Even experienced dog owners find it difficult to navigate the huge variety of dog food that overflows the shelves of pet stores and supermarkets. All the manufacturers claim the quality of their products, adorning the packaging with advertising slogans and awards received many years ago. But demand gives birth to supply: every year, the number of brands grows, and it becomes more and more difficult to understand them.
And really, how do you choose the best dog food? After all, you want it to be useful, tasty, safe, and inexpensive. In this matter, we should be guided by the principles of healthy eating. That is, you should always look at the composition so that it contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals, the amount of which would correspond to the needs of the pet – its age, sex, breed, diseases, level of activity, and conditions of content. It should be a complete and balanced diet.
The more natural the food and the more meat in it, the healthier and tastier it is. But the composition also affects the price because high-quality dog food is much more expensive than the one made of waste and bone meal. Of course, no manufacturer will not recognize the shortcomings of their products and hide them behind beautiful packaging. The buyer only needs to understand the types and features of different foods to choose the right one.
General classification
- By consistency, dog food is divided into wet and dry. Both are made from the same ingredients, except that in dry pellets, the liquid is evaporated – its amount does not exceed 10%.
- Feed is prescribed as therapeutic and specialized, and it is used every day. The first type is prescribed by a veterinarian if a special diet is required due to health problems. The second type takes into account the individual needs of the animal. For example, there is a separate menu for spayed and neutered dogs, puppies, long-haired breeds, and exhibition animals.
- According to the form of release, the food can be canned or prepackaged. Large volumes are sold in bags, and smaller packages are designed for several meals. Wet food can be stored unopened for up to 24 hours, so it is packaged in small containers.
- The composition of dog food varies, as manufacturers use cheap and expensive ingredients. It is on this that the energy value of the finished product depends. The higher the calorie content, the smaller the portion, which means that the food is spent sparingly. And vice versa: pellets made of bone meal and soy are not very nutritious. Accordingly, the portions should be increased.
Main categories
If we talk about the qualitative composition, then all dog food is divided into four classes:
- Economy;
- premium;
- superpremium;
- holistic.
The first category is characterized by cheapness, which is due to savings on ingredients. In this case, the feed is of low quality and can not be used regularly since it does not take into account the daily needs of the animal. Its composition may include bone meal and low-quality by-products, but the main part is made up of vegetable components.
In premium products, the composition is not so bad, although even here, it is far from ideal. Such products are relatively inexpensive, and almost one-third consist of meat. The rest – various vegetables, fruits, and cereals that support normal intestinal function.
Super premium – the choice of responsible owners because, in this case, the protein component is represented by meat and by-products of the highest quality. This also includes specialized and therapeutic feeds.
The holistic category is sometimes seen as a type of superpremium, but they are different things. Premium foods contain up to 80% certified meat and are close to a dog’s natural diet.
The nuances of choice
The choice of dog food depends on many factors. Chief among them is the benefits. Animals should receive a complete and balanced diet, so when buying canned food or dehydrated pellets, you should always pay attention to the composition. First on the list are the most abundant ingredients in the feed.
Common phrases such as “animal fats” and “animal protein” should alert you. It is important that the manufacturer indicates what exactly he used: selected lamb meat or low-grade waste. The same applies to vegetable components: the words “grains” and “cereals” can hide anything. In addition, it is undesirable to specify the composition:
- artificial flavor enhancers;
- dangerous preservatives;
- flavorings;
- coloring agents;
- hormones and antibiotics.
The fact is that many of these can cause allergy symptoms in your dog. For example, the preservative propyl gallate (E310) harms the immune system, stomach, and kidneys. It would be much better if Thermox was used instead. This semi-synthetic, semi-plant additive is not harmful to animals.
Don’t believe the advertising on the package. Turkey-flavored food does not necessarily contain turkey – it may contain flavorings and taste additives that imitate poultry meat. And it is good if it is of good quality.
Another important criterion when choosing dog food is nutritional value. It is believed that the higher it is, the better the food is digested by the animal’s body. However, care should be taken when formulating a diet for overweight pets. High-quality dietary products are recommended for them.
And, of course, it is necessary to take into account the age of the dog. A small puppy needs completely different vitamins and minerals than an adult animal. If the delicate balance is disturbed, pets can have problems with immunity, teeth, bones, and internal organs. Older dogs, in general, need a special diet that will maintain their health and compensate for the lack of physical activity.
