The 11 Best Gourmet Dog Foods

Reviews

Best Value: Wellness Grain-Free Adult Recipe

 

 

• The primary components Chicken deboned, potatoes, peas, chicken meal, and dry ground potatoes
• 20% minimum protein content
• 12% minimum fat content

Wellness’s Grain-Free Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken & Chicken Meal Recipe is the greatest gourmet dog chow for the money.

The first component is deboned chicken, which provides nutritious proteins to fuel your pup’s active lifestyle.

The formula contains omega fatty acids, which promote skin and coat health, as well as antioxidants and probiotics.

It is critical to understand that his dish is grain-free and contains peas. Grain-free meals and pea-based recipes may be connected to serious heart disease in dogs.

Keep this in mind while making a choice, and consult your veterinarian before making any major nutritional adjustments.

Pros

• Omega fatty acids, probiotics, and antioxidants are all present
• Excellent source of glucosamine and taurine
• Aids the immune system

Cons

• It contains peas
• Grain-free

 

Puppies love Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy

 

 

• The main components Lamb, lamb meal, full grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, grain sorghum
• 27% minimum of protein
• 15% minimum fat content

Diamond’s Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula is the greatest mixture for pups. The first two components are lamb and lamb meal, both animal-sourced items, therefore the dish is high in protein.

This is seen with the protein level reaching a minimum of 27%. The mix is created in the United States without the use of artificial coloring or flavoring, assuring the highest quality.

Unfortunately, this recipe is only for huge breeds. If you have a little or medium-sized puppy, this may not be the best option for you.

Pros

• The first two components are animal-based
• Made in the USA
• Contains no artificial flavors or colors
• It contains superfoods

Cons

• Only large breeds are permitted

 

Vet’s Choice: Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed

 

 

• The main components Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, turkey meal
• 27% minimum of protein
• 16% minimum fat content

Merrick’s Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed Recipe was recommended by our veterinarian. The first two components are deboned chicken and chicken meal, both of which are animal-based products.

This guarantees that the minimum protein intake of 27% is made up of wholesome meat for your pooch.

Brown rice aids digestive health, and the intake of omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin benefits general health.

If you have a larger dog, you may want to search at other options on this list or review Merrick’s other products.

Pros

• The first two components are animal-based
• It contains omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin
• Aids digestion

Cons

• Only small breeds are allowed

 

Gourmet Grains Dehydrated Dog Food from Honest Kitchen

 

 

• The primary components Organic Barley, Organic Oats, Organic Flaxseed, and Dehydrated Eggs
• 30% minimum protein content
• 15% minimum fat content

Gourmet Grains Beef & Salmon dehydrated dog food from The Honest Kitchen is an amazing gourmet dinner for puppies.

This recipe is manufactured in the United States and has no artificial fillers, by-products, or preservatives. The protein level is at least 30%, and the dish is high in fruits and vegetables.

Ingredients like carrots, coconut, and pumpkin help your dog’s general health.

Before serving The Honest Kitchen, add three minutes of warm water, whisk, and then serve. Remember it when making a decision.

Pros

• Made in the United States
• There are no artificial preservatives, byproducts, or fillers
• High protein content

Cons

• It is necessary to wait before serving

 

Dry Dog Food VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus Formula

 

 

• The primary components Beef meal, sorghum grain, chicken fat, pork meal, and chicken meal
• 30% minimum protein content
• 20% minimum fat content

Victor’s Classic Hi-Pro Plus Formula is an excellent choice for canines. With a high protein content and a reasonable price, this recipe provides pet owners with quality at a low cost.

It is made in the United States and is high in nutrients, which will keep your active dog energetic. The meal contains vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and vital amino acids, all of which provide significant health advantages.

Unfortunately, this recipe is only intended for little and medium breeds. A bigger dog may require a different formula to meet their nutritional requirements.

Pros

• Affordable
• Made in the United States
• Protein-rich diet

Cons

• Only small and medium breeds

 

ACANA Gluten-Free Red Meat Recipe Dry Dog Food

 

 

• The primary components Beef, pork deboned, beef meal, oat groats, and whole sorghum
• 27% minimum of protein
• 17% minimum fat content

Wholesome Grains Red Meat Recipe from Acana Gluten-free dog food is a nutritious and tasty choice.

Beef, deboned pork, and beef meal are the first three elements, all of which contribute to a high-protein diet.

The fiber-rich oats, pumpkin, and butternut squash are extremely healthy and will help your dog’s digestive tract. Furthermore, no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors are used.

This recipe is likewise only suitable for small and medium-sized dog breeds.

If you believe this is the best option for your large breed dog, consult with your veterinarian first to check that it contains all of the nutrients your dog need.

Pros

• The first three elements are derived from animals
• Gluten-free
• Protein-rich diet
• There are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors in this product

Cons

• Only small and medium dog breeds are permitted

 

Adult Dry Dog Food Merrick Classic Healthy Grains

 

 

• The primary components Beef deboned, pork meal, brown rice, barley, and oats
• 26% minimum of protein
• 15% minimum fat content

Merrick’s Traditional Healthy Grains Real Beef + Brown Rice Recipe with Ancient Grains is manufactured in the United States and is suitable for all breeds.

The dish is high in protein, thanks to the use of deboned beef and pig meal as the first two components.

The addition of glucosamine and chondroitin promotes hip and joint mobility and function, while omega fatty acids nourish the skin and coat.

This choice is a little costly, but most high-quality dog meals aren’t.

Pros

• The first two components are derived from animals
• Made in the United States
• Helps with hip and joint function
• Improves skin and coat health

Cons

• Expensive

Buyer's Guide: How to Choose the Best Gourmet Dog Food

Consult Your Veterinarian

The first and most important step is to check with a reputable veterinarian regarding your dog’s nutrition.

Your veterinarian’s expert advice will be the most valuable tool you have in creating a tailored meal plan for your dog, ensuring that your furry companion gets the nourishment they require in each mouthful.

Discover What Makes a Recipe Healthy

Ingredients and nutritional value are two dietary aspects that might affect your dog’s health.

Although meat is necessary for your dog’s diet, it should not be the primary component. A healthy dog diet should contain meat, grains, veggies, and fruits. The greater your dog’s health, the higher the quality of these components.

Which recipes are suitable for your dog will depend on their age or breed. Your dog’s dietary requirements will fluctuate with time.

As a result, selecting a dog food that is tailored to their age and breed category might help them even more than other formulations.

Learn How to Read a Dog Food Label

Reading a dog food label might be difficult, but Merck’s Veterinary Manual thoroughly describes each crucial area. When reading a dog food label, there are three key areas to check for.

The minimal amounts of protein and fat in the formula, as well as the maximum amounts of water and fiber, will be listed in the assured analysis.

These figures can provide a decent assessment of a recipe’s nutritional worth.

The components that are most commonly used are mentioned first. If the first component is an animal protein, the recipe is likely to be of high quality.

The nutritional adequacy statement is an AAFCO-approved declaration that confirms the recipe is complete and balanced for dogs. This seal of approval is an indication of the meal’s quality.

Conclusion

This article looks at some of the top gourmet dog meals available on the market. Our top selection is Wellness Chicken & Grain-Free Chicken & Chicken Recipes.

The best food for puppies is Diamond Naturals Puppy Formula, and Merrick’s Classic Healthy Grain Formula is a good alternative that is recommended by vets.

While these are our top three recipes, any of the recipes on this list might be right for your dog. Consult your veterinarian, do your research, and determine which choice is best for your pet.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) would like to thank consumers for visiting our website to learn about and compare the best gourmet dog foods. We hope you can find the right food for your pet.