Top 10 Best Dog Food Made In The USA

Top 10 Best Dog Food Made In The USA

Many people are concerned with where their dog food comes from because standards are lower in some countries, but finding an American made dog food brand can be challenging and tedious. There are many brands available, and the writing is not always clear or easy to find. You may even find that you have other questions about the ingredients in your pet’s food.

We’ve chosen ten different brands of dog food all made in the U.S.A. to review for you. We’ll go over the pros and cons of each brand and tell you what our dogs thought of them as well. We’ve even included a short buyer’s guide where we pick apart some of the important ingredients and discuss why you should use them or avoid them.

 

Join us while we discuss cost, ingredients, fatty acids, antioxidants, and more to help you make an educated purchase.

The 10 Best Dog Foods Made in the USA

True Acre Foods Grain-free Chicken & Vegetable Dry Food – Best Value

True Acre Foods Grain-free Chicken & Vegetable Dry Food
Main ingredients: Chicken, peas, pea starch
Protein content: 24%
Fat content: 13%
Calories: 375 kcal/cup

Our choice for the best dog food made in the USA for the money is True Acres Grain-free Chicken and Vegetables. This food is manufactured in California, with ingredients sourced from the USA, Canada, and other countries. It contains no artificial colors or flavors. True Acres contains chicken from U.S. farms, as well as real vegetables. Additional supplements include antioxidants for immune health, fiber to support healthy digestion, and fatty acids. This is a grain-free diet, which some owners prefer.

However, most dogs don’t need to avoid grains, which can be healthy for them. Check with your vet to see if your dog should eat grain-free. True Acres does contain a legume–peas. Legumes in pet food are currently under investigation to see if they contribute to heart issues.

Cons
  • Contains legumes
  • Not all dogs need grain-free food
Pros
  • Protein sourced from the USA
  • Contains antioxidants and fatty acids
  • No artificial colors or flavors

Ollie Fresh Dog Food Lamb Recipe – Best Overall

Ollie Fresh Lamb Recipe

Main ingredients: Lamb, butternut squash, lamb liver, kale
Protein content: 11%
Fat content: 9%
Calories: 1804 kcal ME/kg.

When it comes to choosing the right dog food, there are a few things to consider; manufacturing, ingredients, and availability. Ollie Fresh Dog Food aces each of these categories. Their dog food is made in and shipped from the US, and all of their recipes include ingredients that are locally sourced. Their recipes contain fresh, real meat proteins, fruits and vegetables and are free from any byproducts or additives. Ollie’s dog food is available through a simple and convenient delivery service so you never have to worry about low stock or running out. You can choose the frequency of your shipments which can be updated at any time.

Another reason we love Ollie so much is that they customize meals to cater to the needs of each dog. Each recipe is created to fit your dog’s specific weight, age, breed, and dietary restrictions making it one of the best dog food options in today over-saturated dog food market.

All in all, Ollie is the overall best dog food made in the US.

Cons
  • More expensive than regular kibble
Pros
  • Human grade
  • Limited ingredient
  • Delivered straight to your door
  • Customizable
  • Sourced locally
  • No byproducts or fillers

JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Chicken And White Rice – Vet’s Choice

JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Chicken And White Rice
Main ingredients: Water, chicken, rice, carrots
Protein content: 7.5%
Fat content: 2.5%
Calories: 31 kcal ME/oz

Dog owners who value fresh, simple food for their pets will want to check out Just Food For Dogs Pantry Fresh Chicken And White Rice. Since it’s cooked fresh in kitchens in California and Delaware, Just Food for Dogs is essentially a homemade diet, except you don’t have to worry that it’s not nutritionally balanced. As it’s formulated with the help of veterinarians, this diet contains nothing artificial and is shipped fresh to your door.

The high calcium levels of this recipe make it appropriate for both puppies and adult dogs. Unlike most fresh foods, Just Food For Dogs doesn’t have to be refrigerated and is shelf-stable for 2 years, thanks to its unique packaging technology. As you might expect from a fresh diet, this food can get pricey. Some owners also report they have a hard time portioning it out properly for their pups.

Cons
  • Expensive
  • Hard to get the portions
Pros
  • Freshly cooked from whole food ingredients
  • Formulated by veterinarians
  • Shelf-stable for up to 2 years

Hill’s Science Diet Chicken And Barley Puppy Food – Best for Puppies

Hill’s Science Diet Chicken And Barley Puppy Food
Main ingredients: Chicken meal, whole grain wheat, cracked pearled barley
Protein content: 25%
Fat content: 15%
Calories: 374 kcal/cup

For growing puppies, consider Hill’s Science Diet Chicken and Barley diet. Hill’s food is primarily manufactured at their facility in Kansas, with other locations in Kentucky and Indiana. They source ingredients from around the world, however, but reportedly perform regular safety tests on their foods. This puppy food contains nutrients specifically formulated to help young dogs develop properly.

For example, DHA from fish oil helps the brain, eye, and bone development. It also contains antioxidants for immune health and is free from preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors. Overall, this food receives positive reviews from users. However, some found that the kibble was too small for bigger puppies. Others noted that the food didn’t seem to agree with their pup’s tummies.

