Best Dog Food: Top Picks for a Healthy and Happy Pooch

Choosing the best dog food for your beloved furry friend can feel overwhelming. There are countless brands and options to pick between. Each one promises to be the best. How do you pick the best food for your dog?  

To help you make a dog food choice for your pet, we've compiled a list of the best dog foods in Canada. Whether you're looking for the best food for dogs with skin allergies or the best food for senior dogs, we've got you covered - keep reading to learn more!

The Importance of Canine Nutrition

Nutrition is the foundation of your dog's overall health and well-being. Just like humans, dogs require a balanced diet to maintain their energy levels, support bodily functions, and enhance their quality of life.

Proper canine nutrition provides the essential nutrients they need to thrive, and the best dog foods accomplish this with nutritious and real food ingredients. These nutrients play critical roles in everything from muscle development and coat health to immune function and digestion.

A well-balanced diet is crucial for growth and development, particularly in puppies, but continues to be a key factor in your dog's overall health throughout all stages of life. Feeding high-quality dog food made from real food ingredients is a great way to prevent common health issues and slow the signs of aging.

Choosing the Best Type of Dog Food

There are a lot of choices when it comes to dog food, and before you even start thinking about brands or ingredients, you might be wondering - what type of dog food is the best? Considering you can choose between kibble, canned, freeze-dried and even raw, this leaves you with an overwhelming amount of choices.

Deciding which type is the best dog food will depend on your dog's needs and both your and your dog's preferences. There are pros and cons to each food format, so start by narrowing down what you are looking to get out of your dog's diet.

When it comes to convenience, kibble has always been the reigning champ. The simple scoop-and-serve format is appealing, and it's often one of the most cost-effective choices as well.

If you want to feed your dog the most natural and most species-appropriate diet, then raw dog food is a good way to go. It's not without its cons, though, so easier-to-feed alternatives like freeze-dried or dehydrated might be an appealing option.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of each type of dog food and get some great recommendations to help you find the best dog food to help your pet thrive.

For more information about the pros and cons of each food format, check out Types of Dog Food: A Guide to Choosing Dog Food.

Best Dry Dog Food

Dry dog food, often known as kibble, is a popular choice among pet owners for several compelling reasons. One of the primary benefits of dry dog food is its convenience. Kibble is easy to store, has a long shelf life, and can be left out for free-feeding without spoiling quickly.

Convenience and cost are the two largest factors in why this type of dog food is the most popular feeding format for dogs. Since the introduction of the first kibble dog foods in the late 1800s, dry dog food has been innovating new ways to make feeding pets high-quality food easier and more affordable. 

Take a look at why dry dog food continues to be the best-selling and largest-produced type of dog food globally.

Benefits of Dry Dog Food:

• • • Convenience: Easy to store, long shelf life, suitable for free-feeding
    • Affordability: Generally more cost-effective than wet food
    • Balanced Nutrition: Formulated with essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
    • Dental Health: Helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup
    • Variety: Available in different formulations for specific dietary needs
    • Portion Control: Easier to measure and control portions for weight management

The best dry dog foods make feeding your pet a complete and balanced diet simple and stress-free. There are so many brands to choose from, but here are a few of the best dry dog food brands available at Homes Alive Pets:

1. Carna4 Oven-Baked Dog Food

Carna4 is a brand that is well-known for its high-quality ingredients and nutritional value. This brand prides itself on using only fresh, whole foods with no synthetic additives.

Without a doubt, Carna4 is an excellent choice if you want the best dry dog food for skin allergies. Its clean ingredients can help reduce allergic reactions and promote healthy skin in pets.

Carna4 is changing the game in pet nutrition with its innovative "un-kibble" concept. Unlike traditional extruded kibble, Carna4 offers a unique take on dry dog food through a distinctive baking process. It’s heated to 90 degrees Celsius for four minutes. The short bake time removes pathogens while preserving the food’s essential nutrients and flavours.

Carna4 also adds sprouted seeds to boost the dog food’s bioavailable nutrients, probiotics, and antioxidants. Sprouted seeds are excellent for digestion, making this the best dry dog food for sensitive stomachs.

