There are a lot of pet food brands making big claims. Best Breed focuses on what actually matters – real results, proven over time. Here's what sets us apart:

Veterinarian-Founded - Best Breed wasn't built in a boardroom. It was developed by Dr. Gary Cotton, DVM in his veterinary clinic to address chronic health issues he was seeing in real patients - digestive issues, chronic skin problems, joint issues - that existing diets weren't solving. Our Story→

30+ Years of Proven Results - Best Breed has grown organically over three decades entirely through word of mouth, individual pet parent relationships, and real results in dogs and cats. The proof is in the pets. Read Pet Parent Stories→

Uncompromising Ingredient Standards - Not all ingredients are created equal. Pet food labels don't tell you the grade or source of an ingredient. For example, "Chicken meal" can vary significantly in quality. Best Breed pays a premium for EU-approved, low-ash proteins sourced from animals fit for human consumption prior to processing. Learn more about Our Ingredients→

Low and Slow Cooking - Most commercial pet food is cooked quickly at high temperatures, which can compromise nutritional integrity. Best Breed uses a lower-temperature, smaller-batch, slower cooking process designed to preserve vitamins, minerals, and proteins while improving digestibility. The Best Breed Difference→

Yes. Best Breed is a family-owned business that has been independently operated since its founding in 1994.

Dr. Gary Cotton, DVM was the founder of Best Breed and the veterinarian behind every formula.

Early in his career at his clinic in Findlay, Ohio, he began observing that many of his patients' health issues - skin conditions, digestive problems, joint issues - were nutritionally driven. 

Frustrated by the lack of truly high-quality options available, he developed Best Breed in 1994 based on what he called Common Sense Nutrition: formulating purely for health, not trends or cost shortcuts.

Over the next 30+ years, Dr. Gary grew Best Breed one pet at a time through hands-on care, real-world results, and trusted relationships. Read Our Full Story→

Dr. Gary’s legacy continues to guide every formula we produce today.

Dr. Toni Cotton, DVM is wife and partner to Dr. Gary and has been an integral part of Best Breed. Dr. Toni Cotton, DVM has been an integral part of Best Breed since its early development, working alongside Dr. Gary in both clinical practice and formula development. Her veterinary background and hands-on experience have helped shape and refine Best Breed’s approach to nutrition – ensuring every recipe continues to meet the real-world needs of pets.

The vast majority of Best Breed products are proudly made in Ohio, USA - in a USDA-inspected, EU-approved manufacturing facility.

Domestic production allows us to maintain strict quality control, consistent standards, and close oversight of every batch – ensuring the integrity of every ingredient and every formula.

No. In over 30 years of production, Best Breed has never had a product recall. We attribute this to our rigorous ingredient testing, small-batch production, and uncompromising quality standards - including in-house and independent third-party lab testing on every batch before it leaves our facility.

Best Breed is available at independent pet specialty retailers across the U.S. and internationally. We have particularly strong distribution in Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, western Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin - with our network continuing to grow.

Use our Store Locator to find a retailer near you.

Yes - Best Breed is available through several online channels:

Our website

Chewy

Amazon

PetFlow

Ordering directly from our website is the best way to ensure you have access to our full product lineup and any current promotions.

We'd love to hear from you. Best Breed is carried by independent pet specialty retailers across the U.S. and internationally, and we're always looking to grow our retail partnerships.

Please reach out to us at info@bestbreed.com and a member of our team will be in touch.

Every pet is different - and Best Breed formulates accordingly. Here's how to narrow it down:

By Need

Sensitive skin and coat, weight management, grain-free, digestive support, chicken-free - we have targeted formulas for these and more. 

By Type

Choose from dry food, wet food, air dried, freeze dried, or treats depending on your pet's preference and your feeding goals.

By Life Stage

We have formulas specifically developed for puppies, adults, and seniors.

By Breed or Size

We offer breed-specific recipes including German Shepherd, Retriever, Poodle, and more - as well as formulas tailored for toy and small breeds, large breeds, and working dogs.

The best place to start is our Shop Dog Food or Shop Cat Food pages, where you can filter by category.

If you're still not sure, reach out to us at info@bestbreed.com - we'd be happy to help find the right fit for your pet.

Grain-inclusive formulas use whole grains like brown rice, barley, and oatmeal as a carbohydrate source. Grain-free formulas replace grains with alternatives like lentils, chickpeas, and green peas. Both can be nutritionally complete - the right choice depends on your pet's individual needs and sensitivities. Best Breed offers both options, all formulated with the same ingredient standards and nutritional philosophy. If you're unsure which is right for your pet, your veterinarian is the best resource.

We don't offer prescription formulas, but we've helped many pets with the same health conditions that prescription diets are designed to address. We recommend working with your veterinarian to determine whether a Best Breed formula is appropriate for your pet's specific needs. Feel free to email info@bestbreed.com — we're happy to help.

It depends on the individual dog more than the age. Our Senior/Reduced Calorie formula is designed primarily for overweight or less active dogs – not strictly as a life stage food. If your dog is at a healthy weight and staying active, there's no need to switch. As their metabolism slows and weight starts to creep up, that's the right time to consider the Senior Diet or simply reducing portion size. The most important thing at any life stage is feeding to condition and keeping your pet at a healthy weight.

