Top Rated Dog Food in Canada
Which dog food brands Canadian sources rate highest, which are actually made here, and why you should read this list sceptically.
Dog food is the hardest category on this site to rank honestly, for a reason worth stating up front: most of the writing about it is published by shops that sell it.
There is also a genuine split in what “best” means. Ingredient-led rankings put the high-meat Canadian brands on top. Veterinary recommendations often point somewhere else entirely, toward brands with feeding trials and published research behind them. Both camps have a point, and a list that only shows you one of them is hiding half the argument.
So this one shows both, and tells you which brands are actually made in Canada.
The list
Number 1: Orijen
The most meat-heavy option commonly sold here: up to 85% animal ingredients and around 38% protein minimum. Made in Canada by Champion Petfoods. It is also the most expensive way to feed a dog on this list, by some distance.
Number 2: Acana
The same Canadian manufacturer with the protein dialled back and the price with it. For most households this is the sensible everyday choice, and it has no CFIA recall on record in Canada as of 2026.
Number 3: Royal Canin
The one most vets actually reach for, which is a different signal from the ingredient-list rankings. Strong on breed-specific and prescription formulas, and the option to take seriously if your dog has a diagnosed condition.
Number 4: Open Farm
The traceability play. Ingredients can be traced back to source, which matters to some owners a great deal and to others not at all. Priced with the premium brands.
Number 5: Hill's Science Diet
The other brand that turns up in vet clinics rather than in ingredient rankings. Less exciting on paper than the Canadian premium brands, with far more published clinical work behind it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a higher protein percentage better?
Not automatically, and this is where premium marketing gets ahead of the science. Very high protein suits active adult dogs and can be wrong for seniors or dogs with kidney issues. Match the food to the dog in front of you rather than to the biggest number on the bag.
Why do vets recommend brands that rank badly on ingredient lists?
Because they are judging different things. Ingredient-first rankings reward meat content and short ingredient lists. Vets tend to weigh feeding trials, published research and consistency between batches, which the big clinical brands invest in heavily and boutique brands often do not.
Which of these are actually Canadian?
Orijen and Acana are both made in Canada by Champion Petfoods, and Open Farm is a Canadian brand. Royal Canin and Hill's are international. If buying Canadian matters to you, the top two are the straightforward answer.
How do I switch foods without upsetting my dog?
Slowly. The usual guidance is a week or more, moving from roughly a quarter new food to a half to three quarters before going fully across. Switching in one go is the most common cause of the stomach upset people then blame on the new food.
Is this veterinary advice?
No. We are summarising what Canadian sources rate highly. Diet is a medical decision for any dog with a health condition, and your vet knows your dog.