Ever walk down the pet aisle at Target and feel completely overwhelmed? You see bags of kibble stacked high, colorful cans promising everything from grain-free goodness to sensitive stomach solutions. It’s exciting to have so many choices for your furry best friend, but let’s be honest—it can also be a huge headache!
Choosing the best dog food is one of the most important decisions you make for your pet’s health, and navigating the specific selection at Target adds another layer of confusion. Do you stick to the popular brands, try the store-brand options, or focus only on the pricey premium foods? Finding the right balance of quality, budget, and availability right when you need it can feel like a constant guessing game.
Don’t worry, we’ve done the digging for you! This guide breaks down exactly what Target offers. We will explore the top-rated brands available there, explain what those ingredient labels really mean, and help you match the right food to your dog’s needs and your wallet. Get ready to shop with confidence and ensure your dog gets the nutrition they deserve.
Top Dog Food At Target Recommendations
No. 1
BADLANDS RANCH by Katherine Heigl – Superfood Complete Air-Dried Beef Dog Food – High Protein with Superfoods for Daily Wellness & Consistent Nutrition – 24 oz
- Superfood complete Ingredients are cooked responsibly at low temperatures and air-dried for maximum nutritional value.
- Contains 87% Beef, Beef Heart, Beef liver, and Salmon, 13% seed, vegetables, fruit, minerals and vitamins. NO fillers, corn, wheat, soy, or byproduct.
- Contains Premium Ingredients chosen for nutrition to help support your dogs smooth digestion, healthy vitality, and joint health.*
- Ingredients are hand-selected to support your dogs skin and coat, digestion and immune function.*
- Does not require refrigeration, heat, or water. Simply measure the suggested serving size based on your dogs weight and activity level, pour it into their bowl and watch them enjoy! When youre done, seal the bag up tight.
No. 2
5Strands Pet Food Intolerance & Environmental Sensitivity Test, at Home Gut Health Test for Dogs & Cats, 857 Items Tested, Pet Health Check, Results in 4 Days, for All Ages and Breeds
- TEST YOUR PET’S FOR 855+ FOOD INTOLERANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITIES. Our 2-in-1 pet sensitivity and intolerance test reveals your dog or cat’s response to 575 food ingredients and 282 environmental items, like fabrics, cleaning products, plants, and grasses. You’ll uncover what may be contributing to symptoms like diarrhea, paw biting & licking, skin irritations, and watery eyes.
- HOW DIETARY & ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS IMPACT YOUR PET’S HEALTH. When your pet’s gut microbiome and digestive enzymes struggle to break down certain foods or their body reacts to environmental exposures like fabrics, pollen, or cleaning agents, it can lead to similar symptoms like excessive gas, hot spots, bad breath, and ear discharge.
- EASY 3-STEP PROCESS. Collect 10–15 strands of your pet’s fur from the comfort of home, mail it to our certified lab using the prepaid envelope, and receive results by email or through our mobile app in 4 days. No vet visits required.
- ITEMS CATEGORIZED BY 4 RESPONSE LEVELS. Your pet’s food intolerance and environmental sensitivity test highlights Insignificant, Mild, Moderate, and Severe responses. This helps you create an elimination plan to remove or reduce the highest stressors for a period of time, helping their gut health and body recover naturally.
- TRUSTED BY VETERINARIANS & BACKED BY SCIENCE. Each at-home pet intolerance and sensitivity test is double-pass validated to ensure accuracy. Trusted by over 345,000 pets and people and validated by a 3rd party study, 5Strands makes it easy to find answers from the comfort of your home.
