Back in the day the only food we would feed our dog was milk and chapati or milk and rice. The occasional treat was meat stripes and biscuits.
However, fortunately, we have come a long way. Now, most dog owners are finally getting options to feed their dogs with appropriate dog food. There has been an exponential rise in the popularity of branded dog food in India. However, the increase in options has created a lot of confusion among dog owners to choose the best dog food brands in India. So here we are with the guide and the list of the best dog food brands in India.
But before getting yourself into the dog brands, let us give you a brief introduction to the types of dog food available in the market.
Types of Dog Foods
Dry Food: Pet owners prefer dry food because you can ration it easily according to dog needs and it’s also good for the dog’s oral health.
Wet Food: Wet dog food is the complete opposite of dry food. It contains 60-90% moisture and has a smell that makes it more palatable for dogs.
Semi-Moist Food: Semi-moist food contains 60-65% of water. It retains the advantages of wet food like being easy to digest and keeping the dog hydrated.
Vegetarian Food: Many Indians are vegetarians so they don’t feel right feeding their dogs with non-veg food. But the good news is, now vegetarian dog food is also available in the market.
Grain- food: Grain-free food is food that doesn’t contain any grains in the recipe.
Barf (Biologically appropriate raw food): Barf is another type of food and can be sub-categorized under grain-free food. Barf meals are nutritious for dogs.
Top Dog Food Brands
Pedigree
Whether we have a pet dog or not, we always knew one brand, Pedigree. So Pedigree is one of the oldest brands we have in our country. It is well-known for the wide range of dog food it offers using a holistic approach. Moreover, it offers products having high amounts of crude fiber which is essential in keeping a dog’s gastrointestinal health in good condition.
Product Description: Pedigree’s Chicken and vegetable adult dry dog food provides strong muscles, bones, teeth, and a shinier coat. It contains 20% crude protein, fat, and fiber. It also promotes digestive health and natural defenses.
Ideal for (Breed & Age): Adult Pugs, Beagle to Labrador, Golden Retriever & German shepherd
Type: Dry food
Products offered :
- Professional Large Breed Puppy Food
- Puppy Food Milk and Vegetable
- Puppy Chicken and Milk
- Gravy Puppy Chicken Chunks
- Dry Puppy Meat and Milk
- Professional Starter Mother and Pup
- Tasty Minis Puppy Chicken Flavour
- Biscrok Biscuits With Lamb Flavour
- Adult Dog Food Chicken Rice and Eggs
- Rodeo Chicken Flavour
- Dog Treats Adult Meat Jerky Roasted Lamb
Drools
Drools Dog food is another popular dog food brand in India. It offers quality dog food that doesn’t involve the use of any by-products or added hormones or antibiotics. The brand strikes a great balance between price and quality. So this brand is quite widely accepted by the audience.
Product Description: Drool’s chicken and egg adult dry dog food is one of the most highly-rated dog foods you’ll ever come across. It has real chicken that helps in maintaining the lean muscles of your dog. Also, enriched with proteins, this food provides optimum health benefits.
Ideal for (Breed & Age): All breeds sizes(Only for Adults)
Type: Dry food
Products offered :
- Focus Starter Super Premium Dog Food
- Canine Creek Puppy Ultra Premium Dry Dog Food
- Gourmet Bites For Puppies And Adult Dogs
- Puppy Starter Dog Food
- Chicken And Egg Puppy Dog Food
- Chicken And Egg Adult Dog Food
- 100% Vegetarian Adult Dog Food
- Focus Puppy Super Premium Dog Food
- Ocean Fish Kitten Cat Food
- Tuna And Salmon Adult Cat Food
- Mackerel Adult Cat Food
- Absolute Salmon Oil Syrup For Cats
Hill’s Science Diet
Hill’s Science Diet is one of the most preferred dog food brands we have in the market. Their products are high-quality and consist of ingredients easy to digest and rich in vitamins and amino acids. If your dog is suffering from a poor digestive system, you should switch to Hill’s science diet dog food because many pet owners saw the improvement in their dogs.
Product description: Hill Science Diet’s Puppy Lamb Meal and Rice recipe is highly recommended dog food for large breed puppies up to 1 year. As it contains optimal levels of calcium that help in controlled bone growth. Moreover, made of natural, easy-to-digest ingredients, it is one of the best dog foods you can give to your puppy.