Our facility operates significantly below maximum capacity — intentionally. We cook at a slightly lower temperature and slower rate than typical commercial facilities, which does two important things: the lower temperature protects the nutritional integrity of each kibble, preserving proteins, vitamins, and minerals. The slower rate increases starch conversion, meaning carbohydrates are more fully cooked and nutrients are more bioavailable - so your pet absorbs more from every meal.

Most dogs are not natural masticators - they take one or two bites and swallow, so a lot of kibbles go into the stomach whole. Small kibbles are much easier to digest as they have more surface area relative to weight. They also allow for the formation of a tighter mass of food, which may help reduce air pockets in the stomach. Think of a jar full of BBs compared to a jar full of golf balls - which one has less air?

Both are completely normal and don't affect nutritional quality.

Color variation comes from natural differences in our ingredients - since we use 100% natural ingredients with no artificial colors, slight variation from batch to batch is expected.

Size variation is a result of our hands-on production approach. Our operators constantly fine-tune the cooker to account for variables like atmospheric temperature and equipment settings - small adjustments that can cause minor kibble size differences while maintaining the nutritional integrity of every batch.

As a general guideline, there are approximately 4 cups of food per pound. For a 26 lb bag, that's roughly 104 cups - though this can vary slightly depending on kibble size and density.

For 30 lb. bags, it is printed on the back panel approximately halfway down in the tan section. For 4 lb. bags, it is on the back panel about 2 inches up from the bottom, printed in black ink on the blue section - it can be a little tough to see without good lighting.

Yes. All Best Breed formulas meet the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

No. Every ingredient in a Best Breed formula must serve a specific nutritional purpose - if it doesn't make the food measurably better, it doesn't belong. We never use cheap fillers, by-product meals, corn gluten, or ingredients added purely for bulk or cost reduction.

The lot/date code is printed in black ink on the back panel of the bag, typically near the top center. Depending on the lighting, it can sometimes be difficult to see.

If you're having trouble locating it, try holding the bag under bright light and looking near the upper portion of the back panel. If you need assistance, feel free to send us a photo of the bag and we'll be happy to help identify the code.

Nearly all of our ingredients are sourced from the United States. The few exceptions include Canada (salmon and select carbohydrates), New Zealand (green-lipped sea mussel and lamb), and Germany (duck). Our vitamins and minerals are sourced primarily from the U.S. and Europe.

Green-Lipped Sea Mussels (perna canaliculus) are raised off the coast of New Zealand and included in nearly every Best Breed formula for their exceptional joint health benefits. They are one of the most nutrient-dense natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin - key building blocks for healthy cartilage and joint cushioning - as well as a unique combination of Omega-3 fatty acids not found in other sources, hyaluronic acid, essential amino acids, and natural anti-inflammatory compounds.

About 50% of dogs over the age of 8 develop arthritis - Green-Lipped Sea Mussel is one of the most effective natural ingredients available to address that proactively.

Chicken meal is simply chicken with the water removed – similar to the difference between grapes and raisins or beef and beef jerky. It’s the same ingredient, just in a more concentrated form.

Fresh chicken is approximately 70% water. Once cooked, that water cooks off - meaning a formula that lists "fresh chicken" first may actually contain far less chicken protein in the finished product than the label implies. Chicken meal, by contrast, maintains a consistent protein content before and after cooking.

Fresh chicken is roughly 70% water. During cooking, that moisture is lost, meaning a formula that lists “fresh chicken” first may contain less actual protein in the final product than the label implies. Chicken meal, by contrast, provides a consistent, concentrated source of protein both before and after cooking.

Best Breed uses premium, low-ash chicken meal by design – delivering more protein per cup, greater consistency from batch to batch, and stronger overall nutritional value in every kibble. Learn more about our ingredient standards.

No. The chicken used in Best Breed formulas is raised without added hormones.

Start with the feeding guidelines printed on the bag as a baseline, then feed to condition – meaning you adjust based on how your pet actually looks and feels, not just the number on the bag. At an ideal body condition, you should be able to easily feel your pet’s ribs without seeing them prominently, with a visible waist when viewed from above.

Every pet metabolizes energy differently, so monitor weight and body condition regularly and adjust portions as needed. If your pet starts gaining weight, reduce the amount in small increments. If they’re losing weight, increase it the same way. Feeding guidelines are general recommendations, and actual calorie needs can vary considerably between individual pets.

Don’t forget to factor treats and other foods into their total daily intake.

For most adult pets, feeding measured meals on a consistent schedule makes it easier to feed to condition and monitor intake, appetite, and body condition. Many pet parents find two meals a day, at consistent times, works well for adult dogs and cats. Puppies, kittens, and pets with certain health or nutritional needs may require more frequent meals.

Divide your pet's total daily amount between their meals. Leaving food out all day can make intake harder to monitor, so measured feeding is generally the better approach – especially for pets that tend to overeat.

