best FOOD for Medium Dogs
Updated January 2021
Why Trust MyDogWantsThat?
Here at MDWT, you can trust that you’re getting the best information for your dog, because we’re dog owners ourselves. We carefully assess the best (and worst) dog products on the market, giving you a full breakdown of what’s out there so you as an owner can make informed choices when it comes to your dog.
Why Trust MyDogWantsThat?
Here at MDWT, you can trust that you’re getting the best information for your dog, because we’re dog owners ourselves. We carefully assess the best (and worst) dog products on the market, giving you a full breakdown of what’s out there so you as an owner can make informed choices when it comes to your dog.
- As Good As It Gets
- Best On A Budget
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach, High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food & Wet Dog Food
Bottom Line
Fresh, human-grade dog food delivered at your doorstep. This subscription-based service is one of the best options for wet and fresh dog food.
Subscription-based dog food made from fresh ingredients. Its vet-developed plans provide your dog’s nutritional needs.
Complete and balanced dog food that promotes digestive health. It contains real, wholesome ingredients and high-quality animal protein for a strong immune system, strong bones, and healthy skin and coat.
Formulated for dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs, it’s fortified with probiotics and prebiotic fiber for digestive health. The high-protein recipe is easily digestible.
For owners who prefer it raw, this freeze-dried dog food is made of raw, high-quality natural ingredients without fillers or preservatives.
Pros
Uses fresh ingredients.
Recipes developed by veterinary nutritionists.
Above-average protein content.
Offers different health benefits.
Lets you create a food plan.
Uses human-grade ingredients.
Customizable food plans.
Food isn’t deep-frozen.
Eco-friendly packaging.
Pre-portioned meals to avoid overeating.
No artificial flavors or preservatives.
Easy to digest ingredients.
Contains antioxidants.
Small kibble size is easy to eat.
Effective in nurturing sensitive skin and stomach.
No corn, wheat, or soy.
High protein content from salmon.
Good price.
High-quality ingredients.
Wide range of meat sources for protein.
Low in carbs.
More nutritious than traditional dog food.
Cons
Expensive.
Some recipes include carbohydrates. Fresh food can only be served as a meal and not for training.
Expensive.
Fresh food can’t be used for training.
Hard to bring fresh food on trips/vacations
Contains corn.
Some packaging issues.
The adjusted formula might not sit well with previous patrons of the product.
Expensive.
Contains pea flour.
Not for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.
- As Good As It Gets
Nom Nom Dog Food
Bottom Line
Fresh, human-grade dog food delivered at your doorstep. This subscription-based service is one of the best options for wet and fresh dog food.
Pros
Uses fresh ingredients.
Recipes developed by veterinary nutritionists.
Above-average protein content.
Offers different health benefits.
Lets you create a food plan.
Cons
Expensive.
Some recipes include carbohydrates. Fresh food can only be served as a meal and not for training.
- Best On A Budget
The Farmer's Dog Food
Bottom Line
Subscription-based dog food made from fresh ingredients. Its vet-developed plans provide your dog’s nutritional needs.
Pros
Uses human-grade ingredients.
Customizable food plans.
Food isn’t deep-frozen.
Eco-friendly packaging.
Pre-portioned meals to avoid overeating.
Cons
Expensive.
Fresh food can’t be used for training.
Hard to bring fresh food on trips/vacations
IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Minichunks Dry Dog Food, Chicken
Bottom Line
Complete and balanced dog food that promotes digestive health. It contains real, wholesome ingredients and high-quality animal protein for a strong immune system, strong bones, and healthy skin and coat.
Pros
No artificial flavors or preservatives.
Easy to digest ingredients.
Contains antioxidants.
Small kibble size is easy to eat.
Cons
Contains corn.
Some packaging issues.
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach, High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food & Wet Dog Food
Bottom Line
Formulated for dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs, it’s fortified with probiotics and prebiotic fiber for digestive health. The high-protein recipe is easily digestible.
Pros
Effective in nurturing sensitive skin and stomach.
No corn, wheat, or soy.
High protein content from salmon.
Good price.
Cons
The adjusted formula might not sit well with previous patrons of the product.
DR Marty Nature’s Blend
Bottom Line
For owners who prefer it raw, this freeze-dried dog food is made of raw, high-quality natural ingredients without fillers or preservatives.
Pros
High-quality ingredients.
Wide range of meat sources for protein.
Low in carbs.
More nutritious than traditional dog food.
Cons
Expensive.
Contains pea flour.
Not for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.
How We Decided
Deciding on the best dog food required some research and real-life testing to make sure we give you reliable recommendations. We searched online reviews and had our MDWT doggy team try out the different kinds of dog food to determine which ones are the best.
23
Models Considered
8
Hours Researched
1
Experts Interviewed
5
Consumer Consulted
Buying Guide For The Dog Food for Medium Dogs
Because medium-sized dogs are in the middle of the pack, they have different nutritional requirements than small or large breeds. Their size requires them to have a well-balanced diet to make sure they don’t fall into health issues.
