[Popular dog food rankings] Recommended dog food and how to choose it

01/22/2026 01/22/2026

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When new dog owners start researching dog food, they're likely surprised by the sheer number of options.
Even those who already own a dog are likely wondering whether to change their pet's dog food.

In this article, we'll provide detailed information on how to choose dog food and key points to consider for those who have questions like, "What criteria should I use when choosing dog food?", "What types are available?", and "What are the most popular products these days?"

We'll also introduce a popularity ranking for dry and non-dry dog food, so if you're having trouble choosing dog food, be sure to check it out.

Dog Food Types and Characteristics

There are two types of dog food: dry food and wet food.
Each has different characteristics, so let's take a closer look at the differences.

Dry Food vs. Wet Food

The advantages and disadvantages of dry food and wet food are as follows:

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Dry Food	Can be stored for a long time. Trains chewing ability. Highly nutritious.	May cause dehydration. Difficult for puppies and senior dogs to eat. Poor flavor.
Wet Food	Provides hydration. Soft and easy to eat. Improves palatability. Easy to digest.	Perishable. Expensive. Prone to teething. Low nutritional value.

Dry food contains almost no moisture, allowing for long-term storage. Another benefit is that each granule is packed with nutrients.
However, because it contains no moisture, it can cause your dog to become dehydrated.
It is also somewhat hard, making it difficult for puppies and senior dogs with weak chewing strength to eat.

On the other hand, wet food is soft, requiring little chewing effort, and also provides hydration.It has a better flavor than dry food, making it more appealing to dogs.
However, because it contains a high moisture content, it spoils easily and sticks to their teeth more easily.
It also tends to be less nutritious and more expensive than dry food.

Both dog foods have their pros and cons, so you'll want to choose the perfect dog food for your dog's preferences.

Types of Meat in Dog Food

The following meats are commonly used in dog food:

Beef
Pork
Chicken
Horse
Lamb

Until now, beef, pork, and chicken have been the standard meats, but horse and lamb have recently become increasingly popular.
Lamb, in particular, has been less widely available and is considered effective for treating food allergies in dogs, making it a popular meat.

However, if your dog eats the same meat all the time, the immune system may be activated and even lamb may cause allergic reactions, so we recommend rotating multiple meats.

Popular Ranking by Type - Dry Food Edition

Kokono Gohan
UMAKA
Canagan
Moguwan
Naturol
Alan's Natural Dog Food Lamb
Safe Dog Life

Let's take a closer look at the features of each dog food.

① Konokono Gohan

Source: KonoKono Gohan Official Website

This is a Japanese-made dog food specifically developed for small dogs. Prices start at ¥3,278 (tax included) for a subscription.

It contains plenty of low-fat animal protein, ensuring a balanced diet.
It is free of preservatives, antioxidants, and artificial additives, and is manufactured with human standards in mind.

In addition, we do not use wheat or oil coating to accommodate food allergies.
It is packed with natural ingredients to suppress stool odor and address issues such as fur and tear stains around the eyes.
With just "Kokono Gohan" and "water," you can provide the nutrients a small dog needs each day.

When we looked into reviews of KonoKon Gohan, we found that:

"My child's appetite improved."
"I can now finish my food."
"My stool odor and bad breath have been reduced."
"My tear stains have improved."

We found reviews such as these:

②UMAKA

Source: UMAKA Official Website

UMAKA is a Japanese-made dog food made with ingredients that are also delicious for humans.
The price starts from ¥3,278 (tax included) for the first meal with a great value subscription.

We use 100% Kyushu-produced chicken, which is delicious for humans, and absolutely no low-quality meat is used.
It's fresh, high in protein, and low in fat, so it won't put a strain on your dog's internal organs.
It's also wheat-free, so there's no need to worry about food allergies.

When we looked into UMAKA's reviews, we found the following:

"He's started eating better."
"His fur is looking better."
"It's made with natural ingredients, so I can feed it to him without worry."
"It smells nice."

