Medium dogs may sit comfortably between tiny lapdogs and giant breeds, but their nutritional needs are anything but middle-of-the-road. The best dog foods for medium dogs provide the right balance of protein, healthy fats, calories, and essential nutrients to support steady energy, lean muscle, digestion, and long-term health. Feed too many calories and weight can creep up quickly; choose a poorly balanced formula, and your dog may miss out on nutrients that support their joints, skin, coat, and overall vitality. Age, activity level, body condition, and individual sensitivities can also make one food a great fit for one medium-sized dog and a poor choice for another. That is why choosing a diet based on more than breed size alone matters. In this guide, we’ll break down the best dog foods for medium dogs, what to look for when comparing formulas, and how to choose the right option for your dog’s unique needs.
Latest Research on the Best Dog Foods for Medium Dogs
According to the latest research, medium-sized dogs’ nutrition should be tailored to their size, life stage, activity level, and overall health rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. Current evidence supports choosing complete, balanced diets that meet individual energy and nutrient needs while promoting healthy body condition and long-term well-being.
📄Research Update — Macronutrient Digestibility
Macronutrient Balance Can Affect How Well Medium Dogs Digest Their Food
A 2023 crossover study in healthy adult medium-sized dogs weighing about 10–15 kg compared four dry foods with different levels of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Nutrient levels significantly influenced digestibility, with different formulas performing better for dry matter versus protein and fat digestion. The findings suggest that food quality for medium dogs depends on the overall nutrient profile rather than simply choosing the formula with the highest protein or fat percentage.[1]
📊Research Update — Protein Quality
Protein Source and Processing Matter, Not Just the Protein Percentage
A systematic review restricted to healthy adult medium-sized dogs weighing 10–25 kg examined 17 studies on common protein ingredients in dog food. Researchers found meaningful variation in nutrient and energy digestibility depending on the protein source, raw-material quality, and processing methods. This supports evaluating protein quality and digestibility alongside the crude protein percentage listed on a dog food label.[2]
⚖️Clinical Focus — Energy Density
Energy Density Influences How Much Food Medium Dogs Need to Eat
A 120-day feeding study involving 15 adult medium-sized dogs weighing 12–18 kg compared diets providing 3,000, 2,700, or 2,400 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy while keeping protein at 18%. As dietary energy density decreased, average dry-matter intake per kilogram of body weight increased. This highlights why calorie density and portion size should be considered together when choosing and feeding food to a medium-sized dog.[3]
Nutritional Needs of Medium-Sized Dogs
Medium-sized dogs benefit from a balanced diet that supports everyday health without over- or under-supplying key nutrients. Their needs can vary with age, activity level, and overall condition, so food quality and nutritional balance matter more than size alone.
Nutritional Need
Why It Matters
Common Sources
Omega-3 fatty acids
Support skin, coat, joints, and normal inflammatory responses.
Salmon, fish oil, sardines, algae oil.
Linoleic acid
Helps maintain healthy skin and a strong coat.
Poultry fat, sunflower oil, safflower oil.
Fiber & prebiotics
Support regular stools and beneficial gut bacteria.
Beet pulp, chicory root, pumpkin, psyllium.
Calcium & phosphorus
Help maintain strong bones and teeth.
Properly formulated commercial diets.
Vitamins & trace minerals
Support immunity, metabolism, vision, and cellular function.
Zinc, copper, selenium, vitamins A, D, and E.
Water
Supports hydration, circulation, and normal organ function.
Fresh water, wet food, moisture-rich meals.
Remember to ALWAYS consult with your vet before making any changes that could affect your dog’s health, nutrition, or well-being. If you can’t reach your vet, you can chat live with a registered online veterinary professional via our online vet chat or video chat support(24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or use Chewy’s online vet services(6 a.m. – midnight ET). Additionally, at-home dog gut health tests can analyze your dog’s microbiome, offering insights into which nutrients their diet should include. Similarly, at-home dog allergy testing kits can identify ingredients that may not be suitable for your dog, enabling you to choose the right diet and care plan to support optimal digestion, nutrition, and health.