2. Zignature Limited Ingredient Dog Food

Zignature is a limited-ingredient dry dog food that is perfect for dogs with food sensitivities. Their recipes avoid common allergens like chicken, corn, wheat, and soy. This makes Zignature one of the best dry dog foods for skin allergies. They offer a variety of protein sources, including lamb, kangaroo, and trout, to suit your dog's preferences and needs.

Zignature prioritizes meat in every recipe, catering to your pet's natural carnivorous needs. They use low glycemic carbs like peas and chickpeas for fibre and add essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for a complete diet.

For dogs with food allergies, sensitivities, or picky eating habits, Zignature offers a wide range of single-protein and limited-ingredient diets. Their wet dog foods provide 78% hydration. They also offer Zignature dog treats for special occasions or training.

3. Orijen High Protein Dog Food

Orijen is a premium brand known for its biologically appropriate recipes. Their dry dog food contains up to 85% meat, including fresh and raw ingredients. This high-protein diet is excellent for active dogs and those needing extra nutrition. Orijen is also considered one of the best dry dog food brands for small dogs due to its nutrient-dense kibble.

The award-winning Canadian pet food brand is renowned for its biologically appropriate nutrition philosophy. Crafted by Champion Pet Foods, Orijen's products mimic the ancestral diet of dogs and cats. Their protein-rich, low-carb formulas help maintain healthy muscle and lean weight.

Orijen takes pride in sourcing high-quality ingredients from trusted local Canadian farmers, ranchers, and fishers. Each recipe is crafted in award-winning Canadian kitchens, ensuring freshness and nutritional integrity.

Orijen's dog and cat foods are designed to mimic a natural diet, incorporating key components of prey animals like organs and bones. By including these important parts of prey, Orijen ensures a well-rounded diet that promotes optimal health.

4. Open Farm Ethically-Sourced Dog Food

Open Farm focuses on transparency and sustainability. They source their ingredients ethically and ensure their recipes are free from artificial additives. Open Farm's dry dog food is rich in protein and includes wholesome ingredients like fruits and vegetables.

The dog food brand is a great contender for the best dog kibble in Canada. At Open Farm, every aspect of the pet food manufacturing process is carefully crafted to uphold the highest standards of quality, ethics, and sustainability.

Transparency is a core value at Open Farm. They are at the forefront of sustainable practices, collaborating with regenerative farms and adopting eco-conscious fishing methods. Their goal is to minimize their environmental footprint.

5. Acana Biologically Appropriate Dog Food

Acana offers a variety of recipes that cater to different life stages and dietary needs. This brand uses fresh, regional ingredients to create nutritious and delicious meals for your four-legged friend.

Undoubtedly, the Acana brand is widely considered the best dry dog food for small dogs and the best puppy kibble. Their formulas are rich in protein and essential nutrients to support growth and development.

Created by the Canadian company Champion Petfoods, Acana prioritizes high-quality ingredients from local suppliers. Their canine food recipes include a variety of premium meats, poultry, and fish. They focus on offering only protein-rich diets for your furry friend to promote muscle development and improve health.

Best Wet Dog Food

Wet dog food is an excellent choice for dogs who need extra hydration or prefer a softer texture. This is especially beneficial for senior dogs who might have difficulty chewing due to dental issues or who have gotten picky with age.

Wet dog food offers numerous health benefits that make it a top choice for pet owners. Many dogs don’t drink enough water on their own, so feeding a moisture-rich diet can help support digestion and boost nutrient absorption. 

The rich aroma and taste of wet dog food are often more appealing to picky eaters, making mealtime a more enjoyable experience.

Many of the best wet dog food choices contain an abundance of high-quality protein, providing a dense source of energy and muscle-building nutrients. For pet owners seeking the best dog food for picky eaters, wet dog food offers a wholesome and palatable choice.

Benefits of Wet Dog Food

When seeking the best dog food to boost your pet's health, consider the many benefits of premium wet dog food.

• • • High Moisture Content: Moisture improves digestion and nutrient absorption
    • Appealing Taste and Aroma: Great for picky eaters
    • High Protein and Fat: Nutrient-dense option for optimal nutrition
    • Easy to Digest: Ideal for sensitive stomachs and recovery from illness
    • Soft Texture: Perfect for teething puppies and older dogs with dental issues who can't chew hard foods
    • Variety: Offered in a larger variety of flavours for rotational feeding and nutrient diversity

Each of these benefits can contribute to better overall health and eating habits in dogs. Wet food can be fed as a complete and balanced diet, or can be fed alongside another diet to help improve overall nutrition.

