Premium ready-made food is the average among dry foods. They are not an ideal diet, but they are quite suitable for everyday nutrition and are inexpensive. This is the best option between quality and price.
But premium diets are very different. Some are slightly better in composition than economy ones, but are expensive. Others are close to super-premium in quality, but are sold cheaper.
We have compiled a rating of the 15 best foods based on their composition, pros and cons, cost and reviews from canine forums.
For those who do not want to go into a detailed review, at the beginning of the article we provided a list and prices of food with ratings, and at the end we indicated suitable menus for dogs of different breeds, ages and with individual needs.
Feed prices and information are current as of November 2022 and are constantly updated.
Feed classes: what is their difference?
Looking through the list of dog food in an online pet store or another rating, you will notice that food is divided into four classes:
- economy;
- premium;
- super premium;
- holistic.
Economy - budget food class . The composition includes waste of plant and animal origin, a minimum amount of vitamins and minerals, if they are included in a particular product at all. By themselves, such food is unattractive to dogs, so the waste is supplemented with additives that improve the aroma and taste of the food. Without them, the animal is highly likely not to eat food. The price is from 100 rubles per kilogram, and this is the only plus. The food is not suitable for constant consumption.
Premium dog food is an intermediate option between economy and holistic. They contain both meat and grain components, as well as vitamins, minerals, vegetables, and sometimes fruits. Their price is quite affordable, which is why such food is an excellent choice for many owners who want not to spend a lot of money and at the same time please their pet. Price – from 150 rubles per kilogram.
Super-premium is practically no different from the previous class. The composition and price of both classes of feed are almost the same, and the division is based more on marketing. There are often premium products that even surpass super-premium food in a number of properties, and this despite the lower cost. The price averages 450 rubles per kilogram.
Holistics - expensive and high-quality food. The composition is dominated by natural meat (in a concentration of up to 90%), there are no grain components. The raw materials for the production of holistic products are grown without the use of hormones, toxic pesticides and various additives. Good for everyday meals, provided your budget allows it.
1st Choice
| Basic information about food | |
| Manufacturer country: | Canada |
| Feed price: |
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The food is not holistic, but it has been awarded super-premium status because it does not contain animal fats or corn. The main part is protein - lamb or turkey flour (depending on the type of food), herring flour (there may also be bone flour). Carbohydrates – brown rice, oats, barley. Fiber is the pulp of fresh vegetables.
The food is good for its level. It contains all the necessary minerals and vitamins and contains no preservatives or harmful substances. The main disadvantage is that it is not widespread on the market.
Customer Reviews
The choice of pet food is not always based only on the properties of the product. Much depends on the financial capabilities of the owner. Of course, it is worth carefully studying the composition and choosing products with a low content of harmful or non-beneficial substances.
4.3 / 5 ( 7 votes)
Composition of premium feed
You shouldn't skimp on dog food if you care about the fate of your pet. Cheap food cannot be used constantly, and it is highly likely to cause an ambiguous reaction in the dog, for example, allergies or indigestion, problems with the digestive tract and intestines. It is better to spend a little more money, but buy premium food, than to spend money later on going to the veterinarian with your animal.
Contains safe components:
- Squirrels . This is often poultry; some products contain lamb meat and even exotic species such as kangaroo meat, ostrich meat and camel meat.
- Fats . Fats of animal or vegetable origin are used. Omega fatty acids obtained from fish oil are of particular value.
- Carbohydrates . Good foods include barley, oatmeal and oats, which are indicated for animals with allergies. Cheap ones often use wheat and corn - these are allergens that can cause problems for your dog.
- Cellulose . Represented by vegetables, fruits, and in some products, berries. Fiber is necessary for the normal absorption of other macronutrients.
- Vitamins . The most important are vitamins A, C, E and B.
- Minerals . Zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and other minerals important for maintaining health.
- Preservatives. Found along with antioxidants. Buy food in which these components are of natural origin.
Important: if you are buying food of a certain type and brand for the first time, do not immediately buy a large package. Take the minimum amount available and give it to your pet. If the dog consumes it without dissatisfaction or allergies, you can buy a full package. Otherwise, you will have to throw away a large amount of food if it is not suitable for the dog. Many manufacturers offer small food packages of several hundred grams.
The best foods for dogs' musculoskeletal health
Foods for joint health are especially recommended for large breeds and aging pets. After all, they need an increased portion of chondoprotectors, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.
