There is no single best dog food for every dog. The right choice depends on age, size, activity, body condition, medical history, calorie needs, taste preferences, availability, and budget. A useful 2020 review should therefore compare foods by purpose—not declare one bag universally superior.
This guide explains how to judge the foods commonly recommended in 2020, what a complete diet should say on its label, and which popular claims do not hold up. Because recipes, manufacturers, package sizes, and recalls change, treat any product name or nutrition figure from a 2020 article as historical until it has been checked against the current package and the FDA recall database.
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Our picks by use case
These are the most defensible categories for comparing dog foods. A specific recipe earns a place in one of them only after its current label, calorie statement, nutritional adequacy statement, and recall status have been checked.
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|---|---|---|
| Growing puppies | A complete-and-balanced statement for growth, or for all life stages, with feeding guidance for the puppy’s expected size | Large-breed puppies have different mineral and calorie considerations. Ask your veterinarian for a suitable growth diet. |
| Healthy adult dogs | A complete diet for adult maintenance, appropriate calorie density, and feeding directions that can be adjusted to body condition | “All life stages” does not automatically make a food the best option for an adult dog. |
| Large and giant breeds | Life-stage suitability, sensible calorie density, kibble size the dog can manage, and a feeding plan that prevents excessive weight gain | Breed labels alone do not establish nutritional superiority. |
| Sensitive digestion | A consistent formula, highly digestible ingredients, and a gradual transition plan | Repeated vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, or blood in the stool requires veterinary attention—not just a new bag of food. |
| Food allergies | A veterinary elimination diet or hydrolyzed-protein diet when indicated | Over-the-counter “limited ingredient” foods can contain unexpected traces of other proteins. |
| Veterinary diets | A prescription or veterinary-directed formula matched to a diagnosed condition | Kidney, urinary, liver, diabetic, and other therapeutic diets should not be selected by marketing copy alone. |
What makes a dog food complete and balanced?
Start with the nutritional adequacy statement, not the front of the bag. A main diet should say that it is “complete and balanced” for a named life stage, or that it meets an AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile or was substantiated using AAFCO feeding procedures.
#1 Best Overall
- Pedigree Goodness Promise: Every bowl of this dry dog food serves up to 100% complete adult nutrition supporting 6 health essentials, including digestion, immunity, skin & coat, heart, strong bones, and dental care
- Vitamin Goodbites: Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor recipe includes Vitamin Goodbites pieces with elevated levels of essential vitamins for a nutrient boost your dog will love
- Highly Digestible Dog Food Recipe: Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor provides prebiotic fiber to support healthy digestion
- Supports Healthy Immunity: This Pedigree dog kibble recipe is fortified with vitamins and minerals to support a healthy immune system
- High-Quality Pet Food: Pedigree dry dog food is a high-quality dog food recipe that provides protein to support strong muscles, including the heart
AAFCO recognizes these life-stage categories:
- Growth
- Maintenance
- Gestation and lactation
- All life stages
A product labeled for intermittent or supplemental feeding only is not a complete main diet. The same applies to many toppers, broths, treats, supplements, and meal mixers. They may be useful additions, but they should not replace a nutritionally complete food unless a veterinary nutritionist has formulated the entire diet.
Feeding directions are starting points, not precise prescriptions. Two dogs of the same weight can need very different amounts. Adjust the portion according to weight trend, activity, and body condition. A dog whose ribs are difficult to feel may need fewer calories; a lean, highly active dog may need more.
How to read the label without falling for marketing
Ingredient order is not a quality score
Ingredients are listed by weight as formulated. Fresh meat contains substantial water, so it can appear above a concentrated dry ingredient even when the finished food contains less of it by weight after cooking. The first ingredient is therefore not a reliable verdict on the whole recipe.
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Look at the adequacy statement, calorie content, intended life stage, manufacturer information, quality-control practices, and whether the food is appropriate for the individual dog. Ingredient lists matter, but they are only one part of the assessment.
Rank #2
- Diamond Naturals Skin and Coat All Life Stages Salmon and Potato dry dog food; REAL SALMON is the #1 ingredient; from puppy to senior, this formula helps maintain healthy skin and coat
- Nutrient-rich and provides the energy to thrive; vitamins and minerals from VEGETABLES and SUPERFOODS; energy-rich carbohydrates and immune-system-supporting antioxidants; omega fatty acids for healthy SKIN and COAT
- Each serving includes species-specific K9 Strain PROPRIETARY PROBIOTICS — plus antioxidants and prebiotics — to help support healthy digestion, IMMUNE system and overall health and wellness
- FAMILY-OWNED and MADE in the USA using quality ingredients from trusted domestic and global sources
By-products are not automatically inferior
“Meat by-product” is often used as a scare phrase, but by-products can supply valuable nutrients. AAFCO states that meat, poultry, fish, and their by-products are held to the same safety standards concerning disease-causing organisms and adulteration. Meat-and-bone meal, for example, can provide calcium and phosphorus.
