What to Look for in Quality Dog Food

Caring dog owners want to make sure they’re feeding their four-legged friends the very best nutrition to keep them healthy and happy for years to come. But with so many dog food options lining the pet store shelves, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which ones are truly high quality rather than just clever marketing gimmicks.

Whole Protein Sources

Protein is the most important nutrient for dogs, as it provides the essential amino acids their bodies need to build and maintain lean muscle mass, healthy skin and fur, enzymes, antibodies, and more. The best dog foods list real, whole protein sources like chicken, turkey, eggs, or fish as the first ingredient.

Avoid diets with vague terms like just “meat” or “meat by-product meal”, which could contain low-quality sources like animal by-products and fillers. Plant proteins like soy, corn, and wheat gluten are more difficult for dogs to digest and lack some essential aminos, so they shouldn’t be the primary proteins.

Limited, Wholesome Ingredients

In general, the fewer the ingredients the better when it comes to quality dog foods. Long lists of hard-to-pronounce additives, preservatives, and fillers are red flags that the diet contains a lot of low-quality, difficult-to-digest ingredients.

Look for easily recognizable whole foods you could find in your own pantry like fresh fruits, veggies, grains, and fats listed on the label. Many leading vet nutritionists recommend avoiding corn, wheat, and soy ingredients, which are common allergens for dogs.

Healthy Fats

While fat tends to get a bad reputation, quality fat sources are essential for providing dogs with energy-dense calories and critical fatty acids like omega-3s and omega-6s. These promote healthy skin, fur, brain function, inflammation control, and more.

The best fats come from animal sources like chicken fat, fish oils, and plant-based oils like canola, flaxseed, and sunflower oils. Avoid hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils which may contain unhealthy trans fats.

Digestive Support

Since a huge part of your dog’s immunity and overall health starts in the gut, look for dog food formulas that contain prebiotics and probiotics or live active cultures to promote healthy digestion and a balanced microbiome. Ingredients like chicory root, pumpkin, and brewer’s yeast provide prebiotic fibers that feed the good gut bacteria.

You may also want to consider cold pressed dog food from a brand like Nextrition, which uses a gentle processing method to preserve more of the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and live enzymes and probiotics naturally present in the ingredients.

Life Stage Formulas

Dogs require different balances of calories, protein, calcium, and other key nutrients depending on their age and life stage. Puppies, for example, need more calories and specific nutrients to fuel their rapid growth and development.

Most premium dog food brands will have separate formulas tailored to the nutritional needs of puppies, adults, and senior dogs. Feeding an age-appropriate diet supports their specific life stage rather than a one-size-fits-all food.

Read the Guaranteed Analysis

Look past the marketing buzzwords on the front and check out the guaranteed analysis on the label. This chart breaks down the percentages of crude protein and fat the food contains, which should align with your pup’s nutritional needs based on their breed, size, energy levels, and life stage.

Conclusion

With so many options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to find quality dog food. But by knowing what to look for in the ingredients list, fats, nutrient breakdowns, and preparation methods, you can cut through the hype and find a diet truly optimized for your pup’s overall health, energy, and longevity. If you’re ever unsure, consult your vet for guidance on diet options tailored to your dog’s specific breed and needs.