Advance Veterinary Diets Articular Care Senior +7 Years Canine Formula – for aging dogs
5.0
★★★★★
editorial assessment
92%
buyers recommend this product
Articular Care Senior +7 Years is designed specifically for older dogs and maintaining the health of their musculoskeletal system. The food belongs to therapeutic diets and is prescribed by a veterinarian for pathological diseases, during the recovery period after injuries, as well as to support animals with osteoarthritis.
The formula is based on hydrolyzed chicken and salmon protein, as well as processed rice. These ingredients are easy for older dogs to digest.
Concentrated pea protein prevents muscle loss and promotes muscle recovery. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and fatty acids support healthy cartilage tissue.
Lemon verbena extract reduces pain in the joints and slows down oxidative processes. All this helps to increase the pet's activity. Hyaluronic acid is added to prevent joint diseases. Vitamin K reduces the risk of fractures and prevents osteoarthritis.
Pros:
- convenient packaging with a clasp;
- no breed restrictions;
- effective prevention of skeletal diseases;
- well absorbed;
- reduces pain.
Minuses:
- expensive (from 6 thousand rubles for 12 kg);
- wheat and corn flour in the composition;
- may cause an allergic reaction.
Advance Veterinary Diets are suitable for daily feeding of aging dogs. However, the chicken in its composition can cause allergies. At the first sign of intolerance, food should be removed from the diet.
Farmina Vet Life Canine Joint – dietary food for bone disease
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
89%
buyers recommend this product
Farmina Vet Life Canine Joint is a food from the medicinal line of the Italian brand. It is prescribed by veterinarians as an aid to inflammation of the bones or joints. The balanced formula is based on oats and spelled with a low glycemic index. They normalize blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes in animals. The protein component is high-quality chicken meat.
The composition also includes chondroprotectors for the restoration of cartilage tissue. A precisely selected ratio of antioxidants and fatty acids relieves inflammation and pain. The crude fat and oil content is 12%. This ensures the shine of your pet's coat. It also contains extracts of herbs and berries. They aid digestion and are a source of fiber, natural antioxidants and vitamins. The food is available in packs of 2 or 12 kg.
Pros:
- natural composition;
- gradually restores cartilage tissue;
- relieves inflammation and pain;
- has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and coat.
Minuses:
- difficult to find on sale.
Feeding an animal with Farmina Vet Life Canine Joint does not replace trips to the veterinarian and complex treatment of problems with the pet’s musculoskeletal system. But it can support the health of the animal, so it is worth using as part of therapy.
TOP 10 best premium feeds
The rating of dog food presented below is based on the following criteria that you need to look at when choosing food:
- Compound . The mass fraction in most good brands of food is 30% or more.
- Nutritional value. A good product should contain fats, carbohydrates and fiber.
- Price . The more meat there is, the higher the price. In cheap brands, the protein requirement comes from rice, corn or wheat.
The price should be the last thing to look at, and the main attention should be paid to the composition.
Blitz
Blitz dry dog food is produced in Italy and Russia. Three lines available:
- Classic – Russian production;
- Sensitive – also produced in the Russian Federation;
- Holistic – super premium from Italy.
The average cost of a kilogram of product is from 200 to 400 rubles, which puts it in the budget segment. The composition is represented by dehydrated chicken (mass fraction 35%), hydrolyzed protein, chicken liver, eggs. There is also corn and rice, fish oil, beet pulp, vitamins and minerals.
The manufacturer Blitz offers universal and specialized feed. Pros: low price, meat, vitamins. Cons - corn, which can cause allergies, the presence of antioxidants, the names of which are not mentioned.
Important: Avoid using Blitz products if your pet has food allergies.
Royal Canin
This food belongs to the super-premium segment and is recognized among novice dog breeders. The country of production is Russia, although the brand itself belongs to a company from France. The average cost per kilogram of product is from 350 to 700 rubles, determined by the specific brand.
Royal Canin nutrition has many advantages:
- prevalence - there will be no problems with purchasing even in a small store, not to mention large online stores;
- variety - the company provides food for dogs of all ages, breeds, there are medicinal foods;
- belonging to the budget price segment - you don’t have to spend a lot of money on regular purchases of the product.