We found the following reviews:

③Kanagan

Source: Canagan Official Website

Canagan is a high-quality dog food made with over 50% high-quality chicken.
Prices start at ¥3,484 (tax included) for a subscription course.

This dog food is made with carefully selected human-grade ingredients that are also edible to humans. It's grain-free and gentle on your dog's body. It also contains salmon oil, providing high-quality EPA and DHA. Although it's dry food, the small kibble makes it easy for puppies and senior dogs to eat.

When we looked into Canagan's reviews, we found the following:

"He's started eating better."
"He never gets bored of eating."
"His stomach is feeling better."
"His coat is looking better."

We found reviews such as these:

④Mogwan

Source:

After researching Moguwan's reviews, we found:

"Even my picky eater ate it without any problems."
"He started eating everything."
"Body odor was reduced."
"His fur became shinier."

We found reviews such as these:

⑤Naturol

Source: Naturol Official Website

Naturol is a Japanese-made dog food developed in collaboration with dog experts to support your dog's health from the inside out.
Prices start at ¥3,300 (tax included) per bag. You can try it for ¥100 (tax included, free shipping) for the first time.

Naturol's greatest feature is its stable, sustained-release vitamin C. It helps support your dog from the inside out, improving its coat's shine and other benefits.

It's also human-grade dog food, free of preservatives, chemical seasonings, and no oil coating.

When we looked into Naturol's reviews, we found:

"My dog's skin is in good condition."
"His coat is softer."
"His tear stains have improved."
"He's started eating better."

We found reviews such as:

⑥ Alan's Natural Dog Food Lamb

Source: Alan's Natural Dog Food Official Website

Alan's Natural Dog Food Lamb is made with high-quality natural ingredients.
Prices start at ¥3,766 (tax included) for a subscription course.

40% of the ingredients are lamb, providing high-quality animal protein.
Lamb is less likely to cause allergic reactions, making it a good option for those with food allergies.
In addition, no unnecessary flavorings or colorings are used, allowing you to enjoy the natural aroma of lamb.

When we looked into reviews of Alan's Natural Dog Food Lamb, we found the following:

"My dog loves to eat it."
"My tear stains have improved."
"My stool no longer smells bad."

We found reviews such as:

⑦Safe dog life

Source: Anshinkenkatsu Official Website

Anshinkenkatsu is a dog food developed with the highest quality and peace of mind.
Prices start at ¥3,630 (tax included). First-time purchases are 50% off, at ¥1,650 (tax included).

Made in Japan, this product is made with plenty of carefully selected domestic ingredients. All ingredients are human-grade and safe for human consumption.

Furthermore, our low-temperature, low-pressure manufacturing process preserves the nutrients and flavor.
The flavor is preserved, making it appealing to dogs and supporting their health from the inside out.

After researching Anshin Inukatsu's reviews, we found:

"They eat really well."
"Their coat has improved."
"I can feed them with peace of mind."

We found reviews such as these:

Popular Food Ranking by Type - Non-Dry Food Edition

Next, we'll introduce the rankings of popular dog food items other than dry food.

Yawaka
Butch
PETOKOTO Foods
Venison
Welfoo
Coco Gourmet
Honest Kitchen

Let's take a closer look at the features of each dog food.

① Yawaka

Source: Hanachan Dog and Cat Healthy Food Store

Yawaka is the semi-dry food version of UMAKA.
Prices start at ¥4,378 (tax included) for a subscription course.

The main ingredient, like UMAKA, is chicken from Kyushu.
It's human-grade and wheat-free, with your dog's health as our top priority.

This semi-dry food has a better flavor than dry food, so you can be sure your dog will love it.
It also has a moderate firmness, so it won't weaken your senior dog's jaw strength and they can eat it safely.

When we looked into Yawaka's reviews, we found that:

"My dog never gets bored of eating it."
"My dog's appetite has improved dramatically."
"It's safe because it doesn't contain any artificial colors or preservatives."

We received reviews such as these:

②Butch

Source: Butch Official Website

Butch is a popular meat food product made with no additives and carefully considered nutritional balance.
Prices start from ¥3,000 (tax included) for a trial set.

