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Best Dog Food for Doberman Pinschers 2024
Written by Wag! Staff
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 07/20/2023, edited: 03/13/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
You’d be hard pressed to find a more loyal and intelligent dog than the Doberman Pinscher. This athletic and courageous breed makes a wonderful companion, and will live a long and healthy life if given all the love, care, and attention required.
A big part of that is proper nutrition. Doberman Pinschers need:
- a complete and balanced diet suitable for their age and activity levels
- high-quality meat for protein
- essential fatty acids for skin and coat health
- fats and carbohydrates for energy
- antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support a strong immune system and overall good health
But with so many different pet food brands and products on the market, choosing the best dog food for Doberman Pinschers is far from easy. To help you find the right diet for your fur-baby, keep reading for our guide to the top dog foods for Dobermans.
Overview
The Honest Kitchen
5
Vet recommended
If variety is the spice of life for your fur-baby, they’ll love what’s dished up by The Honest Kitchen.
“The Honest Kitchen offers convenient dry, dehydrated, and wet food options that use high protein meat sources and are fortified with fish oils and essential nutrients such as taurine.” says Dr. Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants.
Made using human-grade ingredients, The Honest Kitchen range includes something for everyone. There’s wet food if your pup loves slow-cooked goodness, dehydrated food to create a homemade meal simply by adding water, and convenient dry food with grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes.
You'll find flavors to suit every taste bud too, so browse the range today to find out whether it’s right for your dog. Or check out our review of The Honest Kitchen dog food to learn more.
The Honest Kitchen One-Pot Stews Slow-Cooked Chicken Recipe
Why Wag! loves The Honest Kitchen
- Recommended by Dr. Jeremiah.
- Options to suit every pup’s taste buds (and every pet parent’s lifestyle).
- Follows human food safety standards.
- Made using carefully sourced, wholesome ingredients.
Considerations & concerns
- Expensive.
- Some complaints about burnt dry food.
- Some buyers complain about shipping issues.
What pet parents say about The Honest Kitchen
“Luna and Milani tried Honest Kitchen about a year ago and really enjoyed it. We tried three flavors but [their] favorite is chicken. They always got excited about it when I made it as the smell made them drool. We went back to kibble and wet food as we couldn't afford it. Now that it's been over a year since they had the good stuff we are coming back to use the products again.”
“Zaine had a hard time after coming home from his breeder. His human was overwhelmed with all the different types and brands of food. It was hard to identify the reasons for his unpleasant potty breaks. Finally, Zaine was introduced to Honest Kitchen, and not only did he lick his bowl clean, his potty breaks began to be a lot more enjoyable. Now, all he has to worry about is being a puppy, and growing big and strong. Everyone compliments his shiny coat too! Zaine enjoys beef, chicken, turkey, duck and fish! Zaine's vet recommended a good balance between protein and some grains. Because he is a Doberman, a large breed puppy, the lower protein is more suitable for him, especially while he's growing to his adult size! Most of our [friends say] he's spoiled, but HONESTLY... he's just healthy!”
Read more reviews on The Honest Kitchen.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright The Honest Kitchen.
Spot & Tango
5
Best vet recommended personalized meal plans
If you need help working out the best diet for your delightful Doberman, look no further than Spot & Tango.
This dog food delivery service offers personalized meal plans for dogs with both fresh and dry food available. Plus, it gets Dr. Jeremiah's seal of approval.
“Spot & Tango offers customized human-grade meal plans for pups with the added benefit of being shelf-stable,” she says. “Nutrient profiles are preserved through low-temperature dehydration, products have guaranteed nutrient analysis, and all recipes are developed by certified veterinary nutritionists. If your pup turns their nose up, Spot & Tango also offers a ‘Happy Pup Guarantee’ and will give you 100% of your money back after your 2-week trial.”
The range includes 3 fresh recipes — Turkey & Red Quinoa, Beef & Millet, and Lamb & Brown Rice — that are complete and balanced for puppies and adults.
But if you’d like to mix it up for your pooch, Spot & Tango also offers 4 UnKibble recipes — Cod & Salmon, Beef & Barley, Chicken & Brown Rice, and Turkey & Sweet Potato — that meet AAFCO nutritional standards and don’t feature any GMO or hormones.
Want to dig a little deeper into this brand before you buy? Read our full Spot & Tango dog food review.
Spot & Tango Fresh Dog Food
Why Wag! loves Spot & Tango
- Recommended by Dr. Jeremiah.
- Made using USDA meat.
- Whole food ingredients sourced in the USA.