Best Foods for Medium Dogs
Here are the best foods for medium dogs of this year.
Best Fresh Dog Food for Medium Dogs
4.9
★★★★★
The Farmer’s Dog
Who It’s For: Dog owners who want minimally processed, fresh meals made with recognizable ingredients and balanced nutrition for their medium-sized dog.
Why we recommended it:The Farmer’s Dog fresh dog food recipes win the spot for the best dog food for medium dogs in the fresh dog food category. This brand uses human-grade ingredients to craft pre-portioned recipes delivered directly to your doorstep. Feeding your dog The Farmer’s Dog comes with numerous scientifically supported health benefits of fresh dog food, including longer lifespans, better digestibility, higher energy levels, and more. Fresh recipes are also ideal for dogs with food allergies, sensitive stomachs, or other dietary concerns because they avoid cheap fillers, additives, and harmful chemicals. Unlike traditional kibble, The Farmer’s Dog is gently cooked from scratch, ensuring all nutritional integrity is retained — this means that your dog will receive the healthiest and most nutritious meal with every serving.
What sets it apart from competitors: The Farmer’s Dog stands out from other dog food brands by taking a personalized approach to nutrition. Many dog food brands offer one-size-fits-all recipes, but The Farmer’s Dog takes the time to create a custom formula for each dog, considering factors like age, health, weight, and activity level to ensure your dog gets the perfect balance of nutrients for their unique needs.
Key Features
Caters to health-specific needs. Recipes are formulated to address your dog’s health concerns, such as food allergies, tear stains, bad breath, joint issues, and more.
Vet-designed. Formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists who comply with AAFCO standards.
Excellent sourcing. Ingredients are sourced from reputable food suppliers, local farms, and other human food purveyors that meet USDA standards.
Get 50% OFF your first The Farmer’s Dog order with Canine Bible’s link.
Why we recommended it:The Honest Kitchen is the pioneer brand of human-grade dog food. It wins the title for best dry dog food for medium dogs because it offers human-grade quality and whole-food nutrition, making it far superior to traditional kibble. The Honest Kitchen’s whole-food cluster recipes are roasted and dehydrated (without extrusion) to preserve nutrients and flavor, thereby maximizing nutritional integrity. The Honest Kitchen is a superfood-powered kibble featuring functional ingredients that support and boost gut, skin, and coat health, immunity, heart health, weight management, and more.
What sets it apart from competitors: Their preparation methods and facilities meet safety standards 7x those of feed-grade. Their food is made in a facility that produces human food.
Key Features
Vet recommended. This formula is recommended by Leilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR, Director of Integrative and Rehabilitative Medicine at the Animal Medical Center in New York.
Digestive health. It contains naturally occurring prebiotics and probiotics to help regulate the dog microbiome.
FDA human-grade. First pet food company to obtain approval from the FDA to use the term “human grade” on its products.
Get 50% OFF with code 50CANINE (or 40CANINE for orders under $30)—Use thislink to get started.
Who It’s For: Medium dogs that prefer soft, flavorful meals with added moisture, making mealtime more appealing while supporting hydration and balanced nutrition.
Why we recommended it:JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh is our favorite wet food brand for medium dogs. This food is a convenient and healthy option for dog owners who want to feed their dogs soft-textured meals and keep them hydrated, especially those in warmer climates. Unlike traditional canned wet dog food, JustFoodForDogs uses only ingredients fit for human consumption to ensure the highest-quality nutrition. Additionally, they employ a unique cooking process to preserve the nutritional value and taste of the ingredients in Pantry Fresh, making it a nutritious and tasty option for dogs.
What sets it apart from competitors: Besides traditional flavors, they offer specialized wet food to address health-specific issues, including joint, skin, sensitive stomach, renal, appetite loss, metabolism, and liver function problems.
Key Features
Ready-to-serve nutrition. A team of veterinarians and canine specialists formulates every recipe.
Gently cooked. This process maximizes the nutritional value and promotes a healthy immune system.
Travel-friendly. 2-year shelf life and transportable Tetra Pak® packaging make it easy to store and travel with.