The basis of proteins is made up of plant proteins, carbohydrates are represented mainly by allergenic cereals - wheat, corn and its derivatives. This is a disadvantage, so the breeder needs to be careful when choosing food. The ambiguity of the composition is offset by the presence of vitamins and additives of natural origin.
Monge
Italian dog food Monge attracts customers with a variety of lines. On the one hand, this is a plus, but on the other hand, you need to be careful when choosing food, since the difference between the lines is significant. Dry food is quite affordable - the average cost per kilogram is from 450 to 600 rubles. The range includes universal and special food, including for pets with allergies and small breed dogs.
For dogs with allergies, you should not take lines containing wheat and corn. In some Monge products, the concentration of these components can reach 70% of the total composition.
Purina
The brand offers a variety of nutrition options for adult and small dogs, as well as for energetic pets who are prone to gaining excess weight. There are products for dogs with increased sensitivity to food components. The brand is owned by an English company. The average cost of one kilogram of food starts from 300 rubles, so food can be classified as a budget segment.
Purina's nutritional bases include turkey, chicken, beef, duck, salmon and lamb. Wheat, rice, barley, oats and pea starch are used as sources of carbohydrates. Fats of vegetable and animal origin, vitamins and minerals are also present. Antioxidants contained only natural ones. These are tocopherol extracts isolated from vegetable oils - a type of vitamin E.
GO!
Under the GO! brand, registered in Canada, premium dry food is produced at prices ranging from 550 to 850 rubles per kilogram. Depending on the specific product, the composition contains ingredients such as fresh or dehydrated meat. There is turkey, venison, lamb, trout, chicken or salmon. Plant components are represented by peas, chickpeas, lentils, oatmeal and rice.
Products GO! They are popular among breeders due to a number of advantages:
- the source of protein is natural meat;
- does not contain wheat or corn;
- Only natural preservatives are used;
- assortment of different lines;
- prevalence, availability in many stores.
Disadvantages - average price and the presence of vegetable fats instead of animal fats. Despite the downsides, this is a good choice for dogs and deserves to be ranked.
1st Choice
Super-premium products produced in Canada with a cost of 500 to 700 rubles per kilogram belong to the budget category. The base includes shredded chicken, lamb, herring or duck depending on the brand. The plant component is represented by oatmeal, pearl barley, and rice. The percentage of plant components is higher than meat.
1st Choice benefits from high levels of vitamins and minerals, as well as natural sources of protein. The products are common and affordable, so they can be found in many pet stores. The only serious drawback is that it contains an unnatural preservative, which does not have the best effect on the well-being of your pet.
The 1st Choice brand produces premium food for dogs of different breeds, sizes and ages. In addition, the brand's hypoallergenic food is available for sale.
Brit Care
Czech-made food attracts primarily due to its affordability. Budget food can be purchased at prices ranging from 200 to 450 rubles per kilogram. Proteins in the composition are meat in concentrations from 31% to 45%. Most food options completely lack ingredients that can provoke an allergic reaction, namely wheat and corn.
The Brit Care brand is also notable for the fact that it offers customers food for all dogs, regardless of age, for various breeds. There is also food for special occasions, for example, for pregnant dogs. This food does not have any serious disadvantages.
ProBalance
ProBalance is a Russian-made nutrition product, although the brand itself belongs to a company from Denmark. The cost per kilogram ranges from 150 to 250 rubles, which makes food one of the cheapest in its class. The composition includes dehydrated poultry meat - the main source of protein. Carbohydrates are represented by barley, rice and oats, and the concentration of plant components prevails over the mass fraction of meat. The food also includes egg flour, fats of animal and vegetable origin, and a set of mineral supplements.
A serious drawback of ProBalance nutrition is the presence of preservatives of unnatural origin. They can have a negative effect on the animal's body. The breeder also needs to pay attention to the fact that despite the presence of several lines, they practically do not differ from each other, except for packaging.
Important: ProBalance nutrition is not suitable for everyone. Some dogs may experience diarrhea, vomiting, and other problems with digestion, stomach and intestinal function. In this regard, first buy some food to try.
Wolfsblut
Wolfsblut is one of the few brands that truly surprises both the pet and its owner. The reason is the non-standard composition of the feed. Exotic types of meat are taken as the protein base here, including camel, ostrich, kangaroo, as well as goat and horse meat. The manufacturer's principle is that a dog should eat like its ancestor, namely the wolf. That is why the food contains no grains. Plant components are represented by natural berries, vegetables and fruits - they contain healthy fiber.