- Meal plans tailored to your dog’s unique nutritional needs.
Considerations & concerns
- Not suitable if you’re on a tight budget.
- Some complaints about poor customer service.
- Some customers complain about late deliveries.
What pet parents say about Spot & Tango
“I’m happy I made the switch to Spot & Tango! It gives me a peace of mind that my girl Coral is eating healthy food with fresh and natural ingredients. Now she gets even more excited when it’s dinner time 🤍 She really loves her new food!!”
“Finding a dog food that is high quality, good for your dog, and also affordable is impossibly difficult. We’ve tried so much but it’s not sustainable with the prices. This is the one! My dog loves it and she’s coming from a fresh food and wet food diet. The UnKibble option is different from other kibble for sure. I also love paying once a month and not thinking about it every week. It’s worth the try!”
Read more reviews on Trustpilot.
Product image sourced from the Spot & Tango website. Copyright Spot & Tango.
Open Farm Puppy Chicken, Salmon, & Ancient Grains Recipe
5
Best vet recommended for puppies
Proper nutrition is essential if you want to give your puppy the best start to life, which is why this Open Farm puppy recipe is well worth a closer look. This high-protein kibble features humanely raised chicken, pork, and wild-caught salmon, paired with wholesome ingredients like pumpkin and quinoa.
“Open Farm dog food is formulated with high-quality ingredients and does not contain any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. The company also prioritizes the use of ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients.” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah.
Open Farm even offers an online tool that lets you trace each individual ingredient in your dog’s bag of food back to its source, giving you great peace of mind about what goes into your pet’s bowl.
For the full scoop, read our Open Farm dog food review.
Open Farm Puppy Chicken, Salmon, & Ancient Grains Recipe
Why Wag! loves Open Farm
- Recommended by Dr. Jeremiah.
- Ethically sourced ingredients and you can trace where your dog’s food comes from.
- Non-GMO fruits, vegetables, and grains.
- High in protein for growing pups.
Considerations & concerns
- There are cheaper products available from other brands.
- The use of multiple protein sources may not suit all pups.
- Limited puppy recipe options available.
What pet parents say about Open Farm Puppy Chicken, Salmon, & Ancient Grains Recipe
"Since switching our 4-month-old puppy to Open Farm, we've noticed a big
improvement in our dog's gut health, energy levels, and excitement about
mealtime. Our dog absolutely loves this food, and I love knowing that
we are investing in his health and longevity at such a critical time in
his development."
"We are so excited to start our new puppy on this recipe. I have a
bachlor in science specializing in nutrition for dogs and this dog food
has amazed me. I would love to try out the treats and the bone broth for
sure. Over all very happy with our purchase."
Read more reviews on Open Farm.
Product image sourced from the Open Farm website. Copyright Open Farm.
Wellness Complete Health Senior
5
Best for seniors
If your fur-baby is getting a bit long in the tooth, Wellness Complete Health Senior is our pick as the best dog food for senior Dobermans.
Available in 5-pound, 15-pound, and 30-pound bags, this high-quality diet features deboned chicken as its main source of protein. Chicken meal, oatmeal, ground barley, and ground brown rice round out the first 5 ingredients, while tomatoes provide vitamin C and carrots are a good source of beta carotene.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are included to promote strong joints as your dog enters old age, and fiber and probiotics help ensure healthy digestion.
So if you’re looking for a dry food that can provide complete and balanced nutrition for your senior dog, Wellness Complete Health Senior ticks all the right boxes. For a closer look at this furrific brand, dig into our Wellness dog food review.
Wellness Complete Health Senior
Why Wag! loves Wellness
- Features glucosamine and chondroitin to support strong joints for your senior.
- Deboned chicken and chicken meal as the first 2 ingredients.
- Available in large bags if you want to buy in bulk.
Considerations & concerns
- Not a popular choice with some picky eaters.
- Only 1 flavor available as a recipe specially designed for senior dogs.
- Some complaints that this food causes upset stomachs.
What pet parents say about Wellness Complete Health Senior
"My two senior girls love this.
The amount of glucosamine and chondroitin is significantly higher versus
many other “senior” varieties. The cost of the food is well worth it,
because my savings on less hip/joint supplements for two bullys is
pretty big! Tried a few other brands in the past but this is the only
one that doesn’t aggravate one girls skin issues. We’re sticking with
Wellness."
"Our dogs love it and our one dog is already down four lbs in two weeks
just from switching to senior food. This will be much better for his
hips!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Wellness Pet Company.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed
4.5
Best vet recommended overall
If you want to give your pup the best dog food for Doberman Pinschers, Blue Buffalo’s Wilderness Large Breed range is our top pick.
