October 4th, 2023 | 447 Comments

Over the past several decades, Canadian pet food manufacturers have been developing high quality, human grade, and innovative pet foods to supply both Canada and the world. We have carefully evaluated more than fifty Canadian pet food brands, closely scrutinizing every aspect of the manufacturer and their recipe. Here are just a few of the things we consider:

• Quality and source of ingredients, including how fresh the ingredients are, where they’re sourced from, whether they include antibiotics or hormones, if they’re GMO free, organic, and more.

• Manufacturing practices and transparency. We believe the manufacturers of the foods we feed our beloved pets should be accountable for every step of the manufacturing process.

• Innovation and sustainability. As we move towards a more eco-friendly world, pet food manufacturers should be focused on developing earth-friendly standards and practices as well.

Here are the top 23 best Canadian made dry dog foods for 2023:

#1: Smack

Smack is a Canadian company making absolutely outstanding dehydrated superfoods for pets. For the fourth consecutive year, Smack is our top-ranked dog food!

Since 2008, Smack Pet Foods have been proudly producing high quality pet products out of their Winnipeg, Manitoba facility. The Smack team are committed to providing pets with the healthiest, and most convenient foods in today’s pet food marketplace. 

All Smack products are backed by food engineering, biochemistry, holistic medicine, and a deep love of animals. These are the tools that allow Smack to develop an innovative, industry-leading approach to pet food manufacturing. Best of all, their foods are dehydrated in their raw form, ensuring maximum nutrient retention.

These are a few of the reasons why Smack Pet Foods has taken the number one spot in our 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Top Canadian Dog Food Rankings.

Smack’s recipes are made mostly from certified organic ingredients, including the best quality cuts of human-grade meat (like whole, bone-in chicken), and a carefully chosen range of organic produce. 

Because of their high meat content, Smack is highly palatable; perfect for fussy eaters. There are five unique Smack dog formulas to choose from: Prairie Harvest Pork, Caribbean-Salmon Fusion, Rockin’ Rockfish, Chunky Chicken, and Very Berry Chicken. Smack’s recipes are loaded with wholesome, nutritiously-dense superfoods, and don’t require any synthetic supplementation. Read our full review of Smack Pet Foods here.

Highlights of Smack Pet Foods:

• Synthetic-free

• 5 formulas: Prairie Harvest Pork, Caribbean-Salmon Fusion, Rockin’ Rockfish, Chunky Chicken, and Very Berry Chicken

• Made mostly with certified-organic, human-grade ingredients

• Loaded with superfood ingredients

• Highly palatable; perfect for finicky dogs

• Manufactured in Winnipeg, Manitoba

• Self-manufactured

• Food type: dehydrated raw

• Size options: 250g, 2.5kg bags

• Price: $$$

#2: Carna4

Carna4 was our top recommendation for 2019 and our second place recommendation in 2020 and 2021, and for good reason; Carna4 is one of the few foods on this list containing absolutely no synthetics of any kind. Carna4 is a unique brand, and this year ranks a close second in our 2023 list of best Canadian-made dog foods.

Carna4 began in 2010 when a team of nutritionists, food scientists and engineers set out to create a completely synthetic-free dog food. They achieved this goal by harnessing the nutritional power of superfoods. While almost every kibble on the market requires manufactured vitamin premixes, Carna4 does not. Using organic sprouted seeds – one of the most nutrient-dense foods on Earth – combined with 100% fresh, table-grade meats, and whole produce, Carna4 is loaded with nutrition and flavour. Among other things, organic sprouted seeds are an outstanding source of antioxidants, enzymes, and probiotics. All Carna4 formulas are free from hormones, antibiotics and GMO’s.

Carna4 offers three dog food recipes: chicken, duck, and fish. These formulas are perfectly suitable for dogs of all sizes, shapes, and life stages. Carna4 sets rigorous testing standards for their products, and every batch is tested for safety by a third-party research and laboratory testing firm. This firm specializes in testing foods and health products for major consumer goods companies in Canada. Carna4 is also a big supporter of sustainable ingredient sourcing and humane farming practices. 

