How to Choose the Best Kibble for Your Dog
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right kibble for your dog, but there are a few main factors that stand out. Such as the types of ingredients used and how suitable these are for reducing dog shedding, how balanced the nutrition is, and customer reviews.
Let’s explore each of these in more detail. That way, even if you don’t want to go with any of our picks, you’ll be better equipped to select the right kibble for your dog.
The first main aspect we looked at is the ingredients used in each dog food.
We specifically look for kibble that is made with high-quality ingredients and, in particular, ingredients that are known to help with shedding.
For example, ingredients that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and flaxseed, can help improve your dog’s skin and coat. And since fish oil (which also contains omega-3) can be beneficial for dogs, especially when it comes to shedding, many of our picks contain fish as the main protein source.
Ultimately, the healthier your dog’s skin and coat, the less likely you are going to notice excessive shedding. One of the most common causes of excessive shedding is dry, irritated skin, so ingredients that support healthy skin and hair were one of our main considerations.
Here’s a helpful video I found that explains more about the benefits of omega-3:
Biotin is another key ingredient to look for when it comes to shedding.
It’s a vitamin that is known to help dogs maintain a healthy skin and coat, aid the digestion of proteins and carbohydrates, and can boost the absorption of healthy fatty acids. So even though it doesn’t get as much attention as omega fatty acids, it’s important.
Natural sources of biotin include meats like liver, kidney, and pork, as well as sardines and plant-based sources include foods like cauliflower and banana.
Aside from these, we also look for kibble that contains ingredients that aid digestion, such as sweet potato. And those that contain essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, along with other fatty acids like omega-6, to help your dog thrive.
What about “grain-free” dog foods, are they better?
Another consideration when selecting our top picks was whether the kibble was grain-free or not because some dog owners prefer to feed their dogs a zero-grain diet.
There’s nothing wrong with feeding your dogs grains like rice, for example, which many popular dog foods do contain. However, some dog foods use an excessive amount of grains or ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy as “filler,” which is less than ideal.
Either way, according to PetMD, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that grain-free is necessarily better than dog food with grains. The important thing is to ensure it contains the nutrition your dog needs and if you’re unsure what’s best for your dog, speak to your vet.
Aside from the actual ingredients, the other important aspect of selecting the right kibble is to ensure it has the right balance of protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates in the diet.
Research shows that an adult dog’s diet can contain up to 50% carbohydrates, at least 5.5% fat, and 10% protein. So this is a good general guide to consider.
That said, each dog food is unique, as are the needs of each individual dog. So there is no set rule as to the exact amount of each macro-nutrient your dog’s food should contain.
However, most good dog foods come with at least 20% protein (some on our list have 34-38% protein), contain around 12-18% fat, and aren’t loaded with too many carbs, which some dog foods use as “filler” to essentially add cheap weight to the bag.
Whatever the percentages, the important thing is that, along with quality ingredients, the kibble contains a healthy balance of nutrition for your dog. So that’s what we look for.
Last but not least, we also look at customers to help guide our top picks.
Because, even though we have tried many different dog foods over the years, there are so many variables to consider. For instance, the dog’s breed, age, health, and things like allergies can all play a part in what’s best for a dog.
So it would simply not be possible for us to know how good each dog food will be for each individual dog based on our own experience. And that’s why we take to sites like Amazon, Chewy, and others to get a feel for what others are experiencing.
That way, we can provide you with a more unbiased and objective opinion about the products we’ve included in our top picks based on a broader set of reviews and experiences.
The Top 10 Dog Foods for Shedding (2022 Updated)
Our top 10 list is made up of the dog foods we believe are best for shedding based on things such as the ingredients used, the mix of protein, fat, and fiber it contains, along with other factors such as the inclusion of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
I feel it’s important to note, however, that we are not veterinarians. So, even though we’ve put a ton of effort into selecting the best kibble for managing shedding, you should consult a qualified veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.
With that being said, here are our top 10 picks for 2022:
Let’s take a closer look at each of our top 10 picks so that you can learn more and decide which one on our list, if any, is going to be best for your dog.