No. 3
The Pets Table Lamb & Beef with Brown Rice Air Dried Dog Food, 1lb / 16 oz Bag
- Premium Nutrition for your Pets - Healthy dog food that is made with a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all sizes and ages that supports healthy growth and overall well-being, making it the perfect puppy dog food or senior dog food
- Packed with Superfoods for Enhanced Well-being - Great recipe for any dogs with common protein allergies such as chicken; also packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like high quality lamb, beef, brown rice, spinach, pumpkin, oats and other superfoods which are beneficial for sensitive tummies, supports immune health, joint health, gut health and digestion
- Healthy Grain-Inclusive option - Minimally processed, grain-inclusive option that includes no artificial preservatives, fillers, flavors or colors, and is a sensitive stomach dog food alternative to kibble
- Gently Air-Dried for Optimal Nutrition - Food is air-dried at a low temperature for a long time to maintain optimal nutrition, freshness and flavor, ensuring a wholesome and balanced food that your pets will love
- Quick and Easy Meal Preparation - Mess-free and shelf stable product that provides dogs with a nutritious meal in just two simple steps, making it ideal for those with limited time for meal preparation
No. 4
Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini, Adult 1-6, Small & Mini Breeds Premium Nutrition, Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Brown Rice, 4.5 lb Bag
- Made with highly digestible ingredients that are easy on your small dog's stomach
- Provides high quality protein to maintain lean muscle in small breed dogs
- Omega-6s and vitamin E for beautiful skin & coat
- Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
- Hill's Pet Nutrition is the US Veterinarians' #1 recommended brand
No. 5
Solid Gold High Protein Wet Dog Food for Large Dogs & Small Dogs - Soft Grain Free Canned Dog Food w/Real Beef, Prebiotics & Superfoods for Gut Health & Immune Support - All Ages - 6ct 13.2oz Cans
- High Protein Canned Dog Food for Active Dogs – This grain free wet dog food is packed with real beef & superfoods to fuel high-energy dogs & puppies. Ideal for pet parents seeking high protein canned dog food or grain free dog food wet recipes
- Moist Dog Food for All Ages – Made with digestible ingredients, this beef dog food is a soft dog food great for dogs of all ages and sizes. A perfect choice for healthy dog food soft, can dog food, wet dog food for small dogs, or senior wet dog food
- Canned Wet Dog Food for Lean Muscle – Made with quality protein & no added fillers, this healthy canned dog food supports muscle maintenance without excess calories. Great for active dogs needing high protein wet dog food or soft senior dog food
- Soft Pate Dog Food for All Breeds & Life Stages – With a pate texture dogs love, this wet food for dogs works for large breed adults, growing puppies, or small breeds. An easy-to-digest option for wet dog food large breed or senior dog wet food needs
- Complete & Balanced Real Dog Food – Made without grains, gluten, soy, corn, or artificial preservatives, this real dog food gives complete daily nutrition. A great pick for dog canned food, pate dog food, grain free dog food wet & soft food for dogs
No. 6
Purina ONE High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food; SmartBlend True Instinct With Real Turkey & Venison - (4) 3.8 lb. Bags
- One (1) 3.8 lb. Bag - Purina ONE High Protein, Natural Dry Dog Food, True Instinct With Real Turkey & Venison
- 30 percent protein content helps support strong muscles
- Real turkey is the #1 ingredient and real venison
- Two times the tender, meaty morsels compared to Purina ONE Lamb & Rice Formula
- No poultry by-product meal, artificial flavors or preservatives
No. 7
Amazon Basics Wet Dog Food Meaty Loaf Variety Pack, Filet Mignon Flavor and Chicken & Rice Dinner, Made with Real Chicken and Beef, 13.2 oz can, (6 cans of Each Flavor, 12 cans in Total)
- MADE WITH REAL BEEF AND CHICKEN: Real CHICKEN AND BEEF provide quality protein sources for your adult dog's nutritional needs
- COMPLETE and BALANCED NUTRITION: Formulated to meet AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for maintenance with essential vitamins and minerals for adult dogs
- CONVENIENT SERVING: Can be served alone as a complete meal or mixed with dry food; feed at room temperature and refrigerate unused portion
- MADE IN THE USA: Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
- VARIETY PACK: Both chicken and rice dinner and filet mignon flavor included. 6 cans of Filet Mignon Flavor and 6 cans of Chicken and Rice Dinner
No. 8
MateeyLife Slow Feeder Dog Bowls 2PCS, Anti-Choking Puzzle Dog Food Bowls, Anti-Slip Interactive Feeding Slow Down Eating, Bloat Stop Maze Dishes for Medium Breeds
- Slow Down Mealtime Up To 10x: Puzzle dog food bowls slow feeder and maze dog food bowl puzzle designed with ridges and maze patterns contributes to your puppy eating slower than 10 times, especially for those likely to gobble up. Slow feeder dog bowls medium breed assist the pets in digesting food better, which lets your pets form a healthy habit of eating slowly and chewing slowly. Slow feeding dog bowl are suitable for medium breed pets
- Reduce Anxiety & Improve Digestion: Dog bowls for small dogs and slower feeder dog bowl for fast eaters protect against dietary problems in all their forms, including indigestion, bloating, choking, and canine obesity. This dog bowl slow feeder large breed entertains your dogs and immerses them in mealtime longer, helping reduce overeating behavior. Once intestinal diseases can be improved, a small dog slow feeder bowl could be helpful for them to establish healthy eating habits
- Non-slip Base & Labyrinth Exploration: Non-slide base at the bottom of the slow eating dog bowl large breed effectively prevents movement when pets enjoy food. Puzzle feeders for dogs large are widened to stop them from being overturned by pets, resulting in food scattering. The raised parts are low enough, and the gaps are wide for pets, stimulating your dog's tongue to enter the dog slow feeder bowl to get the food, adding fun at mealtime and being more challenging
- Food Diversity & Safe Material: Dog dishes to slow down eating applies to dry, wet, and raw food diets. This cat slow feeder dry food and puppy slow feeder bowl can hold up to 2 cups of kibbles. Large dog slow feeder bowl is made of PP polypropylene material which is food-safe and non-toxic so that your puppies can feel free to use it. These small slow feeder dog bowls are durable, stand wear and tear, not easy to damage, so your lovely pups could regale on their meal safely
- Easy To Clean: Our slow feed dog bowls for large dogs, slow feeder cat bowl dry food and dog bowls that slow down eating are top-rack dishwasher safe, or another choice for you is to simply spray with warm, soapy water and rinse! The less workload you have on the puppy food bowl, the more playtime you can spend with your puppy! Slow dog feeder bowl and slow feeder dog bowls small breed is an interactive dog feeder for large dogs for your pets, as well as a good helper to ease your workload
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Finding the Best Dog Food at Target
Shopping for dog food at Target is easy. They offer many brands and types. This guide helps you pick the right food for your furry friend. A good choice keeps your dog healthy and happy.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you look at dog food bags, check these important things first.