Highlights of Carna4 Pet Food:

• Synthetic-free

• 6 formulas: chicken, duck, venison, lamb, goat and fish 

• Made with superfood organic sprouted seeds

• Made in: Quebec

• Food type: gently-baked kibble

• Size options 

  • Fish: 1kg, 2kg, 4.54kg

  • Chicken 3lb, 6lb, 13lb, 22lb

  • Duck: 3lb, 6lb, 13lb, 22lb

• Price: $$$

#3: Zeal

Zeal is relatively new to the market, and has quickly made a big impact on the Canadian pet food industry. This interesting brand of gently air-dried dog food focuses on simple recipes that incorporate human-grade whole organs; nutrient powerhouses that provide your dog with a boost of protein, iron, zinc, and more. Zeal even includes some rather unique ingredients, like whole Canadian hemp seeds and bamboo. 

Every batch of Zeal is carefully air-dried at 80°C, resulting in a consistency similar to beef jerky or artisanal meats. Zeal is proud to use only locally sourced, human-grade ingredients, without the use of any artificial binders, fillers, preservatives, or dyes. Best of all, Zeal is a more affordable option than most dehydrated raw brands.

Zeal comes with a high meat inclusion, making it another excellent option for non-food-motivated dogs. Their formulas are made with 96% pure meat and organs, making it one of the tastiest products on the market today. Zeal offers two lines of dog food: gently air-dried, and gently air-dried with freeze-dried. There are 3 formulas in each line. The gently air-dried line consists of salmon, beef, and turkey, whereas the gently air-dried with freeze-dried recipes include beef with salmon and pumpkin, turkey with salmon and pumpkin, and beef with 3% hemp. 

Highlights of Zeal Dog Food:

• Made in: British Columbia

• High-quality dehydrated raw

• More affordable than other dehydrated raw dog foods

• Food type: gently air-dried, and freeze-dried raw

• Size options: 454g, 1kg

• Price: $$-$$$ 

#4: Gutsy

Gutsy is made by Crump’s Naturals in Caledon, Ontario. Gutsy’s dehydrated raw dog foods are more akin to a beef-jerky than to a kibble, making it exceptionally palatable. Gutsy’s formulas are highly focused on using prebiotics, probiotics, low-glycemic carbohydrates, and easily digestible ingredients to promote and improve gut health.

Gutsy is available in two formulas: chicken dinner, and salmon & trout dinner. In addition to their high-quality meats, Gutsy also includes highly nutritious plant-based ingredients like sweet potatoes, chickpeas, lentils, chia seeds, organic blueberries, organic broccoli, and more.

Since 2014, Crumps’ Naturals has been granted certification by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), which promotes the continuous improvement of food safety to consumers. All ingredients, packaging, and finished products are fully traceable, among other quality-control standards.

Highlights of Gutsy by Crumps:

• Made in Caledon, Ontario

• Family owned

• Self-manufactured

• Highly palatable, ideal for fussy dogs

• Low glycemic

• Two formula options: chicken, salmon & trout

• Food type: dehydrated raw

• Size options: 1.5lb, 6.6lb

• Price $$$

#5: Orijen

In an industry with so many high-quality dog food options, Orijen remains as one of the best Canadian-made brands on the market.

The manufacturer of Orijen (Champion Pet Foods) has earned an international reputation for their food, manufacturing, and sourcing practices. Champion Pet Foods believes firmly in sourcing from fresh, local farms. In fact, virtually all ingredients found in Orijen dog food recipes are sourced within one-hundred kilometres from their manufacturing facility. As a result, Champion Pet Foods have won more awards than any other pet food maker in the world.

