Best Dry Dog Food for Puppies of 2026

Janie Foster Avatar
Janie Foster
Last Updated: Jan 15, 2026

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Dry dog food for puppies is an essential part of their diet as it helps them grow and develop properly. There are many different brands and types of dry dog food for puppies on the market, each with their own unique formulas and ingredients. Some are specifically designed for certain breeds or sizes of puppies, while others cater to puppies with specific dietary needs such as allergies or sensitive stomachs. It is important to choose a high-quality dry dog food for puppies that contains all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to support their growth and development.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food Cover #TOP 1
Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Pedigree Puppy Food, Grilled Steak Flavor Cover #TOP 2
Pedigree Puppy Food, Grilled Steak Flavor
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Purina ONE Natural High-Protein Dry Puppy Food Cover #TOP 3
Purina ONE Natural High-Protein Dry Puppy Food
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Dry Dog Food for Puppies

#TOP 1

Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food

802801
4 Pound (Pack of 1)
Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food Cover
Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Natural Dry Food for Puppies, Healthy Growth Formula with DHA, Savory Chicken Recipe, 4-lb Bag

The Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food is a great choice for pet parents who want to provide their puppies with high-quality, natural ingredients. This dry dog food features real chicken as the first ingredient, which supports healthy muscle development. It also includes wholesome grains, garden veggies, and fruit, making it a nutritious meal for your furry friend. The formula is enriched with DHA and ARA, which supports cognitive function and retinal health. Additionally, it contains LifeSource Bits, a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that supports your puppy's immune system. This natural dog food contains no chicken or poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.

What We Like
Real chicken as the first ingredient supports healthy muscle development
Enriched with DHA and ARA, which supports cognitive function and retinal health
Contains LifeSource Bits that support your puppy's immune system
Wholesome grains, garden veggies, and fruit provide a nutritious meal for your puppy
Contains no chicken or poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives
#TOP 2

Pedigree Puppy Food, Grilled Steak Flavor

10190164
Pedigree Puppy Food, Grilled Steak Flavor Cover
Pedigree Puppy Dry Puppy Food, Grilled Steak and Vegetable Flavor, 3.5 lb. Bag

Pedigree Puppy Food offers high-quality protein to support your puppy's muscle growth, ensuring they develop strong and healthy. Packed with 36 essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, this food provides the nutrition necessary for your puppy's overall vitality. Additionally, it is fortified with vitamins and minerals that promote a healthy immune system, helping your furry friend stay active and protected. Designed specifically for puppies, this complete and balanced meal guarantees that your pet receives all the nutrients they need for a happy, healthy life.

What We Like
High-quality protein source
Rich in essential vitamins
Supports immune health
Complete and balanced nutrition
#TOP 3

Purina ONE Natural High-Protein Dry Puppy Food

14935
Purina ONE Natural High-Protein Dry Puppy Food Cover
Purina ONE Plus Healthy Puppy Formula High Protein Natural Dry Puppy Food with added vitamins, minerals and nutrients - 16.5 lb. Bag

Keep your puppy healthy and happy with Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Healthy Puppy Formula dry puppy food. Made with real chicken as the #1 ingredient, this high-protein puppy food supports strong muscles and a healthy heart. It also includes DHA for vision and brain development, calcium and phosphorus for growing bones, and an antioxidant blend for a strong immune system. The easily digestible formula contains a SmartBlend of high-quality ingredients, plus omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals for a shiny coat and healthy skin. With no artificial flavors or preservatives, this formula is 100% nutrition and 0% fillers.

What We Like
Real chicken as the #1 ingredient
DHA for vision and brain development
Antioxidant blend for a strong immune system
SmartBlend of high-quality ingredients, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals for a shiny coat and healthy skin
No artificial flavors or preservatives
#TOP 4

Purina ONE Plus Healthy Puppy Formula

00017800173834
Other
8 Pound (Pack of 1)
Purina ONE Plus Healthy Puppy Formula Cover
Purina ONE Plus Healthy Puppy Formula High Protein Natural Dry Puppy Food with added vitamins, minerals and nutrients - 8 lb. Bag

Purina ONE Puppy Food is designed to give your growing puppy the nutrition they need for a strong, healthy start. The real chicken as the main ingredient provides essential protein to build muscles and support heart health. This formula includes DHA, a special nutrient found in mother’s milk, which helps promote healthy brain and eye development. It also contains antioxidants that help strengthen your puppy’s immune system. Plus, the mix of high-quality ingredients like omega-6 fatty acids supports a shiny coat and healthy skin. You’ll appreciate the tasty crunchy bites and tender pieces made without artificial flavors or preservatives, making mealtime enjoyable for your puppy.

