How to Choose Dog Food: Tips for Finding the Best Diet for Your Dog

Choosing the right dog food might seem impossible to do with all the different brands with gaudy packaging making bold statements vying for your attention in the pet food aisle. All those brands might send you into confusion about what is right or wrong. Here comes the kicker- what goes into the food bowl does determine your dog’s energy levels, health, and happiness. To us, feeding the right food is one of the great ways to show love to your pup. 

The wrong food choice isn’t just about a picky dog turning up its nose – it can lead to health consequences such as digestive upset, nutrient deficiencies, weight problems, and even contribute to certain health conditions over time. So much so, consider your dog’s food as its daily medicine, because in many ways, it practically is! 

Let us take you through how to select dog food that will keep your furry buddy thriving for years.

Understanding Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs

It might be best that before running off with the first bag it sees with a happy dog on the packaging, there be some understanding that no single formula works for every dog. Nutritional needs differ from one pet to another. 

Dogs’ dietary needs change throughout life owing to age, breed, size, health conditions, and other factors. Hence, these factors are the first variables to consider in picking the right food for your dog.

Different Life Stages

Puppies, adult dogs, and seniors have dramatically different nutritional requirements:

1. Puppies need more calories per pound, extra protein for growth, and specific nutrients like DHA for brain development
2. Adult dogs require balanced maintenance nutrition with appropriate calories for their activity level
3. Senior dogs often benefit from lower calories, joint-supporting nutrients, and easier-to-digest proteins

A one-year-old Border Collie and a ten-year-old Shih Tzu have completely different nutritional needs – and their food should reflect that. Food labeled “for all life stages” is typically formulated for the most demanding life stage (growth/reproduction), which may not be appropriate for less active adult or senior dogs.

Breed-Specific Requirements

While marketing often overemphasizes breed-specific formulas, there are legitimate considerations based on your dog’s size and breed characteristics:

Small breeds have faster metabolisms and may do better with smaller, energy-dense kibble. Large and giant breeds need controlled growth nutrition to support healthy bone and joint development. Some breeds are prone to specific health issues that can be addressed through nutrition, like heart-supporting nutrients for breeds prone to cardiac issues.

Activity Level and Health Conditions

Your dog’s way of living and the current health condition of the pooch greatly affect how much its diet requires. Very different nutrition is required by a farm dog that gallops several miles every day from that required by a lap dog living in a flat. Usually, dogs that have medical conditions are advised diets that only suit certain conditions like kidney diseases, diabetes, hypersensitivity to certain foods, and even overweight or underweight conditions.

When it comes to nutritional choices for a dog that has health problems, vet advice gets mandatory. Some things may include diets that have a prescription, while some other topics may include some thoroughly selected fit-for-purpose but available products.

How to Choose Dog Food – What to Look for in the Ingredients

Now that you understand your dog’s specific needs, it’s time to focus on ingredient quality. The ingredient list is your window into what’s actually in that bag or can.

High-Quality Proteins

Protein should be the foundation of your dog’s diet. Look for named animal proteins (chicken, beef, salmon) rather than generic “meat” or “animal” proteins. These should appear near the top of the ingredient list, indicating they make up a significant portion of the food.

Quality matters as much as quantity. Whole meats and named meat meals (like “chicken meal”) provide concentrated protein. Avoid foods with unnamed meat by-products or vague protein sources, as these can vary in quality and digestibility.

Fats and Carbohydrates

Healthy fats provide essential fatty acids and energy for your dog. Look for named fat sources like chicken fat or fish oil rather than generic “animal fat.” These provide important omega fatty acids that support skin, coat, and immune health.

When it comes to carbohydrates, quality sources include whole grains (brown rice, oats), legumes (lentils, chickpeas), and vegetables. These provide fiber, essential nutrients, and energy. Some dogs do better with grain-free options, while others thrive with whole grains included – there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here.

Vitamins, Minerals, and Functional Ingredients

Beyond the basics, look for foods with appropriate vitamin and mineral supplementation to ensure complete nutrition. Many quality foods also include functional ingredients like glucosamine for joint health, probiotics for digestion, or omega-3s for inflammation control.

Avoiding Fillers and Artificial Additives

Just as important as what should be in your dog’s food is what shouldn’t be there. Steer clear of foods containing:

• Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives (like BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin)
• Excessive fillers with little nutritional value (corn gluten meal, wheat middlings)
• Sweeteners like corn syrup or molasses
• Vague ingredient terms that mask what’s really included
• Excessive salt or sugar

Remember – if you can’t pronounce multiple ingredients or don’t recognize what they are, that might be a red flag.

