Top Dog Foods of 2025 — The Ultimate Guide to Kibble, Freeze-Dried, Air-Dried & Raw/Gently-Cooked Picks

Finding the best dog food in 2025 means matching your dog’s life stage, health needs, and your budget with high-quality ingredients and trustworthy manufacturing. Below I break down the top brands across four major categories — Kibble, Freeze-Dried, Air-Dried, and Frozen Raw & Gently Cooked — explain what makes each brand stand out, and give practical buying and feeding tips so you can confidently choose the right food for your dog.

 Quick note: if you’re local, many of these brands are carried at Garden State Pet Center (226 S White Horse Pike, Audubon, NJ 08106). Call 856-617-6871 to check current stock or ask about samples.

Kibble remains the most popular dog food format for convenience and cost-effectiveness. High-quality kibbles now focus on whole-food ingredients, humanely sourced proteins, and minimal synthetic additives.

Overview: Petcurean is known for premium formulations, targeted health recipes, and controlled manufacturing standards. GO® Solutions (and their GO! and Now Fresh lines) focus on high-quality proteins and digestibility. 

Best for: Owners seeking vet-backed options and specialty recipes (sensitive skin, weight management).

Pros: Trusted brand, good ingredient transparency.

Cons: Premium price vs big-box brands.

Overview: Open Farm emphasizes ethically sourced proteins, full traceability, and humanely raised meats. Their kibble lineup complements freeze-dried and air-dried offerings for multi-format feeding. 

Best for: Shoppers prioritizing sustainability and traceability.

Pros: Transparency, multiple formats.

Cons: Premium cost; some formulas limited to certain regions.

Overview: Family-owned, controlled-batch kibble with a long history and a wide recipe range covering life stages and breed sizes. Fromm’s 2025 catalog continues that approach. 

Best for: Families who prefer traditional, consistent formulas made in small batches.

Pros: Variety of recipes, heritage brand.

Cons: Not always the least expensive.

Overview: Veterinarian-formulated kibble that focuses on holistic nutrition and slow-cooking methods to retain nutrients. 

Best for: Pet owners who want vet-created formulations with premium ingredients.

Pros: Vet formulated, ingredient quality.

Cons: Price and availability vary by region.

Overview: Focuses on balanced formulas, digestive health, and a proprietary “Good4Life®” supplement approach. NutriSource is common in specialty retailers and has options for sensitive dogs. 

Best for: Dogs with digestive sensitivities and owners who want formula innovation without boutique pricing.

Pros: Digestive health focus.

Cons: Not as widely known as the very largest brands.

Overview: Carna4 uses gently processed whole food “nuggets” made from fresh muscle meats (not meals) and sprouted seeds — a hybrid approach between kibble and minimally processed food. 

Best for: Owners seeking whole-food, minimally processed kibble alternatives.

Pros: Whole-food focus; no meat meals.

Cons: Texture and format differ from traditional kibble; cost.

Overview: Positioned as wholesome, natural kibble with a line that has expanded into gently-cooked entrees in 2025. 

Best for: Budget-minded buyers wanting clean ingredient lists.

Pros: Value + quality.

Cons: Some formulas are grain-inclusive — not ideal for all elimination diets.

FirstMate: Pacific Northwest brand known for simple, high-quality ingredient lists and production in British Columbia. Good for grain-friendly and grain-free diets. 

BIXBI Rawwble Kibble: BIXBI blends WholePrey style and raw-inspired components in a crunchy kibble format for digestive support and palatability.

Freeze-dried raw is a top choice for owners wanting raw nutrition without refrigeration. Use as a topper or full meal when formulas meet AAFCO standards.

Overview: Small producer specializing in freeze-dried raw with single-protein and simple-ingredient options. 

Best for: Dogs with ingredient sensitivities or owners who want single-source proteins.

Pros: Minimal ingredients, raw nutrition.

Cons: Small brand — availability varies.

Overview: A leader in freeze-dried raw — widely recognized for single-protein mini nibbles and entrees that are easy to portion and store. Highly recommended in roundups for 2025. 

Best for: Owners who want reliable freeze-dried raw for starters, toppers, and training.

Pros: Wide availability, good QC.

Cons: Premium price.

Overview: Dr. Marty (Dr. Marty Becker) offers freeze-dried and supplement products focused on whole-food nutrition. He has been featured in best-of lists for freeze-dried foods. 

Best for: Owners who prefer vet/celebrity-endorsed whole food blends.

Overview: These brands offer freeze-dried or freeze-dried topper lines. Open Farm and Instinct are notable for traceability and single-protein options; SmallBatch and BIXBI are favored for palatability and targeted recipes. 

Best for: Topper users, picky eaters, travel-friendly raw feeding.

Air-dried foods are growing because they preserve nutrients while offering the texture of kibble with a raw-like nutrition profile.

Overview: Open Farm offers air-dried recipes that bridge the gap between raw and dry. Great for rotating with kibble. 

Overview: These brands provide air-dried or gently dehydrated options that appeal to those seeking convenience with premium ingredients. Badlands Ranch also focuses on functional supplements and bowls that complement air-dried feeding.

Air-dried pros: nutrient density, no refrigeration, easy storage.

Cons: price per serving higher than standard kibble.

Frozen raw and gently cooked foods (sometimes sold frozen or chilled) provide high moisture and minimally processed nutrition. These are often used for rotation diets or for dogs with specific allergy issues.

Overview: These producers deliver frozen and gently cooked recipes with whole-food ingredients and varied proteins. They’re often used as full meals or mix-in toppers.

Overview: California Dog Kitchen (which includes small-batch gently-cooked lines) provide human-grade or gently cooked meals that balance convenience and freshness. 

Overview: Additional frozen/gently-cooked options offering human-grade claims, targeted formulations (weight management, sensitive stomach), and vet-approved lines.

Pros: High moisture for urinary health, often made from recognizable whole foods.

Cons: Need for refrigeration/freezer space, higher cost per serving, and sometimes shorter shelf life.

1. Always transition slowly. Mix 25% new food with 75% old for 3–4 days, then 50/50, then 75/25 before switching fully to avoid GI upset.

2. Check AAFCO statements. Ensure the product is labeled “complete & balanced” for your dog’s life stage. Many freeze-dried and air-dried foods are formulated as complete meals — confirm the packaging. 

3. Rotate sensibly. Rotational feeding can help prevent food sensitivities — rotate proteins not brands every few weeks.

4. Topper strategy. Use freeze-dried or gently cooked food as toppers to boost palatability and moisture. Open Farm and Vital Essentials are popular topper choices. 

5. Consult your vet. Dogs with medical conditions (kidney disease, pancreatitis, allergies) need vet guidance before major diet changes.

Best for picky eaters: Freeze-dried toppers (Vital Essentials, Open Farm). 

Best everyday kibble (premium): Petcurean GO Solutions, Fromm, Carna4. 

Best whole-food/novel format: Air-dried (Open Farm, Carna4) and gently cooked (California Dog Kitchen). 

If you’re near Audubon, NJ, stop by Garden State Pet Center (226 S White Horse Pike) — we often stock many of these top brands and can help you pick the right formula for your dog. Call 856-617-6871 to ask about current in-store availability, sample programs, or to order in.