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Best High-Protein Dog Food 2025
Written by Wag! Staff
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 10/05/2023, edited: 01/29/2025
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.
Protein is an essential nutrient for dogs. It supports healthy growth, cell production, and a strong immune system. And if your dog has special nutritional needs, such as if they’re a working dog or highly active, they may need to be fed a high-protein dog food.
According to AAFCO’s Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, adult dogs need a diet that contains a minimum of 18% crude protein. But there are plenty of high-quality foods that well and truly exceed this minimum requirement, so keep reading for our guide to the best high-protein dog food.
Overview
Sundays For Dogs
5
Vet recommended
Sundays For Dogs offers air-dried dog food made using human-grade ingredients. This makes it a delicious and nutritious option for your pup, and a convenient choice for you.
Sundays For Dogs is also a dog food brand that Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants, recommends to her clients. “Sundays for Dogs is a convenient and affordable kibble alternative composed of 90% meat, human-grade ingredients, and has no synthetic additives,” she says.
There are 3 recipes to choose from — Beef, Chicken, and Turkey — and they all have at least 35% crude protein.
The Turkey and Beef recipes both meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO for all life stages inclding large breed puppies, while the Chicken recipe meets the AAFCO nutrient profile for adult maintenance.
And that’s why Sundays For Dogs is well worth checking out if you’re searching for a high-protein diet for your dog.
Sundays For Dogs Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- High-quality ingredients.
- Meal plans customized to suit your pup’s needs.
- More convenient than feeding fresh.
Considerations & concerns
- Only 3 recipes in the range.
- There are cheaper ways to feed your dog.
- Not a hit with some picky eaters.
What pet parents say about Sundays For Dogs
“Toby used to barely touch his old food, and if he did, it wasn’t till late at night. Now that we switched to Sundays, I can barely put the bowl down before he’s going at it. It’s such a relief that he’s excited to eat now. It also seems like he’s more energetic (in a good way!) and I swear he’s been shedding less since the switch. On top of all of that, the customer experience and service has been top-notch. Can not recommend enough. Dogs deserve to love their food, too!”
“We are huge Sundays fans. Our dog has always been a careful eater, packing food around the house in his cheeks to eat it on soft carpets far from his bowl. With Sundays, he gobbles it right down -- it's too tasty to wait. Plus, the best part is that he's healthier, more active, more energetic, and his best self when he's on his Sundays food vs. other store-bought / generic food. We love Sundays!”
Read more reviews on Sundays For Dogs.
Product image sourced from the Sundays Food for Dogs website. Copyright Sundays Food for Dogs.
Raised Right
5
Vet recommended
Raised Right specializes in high-protein, low-carb recipes for dogs. Recipes are formulated with vet Dr Karen Becker, feature limited ingredients, and are delivered fresh to your door.
“Raised Right offers a human-grade dog food consisting of only whole foods and no fillers or synthetic additives such as vitamin and mineral powders,” says Dr. Jeremiah. "Their ingredients can also be traced back to the source, and each batch is tested for safety.”
If this sounds like the right food for your pup, you can visit the Raised Right website and provide details about your dog to create a custom meal plan. There’s a wide range of recipes and protein sources to choose frm, plus recipes specifically designed for growing puppies, so there are lots of good reasons to feed Raised Right to your fur-baby.
Raised Right Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Lots of recipes to choose from.
- Limited-ingredient, human-grade recipes.
- Traceable ingredients.
Considerations & concerns
- Pricey.
- Feeding fresh isn’t the most convenient option.
- You don’t need to provide a whole lot of information about your dog to create a custom meal plan.
What pet parents say about Raised Right
“My dog, Riley, absolutely loves this food. It does not last long in her bowl. The ordering is simple and everything arrives on time!”
“This food has been a salvation for the gut health of my two dogs. Before Raised Right, my dog was having major intestinal issues and now everything is going well for her. I am so grateful for this.”
Read more reviews on Raised Right.
All product images sourced from the Raised Right website. Copyright Raised Right Pets LP.
Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream Canine Recipe
4.5
Vet recommended
This smoke-flavored salmon recipe from Taste of the Wild has plenty to offer to a pup that needs a high-protein diet. Featuring salmon, salmon meal, and ocean fish meal as its first 3 ingredients, this formula has 30% crude protein to satisfy your pup’s nutritional needs.
“Taste of the Wild offers both wet and dry dog and cat foods for all life stages incorporating species-specific probiotics, antioxidants from ancient grains, fruits and seeds, and omega fatty acids,” explains Dr. Georgia Jeremiah.
This recipe also features prebiotics to support healthy digestion, so be sure to add it to your shopping list when searching for the best food for your dog.
Taste of the Wild Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Made in the USA.
- Packed with antioxidants for a strong immune system.
- Contains omega fatty acids for skin and coat health.
Considerations & concerns
- Some complaints about upset stomachs.
- Some pet parents report that their dogs don’t like the taste.
- Some buyers complain about the smell of this food.
What pet parents say about Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream Canine Recipe
“We have a 90-pound chocolate Lab that has been eating the Wild Ancient Stream Smoke Flavored Salmon for over three years now. His fur is super shiny, he is extremely regular with his digestive [tract], no skin irritations, and he loves it. He’s in very good shape as he exercises a lot and we feel that Taste of the Wild has been the perfect match for him. Would highly recommend!”
“Our 2-year-old male Shiba Inu was having a lot of GI issues and wouldn’t settle on a dry food. He is an extremely picky eater. He was below weight with runny stools and his coat hadn’t developed — no matter how hard we tried. I took him to the store where he got to smell every single bag of dog food. We spent a half hour carefully picking out which food he liked the best and he settled on TOTW Ancient Stream Smoked Salmon Recipe. I bought a small bag and started to transition him onto the food. He absolutely loved it! Within 4 months on this food he has successfully gotten rid of his runny stools, his coat has filled out, and he has gained weight. I couldn’t be more grateful for this formula. It’s done wonders for my Neosho.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC.
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe
4.5
Best vet recommended for puppies
Searching for a high-protein puppy food to help your fur-baby grow up big and strong? Look no further than this Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe.
This grain-free formula features deboned chicken as its first ingredient and includes freeze-dried raw pieces that are mixed in with the kibble. The addition provides added nutritional value and a great taste for your pup, while this food is also a good source of omega fatty acids to ensure skin and coat health.
“Merrick products are made with high-quality, whole food ingredients, and they use no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah.
Available in 4lb, 10lb, and 20lb bags, this food meets the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for all life stages. So, if your pup gets a taste for it, they can keep eating it once they become an adult.
Merrick Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Cooked in the USA.
- Features glucosamine and chondroitin for strong joints.
- High-quality protein sources.
Considerations & concerns
- The fact that it’s grain-free won’t please some pet parents.
- The use of multiple protein sources won’t suit all dogs.
- Some buyers complain that they don’t get enough raw pieces in a bag of food.
What pet parents say about Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Puppy Recipe
“My breeder suggested a particular brand of puppy food for my GSD puppy, but he wouldn’t eat it. I tried a few other types and when I picked this one, it was a big hit. He loves the bits and pieces mixed in the food and eats it all or else his older sister would be finishing it for him. Even though he is a large breed, I still Ike the size of the kibble for him. It’s a win-win all the way around.”
“I’ve fed Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused to my now adult beagle and to my new Brittany puppy. It’s a food I trust with quality ingredients. Since switching my Brittany from the food she ate at the breeder I have noticed a marked improvement in her coat and amount of scratching.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
Wellness Core Senior Recipe
4.5
Best for senior dogs
If you’re searching for a high-protein food to help keep your senior canine in tip-top shape, Wellness has got you covered.
Wellness Core Senior Recipe is a grain-free formula that features deboned turkey, chicken meal, and turkey meal as its animal protein sources, and it has a minimum crude protein content of 32%.
The recipe also includes all the essential vitamins and minerals your golden oldie needs for a strong immune system, plus glucosamine and chondroitin to keep those aging joints healthy. And with probiotics for gut health and taurine to support heart health, vision, and the immune system, Wellness Core Senior Recipe offers optimal nutrition for older dogs.