Ideal for (Breed and Age): Large breed puppies up to 1 year
Type: Dry Food
Products by Hill’s Science Diet :
- Advanced Fitness, Chicken & Barley
- Adult Light, Chicken Meal & Barley Dry
- Healthy Development, Small Bites Chicken Meal & Barley Dry food
- Adult 7+ Small bites Chicken Meal Rice & Barley Dry food
- Small Paws Adult 1-6, Chicken Meal & Rice
- Advanced Fitness, Lamb Meal & Rice
- Large Breed Puppy, Chicken Meal & Oats
- Puppy Health Development, Chicken Meal & Barley Dry Food
Goodness
Goodness is a premium dog food brand that offers high protein and fat content. This is one of the best dog food brands in India because it supports puppies during their growing years and helps adult ones to maintain the right amount of fat to keep them healthy. You’ll also find salmon, lamb, and chicken in the same formula which makes it suitable for eyes, skin, and brain development. It is also a great source of protein and fat which is great for their joint and brain health.
Product Description: Goodness’s Grain-free smoked salmon with lamb is rich in protein and fat is preferable for all breeds and ages. This dog food is best for better joint support, and digestive system, and protects your dog from food allergies.
Ideal for (Breed and age): All breeds and age
Type: Dry food
Products Offered:
- Lamb and Rice Healthy Grain Dry food
- Roasted Chicken with Lamb grain-free dog food
- Salmon & Potato low grain dry food
- Smoked chicken and rice low grain dry food
- Smoked Salmon with lamb grain-free dry food
Orijen (Link)
Orijen has been one of the oldest dog food brands we had over the years. Their food philosophy is to offer Biologically Appropriate Nutrition by using the best ingredients under the guidance of pet nutrition expertise. They provide dog food for every life stage for dogs which is pretty impressive. The primary ingredient in their recipe is always meat which suits all dogs.
Product Description: Orijen’s puppy formula dog food is another great food that is highly recommended by pet owners. This product contains 85% animal ingredients that nourish dogs according to their biological needs.
Ideal for (Breed and age): For babies of all breeds
Type: Dry food
Products Offered :
- Orijen Dog
- Orijen Puppy
- Orijen Small Breed
- Orijen Dog Tundra
- Orijen Freeze-Dried dog food
- Orijen Dog Fit and Trim
- Orijen Puppy Poultry & Fish pate Wet Dog food
- Orijen Puppy dry dog food for large breeds
- Orijen Stew Dog Food
- Orijen Freeze-Dried regional red Formula
Arden Grange
Arden Grange is one of the best dog food brands because it offers dog food for varied lifestyles and life stages of dogs. They have special food for lactating mothers as well which we feel is great. Also, the brand provides hypoallergenic food meaning sensitive dog food for sensitive dogs. Moreover, the brand uses no artificial preservatives harmful to dogs’ health. In all, it is a good brand to try.
Product Description: Arden Grange’s junior puppy chicken and rice dog food is one of the best dog foods you can ever give. All thanks to its star ingredient chicken that has been formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of the dog for its steady growth and development.
Ideal for (Breed and age): large breed puppies and adolescents
Type: Dry food
Products Offered :
- Weaning/Puppy dog food
- Adult Dog Food, Salmon & Rice
- Puppy Junior Food
- Prestige Adult Dog Food
- Adult Dog Food, Chicken & Rice
Freshwoof
Freshwoof offers plant-based dog food products that are super nutritious for dogs. The brand strongly believes in vegan food which is kind to all animals and better for the planet. FreshWoof sources its ingredients coming from plants and not from slaughterhouses for balanced dog food. Moreover, the recipes are vet-approved, free of preservatives, and human-graded. So if you are someone who wants to keep their dog food vegan, this brand is the one for you.
Freshwoof’s Brown Rice and Beans
Freshwoof’s Brown Rice and Beans come with high proteins and all necessary amino acids. This recipe has 100% natural ingredients that are digestible and good for their skin. Moreover, it’s also preservative and chemical-free dog food that comes in ready-to-serve packaging.