Who It’s For: Owners of medium dogs who want lightweight, minimally processed meals that are easy to store and become fresh, nourishing food once rehydrated.
Why we recommended it:The Honest Kitchen dehydrated dog food takes first place in this category. Instead of boring chunks of kibble or smelly old pâté, this food is made with dehydrated, human-grade ingredients. Add warm water, then wait 3 minutes for a tasty, homemade meal you and your pets will love.
What sets it apart from competitors: Made using real, whole food ingredients, like free-range chicken, that are gently dehydrated to maintain nutrients and taste.
Key Features
Convenient. The packaging and dehydrated nature make it easy to transport and store anywhere, making it ideal for on-the-go dog parents.
100% human-grade standards. Use the same whole food ingredients you’d recognize in your kitchen, and make this recipe in a human food facility.
Get 50% OFF with code 50CANINE (or 40CANINE for orders under $30)—Use thislink to get started.
Why we recommended it:Get Joy Freeze-Dried strikes a thoughtful balance between raw nutrition and daily practicality. The food is gently freeze-dried to retain nutrients and natural flavor, while removing moisture to improve shelf life and convenience. The ingredients are sourced and produced in the U.S., with a clear focus on clean proteins and whole foods—no artificial fillers, preservatives, or additives. The brand also offers wellness consultations and gut health testing, which aligns well with its personalized, health-first approach.
What sets it apart from competitors: Get Joy integrates personalized health services with its food delivery. Most freeze-dried brands stop at the product; Get Joy pairs it with vet-backed nutrition plans and wellness tools, including at-home gut health kits and 1-on-1 consultations. This adds an extra layer of value for owners who want tailored support, particularly when managing chronic health issues such as digestive problems or food sensitivities.
Who It’s For: Parents of medium-sized dogs who prefer feeding uncooked, meat-forward meals designed around whole ingredients and a carefully balanced raw diet.
Why we recommended it: As more dog parents opt to raw feed their dogs, it’s essential to understand the ins and outs of a raw diet for dogs. If you are in the market for raw dog food, We Feed Raw formula is our top pick for the best raw dog food delivery brands. This formula is protein-packed, comprising 80% meat and organs and 20% non-GMO fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals, to provide your dog with a complete BARF diet. It’s minimally processed, never cooked, pure, natural nutrition to keep your best friend strong.
What sets it apart from competitors: You can pick between a personalized plan or buying the box. The personalized plan might be the better choice if you want convenience and a long-term solution. Buying the box is an excellent option if you prefer flexibility and want to try the meals first.
Key Features
Human-grade meats: USDA meats sourced from free-range cattle and poultry that are humanely raised without antibiotics, steroids, or added hormones.
HPP (High-Pressure Processing): This all-natural technology utilizes high water pressure to eliminate food-borne pathogens, including Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella. Because this process uses pressure rather than heat, the food’s nutritional value remains unaffected.
Pre-portioned meals. Meals are portioned to your dog’s daily needs for easy serving and to reduce food waste.
Get 25% OFF your order with the code CB25. Use Canine Bible’s link to get started.
Best Air-Dried Dog Food for Medium Dogs
4.9
★★★★★
The Pet’s Table
Who It’s For: Dog owners who want meat-rich, gently processed food for their medium-sized dog with concentrated nutrition, easy storage, and no need for refrigeration.
Why we recommended it:The Pet’s Table Air-Dried Dog Food stands out for its minimal ingredients and whole-food recipes made from real meat as the first ingredient, such as beef, chicken, or turkey, along with nutrient-rich vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots. These ingredients are selected for their digestibility, flavor, and nutritional value, providing protein for muscle maintenance, fiber for digestion, and vitamins to support immunity and skin health. The air-drying process uses low heat to remove moisture while retaining more natural nutrients compared to traditional kibble. This means your dog gets a more nutrient-dense, flavorful, and fresher alternative without refrigeration or complicated prep.
What sets it apart from competitors: The jerky-like texture is also highly palatable, especially for picky eaters or dogs with dental sensitivity.
Get 50% OFF your order with Canine Bible’s link — The discount is applied automatically. Cancel anytime.
