BowlGrade Search foods

Top-rated dog foods

Captured

A practical shortlist of every food whose maker publishes enough for us to grade. We use the same five checks for each one—nutrition, carbohydrate balance, feeding evidence, and ingredient clarity—then show you exactly why it landed where it did. See the scoring method.

Foods scored

88

from 14 brands

Recommended

28

scoring 70 or above

Median score

63

top of the field is 99

Cannot be scored

34

their makers publish too little

What this score can—and cannot—tell you

It rates the nutrient profile printed on the label, using a rubric we wrote and published. It is not veterinary advice, it does not account for your dog, and it says nothing about whether a food is safe — safety lives in the recall record, which is separate and not part of this number. A food can score well here and still be wrong for your dog.

All 88 graded foods

Scored out of 100. Ties are broken alphabetically, not by preference. Bars are grey on purpose: the verdict carries the colour, the measurements do not. Methodology
# Food Brand Score Verdict Why
1 Beef & Russet Potato JustFoodForDogs 99 Recommended Strong on every component of the rubric, with no weak spot.
2 Chicken & Brown Rice Entrée Purina ONE 92 Recommended Scores well on protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
3 Beef Recipe Sundays for Dogs 92 Recommended Scores well on protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
4 Turkey Recipe Sundays for Dogs 92 Recommended Scores well on protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
5 Extreme Athlete Chicken & Rice Formula Diamond Naturals 90 Recommended Scores well on protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
6 Fish Recipe Sundays for Dogs 89 Recommended Scores well on protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
7 Chicken Recipe Sundays for Dogs 88 Recommended Scores well on protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
8 Chicken & Rice Entrée Classic Purina Pro Plan 85 Recommended Scores well on protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by an unnamed or non-animal lead ingredient.
9 Appalachian Valley Small Breed with Venison Taste of the Wild 84 Recommended Scores well on protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
10 High Prairie with Roasted Bison & Venison Taste of the Wild 84 Recommended Scores well on protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
11 Wetlands with Roasted Fowl Taste of the Wild 84 Recommended Scores well on protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
12 Beef Mash Nom Nom 83 Recommended Scores well on a low estimated carbohydrate share, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
13 Small & Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Diamond Naturals 82 Recommended Scores well on named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
14 With Beef, Carrots, Peas & Barley Beneful 79 Recommended Scores well on protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
15 Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Purina Pro Plan 78 Recommended Scores well on feeding-trial evidence, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
16 AdvantEDGE Digestive Support+ Salmon & Oat Meal Purina Pro Plan 78 Recommended Scores well on feeding-trial evidence, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
17 Turkey + Quinoa Spot & Tango 76 Recommended Scores well on named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
18 Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni JustFoodForDogs 75 Recommended Scores well on feeding-trial evidence, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
19 Pork Potluck Nom Nom 75 Recommended Scores well on named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
20 Adult 7+ Chicken & Rice Formula Purina Pro Plan 75 Recommended Scores well on feeding-trial evidence, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
21 Ancient Prairie with Roasted Bison & Venison Taste of the Wild 75 Recommended Scores well on named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
22 Zssential Formula Zignature 75 Recommended Scores well on named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
23 Chicken Cuisine Nom Nom 73 Recommended Scores well on named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
24 Vibrant Maturity Adult 7+ Formula Purina ONE 71 Recommended Scores well on named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
25 Medium Puppy Royal Canin 71 Recommended Scores well on named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a formulation claim rather than a feeding trial.
26 With Real Chicken in Gravy Purina Dog Chow 70 Recommended Scores well on protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by an unnamed or non-animal lead ingredient.
27 Adult Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Purina Pro Plan 70 Recommended Scores well on feeding-trial evidence, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
28 Turkey Formula Zignature 70 Recommended Scores well on named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
29 Chicken & Rice Formula Purina ONE 69 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
30 Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Purina Pro Plan 68 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: feeding-trial evidence, held back by an unnamed or non-animal lead ingredient.
31 Trout & Salmon Formula Zignature 67 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
32 Adult Gold Fromm 66 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
33 Turkey Fare Nom Nom 65 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
34 Healthy Puppy Chicken Purina ONE 65 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
35 Pork Formula Zignature 65 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
36 Fish & Sweet Potato JustFoodForDogs 64 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by an unnamed or non-animal lead ingredient.
37 Catch-of-the-Season Whitefish Grain-Free Open Farm 64 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
38 Grass-Fed Beef Grain-Free Open Farm 64 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
39 Homestead Turkey & Chicken Grain-Free Open Farm 64 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
40 Wild-Caught Salmon Grain-Free Open Farm 64 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
41 Adult Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Purina Pro Plan 64 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: feeding-trial evidence, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
42 Beef + Barley Spot & Tango 64 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