Check out our top wet dog food brands below to help you find the right dog food for your dog's unique dietary needs.

1. FirstMate Canned Dog Food

FirstMate dog food is proudly made in Canada, specifically in a family-owned facility in British Columbia. This ensures strict quality control and the use of high-quality, natural ingredients. Most of the ingredients are sourced from North America, guaranteeing that your pet receives only the best.

FirstMate offers grain-free and limited-ingredient wet dog food diets, making it a top choice for dogs with dietary restrictions. Their recipes include high-quality proteins and are free from fillers, gums, and thickeners.

As one of the best wet dog foods, FirstMate only uses premium ingredients including cage-free chicken, turkey, and wild-caught salmon, which provide 96% of the protein in each can. Each formula is complete and balanced for all life stages.

2. Weruva Dog Food

Weruva wet dog food was developed by keeping in mind that your pet is a carnivore who craves and requires a diet rich in healthy animal protein. They offer a variety of limited-ingredient wet dog food options made from high-quality ingredients such as meats, fish, fats, and low carbohydrates. Their recipes are known for being grain-free and rich in protein.

Weruva is highly palatable and often favoured by picky eaters due to its high-quality ingredients and appealing texture, making it one of the best canned dog food for picky eaters. Their recipes are crafted to provide optimal nutrition, using ingredients that are fit for human consumption such as boneless, skinless, white chicken breast and fish loins flaked off the bone.

If you are seeking a natural dog food choice for your doggo then you’ll be happy to learn that Weruva's foods are also free from artificial preservatives, colours, and additives, making them a healthy choice for your furry friend. At Homes Alive Pets, we carry a wide array of Weruva wet dog food recipes including Weruva Classic, Dogs in the Kitchen, and Meals n' More.

3. K9 Naturals Canned Dog Food

K9 Natural knows that dogs thrive on a meat-rich and natural diet, which is why each of their best wet dog food formulas are made using 90% meat, organs, and ground bone, providing a diet that closely mimics what dogs would eat in the wild.

All of K9 Natural dog food recipes are made using fresh New Zealand-sourced grass-fed, free-range lamb and beef, cage-free chicken, and responsibly and sustainably sourced fish, making them an easy choice for our list of the best canned dog foods in Canada.

Each canned K9 Natural diet contains superfood ingredients like tripe, kelp, and green-lipped mussels to maximize the nutrition for dogs of all breeds and life stages. These highly palatable diets are some of the best wet dog foods for picky eaters and puppies.

4. Canada Fresh Wet Dog Food

What is the best wet dog food in Canada? Canada Fresh offers excellent wet dog food options sourced from high-quality Canadian ingredients, making it a top choice in Canada. Their recipes are simple and nutritious, using only fresh ingredients sourced from Canada and offer both single and multi-protein options to suit your pet's individual dietary needs.

The limited ingredient nature of this top wet dog food brand makes it an excellent option for picky eaters and dogs with food sensitivities.

Each Canada Fresh formula is made using 95% fresh meat and is free from grains and filler ingredients, making it an excellent option for pet owners who prefer feeding natural food. You'll find a variety of nutritious formulas to allow for rotational feeding, including duck, lamb, beef, and chicken.

5. Koha Dog Food

KOHA means "gift of food" in the native Maori language of New Zealand. Without a doubt, the very name reflects the quality the canned dog food. KOHA Super Premium Pet Foods are made with real, fresh ingredients from New Zealand.

The wet dog food recipes by KOHA are clean, complete, and balanced, using single protein sources combined with wholesome ingredients to meet your pet's nutritional needs.

KOHA’s wet dog food is designed for dogs with food sensitivities and allergies. Their recipes are moisture-rich and made with high-quality proteins and minimal carbohydrates. KOHA foods are also free from grains, potatoes, and artificial additives.

Best Freeze Dried Dog Food

Freeze-dried dog food offers the convenience of dry food with the nutrition of raw. It’s lightweight, easy to store, and preserves the nutritional integrity of the ingredients. Not to mention, your furry friend will fall in love with the flavour-filled bites. 