Wellness CORE Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Made in the USA.
- No meat by-products.
- Good source of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
Considerations & concerns
- Some complaints that the kibble size is too large for small dogs.
- Grain-free diets are a controversial choice in the eyes of some pet parents.
- The use of multiple protein sources won’t suit all dogs.
What pet parents say about Wellness Core Senior Recipe
“I have been trying to find a senior dry dog food that has turkey and not chicken as the primary protein source. This dry food from Wellness is great. It was an easy transition from his other food with very little stomach upset. My 11 year old Aussie is doing really well with this food.”
“My 10-year-old Aussie has an extremely sensitive stomach, and really struggled when I tried to slowly switch him over to raw. It just wasn't working, and you can imagine the mess with a dog who has long hair. Ugh. Wellness Core has never caused him any gastric distress, and he always runs for his dish when he hears me pour it in (I also crumble up a human-grade chicken jerky piece, which helps, I'm sure). Thumbs up on this brand; well worth the money for my old boy Remy.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image from Chewy. Copyright Wellness Pet Company.
Orijen Original
4.5
Best for multiple protein sources
Next on our list of the best high-protein dog foods is Orijen Original. With at least 38% crude protein, Orijen Original contains 85% fresh or raw poultry and fish ingredients. With chicken, turkey, salmon, whole herring, and chicken liver as its first 5 ingredients, this food is designed to provide nourishing nutrition for your dog.
This food is freeze-dried coated to make it even more palatable to your dog, and it’s rich in antioxidants and vitamin E for a thriving immune system.
Fiber, prebiotics and probiotics promote healthy digestion, and Orijen Original meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, including the growth of large dogs.
Orijen Original Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Very high in protein.
- Made in the USA.
- Features 85% poultry and fish ingredients.
Considerations & concerns
- Expensive.
- Some complaints that this food has a strong fishy smell.
- The use of multiple protein sources won’t suit all dogs.
What pet parents say about Orijen Original
“This dry food is full of protein (and not pea protein!) from animals and other nutrients. It is worth paying a little extra and my dogs love it!”
“My dog loves this kibble! He goes nuts every time we fill his bowl and I love how straightforward the ingredient list is.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars Petcare US, Inc.
Open Farm Grain-Free Grass-Fed Beef Recipe
4.5
Vet recommended
This Grain-Free Grass-Fed Beef Recipe from Open Farm is another high-quality option if you’re searching for a high-protein diet for your dog. Featuring beef and ocean whitefish meal as its first 2 ingredients, this recipe has a minimum crude protein content of 30%. Other key ingredients include sweet potato for potassium and important vitamins, pumpkin for fiber, and coconut oil to provide fatty acids.
Even better, Open Farm is one of the pet food brands that Dr. Georgia Jeremiah recommends to her clients. “Open Farm dog food is formulated with high-quality ingredients and does not contain any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors,” she says. “The company also prioritizes the use of ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients.”
So if you want to give your dog a premium food that’s ethically made, look no further than Open Farm.
Open Farm Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- You can trace the ingredients in each bag.
- Beef raised without any antibiotics or hormones.
- No artificial flavors or preservatives.
Considerations & concerns
- Some pet parents might like to have a larger bag size available.
- There are plenty of cheaper brands available.
- Some picky eaters refuse to touch it.
What pet parents say about Open Farm Grain-Free Grass-Fed Beef Recipe
“Lola has had some type of food allergies since she was a puppy and it took so much trial and error until we found Open Farm. She loves the food and she is so healthy with a happy tummy. I love how the food is sourced and the quality ingredients.”
“Been ordering Open Farm for a couple of months and the doggos love it. I'm so happy to know I'm feeding them well and supporting a business that is doing all of the right things as well. I wish it was a little more affordable, but I get paying more for a better-quality product. It's hard to afford anything ‘clean’ these days for two big dogs. This is the best I've found.”
Read more reviews on Open Farm.
Product image sourced from the Open Farm website. Copyright Open Farm.
FAQ
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