What We Like
Real chicken protein
DHA for brain and vision
Antioxidants for immunity
Omega-6 for coat health
No artificial flavors
#TOP 5

Blue Buffalo Puppy Dry Dog Food

803947
Brown
5 Pound (Pack of 1)
Blue Buffalo Puppy Dry Dog Food Cover
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Dry Dog Food with DHA and ARA, Made with Natural Ingredients, Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe, 5-lb Bag

Blue Buffalo Puppy Dry Dog Food, also known as Blue Puppy Dog Food, is specially formulated for puppies. It features real chicken as the first ingredient, providing high-quality protein to help your dog build and maintain healthy muscles. The food also contains wholesome whole grains, garden veggies, and fruit. It contains DHA and ARA, important fatty acids found in mother's milk, to support cognitive function and retinal health. The food is made with the finest natural ingredients, enhanced with vitamins and minerals. It does not contain chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Blue Puppy Dog Food also includes antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits, a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support immune system health, life stage needs, and a healthy oxidative balance. Give your puppy the benefits of the True BLUE Effect with Blue Buffalo Puppy Dry Dog Food.

What We Like
Real meat as first ingredient
Contains DHA and ARA for cognitive function and retinal health
Wholesome ingredients with no artificial additives
#TOP 6

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice

800150
brown
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Cover
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Brown Rice, 30 lbs

Blue Buffalo Puppy Food is made with real, high-quality chicken as the main ingredient, giving your puppy the protein it needs for healthy growth. This formula supports strong muscles, bones, teeth, and promotes a shiny coat and healthy skin, helping your puppy develop well. It also includes special LifeSource Bits packed with antioxidants to boost your puppy’s immune system. Plus, it contains no poultry by-product meals or fillers like corn, wheat, or soy, so you can trust you’re feeding your puppy wholesome and natural ingredients for a balanced diet.

What We Like
Real chicken first ingredient
Supports muscle and bone growth
Antioxidant-rich immune support
No poultry by-products
No corn, wheat, or soy
#TOP 7

Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food for Small-Breed Puppies

7139
White
Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food for Small-Breed Puppies Cover
Hill's Science Diet Puppy, Puppy Premium Nutrition, Small Kibble, Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Brown Rice, 4.5 lb Bag

This dry puppy food is specially designed for small-breed puppies to support their developmental needs with a delicious chicken flavor. The food contains DHA from fish oil for healthy brain and eye development and high-quality protein for building lean muscle. A balanced set of minerals promotes strong bones and teeth. Made with natural ingredients, this dry dog food is made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients you can trust. It is also the #1 Veterinarian Recommended puppy food.

What We Like
Specially designed for small-breed puppies
Supports healthy brain and eye development
High-quality protein for building lean muscle
Uses a balanced set of minerals for strong bones and teeth
Made with natural ingredients
#TOP 8

IAMS Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food

10172076
Chicken
7 Pound (Pack of 1)
IAMS Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food Cover
IAMS Proactive Health Dry Puppy Food Chicken, 5 lb. Bag

IAMS Puppy Food is a dry dog food that is specifically created for puppies with real, farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient to promote strong muscles and essential minerals to help build strong bones. This tasty kibble is enriched with antioxidants to help develop a strong immune system and made with 22 key nutrients like those found in mother's milk, including omega-3 DHA to promote healthy cognition. IAMS Puppy Food is complete and balanced nutrition and made with high quality animal protein and no artificial preservatives, flavors or fillers. IAMS carries a full line of foods for your dog's age, size, and dietary needs from puppy to adult to mature, small breeds to large, and with recipes to support healthy weight and digestion.

What We Like
Promotes strong muscles
Builds strong bones
Enriched with antioxidants
#TOP 9

Royal Canin Small Breed Puppy Dry Food

144755
Original
4 lb
Royal Canin Small Breed Puppy Dry Food Cover
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Puppy Dry Dog Food, 4 lb Bag

The Royal Canin Small Puppy Food is specially designed for puppies of small breeds weighing between 9 and 22 pounds, making it ideal for your growing little dog. The crunchy kibble is easy to serve and pairs well with their wet food, adding variety to your puppy’s meals. This food supports your puppy’s brain development and energy needs, helping them grow strong and healthy. It also contains antioxidants to boost your puppy’s immune system and prebiotics to aid digestion, ensuring your puppy stays healthy and happy during their crucial early months.

