What is a good brand of dog food

One of the most popular choices, dry dog food is convenient and practical. "Dry food is the most compact, most shelf-stable, and most economical [option] generally because you are not paying for the water that's in higher moisture foods," explains veterinarian and board-certified veterinary nutritionist Megan Shepherd, owner of Veterinary Clinical Nutrition, PLLC.

Plus, dry dog food doesn't usually have special storage instructions (it doesn't need to be refrigerated, like fresh dog foods) and is simple to scoop and feed. Of course, there's a lot of variation in calorie and nutrient content in kibble-type dog foods, Shepherd points out, which can make it harder to pick the right one. 

In terms of nutrient content, look for a moderate level of protein (the AAFCO minimum is 18% for adults) and low to moderate fat. You may think more protein is a plus since dogs evolved as carnivores, but that's not necessarily true, says Kelly Swanson, PhD, professor of animal and nutritional sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Pet dogs are actually omnivorous and don't need super high levels of protein in their diets. Swanson explains that protein quality and digestibility are most important. 

With this advice, we evaluated dozens of dry foods to find ones with whole meats and meat meals at the top of the ingredients list. Rice and beans also provide protein, so those are great ingredients to look for, too. Swanson says fat concentrations that come in at less than 20% are best. If your dog is at a healthy weight and doesn't have pancreatitis or gastrointestinal disease, fat content isn't something you need to worry about as much, though.

When it comes to specific ingredients, look for kibble that's made from a variety of nutrient-dense whole foods, advises veterinarian W. Jean Dodds, owner of Hemopet Holistic Care Veterinary Clinic. These include high-quality meat and fish, some carbohydrates, a mixture of vegetables, and some fruit. Lots of dry dog foods also have extra health-boosting ingredients, like omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, and glucosamine, chondroitin, and green-lipped mussels for joint support. 

Our suggestions below have all the must-have nutritional qualities, plus a combination of healthy extras, from omega fatty acids to glucosamine and chondroitin.

Our picks for adult dry dog food:

Salmon and chicken meal appear at the top of the ingredients list along with rice, whole barley, and pumpkin. Extras include omega fatty acids (fish oil) and probiotics. With a breakdown of 26% protein, 16% fat, and 4% fiber, we recommend this food for active, normal-weight dogs. Each cup contains 437 kcal.

Beef and pork meal lead the ingredients list and there are a variety of carbohydrates, including brown rice, barley, oatmeal, quinoa, carrots, and apples. Health extras include omega fatty acids (flaxseed, salmon) along with glucosamine and chondroitin. With 26% protein, 15% fat, and 3.5% fiber, this is a good option for moderately active, normal-weight dogs. Each cup contains 386 kcal.

At the top of the list are chicken meal and chicken fat plus millet and eggs. Carbohydrates include pumpkin seed, kelp, almonds, carrots, apples, blueberries, and cranberries. Healthy extras like probiotics and digestive enzymes are included. We recommend this food for active, normal-weight dogs with a breakdown of 36% protein, 15% fat, and 5% fiber. This food has undergone feeding trials and each cup contains 418 kcal.

Some dogs really prefer the taste or texture of wet food, says veterinarian Jamie Richardson, chief of staff at Small Door Veterinary in New York City. Of course, pet parents want their dogs to enjoy their meals, so it makes sense that this is a popular choice. 

Other pros of wet food are that it tends to have a longer shelf life before it's opened, and according to Richardson, some wet foods may be less "processed" or contain fewer preservatives, which can make them easier to digest. 

Luckily, the same nutritional standards apply to both dry and wet food. But comparing their labels isn't exactly apples to apples because wet food has much more water content. So in order to understand how a wet food's nutrition compares to a dry food, you need to look at the percentages of protein, fat, and fiber on a "dry matter basis." Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University has some handy instructions on how to calculate that yourself. Another option: Call the brand that makes the food or ask your veterinarian for help. For the foods we recommend in this guide, we contacted the manufacturer to get all the info.

Heads up: Keep an eye out for wet dog food that's made from 100% meat. These won't provide complete, balanced meals for your dog. "Dogs have evolved from wolves to become obligate omnivores," explains Dodds. They need to eat more than just meat in order to be healthy. That doesn't mean these foods are totally off-limits though. Consider them as supplements. You can even use small quantities of meat-only wet foods as delicious toppers to your dog's dry food. 

