Must read before buying dog food! Big revelation in 2025 report

Customer opinions matter more than ever in the pet food industry. Reviews.ai , a consumer data analytics company , recently released the 2025 Dry Dog Food Best Seller Performance Report , which analyzed 26 brands and 89 dry dog ​​food products based on 135,303 online customer reviews . The report divided companies into four categories based on customer sentiment and brand loyalty .

Four Categories of Dry Dog Food Brands

According to the report, companies have been placed in four main categories according to their customer satisfaction and position in the market :

1. Leaders (successful brands) – high customer satisfaction and strong loyalty

   • Purina, Hill’s, Iams, Nutro, Royal Canin, Rachel Ray Nutrish

2. Niche (popular but limited customer base) – small but trusted brands

   • Merrick, Pedigree, Health Extension, Natural Balance

3. At risk (brands losing customer trust) – strong brand identity but declining customer loyalty

   • Blue Buffalo, Taste of the Wild, Orijen, Open Farm

4. Laggards (underperforming brands) – low customer satisfaction and negative reviews

   • Zignature, Diamond Naturals, Cesar, Canidae, Wagg

Major concerns of customers

The report also states that several key concerns of customers are influencing brand choice. These mainly include four main factors :

1. Questions on brand trust and transparency

• Many consumers believe that brands do not live up to their claims , especially regarding health benefits .
• Brands that don’t clearly disclose sources may lose long-term loyalty.

2. Quality of ingredients and health effects

• Consumers are now prioritizing nutrition and transparency over premium claims .
• Despite claims like biologically appropriate, grain-free and high-protein , many customers are complaining of digestive issues and allergies .

3. The balance of price versus value

• Sales of expensive dog food brands are on the rise, but customers are questioning the rationale behind the high prices .
• Many consumers are turning to cheaper but equally quality brands .

4. Impact of retail and e-commerce strategy

• Availability, shipping, and ease of online shopping are key to brand loyalty.
• Stock shortages and long delivery times are driving customers to other brands.

Six Key Consumer Review Topics

The report categorizes 135,303 customer reviews into six main topics :

1. Dog preferences and satisfaction

• Many customers are complaining about their pet dogs not eating the food due to the taste, smell or texture .

2. Health and Well-being of the Dog

• Brands that have received recommendations from veterinarians are receiving higher loyalty scores.

3. Brand trust and formula changes

• Brands that frequently change formulas and have unclear marketing strategies are causing consumer trust to decline.

4. Product quality and experience

• Poor packaging, inconsistent kibble quality, and sudden formula changes are the most common complaints.

5. Price and purchasing behavior

• Premium priced brands have to prove to customers that their products are truly better, otherwise they are turning to cheaper alternatives.

6. Service and Fulfillment

• Many consumers are switching brands due to stock shortages, slow deliveries and poor customer service .

This report makes it clear that customers are no longer influenced by just brand names , but they give more importance to quality, transparency, price and service . Brands like Purina, Hill’s and Royal Canin remain the customer’s choice, while brands like Blue Buffalo and Orijen are losing customer trust. Only those companies that take customer concerns seriously and adopt a transparent strategy will remain strong in the market.