Best Dry Puppy Foods 2026: According to Reviews | Chewy

Best Dry Food For Puppies

Puppies need the right nutrition to support healthy growth. Things like protein levels, overall balance, and how well they tolerate the food all play a role. The best dry puppy foods are designed to support steady development without overloading them with extra calories. It's also important to choose a formula that fits their expected adult size. When switching foods, transitioning the food gradually can help to prevent stomach upset.

Our Top Picks

How we created this dry puppy food list

We leveraged input from our veterinarians and artificial intelligence to identify key considerations to help you find the best dry puppy food.
We scanned thousands of customer reviews and ratings and scored each product based on its performance against each of the key considerations. We then considered how popular a product is with Chewy customers and combined that with its key consideration scores to create the list of the best dry puppy foods.

Key dry puppy food considerations

Breed/Size Specific Formulas

Digestibility

Ingredient Quality

Nutritional Content

1
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food, 34-lb bag
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food, 34-lb bag
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food, 34-lb bag
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food, 34-lb bag
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food, 34-lb bag
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food, 34-lb bag
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food, 34-lb bag
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food, 34-lb bag
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food, 34-lb bag

Purina Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food, 34-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
5,707
$74.98 Chewy Price
($2.21/lb)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, get $25 eGift Card

Our ratings

Breed/Size Specific Formulas

4.7/5
Excellent

Digestibility

4.5/5
Great

Ingredient Quality

4.6/5
Excellent

Nutritional Content

4.5/5
Great

Is this dry puppy food right for my pet?

Breed Size

All Breeds

Lifestage

Puppy

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Rice, Poultry By-Product Meal, Corn Protein Meal, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols

Special Diet

With Grain, High-Protein
View Item Details
2
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 12.5-lb bag
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 12.5-lb bag
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 12.5-lb bag
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 12.5-lb bag
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 12.5-lb bag
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 12.5-lb bag
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 12.5-lb bag
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 12.5-lb bag

Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 12.5-lb bag

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
3,065
$42.99 Chewy Price
($3.44/lb)
Promo, Save 40% today with Autoship

Our ratings

Breed/Size Specific Formulas

4.6/5
Excellent

Digestibility

4.5/5
Great

Ingredient Quality

4.7/5
Excellent

Nutritional Content

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this dry puppy food right for my pet?

Breed Size

Extra Small Breeds, Small Breeds

Lifestage

Puppy

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Brown Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat

Special Diet

With Grain, High-Protein
View Item Details
3
Gentle Giants Natural Non-GMO Dog & Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Gentle Giants Natural Non-GMO Dog & Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Gentle Giants Natural Non-GMO Dog & Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Gentle Giants Natural Non-GMO Dog & Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Gentle Giants Natural Non-GMO Dog & Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Gentle Giants Natural Non-GMO Dog & Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Gentle Giants Natural Non-GMO Dog & Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Gentle Giants Natural Non-GMO Dog & Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Gentle Giants Natural Non-GMO Dog & Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag

Gentle Giants Natural Non-GMO Dog & Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
5,489
$51.99 Chewy Price
($1.74/lb)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, get $25 eGift Card

Our ratings

Breed/Size Specific Formulas

4.6/5
Excellent

Digestibility

4.5/5
Great

Ingredient Quality

4.5/5
Great

Nutritional Content

4.5/5
Great

Is this dry puppy food right for my pet?

Breed Size

All Breeds

Lifestage

Puppy

Top Ingredients

Chicken Meal, Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Peas

Special Diet

With Grain, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Non-GMO, Low-Protein
View Item Details
4
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Puppy Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Puppy Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Puppy Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Puppy Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Puppy Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Puppy Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Puppy Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Puppy Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag

Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Puppy Dry Dog Food, 14-lb bag

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
2,746
$65.99 Chewy Price
($4.72/lb)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, get $25 eGift Card

Our ratings

Breed/Size Specific Formulas

4.8/5
Excellent

Digestibility

4.6/5
Excellent

Ingredient Quality

4.7/5
Excellent

Nutritional Content

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this dry puppy food right for my pet?

Breed Size

Small Breeds

Lifestage

Puppy

Top Ingredients

Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Chicken Fat, Wheat Gluten, Corn

Special Diet

With Grain
View Item Details
5
Purina ONE Plus Natural High Protein Healthy Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Puppy Food, 31.1-lb bag
Purina ONE Plus Natural High Protein Healthy Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Puppy Food, 31.1-lb bag
Purina ONE Plus Natural High Protein Healthy Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Puppy Food, 31.1-lb bag
Purina ONE Plus Natural High Protein Healthy Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Puppy Food, 31.1-lb bag
Purina ONE Plus Natural High Protein Healthy Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Puppy Food, 31.1-lb bag
Purina ONE Plus Natural High Protein Healthy Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Puppy Food, 31.1-lb bag
Purina ONE Plus Natural High Protein Healthy Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Puppy Food, 31.1-lb bag
Purina ONE Plus Natural High Protein Healthy Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Puppy Food, 31.1-lb bag
Purina ONE Plus Natural High Protein Healthy Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Puppy Food, 31.1-lb bag

Purina ONE Plus Natural High Protein Healthy Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Puppy Food, 31.1-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
3,567
$49.99 Chewy Price
($1.61/lb)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, get $25 eGift Card

Our ratings

Breed/Size Specific Formulas

4.6/5
Excellent

Digestibility

4.5/5
Great

Ingredient Quality

4.6/5
Excellent

Nutritional Content

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this dry puppy food right for my pet?