After doing our research, we chose wet foods that meet the same AAFCO complete and balanced standards that apply to dry food. It's worth noting, though, that wet food often has more protein and fat and fewer carbohydrates. So before you swap dry food for wet food, it's a good idea to talk to your vet so you can be on the lookout for any issues with digesting a lot of protein or fat.

Our picks for adult wet dog food:

This wet food has protein sources of chicken, chicken and turkey broth, and chicken liver. Brown rice, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin round out the list, plus flaxseed for omega fatty acids. It contains 48% protein, 28% fat, and 1.5% fiber and 320 kcal per 12.5-ounce carton, which is about 25.6 calories per ounce.

At the front of the ingredients list are lamb broth, lamb, beef, and beef liver as protein sources. Carbohydrates include brown rice, apples, carrots, and spinach. This food consists of 41% protein, 26% fat, and 1% fiber. A 12.5-ounce can contains 359 kcal, or about 29 calories per ounce.

"An increasing number of pet owners are asking us about fresh food for their pets," Richardson says. That may be partly due to marketing, which has helped pet owners learn about the benefits of feeding your dog a fresh diet. Usually, these foods are minimally processed, made with wholesome, gently cooked ingredients, and often, they're preservative-free. 

Of course, because these foods are a bit fancier, they tend to be on the pricier side. Lots of fresh pet food brands are subscription-based, meaning they deliver fresh, individually customized meals right to your doorstep. So while you might end up spending more on this type of dog food, it's also super convenient. 

If you're wondering how to choose a fresh dog food, the standards are much the same as for dry and wet food, Richardson says. It should have an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy and be appropriate for your dog's size, life stage, breed, and activity level. 

You should aim to buy fresh dog food from a reputable manufacturer that ensures good quality control. It's also key to look for the same types of ingredients you would in other types of dog food: meat sources of protein, whole grains, fruits, and marine sources of fats — with bonus points for healthy extras like omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin.

We've tested all of our fresh food picks and can vouch for their quality.

Our picks for fresh dog food:

Just Food For Dogs makes a variety of fresh, shelf-stable, and custom meals. Its fresh-frozen turkey and whole wheat macaroni contains ground turkey, broccoli, zucchini, carrots, cranberries, and cod liver oil for omega fatty acids. It consists of 35% protein, 13% fat, and 3% fiber (dry matter basis). The brand conducts feeding trials and uses human-grade ingredients and no preservatives. Save 35% on your first purchase and 5% on recurring autoship orders.

The Farmer’s Dog turkey recipe includes chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, parsnips, and spinach and omega fatty acids for fish oil and is made from human-grade ingredients without preservatives. It contains 38.2% protein, 26.2% fat, and 2.1% fiber (dry matter basis). This food is grain-free. The FDA continues to investigate a potential link between dogs fed grain-free diets and the development of dilated cardiomyopathy, so talk to your veterinarian before feeding your dog this food.

There's definitely a relationship between price and quality when it comes to dog food. So it's not a great idea to buy the absolute cheapest dog food you can find. That's because ultra-cheap dog foods tend to be filled with lower-quality ingredients to bulk them up and keep their prices down. 

"But it's important to remember that there are many more affordable dog foods that are perfectly good options," Richardson notes. Translation: You definitely don't need to break the bank to feed your dog a healthy diet. 

There are plenty of high-quality dog foods available at lower prices. As long as a food meets AAFCO complete and balanced standards like the options listed below and makes sense for your dog's life stage, you're good to go. 

Our picks for budget dog food:

Chicken meal and turkey meal are the main ingredients in this dry dog food. It also includes brown rice, oatmeal, barley, peas, and apples. Salmon oil is added for omega fatty acids. With 26% protein, 14% fat, and 3.5% fiber, we recommend this food for moderately active, normal-weight dogs. One cup contains 376 kcal.

The main protein sources in this recipe are deboned chicken and chicken meal. Standout carbohydrates include brown rice, barley, oatmeal, peas, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, and cranberries. Healthy extras include omega fatty acids (flaxseed) and glucosamine. We recommend it for moderately active, normal-weight dogs, with 24% protein, 14% fat, and 5% fiber. One cup is 378 kcal.

Chicken and chicken meal lead the list of ingredients and other ingredients include pearled barley, peas, oat groats, brown rice, carrots, and flax seed. It also contains fish oil for omega fatty acids. Its nutrition breakdown of 23% protein, 13% fat, and 5% fiber is ideal for normal, active-weight dogs. One cup contains 370 kcal.