Cons
  • Kibble may be too small for bigger pups
  • May upset sensitive puppies’ stomachs
Pros
  • Contains nutrients to support puppy development
  • No preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors

Purina ProPlan High Protein Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food

Purina ProPlan High Protein Chicken And Rice
Main ingredients: Chicken, rice, whole grain wheat
Protein content: 26%
Fat content: 16%
Calories: 387 kcal/cup

Another great choice for dog food made in the USA is Purina ProPlan High Protein Shredded Chicken and Rice dry food. Purina operates more than 20 manufacturing plants throughout the U.S., and this recipe is one produced in those facilities. This high-protein kibble features chicken as the primary ingredient, with tasty soft chunks mixed in with the hard pieces.

The combination of textures makes this food highly appealing to dogs. It also contains probiotics to aid in healthy digestion and fatty acids to support skin and coat health. ProPlan Chicken and Rice diet receives overwhelmingly positive reviews from users, although some dislike that the food contains by-products. In addition, although the food is made in the USA, some of the ingredients are sourced from other countries.

Cons
  • Does contain by-products
  • Not all ingredients sourced from the USA
Pros
  • High in protein
  • An appealing mix of textures
  • Added probiotics and fatty acids

Canidae Grain-free Pure Limited Ingredient Duck and Sweet Potato

Canidae Grain-free Pure Limited Ingredient Duck and Sweet Potato
Main ingredients: Duck, duck meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes
Protein content: 32%
Fat content: 16%
Calories: 520 kcal/cup

Made in a facility in Texas, Canidae Grain-free Duck and Sweet Potato contains just eight ingredients and is packed with protein. Some ingredients,such as the duck meal, come from sources outside of the country.. This food contains a blend of probiotics, antioxidants, and fatty acids for additional nutrition.

Although this recipe has few ingredients, it is not a single protein food and contains poultry products, including chicken fat. This makes it an inappropriate choice for dogs with confirmed sensitivities to poultry. Most users reported good experiences with this diet and found that it was a good choice for dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs.

Cons
  • Not a true allergy diet, contains chicken
  • Expensive
Pros
  • Contains only eight ingredients
  • It may be helpful for dogs with sensitive skin and stomach
  • Contains antioxidants, fatty acids, and probiotics

Natural Balance Ultra Premium Beef Canned Dog Food

Natural Balance Ultra Premium Beef Canned Food
Main ingredients: Beef, beef broth, beef liver
Protein content: 8%
Fat content: 5%
Calories: 440 kcal/13 oz can

For those in need of canned food manufactured in the USA, consider Natural Balance Ultra Premium Beef diet. Natural Balance is headquartered in California but also has a factory in South Carolina. This is a meat-heavy diet, full of beef with added grains and vegetables. While it’s described as a “premium” diet, be aware that this term is not regulated, and you shouldn’t assume that it describes a healthier food.

Because Natural Balance doesn’t contain chicken, it’s a good choice for dogs with confirmed allergies to this ingredient. Most users were happy with this food, although there were some complaints that the can was hard to open. The texture of this diet is a bit unusual, which some dogs may find off-putting.

Cons
  • Odd texture
  • Can is tricky to open
Pros
  • Made with plenty of meat
  • No chicken, good for dogs with allergies

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Senior Chicken & Brown Rice

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Senior Chicken And Brown Rice
Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, brown rice, barley
Protein content: 18%
Fat content: 10%
Calories: 342 kcal/cup

Help your older dog age gracefully by feeding Blue Buffalo Life Protection Senior Chicken And Brown Rice food. Blue Buffalo was founded in Connecticut, and it manufactures all its food in the USA. The company source singredients from around the world, although they claim only to do so if they can’t find a good supplier in the U.S.

Blue Buffalo is lower in protein and fat than diets for younger dogs, helping senior dogs stay trim as they start to slow down. It also contains added glucosamine and chondroitin, which contribute to joint health. Most users found that their dogs enjoyed this food, although some noted that it has a strong smell which may repulse some pups.

Cons
  • Has a strong smell
Pros
  • Lower in protein and fat to keep older dogs slim
  • Added supplements for joint health

Nutro Natural Choice Adult Chicken And Brown Rice

Nutro Natural Choice Adult Chicken And Brown Rice
Main ingredients: Chicken, brewers rice, chicken meal
Protein content: 22%
Fat content: 14%
Calories: 343 kcal/cup

Nutro Natural Choice Chicken and Brown Rice will appeal to dog owners who prefer to avoid GMOs in their pet’s diet. This diet is also free of by-products, with whole chicken as the main protein source. It contains fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber in a nutritious and tasty blend. Nutro dry dog foods are manufactured in California and North Carolina.

However, they source ingredients from around the world, reportedly only from trusted and quality suppliers. This food received mainly positive reviews from users, with some concerns about occasional recipe changes that their dogs didn’t like. Because it contains chicken, this food is not a good pick for dogs with allergies.