How to Choose the Right Dog Food – Types of Dog Food

With a clear understanding of what should go into your dog’s food, let’s explore the different forms available. Each has distinct advantages and considerations.

Various feeding formats offer different benefits, and many pet parents find that a combination approach works best for their dogs. Here’s what to know about each option:

Dry Food (Kibble)

Kibble remains the most popular choice for good reasons – it’s convenient, economical, and has a long shelf life. Quality dry foods can provide excellent nutrition while being easy to measure and store. The crunchy texture can help with dental health, though not as significantly as once thought.

When selecting kibble, pay attention to the kibble size appropriate for your dog, and remember that higher quality often means more digestible ingredients with fewer fillers, so you may be able to feed less than lower-quality foods.

Wet Food (Canned)

Canned foods typically contain more protein and moisture than dry foods, which can benefit dogs that don’t drink enough water or those with certain health conditions. They’re often more palatable for picky eaters and older dogs with dental issues.

The downside? They’re more expensive per serving, require refrigeration after opening, and create more packaging waste. Still, many pet parents find wet food valuable as a topper or part of a mixed feeding strategy.

Raw and Freeze-Dried Diets

Raw and minimally processed diets aim to mimic what dogs might eat in the wild. Advocates point to benefits like improved digestion, healthier coats, and cleaner teeth. These can come pre-prepared or freeze-dried for convenience.

These diets require careful handling to prevent bacterial contamination and should be nutritionally balanced, not just plain meat. They’re typically more expensive and may require special storage considerations.

Homemade Dog Food

Some pet parents choose to prepare their dog’s food at home for maximum control over ingredients. While admirable, this approach requires significant research to ensure nutritional completeness, often with the help of a veterinary nutritionist.

Without careful balancing, homemade diets can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies over time. If you go this route, work with a professional to create properly balanced recipes.

Understanding Labels and Marketing Claims

Navigating pet food marketing requires a healthy dose of skepticism and some label-reading skills. Not all claims on packaging tell the full story about what’s inside.

Reading Dog Food Labels

Dog food labels follow specific regulations, but they can still be confusing. Here’s what to know:

• Ingredients are listed by weight before cooking, so meat (which contains water) often appears first, even if the final product contains more of other ingredients
• “Complete and balanced” means the food meets minimum requirements for essential nutrients as established by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials)
• Guaranteed analysis shows minimum percentages of protein and fat, and maximum percentages of fiber and moisture, but doesn’t indicate quality or digestibility
• Life stage statements tell you if the food is formulated for growth (puppies), maintenance (adults), or all life stages

Taking time to understand these elements helps you make better comparisons between products.

Marketing Terms to Watch Out For

The pet food industry uses plenty of appealing but sometimes misleading terms.

“Natural” doesn’t have a strict legal definition for pet food and doesn’t necessarily mean the product is better. “Premium,” “super-premium,” and “gourmet” are marketing terms with no regulatory meaning. “Holistic” sounds good, but has no official definition in pet food.

Even “grain-free” doesn’t automatically mean better quality – some grain-free foods simply replace grains with potatoes or peas, which may not be nutritionally superior.

Certifications and Quality Control

One reliable way to gauge food quality is through legitimate certifications:

• AAFCO statement confirming the food meets nutritional adequacy standards
• Company reputation for quality control and safety testing
• Manufacturer transparency about ingredient sourcing and production practices
• Specific certifications like USDA Organic (if that’s important to you)

Remember that the most expensive food isn’t always the best, and the cheapest food rarely is. Finding the sweet spot between quality and affordability is key.

Making the Final Decision: Choosing the Right Food for Your Dog

After considering all these factors, how do you make the final call on choosing the right dog food? The process doesn’t end with purchasing – monitoring your dog’s response is equally important. A high-quality food that theoretically meets all your dog’s needs still isn’t right if your pup won’t eat it or doesn’t thrive on it.

Watch how your dog responds to the new food. Healthy signs include appropriate energy levels, a shiny coat, fresh breath, proper weight maintenance, normal digestion, and enthusiasm at mealtime. If you notice negative changes like increased scratching, digestive upset, or lethargy, it’s time to reconsider. Finding the perfect food often requires some trial and error.

Don’t hesitate to consult with your veterinarian, especially for dogs with specific health concerns. They can provide guidance tailored to your individual dog’s needs. Remember that nutritional requirements change throughout your dog’s life, so reassess their diet periodically as they age.

The time you invest in choosing the right dog food pays off in your pet’s health, happiness, and longevity. After all, proper nutrition is the foundation of good health, and don’t we all want our furry friends around, happy and healthy, for as long as possible?