There's a lot of buzz about grain-free diets, but it's important to know that they're not necessarily better for your dog. If your dog happens to be allergic to or intolerant of certain grains, then a grain-free food might be helpful.  

These foods aren't carbohydrate-free despite common miconceptions. Instead, the carbs in grain-free dog foods come from non-grain sources like white potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, and tapioca.

Also, it's key to talk to your veterinarian before switching your dog to a grain-free diet. The FDA continues to investigate a potential link between dogs fed grain-free diets and the development of a heart condition called non-hereditary dilated cardiomyopathy, which can be fatal in a matter of months, according to Richardson. Because of this, some vets are strongly opposed to grain-free diets in general. They believe the risks of feeding a grain-free diet simply outweigh any potential reward. In a study published in the journal "Scientific Reports" in August 2021, researchers at Tufts University found that peas are a common ingredient in the DCM-associated foods they examined, but research is ongoing and conclusions can not be drawn at this time.

The grain-free recommendations below are made from whole meats and healthy bonus ingredients like omega fatty acids and glucosamine. Like all the other picks in this guide, they're also AAFCO complete and balanced. Even better, Orijen Fit and Trim and Purina One True Instinct have been tested in feeding trials to ensure they're easy to digest, palatable, and a good nutritional choice in the long term.

Our picks for grain-free dog food:

This grain-free dog food contains protein sources from free-run chicken, wild-caught flounder, free-run turkey, wild-caught Atlantic herring, and cage-free eggs. It also includes pumpkin, carrots, butternut squash, kelp, kale, spinach, carrots, apples, and pears, plus omega fatty acids and probiotics. This food has undergone feeding trials and is a good choice for active, normal-weight dogs. It consists of 42% protein, 13% fat, and 8% fiber and 402 kcal per cup.

Cage-free chicken and chicken meal are in this grain-free recipe along with peas, carrots, apples, and cranberries. Probiotics and omega fatty acids from herring meal and menhaden fish meal are added. With 37% protein, 20% fat, and 3% fiber and 518 kcal per cup, we recommend it for highly active, normal-weight or underweight dogs.

If you're wondering whether your puppy really needs a special food just for younger dogs, the answer is yes! Puppies need more calories, more fat, and a different vitamin and mineral balance to support healthy growth, Shepherd explains. Typically, puppy food is made for dogs under 1 year of age. 

Though there aren't any official AAFCO nutrient standards specifically for small and large breeds, some puppy foods are made specially for dogs of different sizes. "Balancing the nutrient needs of dogs given their wide size variety and ages is wise and common sense," says Dodds. For instance, large breed puppies need a special ratio of calcium to phosphorus for their growing big bones, and they can benefit from supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin to help keep their joints healthy, according to Shepherd. On the flip side, puppy foods for smaller breeds often have smaller kibble pieces for smaller mouths. They may also be a bit higher in calories, since smaller breeds can have higher metabolisms.

If you want to make sure a food is appropriate for puppies, check the label for an AAFCO complete and balanced statement that says it's intended for growth for all life stages. Some foods might also specifically state that they're for younger dogs. Keep an eye out for any food that says "maintenance" on the package. These are meant specifically for adult dogs, so they won't be right for a puppy.  

Below, you'll find three different puppy foods, one for small breeds, one for large breeds, and one for any size breed. Feeding trials have been done on both Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Puppy and Orijen Puppy Large Grain-Free Food.

Our picks for puppy food:

Turkey, chicken meal, and salmon meal are the main proteins in this food that has undergone feeding trials. The list of carbohydrates includes oatmeal, barley, brown rice, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and apples. It also contains probiotics and omega fatty acids from salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, and salmon oil. The nutritional breakdown is 28% protein, 19% fat, and 4.25% fiber and 489 kcal per cup.

Orijen’s grain-free food for large puppies counts free-run chicken and turkey, whole wild-caught fish and cage-free eggs among its protein sources. Standout carbohydrates include pumpkin, butternut squash, kelp, kale, spinach, carrots, apples, and pears. Omega fatty acids and probiotics are added as healthy extras. This food has undergone feeding trials and contains 38% protein, 16% fat, and 6% fiber and 446 kcal per cup. The FDA continues to investigate a potential link between dogs fed grain-free diets and the development of dilated cardiomyopathy, so talk to your veterinarian before feeding your dog this food.