Our top overall pick is Purina’s Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach because it ticks all the boxes with respect to nutrition while also helping to promote a healthy coat and reduce shedding.
On the nutrition front, it contains a healthy balance of protein, fat, and fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals. It also contains natural prebiotics and oatmeal to help improve your dog’s digestion, which makes it especially suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
When it comes to shedding, Pro Plan contains nutrients like Omega 3 and 6 to help nourish your dog’s skin and coat, which in turn can limit excessive hair loss. The primary source of Omega-3 fatty acids is Salmon, whereas the Omega-6 fatty acids are mostly derived from sunflower oil.
The other great thing about Pro Plan is that it does not contain wheat, soy, or corn. And even though there’s nothing wrong with these ingredients, they’re really just fillers. Not to mention, it doesn’t contain any artificial colors or flavors, which is important.
The main drawback, however, is that it’s not grain-free.
And while this isn’t really a factor in reducing shedding among healthy dogs, some dogs can benefit from a grain-free diet, especially if they have allergies to things like rice.
Either way, Purina’s Pro Plan (Salmon and Rice formula) is a great choice overall for optimal nutrition, digestion, and for healthy skin and hair – which is key for managing shedding.
| Brand: | Purina |
| Main Ingredients: | Salmon |
| Protein (min): | 26% |
| Fat (min): | 16% |
| Fiber (max): | 4% |
| Omega-3: | 0.75% |
| Omega-6: | 1.6% |
| Grain-free: | No |
| Available Sizes: | 5lb, 16lb, 30lb, 41lb |
When it comes to shedding, Orijen’s Six Fish formula is arguably the best of the best. This is mostly because it is made from six different varieties of real fish, which means it contains a generous serving of fish oils, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids with each serving.
The first ingredient is Atlantic mackerel, but it also includes Herring, Monkfish, Acadian Redfish, Flounder, and Silver Hake. Orijen says 85% of the food contains raw or fresh fish meat, organs, cartilage, and bone. While the remaining 15% of ingredients include vegetables and botanicals.
Another great thing about Orijen’s Six Fish kibble is that the fish are wild-caught in the cold waters of New England and prepared at low temperatures before being dried and packaged. Not only does this make for a higher quality overall dog food because it’s derived from real fish, but this preparation process helps preserve the nutrients in the fish.
| Brand: | Orijen |
| First Ingredient: | Fish |
| Protein (min): | 38% |
| Fat (min): | 18% |
| Fiber (max): | 4% |
| Omega-3: | 1.8% |
| Omega-6: | 2.1% |
| Grain-free: | Yes |
| Available Sizes: | 4lb, 12lb, 13lb, 25lb |
So, aside from being a great dog food for managing shedding, given how rich in fish oil it is, it’s also a high-quality, protein-rich, nutritious kibble that most dogs love. Not to mention, it’s grain-free. So when it comes purely to reducing shedding, this is my top pick.
The standout benefit of The Honest Kitchen’s kibble is that, according to the company, it’s “human grade.” As in, it’s made in a human food facility that meets the same quality standards as the food we eat. And to me, this is quite a unique selling point.
I worked in a pet food factory for work experience as a teenager, and I can safely say that the way some dog foods are made, sometimes even the good stuff, is off-putting, to say the least. It really made me stop and think about what I fed my dogs in later years.
Anyway, thankfully, this is not the case with The Honest Kitchen.
According to the company, their safety standards are seven times higher than that of regular feed grade standards. Also, their food is made in the USA with quality ingredients that do not contain any by-products, grain, GMO ingredients, or preservatives.
Another interesting point I want to mention is that these are not just regular dog biscuits. This is whole food that has been dehydrated. So the idea is to add water to the food before serving, which makes it into a nutritious meal your dog will enjoy and also makes it go much further.