Grain-free is not a synonym for healthier
Some dogs genuinely need a diet that avoids a particular ingredient, but grain-free status alone does not prove better nutrition. The FDA investigated reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy involving diets—many labeled grain-free—with high proportions of peas, lentils, other pulses, and/or potatoes. The FDA did not establish that these diets cause DCM.
That means two extreme claims should be avoided: grain-free food is not automatically superior, and the available evidence does not justify calling every grain-free diet inherently dangerous. If a dog has heart disease or a diet-related medical concern, discuss the food with a veterinarian before changing it.
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Raw is not automatically safer or more nutritious
The CDC does not recommend feeding raw pet food or treats to dogs and cats because raw products can contain pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria. Freezing, freeze-drying, and dehydration may reduce contamination risks but do not necessarily eliminate them. Raw food can also be nutritionally complete or nutritionally inadequate; “natural” does not answer that question.
Rank #3
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: Blue Buffalo dry dog food starts with real chicken as the first ingredient to help support healthy, lean muscles in adult dogs
- COMPLETE NUTRITION: This BLUE dog food provides balanced daily nutrition for adult dogs with chicken for protein, wholesome carbohydrates for energy, and other natural ingredients
- EXPERT-LED NUTRITION: Designed to help your pet thrive from the inside out, Blue Buffalo dog food formulas are developed by a dedicated team of veterinarians and animal nutritionists
- SUPPORTS IMMUNE SYSTEM HEALTH: BLUE Life Protection Formula dry dog food features exclusive LifeSource Bits, a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are formed at a lower temperature to ensure optimal potency
- WHOLESOME GRAINS: A delicious dry dog food made with brown rice, barley, and oatmeal to support gentle, regular digestion and steady energy for active dogs
What the 2020 recall record tells us
A review published in 2020 should not describe an entire brand as safe or unsafe based on a recall. Recalls normally identify a particular recipe, lot, manufacturing facility, contaminant, or date range. Check the exact product and lot.
Sportmix and Midwestern Pet Foods
On December 30, 2020, Midwestern Pet Foods recalled certain Sportmix products after testing found excessive aflatoxin, a toxin produced by mold. At the initial FDA alert, the agency reported at least 28 dog deaths and eight illnesses associated with reported recalled-product cases. By January 21, 2021, FDA reported more than 110 reported dog deaths and more than 210 illnesses, while noting that not every report had been confirmed through laboratory testing or veterinary-record review.
The recall was later expanded to corn-containing products made at Midwestern’s Oklahoma plant with expiration dates on or before July 9, 2022. FDA now marks that recall as terminated. That status means the agency determined that reasonable efforts had been made to remove or correct affected products; it does not mean the original recalled food was safe or that every later product from the company is automatically unsafe.
Sunshine Mills
Sunshine Mills recalled certain dog foods in 2020 after testing found Salmonella and expanded other recalls involving potentially elevated aflatoxin levels. The affected products were specific foods and lots, not automatically every product sold under the brand. Any recall check should identify the brand, exact recipe, lot number, manufacturing facility, and date.
Rank #4
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: Blue Buffalo dry dog food starts with real chicken as the first ingredient to help support healthy, lean muscles in adult dogs
- COMPLETE NUTRITION: This BLUE dog food provides balanced daily nutrition for adult dogs with chicken for protein, wholesome carbohydrates for energy, and other natural ingredients
- EXPERT-LED NUTRITION: Designed to help your pet thrive from the inside out, Blue Buffalo dog food formulas are developed by a dedicated team of veterinarians and animal nutritionists
- SUPPORTS IMMUNE SYSTEM HEALTH: BLUE Life Protection Formula dry dog food features exclusive LifeSource Bits, a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are formed at a lower temperature to ensure optimal potency
- WHOLESOME GRAINS: A delicious dry dog food made with brown rice, barley, and oatmeal to support gentle, regular digestion and steady energy for active dogs
A practical buying checklist
- Identify the dog’s category. Write down species, age, expected adult size, activity level, current weight, and any diagnosed condition.
- Confirm the food is a main diet. Reject products marked for intermittent or supplemental feeding if you need a complete everyday food.
- Read the adequacy statement. Confirm that the food covers the dog’s life stage rather than relying on words such as premium, natural, ancestral, or holistic.
- Check calories. Compare calories per cup, can, pouch, or kilogram. A food with more calories per cup may require a noticeably smaller serving.
- Review the current ingredients and guaranteed analysis. Do not copy figures from a 2020 review; formulas can change.
- Investigate the manufacturer. Look for information about who formulates the food, where it is made, ingredient testing, finished-product testing, and quality-control procedures.
- Search the FDA recall database. Use the FDA’s “Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts” pages and search the exact product name. Check the lot and date printed on the package.