43 High Prairie Puppy with Roasted Bison & Venison Taste of the Wild 64 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
44 Adult Beef Meal & Rice Formula Diamond Naturals 63 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
45 Heartland Gold Adult Fromm 63 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
46 Puppy Gold Fromm 63 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
47 Salmon Tunalini Fromm 63 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
48 Turkey & Chicken Cookout Nom Nom 63 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: a low estimated carbohydrate share, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
49 Large Breed Adult Purina ONE 63 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
50 Adult Weight Management Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Purina Pro Plan 63 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: feeding-trial evidence, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
51 Southwest Canyon with Wild Boar Taste of the Wild 63 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
52 Lamb Formula Zignature 63 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
53 Salmon Formula Zignature 63 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
54 Duck Formula Zignature 62 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
55 Healthy Puppy With Farm-Raised Chicken Beneful 61 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
56 Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Purina Pro Plan 60 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: feeding-trial evidence, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
57 Whitefish Formula Zignature 59 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
58 Classic Adult Fromm 58 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
59 Labrador Retriever Adult Royal Canin 58 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
60 Venison Formula Zignature 58 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
61 Gold Coast Weight Management Fromm 57 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
62 Healthy Weight With Farm-Raised Chicken Beneful 56 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
63 Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Diamond Naturals 56 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
64 Senior Chicken, Egg & Oatmeal Formula Diamond Naturals 56 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
65 Pacific Stream with Smoke-Flavored Salmon Taste of the Wild 56 Recommended with caveats Middling: a high estimated carbohydrate share, and nothing else compensates.
66 Originals With Farm-Raised Beef Beneful 55 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
67 Originals With Farm-Raised Chicken Beneful 55 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
68 All Life Stages Chicken & Rice Formula Diamond Naturals 55 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
69 Catch-of-the-Season Whitefish & Ancient Grains Open Farm 55 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
70 Grass-Fed Beef & Ancient Grains Open Farm 55 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
71 Homestead Turkey & Ancient Grains Open Farm 55 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
72 Wild-Caught Salmon & Ancient Grains Open Farm 55 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
73 Large Breed Adult Gold Fromm 54 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
74 Small Adult Royal Canin 53 Recommended with caveats Middling: a high estimated carbohydrate share, and nothing else compensates.
75 Sierra Mountain with Roasted Lamb Taste of the Wild 53 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
76 Kangaroo Formula Zignature 53 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
77 Lamb Pilaf Nom Nom 52 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
78 Adult with Real Beef Purina Dog Chow 52 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: protein well clear of the AAFCO floor, held back by an unnamed or non-animal lead ingredient.
79 Cod + Salmon Spot & Tango 52 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
80 Turkey + Sweet Potato Spot & Tango 52 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by protein close to the AAFCO minimum.
81 Large Breed Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Diamond Naturals 50 Recommended with caveats Middling overall: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
82 Classic Mature Adult Fromm 46 Not recommended Scores low: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by a high estimated carbohydrate share.
83 Large Breed Formula Purina Dog Chow 45 Not recommended Scores low: fat close to the AAFCO minimum, and nothing else compensates.
84 Medium Adult Royal Canin 45 Not recommended Scores low: a high estimated carbohydrate share, and nothing else compensates.
85 Skin & Coat Salmon & Potato Formula Diamond Naturals 44 Not recommended Scores low: protein close to the AAFCO minimum, and nothing else compensates.
86 Chicken & White Rice JustFoodForDogs 44 Not recommended Scores low: named animal sources throughout the first five, held back by fat close to the AAFCO minimum.
87 Chicken & Rice Purina Dog Chow 42 Not recommended Scores low: an unnamed or non-animal lead ingredient, and nothing else compensates.
88 Adult With Real Chicken Purina Dog Chow 31 Not recommended Scores low: an unnamed or non-animal lead ingredient, and nothing else compensates.

34 foods we cannot score

These are not ranked last. They are not ranked at all, because the only thing we know about them is that their manufacturer publishes less than the rubric needs — which is a fact about a website, not about a food. Several are well-regarded recipes from brands with clean recall records.

The transparency page, in full

Why a score at all

Because "here are the numbers, you work it out" asks more of a reader than most people have time for, and refusing to answer the question is its own kind of unhelpful. The objection to star ratings was never that they judge. It was that the rubric is invisible, changes without notice, and cannot be checked. So this one is fixed, written down, applied identically to all 122 foods, and shown broken into its five parts on every food page. Disagree with the carbohydrate weighting and you can see exactly how many points it moved.

Two things the score deliberately does not do. It does not penalise a food for missing data — those foods are set aside, not marked down. And it does not fold in recall history, because safety is a property of a manufacturer and a plant rather than of a recipe, and averaging the two into one number would hide both.

Captured 2026-07-25 Methodology