Ideal for(Breed And Age): Adult of all breeds
Type: Wet Dog Food
Products by Freshwoof
- Tofu and Quinoa
- Brown Rice and Beans
- Oats and Chickpeas
Wag & Love
Wag & Love is another well-known brand you can rely on. It was started by dog parents who were struggling to find healthy dog food for their dogs. Hence they started their research and came up with Wag & love. Wag & love dog food is now one of the best dog brands. They offer naturally hypoallergenic holistic nutritious dog food. Using a holistic nutrition approach, the recipes are made from fresh meat, free of artificial flavors and preservatives.
Product Description: Wag & Love’s Grain-free Apple and thyme food is another great dog food. It contains exotic fruits that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that are useful for growth and development.
Ideal for (Breed): For Baby dogs of large and giant breeds
Type: Dry food
Products Offered :
- Salmon relish
- Nurture puppy Dog food
- Low Grain Natural Dog food
- Low Grain Natural Adult Dog Food
- Carrots & Cranberry Adult Vigor
Barf India
Barf India is one of the most loved and preferred brands in India. The company sources 100 human-grade antibiotics and hormone-free ingredients to prepare holistic pet food enriched with all the vitamins and minerals required to grow your dog healthy and strong. Barf India deals in a huge range of dog food specified to their requirements. For instance, if your dog stays dehydrated, they also offer specialized dehydrated dog food products as well to keep your dog hydrated and healthy.
Barf India’s Chicken recipe
Barf India’s Chicken dog food is enriched with protein that is easily digestible and promotes muscle growth and development. Moreover, it consists of adequate levels of fresh chicken liver which is rich in Vitamin A, fat, and protein. It also serves as a source of niacin well-known for its cancer-protective properties. So if you are looking for options to feed your under-weight dog, this Barf chicken recipe is perfect for your furry friend.
Ideal for(Breed And Age): All ages and breeds
Type: Minced Meat
Products by Barf India
- Dehydrated dog food: Fish, Buffalo, Chicken, Lamb recipes, etc
- Single-protein dog food: Duck, Quail, Pork, Fish recipes, etc
- Multi-protein dog food: Magical dinner, Raw Boost, White Meat fest, etc.
- Oven-Baked dog food: Buffalo, chicken, and vegetable recipe, Chicken and Vegetables, etc
Hence these are some popular products from the brand. To get a detailed list, check out their official website for the same.
Royal Canin
Royal Canin is one of the most popular dog food brands we have. It offers the cheapest dog food readily available in the market. So a great option for middle-class pet owners to feed their dogs with actual dog food. It uses standard production processes to ensure top-quality products.
Product Description: Royal Canin’s Labrador dog food is great for bone and joint development, healthy skin and coat, and for ideal weight. It is tailor-made dog food designed specifically for Labrador Retrievers.
Ideal for (Breed): Labrador retriever
Age – Adult
Type: Dry food
Products Offered :
- Labrador Retriever Puppy Dry Dog Food
- Labrador Junior
- Labrador Adult Dry, Chicken
- German Shepherd Puppy Dry Pellet Dog Food
- German Shepherd Adult
- Golden Retriever Junior
- Golden Retriever Adult
- Rottweiler Junior
- Rottweiler Adult
- Adult Boxer Junior
- Adult Boxer Adult
- Beagle Adult
- Pug Adult Dry food
- Pug Adult & baby
- Cocker Adult
- Shih Tzu Adult Dry food
Purina Super Coat
Purina SuperCoat Dog food is a great brand to rely on. It is super healthy and is enriched with the goodness of real chicken. Supercoat’s unique formulation is a combination of quality and natural ingredients. And that’s the reason it became an instant hit among pet owners. Purina strongly believes in feeding dogs a healthy diet so that they can unleash their potential.
Product Description: Purina Supercoat’s Chicken dry food is great for the immune system of your dogs. It contains proteins, minerals, and fats that promote overall health. Moreover, natural fiber helps keep the digestive system healthy.
Ideal for (Breed & Age): All breeds(For Adults)
Type: Dry food
Products Offered :
- Adult Dry food Chicken
- Adult Small breed dry dog food
- Adult Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
- Puppy Dry Dog Food
- Puppy All Breed Dry Dog Food
- Adult All Breed Dry Dog Food
- Adult Pro Plan Adult Dry Dog Food
Fidele
Fidele is the underdog dog food brand in the market. It may not be popular as compared to its peers, but the brand has received quite a positive response from pet owners. It uses good old ingredients like chicken, rice, coconut oil, and flaxseeds, with no chemicals. Moreover, it maintains correct proportions of proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, and vitamins for dogs of all sizes. The brand also supports ‘The million animal project’ where they donate a part of every fidele bag purchased.