The freeze-drying process preserves the nutrients, flavour, and texture of the raw ingredients, making it a nutritious option for pet owners looking for the best dog food for their furry friends. One of the standout benefits is that it retains most of the natural vitamins and minerals found in raw ingredients, providing a nutrient-dense diet.

The entire freeze-drying process results in a lightweight, shelf-stable product that retains the benefits of a raw diet. The best freeze-dried dog food typically consists of high-quality meats, organs, and sometimes vegetables, providing a balanced and nutrient-rich diet. 

Benefits of Freeze-Dried Dog Food

• • • Nutrient Preservation: Retains most of the natural vitamins and minerals
    • Convenience: Lightweight, easy to store, and quick to rehydrate
    • High-Quality Ingredients: Typically made from premium raw ingredients
    • Minimally Processed: Maintains the integrity of natural ingredients
    • Versatile: Can be fed as a complete meal or a topper for added nutrition
    • Enhanced Flavor: Highly palatable, making it appealing to dogs

As one of the fastest-growing categories of dog food, freeze-dried dog food offers pet owners a simple way to feed the most natural and best dog food for their pet's unique dietary needs. Check out some of the best freeze dried dog food brands in Canada:

1. Primal

Founded in 2001, Primal Pet Foods strives to ensure that their diets truly mimic your dog’s natural, "primal" diet. Highly regarded for its quality ingredients and balanced recipes, Primal is one of the best freeze dried raw dog foods. Primal freeze-dried dog food is made with high-quality, raw ingredients that are minimally processed to retain their nutritional value.

Primal's products make raw feeding easier with portioned, easy-to-serve diets that make feeding raw easier. For over 20 years, Primal has been committed to providing trusted, nutritious diets that help pets thrive.

At Homes Alive Pets, we carry a full selection of Primal freeze-dried formulas. Choose from a variety of proteins to best suit your pet's needs and health, including venison, beef, duck, pork, and lamb. These diets are perfectly balanced for adult dogs to thrive.

2. Vital Essentials

Vital Essentials provides freeze-dried raw dog food that is 100% USA-sourced and made from animal protein. Unlike other freeze-dried foods that need to be rehydrated to serve, Vital Essentials freeze-dried dog formulas are easy-to-feed, scoop-and-serve diet options that make feeding raw just as easy as feeding kibble.

Specializing in high-quality animal proteins, Vital Essentials believes that better proteins offer better nutritional benefits. That's why all of their animal proteins are humanely harvested, and frozen at peak freshness to retain maximum nutrients.

The unique Vital Essentials processing method preserves the nutritional integrity of the ingredients, providing dogs with a diet that supports overall health and well-being. Their commitment to using only the best ingredients makes them a trusted choice. Shop Vital Essentials freeze-dried dog food today.

3. Grandma Lucy's

Grandma Lucy’s freeze-dried dog food is known for its high-quality, human-grade ingredients. Their recipes are made in small batches to ensure quality and consistency. These freeze dried dog food recipes are briefly blanched before freeze-drying to eliminate bacteria while still preserving flavour and nutrition.

The pet food company specializes in freeze-dried dog food and treats made with high-quality, human-grade ingredients. Their product range includes various formulas for dogs and cats, featuring proteins like chicken, beef, and fish, along with fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and apples.

The unique flaked texture of Granma Lucy's freeze dried dog food allows the food to rehydrate quickly for easy portioning and serving. At Homes Alive Pets, you can choose from a variety of recipes from Grandma Luyc's to support better digestion, healthier skin and coat, and flavourful solutions for picky eaters.

Best Dehydrated Dog Food

Are you seeking dog food with the benefits of raw and the convenience of dry? Dehydrated dog food is an excellent option. Your dog will love the taste of raw food and you’ll enjoy the ease of feeding a food similar to a dry. It’s easy to prepare and highly nutritious.

Dehydrated dog food is a type of food that is made by removing moisture from the ingredients through a gentle drying process. The process preserves nutritional integrity and natural flavours.

