What to look for in dog food
Our experts recommend using the following criteria as your guide. Your veterinarian can also help you determine the most appropriate food for your dog.
AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: This is the most important factor in determining whether a dog’s food is healthy. Any food you feed your dog must state on the label that it meets the nutritional standards established by AAFCO. This means that the food is “complete and balanced” for the dog’s life stage. You can learn more about these standards and definitions at the end of this article.
Warranty review: Here you can see the percentages of the most important nutrients in food: protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. You may find other nutrients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids listed in the guaranteed review. It’s worth checking if the brand regularly tests its finished product to make sure it meets standards, Shepherd says. You can usually find this information on a brand’s website. The foods in this guide are moderate to high in protein (AAFCO minimums are 22.5% for puppies and 18% for adults) and low to moderate in fat (AAFCO minimums are 8.5% for puppies and 5.5% for adults).
List of ingredients: The first thing to look for above is animal protein sources. You’ll find them in the top slot on all the dishes featured in this guide. Whole meat is ideal but tends to be a bit heavy due to its water content. With dry food, that water is removed, so the meat content may not be as high as it seems. There is no need to write off meat dishes, which are often made from animal parts that are not eaten by humans. They can be good sources of protein if they are of high quality and can pack more protein than whole meat. Meat byproducts don’t have to be deal-breakers either. They are processed to remove harmful pathogens and, according to AAFCO, are safe and nutritious.
Healthy extras: Some foods contain additional ingredients intended to support healthy skin, coat, and joints, says Swanson. Examples include long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA, usually from marine-based oils or foods), glucosamine, chondroitin, green-lipped mussels, and additional vitamins (vitamin A, biotin) and minerals (zinc, copper) . Probiotics, prebiotics, and yeast can also benefit a puppy’s immature gastrointestinal tract, and probiotics can help boost overall immunity in older dogs.
Calorie content: Dogs can start to gain weight if they consume too many calories. That can cause health problems, so look for the calorie content listed in kilocalories (kcal) on the nutrition label. If your dog is not very active, he will need fewer calories, and if your dog is very active, he will need more calorie-dense food. Helping your dog feel good about their food is really important, and quantity can help. Ideally, you want your dog to eat as much food as possible while staying within their ideal daily calorie range. Check out this calorie calculator from the Pet Nutrition Alliance to determine how many calories your dog needs. Foods that strike this balance are rated higher in our selection process. As always, your veterinarian can help you determine if you are feeding your dog the correct amount of calories.
Feeding trials: If a food has undergone feeding trials in addition to laboratory testing of food ingredients, that is a big plus. “It’s expensive to conduct feeding trials, and the foods that are validated by feeding trials are made by companies that put a lot of resources into quality control,” Shepherd said. If the nutritional adequacy statement on the label says something along the lines of: “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO methods confirm that [product] provides complete and balanced nutrition for [life stage],” meaning that the food has been proven through feeding trials to be palatable, digestible, and able to support pets over time.
Expert formulations: It is important to consider who decides what goes into the food. Shepherd says you want to look for companies that have a doctorate-level nutritionist with canine nutrition experience on staff. The brand should also employ food scientists who work with nutrition experts. For this guide, we prioritized brands with dedicated nutrition experts on staff to align with WSAVA recommendations.
Next level ingredients: Despite marketing messaging, human-grade, organic, wild-caught, or cage-free are not necessarily healthier for your pet. But if you care about the welfare of the animals you eat and your pets, these ingredients are a plus. Unlike farmed fish, wild-caught fish are not treated with antibiotics or drugs, so they may also be better for your dog. You can also find some foods with meat and eggs from free-range chickens and turkeys.