Who It’s For: Medium dogs that enjoy soft, aromatic meals with plenty of moisture, especially picky eaters or dogs that benefit from easier-to-chew food.
Why we recommended it:PetPlate is our favorite human-grade canned dog food due to its versatile plastic container. Pet Plate meals come in pre-portioned, easy-to-serve microwavable plastic containers that can also be used as bowls if needed. PetPlate appeared on Shark Tank in 2016; since then, they’ve become one of the most popular human-grade, fresh dog food brands.
What sets it apart from competitors: PetPlate is designed to be highly convenient to store and use. The food container can be easily sealed and stored with the remaining food in your fridge or freezer for later use.
Key Features
Personalization. Each meal plan is customized to suit your dog’s size and age.
Long storage.It can be stored in your freezer for up to one year
Get 60% OFF your PetPlate order. Just use this link to get started!
Why we recommended it:Open Farm’s grain-free dry dog food is the best grain-free kibble for your dog. We chose it because it skips grains —corn, soy, and wheat — in favor of science-backed superfoods like non-GMO pumpkin, carrots, leafy greens, and coconut oil, providing a balanced, complete diet that supports dogs’ nutritional needs with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
What sets it apart from competitors: It’s made responsibly from ethically sourced and sustainable ingredients free from antibiotics, hormones, and artificial preservatives, making it one of the most sustainable dog food brands.
Key Features
100% traceable ingredients. Instantly trace the origin of every ingredient through the QR code on the bag.
Premium ingredients. Locally sourced non-GMO fruits and veggies.
Ethically sourced protein. Only ethically sourced and humanely raised meats are used.
Why we recommended it:Wild Earth Dog Food stands out as the best vegan natural dog foodbecause it provides a balanced, nutrient-rich, and cruelty-free recipe using plant-based, sustainable ingredients without compromising protein quality or essential nutrients. Wild Earth is vet-developed and formulated to meet AAFCO standards, ensuring it provides all the essential nutrients dogs need to thrive.
What sets it apart from competitors: It uses only clean, sustainable, and tasty plant proteins that offer more protein by weight than traditional dog foods. It’s boosted with superfood ingredients, including chickpeas, sweet potato, spinach, pumpkin, oats, and more.
Pros
Has the same essential nutrients as diets with meat as the primary protein source
High-quality brown rice, oatmeal, and highly digestible potatoes
Balanced omega fatty acids help support healthy skin and a shiny coat
No artificial flavors or colors
Highly digestible, energizing, and rejuvenating
Backed by science
Cons
One flavor is available. We wish they had more options for picky eaters
It is a bit pricey, but it offers discounts with a subscription
Why we recommended it:Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein is the best hypoallergenic dog formula to feed an allergic dog. This vet-exclusive prescription formula helps dogs with itching, hair loss, skin allergies, and digestive upset. It’s also highly digestible and supports gastrointestinal and dermatological health.
What sets it apart from competitors: This formula utilizes hydrolyzed soy protein, a non-animal protein. Hydrolyzed protein is produced through hydrolysis, which breaks down proteins into smaller fragments that are less likely to be recognized by the immune system, thereby preventing allergic reactions.
Key Features
Limited ingredients. Its limited ingredients also make it great for those with allergies. They use a single carbohydrate source.
Supports GI health. Contains a unique blend of fibers and prebiotics.
Why we recommended it: The Gently Cooked Open Farm puppy recipe is the best dog food for puppies. This puppy-specific formula provides the nutrients needed for optimal growth and development, including prebiotic fiber from pumpkin and chicory root, which supports healthy digestion. Additionally, it contains calcium iodate as a source of energy production, promoting muscular and cognitive development in puppies.
What sets it apart from competitors: This formula is designed specifically for puppies and has a purposeful blend of three proteins to help prevent allergies. It also contains added collagen to support healthy joint development.
Key Features
Human-grade meats. High-quality meats are raised without antibiotics or added hormones.
Superfoods. Boosted with chia seeds, kale, flaxseed, and other wholesome ingredients.
