A Digestible Guide to Healthy Dog Food for Your New Pup
How to pick the right grub for your dog when there are So. Many. Choices.
If you’ve ever felt paralysed just trying to decide what to order for dinner, then you know that having too many choices is not always a good thing. Pizza, Thai, sushi? Picking a food for your new dog can feel equally overwhelming, especially when there’s a lot more to consider than dry kibble or wet food. Pet shop shelves are crowded with other features that may speak to you: puppy stage, complete, fresh, prebiotics... wait, what? Things can spiral quickly.
Don’t stress – we consulted veterinarians to put together some pointers to help you make the right choice for your dog. Below are eight things to consider when you’re choosing your pup’s next meal.
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opens in a new tab1. Start with consistency
Deciding on a dog food can feel like an urgent matter. Eating is, after all, rather important. But, depending on what information you can gather ahead of time, you may be able to ease into the selection process. Dr Katie Lytle recommends asking the rescue centre, breeder or foster family what food your dog has already been eating, if possible.
“Dogs go through a lot when transitioning to a new home, and making a diet change right away may be an additional source of stress. If you know your dog was doing well on a particular diet, you can stick with that initially and not feel like you have to rush to find the perfect food on day one.”
2. Choose dog food considering life stages and other factors.
First, hone in on food that is specifically formulated for your dog’s life stage or age range (ie, puppy-stage, adult, senior), which most experts recommend given that your dog’s nutritional needs will vary a bit throughout their life. Then, think about what factors matter most to you. For example, if organic, all-natural, non-processed food is important to you, focus your search on companies that offer those options.
In the UK, commercial pet food is regulated alongside human food by the Food Standards Agencyopens in a new tab (FSA) which covers legislation on manufacturing pet feed and even treats. There are over 50 pieces of legislation so pet food in the UK is heavily regulated to ensure utmost safety, quality and hygiene standardsopens in a new tab. However, labelling can be confusing (more on that next).
You might want to consider checking a company’s commitments to sustainability and recyclable packaging. Finally, you’ll want to have a think about things like budget and convenience: is the food widely available for a price you can afford in supermarkets you visit or can it only be found in a speciality shop?
3. Label and ingredient lists on dog food
Smart as they are, dogs can’t read and pet food labels can be complicated, even for us humans who can.
The most important part of the label to look for is if the food is ‘complete’ or ‘complementary’. Complete means that it contains all the necessary nutrients for your pet and complementary means to just use it in addition or as a treat.
The next area you want to assess is the actual ingredient list. This can be tricky because ingredients are listed on the label based on their descending weight.
“Ingredients aren’t the same as nutrients,” Dr Susannah Teran explains. “Ingredients are the raw materials that go into a diet, and nutrients are what actually get absorbed by a dog’s body. Different methods of processing will impact the nutrients your dog will get out of an ingredient. For example, before processing, chicken is about 70 percent water. Chicken meal, however, has had most of the water removed and is more nutrient-dense. So, even though chicken meal sounds less tempting to humans, it provides more protein than fresh chicken.”
4. Breed- and size-specific diets
You’ve probably seen dog-food labels specific to everything from teacup Yorkies to German Shepherds and thought, Is that necessary, really? These picks are less about a breed’s unique taste preferences than their genetic and physical needs. “Breed diets are designed to address known health issues or breed peculiarities,” Dr Elizabeth Shines explains. “For instance, Labrador Retrievers often eat too quickly, which can lead to an upset stomach or cause them to gulp air (and risk a serious issue called bloatopens in a new tab), so in Labrador-specific diets, sometimes the kibble shape is designed to get stuck around their teeth and slow down eating. Bulldogs are another example; this breed is known to be gassy, so diets typically have a special blend of fibre and are easy to digest, which tends to help decrease gas production.”