Pet owners love the food’s lightweight. Plus, it’s easy to store and simple to prepare. Most dehydrated diets are offered in a simple scoop-and-serve format, allowing you to feed like kibble with the power of fresh, minimally processed, and real food ingredients.

Benefits of Dehydrated Dog Food

• • • Nutrient-rich: Preserves natural nutrients and flavours
    • Convenient: Lightweight, easy to store, and rehydrates quickly
    • Minimal Processing: Maintains the integrity of the ingredients
    • High-Quality Ingredients: Often made with human-grade ingredients
    • Customizable: Can be rehydrated to the desired consistency
    • Wholesome Nutrition: Comparable to homemade dog food

Dehydrated dog food offers a highly nutritious diet that supports your dog's health and well-being. Choosing the best dehydrated dog food can offer your pet premium nutrition in a less messy and less complicated format than traditional raw or fresh dog foods.

1. Smack

Smack Pet Food offers dehydrated dog food that is made from organic and wild ingredients. Their foods are grain-free and rich in protein, providing a nutritious and balanced diet for dogs.

The brand produces food in small batches in British Columbia, Canada, The best dehydrated raw dog food Canada contains high-quality meats, fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

All products are grain-free and free from fillers, by-products, and artificial preservatives, making them suitable for dogs with food sensitivities. Smack foods include ingredients like antibiotic-free chicken, wild-caught BC salmon, antioxidant-rich fruits, spinach, carrots, and herbs. These provide the benefits of a raw food diet in a dehydrated, easy-to-feed format, ensuring your pet gets wholesome, natural nutrition.

2. The Honest Kitchen

The Honest Kitchen dehydrated dog food is made from human-grade ingredients and is minimally processed. Their recipes are balanced and complete, providing all the nutrients your dog needs for a healthy diet.

All of the diets are extremely palatable, making them great for picky pets. When you open a box, you'll be surprised at how good it smells. These foods are gently poached to retain flavour, digestibility, and nutrients while eliminating pathogens commonly found in raw meat.

Preparing The Honest Kitchen dog food is a breeze. Just add warm water, stir, and serve. The finely ground texture guarantees easy absorption and digestion. You can pre-make meals, refrigerate for up to three days, or freeze and defrost when needed.

3. Ziwi Peak

Ziwi Peak offers dehydrated dog food that is air-dried to retain the nutritional integrity of the ingredients. Air-drying uses less heat than dehydration, helping to preserve more nutrients and leave a slightly softer, chewy texture to the food.

Each one of Ziwi Peak’s air-dried foods is composed of 96% meat, organs, and bone, including 3% green-lipped mussel for glucosamine and chondroitin, and 7% green tripe for digestive aid.

Ziwi Peak’s mission is to provide a whole-prey, meat-rich diet for a long, healthy life. They produce all of their foods in small batches in family-owned kitchens to ensure consistency and premium nutrition.

Best Raw Dog Food

Raw dog food offers a diet that closely mimics what dogs would naturally eat in the wild. It’s brimming with protein and nutrients that are easy to digest. Raw diets are one of the most effective ways to nourish your dog the way their bodies are designed for.

If you want to improve your dog’s dental health, coat, and vitality, consider feeding a raw dog food diet. Feeding raw can improve coat quality, dental health, and overall vitality. High-quality raw food offers essential nutrients they need for optimal health.

A proper balance of healthy muscle tissue, secreting organs, and ground bone make up the bulk of the nutrients that dogs require. Nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits are also added to some raw dog foods to fill in the nutrients and fibre that wild canines would get from eating plant material like grass or the stomach contents of their herbivorous prey.

Benefits of Raw Dog Food

• • • High Protein Content: Supports muscle development and energy
    • Natural Diet: Mimics the diet of wild dogs
    • Dental Health: Chewing raw bones helps clean teeth and reduce plaque
    • Healthy Skin and Coat: Promotes a shiny coat and healthy skin
    • Nutrient-Dense: Rich in natural vitamins and minerals
    • Minimal Processing: Provides a diet close to what dogs would eat in the wild

Choosing to feed a raw dog food diet can offer a wide variety of benefits to dogs of all breeds and ages. Common issues like weight management, poor digestion, and even food allergies can be supported with the best raw dog food.

