Best Puppy Food of 2026

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The best puppy foods are complete and balanced for growth, start with a named meat or fish, and give a growing body plenty of good protein and fat. The AAFCO growth profile asks for more protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus than an adult food, because a puppy builds muscle, bone and organs fast.

Size matters most for a puppy that will grow large. Too much energy or calcium can make big puppies grow too fast, so a food for a future large dog (70 lb or more as an adult) should say it covers the growth of large size dogs. Each food below says whether it does.

Every food on this list scores Great or Excellent for puppies on the Puglib Score, which rates protein quality and amount for the puppy stage, fats, and how the label measures up to the AAFCO minimums. Each is made for puppies or for all life stages.

The best puppy foods of 2026

Here are the four best puppy foods, each the best at something different:

Best overall

ORIJEN Puppy

Excellent 9.3 Puglib Score

Main proteins

Chicken, Turkey, Salmon, White Fish

First ingredients

Chicken, turkey, chicken liver, salmon

Protein (dry matter)

43.2%

Fat (dry matter)

22.7%

Calories

3,960 kcal/kg

Life stage

Puppy

Protein / fat

Excellent / Excellent

See its full scoreView on Amazon

ORIJEN Puppy is one of the highest-scoring puppy foods we rate, and its label covers the growth of large size dogs, so it suits puppies of every size. Chicken, turkey, chicken liver, salmon and whole herring lead the label, for 43.2% protein and 22.7% fat on a dry matter basis: rich, as a growing puppy needs. Glucosamine is guaranteed (600 mg/kg).

What we like

• Excellent protein: 43.2% on a dry matter basis, from poultry and fish
• Covers the growth of large size dogs
• Glucosamine guaranteed (600 mg/kg)

Worth knowing

• Price range: mid-range
• Chicken leads the label: chicken is one of the most common food allergens in dogs
• Energy-dense (3,960 kcal/kg): follow the feeding chart and weigh portions

Best for large-breed puppies

ORIJEN Amazing Grains, Puppy Large

Excellent 9.6 Puglib Score

Main proteins

Chicken, White Fish, Salmon

First ingredients

Chicken, whole herring, whole whiting, chicken giblets (liver, heart, gizzard)

Protein (dry matter)

43.2%

Fat (dry matter)

18.2%

Calories

3,860 kcal/kg

Life stage

Puppy

Protein / fat

Excellent / Excellent

See its full scoreView on Amazon

For a puppy that will grow big, this is the highest-scoring food we rate. Chicken, whole herring, whole whiting, chicken giblets and salmon lead the label, with oats and millet after them, for 43.2% protein and a moderate 18.2% fat on a dry matter basis. That is less fat than ORIJEN's all-size puppy food, for steadier growth, and the label covers the growth of large size dogs.

What we like

• Made for large-breed puppies
• Excellent protein: 43.2% on a dry matter basis
• Glucosamine guaranteed (500 mg/kg)

Worth knowing

• Price range: lower mid-range
• Chicken leads the label: chicken is one of the most common food allergens in dogs

Best limited-ingredient recipe

ACANA Singles, Duck & Pear Recipe

Excellent 9.2 Puglib Score

Main proteins

Duck

First ingredients

Duck, duck meal, duck liver, sweet potato

Protein (dry matter)

35.2%

Fat (dry matter)

19.3%

Calories

3,405 kcal/kg

Life stage

All life stages

Protein / fat

Excellent / Excellent

See its full scoreView on Amazon

Duck is the only meat here: duck, duck meal and duck liver lead the label, with sweet potato, chickpeas and lentils. That makes it a good choice for a puppy that does better without chicken or beef. It is made for all life stages and scores Excellent for puppies, but its label excludes the growth of large size dogs, so it is for puppies that will stay small or medium.

What we like

• A single meat: duck
• No chicken or beef
• Glucosamine guaranteed (500 mg/kg)

Worth knowing

• Price range: mid-range
• Not for a puppy that will grow large: the label excludes the growth of large size dogs
• Contains fish oil, for dogs with a fish allergy

Best for puppies and adults together

Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison

Great 8.2 Puglib Score

Main proteins

Pork, Chicken

First ingredients

Water Buffalo, Pork, Chicken Meal, Grain Sorghum

Protein (dry matter)

35.6%

Fat (dry matter)

20%

Calories

3,920 kcal/kg

Life stage

All life stages

Protein / fat

Excellent / Great

See its full score

Water buffalo and pork come first, then chicken meal, with sorghum and millet as the grains. It is made for all life stages, including the growth of large size dogs, so a puppy and the adult dogs in the same home can eat from one bag. Protein is 35.6% and fat 20% on a dry matter basis, and glucosamine is guaranteed (750 mg/kg).

What we like

• One food for puppies and adults, large breeds included
• Ancient grains (sorghum, millet) rather than corn or wheat
• Glucosamine guaranteed (750 mg/kg)

Worth knowing

• Price range: lower mid-range
• Includes chicken meal and pork: not for a dog with a chicken allergy
• Energy-dense (3,920 kcal/kg): the adults may need smaller portions than the puppy

How we chose these foods

1. Every food we've scored. We start from our whole catalogue, not from brands that approached us.

2. Made for this dog. Foods for puppies: made for puppies, or for all life stages with a growth statement.

3. Ranked by the Puglib Score, the same score you see on every food page.

4. Each best at something. The top food overall, then the best for the needs that come up most for this group, with no more than two foods from one brand.

What to look for in a puppy food

• A growth statement. The label should say the food is complete and balanced for growth or for all life stages.

• Large-breed growth. If your puppy will weigh 70 lb or more as an adult, the statement should include the growth of large size dogs.

• Protein first. A named meat or fish as the first ingredient, and plenty of protein for the calories.

• Steady portions. Weigh meals and follow the chart for your puppy's age and expected adult weight.

Frequently asked questions

More best picks

• Best dog food for small breeds

Scores and picks are checked against our catalogue. A food's page always shows its current score.