The key to the quality of any food is the right brand. Priority should be given to reliable and well-known manufacturers that have proven themselves in the pet products market. They produce certified products with a safe composition and high protein content, which is necessary for the normal vital functions of pets.
Let’s take a closer look at the brands known around the world. Their names are presented in alphabetical order.
The top 20 producers of dog food
Alleva
Alleva is an elite Italian brand of dog food for dogs that need a balanced diet. The manufacturer does not conduct experiments on laboratory animals, is responsible for the choice of ingredients, and cooks them only on steam to preserve all the useful substances. The company has three main lines:
- NeoBreeder is for those who are professionally engaged in breeding pedigree dogs. This food is based on a low-grain formula and is available in large packages.
- Equilibrium – optimally balanced formula with meat, brown rice, berries, and vegetables. It contains a complex that strengthens the joints of mobile animals.
- Holistic – a food that is as close to a dog’s natural diet as possible. It does not contain any grain products at all but instead uses phytonutrients derived from plants. At the same time, the amount of meat is at least 77%.
Acana
The Acana brand is owned by Champion Petfoods, a Canadian company. It sells pet food made from regional ingredients. Fresh meat is well-digested by the body, and various herbs, vegetables, and fruits normalize the work of the intestines. The manufacturer has balanced the composition and supplemented it with useful additives such as probiotics, minerals, and vitamins necessary for dogs.
The main rule of Acana is not to limit itself to one type of meat. That’s why you can find chicken, turkey, beef, pork, lamb, and other ingredients that provide high-protein nutrition. The food does not contain wheat, tapioca, corn, soy, artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors that can cause allergies.
Barking Heads
Barking Heads is a British manufacturer of premium pet food. The company was founded in 2009 by three passionate dog breeders who knew exactly what their favorite pets needed. The brand’s products are characterized by naturalness, safety, and high quality. Its composition includes:
- minerals and vitamins – it is their balance that determines the health of the pet;
- slow carbohydrates – substances that give strength and energy throughout the day;
- dietary fiber – for better intestinal function
- ingredients with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids – the basis for a healthy coat and skin.
- Premium proteins – a variety of meats that form the basis of the diet
- Probiotics – complex depending on the age of the dog.
Beneful
The American company Nestlé Purina Petcare has many brands under which wet and dry pet foods are produced. One of them is Beneful, which was introduced in 2001. In 2012, it ranked fourth in global sales.
While many of the manufacturers on this list specialize in products for different types of animals, Beneful sells only dog food. That is, more than 20 years of continuous work has been dedicated to perfecting the diet, searching for ideal formulas and the best ingredients.
Brit
Czech company Vafo Praha Ltd. produces food under the Brit brand name. Its range includes lines for animals with weight problems, as well as show dogs, puppies, and adults of various breeds.
Brit Premium contains at least 40% poultry meat. The rest of the ingredients are fruits and herbs. A beneficial extract has been prepared from them to improve digestion. In addition, the product contains prebiotics, organic substances, macro- and microelements, and a balanced complex of vitamins.
And here is a super-premium full-fed food specially designed for allergic dogs. It is based on the natural meat of rabbit, duck, lamb, and fish. Plant components are used as additives, which support health and immunity.
Canagan
Canagan is a British brand of high-quality dog food that does not contain grain products. The diet is based on meat, vegetables, berries, and herbs sourced from local farmers. These include:
- high-protein venison;
- certified lamb without growth hormones;
- fresh chicken;
- hand-harvested Scottish salmon;
- antioxidant-rich yams;
- seaweed, rich in iodine;
- chamomile, which has a positive effect on the nervous system;
- cranberries, rich in vitamin C;
- calendula, which strengthens the immune system.
Together, they provide the animals’ need for complete nutrition. Canagan’s recipes have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, the most prestigious award in the UK.
Eukanuba
Eukanuba Food was born in 1969, the brainchild of Paul Faulkner Eames. Its unusual name means “something supreme” or “peak,” indicating the exclusivity of new products.
From 1999 to 2014, the brand was owned by Procter & Gamble but is now owned by the American company Mars, Incorporated. Spectrum Brands, meanwhile, produces Eukanuba products for the European market.
The line includes about 20 types of dog food for different breeds and ages. They contain pure meat and various by-products of the meat industry: intestines, stomachs, fatty tissue, bones, blood, and other components. At the same time, they do not contain hooves, teeth, horns and hair.
