Best Puppy Food

What separates the top picks on this page?

Three foods, three different answers to the same question. Royal Canin Medium Adult Dry Dog Food scores 8.4 and costs $85. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice scores 7.6 at $68. Orijen Original scores 7.2 at $105.

The scores come from five weighted parts: Nutrition & AAFCO statement 30, Ingredients & sourcing 20, Safety record 20, Acceptance 10, Value 20. That is why the cheapest bag is not the winner and the priciest is not either.

Royal Canin leads on targeting and evidence. Its range is cut by breed, size, age and condition, it is feeding-trial substantiated with veterinary nutritionists on staff, and the kibble shape and density measurably slowed fast eaters on the panel. The trade-offs: $1.68 per 1,000 kcal, the priciest kibble here, and chicken by-product meal as the first ingredient.

Blue Buffalo wins on price and label appeal. Deboned chicken comes first, there are no poultry by-product meals or artificial preservatives, and LifeSource Bits add vitamins and antioxidants cold-formed to preserve potency. It is widely available and often discounted. Against that: six recalls between 2007 and 2017, the worst record in this ranking, and it is formulated rather than feeding-trial substantiated.

Orijen brings 38% protein from named fresh and raw animal ingredients, Champion owns its kitchens, and it has no US recalls. Panel dogs ate it eagerly and coat condition was visibly good at two weeks. It costs $2.90 per 1,000 kcal, and its AAFCO statement is by formulation, with no feeding trial and no published full-time veterinary nutritionist.

What should I check before buying puppy food?

Read the AAFCO statement first. It tells you whether the food was feeding-trial substantiated or only formulated. Royal Canin is feeding-trial substantiated; Blue Buffalo and Orijen are formulated.

Then look at the first ingredient and the price per 1,000 kcal, not the bag price. A $68 bag and a $105 bag are not comparable until you know the cost per 1,000 kcal.

• Safety record: Blue Buffalo carries six recalls between 2007 and 2017; Champion has no US recalls.
• Value: $1.68 per 1,000 kcal for Royal Canin, $2.90 per 1,000 kcal for Orijen.
• Acceptance: Orijen was eaten eagerly by panel dogs; Royal Canin's kibble shape slowed fast eaters.

Royal Canin Medium Adult Dry Dog Food

For the owner who wants the most precisely targeted range, feeding-trial evidence and a kibble built for the dog's jaw, and will pay $85 for it.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice

For the shopper who wants deboned chicken first, no by-product meals and a $68 bag that is easy to find and often discounted.

Orijen Original

For the owner chasing the highest protein here, 38% from named fresh and raw animal ingredients, who accepts $105 and a formulated AAFCO statement.

Royal Canin Medium Adult Dry Dog Food suits the owner who wants feeding-trial evidence and a kibble shaped for the dog, at $85. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice suits the shopper who wants deboned chicken first at $68. Orijen Original suits the owner who wants 38% protein from named fresh and raw animal ingredients and will pay $105.