Best Dog Food Brands at PetSmart
The best dog food at PetSmart is the one that suits your dog’s age, size and health at a price you can keep paying. Big names like Hill’s Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan and Royal Canin sit beside PetSmart’s own Authority and Simply Nourish lines.
Prices per pound vary more than twofold between brands, so it pays to compare before you settle on one.
| If you want | Brands to look at |
|---|---|
| Lowest cost per pound | Simply Nourish, Authority |
| Vet-recommended, research-backed | Hill’s Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan |
| Breed or size-specific formulas | Royal Canin |
| Natural or limited-ingredient recipes | Blue Buffalo, Merrick, Natural Balance |
| Prescription diets | Hill’s and Royal Canin vet diets, with vet approval |
Dog Food Prices per Pound
We compared large bags of adult chicken recipes on petsmart.com in October 2026. Smaller bags cost more per pound, so buy the biggest size your dog can finish while it’s fresh.
| Food | Bag | Price | Per pound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simply Nourish Original Chicken & Brown Rice | 40 lb | $56.99 | $1.42 |
| Authority Everyday Health Chicken & Rice | 34 lb | $58.99 | $1.73 |
| Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice | 35 lb | $74.99 | $2.14 |
| Blue Buffalo Life Protection Chicken & Brown Rice | 30 lb | $67.98 on sale | $2.27 |
| Hill’s Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley | 35 lb | $86.99 | $2.49 |
| Royal Canin Medium Adult | 30 lb | $99.99 | $3.33 |
Prices change often with sales and Autoship deals. Check the product page before you buy.
Monthly Cost by Dog Size
To see what these prices mean in practice, we estimated monthly costs for typical adult dogs. Actual amounts depend on the food’s calories and your dog’s activity.
| Dog size | Food a month | Simply Nourish | Pro Plan | Hill’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small, about 10 lb | About 7.5 lb | About $11 | About $16 | About $19 |
| Medium, about 40 lb | About 18 lb | About $26 | About $39 | About $45 |
| Large, about 70 lb | About 27 lb | About $38 | About $58 | About $67 |
For a large dog, the gap between a budget and premium brand can be well over $300 a year. Choose a food your dog does well on, then compare prices within that range.
PetSmart’s Own Brands
Authority and Simply Nourish are PetSmart’s house brands and the cheapest per pound in our comparison. Authority focuses on everyday and sensitive-stomach formulas, while Simply Nourish leans toward simpler, natural-style recipes.
Both meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for complete and balanced diets. They’re a solid choice for healthy dogs without special needs.
PetSmart often runs offers on its own brands, such as $15 off a future purchase after spending $60. Check our PetSmart coupons guide for current deals.
Hill’s Science Diet
Hill’s is one of the most vet-recommended brands, with formulas for puppies, adults, seniors and weight control. The Adult Chicken & Barley recipe costs $86.99 for 35 pounds.
Hill’s also makes Prescription Diet foods for health conditions. These need your vet’s approval to buy.
Purina Pro Plan
Pro Plan offers science-backed nutrition at a lower price than Hill’s or Royal Canin. The Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice formula costs $74.99 for 35 pounds.
It has many specialty lines, including sport, sensitive skin and stomach, and large breed formulas. Many vets recommend it as a good-value choice.
Royal Canin
Royal Canin is known for size-specific and breed-specific diets, from Yorkshire Terriers to Labradors. It’s the priciest in our comparison at $3.33 a pound for the Medium Adult formula.
Owners of breeds with specific needs often find it worth the cost. Royal Canin also makes prescription diets.
Blue Buffalo, Merrick and Natural Balance
These brands appeal to owners who want natural or limited-ingredient recipes. Blue Buffalo Life Protection is the best known and was $67.98 on sale for 30 pounds.
Merrick focuses on high-meat recipes, and Natural Balance offers limited-ingredient diets for dogs with food sensitivities. Taste of the Wild, often mentioned in older guides, isn’t currently sold at PetSmart.
Choosing the Right Food
Start with your dog’s life stage and size. Puppy, adult and senior formulas have different calorie and nutrient levels.
- Look for an AAFCO statement saying the food is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage
- Choose large or small breed formulas if your dog is at either end of the size range
- Pick a food your dog eats well and digests without upset
- Choose a price you can keep paying every month
A named meat as the first ingredient is a good sign, but the ingredient list doesn’t tell the whole story. Digestibility and how your dog does on the food matter more.
Grain-Free or Grain-Inclusive?