Available in chicken and salmon recipes as well as weight maintenance and puppy formulas, the Wilderness range is packed with goodness to help your Dobe grow up healthy and happy.
“Blue Buffalo dog food products cater to different life stages, sizes, and breeds of dogs,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah. “They offer formulations containing limited ingredients, which may be beneficial for dogs with certain dietary sensitivities.”
Designed specifically to suit the nutritional needs of large dogs, the recipes in this range are high in protein and feature wholesome grains for overall health and wellbeing.
So, if you’re choosing a food for your Doberman, make sure Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed is on your shortlist of options.
And if you're still on the fence about this food, check out our in-depth Blue Buffalo dog food review for a closer look at the brand's products.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy Food
Why Wag! loves Blue Buffalo
- Recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and Wag! veterinary consultant.
- High in protein.
- Features glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and mobility.
- Contains Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits to provide important antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Considerations & concerns
- Not as many customer reviews as some other brands.
- Not what many would consider a cheap option.
- Some picky eater doggos aren’t fans.
What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed
"I've given this food to my pup
since he was 7 weeks old, he is now 8 months. He has never had an issue
with digestion or softened stool. There's always going to be mixed
reviews regardless with what food you buy since every dog is different,
but I will say this works for my dog. He's very healthy, has a [shiny]
coat, andis very intelligent."
"Our puppy had diarrhea on several other brands we tried. I decided to try this and she has done well. No tummy issues!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.
Canidae All Life Stages
4.5
Vet recommended
Canidae All Life Stages dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes. So if you’ve got a multi-pet family, it’s a grrreat way to put smiles on the faces of all your fur-babies.
“Canidae dog food is made with high-quality animal protein sources, providing essential amino acids, and is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which can trigger allergies,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah.
The All Life Stages range includes wet and dry food options, plus options for large breeds and less active dogs. The recipes also include antioxidants to support a healthy immune system, and there are single- and multi-protein formulas available.
To learn more about this brand, check out our comprehensive Canidae dog food review.
Canidae All Life Stages Chicken Meal & Rice Formula
Considerations & concerns
- Some buyers complain about the amount of crumbs in the bag.
- Not all dogs like the taste.
- Some pet parents report that it caused an upset stomach for their dog.
What pet parents say about Canidae All Life Stages
“I've been purchasing Canidae for about five years. They offer pet food for all ages. At the time I started using it, I had a senior pet and a puppy. They offered food for all of them and I didn’t have to keep buying separate foods. Also, it's very valuable to feed them natural ingredients.”
“I’ve been feeding my 5-year-old Rottweiler Canidae since he’d been born. I did a little bit of research on it, and that’s what I came up with. I've been buying All Life Stages and I could stay right with that same product all the way.”
Read more reviews on ConsumerAffairs.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Canidae.
Merrick Grain-Free
4.5
Best vet recommended wet food
If you’re searching for the best wet dog food for Doberman Pinschers, there’s a lot to like about Merrick Grain-Free wet dog food.
This range includes a wide selection of flavors for your hungry Dobe, with mouthwatering names like Big Texas Steak Tips Dinner in Gravy and Pappy’s Pot Roast Dinner in Gravy.
“Merrick products are made with high-quality, whole food ingredients, and they use no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.” says Dr. Jeremiah.
The foods are perfect to use as a standalone meal or to mix with your dog’s preferred kibble, and your dog can expect wholesome ingredients like USDA-inspected deboned meat when you feed them the Merrick range.
To find out more about Merrick's complete product range, check out our Merrick dog food review.
Merrick Grain-Free Wingaling Recipe
Why Wag! loves Merrick
- Recommended by Dr. Jeremiah.
- Wide range of flavors available.
- Made in the USA.
- Offers the moisture and flavor dogs love.
Considerations & concerns
- A grain-free food may not suit the preferences of all pet parents.
- Not a hit with some picky eaters.
- Some buyers complain about too much water content in cans.
What pet parents say about Merrick Grain-Free
“I have 3 dogs, different ages and size[s]. They love meat and this is their favorite canned wet food! We've tried different brands and flavors, but this is the winner!”
“My dogs love this food. It's the perfect consistency, not too runny and not too solid.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
FAQ
What is the best dog food for Doberman Pinschers?
What is the best dog food for a Doberman Pinscher with a sensitive stomach?
Can I feed a homemade diet to my Doberman?
Should I feed my Doberman Pinscher dry food or wet food?
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