How to Choose the Right Dog Food

Every pet parent wants their pup to be happy and healthy – which makes choosing the right dog food a top priority. Yet, as anyone who’s browsed the dog food aisles of a pet store can tell you, the choices available can be incredibly overwhelming. Deciding between kibble and wet food, natural and organic, and fresh and grain-free is no easy matter.
Here’s a brief overview of all your dog food options – and how you can go about choosing the right food for your pup.

Types of dog food

Each form of dog food has certain advantages or dietary benefits.

Dry food: Also known as kibble, dry dog food is the most common type of dog food. It’s convenient, affordable, has a long shelf life and helps reduce plaque on your dog’s teeth. 

Wet food: Canned dog food has a higher moisture content than dry food, which can help dogs with urinary tract issues or pups who need more hydration. Dogs often prefer the flavor of wet food over kibble. 

Semi-moist: This type of food has a chewy texture and may be more appealing to picky eaters. However, it may also contain more sugar and preservatives than other forms of dog food. 

Raw: Raw dog food diets include raw meat, bones, fruits and vegetables. While these ingredients are similar to what dogs would eat in the wild, it’s difficult to manage a raw diet while avoiding bacterial infection and ensuring nutritional balance. 

Homemade: It’s possible to prepare your own dog food at home, but it takes a great deal of work to be sure you’re meeting all your dog’s nutritional needs. 

Dehydrated and freeze-dried: These diets include raw or cooked foods where moisture has been removed, so the food must be rehydrated before serving. A freeze-dried diet makes it easier to feed dogs a raw diet with a longer shelf life. 

Veterinary diets: Veterinarians may prescribe food that’s been specially formulated for dogs with specific health issues like allergies, obesity or kidney disease. 

Limited-ingredient diets: Dogs with food sensitivities often do better with a diet that contains fewer ingredients. Some pets do best with diets that exclude certain grain sources, which can sometimes minimize symptoms of allergies.  

Things to consider when choosing dog food

Your decision about dog food should be based on several key factors.

Your vet’s advice: As you consider the right food for your dog, getting advice from your veterinarian is a great place to start. Vets can offer personalized advice based on your dog’s dietary needs and medical conditions.

Age of your pet: Dogs have different nutritional needs at each stage of life. Puppies need more calories and specific nutrients to support their growth, while older dogs often require less caloric food, and a different balance of macro and micronutrients to prevent obesity and promote health. Most dog food brands distinguish between puppy food (less than a one year), food for adults (one to eight years old) and seniors (eight years and older).

Your dog’s breed and size: Many brands of dog food – especially harder, dry kibble – are produced in different sizes, since the kibble that will satisfy a Great Dane will be much too large for the tiny mouth of dachshund. Look for designations like “large breed” and “small breed” on the packaging. Also, certain breeds have specific dietary requirements for managing hereditary health issues.

Your dog’s opinion: Ultimately, your pup may have a say in the matter. Some dogs will eat anything you put in front of them, while others are incredibly picky.

Quality ingredients: One of the most important considerations in choosing dog food is to pick a brand that’s made with high-quality ingredients. While premium brands may cost a bit more than bargain offerings, they’re more likely to accurately provide all the nutrients your pet needs from consistent and reputable sources.

FAQs

What is the best food to feed a dog?

There is no single best food to feed a dog. The right food for your pup will be based on their age, dietary needs, size, breed and preference.

How much food should I feed my dog?

The correct amount of food will be based on several factors, including your dog’s age, current weight, number of daily meals, type of food and amount of exercise each day. To be sure you’re feeding your pup the right amount, you should always refer to the recommendations on the label of your dog food, and measure the amount of food your dog receives daily.

What foods should dogs not eat?

There are many household foods that are unhealthy or even dangerous for dogs to eat. Some of the most common include chocolate, onions, garlic, citrus fruits and raw yeast dough. Be sure to research any food that’s not specifically made for dogs before allowing your pup to sample it.

PetSmart offers a wide range of dog food online, where you can use filters to easily narrow your choices. We also offer convenient shopping with Curbside Pickup or in-store pickup. Need something today? We have select items available for Same-Day Delivery in most areas powered by DoorDash. For items you purchase frequently, PetSmart has Autoship that automatically delivers the items you want to your door as often as you’d like. Check the website to see which items are eligible.

Information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure your pet and is not a substitute for veterinary care provided by a licensed veterinarian. For any medical or health-related advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet, contact your veterinarian.