A 10lb bag turns into 40lb just by adding water and mixing it as per the instructions on the bag. So even though it’s not the cheapest option compared to some kibble, it’s actually cost-effective on a meal-by-meal basis when you take that into consideration.
| Brand: | The Honest Kitchen |
| First Ingredient: | Chicken |
| Protein (min): | 26% |
| Fat (min): | 14.5% |
| Fiber (max): | 5% |
| Omega-3: | Not specified |
| Omega-6: | Not specified |
| Grain-free: | Yes |
| Available Sizes: | 1.75lb, 2lb, 4lb, 10lb |
The main selling point with Nutro kibble is that it’s limited to 10 key ingredients or less. There are added vitamins, minerals, and natural flavors, but the main ingredients are limited and natural.
The first ingredient is lamb, and the other ingredients include sweet potato, lentils, chickpeas, and sunflower oil, among others. It’s also grain-free and doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
That said, for a higher protein percentage, the salmon formula is a better choice, and there are other flavors depending on your dog’s preference. Either way, this is a healthy, nutritious dog food that’s designed to improve a dog’s skin and coat.
| Brand: | Nutro |
| First Ingredient: | Lamb |
| Protein (min): | 20% |
| Fat (min): | 14% |
| Fiber (max): | 3.5% |
| Omega-3: | Not specified |
| Omega-6: | Not specified |
| Grain-free: | Yes |
| Available Sizes: | 4lb, 22lb |
CRAVE says its dog food is “inspired by the diets of their wolf ancestors,” which are mostly meat eaters.
So the main thing that sets CRAVE’s kibble apart, at least to me, is that it aims to give dogs what they really want – meat. And as such, it’s very rich in animal protein. In fact, at 34% protein, this is one of the highest protein dog foods out there.
This is good because not only is protein important for your dog’s overall health and wellbeing but the protein in this kibble is mostly derived from real white fish and salmon, making it rich in healthy fish oil. And if fish isn’t to your dog’s preference, CRAVE has a range of alternative flavors, including chicken, lamb, and beef, which are all very high in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
The other thing I like about CRAVE is that it’s completely grain-free and doesn’t contain wheat, soy, or corn. So it contains less filler and more of the good stuff.
| Brand: | CRAVE |
| First Ingredient: | Salmon |
| Protein (min): | 34% |
| Fat (min): | 17% |
| Fiber (max): | 3.5% |
| Omega-3: | Doesn’t specify |
| Omega-6: | 2% |
| Grain-free: | Yes |
| Available Sizes: | 4lb, 12lb, 22lb |
Hill’s Science Diet is one of the most trusted brands in the United States, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s veterinarian recommended, made in the USA with quality ingredients, and comes in a variety of formulas to suit just about every type of dog.
This particular formula is designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs and skin. On the first point, they’ve made it highly digestible and added prebiotic fiber to help your dog maintain a healthy digestive system. And on the second point, to help your dog maintain healthy skin and optimal coat, they’ve added vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids.
Overall, this is an excellent all-around kibble that is not only good for your dog’s overall nutrition but can help you win the battle against excessive shedding. And if she’s not keen on chicken and rice, this formula also comes in chicken and potato.
| Brand: | Hill’s Science Diet |
| First Ingredient: | Chicken |
| Protein (min): | 25.9% |
| Fat (min): | 16% |
| Fiber (max): | 1.3% |
| Omega-3: | 0.51% |
| Omega-6: | 4.71% |
| Grain-free: | No, but this formula also comes in a grain-free version |
| Available Sizes: | 4lb, 15.5lb, 30lb |
Diamond Naturals Skin and Coat formula is packed with nutrients and antioxidants and is formulated with the company’s proprietary K9 Strain probiotics to help with digestion.
It’s also aimed at helping your dog develop healthy skin and an optimal coat. And as such, it contains Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids that are derived from a range of sources, including flaxseed, chia seed, and coconut, as well as Salmon.
On the flip side, even though it contains a plethora of nutrients and even superfoods like kale, this isn’t the highest protein kibble out there.
| Brand: | Diamond Naturals |
| First Ingredient: | Salmon |
| Protein (min): | 25% |
| Fat (min): | 14% |
| Fiber (max): | 5% |
| Omega-3: | 0.4% |
| Omega-6: | 2.5% |
| Grain-free: | Yes |
| Available Sizes: | 15lb, 30lb |
Wag is Amazon’s brand of dog food, and it’s a worthy contender among some of the more well-known brands.