We recommend a gradual transition over approximately 10 days:

Days 1-3: 25% Best Breed, 75% current food

Days 4-7: 50% Best Breed, 50% current food

Days 8-10: 75% Best Breed, 25% current food

If you don't have enough of the old food for a full 10 days, shorten as needed. We rarely hear of issues when switching to Best Breed, but a gradual transition is always the safest approach.

Absolutely. Many pet parents successfully combine formulas to get the best of both. For example, if you're feeding our Large Breed formula but want to add more calories, mixing in our Working Dog Diet is a great option.

Yes - all Best Breed formulas are designed to transition easily from one to another, making rotation straightforward.

Many customers find they can feed less - sometimes significantly less - depending on what they're switching from. Our formulas are nutrient-dense and tend to run higher in calories per cup due to ingredient quality. When switching, don't immediately reduce the quantity. Start with your current amount and adjust based on your pet's body condition over time.

For small breeds - around 10 to 12 months. For larger breeds - 12 to 16 months, or a bit longer for giant breeds. If your dog is thriving on the Puppy Diet, it's perfectly fine to keep them on it into adulthood.

In most cases, a small amount of cat food won't cause harm - but it's not something to make a habit of. Cat food is formulated with higher protein and fat levels than dogs require, which can cause digestive upset or contribute to weight gain over time. If your dog consumed a large amount or is showing signs of discomfort, contact your veterinarian.

Many issues labeled as “allergies” are actually ingredient intolerances or environmental sensitivities (such as pollen, grass, or dust).

For ingredient sensitivities, Best Breed offers a variety of formulas with different protein sources and compositions – including grain-free and chicken-free options – allowing you to find a recipe that works best for your dog.

For environmental sensitivities, overall nutrition plays an important role. Balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from quality sources like fish oil help support skin health, coat condition, and immune function, which can help reduce the severity of symptoms over time.

Not sure which formula is right for your pet's sensitivities? Contact us at info@bestbreed.com — we're happy to help.

This is common and usually not a cause for alarm – it's typically caused by air getting into the stomach while gulping, which causes discomfort and induces vomiting.

To slow the eating process: spread the food around in a sheet cake pan, soak the kibble in warm water for a few minutes to add bulk, or try a slow-feeder bowl available at your local pet shop.

A few simple tricks can help. Adding warm water to the kibble and letting it soak for a few minutes helps release natural flavors and can make the food more appealing.

You can also mix in a topper to enhance flavor and variety. Our air-dried recipes work particularly well as toppers – they’re single protein, nutrient-dense, and naturally flavorful – but there are many high-quality topper options available. The key is choosing something that complements a balanced diet without overwhelming it.

We recommend keeping your pet's food in the original Best Breed bag, stored in a cool, dry place. When you are done feeding, push the excess air out of the bag and seal the zipper at the top. Removing air and sealing the bag slows the oxidation of natural fats and keeps the food fresher for longer.

We don't recommend it. Your Best Breed bag is specifically designed to protect the food - the oxygen-barrier material helps preserve freshness and nutritional integrity in a way most storage containers can't match.

If you do need to transfer the food, make sure to regularly clean and fully dry the container between uses to prevent bacteria buildup.

Yes - Best Breed ships to all 50 states. Free shipping is available on orders over $49 to 37 states, with a flat rate of $4.95 for all other orders.

Orders are typically processed within 1 business day of being received. Once fulfilled, shipments are sent via ground shipping and generally arrive within 3-5 business days depending on your location.

View our Full Shipping Policy.

View our Return & Refund Policy.

Subscribing to Best Breed saves you money and ensures you never run out of your pet's food. Subscribers receive a discount on every order, plus the convenience of automatic delivery on a schedule that works for you. You can modify, pause, or cancel at any time.

Yes - you have full control over your subscription at any time. Log into your account to pause, modify, or cancel. No fees, no commitments.

Yes - you'll receive an email notification before each upcoming order so you have time to make any changes before it processes.

Discount codes cannot be applied to subscription orders, as subscribers already receive an automatic discount on every order. Discount codes can be used on one-time purchases — so if you'd like to use a code, you can place a one-time order and delay your next subscription shipment accordingly.

Yes - log into your account at any time to adjust how often your order ships. Choose the frequency that best fits your pet's feeding schedule.

If an item in your subscription becomes temporarily unavailable, we'll notify you and hold your order until it's back in stock - or you can log in to swap to a different formula in the meantime.

Yes - samples are available at select independent retailers. Use our store locator to find a retailer near you. Find a Store

Yes - Best Breed offers a breeder program with exclusive benefits for qualified breeders. Learn more and apply here.

Yes - visit your local pet specialty retailer for more information on their loyalty and frequent buyer programs.

We occasionally partner with stores or distribute coupons at special events, but we do not have a regular couponing program - and here's why.

Offering coupons would require either raising our everyday prices to offset the cost, or reducing ingredient quality to make up the margin. Neither is something we're willing to do. 

Our commitment is to keep our everyday price as low as possible without compromising what's in the bag.

We're always looking to connect with passionate pet owners and content creators who genuinely believe in better nutrition for their pets. If you're interested in representing Best Breed, reach out to us at info@bestbreed.com with a little about yourself and your audience.