The Wolfsblut brand belongs to a German company; production itself is carried out in one of the cities of Great Britain. Food from the middle segment - the cost per kilogram falls within the range from 450 to 800 rubles, depending on the specific line.
Attention: German dog food contains a high concentration of potato starch. Because of this, it is not recommended to use this food constantly - it is better to alternate with other brands of food that do not contain potatoes and starch. Otherwise, this product has no serious shortcomings.
Savarra
These foods are produced in the UK. The cost per kilogram is from 500 to 800 rubles. We produce food for dogs of all ages and different breeds. There is also hypoallergenic food.
The main component of dog food is lamb, turkey or duck meat with a mass fraction of 63% to 71%. The type and concentration of meat in the composition is determined by the ruler. Ingredients such as eggs, herbs, vegetables, and flavorings complement the meat.
The main advantage of Savarra is its hypoallergenic composition. The product contains a set of vitamins and minerals, only natural preservatives are used. The price is below average. The downside is its low prevalence, which is why you can’t buy these products everywhere.
How to choose dog food
When buying food for your pet, you need to pay attention first of all to its composition. The first place among the listed products should be the meat ingredient.
Chicken is not recommended for dogs prone to allergies. For them, it is better to choose a diet based on turkey, duck, beef, lamb or other types of meat.
Cereals are most often used as carbohydrates. Rice has a beneficial effect on the digestive process, but the presence of wheat is not welcome. It refers to products that are practically indigestible by the animal body. Other ingredients to avoid include soy, beets and corn. These are useless components that most often cause intolerance in dogs.
Grain-free formulas are as close as possible to the natural diet of carnivores. They are recommended for daily feeding to dogs by most veterinarians. However, the cost of such feeds is higher than standard grain formulas. However, extracts of plants, fruits or vegetables added to the composition enrich the animal’s diet and have a beneficial effect on its general health.
Dog food is usually divided into:
- Everyday – for daily feeding;
- Medicinal - they should be taken strictly on the recommendation of a veterinarian;
- Specialized - used when the animal has a specific problem.
The owner decides which one to buy based on the pet’s health condition and the veterinarian’s advice.
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Specialized feed
If your pet has specific problems, such as food allergies or a tendency to dermatitis, food must be chosen especially carefully. Retail and online pet stores offer a selection of specialty foods divided into separate categories.
For allergy sufferers
Special food for dogs who may be allergic to plant components of the food, such as wheat or corn. Therefore, hypoallergenic products do not contain these ingredients. From the variety of lines, take a closer look at these:
- Go! Limited Ingredient Diet Sensitivity;
- 1st Choice Dog Adult Hypoallergenic;
- Monge Specialty Adult Dog Salmon&Tuna Hypoallergenic.
As for holistic people, you can choose Blitz Holistic Adult Dog Beef&White Fish Hypoallergenic Grain Free.
For small breeds
These breeds conventionally include adult dogs whose weight does not exceed 2 kilograms. Among the brands considered, the following lines stand out:
- Brit Care Adult Small&Medium Salmon&Potato Grain Free;
- SAVARRA Adult Dog Small Breed Duck&Rice;
- 1st CHOICE Dog Adult Toy&Small Breeds.
It is noteworthy that some types of food for small breeds can be used to feed larger pets weighing up to 25 kilograms.
For large breeds
Large dogs need a lot of energy, so generic foods are not very suitable for them. Take a closer look at the special lines for large breeds:
- GO! Daily Defense Lamb Dog Recipe;
- Purina Pro Plan Large Robust Adult;
- Brit Lamb&Rice.
You can also find food on sale that is equally suitable for dogs of various breeds due to its special balanced composition.
For old dogs
Dogs over 8 years of age should consume the following senior pet foods:
- Monge Daily Line;
- Brit Premium my Nature Adult L.
Older dogs who are overweight should consume Brit Veterinary Diet food. From the Royal Canin brand you can choose food from such series as “Adult” and “Light Weight Care”.
#6 – Hill's Science Plan Canine Adult Small & Miniature Lamb with Rice
Price: 840 rubles
Hill's dog food is designed for mini breeds. The natural components included in its composition ensure proper digestion, oral health and clean skin of the pet, and antioxidants increase the dog’s immunity and life expectancy. To care for the oral cavity, manufacturers have developed special crunchy granules that pets simply adore. Lamb meat occupies 11% of the composition, the same share belongs to brown and white rice. It contains a lot of cereals, flaxseeds, vegetables and fruits. The food can be used for dogs aged from one to six years.
