Top 10 Best Dog Foods for Medium Dogs
There are so many options for dog food on the market nowadays that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the choices. The good news about the many varieties of food is that dogs that suffer from allergies can find relief by changing their diet. Picky eaters can also benefit from the many options available on the market because owners can always try another food if their dog doesn’t like their current brand of food. Choosing between dozens, if not hundreds, of types of dog food can feel daunting for the average dog owner. We’re here to help you by providing you with reviews of the 10 best dog foods for medium dogs on the market so you can make the best choice for your favorite furry friend.
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The 10 Best Dog Foods for Medium Dogs
Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food – Best Value
This product from Merrick is one of the best dog foods that you can get for the money.
For starters, 70% of its composition consists of protein and fat sources, which is exactly what a high-energy dog requires to meet the calorie requirements of its fast metabolism. The other 30% consists of high-quality carbs and other vitamins and minerals.
The main protein in the Merrick dog food is deboned buffalo. It also contains turkey, chicken, and salmon, which are all high-quality sources of protein. Other ingredients in this meal include apples, blueberries, flaxseed oil, alfalfa, peas, and potatoes. It also contains probiotics for gut health.
A standard serving of this meal provides your pup with 364 calories, of which 38% is protein, and 16% is fat.
Merrick is one of the most reputable brands in the dog food industry, thanks to their consistency in providing quality offerings, and they don’t disappoint with this product. This product is reasonably priced, making it one of the best dog foods for medium dogs for the money.
- Can cause flatulence
- Grain-free
- Contains probiotics to improve digestion
- Uses deboned meat
- High-quality ingredients
- Value for money
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food – Best Overall
Taste of the Wild is an exceptional formula whose primary sources of protein are venison and bison. As such, it mimics the diet that your dog’s ancestors thrived on.
Consisting of 32% protein and 18% fat, it meets the very specific nutritional requirements for medium dogs. In addition to sustaining their high metabolic rate, a protein- and fat-rich diet supports the optimal development of muscles and bones and boosts the immune system.
To ensure that your pup’s coat and skin stay in a good condition, this formula is packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Additionally, it has a high vitamin and mineral content to ensure that your furry friend is getting an all-around balanced diet.
Nonetheless, Taste of the Wild also contains plant-based protein from peas and potatoes. The problem with plant-based protein is that it can be difficult to digest. Fortunately, this should not be much of a problem if your pet does not have digestive issues. Moreover, it does not contain corn, grain, wheat, or artificial fillers.
Its ability to meet your medium-dogs dietary needs coupled with its high-quality ingredients plus an attractive price point is why we have the Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food as our top choice.
- Contains vegetable protein
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
- Grain-free
- High protein and fat content
- High-quality ingredients
- Attractive price-point
VICTOR Select – Grain Free Yukon River Canine, Dry Dog Food
The Yukon River Canine formula from Victor Select is another great product for high-energy doggies. One standard cup of this food has 398 calories, 33% of which is protein, and 15% is fat.
The protein utilized in this formula comes from salmon, which is one of the best protein sources on the planet. Besides, few dogs have sensitivities to fish meat.
You will also love the fact that this product is grain-free, thus preventing your pup from accumulating unnecessary weight, especially if they live sedentary lifestyles.
The Victor Select Yukon River Canine Dog Food is also loaded with a host of minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids to promote the optimal development of a healthy canine through a balanced diet.
Moreover, this product is also hypoallergenic, thus making it a good choice for dogs with allergies.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer has since redesigned the formula, with the new product having a significant reduction in salmon protein.
- The new formula has a lower amount of salmon protein
- Grain-free
- Loaded with vitamins and minerals
- High-quality protein
- Optimal protein and fat levels for medium dogs
- Good for dogs with allergies
Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food Chicken Chow Wow– Premium Choice
When it comes to top-of-the-line dog food, it is hard to beat what Nom Nom has to offer.
Nom Nom is a new company that is looking to revolutionize the dog food industry. Rather than sell you dog food the conventional way, this company prepares, cooks, and delivers the food to you. This means that the food is designed to meet the needs of your dog as an individual, not as a breed.
As such, when making your order, they will require information such as the dog’s breed, weight, age, activity level, health conditions, and more. From that information, they are able to curate an individual recipe for your pup.
Moreover, those recipes are designed with the help of vets and utilize whole, fresh ingredients. As you can imagine, you will pay a premium cost for such a service.
- Costly
- Tasty
- Delivered to your door
- High-quality ingredients
- Customized recipe
ACANA Dog Protein Rich, Real Meat, Grain Free, Adult Dry Dog Food
With up to 242 calories per cup, this formula by Acana gives your pooch will give you a bang for your buck. Those calories comprise 35% protein and 15% fat.
This dog food derives its protein from turkey, chicken, trout, walleye, and eggs. 70% of the ingredients in the formula come from animal sources, while the remaining 30% consists of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and probiotics to ensure that your dog is getting a balanced diet.
This formula is also rich in omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, and antioxidants. The omegas help in promoting a healthy coat and skin, glucosamine and chondroitin promote healthier bone and joint development, while antioxidants alleviate damage from free radicals.
As such, in addition to meeting your dog’s high-energy needs, this formula also helps to promote and maintain good health.
However, its ultra-high calorie content can be too much for some dogs, especially if they do not lead active lifestyles.
- Might not be suitable for less active dogs
- High-calorie content
- High-quality ingredients
- Contains minerals and vitamins for holistic health
Fromm Family Foods 727520 Gold Nutritionals
The Gold Nutritionals formula by Fromm Family Foods is one of the most energy-dense dog foods on the market today, making it a good choice for medium and small dogs.