Farmina
Farmina is the flagship brand of the Italian company Farmina Pet Foods, which opened its first factory in 1965. Products for dogs and cats were then added to the range. They are based on unique formulas that take into account the physiological needs of pets.
Farmina is known as the creator of Vet Life diet diets, which are effective in combination with medications for the treatment of urolithiasis, diabetes, and obesity. But there are also everyday foods designed to meet the individual needs of puppies and adult dogs.
GO!
The GO! brand belongs to Petcurean Pet Nutrition, a Canadian manufacturer of premium pet food. These are whole-grain and grain-free diets that meet high-quality standards. Their meat base can contain salmon, trout, duck, turkey, chicken, lamb, and vegetable components – organic fruits and berries.
The balanced composition provides the daily requirement of essential vitamins and minerals for dogs. Formulas are designed for different ages, breeds, and veterinary recommendations.
Grandorf
Under the Grandorf brand, dry and canned food is produced. The former is produced by the Belgian company United Petfood Producers NV, and the latter by the Italian concern Monge & C. S.p.a. The brand’s products are positioned at the top of the superpremium segment.
Feeds “Grandorf” belong to the holistic category; that is, their composition includes at least 70% pure animal protein. At the same time, the manufacturer does not use chicken – instead, he chooses hypoallergenic types of meat that do not cause digestive problems. They contain all essential amino acids.
Other potentially dangerous ingredients are also banned:
- GMOS;
- artificial additives;
- gluten;
- eggs,
- potatoes;
- legumes;
- beets;
- corn.
Hill’s
Hill’s is the primary brand name of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. of America, a Colgate-Palmolive company. The company’s history began in 1907 when it opened a facility to dispose of farm animal carcasses. Nearly 20 years later, it was used to launch the production of dog food. The main ingredient in all recipes was horse meat.
Modern Hill’s products are the result of many years of work on daily and dietary diets. It is designed for the complex treatment and prevention of various diseases that require dietary adjustments. Veterinarians recommend a balanced menu for problems with the coat, internal organs, joints, and musculoskeletal system.
The products include a large variety of meat, as animal protein is the basis of a healthy diet. The rest of the ingredients serve as an additive that improves intestinal function.
Kennels’ Favourite
Kennels’ Favourite is a trademark of Prof Pet Corporation. The products are positioned as super-premium class food, created for the dietary nutrition of dogs of different ages. They contain vegetable and animal ingredients with a balanced ratio of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Mera
Mera food is produced in Germany in strict accordance with European quality standards. It uses selected ingredients of local origin, which are carefully controlled. The range includes products with different nutrient ratios. They are designed for young, adult, and old animals and tailored to their individual needs:
- activity level;
- allergies;
- individual intolerance to the components;
- the need for a special diet.
The third-generation family company constantly experiments with recipes and uses high-quality meat of various types: turkey, beef, chicken, lamb, herring, and salmon. An undoubted know-how is the food with insect protein. It is intended for the most sensitive dogs with food intolerance.
Monge
The Italian concern Monge & C. S.p.a. has a flagship brand, Monge. It embodies more than 70 years of experience in the development and production of quality dog food for various breeds. Thanks to advanced technologies and careful selection of ingredients, the company does without artificial additives. The basis of each balanced diet is certified meat and safe vegetable components.
The main lines of the brand are:
- Monge Natural Superpremium – with a lot of meat and practically no grains;
- VetSolution – with melon juice concentrate and xylooligosaccharides;
- Monge Gift (snacks) – with animal protein and vegetables;
- BWild – with high meat content (at least 65%), prebiotics, and spirulina.
All products contain a full range of minerals and vitamins while meeting different nutritional needs. For example, there are separate products for dogs with allergies, for puppies, for obese animals, and for animals with active lifestyles.
Nutram
Nutram is a premium Canadian brand of pet food. It is owned by Nutram Pet Products, which was originally a division of Maple Lodge Farms but was later absorbed by Elmira Pet Products Ltd. The manufacturer works with holistic experts and veterinary nutritionists to create the best formulas to maximize nutrient absorption.
Orijen
Orijen food is designed to be as close to a natural diet as possible and contains only the nutrients your dog would get from nature. This is how pets stay healthy and well-groomed because even a beautiful, shiny coat is directly dependent on the quality of nutrition.
Different types of meat, with the addition of small amounts of vegetables, fruits, and medicinal herbs, provide the needs of the dog, taking into account its adaptation to high-protein food. The animal protein base consists of:
- poultry;
- fish;
- red meat.