Chicken and chicken meal are the main protein sources in this recipe. Carbohydrates include brown rice, barley, oatmeal, apples, and carrots and there are healthy extras including omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin. It consists of 28% protein, 16% fat, and 3.5% fiber and 406 kcal per cup.

Wellness; Royal Canin; Blue Buffalo; Rachel Mendelson/Insider

Dry food isn't the only option for puppies. Wet food is another tasty option and offers several advantages for puppies. "Wet food can help puppies transition from a liquid diet (the dam's milk) to solid food," says Shepherd. She adds that this transition, which should begin before a puppy is fully weaned, helps puppies accept solid food and learn how to drink water.

Wet food is also easy for puppies to eat. Without sturdy adult teeth, young puppies can struggle to munch on dry kibble, making wet food's soft and moist texture ideal. In addition, wet food is  packed with flavor, providing tasty enticement for a picky or hesitant eater. However, Shepherd recommends consulting your veterinarian if your puppy's appetite is poor as there may be an underlying condition.

When reading a label for wet puppy food, look for the AAFCO statement that says the food provides complete and balanced nutrition for growth or all life stages. Also, remember that wet food tends to cost more than kibble and needs to be refrigerated and used within a few days to prevent spoiling.

Wet food certainly has its benefits for puppies, but it's not a necessity. "The decision to feed dry versus wet food is very individual, depending on the individual puppy's needs and owner's desires and resources," says Shepherd.

The wet foods for puppies we selected all meet the AAFCO standards for growth or all life stages. They also include plenty of vitamins and minerals and other healthy ingredients to support brain development and immune health in puppies. 

Our picks for wet puppy food:

Chicken and salmon are the main protein sources in this food. The salmon provides omega fatty acids for proper brain development. Other healthy ingredients include ground flaxseed, sweet potatoes, apples, and bananas. The nutritional breakdown is 39% protein, 27% fat, 2% fiber, and 434 kcal per 12.5 oz. can, or about 35 calories per ounce.

Chicken is the main protein source for this food. Healthy carbohydrate sources include peas, sweet potatoes, and brown rice. This food also contains plenty of other wholesome ingredients, including oatmeal, blueberries, and flaxseed. This food’s nutritional breakdown consists of 39% protein, 30% fat, and 3% fiber, with 422 kcal per 12.5 oz can, or about 34 calories per ounce.

Typically, you might consider a senior dog food around age 6 or 7 for a large breed, and around 10 or 12 for a small, says Richardson. The right food for a senior dog depends on the specific senior and how they're doing, says Shepherd. If they're maintaining a healthy weight and muscle tone, their stool is well-formed, and they're enjoying their food, you may not even need to change their diet. 

That said, there are lots of dog foods tailored specifically to the needs of older dogs who may have certain health issues. "Senior diets are formulated to target some of the common ailments of older pets, such as joint health, digestive health, immune health, and possibly others," says Swanson. 

Senior dog food is usually easier to digest and may be lower in calories since older dogs aren't always as active. Food for senior dogs may be higher in protein to help maintain their muscle, fiber to help them stay regular, and extra antioxidants to limit oxidative stress and keep their immune system healthy. You may also see omega-3 fatty acids for cognitive performance because some senior dogs suffer from cognitive dysfunction, aka "doggy dementia." 

For older dogs, a bit of extra protein is a plus. As long as your dog doesn't have any health conditions, look for a senior dog food that's lower in fat and calories and has extra protein beyond the AAFCO minimum of 18%. 

Our senior dog food picks are protein packed and have nutritional boosters that can support an older dog's changing needs.

Our picks for senior dry dog food:

Chicken and poultry byproduct meal are the main protein sources in this food that’s undergone feeding trials. It also includes rice, corn, wheat, barley, omega fatty acids, and glucosamine. With 29% protein, 14% fat, and 3% fiber and 423 kcal per cup, we recommend it for active normal-weight dogs.

This recipe counts chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal as its main protein sources. Carbohydrates include brown rice, oatmeal, barley, quinoa, apples, and carrots and omega fatty acids (flaxseed, salmon oil), glucosamine, and chondroitin are added as healthy extras. We recommend it for moderately active, normal-weight dogs. It contains 27% protein, 15% fat, and 3.5% fiber and 381 kcal per cup.

