How to Choose Dog Food

That’s the million dollar question! The answer is: there is no best dog food, only good food for your dog. And it’s likely there are plenty of choices that fit that description.

We truly wish we could take the time to search the many dog foods on our website to help you find one that meets your pet’s special needs. However, the Dog Food Advisor was never designed to provide custom services of this nature.

Why not limit your search to the 3, 4 and 5-star products we’ve already screened from the thousands of recipes currently available.

Or for help finding a special type, see our Best Dog Foods page for links to some of our suggested products.

And be sure to also check the comments at the end of each review to see what our readers (the real experts) have to say, too.

Unfortunately, time does not permit us to provide personalized product comparisons.

Besides, since each dog responds to a particular food in its own way, it would be impossible for us to compare two or more recipes and predict which one would be the right choice for your pet.

Unfortunately, since we are not veterinarians, we try to limit our services to reading and interpreting pet food labels only.

We never attempt to judge the ability of any dog food to address certain problems or deliver specific health benefits.

Because of their low cost and unbeatable convenience, dry kibbles are the most popular dog foods in use.

But they’re not always the best. Canned foods can be some of the best (and most overlooked) choices available.

Although there are situations when feeding either one might be the better choice, there are also times when mixing the two together (a process known as topping) makes an especially tasty meal.

To learn more, see our article, “What’s Better… Canned or Dry Dog Food?”

Pros:

• Dry food — or kibble — is highly convenient. It has a long shelf life, even after opening the packet, and is easy to transport if traveling. It can be bought in bulk and is simple and quick to give to your dog.
• It’s also one of the more affordable ways to feed your dog, especially if you’re a parent to multiple dogs. There’s a wide range of kibble available, catering to all likes and dislikes.
• The crunchy texture of kibble also helps with dental care and tartar reduction.

Cons:

• The heavy processing involved in manufacturing — nutrients can be lost due to the high temperatures used when making the kibble, and often preservatives are added to increase shelf life.
• Fillers can sometimes be added to bulk out low-quality, cheap kibble, so always check the ingredients.
• Some dogs don’t like kibble, whether it’s due to the texture or flavor.
• Some kibble can impact digestion, resulting in bloating, gas and/or loose stools.
• Dry food has a very low moisture content, so ensure your dog is getting plenty of hydration elsewhere in their diet.
• It also has a high carbohydrate content, which can lead to obesity if portions aren’t controlled.

Pros:

• Wet dog food typically contains more protein and less carbs than dry food.
• Due to wet food being canned, it has a long shelf life, so unopened cans can be stored for a while.
• It’s often low in preservatives as the canning process keeps the food preserved.
• It features a high moisture content, and can help obese or overweight dogs control their weight by making them feel fuller for longer.
• It can be good for puppies and senior dogs as it’s easy to chew.

Cons:

• The downsides to wet food include storage once opened, as the shelf life of wet food once opened is short. This means it shouldn’t be left in the bowl for long if it’s uneaten. 
• Wet food can also be expensive, as well as taking up a lot of cupboard space. 
• The calorie-dense nature of the product means it can lead to weight gain if you give too much to your dog.

Pros:

• Raw food can benefit dogs with digestion problems or allergies as there are fewer ingredients. 
• It usually results in improved digestion, firmer stools, and helps improve coat and skin health.
• Like wet food, the amount of carbs is low, making it good for weight control.

Cons:

• Raw food can be expensive. 
• Storage can be a problem, as it requires freezing, which also means being organized enough to ensure enough food is defrosted for upcoming meals.
• As with fresh food, there’s a risk of pathogens being passed to anyone who handles the food or bowls.
• Home-made raw diets can exclude key nutrients.

Pros:

• Fresh food is usually made using healthy, fresh, human-grade ingredients such as meat, fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
• It’s often sold on a subscription basis, making it convenient and delivered to your door, and can be customizable depending on the size of your dog, breed and any allergies they might have. This also lowers the risk of under- or over-feeding and is ideal for picky eaters.
• More moisture than dry food, and is good for coat and skin health.

Cons:

• It can be expensive.
• Like raw, storage can also be a problem due to the fact that freezing is required if buying in bulk. 
• There’s also the risk of bacterial infection passing to dog parents from handling raw meat.

See our article on Is Fresh Dog Food Worth the Cost? for more.

Pros: 

• The process of dehydrating dog food preserves a high percentage of nutrients and vitamins.
• It has a longer shelf life than fresh or raw, and takes up less space, making it easier to store.
• There’s minimal processing in manufacturing, and largely natural ingredients.

Cons:

• Takes time to rehydrate the food, up to 10-15 mins.
• Less convenient when travelling, but more convenient than fresh or raw.
• Shorter shelf life than kibble once opened.

Read more in our article comparing dehydrated dog food to dry dog food.

Pros:

• It’s high in nutrients and vitamins.
• Naturally preserved without the use of chemicals or preservatives.
• Convenient, especially for those who like the idea of raw but without the mess/organizational aspect.

Cons:

• Higher in cost.
• Sometimes requires rehydration with water.
• There’s a low risk of pathogen transmission — not as high as raw, but it’s still a risk.