The best dog food, according to our expert advisors

 If a food label doesn't say that it's complete and balanced by AAFCO standards, then you should consider it a supplemental food only. It means the food doesn't have the proper nutrition profile to be used as your dog's sole diet.


There are two ways brands can meet AAFCO standards: 


1. Guaranteed analysis: Laboratory analysis is used to nail down the food's nutrient profile. If you're unsure whether a food has been analyzed or meets the AAFCO nutritional standards, you can always contact the company to confirm.


2. Feeding trials: As mentioned earlier, feeding tests are when a food is fed to animals under controlled conditions and the outcome is monitored. Because feeding trials are so expensive, not all companies can do them.

What to avoid in dog food


Dogs are usually not picky eaters, but that doesn't mean they can safely eat anything and everything. Shepherd told us what toxic ingredients dog owners should avoid when selecting food.

Garlic powder


Shepherd recommends avoiding any dog food that contains garlic powder. Garlic enhances the flavor of food but can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia. Signs of anemia in dogs include lethargy, pale gums, and weakness. 

Raw meat


A raw diet means your dog's food is made up of uncooked meat, bones, fruit, vegetables, raw eggs, and yogurt or another dairy product. Raw meat may contain disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes, and genes that promote antibiotic resistance. Both the CDC and FDA advise against feeding raw meat. Shepherd says that freeze-dried meat products should be considered raw food and avoided because their manufacturing process does not eliminate disease-causing pathogens. Read more about the harmful risks of feeding your dog a raw diet.

Specific allergens


For dogs with food allergies, avoid certain ingredients to prevent triggering an allergic reaction. For example, if a dog is allergic to chicken, their diet should not contain any form of chicken; a diet containing a novel animal protein source, such as duck or kangaroo, would instead be a good choice. A food elimination trial is typically used to determine what ingredients to avoid.

How to read a pet food label

A dog food label showing guaranteed analysis, AAFCO complete and balanced statement, ingredients, and calorie content.

On a dog food label, look for important details like the AAFCO Complete and Balanced statement, guaranteed analysis, and calorie content. Alyssa Powell/Insider


Like human food brands, dog food brands use marketing to make their products more appealing. But to know the truth about the appropriateness of a dog food, look to the nutrition label. One place to get started is this handy reference from the WSAVA. The top things to look for are the AAFCO complete and balanced statement, guaranteed analysis (crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and moisture), and calorie content.


You can read the ingredients list but don't stress about it too much. "Although many pet owners make their decision based largely on the ingredient panel, it is only one of many considerations," Swanson says. "Without knowing the exact formula and percentage of each ingredient, it is not too useful. What is more important is that the dietary formula is complete and balanced."


Beware of marketing buzzwords like "natural" and "organic." "While both terms were intended to highlight higher quality ingredients, they do not guarantee high quality," says Swanson. Quality is determined by the raw ingredients a company uses and their manufacturing processes. "Like other ingredients that do not carry these terms, they are highly variable due to differences in soil quality (plants), feed quality (animals), ingredient storage, ingredient handling, etc.," he says.


If reading pet food labels proves to be more confusing than helpful, check in with your veterinarian. They can help you determine your dog's specific needs, guide you toward the right food for your pet, and advise you on how much to feed them.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Types of dog food (2)

Commercial pet food is advancing in leaps and bounds and long gone are the days when choosing a food simply meant picking between tins or bags of biscuits. These days, there are all sorts of options to cater for any and all preferences - so many in fact that deciding which one to go for can be quite overwhelming. In this article, we'll look at all of the different categories of commercial pet foods that are currently available and their associated pros and cons. Remember that different types of foods can be fed together or rotated so don't feel like you need to stick to just one or two of the options below. Take a look at our guide to mixing different dog foods here. There are really two main ways of classifying foods - the first relates to whether the food contains everything your dog needs and the second describes how the food was prepared. Choosing the right type of dog food 1. Complete vs Complementary Complete foods Complete foods are by far the most popular choice for...
Read more

Types of Dog Food

  Although dog food doesn't come in as many shapes, colors, sizes, and flavors as human food, there are still quite a few varieties to choose from. No matter which type you choose, the most important factor in your decision should be finding a food that meets all of your dog's nutritional needs. There are five main types of dog food: #1: Kibble/Dry Dry food is the most economical type of commercial dog food , and this is the reason that many owners choose it for their dog. It also lasts for a long time and does not need to be refrigerated. Dry food can also help to keep your dog's teeth healthy , since chewing crunchy dry food helps to reduce tartar buildup. When it comes to choosing a specific dry food, read the ingredients carefully, and choose a brand that uses wholesome food as its primary ingredient. #2: Canned Most dogs love canned, or wet, food; it has a long shelf life and is easy to find at any supermarket, but it can be expensive. For some owners, it's definit...
Read more

The best dog food How to choose the right food for your pet

The link between diet and health for humans is well established: we all know that we should eat a balanced diet, ideally including fresh ingredients. But what about our dogs? What is the best dog food to give them? The science is clear: dogs need a balanced diet, providing all of the necessary nutrients, including protein, carbohydrate, fats, minerals, vitamins and fibre. The challenge is that there’s a huge range of products available in pet shops, at vets, and online. The aim of this article is to offer guidance on how to choose the optimal diet for your canine friend. You can read my full reviews of the current best dog foods further down this feature, followed by a comprehensive guide to dog nutrition . But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at the top five: What are the best dog foods in 2023? At a glance     Best dry dog food – Burns     Best wet dog food – Harringtons     Best puppy food – Royal Canin     Best senior dog food – T...
Read more