Protein Power
- Real Meat First: The first ingredient should be a named meat, like “Chicken,” “Beef,” or “Salmon.” This gives your dog the best energy.
- Protein Percentage: Look for dog foods that have at least 20% protein for adult dogs. Puppies need more, usually 25% or higher.
Life Stage Suitability
- Puppy Formula: These have extra calories and nutrients for growing bodies.
- Adult Formula: These provide balanced nutrition for maintenance.
- Senior Formula: These often have fewer calories and added joint support.
Texture and Type
- Dry Kibble: This is the most common and easiest to store. It also helps clean teeth a little.
- Wet Food (Canned): This has higher moisture content, which is great for dogs who don’t drink much water.
- Grain-Free vs. Grain-Inclusive: Decide if your dog needs grain-free options based on your vet’s advice.
2. Important Ingredients and Materials
What goes into the food matters a lot. Target stocks food with different ingredient lists.
Good Ingredients
- Whole Grains: Ingredients like brown rice, oats, or barley provide good fiber and steady energy.
- Healthy Fats: Look for sources like chicken fat or fish oil (for Omega-3s). These make skin and coats shiny.
- Vitamins and Minerals: These are added to make sure the food is “complete and balanced.”
Ingredients to Watch For
- Artificial Colors and Flavors: These usually do not help your dog. Try to choose foods without them.
- By-Products: While not always bad, whole meat sources are usually better than just “meat by-products.”
- Fillers: Ingredients like corn or soy are sometimes used as fillers. Small amounts are okay, but they should not be the main ingredient.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of the food affects your dog’s health over time.
Quality Boosters
- AAFCO Statement: Every bag should state that the food meets the nutritional levels set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This is a quality stamp.
- Added Probiotics: Some premium foods include good bacteria to help digestion.
Quality Reducers
- Poor Storage at the Store: Always check the “Best By” date on the bag at Target. Old food loses nutrients.
- Excessive Preservatives: Chemical preservatives like BHA or BHT are sometimes used. Natural preservatives like Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) are preferred.
4. User Experience and Use Cases at Target
Target makes buying dog food simple. They offer great options for busy pet owners.
Easy Shopping
Target carries popular, trusted brands. You can often find big bags of dry food, which saves money per pound. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you can usually find limited-ingredient diets easily on the shelves.
When to Choose Specific Types
- For Picky Eaters: Try mixing a scoop of Target’s wet food toppers with their dry kibble.
- For Budget Buyers: Target’s store brand (like Kindful or Good & Gather) often provides good nutrition at a lower price point than specialty stores.
- For High-Energy Dogs: Look for formulas specifically labeled “Active” or “Performance,” which have higher fat and protein levels.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dog Food at Target
Q: Can I find prescription dog food at Target?
A: No. Target does not usually stock veterinary or prescription diets. You need a vet’s prescription for those specialty foods.
Q: Are Target’s store-brand dog foods good quality?
A: Many Target store brands meet AAFCO standards. Check the ingredient list to ensure real meat is listed first for the best quality.
Q: How often should I switch my dog’s food?
A: You should switch food very slowly over seven to ten days. Sudden changes upset a dog’s stomach.
Q: What is the best way to store the kibble I buy?
A: Keep the food in its original bag, sealed tightly, and stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
Q: Does Target carry grain-free options?
A: Yes, many popular brands sold at Target offer grain-free lines. Always discuss grain-free diets with your veterinarian.
Q: Are the small bags of food better than the large ones?
A: The size does not change the food quality. However, buy the largest size your dog can eat before it goes stale (usually within 4-6 weeks).
Q: What should I do if my dog gets gas after eating new Target food?
A: Gas means the food might not agree with your dog. You need to transition back to the old food slowly, or try a different brand with easier-to-digest ingredients.
Q: What age of dog is the “All Life Stages” food for?
A: “All Life Stages” food is balanced for most healthy adult dogs. It is often not rich enough for growing puppies or specialized enough for seniors.
Q: How do I know if the food is a good value?
A: Calculate the price per pound. Higher-priced food is often a better value if it means using less food because it is more nutrient-dense.
Q: Can I return an opened bag of dog food to Target?
A: Target generally accepts returns with a receipt, even if opened, within a certain timeframe. Check their current return policy online or ask an employee.