These are fresh ingredients sourced from local suppliers. Fishermen provide the company with flounder, hake, mackerel, pike, trout, and other freshwater and ocean fish. Canadian farmers raise ducks, turkeys, chickens, deer, goats, piglets, lambs, prairie buffalo, wild boar, and steers.
Primordial
The Primordial line of dogs is a multiple Quality Awards winner. Once it was awarded for utility, veterinarians recognized its effectiveness in preventing various diseases. The second award was given in the category of grain-free food. The absence of grains in the composition is another advantage, as these plant products are not suitable for dogs.
But Primordial has a lot of different meats: red, white, fish. The Italian company Mister Pet, which owns the brand, uses selected ingredients with high protein content and virtually no fat or cholesterol. A wide range of products allows you to find a suitable diet for allergic pets.
Profine
Profine is a brand of the Czech family company Vafo Praha. Its products are positioned as super-premium-class food with a balanced composition. It is said to boost immunity thanks to the content of medicinal herbs such as sage, basil, and fennel. Combined with seaweed, they improve the digestive system.
Salmon oil and shrimp keep hair in good condition as they are the main sources of omega-3 and omega-6. They also improve the condition of the skin. Fish, lamb, and chicken are the main sources of animal protein. The nutritional ingredients maintain energy throughout the day and provide the animals with all the necessary minerals and vitamins.
Purina Pro Plan
Another Nestlé Purina Petcare brand is Purina Pro Plan, which was created in collaboration with veterinarians and expert nutritionists. This line offers complete nutritional food complexes for dogs of different breeds, ages, and sizes. They contain nutrients and nutrients selected in the right concentration for maximum benefit. Provided with essential vitamins and minerals from childhood, pets grow up healthy, happy, and active.
1st Choice
1st Choice is owned by a family-owned Canadian company of the same name, formerly called PLB International. The production of these dog foods was started in 1990. Formulas are adapted to different needs: among them, there are options for animals with allergies, overweight, problematic hair, and susceptibility to various diseases. The formulas are necessarily free of the following:
- soy;
- corn;
- wheat;
- meat industry waste.
1st Choice’s accomplishments live up to the brand name. It was the first in North America to produce a premium food product based on fresh chicken meat. And in 2003, it was the first to be certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
FAQ
Which dog food to choose?
Of course, the best brands are in the holistic category, and the worst ones are in the economy class. But there is no perfect option that would suit absolutely all animals. It is necessary to proceed from the individual characteristics of each pet, guided by the age and breed. If the dog has health problems, it is better to consult a veterinarian: he will recommend a food corresponding to a therapeutic diet.
Small puppies need energy-rich food because they’re always on the move. In addition, the growing body needs a special balance of macro and micronutrients. As the dog gets older, he becomes less active, and his metabolism slows down. Food manufacturers consider this and make formulas with the right amount of calories.
What shouldn’t go in dog food?
The perfect dog food should contain no ingredients that may be harmful to his health. You can count on the manufacturer’s goodwill, but it’s better to read the contents carefully and ensure they’re right when you buy. The list of undesirable ingredients includes:
- artificial dyes, flavorings, flavor enhancers, preservatives – potential allergens;
- whey – many dogs are lactose intolerant;
- plant fiber, gluten, corn gluten – poor digestibility;
- labels “plant protein,” “animal protein,” “cereal,” with no specific ingredients listed – generic names that can hide anything;
- soy, corn, wheat – hard to digest;
- cereal, vegetable flour – can be second-rate waste;
- yeast – allergen;
- meat by-products – bones, wool, horns, skin, many by-products contain nothing nutritious;
- palm and rapeseed oils – considered harmful;
- salt – only if it is at the end of the list (otherwise, there is a risk of developing chronic bladder and kidney diseases);
- sucrose – disrupts the digestive system and can cause diabetes.
For a dog to be cheerful, playful, and healthy, he must eat right. It’s important to feed him high-meat-content foods since that’s what every carnivore’s diet is all about.
You should also consider her individual nutritional preferences and the fact that different ratios of nutrients are needed for a puppy and an adult dog. The portion size should consider the animal’s energy requirements based on his weight and lifestyle.
It is desirable to choose natural food with healthy additives. For example, with vitamin and mineral complexes in chelated form, with linseed and salmon oils, probiotics, prebiotics, and natural preservatives such as tocopherol. Essentials include magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and vitamins E, A, C, and B.