Made with some of the highest meat inclusion among all commercial pet foods, Orijen is modeled off of the natural diet of whole prey animals, like wolves. Orijen’s high protein content not only results in an irresistible food choice for fussy dogs, it also packs plenty of nutrient-dense ingredients to give high-energy canines the fuel they need for maximum performance.

There are several unique formulations to choose from; poultry, fish, red meat, and more. Thinking of trying a unique flavour combination for your pooch? Consider Orijen Tundra, with fresh goat, wild boar, venison, arctic char, free-run duck, and more – all in one kibble! Many Orijen formulas are available in freeze-dried raw, too. 

Highlights of Orijen Dog Food:

• Made in Alberta

• Self-manufactured

• Whole-prey, high meat inclusion

• Grain-free, all-life stage formulas

• Fresh ingredients sourced from local farms

• Food type: dry kibble, dehydrated raw

• Size options:

  • Dry kibble: 2kg, 6kg, 11.4kg

  • Dehydrated raw: 170g, 454g

• Price: $$$  

#6: CaniSource

CaniSource dog food was founded in 2005 in Quebec, where they still operate. Their foods are made in the CaniSource kitchen, where they aim to replicate the requirements and processes for creating human grade foods in a premium quality dog food. In fact, all of the ingredients that come into their kitchen are certified for human consumption, ensuring your dog is eating the best quality ingredients.

Currently, CaniSource offers two types of formulas; their HomeMade line which comes in a Surf & Turf or a Grain Free Chicken formula, and their Grand Cru line, which comes in beef, fish, turkey, and pork & lamb recipes.

CaniSource HomeMade foods are hand made using a delicate oven-baking process, for a soft and highly palatable texture. The ingredients in these formulas are entirely human-grade, sourced locally and from HACCP-certified food plants.

CaniSource Grand Cru is a lightly dehydrated raw food, also handmade in the CaniSource kitchen. The ingredients in these formulas are entirely human-grade, sourced locally and from HACCP-certified food plants as well. Plus, these formulas are Clean Label Project certified.

Highlights of CaniSource Dog Food:

• Made in Quebec

• Self-manufactured, handmade

• Certified human grade ingredients

• Grain-free, Grain-friendly, all-life stage formulas

• Fresh ingredients sourced from local farms

• Food type: dry kibble, dehydrated raw

• Size options:

  • Dry kibble: 3kg, 10 kg

  • Dehydrated raw: 2kg, 5kg, 10 kg

• Price: $$$  

#7: Acana

Acana, the sister brand to Orijen, is also made in Alberta by Champion Pet Foods. Using the same quality ingredients, and the same award-winning manufacturing practices, Acana is among the most popular health-food brands for dogs today. So what is the difference between Acana and Orijen? Simply put, the difference is meat inclusion. Acana’s formulas are made with up to 70% meat, whereas Orijen’s meat content can tip the scales at around 85%.

What really makes Acana stand out is their unmatched selection of formulas. For dogs needing limited-protein options, the Acana Singles line offers single-protein, all-life-stage foods in lamb, duck, pork, and pilchard. There are also several multi-protein formulas in the Acana Regionals line; poultry, fish, and red meat blends.  This is all in addition to the impressive whole fruit and vegetable medleys found in all Acana dog foods.

Considering the multitude of formulas available, it’s no wonder Acana is a popular option for rotation-based diets. There are so many unique flavours to switch between!

Highlights of Acana Dog Food:

• Made in Alberta

• Self-manufactured

• Numerous formulas to choose from; single-protein, and multi-protein options

• Fresh, whole ingredients sourced from local farms

• Grain-free and grain-friendly options

• Food type: dry kibble

• Size options: 2kg, 6kg, 11.4kg, 18.1kg

• Price: $$

 #8: FirstMate

The history of British Columbia-based FirstMate is a rich and interesting one with its beginnings in commercial fishing. Decades later, FirstMate is still a family owned and operated company, taking great pride in the quality, safety and performance of their products. FirstMate’s Executive Vice President is a Veterinarian and Pet Nutritionist, reinforcing their commitment to quality and nutritional excellence.  

