What to Look for in a Dog Food Brand
Intended Life Stage
Your dog’s age, size, lifestyle, and medical conditions should all factor into your choice of a dog food brand. Some foods are best for small adult dogs, while others are better for large dogs. A growing puppy has different nutritional needs than an adult dog, and a dog who is overweight shouldn’t be given the same food as a highly active sporting dog. If you’re uncertain about your dog’s life stage and particular food needs, talk to your vet to figure out what type of food will work best.
Nutritional Adequacy Statement
“The Association of American Feed Control Officers (AAFCO) has developed specific guidelines for defining ingredients, testing, feeding trial protocols, and official terminology for dog foods,” explains Dr. Frione. “When choosing dog food, make sure it meets the standards outlined by AAFCO, which should be noted on the packaging.”
This nutritional adequacy statement is typically found on the back of the bag underneath the guaranteed analysis, and it usually reads something like, “[Brand] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance/adult dogs.” If you notice the food is labeled as “short-term,” “intermittent,” or “complementary,” it is not a complete source of nutrition for your dog. The AAFCO also has comprehensive guidance on reading dog food labels.
Veterinary Nutritionist Formulated
Another way to assess the quality of a dog food brand is by determining how its products are formulated. Dr. Frione and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) both recommend looking for a brand that employs a veterinary nutritionist, ideally with a Ph.D. in animal nutrition, as recipe development is a complex process that’s not taught in most veterinary school programs.
Dry Food vs. Wet Food
A nutritional balance dog food can come in the form of dry kibble or wet food. The former is usually packaged in a bag and the latter is most often canned. One is not necessarily better than the other, but you may find one is preferred by your dog. In some cases, you may find it cost-effective to mix dry food and wet food. Before doing so, you should adjust the portion based on guidelines for your dog’s weight to make sure you aren’t overfeeding your dog.
How We Found The Best Dog Food Brands
To evaluate the incredible range of available dog foods, our research panel put together a comprehensive questionnaire, asking for dog owner’s to describe the qualities that matter most to them when they choose a dog food brand. We learned what brands were recommended by veterinarians, and which had the most trustworthy list of ingredients. We also looked for high-value brands that can fit in people’s budgets, and brands with wide retailer availability.
We also gathered details about a dog’s size, breed, and age, which helped us make picks tailored to a wide range of dogs, since the best dog food for a senior French Bulldog won’t be the best dog food for a Golden Retriever puppy.
In total, 407 respondents described how they and their dogs felt about the dog foods they used at home, using a combination of numerical scores and detailed feedback.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
This story was updated by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a happy pomeranian named Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets.
We also took a comprehensive survey on preferred brands and feeding habits. Each respondent provided data on their dog’s age, size, and breed, in addition to a detailed history of the dog food brands and products they mutually enjoy.
A previous version was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and lifelong animal lover who currently owns two dogs, both of whom she feeds Purina Pro Plan dog food at the recommendation of her vet. Rabideau consulted with Dr. Jennifer Frione, DVM, owner of Lakeside Animal Hospital, for guidance on what to look for in a dog food.