Dog food buying guide

Canstar Blue’s buying guide gives you the rundown on different types of dog food, health benefits, costs, how to choose the right food for your dog, and purchase locations.

Wet vs dry dog food

Wet dog food is commonly viewed as a treat, yet we don’t exactly know how good wet food is for dogs. In some circumstances, wet food can be a greater source of nutrition for dogs. The most common approach is to provide a mix of both wet and dry dog food – keeping dry food as the staple and wet food for a special meal once or twice per week. The ideal balance between the two varies depending on your dog’s age, health status, and preferences. Consult your vet for specific advice.

When asked what type of food they give their dogs, respondents to our survey said the following:

• Dry food: 82%
• Wet or tinned food: 55%
• Snacks (i.e., smaller treats, etc.): 40%
• Other: 10%

Wet dog food

Sometimes dogs can get fussy. That’s where wet dog food can come in handy. Dogs that are unwell, aging, or can’t smell very well may need a little extra help to get an appetite for dinner. Wet foods have a stronger smell (a very tasty smell to dogs) making them more appealing to eat, with wet food also easier to eat for dogs with teeth or jaw problems. In terms of nutrition, wet food can be a source of hydration for dogs that aren’t quite drinking enough water. It can also contain a higher proportion of animal protein and lower carbohydrate content.

However, wet food isn’t great for dogs prone to dental problems unless they’re given alternative dental care – such as cleaning those chompers yourself with a toothbrush. Wet food spoils very quickly once opened, and is generally more expensive to buy than dry food, with only smaller quantities available on supermarket shelves, making them ideal for the occasional meal rather than a dietary staple.

Dry dog food

The two biggest benefits of dry dog food are simply its price and convenience. Generally, dry dog food is cheaper than wet foods, which can mean more money in the budget to buy treats and toys. It’s also very convenient because it stores well and can be more easily purchased in bulk. Unlike wet food, which spoils quickly after opening, dry dog food can be left out all day without compromising on safety. It can also be used with a timed automatic feeder device – handy for dog parents who sometimes aren’t home for every meal. Dry food is also good for teeth, as the shapes are designed to help clean the teeth as they’re chewed up.

Is all dog food healthy?

Not all dog food is created equal – there can be a drastic difference between brands and their product lines. Unfortunately, it can be the case that cheaper dog food is riskier, as it may contain cheaper nutritionally-deficient fillers or it may not be compliant with Australian standards. This can happen at any end of the price range though, so it’s important to read the label.

In 2011, industry representatives, the RSPCA and various other relevant stakeholders developed the Australian Standard for the Manufacturing and Marketing of Pet Food (AS 5812-2017) which sets out the basic standards for pet food nutrition, safety and marketing.

However, adherence to this standard is voluntary – so check the packaging to see whether or not it states to be compliant with AS 5812-2017. Also, according to the RSPCA, the regulation of ‘pet meat’ products is seriously lacking.

One longstanding issue with pet food safety in Australia is the use of sulphur dioxide, sodium sulphite, and potassium sulphite as food preservatives. These can cause potentially fatal thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiencies in both cats and dogs. AS 5812 includes a requirement that any pet food product containing any of these preservatives must contain sufficient thiamine, to prevent a deficiency.

How much does dog food cost?

The price of dog food depends on the brand, type (either wet or dry), size of packaging, and whether it’s formulated to provide any additional health benefits. Cheaper brands will charge you around $3 for a simple can, while some of the most expensive brands may charge you in excess of $200 for a large packet. Respondents from our most recent survey stated that, on average, they spent just over $100 per month on dog food.

How to choose the right food for your dog

Dogs have different dietary needs at different stages in their life – that’s why you’ll see different foods labelled for different kinds of dogs. Puppies are very active and need lots of energy to grow and strengthen their bones, teeth, and muscles. Puppy food is high in protein, fat, and particular nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development. Adult dogs have lower energy needs than puppies, as they no longer need to fuel rapid growth. Excess body weight can lead to chronic health issues, much the same as with humans. Some dogs are more active than others, which is reflected by some brands targeting particular breeds or lifestyles. Senior or mature dogs are more sedentary as they spend their retirement relaxing. Senior dog food is low-fat and contains easily digestible proteins to ease the burden on their aging body.

There are also specialised food products available for dogs with particular needs. If your dog has any chronic health issues, you should consult your vet about the appropriate diet to keep them healthy and happy. The following ingredients should be avoided in dog food products:

• Meat labelled as ‘by-products’, ‘animal digest’ or ‘meal’ – these are all the lowest-grade portions of the meat
• Added sugars

Unlike with cats, ‘fillers’ in dog food aren’t automatically bad – in fact, they’re nutritionally important (depending of course on the ingredients). For example, corn and rice are good, but corn syrup and MSG are bad. It’s also important to note that product names can be misleading. A product ‘with chicken’, for example, may contain chicken fat but no actual chicken meat. Reading the ingredients list is important to make the best choice for your dog. One useful thing to remember is that ingredients must be listed in order of the proportion present in the product – so look for dog foods with filler ingredients lower down on the list and real meat or other healthy ingredients listed first.