With an impressive lineup of eight grain-free formulas, FirstMate has a recipe suitable for dogs of all life stages. In addition to using only wild-caught fish, FirstMate never uses ingredients with hormones, antibiotics, or GMO’s. FirstMate’s grain-free recipes include: pacific ocean fish large breed, chicken with blueberries, chicken with blueberries small bites, pacific ocean fish weight control, pacific ocean fish puppy, Australian lamb, Australian lamb small bites, pacific ocean fish original, and pacific ocean fish original small bites.

Considering a lower cost, high-quality food for your dog? Go with FirstMate’s grain-inclusive line: chicken, lamb, or fish. These formulas are complemented with whole oats, one of the healthiest grains on the planet. Read our full review of the FirstMate brand here.

Highlights of FirstMate Dog Foods:

• Made in British Columbia

• Family owned

• Self-manufactured

• Eight grain-free and three grain-friendly options

• Value-priced, grain-inclusive options

• Food type: dry kibble, cans

• Size options: 2.3kg, 6.6kg, 13kg

• Price $-$$

#9: GO! Solutions

GO! Solutions is one of three brands made by British Columbia-based Petcurean. 

With higher than average meat inclusion, Go! Solutions is a super-palatable option for even the fussiest canines. A higher meat content comes with a slightly higher price tag, but it is well worth it for picky pups. Go! Solutions’ nutrient-dense, grain-free, and potato-free diets are made without hormones, antibiotics, or artificial preservatives. The limited-ingredient nature of Go! Solutions’ formulas make them a wonderful choice for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities.

Go! Solutions’ five lines offer the following recipes:

• Carnivore: salmon & cod, lamb & wild boar, turkey & duck puppy, turkey & duck adult, turkey & duck senior.

• Sensitivities: duck, salmon, venison, turkey, pollock, and lamb. 

• Skin + Coat Care: salmon, lamb, and chicken. 

• Sensitivity + Shine: duck.

All Go! Solutions formulas are uniquely designed to help pet owners manage their pet’s protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake. With multiple mouth-watering recipes to choose from, Go! Solutions dog foods will satisfy your dog’s inner carnivore.

Petcurean is also an environmentally-progressive company. They are currently in the process of developing 100% recyclable bags. This can be a complicated process, as the plastic interior lining is essential to keeping their products fresh and safe. Many of the other products that Petcurean makes are completely recyclable, too. On staff, Petcurean has the backing of their Senior Nutritionist; a Ph.D. in companion animal nutrition, with a master’s degree in human nutrition. 

Highlights of GO! Dog Foods:

• Made in Fraser Valley, British Columbia.

• Self-manufactured.

• Limited-ingredients.

• High meat content. 

• Great choice for fussy dogs.

• Environmentally-conscious ethics. 

• Size options: 3.5lb, 12lb, 22lb. 

• Price $$-$$$

#10: Oven Baked Tradition

Oven Baked Tradition is rapidly gaining popularity as a slow-baked, nutrient dense line of kibble, canned foods, and treats. Their natural ingredients come from carefully selected, trusted farms that are primarily found locally. Every recipe is made using a slow baking process that is more similar to air drying than to cooking. This results in a nutrient dense kibble that is also loaded with flavour. Their recipes are completely free from artificial  flavourings, antibiotics, or preservatives. Instead of filler grains, such as wheat, corn, or soy, they use home-milled grains like rye, barley, and oats.

Grain-free, low glycemic foods made with exceptional ingredients are at the core of Oven Baked Tradition’s formulas. They have the perfect food for your pooch, no matter their breed, size, and life stage. Plus, they make one of the best quality vegan dogs foods in the world -perfect for dogs with allergies or sensitivities to meat proteins.