Cons
  • Ingredients sourced globally
  • Some inconsistency with taste due to recipe changes
Pros
  • Does not contain GMOs
  • No by-products
  • Contains antioxidants, fatty acids, and fiber

Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal And Rice Adult Dry Food

Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal And Rice Adult Dry Food
Main ingredients: Lamb meal, ground white rice, cracked pearled barley
Protein content: 23%
Fat content: 14%
Calories: 403 kcal/cup

Produced by a family-owned company headquartered in Missouri, Diamond Naturals contains ingredients from global sources. This lamb meal and rice formula also contains fruits and vegetables for vitamins and minerals. Diamond Naturals is free from artificial flavors and colors and contains added fatty acids, antioxidants, and probiotics.

This brand is reasonably priced and does not contain by-products. The kibble is a bit on the small side, which may not be ideal for large or giant breed dogs. Some owners noted their dogs didn’t seem to like the taste of this recipe. Overall, Diamond Naturals received positive reviews, with users particularly appreciating the quality of the ingredients for the price.

Cons
  • Smaller kibble
  • Some dogs don’t care for the taste
Pros
  • Family-owned company
  • No artificial colors, flavors, or by-products
  • Contains fruits and vegetables

Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus Formula Dry Food

Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus Formula Dry Food
Main ingredients: Beef meal, grain sorghum, chicken fat
Protein content: 30%
Fat content: 20%
Calories: 406 kcal/cup

Victor Hi-Pro dog food is both manufactured and sourced from the USA, with the majority of the ingredients coming from within 200 miles of its Texas plant. Because of that, Victor will also appeal to those who prefer to support companies that keep their carbon footprint small. Victor Hi-Pro is designed for active and working dogs, so its protein and fat content may be too high for the average couch potato pup.

This diet is nutrient-dense, containing prebiotics and probiotics, as well as antioxidants and fatty acids. Overall, users found this food to be a good value, especially because it’s available in large, 50-pound bags.

Cons
  • It may have too much protein for less active dogs
Pros
  • Sourced and manufactured in the USA
  • Most ingredients come from within 200 miles of the plant
  • Available in large bags

Buyer’s Guide – Picking the Best Dog Foods Made in the USA

Let’s discuss some of the most important things to look for when choosing a dog food made in the U.S.A.

Why should my pet food come from the USA?

  • The main reason why your pet food should come from the United States is that other countries may have lower standards for pet food quality. When that food makes it into America, and we purchase it, we may unknowingly feed our dog and lower quality meats than we ordinarily would. Dogs were nothing more than work animals, even in America, only 50 or 60 years ago, and it was perfectly acceptable to feed them lower quality meats. As dogs have become a part of the family, we want to feed them higher quality food, but the facilities that make it have not yet upgraded in many parts of the world.
  • One thing we need to warn you about that affects American made dog food is that while packaging and baking the food occurs in America, some of the ingredients may come from outside the country. Outsourcing is of particular concern with the ingredient meat byproduct or meat meal. This food is a dried and ground-up meat product that often comes from other countries. It’s not bad in and of itself, but to lower standards in other countries may cause concern over the quality of the meat that was ground.

Ingredients

What’s discuss the most important ingredients your pet food should contain in a few it shouldn’t.

Vitamins and Minerals

Your pet’s food can have vitamins and minerals added to it in a fortification process, but it’s better if it comes in the form of real fruits and vegetables. Many berries like blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries, add important nutrients as well as antioxidants and prebiotics. Some plants, like flax, can add beneficial omega fats to your pet’s diet.

Protein

Your dog needs a lot of easily digested protein. Whole meats like chicken, lamb, turkey, and beef, are best. Meat Meal can be good if it comes from the U.S.A., but that information will require research.

Omega Fats

Omega fats usually come from fish oil but can also come from other ingredients like flax. Omega fats are important for the healthy development of the brain and eyes, as well as a soft and shiny coat. Brands that include omega fats in their recipe will usually put the information on the package, and we’ve let you know each of the brands that have these important fats during our reviews.

What ingredients should I avoid?

Even the U.S.A. made dog foods may contain some ingredients you want to avoid.

Corn and Soy

We recommend avoiding corn and soy ingredients in your dog food because it doesn’t contain any nutritional value and is mostly empty calories and filler. While many dogs seem to like these ingredients, they are only used to save the company money and can upset your dog’s sensitive digestive system.

Dyes and Chemical Preservatives

The main thing to avoid when looking for dog food made in the U.S.A. is chemical preservatives. Especially, BHA, which can be harmful to dogs. Food dyes and artificial colorings can also cause an allergic reaction in some dogs, and we recommend purchasing brands that only use natural color.

Final Thoughts

As the best overall dog food made in the USA, Ollie Fresh Dog Food combines quality nutrition with an appealing texture. Our best value pick, True Acres Chicken and Vegetables offers quality ingredients at a reasonable price. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy contains added nutrition for growing puppies. Just Food For Dogs combines science-backed nutrition with fresh, kitchen-cooked ingredients.

We hope our reviews of these dog foods made in the USA have provided you with some food for thought as you search for the diet that best suits your dog’s individual needs.

Edward Hollon is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Edward has been writing for petdii for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners. Edward has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Edward knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles.