The best dog food: How to choose the right food for your canine friend

As an owner, you see your four-legged friend on a regular basis. If your dog produces healthy stool, is active and fit, and has a healthy appetite, then your dog food choice is probably working just fine.  When choosing the right food for your dog there are a few important factors to consider. Firstly, there’s the type of dog food: dry, wet and raw.

Dog food – what’s better wet or dry dog food?

The choice between wet and dry dog food can be tough, you’ve got to take into account your pet’s health, their preferences and dietary needs, and your time and budget.

Dry dog food - convenient and popular solution since dry food can be kept for significantly longer than wet food.

• Comes in the form of kibbles, biscuits or pellets
• Longer shelf life
• Cheaper option + High energy content - dog owners only need to use small quantities of dry food to meet their dog's needs
• Clean & convenient - easy to sweep up if dog is a messy eater

Wet dog food - is less filling as it contains more water.

• May come in a gravy sauce or contain chunks of jelly
• More intense in smell and taste
• High water content – great for dogs that don't drink much during the day
• Softer texture – beneficial for older dogs whose jaw and teeth aren’t as strong as they used to be

Raw dog food – is a controversial topic. On one hand, potential benefits include shinier coat, healthier skin and cleaner teeth but on the other, there are a few disadvantages and health risks you should be aware of:

• Homemade raw food is unlikely to be complete and balanced - a dog needs 37 essential nutrients to stay in good shape, and balancing the correct amounts of minerals is very tricky
• More expensive than wet and dry dog food
• Raw meat contains bacteria and parasites – shouldn’t be given to dogs with cancer and low immunity as they are more susceptible to it
• Potential for whole bones to choke an animal, break teeth or cause an internal puncture

Should I mix dry and wet dog food?

Whilst mixing wet and dry pet food is generally okay to do and has many advantages, for example, it increases palatability, water intake and can help with weight management, if your dog has digestive problems you should stick to just one type of food as food mixing can lead to diarrhoea or constipation for sensitive stomachs.

If your dog tends to eat their food too quickly, you can slow down their mealtime and turn it into a challenging game with the All Pet Solutions Slow Feeder Dog Bowl. Raised columns prolong eating time significantly and reduce the risk of gulping and bloat.

Specialised diets

Additionally, you can find that there are special types of foods for overweight dogs, those with kidney problems, for puppies or for elderly canines.

Puppy dog food - Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. They’re constantly growing, their bones are strengthening and they need a high-calorie diet, high in protein and rich in fatty acids.

Senior dog food – Older dogs are not as energetic and lively as they used to be. Less movement means they tend to gain weight quicker. Senior dog food contains fewer calories and helps to promote mobility and supple joints.

What about the ingredients?

The best dog food has a high meat content. Animal proteins have a higher biological value than plant proteins, however, a mixture of animal and plant-derived proteins in dog food is recommended. Carrots, peas and other veg are a great way to spice up your dog’s diet and have a lot of nutrients.

Most of the time dog food contains not only meat and grains but also many other ingredients that are recommended to include in your dog’s diet. It can be rich in fatty acids fish oil, vegetables and fruits that are a great source of fibre as well as vitamins and minerals that have a positive effect on the condition of your best friend’s teeth bones and joints.

Below you can find our top best dog food picks.

Best Dry Dog Food

James Wellbeloved

James Wellbeloved Duck and Rice Complete Dog Food for Small Breeds contains a minimum of 27% duck, 27% rice and 12% organic oats, making it a great source of protein. It also contains omega 3 and 6 for glossy coat, plus a natural prebiotic that helps to maintain a healthy gut.  

 

BETA Dry Dog Food

Purina’s BETA Turkey Dry Dog Food for Large Breeds contains delicious 28% turkey as well as beet pulp - which helps with a dog’s digestion. It also includes essential amino acids to help support vital organ functions including the heart, and omega 3 fatty acids to help support healthy joints and has no added artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Forthglade Dry Dog Food

High in meat content (32.5%) and packed with healthy nutritious vegetables including sweet potatoes and peas, the Forthglade’s Chicken Grain-Free Cold Pressed Dog Food breaks down gently and quickly in your dog's stomach without swelling up, making it perfect for all dogs including puppies over the age of 2 months and dogs with sensitivities.  

Best Wet Dog Food

 

Naturediet Wet Dog Food

Specifically formulated for dogs with food intolerances, Naturediet’s Purely Lamb Wet Dog Food contains just meat protein recipe and is packed with vitamins and minerals to provide a nutritionally balanced complete feed for your dog. Contains no allergens: grain, gluten, soya, eggs or dairy.

 

Forthglade Wet Dog Food

Forthglade Grain Free Dog Food with Chicken and Butternut Squash is perfect for dogs with sensitive tummies. Hypoallergenic and packed with 75% chicken along with a healthy mix of vegetables (butternut squash, carrots and peas) it will keep your four-legged friend happy and healthy.