Highlights of Oven Baked Tradition dog food:

• Made in Quebec

• Meat-rich and plant-based options

• Great hypoallergenic options for allergy-prone dogs

• Regular bites and small bites

• Food type: dry kibble, cans

• Size options: 5 lb, 12.5 lb, 25 lb

• Price $$-$$$

#11: Nature’s Hug

This unique line entered the market very recently, and has quickly become one of our top recommendations for dogs on a plant-based diet. All of their formulas use alternative protein, sourced from yeast, that has an almost identical amino acid profile to chicken. However, it’s more sustainable and eco-friendly than meat proteins, while still containing all of the nutrition your pooch needs to live a healthy lifestyle. Their recipes are free from grains and GMOs, too.

Nature’s Hug’s dog food line consists of adult formulas for large and small breeds, as well as recipes designed for senior and junior aged dogs.

Even though their recipes are meat free, they’re scientifically designed to be just as nutrient dense as meat-rich recipes. Every bite is complete and balanced, and loaded with flavour.

Highlights of Nature’s Hug Dog Food:

• Made in Ontario

• Completely plant-based; no animal ingredients

• Great hypoallergenic option for allergy-prone dogs

• Ingredients sourced from North America, primarily Ontario

• Food type: dry kibble

• Size options: 2.27 KG, 9.07 KG

• Price $$

#12: Nutram

Nutram shines in the Canadian pet marketplace due to their three carefully designed lines: Sound, Ideal, and Total. The Sound line is a grain-friendly, nutrient dense, holistic line that is balanced for every life stage. Ideal is a functional line, focusing on wholefoods support for common ailments such as skin and coat issues, weight control, and digestion. The Total line is grain free, and slightly higher in protein than the other two. Nutram uses Optimal Combinations in their recipes; unique pairings of wholefoods ingredients with a functional purpose. For example, many of their formulas contain pumpkin and chicory root for better digestion.

The Nutram brand is made in Ontario, and is 100% Canadian family-owned. This popular brand is sold in over 30 countries, and follows the highest standards for pet food manufacturing. In fact, they’re proudly BRC Certified – the highest quality certification in the world. Approximately 80% of the ingredients in their formulas are from North America, too. Not only do they test every batch before being sent out of their facility, they also continue to test those batches for months afterwards to ensure quality. Nutram has never had a recall.

Highlights of Nutram Dog Food:

• Made in Ontario

• 80% of ingredients are from North America

• Optimal Combinations offer wholefoods wellness support

• Choose from chicken, fish, lamb, and pork

• Food type: dry kibble, wet

• Size options: 

• Price $$

#13: PetKind

The Canadian kings of tripe for dogs. PetKind has built their brand on the backbone of tripe, and it’s numerous nutritional benefits for our canine friends. Whether it’s their foods or treats, tripe remains a focal point of all PetKind products. The result is an excellent line of dogs foods made with the highest-quality, human-grade ingredients for maximum nutrition. 

From sourcing to production, PetKind is Canadian-minded company. All ingredients are sourced within Canada except the Lamb Tripe (New Zealand), Quinoa (Canada and Peru), and fruits and veggies (USA).

PetKind’s dog food line consists of seven grain-free formulas – all containing tripe: green beef tripe, green tripe & wild salmon, green tripe & bison, and green lamb tripe. 

PetKind also offers three poultry-free formulas to suit the hypoallergenic needs of dogs with allergies: venison tripe, lamb & lamb tripe, and green tripe & read meat. 

Highlights of Petkind Dog Foods:

• Made in Surrey, British Columbia

• Made with nutrient-rich tripe

• 7 grain-free formulas

• Potato-free

• Ingredients sourced from Canada, USA, and New Zealand

• Food type: dry kibble, cans

• Size options: 6lb, 14lb, 25lb

• Price $$

#14: Horizon

Authentic. Regional. Affordable. That’s Horizon’s mantra.

Independently owned by two Saskatchewan-based families, Horizon has been producing top-quality pet foods for over a decade. Being experts in agriculture, Horizon strongly believes in being a transparent company. From everything from ingredient sourcing, to manufacturing, to food in your pet’s bowl, Horizon wants you to know they have nothing to hide.

Horizon offers five formulas made with human-grade meats, without the use of GMO’s, hormones, steroids, by-products or artificial preservatives. Many of Horizon’s ingredients are locally sourced, and are processed in their two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. 

Horizon’s five grain-free and grain friendly lines offer the following recipes:

• Taiga: chicken, and pork – available in grain free or whole grain options

• Amicus: chicken, salmon, lamb, and tri-protein (turkey, chicken, salmon)

• Complete: all life stage chicken, large breed adult, large breed puppy, and senior/weight management

• Legacy: adult chicken and turkey, fish blend, and puppy

• Pulsar: chicken, turkey, fish, lamb, and pork all in grain free formulas, as well as chicken and pork in whole grain options

Highlights of Horizon Dog Foods:

• Made in Saskatchewan and family owned

• Focused on low-glycemic formulas

• Self-manufactured using low temperature cooking

• Probiotic and prebiotic coating applied after the cooking process (600 MU per pound)

• GMO free, growth hormone free, and also steroid free

• Plenty of recipes to choose from, great for rotation diets

• Grain-free and grain-friendly options

• Made with fresh, local ingredients

• Every batch is quality tested

• Size Options 4kg, 11.4kg

• Price $-$$

#15: Now Fresh

Now Fresh is the sister brand to Go! Solutions, made by Petcurean. With thirteen dog food formulas, Now Fresh has one of the largest selections of any super-premium Canadian brand. All Now Fresh formulas are free from grain, gluten, and chicken, and use the highest quality market-fresh ingredients available. 

Due to it’s modest meat inclusion when compared to Go! Solutions, Now Fresh is a more affordable dog food option, as it is the meat content that largely dictates the price. With a multitude of formulas available, many dog owners choose to rotate among them to get the best of each formula.

Now Fresh is available in the following grain-free recipes: puppy chicken, adult chicken, senior chicken, adult fish, adult red meat, small breed fish, small breed senior, large breed puppy, large breed adult, and large breed senior. 

Highlights of NOW Fresh Dog Foods:

• Made in Fraser Valley, British Columbia

• Wide variety of formulas

• More affordable than other high-meat inclusion dog foods

• Great choice for rotation diets

• Self-manufactured

• Environmentally-conscious ethics

• Food type: dry kibble, cans

• Size options: 6lb, 12lb, 25lb 

• Price $$

#16: Boréal

After more than twenty years of manufacturing high-quality pet foods, Boréal has consistently been among the top dog food brands in Canada. Boréal’s approach to canine health focuses on grain-free formulas with high-quality meats, and using nutritious low-glycemic carbohydrates like peas and beans. Boréal’s recipes are modeled after the diets of ancient canines that lived in the wilds of the Boréal forests in North America. They offer three lines of dog food: Boréal Original, Boréal Vital, and Boréal Proper. 

Boréal Original is available in the following formulations: salmon, turkey, lamb, and small breed duck. Boréal Vital is available in: chicken, whitefish, red meat, and large breed chicken. Boréal Proper proper is available in: chicken, ocean fish, large breed red meat, and large breed chicken. All formulas are potato free, and utilize a limited ingredient philosophy. This is great for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities. 

Highlights of Boreal Dog Foods:

• Made in Ontario

• Most ingredients sourced from Canada; Lamb imported from New Zealand

• Affordable, healthy options for the price-conscious consumer

• Limited ingredient, potato free

• Food type: dry kibble, canned

• Size options: 2kg, 4kg, 11kg

• Price $-$$

#17: Kasiks

Kasiks is another wonderful brand by family-owned Taplow Ventures, and is the sister brand to FirstMate. Like FirstMate, Kasiks is also manufactured in their production plant in British Columbia. Kasiks products are held to the same high standard of ingredient sourcing and state of the art manufacturing processes.