Product Description: Fidele’s Dry food Chicken flavor promotes ideal weight, joint development, and healthy skin. This dry dog food is great for dogs that suffer from digestive issues as it is light food.
Ideal for (Breed & Age): Large Breeds(For babies)
Type: Dry food
Products Offered :
- Weaning Puppies and nurturing mothers
- Small & Medium Breed Adult Dry food
- Large Breed Puppies Dry Dog Food
- Small & Medium Breed Puppies Dry Dog Food
- Large Breed Adult Dry Food
- Light & Senior Adult Dry Food
IAMS
IAMS is a global brand offering a wide range of premium dog food for over 73 years. This brand’s USP is to provide tailored dog food for unique dietary needs. That’s the reason they have specific products for specific breeds and ages. Over the years, the brand has built a great reputation among dog owners and is the most loved brand too.
Product Description: IAMS’s Proactive Dry dog food chicken helps in building strong, firm muscles. It also promotes the development of natural defense with the help of vitamin E present in it.
Ideal for (Breed & Age): Small and Medium breed size(For Adults)
Type: Dry food
Products Offered :
- Adult Large Breed Dog dry food
- Golden retriever premium Dry dog food
- Adult Small & Medium Breed Dogs
- Puppy Small & Medium Breed Dog
- Puppy Large Breed Dog
- German Shepherd Premium Dry Dog food
- Labrador Retriever Dog Premium food
MeatUp
MeatUp is another great and trusted brand in the market. Be it optimum brain development or healthy skin, MeatUp covers all that your dog needs. The MeatUp dog food is enriched with Omega 3, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for a balanced diet. The key vision of the brand is to provide a complete energy-packed diet. That’s the reason most dog owners love this brand.
Product Description: Meat up’s dry dog food is 100% vegetarian and is tailored under expert supervision for a balanced diet. It contains antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that help maintain a healthy digestive system and strong joints.
Ideal for (Breed & Age): All breeds(For adults)
Type: Dry food
Products Offered :
- Adult Dog Food
- MeatUp Calcium bone Jar
- Chicken Gravy Supplement
- MeatUp Dental treats
- Vegetarian Adult Dog Food
- Pressed Chew Bones Dog treat
Farmina N&D
Farmina N & D is one of the most trusted brands in the market. Since it strictly adheres to scientific methods to develop the best nutritional system. The brand doesn’t use artificial preservatives to preserve food. Instead, it is preserved in a protective environment. Farmina gained popularity because of its grain-free range of products that worked for many pet owners. So if you are looking for a grain-free range, this brand should definitely be your pick.
Product Description: Farmina’s pumpkin dry food offers your puppy a balanced and complete diet without any artificial preservatives. It contains 96% of animal protein and is rich in fatty acids.
Ideal for (Breed & Age): Medium Breeds (For Adults)
Type: Dry Food
Products Offered :
- Chicken & Pomegranate Dry Dog Food
- Lamb & Blueberry Dry Dog Food
- Quinoa Weight Management Dry Dog Food
- Quinoa Skin & Coat Dry Dog Food
- Quinoa Digestion Dry Dog Food
Purepet
Purepet is one of the best dog food brands in India. People love this brand because of the quality and affordability they offer to their customers. Their products have been top-notch, ticking all the standard quality checks. The brand offers products that help improve immunity and digestion power which is why it’s one of the most preferred brands in the market.
Product Description: Purepet’s Chicken and Vegetable adult dry dog food consists of all essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that boost health and vitality. This food is easily digestible and supports a healthy immune system.
Ideal for (Breed & Age): All breeds sizes (For Adults)
Type: Dry food
Products Offered :
- Meat and Rice Dry Dog Food
- Chicken & Vegetable Dry Dog Food
- Real Chicken Biscuits
- Chicken & Milk Adult Dry dog Food
- Smoked Adult Dry Food
- Vegetarian Biscuit dog
- Chicken & Vegetable Wet Dog Food
- Munchy Sticks, Chicken Flavour
- Mutton Flavour Biscuits
Smart Heart Food
Smart Heart Dog Food is another great dog food brand available in India. It is one of the most trusted brands as well because it focuses on the nutritional value of the food. Moreover, this brand solves the digestive sensitivity of dogs by serving high-quality digestible food items. Smart heart dog food also helps in the development and growth of puppies. Also, improving the immunity among adult dogs as well. Hence, if you are looking for a brand that focuses on growth, you know which one to pick.