- Transition gradually. Unless your veterinarian says otherwise, mix the old and new foods over roughly seven days. Slow down if stools become loose.
- Reassess the dog. Monitor stool quality, appetite, vomiting, itching, weight, energy, and body condition. A food that looks good on paper is not right for a dog that cannot tolerate it.
How to handle a food change
Keep the first change simple: alter the main food without adding several new treats, supplements, or toppers at the same time. Otherwise, you will not know what caused a reaction. Measure portions rather than estimating by eye, especially with calorie-dense dry foods.
Contact a veterinarian promptly for repeated vomiting, persistent diarrhea, lethargy, refusal to eat, jaundice, abdominal pain, rapid weight loss, or suspected toxin exposure. Do not try to manage a suspected food poisoning or aflatoxin exposure solely by switching brands.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Important wording corrections
| Avoid saying | More accurate wording |
|---|---|
| AAFCO-approved dog food | Formulated to meet an AAFCO nutrient profile or substantiated through an AAFCO feeding protocol. AAFCO does not approve individual products. |
| FDA-approved dog food | Dog food is regulated by the FDA and state authorities; conventional complete food should not be marketed as FDA-approved. |
| The first ingredient proves quality | Ingredient order is one clue, but adequacy, calories, formulation, manufacturing, and quality control matter too. |
| By-products are fillers | Some by-products are useful nutrient sources and are subject to applicable safety standards. |
| Grain-free is healthier | Grain-free is a dietary characteristic, not proof of superior nutrition. |
| Natural raw food is safest | Raw diets carry pathogen risks and still need to be nutritionally complete. |
Why 2020 label information needs a fresh check
AAFCO’s Pet Food Label Modernization model regulations became effective January 1, 2024. The newer format can include a human-food-style nutrition facts box, an intended-use statement on the front panel, revised ingredient-list conventions, and handling and storage information. States are adopting the model independently, and old and new formats may coexist during the transition.
As a result, protein, fat, fiber, calories, ingredients, package sizes, and adequacy statements quoted in a 2020 review may no longer describe the food on sale today. A responsible historical review can explain how a product was viewed at the time, but a purchase decision should use the current package and current manufacturer information.
Best Value
- Purina ONE chicken and rice dog food offers a microbiome balance and a SmartBlend of high-quality ingredients, including prebiotic fiber for dogs, to help your dog live his best life
- With real chicken as the first ingredient, this high quality dog food supports strong muscles, including a healthy heart, and helps fuel healthy energy with high-quality carbohydrate sources
- This chicken and rice dry dog food for skin and coat care provides omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, plus four antioxidant sources for a strong immune system
- Is Purina ONE good for dogs? Purina ONE red bag dog food delivers 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs and features natural glucosamine sources to promote joint health for dogs
- Is Purina ONE made in the USA? Every digestive care dog food bag is crafted in Purina-owned, U.S. facilities and delivers with a combo crunchy bites and tender, meaty morsels dogs love
FAQ
What was the best dog food in 2020?
There was no objectively best food for every dog. The appropriate choice depended on life stage, health, activity, calorie needs, tolerance, availability, and price. A defensible comparison ranks foods by use case rather than naming one universal winner.
Does AAFCO approve dog food?
No. AAFCO publishes model regulations and nutrient profiles but does not approve individual pet-food products or maintain an approved-food list. Look for a complete-and-balanced statement referring to an AAFCO nutrient profile or feeding protocol.
Is grain-free dog food bad?
Not automatically. Grain-free status is neither a guarantee of quality nor, by itself, proof of harm. The FDA investigated reports of DCM involving some diets high in peas, lentils, other pulses, and/or potatoes. Dogs with heart disease or other medical concerns should have diet changes discussed with a veterinarian.
Are meat by-products safe for dogs?
By-products are not automatically inferior. They can provide useful nutrients, and AAFCO states that meat, poultry, fish, and their by-products are held to the same safety standards concerning adulteration and disease-causing organisms.
Can I still use a dog food recalled in 2020?
Never use a product included in an active recall. For an old recall marked terminated, check the exact product, lot, date, current label, and FDA notice. A terminated recall does not make the originally recalled food safe, and a recall affecting one lot does not automatically condemn every product from the brand.
How quickly should I change my dog’s food?
For a healthy dog, a gradual transition over about seven days is a reasonable starting point. Introduce the new food more slowly if stools become loose, and ask a veterinarian for guidance when the dog has a medical condition or significant digestive symptoms.
The Bottom Line
The best dog food is the one that is complete and balanced for the dog’s life stage, supplies an appropriate number of calories, comes from a transparent manufacturer, and works for that individual dog. Do not choose on the first ingredient, a grain-free badge, a raw-food claim, or the word “premium” alone. For any food discussed in a 2020 review, verify the current recipe, label, availability, and exact recall status before buying.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