What We Like
Small breed puppy formula
Crunchy, easy-to-serve kibble
Supports brain development
Boosts immune health
Promotes digestive wellness
#TOP 10

Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Healthy Growth Formula Natural Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food

802804
4 Pound (Pack of 1)
Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Healthy Growth Formula Natural Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Cover
Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Natural Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food, Healthy Growth Formula with DHA, Chicken and Oatmeal Recipe, 4-lb Bag

This puppy food features high-quality protein from real chicken to support healthy muscle development, DHA and ARA for cognitive function and retinal health, and LifeSource Bits to support a healthy immune system. It contains wholesome whole grains, garden veggies, and fruit and is formulated to meet the unique energy needs of small breeds. It is made from natural ingredients and contains NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

What We Like
High-quality protein from real chicken
Contains DHA and ARA for cognitive function and retinal health
LifeSource Bits to support a healthy immune system
Wholesome whole grains, garden veggies, and fruit
Made from natural ingredients and contains NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives
Buying Guide Image

Decide Which Dry Dog Food for Puppies Are Best for Your Pets

Choosing the Best Dry Dog Food for Your Puppy

As a new puppy owner, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the right food for your furry friend. Dry dog food, also known as kibble, is a convenient and cost-effective option that can provide your puppy with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. However, with so many brands and formulas available, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is best for your puppy.

To help you make an informed decision, here are some tips for choosing the best dry dog food for your puppy.

Consider Your Puppy's Age and Breed

Puppies have different nutritional needs depending on their age and breed. Large-breed puppies, for example, require a different type of food than small-breed puppies. They need a formula that is rich in protein and calories to support their rapid growth, but low in calories and fat to prevent them from gaining too much weight.

Small-breed puppies, on the other hand, need a formula that is high in protein and calories, but also easy to digest. Their small stomachs can't handle large amounts of food, so they need a formula that is nutrient-dense to provide them with the energy they need.

Look for High-Quality Ingredients

When choosing a dry dog food for your puppy, it's important to look for high-quality ingredients. Avoid formulas that contain fillers, such as corn, wheat, and soy, which can be difficult for puppies to digest and can cause allergic reactions. Instead, look for formulas that are made with real meat, such as chicken, lamb, or beef, as the first ingredient.

In addition to protein, puppies also need a balance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support their growing bodies. Look for formulas that contain fruits and vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, blueberries, and spinach, which can provide these important nutrients.

Choose a Formula with the Appropriate Nutritional Profile

Puppies need a balanced diet that provides them with the right amount of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to support their growth and development. When choosing a dry dog food for your puppy, look for a formula that meets the nutritional requirements established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

The AAFCO sets standards for the nutritional content of pet food, so choosing a formula that meets their requirements can help ensure that your puppy is getting the nutrients they need. Look for a label that says "complete and balanced" or "formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO."

Ask Your Veterinarian for Recommendations

If you're still unsure which dry dog food is best for your puppy, don't hesitate to ask your veterinarian for recommendations. They can provide guidance on the best formulas for your puppy's age, breed, and any special dietary needs they may have.

In conclusion, choosing the best dry dog food for your puppy is an important decision that can have a big impact on their health and well-being. By considering your puppy's age and breed, looking for high-quality ingredients, choosing a formula with the appropriate nutritional profile, and asking your veterinarian for recommendations, you can find a dry dog food that will provide your puppy with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can puppies eat dry dog food?

Usually 8 weeks. At this point, puppies should have developed a full set of teeth and be able to eat dry food without any additional liquid. As ever, it's important to reiterate that no two dogs are the same. If you're nine weeks into your puppy's transition to dry food, and they're still on mush, don't panic.

2. Which Dry food is good for puppy?

Top 20 Best Dry Puppy Foods April 2022. Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Dry Puppy Formula.Wellness Complete Health Dry Puppy Food.Go! ... Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice.Orijen Dry Puppy Food.Chicken Soup for the Soul Puppy Chicken, Turkey and Brown Rice.

3. What age do you introduce dry dog food to puppies?

At four weeks, all of the puppies should be able to walk, run, and play. "At four weeks, all of the puppies should be able to walk, run, and play." Puppies should begin eating solid food about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 weeks of age.

4. Is dry dog food better than wet for puppies?

Generally speaking, wet food is better for dogs than dry food. Wet food has fewer carbohydrates, which are difficult for dogs to digest, and more water, which keeps dogs hydrated.

Editor's Notes

During our dry dog food for puppies research, we found 24 dry dog food for puppies products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 412,700 customer reviews through our big data system to write the dry dog food for puppies list. We found that most customers choose dry dog food for puppies with an average price of $19.81.

The dry dog food for puppies are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of dry dog food for puppies, including Blue Buffalo, Pedigree, Purina ONE, Hill's Science Diet, IAMS. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Janie Foster Avatar

Janie Foster is a writer & pet blogger from Los Angeles, she enjoys living with her two cats and three dogs. She owned her first dog 10 years ago and then started her personal blog to record her dog's daily life. Throughout her personal life, she has developed specialized knowledge in pet care, pet nutrition, feeding habits, and more.