What Kind of Dog Food is Best

Dog food is a very personal decision because it depends on the size and age of your dog, as well as your personal preferences. There are many different types of dog food out there, but they can be grouped into three main categories: dry kibble, wet canned, or raw/home cooked.

The dry kibble is the most common type in North America and Europe. It’s processed food that is made up of grains like corn and wheat. Wet canned foods are also processed foods that contain more water than dry kibble does. They’re usually canned so they last longer than fresh meat would if you were cooking it at home. Raw/home cooked diets consist of fresh meats, vegetables, fruits and other healthy ingredients that you cook yourself at home for your pet to eat.

What is the healthiest food to feed your dog?

Kale. This supercharged leafy green contains loads of vitamins, including A, E, and C. Carrots. Crunchy and naturally sweet, carrots are loved by most dogs. Pumpkin. Sweet Potatoes. Fish. Nori (dried seaweed). Chia seeds. Quinoa.^[1]

What is the best dog food recommended by vets?

Pupper Chicken Topper. The Farmers Dog. Image courtesy The Farmers Dog. We Feed Raw. Image courtesy We Feed Raw. PetPlate. Image courtesy PetPlate. Nom Nom. Darwin’s Natural Pet Products. Raised Right Pets. Spot & Tango.^[2]

Which is better wet or dry dog food?

Generally speaking, wet food is better for dogs than dry food. Wet food has fewer carbohydrates, which are difficult for dogs to digest, and more water, which keeps dogs hydrated. As we’ve said time and again when discussing training techniques, breed standards and best dog parent practices, every pup is an individual.^[3]

What meat should dogs not eat?

Bacon, Ham and Fat Trimmings Bacon, bacon grease, ham, and fat trimmed off meat or bones contains a lot of salt and/or fat and at the least can cause indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea in both dogs and cats. These foods can also cause pancreatitis, a serious, potentially deadly inflammation of the pancreas.^[4]

What ingredients should I avoid in dog food?

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) First on our list is butylated hydroxyanisole, also known as BHA. White Flour. Meat Meal. Artificial Food Coloring. Corn Syrup. Rendered Fat. Vegetable Oil. Farmed Salmon.^[5]

Is grain-free food better for dogs?

There are a lot of dog and cat foods sold as grain-free with marketing suggesting that feeding no grains is healthier. This is not true and can, in fact, cause illness for some dogs and cats. There is no medical or physiologic basis to feed dogs or cats a grain-free diet.^[6]

Why should dogs have grain-free food?

Grain-free dog food does not contain wheat, rice, or other types of grains. Grains are usually substituted for legumes, which could cause dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). When you cut out grains, dogs can miss out on fiber, fatty acids, and protein.^[7]

Can dogs survive only on dry food?

For decades, dry dog food was the only commercially available dog food on the market, so that is another good indication that dogs can live perfectly healthy lives on just dry dog food alone.^[8]

Is it OK to just feed dogs dry food?

It is entirely acceptable to feed your dog a pure kibble diet. Or you can mix their diet up with some cooked or raw meat, fish, vegetables and rice. Many owners like to feed a raw meat diet to their dogs, and while this can suit some dogs very well, there are some important considerations you need to be aware of.^[9]

Should I add water to dry dog food?

Add water to dry dog food to make it more palatable and enhance the dog’s hydration. So yes, it is OK to mix dry dog food with water. Moist dog food is always preferred by dogs over dry kibble, especially with weaning puppies. It tastes better, it smells better.^[10]

Is cheese bad for dogs?

While cheese can be safe to feed to your dog, there are some things to remember. Cheese is high in fat, and feeding too much to your dog regularly can cause weight gain and lead to obesity. Even more problematic, it could lead to pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness in dogs.^[11]

What food is poisonous to dogs?

Onions, garlic and chives. The onion family, whether dry, raw or cooked, is particularly toxic to dogs and can cause gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage. Chocolate. Macadamia nuts. Corn on the cob. Avocado. Artificial sweetener (Xylitol). Alcohol. Cooked bones.^[12]