People often ask me, “What dog food do you recommend?” My response always starts with another question: “What are you feeding now?”
When I hear “Hill’s Science Diet,” it feels like stepping into a time machine. For years, Science Diet was considered one of the best options available. I used to feed it to my own dogs and trusted the brand’s promises of scientifically-backed nutrition, just like so many others did.
But here’s the thing—dog food has come a long way since then. What was once groundbreaking is now outdated. Science Diet hasn’t kept up with the advances we’ve made in understanding what our dogs truly need to thrive. While it might still seem like a premium choice, there are far better options available today.
Let me show you why it’s worth considering a change.
Why It’s Time to Switch
It’s time to switch because your dog deserves better. Hill’s Science Diet relies on outdated formulas with low-quality ingredients like meat by-products, synthetic additives, and ultra-processed components. These formulas fall far short of providing the high-quality nutrition that modern dog food offers.
Many Science Diet recipes contain the very ingredients I avoid at all costs when choosing food for my dogs. And that “veterinarian-recommended” label? It’s more about clever marketing than what’s actually best for your dog. While veterinarians are trained to trust these products, that doesn’t mean they’re the right choice for every dog. Your dog deserves better—real, high-quality food that prioritizes their health over the bottom line.
What Modern Dog Nutrition Looks Like
Dog food has come a long way in recent years. Modern dog nutrition is all about providing options that focus on quality, transparency, and innovation to give your dog the best possible diet. Unlike the heavily processed kibble of the past, today’s leading brands are embracing fresh, wholesome ingredients and revolutionary methods that prioritize nutrition.
One of the biggest advancements is the availability of human-grade dog food. These brands use ingredients that meet the same standards as the food we eat—real meat, fresh vegetables, and healthy fats—giving your dog a meal that’s as close to homemade as possible. Whether it’s raw, gently cooked, or delivered frozen, these meals are designed to retain their natural nutrients without the harsh processing that destroys much of the goodness in traditional kibble.
Another major shift is the move away from synthetic additives in dog food. These aren’t just artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives—which can have harmful effects—but also include the synthetic vitamins and supplement premixes often used in place of real, whole food nutrition. Modern dog food uses natural preservation methods and nutrient-dense superfoods to deliver freshness and flavor. This means your dog gets the full benefits of wholesome, real ingredients without the unhealthy extras.
Processing techniques have also come a long way. Gently cooked or freeze-dried options preserve the vital nutrients in food, while air-dried or raw formulas provide even more natural benefits. These methods focus on maintaining the integrity of ingredients, making sure your dog gets the maximum nutritional value out of every bite.
The result? Food that supports your dog’s overall health, boosts their immune system, and provides energy for a long and happy life. Brands like Open Farm, Raised Right, and Green Juju are leading the charge, showing what’s possible when nutrition comes first. Modern dog food isn’t just a trend—it’s a transformation that’s setting the new gold standard for canine health.
What’s Next? Let’s Talk About Your Dog
Finding the right dog food isn’t about a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s about discovering what works best for your dog—their age, health, and unique needs. Every dog is different, and their food should reflect that.
If you’re ready to make a change, I’d love to help you get started. Below, you’ll find my Top 7 Dog Food Brands for 2025. These are trusted options that meet the high standards I believe in. You can check out my full list of favorite dog food brands. Or, if you’d prefer personalized guidance, schedule a nutrition consultation with me. Together, we’ll find the perfect solution for your canine companion.
Our dogs deserve nothing but the best, and every decision we make helps set them up for a long, healthy, and happy life.
Here Are My Top 7 Dog Food Brands for 2025:
1. Open Farm -
Offers a variety of options, including dry kibble, freeze-dried raw, air-dried, and fresh frozen cooked. Known for ethically sourced and humanely raised ingredients, Open Farm provides high-quality nutrition you can trust.
2. Carna4 -
Gently baked dry food crafted with fresh, whole ingredients and no synthetic additives. Carna4 includes organic sprouted seeds for added health benefits, making it a unique and nutrient-rich choice.