Here’s why I say this:
So there’s a lot to like with Wag’s kibble, and it comes in a variety of formulas, including chicken, lamb, salmon, and turkey, so you have lots of options to suit your dog’s taste.
| Brand: | WAG (Amazon brand) |
| First Ingredient: | Beef |
| Protein (min): | 35% |
| Fat (min): | 15% |
| Fiber (max): | 4.5% |
| Omega-3: | 0.4% |
| Omega-6: | 2.5% |
| Grain-free: | No |
| Available Sizes: | 5lb, 30lb |
Wellness Complete Health contains an optimal mix of nutrients, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids to give your dog the nutrition she needs and to promote a healthier, stronger coat.
The main ingredient is whitefish, but this formula also contains sweet potato for digestion, peas for a more balanced protein source, and flaxseed for added omega-3.
The main drawback, however, is that it’s not very high in protein, and it’s not grain-free either. So even though it is a nutritious, balanced kibble that’s high in omega-3, there are better alternatives if you’re looking for a dog food that’s higher in protein.
| Brand: | Wellness |
| First Ingredient: | Whitefish |
| Protein (min): | 22% |
| Fat (min): | 12% |
| Fiber (max): | 4.5% |
| Omega-3: | 1.5% |
| Omega-6: | 3% |
| Grain-free: | No |
| Available Sizes: | 5lb, 15lb, 30lb |
Merrick’s duck and sweet potato kibble is an excellent source of protein and a great alternative for dogs that aren’t keen on regular flavors like beef, chicken, or salmon.
It’s made up mostly of protein and fat, and contains 35% vitamins, minerals, produce, and other natural ingredients. Which makes it a balanced source of nutrition for virtually any dog. It also contains Omega fatty acids to help your dog maintain a healthy coat.
It’s not my top pick for shedding, or overall for that matter, but this is a nutritious, high protein kibble, and it’s grain-free too. So it has earned a spot on our list.
| Brand: | Merrick |
| First Ingredient: | Deboned Duck |
| Protein (min): | 34% |
| Fat (min): | 17% |
| Fiber (max): | 3.5% |
| Omega-3: | 0.8% |
| Omega-6: | 3% |
| Grain-free: | Yes |
| Available Sizes: | 4lb, 10lb, 22lb |
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach is one of the best choices, if not the best, to help promote a healthy coat. Due to the balance of protein, fat, fiber, and vitamins and minerals, you’ll quickly see a difference in your dog’s shedding.
Because it’s developed for dogs with sensitive stomachs, it contains probiotics and oatmeal to help aid their digestion. Although this food isn’t grain-free, it doesn’t contain soy, wheat, or corn.
Omega fatty acids are beneficial for your dog’s skin and coat. In this particular food, the Omega-3s come from salmon, while the Omega-6s come from sunflower oil.
They sell bags weighing as little as four pounds or as much as 41 pounds.
Main Ingredient: Salmon
Protein (min): 26%
Fiber (max): 4%
Omega-3: 0.75%
Omega-6: 1.6%
Grain-free: No
Best Dog Foods for Shedding
Some shedding is natural in dogs, although some breeds like the Golden Retriever are notorious for excessive shedding. It typically occurs during the summer months, when your four-legged friend gets rid of their old layer of hair to reduce their temperature. Other factors, such as breed, the age of your dog, and whether they have any skin or coat complaints also determine the frequency and amount your dog sheds. Nutrition is another major factor.
While it might be perfectly natural for your dog to shed, it is also possible to safely minimize the volume of hair they leave in their wake. Some food recipes have been formulated to ensure skin and coat health, therefore minimizing any shedding associated with poor coat health. Additional fatty acids, biotin, and other ingredients can also strengthen the coat.
To help ensure that you choose the best dog food for shedding while still providing your canine friend with a healthy and appealing diet, we have included reviews of eight of the best brands below.