All ingredients used at Butch are of the highest quality, sourced from New Zealand.
Because our cattle and sheep are free-range and raised on grass, our food is high in protein and low in fat, supporting your dog's health.
Furthermore, it's rich in omega-3 and omega-6 nutrients, essential for dog health.

When we researched Butch's reviews, we found that

"They love it!"
"They ate it even when they were feeling summer fatigue."
"Even though they're picky eaters, they still eat it without any problems."
"It's nutritious, so I feel safe eating it."

We found reviews like these:

③PETOKOTO

Source: Petokoto Foods Official Website

Petokoto Foods is a fresh food (frozen) that has been gaining attention recently.
Prices start at ¥4,224 (tax included) for first-time purchases.

There are four menu options:

Beef
Chicken
Pork
Fish

The recipe was developed in collaboration with a US veterinary nutritionist and uses human-grade domestic ingredients.

It also contains no preservatives or colorings, and is gluten-free, making it safe for dogs with allergies.
Fresh food has better digestion and absorption rates than dry food, allowing your dog to consume nutrients more efficiently.

When we looked into Petcoto Foods reviews, we found:

"My dog's coat is shinier now."
"My dog loves it."
"I feel safe knowing it's made with dogs' health in mind."

We found reviews like these:

④Venison

Source: Venison Official Website

Venison is a fresh food (frozen) made from venison.
Prices start at ¥980 (tax included) for the first trial.

Venison is a high-protein, low-fat, hypoallergenic food.
This means it can be safely fed to dogs with food allergies.

Venison also has a great flavor, so adding some venison to your dog's regular food will likely make it much more palatable.

When we looked into venison reviews, we found the following:

"They enjoy eating it."
"The meat has a wonderful aroma."
"They enjoy eating it even when they don't have much of an appetite."

We found reviews such as these:

⑤Welfoo

Source: Welfoo Official Website

Welfoo is a domestically manufactured dog food.
It's a complete and nutritious food, so water and Welfoo are all you need to keep your dog healthy.
The price starts at ¥3,619 (tax included) for the first subscription plan.

The biggest feature of WellFood is that it contains "Happiness Lactic Acid Bacteria" to support your dog's intestinal environment.
It's also a wet dog food, so it's high in moisture, allowing your dog to hydrate while eating.
The flavor of the ingredients is preserved in the packaging, so you can be sure your dog will love it.

When we looked into WellFood's reviews, we found that

"My dog's appetite has improved."
"He eats it with gusto."

We found reviews such as:

⑥Coco Gourmet

Source: Coco Gourmet Official Website

Coco Gourmet is a handmade dog food made with domestically produced ingredients.
Prices start from ¥5,115 (tax included) for a subscription course.

Coco Gourmet uses only fresh meat and vegetables, and is cooked with minimal heat to ensure the nutritional value is not compromised.
This ensures a balanced diet and supports your dog's health.

In addition, because it is grain-free, there is a low risk of food allergies. It is also a highly safe dog food, containing no preservatives, colorings, flavorings, or other additives.

When we looked into Coco Gourmet's reviews, we found:

"They're really good at eating."
"They finish it in no time."
"My stomach feels better."

We found reviews like these:

⑦ Honest Kitchen

Source: Honest Kitchen Official Website

Honest Kitchen is a premixed food that makes it easy to enjoy homemade food.
Prices start at ¥6,930 (tax included).

To prepare Honest Kitchen food, simply pour in lukewarm or cold water.
Even when you're busy, you can easily feed your pet homemade food.
The product itself is lightweight and compact, making it easy to take with you when traveling.

Also, since it's made with 100% human-grade ingredients and nutritional balance in mind, you can be assured of its quality.

When we researched Honest Kitchen's reviews, we found that:

"Improved digestion"
"My coat is shinier"
"My appetite has increased"
"My pet is more energetic"

We found reviews such as:

What should you look for when choosing dog food?

When choosing dog food, consider the following three points:

Ingredients
Safety
Price

Ingredients

First, make sure all ingredients in the dog food are listed.
Since many dogs have food allergies to wheat and grains, it's important to check the ingredients.