1. Iron Will

One of the best frozen raw dog food brands is Iron Will Raw Dog Food. They use only high-quality, human-grade ingredients. Their recipes are designed to provide a balanced diet and are free from grains, gluten, and artificial additives.

Iron Will Raw Pet Food is a premium line of raw pet food made from high-quality, human-grade ingredients designed to provide optimal nutrition for dogs and cats. Their minimally processed recipes retain maximum nutritional value, making it easier for pets to digest and absorb essential nutrients.

2. Big Country Raw

Are you looking for the best raw dog food Canada brand choice? If so, check out Big Country Raw offers a variety of raw dog food options made from high-quality, natural ingredients. Their recipes are balanced and complete, providing all the nutrients your dog needs for a healthy diet.

Big Country Raw is a Canadian company specializing in raw pet food products made from high-quality, human-grade ingredients. Their offerings include raw meat, poultry, and fish blends, as well as complete meals and treats for dogs and cats. 

Founded in 2012, Big Country Raw sources all ingredients from Canadian farmers and processors, including wild-caught fish and free-range poultry. Their products are safe, nutritious, and designed to provide pets with a natural diet that supports overall health.

3. Carnivora

Carnivora offers raw dog food that is made from high-quality, natural ingredients. Their recipes are designed to provide a balanced diet and are rich in protein and nutrients.

Carnivora is a renowned Canadian pet food brand specializing in high-quality dog and cat foods tailored to the dietary needs of carnivorous animals. Their raw food offerings feature premium animal proteins like chicken, beef, and fish, ensuring essential nutrients for optimal health and energy.

The food is conveniently shaped into 8oz patties separated by wax paper for easy portioning and preperation.

Don't Be Afraid to Try New Foods

Finding the best dog food for your canine companion often takes a little trial and error. There are plenty of foods that will ensure your pet survives, but not every diet will help them thrive. Here are a few tips to help you make good diet choices for your pet:

1. Try More Than One: You may have to try different formulas and formats before you find the right one. Try to stick to a formula for 4-6 weeks to see the full effects before you try something new, but don't be afraid to make a change if you are not seeing positive results. 
2. Consider rotational feeding: Routinely changing proteins can offer your dog a wider variety of nutrients and keep mealtime from getting boring. Many of the brands above offer several protein options, so you don't even need to change brands, just flavours. 
3. Mix n' Match: Not every food format will offer your pet everything they need. Most types of dog food can be fed together, which can help to balance nutrition and eliminate gaps or missing benefits. Mixing a moisture-rich diet with a dry diet, for example, can help to create a more balanced yet still easy-to-feed way to cater to your dog's specific diet needs.

Choosing the right dog food is necessary for your furry friend’s health and happiness. By selecting one of these top dog food brands, you can ensure your dog gets the best nutrition possible.

At Homes Alive Pets, you'll find an unbeatable selection of the best dog food online in Canada. Or shop in-store to find the best dog food Edmonton, Calgary, Kelowna, Langley, and Lethbridge. 

Best Dog Food FAQs

How do I choose the best dog food for my dog?

With so many choices it can be challenging to find the right one for your dog. Consider your dog’s age, size, and dietary needs, and look for high-quality ingredients and balanced nutrition. Many of the brands on our list offer a variety of formulas and food types so you can find the diet that best suits your pet.

What is the best dog food in Canada?

Looking for the best food dog food choices in Canada? Brands like Acana, Big Country Raw, and Open Farm are among the top contenders as leading, premium food choices. 

What is the best food for senior dogs?

As your dog ages, his nutritional needs change. Brands like Orijen,  Carna4, and The Honest Kitchen all provide excellent options for senior dogs. The focus is on providing balanced nutrition that supports digestion and immune function.

What is the best dry dog food?

Dry dog food offers the most variety of formulas and flavours, so it can be hard to pick just one. The best dry foods use real food ingredients and offer plenty of protein to support growth and maintenance. Check our Carna4, Acana, and Open Farm to find a premium kibble diet for your pooch.

What is the Best Type of Dog Food?

Every kind of dog food has benefits and drawbacks. Dry dog food is the most popular choice for pet owners because of its convenience and affordability, but many consider raw dog food to be the most natural and nutritious. Choose your dog's diet first based on their health needs, and then on your preferences.