Product Description: Smart Heart Dry chicken and liver food is great for the enhancement of brain function. It contains omega-3 fatty acids that promote a healthy heart. Also, this dog food is easily digestible and promotes an improved immunity system.
Ideal for (Breed & Age): All breeds (For adults)
Type: Dry food
Products Offered :
- Puppy Dog food, chicken, egg, & milk
- Dry Puppy dog food
- Adult Dog Food, Chicken & egg
- Adult Dog Food, Chicken & Liver Flavour
- Adult Dry dog food, Lamb & Rice
- Adult Dry dog food, Lamb & Rice
How to select the correct dog food?
We Indians usually feed our dogs with home-cooked food aka leftovers. Well, it isn’t particularly bad for dogs but our cuisine is a bit more focused on spices and different flavors. Spicy food can affect a dog’s digestive system in a bad way. Hence not all human food is good for dogs because humans and dogs have different digestive systems. So dog owners should be careful feeding leftovers at home.
But don’t you worry as we have come up with some golden rules for selecting the correct dog food.
Rule 1: When looking for the best dog foods, check out the label to know the composition.
- Protein/Meat should appear first on the label.
- Meat-based protein should be 22%
- Fat and fiber-based should be at least 17% and 5% respectively.
- It should contain Vitamin E, C, and omega fatty acids.
Rule 2: Food without excessive spices is great for dogs
Rule 3: Avoid feeding dogs excessive spicy food and flavors because it can cause indigestion among them.
Rule 4: Do not buy the cheapest dog food products that contain the following ingredients
- Corn and wheat gluten
- Meat by-products
- Food dyes
- Rendered food
- Meat meals
Rule 5: Avoid raw dog food because raw food is healthy for dogs but only if it is germ-free. So it is pretty difficult to find germ-free raw dog food in our country. Hence the risks outweigh the benefits.
Faqs
What things to keep in mind while buying dog food?
You should take into account the following factors before buying dog food.
Age: Adult dogs’ and puppies’ nutritional needs vary with age. Puppies require more proteins while adult dogs need a balanced diet.
Ingredients: The dog food must contain quality and wholesome ingredients to ensure your dog gets the required nutrients every day.
Breed: Breeds play an important factor while choosing the best dog food. Every dog breed is different from each other, so their nutritional intake also varies accordingly. Hence you can’t feed a German shepherd dog food to a Labrador retriever.
Food Allergies: You should be aware of the food allergies your dog has. So read the composition label carefully to avoid future problems.
Which is the best dog food brand?
Hill’s Science Diet is the best dog food because it is one of the most reliable brands that develop dog food under experts’ supervision.
Which brand is the best for the grain-free dog food range?
Farmina N & D is the best dog food brand in the grain-free dog food range because it has a wide range of grain-free food that promotes a balanced diet.
Which is the best puppy food?
Smart Heart Food is the best puppy food because it offers a great range of puppy food beneficial for growth and development.
Can you switch dog food more often?
Generally, it isn’t advisable to change dog food more often because dogs get used to premium dog foods easily. So they might not like the change. However, you can consult veterinarians before making any changes in their diet.
What can dogs have apart from dog food?
You can feed your dog with canned vegetables like peas, carrots, and vegetable broth.
Which food items are dangerous for dogs?
- Onions
- Garlic
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Macadamia Nuts
- Grapes
- Raisin
- Cooked bones
- Avocado
- Chives
Can I feed my dog with home-cooked food?
Home-cooked food is always a good option to feed your dog because it is freshly cooked as compared to store-bought dog food. However, you must be aware of the food sensitivities your dog has with certain food items.
Conclusion
So these are the best 15 dog food brands in India you can rely on. However while choosing the dog food, make sure you are aware of the sensitivity of your dog. Also, which dog food is the best for your dog completely depends upon your dog’s nutritional needs, life stage, and breed. Hence choose it wisely. Till then take care of your fluffy buddies.
Nice post.