Also, dog food that clearly lists ingredients such as "pork" or "beef" rather than vague terms like "meat" is more reassuring.
It's even better if you can also check the origin of the ingredients.

Safety

To extend the shelf life of your dog food, make sure it doesn't contain unnecessary additives or chemicals.
If it contains poor-quality ingredients, it may have a negative impact on your dog's health, so be careful.

It's also a good idea to check whether it meets AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards.
The AAFCO guidelines, which are also adopted in Japan's Pet Food Safety Act, stipulate nutritional standards for dog food and the additives that may be used.

Dog food that meets AAFCO standards meets various national safety standards, making it a highly safe dog food.

Price

Affordable pricing is also an important factor when choosing dog food.
Dog food made with carefully selected ingredients and cooking methods can help support your dog's health, but it tends to be more expensive.

Dog food is a daily necessity, so avoid choosing a product that will be difficult to continue purchasing over the long term.
The ideal dog food is one that's affordable, nutritionally balanced, and safe.

Dogs and Food: What to Do in These Situations?

From here on, we'll answer questions like, "What should I do in this situation?"

My dog hasn't been eating much lately...what should I do?
What should I be careful of when changing dog food?
My dog has eaten another pet's food! What should I do?

He hasn't been eating much lately...what should I do?

If your dog has stopped eating, the following may be the cause.

Tired of the taste
Aging
Lack of appetite due to poor health
Snacks secretly
Picky eating habits
Accumulated stress, etc.

If your dog is bored of the taste, giving it a different dog food can often improve the situation.
Rather than continuing to feed the same food, rotating different flavors will help your dog keep eating it without getting bored.

Even if your dog is picky about what it eats, switching to a different dog food can sometimes improve the situation.

If your dog is clearly unwell and won't eat, it's likely an illness, so you should visit your veterinarian.
If your senior dog stops eating, it may also be a sign of an underlying illness, so we recommend consulting a veterinarian.

What should you be careful of when changing dog food?

When switching to a new dog food, rather than switching suddenly, try to gradually switch by mixing small amounts of the new food into the current dog food.
If you switch suddenly, your dog may be surprised by the change in taste and stop eating the dog food.

As a general rule, increase the amount of your dog's current food for about a week to help it get used to the new food.
A sudden change in taste can be especially stressful for puppies. Therefore, take your time to allow your dog to get used to the new food.

My dog ate another pet's food! What should I do?

If your dog eats another pet's food, it can be very worrying. Below, we'll explain how to deal with three common situations.

① What to do if your dog eats cat food

Cat food does not contain any ingredients that dogs should not eat, so it is not harmful to your dog's health.
However, your dog's stomach may be shocked by the unusual food, which could cause temporary upset stomach and diarrhea.

In general, cat food is more nutritious than dog food and contains more salt.
Dogs find it more palatable than dog food, so they may try to eat it again.
However, care should be taken with cat food as it can be high in salt and nutrients.

② What to Do If Your Dog Eats Hamster Food

Dogs can safely eat hamster solid food and sunflower seeds, so they won't pose any health risks.
However, they can cause indigestion, leading to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
If you notice anything unusual, take your dog to the vet.

③ What to Do If Your Dog Eats Bird Food

Bird food is made up of grains, which dogs cannot digest.
Grains expand in the stomach, increasing the risk of illness.
Therefore, if your dog shows symptoms such as stool retention or lethargy, take him to the vet immediately.

Summary

Your dog's nutritional needs and preferences vary depending on its physical condition, age, and other factors.
Eating too little and becoming underweight, or conversely, becoming obese due to overnutrition, are both bad for your dog's health, so always pay attention to your dog's physical condition and determine what food they need.

All of the popular dog foods introduced here are characterized by their well-balanced nutrition and high safety.
With a wide variety of flavors, you're sure to find the perfect dog food for your dog.

Also, try to rotate different flavors of dog food as much as possible to keep your dog from getting bored.

Once you find the right dog food for your dog, they'll surely enjoy it.

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