Breed Size

All Breeds

Lifestage

Puppy

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Rice, Corn Protein Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Whole Grain Corn

Special Diet

With Grain, Natural, High-Protein
View Item Details
6
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
3,688
$39.58 Chewy Price
($2.64/lb)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, get $25 eGift Card

Our ratings

Breed/Size Specific Formulas

4.6/5
Excellent

Digestibility

4.4/5
Great

Ingredient Quality

4.5/5
Great

Nutritional Content

4.5/5
Great

Is this dry puppy food right for my pet?

Breed Size

All Breeds

Lifestage

Puppy

Top Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley

Special Diet

With Grain, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Natural
View Item Details
7
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 28-lb bag
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 28-lb bag
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 28-lb bag
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 28-lb bag
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 28-lb bag
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 28-lb bag
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 28-lb bag
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 28-lb bag

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 28-lb bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
2,945
$59.99 Chewy Price
($2.15/lb)

Our ratings

Breed/Size Specific Formulas

4.5/5
Great

Digestibility

4.5/5
Great

Ingredient Quality

4.6/5
Excellent

Nutritional Content

4.5/5
Great

Is this dry puppy food right for my pet?

Breed Size

All Breeds

Lifestage

Puppy

Top Ingredients

Water Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Egg Product, Garbanzo Beans

Special Diet

Grain-Free
View Item Details
8
Puppy Chow Tender & Crunchy with Real Beef Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Puppy Chow Tender & Crunchy with Real Beef Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Puppy Chow Tender & Crunchy with Real Beef Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Puppy Chow Tender & Crunchy with Real Beef Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Puppy Chow Tender & Crunchy with Real Beef Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Puppy Chow Tender & Crunchy with Real Beef Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Puppy Chow Tender & Crunchy with Real Beef Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag

Puppy Chow Tender & Crunchy with Real Beef Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
2,499
$27.38 Chewy Price
($0.92/lb)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, get $25 eGift Card

Our ratings

Breed/Size Specific Formulas

4.6/5
Excellent

Digestibility

4.4/5
Great

Ingredient Quality

4.5/5
Great

Nutritional Content

4.4/5
Great

Is this dry puppy food right for my pet?

Breed Size

All Breeds

Lifestage

Puppy

Top Ingredients

Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Poultry By-Product Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Beef Fat Naturally Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols

Special Diet

With Grain, High-Protein
View Item Details
9
Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection Chicken & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection Chicken & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection Chicken & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection Chicken & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection Chicken & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection Chicken & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection Chicken & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection Chicken & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection Chicken & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag

Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection Chicken & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
2,402
$24.99 Chewy Price
($0.84/lb)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, get $25 eGift Card

Our ratings

Breed/Size Specific Formulas

4.5/5
Great

Digestibility

4.2/5
Great

Ingredient Quality

4.4/5
Great

Nutritional Content

4.4/5
Great

Is this dry puppy food right for my pet?

Breed Size

All Breeds

Lifestage

Puppy

Top Ingredients

Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Meal, Meat and Bone Meal (source of Calcium)

Special Diet

With Grain
View Item Details
10
Bil-Jac Puppy Select Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Bil-Jac Puppy Select Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Bil-Jac Puppy Select Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Bil-Jac Puppy Select Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Bil-Jac Puppy Select Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag
Bil-Jac Puppy Select Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag

Bil-Jac Puppy Select Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
503
$67.99 Chewy Price
($2.27/lb)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, get $25 eGift Card

Our ratings

Breed/Size Specific Formulas

4.8/5
Excellent

Digestibility

4.8/5
Excellent

Ingredient Quality

4.9/5
Excellent

Nutritional Content

4.8/5
Excellent

Is this dry puppy food right for my pet?

Breed Size

All Breeds

Lifestage

Puppy

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken By-Products (organs only, source of arginine), Corn Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal

Special Diet

With Grain, Gluten Free
View Item Details
Shop All Dry Puppy Food

Frequently Asked Questions about Dry Puppy Foods

Do puppies prefer dry or wet food?

Puppies tend to prefer wet food over dry food, but every puppy is different and yours may like kibble just as well or more. Dogs generally find wet food to be more palatable than kibble, due to what is often a higher meat content and an appetizing aroma.

What age can puppies eat dry food?

Puppies can eat dry food at between 4 to 6 weeks of age, although you may want to start by soaking your puppy's dry kibble to make it easier to eat and digest. Be sure to feed your puppy only dog foods formulated for puppies, as puppies need specific essential nutrients to grow and thrive.

How long should my dog eat dry puppy food?

Your dog should eat dry puppy food until he has reached the age of maturity and finished growing. For most medium size dog breeds, this occurs around roughly one year of age. Smaller breeds reach maturity a little earlier, at around 8 or so months of age. Large breed dogs may not fully mature until 18 months to 2 years, so you will probably want to keep feeding them dry puppy food for longer. Always consult your vet about the right time to transition your puppy to adult food, and be sure to make the transition gradually to allow your dog time to adjust.

Do large-breed puppies need to stay on dry puppy food longer than small breeds?

Yes, larger breeds typically mature more slowly and often benefit from staying on dry puppy food well beyond their first birthday. Small breeds may be ready to switch around eight months, many medium breeds around one year, and large breeds may take 18 months to two years. Check with your veterinarian for the right timeline, and plan a gradual transition when it is time.

My puppy seems to prefer wet food. Can dry puppy food still work for them?

Many puppies find wet food more appealing because of its smell and flavor, but plenty thrive on kibble as well. You can help your puppy accept dry food by soaking it at first for a softer texture and easier digestion, then reduce the added moisture as they adjust. Always choose a recipe made for puppies to ensure they get the right nutrients for growth.

Best Dog Foods by Breeds