The Kasiks line consists of three grain-free formulas: free-run chicken, free-range lamb, and wild pacific ocean fish. These recipes are low-glycemic, potato free, gluten free, and use single meat proteins. Kasiks is also very competitively priced, providing great value and high quality nutrition at the same time. Kasiks foods are highly digestible, as they are high in dietary fibre; a great choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs. In addition, all Kasiks formulas contain antioxidant ingredients like blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries.

Highlights of Kasiks Dog Foods:

• Family owned

• Self-manufactured

• Single meat proteins

• Low glycemic

• Very affordable

• Food type: dry kibble

• Size options: 5lb, 25lb

• Price $

#18. Harlow Blend

Based out of Mississauga, Ontario, Harlow Blend is created by an animal lover, for animal lovers, and has ties in the Canadian pet food industry dating back to 1993.

All ingredients used in Harlow Blend exceed FDA guidelines for human consumption, meaning they are of the highest quality available. Their ingredients are sourced from Canada, USA, and New Zealand. 

Harlow Blend consists of four tasty formulas. There are two grain-free options: Fish Fusion, and Turkey Fusion. Harlow Blend also has wholesome grain-inclusive diets including Chicken, Rice & Vegetable, and Lamb & Rice. Their formulas are slow cooked at low temperatures, are low in magnesium, and help promote balanced urinary ph. 

Highlights of Harlow Blend Dog Foods:

• Family-owned

• Ingredients sourced from Canada, USA, and New Zealand 

• Four formulas to choose from, both grain-free and grain-inclusive.

• Hypoallergenic options

• Low magnesium

• Food type: dry kibble

• Size options: 

  • Grain-inclusive: 8lb, 30lb

  • Grain-free: 7lb, 25lb

• Price: $$

#19: v-planet

V-planet dog food has been available in Canada for just over three years, making their debut in November of 2019. V-planet’s parent company, v-dog, has consistently produced high quality, human-grade dog foods in California since 2005, and is one of the best selling plant-based dog foods in the USA.

So what makes the v-planet brand unique? Their foods are entirely plant based, meaning there are no meat, eggs, dairy, or animal products in any of their recipes. Instead, v-Planet is made from highly nutritious plant-based ingredients like peas, whole oats, brown rice, and quinoa. V-planet is the most complete plant-based commercial dog food in Canada. 

Plant-based and vegan dog foods have been a popular choice for dogs suffering from meat-protein allergies, and are often recommended by veterinarians. In addition, recent trends towards cruelty-free, eco-friendly pet ownership have resulted in a surge in demand for plant-based dog foods. v-Planet is meeting that demand with their innovative formula, available in regular-sized kibbles and mini bites. 

V-planet is complete and balanced to meet the unique nutritional needs of adult dogs of all shapes and sizes.

Highlights of v-planet dog food:

• Made in Ontario

• Completely plant-based; no animal ingredients

• Great hypoallergenic option for allergy-prone dogs

• Regular bites, and small bites

• Food type: dry kibble

• Size options: 4.4lb, 15lb

• Price $$

#20: Canadian Naturals

Based out of Abbotsford, British Columbia in the beautiful Fraser Valley, Canadian Naturals is a family owned pet food company with more than 50 years of experience in the pet industry. They believe strongly in sourcing many of their high quality meat and produce from local producers. Canadian Naturals’ manufacturing facility, named West Coast Kitchen, uses the most up-to-date small batch cooking methods to produce some of the finest pet foods in today’s competitive marketplace. The West Coast Kitchen is SQF3 and HACCP certified, meaning they follow the most rigorous certifications in the pet industry. Plus, with their full-time quality assurance team, you can feel confident you are purchasing pet foods made to the highest sourcing, manufacturing, and testing standards possible.

Canadian Naturals makes five unique lines of dog food: Value Series, Grain Free Value Series, Turkey & Salmon Recipes, Omega Fresh Diets, and Limited Ingredient Diets.