The advantage of the product is its effectiveness, the presence of fiber, easy digestibility, a lot of proteins and a pleasant taste. Negative aspects include high cost and limited application.
Hill's Science Plan Canine Adult Small Miniature Lamb with Rice
Which to choose?
The main thing to adhere to when choosing food for your pet is the composition of the diet. If your pet has allergies, avoid feeding with wheat, corn and other allergenic plant ingredients. Also look at real reviews from experienced breeders - you can often learn much more from them than from the description of the food. It’s better to look through reviews on aggregators rather than on the company’s website - this way you’ll find out the real nutrition ratings.
If you want to save money without harming your pet, choose from the best budget brands according to beginners and experienced breeders:
- Brit Care;
- Blitz.
The advantages of food from the listed brands are a high meat content, the absence of artificial antioxidants, preservatives, and grains as such, or the use of only hypoallergenic ingredients. Even more advantages of the best food for an average price:
- Savarra;
- GO!;
- Monge;
- Wolfsblut.
In these foods, the percentage of proteins is higher, allergens are absent or their content is minimal, and only in certain universal lines.
Rely on this rating of premium dog food, and you will not have any difficulties choosing healthy, safe, and at the same time fairly inexpensive food for your dog. We also recommend watching a video that will help you finally understand the topic.
Acana Puppy & Junior
| Basic information about food | |
| Manufacturer country: | Canada |
| Feed price: |
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This is a Canadian super-premium food intended for medium breed puppies. The product formula takes into account the growth characteristics of puppies. Babies develop quickly and grow larger, so they need “building” materials to form the musculoskeletal system.
Main components of the feed:
- Raw and dry chicken meat;
- Dehydrated turkey;
- Fresh chicken by-products (heart and liver);
- Whole eggs and flounder;
- Herring meat;
- Green beans;
- Yellow peas;
- Fresh seaweed and fruits (apples, pears, blueberries, rose hips, cranberries).
The main advantages are a high content of real meat, a reduced percentage of carbohydrates, no rice, and the correct proportion of fiber. Disadvantages - high cost.
Customer Reviews
Top 7. Primordial Grain Free
Rating (2021): 4.67
109 reviews taken into account from resources: Ozon, Wildberries, IRecommend
The best composition Grain-free food is high in protein and has a good vitamin and mineral supplement. It contains only natural ingredients and will benefit healthy dogs and pets with allergies.
- Characteristics
Country: Italy
- Average price: 7000 rub.
- Weight: 12 kg
- Flavor: Lamb and Tuna
- Class: holistic
- Needs: hypoallergenic
Expensive, but high-quality Italian holistic product, which has not yet been banned for import into Russia. A 12 kg package costs about 7,000 rubles, depending on the needs and weight of the dog, enough for about three weeks. The composition is very good, there is nothing superfluous in it - only meat, fish and healthy additives. The diet is grain-free, instead of rice and other grains, it uses potatoes, peas and beans as a source of fiber and carbohydrates. The composition is supplemented with plant components, a balanced vitamin and mineral complex. The food can be recommended for all large breeds of dogs as a permanent main diet. It doesn't smell much, but pets like it. Animals eat with pleasure and there are no health problems. So the only negative is the high price.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Natural composition
- Grain-free food
- Does not cause allergies
- Nice smell
- High price
№5 – Farmina Vet Life Canine UltraHypo
Price: 1240 rubles
Farmina is a dry food for dogs with allergies, the main component of which is fish. The exclusivity of this product lies in the use of only high-quality raw materials for production and the latest technological equipment, which allows preserving the beneficial properties of the ingredients used. The food is enriched with proteins that provide the animal with energy, and fish oil helps relieve irritation and restores damaged areas of the dog’s coat. The carbohydrate source here is rice starch. Farmina food has medicinal properties, so it is good to use them as a medicine to eliminate the effects of allergies and prevent their recurrence.
The advantage of this product, which ranks in the middle of our TOP 10, is its pronounced therapeutic effect: the natural ingredients and prebiotics in the composition serve to ensure the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and maintain the functioning of the immune system. The cost of the feed is quite high, but its effectiveness and quality justify it.
Farmina Vet Life Canine UltraHypo