3. Dr. Marty's -
Freeze-dried dog food designed to preserve maximum nutrition and natural flavor. Simple and clean, Dr Marty’s is perfect for pet parents seeking convenient, raw-inspired options.
4. OC Raw -
High-quality frozen raw recipes made with premium meats and fresh produce. OC Raw caters to dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies and delivers uncompromising nutrition.
5. Green Juju -
Provides freeze-dried and frozen raw options featuring organic ingredients and superfoods. Designed to boost your dog’s nutrition, Green JuJu includes unique offerings like fermented pastes and bone broths.
6. A Pup Above -
Human-grade fresh frozen cooked meals prepared using sous-vide cooking methods to retain flavor and nutrients. Non-GMO vegetables and sustainable proteins make this brand both nutritious and delicious.
7. Raised Right -
Specializing in human-grade, limited-ingredient recipes, Raised Right focuses on delivering high-protein, low-carb meals made with whole foods and no synthetic additives. Their gently cooked, small-batch meals are frozen to preserve nutrients and tested for safety, ensuring your dog gets clean, high-quality nutrition you can trust.
Discover the Ultimate Dog Food List for 2025
This expertly curated list, developed by top holistic veterinarians, dog food specialists, and a dedicated dog food geek with over 20 years of experience, guarantees your canine companion receives the best nutrition available. Featuring premium ingredients and tailored recommendations, this guide will help you make informed decisions for your dog's health and happiness. Give your dog the premium canine cuisine they deserve and start the new year off right!
My Journey with Dog Food Choices
Twenty years ago, my first dog, Norman, was diagnosed with liver disease and given a month to live. I wasn’t ready to give up on him, so I did a lot of research (not on Google as it wasn’t what it is today back in 2002). The full story is in my book, Hope for Healing Liver Disease in Your Dog.
At the time, I was feeding Norman Hill's Science Diet. Like so many other pet parents, I trusted its reputation as a premium, veterinarian-recommended brand. But what I learned during my research was shocking—commercial dog food, including the one I had fed him his whole life, was nothing like what our dogs deserve. I realized that his food likely contributed to his poor health at 10 years old. Or if it didn’t cause his illness, it certainly didn’t help him recover. The guilt of realizing that what I had been feeding him might have contributed to his suffering was overwhelming.
That experience drove me to take action and make a promise to myself: I would never let another one of my dogs suffer because of low-quality dog food. I believe that every decision we make as pet parents—whether it’s choosing food or how we care for our dogs—builds the foundation for their health, happiness, and longevity. Informed choices matter because they can transform our dog’s lives for the better.
The good news is that I saved Norman’s life, and he went on to live for two more years. His diet was the major factor in his recovery from cirrhosis. For those two years, I fed him a fresh, home-cooked diet. It saved his life and proved to me that “fresher is better.”
I’ve spent the last 20 years learning everything I can about canine nutrition to make sure I never feel that guilt again. I call myself a “Dog Food Geek” because I’m always researching the best diets and nutrition for dogs and staying up to date on the latest science and best practices for their care.
Today, I help other pet parents navigate the complicated world of dog food. I’ve been where you are, and I want to make it easier for you to make choices that truly benefit your dog.
Because our dogs deserve nothing but the best—and every decision we make can help them live long, happy, and healthy lives.
For more detailed insights into Hill's Science Diet and its ingredients, check out this comprehensive review on Dogs Naturally Magazine. It provides an in-depth look at the brand’s formulas, nutritional claims, and potential drawbacks, helping pet parents make informed decisions about their dog’s diet.
Additional Note: According to Dog Food Advisor’s review of Hill’s Science Diet Adult Dry Dog Food, the range—which includes 47 recipes—has ratings varying from 1 to 4 stars, with an overall average of about 2.5 stars out of 5. This independent rating offers a closer look at quality issues that many pet parents have noted. For more details, check out the full review on Dog Food Advisor’s page.