The protein in this formula comes from quality sources such as duck meat, chicken, fish, lamb, and whole eggs. The other ingredients utilized in this formula are also renowned for their dietary worth. They include salmon oil, Wisconsin cheese, alfalfa, flaxseed, carrots, celery, potatoes, probiotics, and herbs.
A cup of the Gold Nutritionals formula contains at least 408 calories, 24% of which is protein, while 15% is fat. Due to the high number of calories that this formula has, you do not have to feed your pooch a lot for it to get what it requires to meet its metabolic, as well as growth needs. As a result, you get to spend significantly less on your pup’s food.
- Some dogs might not like it
- High-quality protein
- Contains probiotics for digestion
- High-calorie content per cup
- Suits dogs across all life stages
Avoderm Natural Weight Control Dry Dog Food
This natural weight control dog food by Avoderm is geared towards helping less active medium dogs from gaining weight.
A cup of this food contains 329 calories, of which protein is 20% and fat 8%. It does not contain any soy, wheat, or corn. This ensures that the dog’s weight stays in check.
The main ingredients in this product are chicken meal, brown rice, and avocadoes. It also contains other ingredients to ensure that your pet is getting essential nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, and more.
What we do not like about this product is that it gets its protein from a low-quality source. The presence of rice is not a welcome addition either.
- Presence of rice
- Helps in weight control
- Has vitamins and minerals for better health
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Dog Food
This dog food formula by Royal Canin has been formulated to meet the needs of adult medium dogs. As such, you should only consider using it once the dog has attained its maximum skeletal size.
With a maximum of 334 calories per cup, this formula might not be the most energy-dense product on this list; however, it does not have to be since it is not trying to meet the extremely high-calorie requirements of developing puppies. As mentioned, it is designed to help your dog to maintain its ideal weight.
Its ingredients include chicken by-product meal, brewer’s rice, fish oil, beet, corn, wheat, and herb extracts. It is also enriched with omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, as well as antioxidants to promote overall health. A serving of this dog food contains 23% protein and 12% fat.
This product has a few downsides. It contains several types of grains, which means that it can easily contribute to weight gain. Its protein content is also significantly low, and the source of its proteins is not a high-quality one.
- Has grains in its ingredients
- Low protein content
- Designed for adult medium dogs
- Enriched with antioxidants and omega fatty acids
NUTRO ULTRA Adult Dry Dog Food
This dog food formula by Nutro consists of wholesome, high-quality ingredients. For starters, its protein comes from excellent sources, which include lamb, chicken, and salmon. It also consists of vegetables and fruits such as apples, blueberries, and chia seeds.
A cup of the Nutro Ultra contains 341 calories, of which protein makes up 31% and fat 14%, which is an excellent profile for a high-energy doggie. This formula also contains significant amounts of calcium and phosphorous to promote bone and coat health.
However, it comes in flimsy packaging, and that is something many people might not appreciate.
- Flimsy packaging
- High-quality protein
- Excellent vegetables and fruit selection
- High-calorie content
Natural Balance Original Ultra Grain Free Dry Dog Food
This formula from Natural Balance contains up to 410 calories per cup, thus ensuring that it meets your doggy’s energy needs effectively. Its ingredients also work to improve your pup’s overall health.
Some of the ingredients utilized in this formula include chicken, chicken meal, duck, duck meal, lamb meal, salmon meal and oil, cranberries, spinach, flaxseed, carrots, and other fruit and vegetables.
Every cup contains 23% protein and 13% fat. However, the manufacturer recently altered its formula.
- New formula that is not as good as the previous one
- High-calorie content
- Lots of vitamins and minerals
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Dog Food for Medium Dogs
There are many things to consider when purchasing a dog food that’s right for your medium-sized dog. Here are a few items to consider when determining the best dog food for your beloved furry family member.
Life Stage of Your Medium-sized Dog
From the puppy years up through the golden years of senior dogs, nutrition is an important aspect of your pet’s life. It is important to choose a food that meets the nutritional needs of your pet throughout its lifetime so it can be your loving companion for many years. Puppies usually need higher protein diets to help them grow and develop properly. After the puppy years, many dogs do well on “adult” diets that contain all the protein, vitamins, and minerals that they need to maintain their general overall good health. Dogs that lead an especially active life may be a higher protein food option to help sustain their bones and muscles through heavy activity. Senior dog formulas will help your aging pet meet its basic nutritional needs and prescription diets may be needed to help provide extra support as needed during their golden years.
Association of American Feed Control Officers (AAFCO) Adequacy Statement
The United States has a feed regulation agency called the Association of American Feed Control Officers (AFFCO) that enforces regulations for many animal feed products throughout the country. This association also checks dog food brands to make sure they meet the minimum nutritional requirements, so you know your pet is getting nutritionally balanced food. Commercial pet food products are subject to oversight by this agency, which includes the ingredients, the manufacturing of the food, the distribution of the food throughout the country, labeling of food products, and more. For more information on the AAFCO and what kind of statement to look for on your pet’s food, check out the AAFCO’s reading labels website.
Digestive Issues
If your pet is experiencing continual digestive upset, such as diarrhea or vomiting, switching their food may solve the problem. Some dogs do well on higher protein and grain-heavy diets, while others develop loose stools or vomit. If digestive issues are persistent and chronic, contact your vet immediately to set up an appointment. Your dog may have allergies to certain foods and need to be on a prescription diet provided by your vet.
Your furry ball of energy is unique in that its metabolism fires at a more rapid rate than that of its larger cousins. Therefore, to quench that energy thirst, it is critical that you give them a high-quality diet that is rich in proteins and fats.
Every product on this list is worth presenting to your dog. However, if you are looking for the best dog food, you might want to consider the Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. It comes from one of the most reputable manufacturers in the industry and contains high-quality ingredients.