Why we recommended it: We chose JustFoodForDogs Senior dog food as the best senior dog food because of its high protein and fat content, designed to meet the needs of senior dog breeds. The formula supports lean muscle mass and optimal fat metabolism, both of which are essential for maintaining the vitality of aging dogs.
What sets it apart from competitors: JustFoodForDogs is made with only the highest-quality, fresh ingredients and is free of preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors.
Key Features
Human-grade meats. No rendered poultry or meat meals.
Bones and joint support. It incorporates type II collagen to aid with cartilage wear and tear as your pet ages.
Best dog food topper for medium dogs.Portland Pet Food Company Human offers a fantastic variety of tasty, fresh dog food flavors you can add as a topper to your dog’s kibble meals.
Best health-specific custom diet food for medium dogs.JustFoodForDogs makes creating a custom recipe for your fur baby easy. They work with your veterinarian to create a custom recipe if your dog has a medical need for a restricted diet.
Bestdog food to lose weight for medium dogs.Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low is excellent if your dog needs to lose weight.
Bestdog food to gain weight for medium dogs. With 484 calories per cup, Purina Pro Plan Performance is designed to help your dog build lean muscle mass.
Best bulk dog food for medium dogs. Even though Evermore is not as popular as The Farmer’s Dog, NomNomNow, Pet Plate, and Ollie, it delivers high-quality, lightly cooked dog food. What we love most about this company is that you can buy their food in bulk and save money. You can choose the 16- or 32-case option. Each case comes with 1lb of food. They also offer a subscription option.
Best holistic dog foodfor medium dogs. Chi Dog takes a unique approach to feeding dogs fresh food—its food is based on the Eastern Medicine principle “Food Is Medicine.”
How to Transition Your Medium Dog to a New Diet
Switching foods gradually gives your medium dog’s digestive system time to adjust and may reduce stomach upset. For most healthy dogs, a transition over about 7–10 days works well, though sensitive dogs may need a slower change.
Days
Old Food
New Food
What to Do
Days 1–2
75%
25%
Mix thoroughly at each meal.
Days 3–4
50%
50%
Continue the gradual change.
Days 5–6
25%
75%
Increase the new food portion.
Day 7+
0%
100%
Feed the new diet fully.
Sensitive dogs
Reduce slowly
Increase slowly
Extend the transition to 10–14 days.
Monitoring Your Medium Dog’s Progress on a New Diet
After the switch, watch your dog’s appetite, stool quality, vomiting, and energy level. Mild digestive changes can happen initially, but persistent diarrhea, repeated vomiting, poor appetite, or unusual lethargy may mean the new food is not agreeing with them.
Also track body weight and any reason you changed foods in the first place, such as digestive issues, skin problems, or low energy. Look for steady weight and gradual improvement rather than sudden changes.
Dogs with allergies, gastrointestinal disease, kidney problems, or other medical concerns should be monitored with veterinary guidance. Contact your veterinarian if symptoms worsen, new problems develop, or your dog is not doing well on the new diet.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the best dog food for medium dogs starts with finding a complete, balanced diet that matches your dog’s age, activity level, body condition, and individual needs. Medium-sized dogs can thrive on many food types, including dry, wet, fresh, raw, freeze-dried, and air-dried formulas, provided the diet delivers appropriate nutrition. Protein quality, essential fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and overall calorie intake all play a role in supporting everyday health. Adjust portion size to your dog’s needs rather than body size alone. Once you choose a new food, transitioning gradually can help make the change easier on the digestive system. Afterward, monitoring appetite, stool quality, energy, weight, and overall response can help you determine whether the diet is a good fit. When medical conditions or persistent symptoms are involved, your veterinarian can help guide food selection and feeding adjustments.
For more help fine-tuning your medium dog’s diet, use our dog food calculator to estimate daily portions based on weight, age, and activity level. If your dog is especially energetic, our best foods for active dogs guide covers options designed for higher energy demands. For dogs that are less active, see our best dog foods for inactive dogs for lower-calorie feeding considerations.
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Sources
Canine Bible uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process and product review methodology to learn more about how we fact-check, test products, and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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