Size-specific diets aren’t quite as personalised, but they do have some advantages. “Large dogs need fewer calories per kilogram than small dogs and are also more likely to suffer from arthritis as they age, so large-breed diets often include ingredients that provide joint support,” Dr Shines adds. “Small-breed diets are typically higher in calories and may be formulated to help address dental issues, which are common in our little friends.”
5. Kibble or wet dog food
Both dry kibble and wet food offer complete and balanced nutrition for dogs. Kibble is typically cheaper than wet food, can be more convenient to pack for a trip, and lends itself to use in interactive toys and puzzles. It is also beneficial to dental health and can act as a mechanical way of removing some tartar build up through crunching on it.
Wet food is, well, wetter than kibble. That extra water content can be beneficial if your pet is not one to drink from their bowl very often, and can help hydration levels if you live in a hot climate where more hydration is helpful. Higher water content also typically means that, compared to kibble, your dog can eat a larger portion of food while still staying within their daily calorie rangeopens in a new tab. That potentially leaves them feeling fuller and more satisfied after a meal. You can always combine the best of both worlds by adding a dollop of wet food to dry kibble. You do you.
6. Raw and dehydrated dog food
Raw diets have become popular with pet parents who feel it more closely mimics how dogs’ ancestors – wolves – eat, and are made up of about 70 percent muscle meat, 10 percent organ meat, 10 percent edible bone, seven percent vegetables, and three percent seeds, nuts, and fruit. Most raw dog food diets on the market are pre-prepared with pet parents in mind and are packaged in a user-friendly way – typically nuggets resembling burger patties that you store in the freezer, then refrigerate/defrost the correct portion overnight.
If you choose to feed your dog a raw diet, it is always advised to use commercially sold raw food rather than making it yourself. It is very difficult to ensure all nutritional needs are being met and the risk of bacterial contamination is high, risking making your pet and yourself ill. Raw pet food that is sold has a slightly reduced risk of contamination as samples are tested, however this doesn't guarantee all raw food is bacteria-free. Maintaining hygiene while preparing raw food is essential and please no kisses with your pet after feeding and make sure to wash hands after handling your pet.
Picky eaters usually don‘t complain about palatability, while dogs with allergies can sometimes benefit from the limited ingredients and ability to eliminate known allergens. Freeze-dried foods boast the same benefits detailed above, but rather than defrosting raw meat, you’ll need to mix in warm water to soften the dehydrated food. Freeze-dried food has a long shelf life due to its low moisture content and travels well, too.
7. Supplements and other specific needs
Though a lot goes into choosing a food for your dog, landing on a product isn’t actually the final step in the process. You’ll want to assess if your pup is responding well to the food. Dr Shines says: “Signs that your dog’s diet is working well include a shiny coat, healthy skin that isn’t dry or flaky, BMs two or three times a day, and normal poop – it should be formed, meaning not runny and not overly hard.” If any of these factors don’t seem quite right, consider slowly transitioning your dog to a new food or talk to your vet.
As you get to know your new dog, you may also discover new dietary needs. Dogs with allergies, skin issues, or heart conditions can benefit from specific dog foods supplemented with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin/coat health, such as flaxseed, fish and sunflower oils. If your pup is packing on the pounds despite getting lots of exercise, your vet may recommend a ‘weight-control’ dog food. And if you find that your dog has a sensitive stomach, a diet formulated for digestive support or addition of pre- and probiotics might help with that.
Even if your dog is thriving, it couldn’t hurt to mix up formulas and proteins every now and then to make things more interesting (if the change doesn’t cause an upset stomach). Thankfully, dogs don’t need as much variety as people do.
Disclaimer alert: This article is here to share information. But, much like pineapple on pizza, the topic may be controversial. Meaning, not all vets or pet professionals agree. Because every pet is a unique weirdo with specific needs. So, don’t take this as fact or medical advice. Talk things over with your vet when making decisions, and use your best judgment (about both your pet’s health and pizza toppings).
Resources
Food Standards Agency – Pet Foodopens in a new tab
FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice for Pet Food opens in a new tab