For dog owners looking for the best bang for their buck without sacrificing quality, the Value Series are very popular options. Flavours in this line include chicken, lamb, and pork. Alternatively, for dogs with dietary restrictions, the Limited Ingredient Diets are ideal for reducing unwanted ingredients. Flavours in this line include potato & duck, pork & squash, salmon & sweet potato, and venison & sweet potato.

Highlights of Canadian Naturals Dog Foods:

• Made in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

• Highest manufacturing standards in the industry.

• Several unique dog food lines

• Food type: dry kibble.

• Size options: 5lb, 11lb, 30lb.

• Price $-$$

#21: 1st Choice

Just like Pronature, 1st Choice is family-owned by PLB International. As an innovative company, 1st Choice was created in 1990, and was the first premium pet food to use fresh chicken in their recipes. Fast forward to today, 1st Choice now manufactures 18 unique recipes for dogs of all ages, breeds, and conditions. 

For dogs with reactive, or hypersensitive skin, consider 1st Choice Derma; it is specially formulated to reduce skin inflammation, itching, and irritation. 1st Choice also makes dental health, performance, hypoallergenic, and grain-free formulations for puppies, adult, and senior dogs. 

1st Choice is a progressive-minded company, committed to reducing their ecological footprint. When it comes to sourcing their ingredients, priority is given to Quebec and Canadian suppliers where available. The fish used in 1st Choice products come from fisheries belonging to Ocean Trust; an organization committed to improving sustainability and environmentally-responsible fishing practices.  

Highlights of 1st Choice Dog Foods:

• Made in Boucherville, Quebec.

• Eighteen formulas to choose from.

• Many specialized formulas: dental health, hypoallergenic, high-energy, etc. 

• Food type: dry kibble.

• Size options: 2kg, 12kg.

• Price $

#22: Wilder Harrier

This innovative brand debuts at the number 19 spot on our list this year for their industry-leading innovation and sustainability practices. Based in Quebec, they currently offer two unique dog food formulas:

Farmed Insects Recipe: This formula uses black soldier flies as a protein source, rather than traditional livestock. Why? These tiny insects are a premium source of protein and nutrition, with a tiny carbon footprint. Being a unique, novel protein source, farmed insects are also a great option for dogs suffering from multiple allergies and sensitivities.

Sustainable Fish Recipe: This innovative formula uses Asian carp, an invasive species that is destroying eco-systems in our great lakes. Farming Asian carp helps to solve this problem, providing massive benefit to the local environment. Plus, they use recycled shrimp shells in their formula, and source most ingredients locally whenever possible.

Wilder Harrier made a big splash with the eco-conscious community in recent years with the introduction of their dog treats made with highly sustainable cricket powder, as well as their vegan treat formulas using recycled organic materials from a local juicer.

Highlights of Wider Harrier Dog Foods:

• Made in Quebec

• Two distinct lines of dog food

• Made with unique, highly sustainable ingredients

• Medium priced food

• Food type: dry kibble

• Size options: 2 KG, 5 KG

• Price $$-$$$

#23: Summit

In addition to Go! Solutions and Now Fresh, Petcurean also manufactures Summit. Summit is made in Fraser Valley, British Columbia, and is made to the same high standards as all Petcurean products. 

All Summit formulas come as a three-meat recipe, containing chicken, lamb, and salmon. Summit has 4 formula options: puppy, adult, large breed, and reduced calorie. In addition to their palatable meat medleys, Summit formulas also include oatmeal, brown rice, barely, flaxseed, egg, and other wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients. 

Aside from the quality, the biggest benefit to Summit is the value. Summit is an excellent option for dog owners looking to feed a high-quality dog food on a budget. 

Highlights of Summit Dog Foods:

• Made in Fraser Valley, British Columbia

• Self-manufactured

• Value priced

• Multiple-meat formulations

• Food type: dry kibble 

• Size options: 28lb

• Price $

https://www.canadianpetconnection.ca/top-twenty-two-dog-foods-canada-2023/