, egg, vegetable and cereal recipe is worth checking out. With DHA, this crunchy kibble ensures optimum development of the brain and nervous system of all-breed pup. Besides, it is packed with Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to give your growing pooch a healthy skin and beautiful coat. Of course, it has probiotics for maintaining digestive health and antioxidants for strong immunity of your little furry friend.

In short, Meat Up Puppy Dog Food provides 100% everyday nutrition.

If you are looking for puppy dry dog food with limited ingredients and all the nutrients, then go for our last pick. This Nestle’s exceptional formulated dry dog food is for all-breed puppies of up to 12 months. It is a combination of chicken, chicken by-products, cereals and by-products. DHA2 is present to support brain and vision development. To be nutritionally complete, this recipe is fortified by essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium for healthy bones and Vitamin C & E for natural defences.