There are no hard and fast rules that will determine which dog food is best for your medium breed, however, a high amount of protein is the most critical element in a dog’s diet, no matter the size. Whether you’re going for commercial dog food or for a raw food diet, you need to check for the quality and quantity of protein.
Most medium-sized breeds are active and working dogs like Huskies and Labrador Retrievers. They need high-quality protein for their muscles to develop fully. A complete and balanced nutrition gives them the energy their bodies need to be active and healthy.
On the other hand, some medium breeds are more chill and will have the tendency to become obese if not fed the right portions. Bulldogs love to sleep long hours and if you’re not careful, they can eat too much and gain excess weight!The right amount of nutrition should be paired with exercise to ensure your medium-sized buddy stays healthy. Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other ingredients make for a balanced diet and a happy dog.
Buying Guide For The Dog Food for Medium Dogs
Because medium-sized dogs are in the middle of the pack, they have different nutritional requirements than small or large breeds. Their size requires them to have a well-balanced diet to make sure they don’t fall into health issues.
There are no hard and fast rules that will determine which dog food is best for your medium breed, however, a high amount of protein is the most critical element in a dog’s diet, no matter the size. Whether you’re going for commercial dog food or for a raw food diet, you need to check for the quality and quantity of protein.
Most medium-sized breeds are active and working dogs like Huskies and Labrador Retrievers. They need high-quality protein for their muscles to develop fully. A complete and balanced nutrition gives them the energy their bodies need to be active and healthy.
On the other hand, some medium breeds are more chill and will have the tendency to become obese if not fed the right portions. Bulldogs love to sleep long hours and if you’re not careful, they can eat too much and gain excess weight!The right amount of nutrition should be paired with exercise to ensure your medium-sized buddy stays healthy. Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other ingredients make for a balanced diet and a happy dog.
Key Considerations
Caution
Some dog food brands have been recalled due to toxic and dangerous ingredients. Before trying out a new brand, check for any product recall to make sure you’re getting a safe batch of dog food. When in doubt, always seek the advice of your vet.
Dog Food Features
Not all dog foods are created equal. While many will contain the level of protein required by any dog, there are additional features or benefits that some dog foods have over others.
Whether it’s raw, fresh, or commercial dog food, protein is the most important component of dog food. But aside from the amount of protein, the quality of protein matters as well. Some brands offer higher quality protein sources like animal meat – salmon, turkey, beef, lamb, and more.
For medium-breeds, balanced and complete dog food is important to maintain good health. Look for the “complete and balanced” label on the product. These kinds of dog foods meet the minimum nutritional requirement for your dog.
Aside from being balanced, some brands offer added ingredients and benefits that are also essential for your dog’s health. Omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and antioxidants are some examples.
Expert Tip
You can make feeding time more exciting for your dog by adding their favorite fruits or vegetables into their dog food. This adds some variety and a different flavor in case they start to feel a little unexcited about their meal.
Dog Food for Medium Breeds Prices
Dog food prices are primarily driven by the ingredients used. The higher the quality, the higher the price. But food is one area where skimping on the price isn’t a good idea. Low-quality dog foods not only lack the nutrients your dog needs, but they also pose a danger because the ingredients used could cause health problems. This leads to more expenses that could be avoided.
Another factor that affects the price is your choice of commercial or raw food diet. More and more pet owners are choosing raw food for their pets. However, the downside of this is that it generally costs more to go raw or fresh.
Tips
- Always read the labels of the dog food you’re buying. All dog food labels follow the same format and list ingredients in descending order based on their weight. These should be listed in detail so you can easily check what’s in the food you’ll be feeding your dog.
- Check the guaranteed analysis. All dog food products have to disclose the percentage of protein, fat, fiber, and water it contains.
- Feed your dog according to the suggested directions. Giving your dog more than what’s suggested can make your pet overweight.
- When changing food brands or flavors, make sure to make the change gradual. Mix in the new food with the old food for a few days so that your dog’s digestive system can adjust to the new product. Changing abruptly can cause vomiting or digestive issues.
other products we Considered
There are plenty of dog food brands in the market and if you want to consider more options, here are a couple that are still recommended even if they didn’t make our top five.
Victor’s Yukon River Salmon & Sweet Potato Canine Formula. It contains almost 400 kcal per cup with 33% protein, a formula best for active dogs with high caloric requirements.
Acana Wild Prairie Dog Food – Regional Formula. 70% of the ingredients are derived from animals. And because it’s made from real whole meat, it’s perfect and recommended for medium-sized breeds.
FAQ's
Can I feed my medium size dog food for large breeds?
Some large breed dog foods contain the needed requirements of medium-sized breeds. However, this isn’t always the case. Always check the nutritional requirements of your dog before feeding them any kind of dog food. A talk with your vet can help you determine what your dog needs.
Is dry food better than the wet variety?
This wholly depends on your dog. Some dogs prefer it dry, some like it wet, some prefer it somewhere in between (moist). Some dry dog foods have dental health benefits while wet dog food can benefit those with urinary tract infections.
Depending on your dog’s current state of health and preference, dry, wet, and moist are all good options.
The Team That WOrked on This Review
Nitin Gupta
Chief Content Officer
JJ Resnick
Director of Growth
Erik Adler
Editorial Director