Grain-free diets became popular, but most dogs digest grains well. The FDA has investigated reports of heart disease in some dogs eating certain grain-free diets, though no clear cause has been proven.
Unless your vet suggests otherwise, a grain-inclusive diet from a well-researched brand is a safe default. Dogs with true grain allergies are uncommon.
Dry Food or Wet Food?
| Dry food | Wet food |
|---|---|
| Cheaper per serving | More expensive per serving |
| Easy to store and measure | Spoils quickly once opened |
| Convenient for feeders and puzzles | Adds moisture to the diet |
| Good for most adult dogs | Helpful for picky eaters and seniors |
Many owners mix a spoonful of wet food into kibble for flavor. Just reduce the kibble to keep total calories in check.
Switching to a New Food
Change foods gradually to avoid vomiting or diarrhea. Most dogs switch comfortably over about 10 days.
Picky or sensitive dogs may need two to three weeks. If your dog still refuses a food after a slow switch, try a different formula.
How Much to Feed
Start with the feeding guide on the bag, then adjust based on your dog’s body shape. You should be able to feel the ribs easily without seeing them.
Treats should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories. Measure meals with a cup or scale rather than guessing.
Reading a Dog Food Label
AAFCO naming rules tell you how much of a named ingredient a food contains. The wording on the front of the bag matters.
| Label wording | What it means |
|---|---|
| Chicken Dog Food | At least 95% chicken, not counting water |
| Chicken Dinner, Recipe or Entree | At least 25% chicken |
| With Chicken | At least 3% chicken |
| Chicken Flavor | Enough to be detected, which can be very little |
Also look for the nutritional adequacy statement. It tells you which life stage the food is complete and balanced for.
Puppy and Senior Dogs
Puppies need puppy or all-life-stages food for growth. Large breed puppies should eat large breed puppy formulas, which control calcium and calories to protect developing joints.
Small breeds usually move to adult food around 12 months, while large and giant breeds may stay on puppy food until 18 to 24 months. Ask your vet about timing.
Senior dogs often need fewer calories and may benefit from joint support. Senior formulas from Hill’s, Pro Plan and others are designed for this stage.
Storing Dog Food
Keep kibble in its original bag, placed inside an airtight container. The bag holds the lot number and best-by date if there’s ever a recall.
Use an opened bag within about six weeks so it stays fresh. Store it somewhere cool and dry, away from heat and sunlight.
Prescription and Vet Diets
Dogs with kidney disease, allergies, urinary issues or other conditions may need a prescription diet. PetSmart sells these with your vet’s authorization.
Don’t switch a dog off a prescription diet without asking your vet. These foods are formulated for specific medical needs.
Signs a Food Is Working
| Good signs | Warning signs |
|---|---|
| Firm, regular stools | Ongoing loose stools or gas |
| Shiny coat and healthy skin | Itching, dandruff or hot spots |
| Steady weight and energy | Weight changes or low energy |
| Eats eagerly at mealtimes | Refuses food or eats grass often |
Give a new food about a month before judging it, unless symptoms are severe. If problems continue, talk to your vet.
Food Recalls
Pet foods are occasionally recalled for contamination or nutrient errors. PetSmart lists current product recalls on its help center.
Keeping the original bag makes it easy to check lot numbers if a recall is announced.
Ways to Save on Dog Food
- Buy the largest bag your dog finishes within about six weeks
- Put your dog’s food on Autoship for 35% off the first order, then 5% off
- Watch for brand-specific Autoship deals, like Hill’s and Pro Plan first-order discounts
- Earn Treats Rewards points on every bag
- Stack store offers with PetSmart’s own brand deals
Our delivery guide explains Autoship and free shipping on orders over $49.
Returning Food Your Dog Won’t Eat
PetSmart’s written policy asks for items in salable condition, but many stores help when a dog refuses a new food. Bring the bag with as much food left as possible.
See our PetSmart return policy guide for the full rules.
Dog Food Questions
What’s the cheapest good dog food at PetSmart?
PetSmart’s own Simply Nourish and Authority brands were the lowest per pound in our comparison. Both are complete and balanced for healthy adult dogs.
Does PetSmart sell Taste of the Wild?
Not currently, based on PetSmart’s website in October 2026. Similar options at PetSmart include Merrick and Blue Buffalo.
Can I mix two brands of dog food?
Yes, many owners do, as long as both are complete and balanced. Adjust portions so your dog doesn’t gain weight.
Should I ask my vet before changing food?
Yes, especially for puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions. Your vet knows your dog’s needs best.