This grain-free recipe includes protein sources like trout, turkey meal, salmon meal, and deboned turkey. Standout carbohydrates consist of sweet potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, blueberries, and apples. Omega fatty acids (trout and salmon), glucosamine, chondroitin, and probiotics are healthy extras that round out the list. With 30% protein, 12% fat, and 5% fiber and 396 kcal per cup, we recommend it for active, normal-weight dogs.

Hill's Science Diet; Blue Buffalo; Wellness; Rachel Mendelson/Insider

Wet foods offer a tasty option for senior dogs to continue receiving complete and balanced nutrition in their golden years and have several specific benefits for this age group. For example, senior dogs with advanced dental disease will have an easier time chewing and swallowing wet food than kibble.

Wet food's high moisture content is good for senior dogs with urinary stones. "If a senior dog has recurring urinary stones, maximizing water intake by soaking kibble or replacing kibble with wet food may be ideal," says Dr. Shepherd. The extra water intake will encourage urination, which helps reduce the risk of stone formation.

Wet food's strong flavor and aroma can stimulate appetite in senior dogs that may feel lousy from a chronic illness, such as chronic kidney disease.

Shepherd advises dog owners to consider calorie count when feeding wet food to senior dogs. One cup of wet food has fewer calories than one cup of kibble, meaning that your dog would need to eat more wet food to maintain the proper calorie and nutrient intake. Fat content is also worth considering. "Compared with dry food, canned food tends to be higher in fat," she adds. Not all senior dogs can tolerate a high-fat diet. 

You may see various age designations on senior dog wet food labels, such as "mature adult," "adult 7+," or "senior." As long as the food meets the AAFCO standards for maintenance (minimum 18% protein and 5.5% fat), it will be nutritionally appropriate for your senior dog.

The wet foods that we selected for senior dogs meet AAFCO standards for maintenance and contain additional nutrients to help senior dogs maintain good overall health.

Our picks for senior wet dog food:

This food lists chicken as its main protein source, with pork liver as an additional animal-based protein source. Barley, whole grain corn, and corn gluten meal provide the food’s carbohydrates. Other ingredients include vitamins C and E, which have antioxidant properties and support immune health, and various minerals to support heart and kidney function. It contains 22% protein, 15% fat, and 2% fiber. Each 13 oz. can contains 375 kcal, or about 29 calories per ounce.

This food contains protein sources of chicken broth, chicken, and whitefish. Carbohydrate sources include barley, bran, and sweet potatoes. Flaxseed provides an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C, zinc, and cobalt round out the ingredient list. A 12.5 oz can contains 36% protein, 18% fat, 4% fiber, and 379 kcal, or about 30 calories per ounce.

This food contains chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver as its protein sources. Brown rice and barley provide whole grain sources of carbohydrates. Other healthy ingredients include flaxseed, blueberries, and cranberries. A 12.5 oz. can contains 40% protein, 28% fat, 1% fiber and 396 kcals, or about 32 calories per ounce. Given this food’s relatively high fat content, it may not be appropriate for senior dogs that cannot tolerate a high-fat diet.

Over the course of our decades of writing and editing for pet and veterinary publications, we've interviewed many veterinarians and veterinary nutritionists. We've also had the chance to feed our own dogs lots of different brands and types of foods.  

It's important to note that our veterinary experts didn't specifically endorse any of the products in this guide. When you think about it, this makes sense, since most veterinarians agree that the best food for each individual dog will vary based on a variety of factors. So, to make picks for this guide, we consulted four veterinarians, including a board certified veterinary nutritionist and a professor of animal and nutrition science, on what qualities to look for in a healthy dog food and what to avoid. From there, we used the information gathered to guide our selections.   

Every food in this guide is complete and balanced according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines, contains high-quality ingredients, and offers the right levels of protein, fat, and fiber for their respective categories. 

When making choices, we also referred to educational resources from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the Global Nutrition Guidelines published by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).

What to look for in dog food, in order of importance:

AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement: This is the most crucial factor in determining whether a dog food is healthy or not. Any food you feed your dog should say on the label that it meets the nutritional standards established by the AAFCO. This means the food is "complete and balanced" for the dog's life stage. You can find out more about these standards and definitions in the next slide.

Guaranteed analysis: This is where you'll find the percentages of the most important nutrients in the food: protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. Sometimes, you might find other nutrients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids listed in the guaranteed analysis, too. It's worth checking if the brand routinely tests their finished product to ensure it meets standards, Shepherd says. (You can usually find this information on a brand's website.) All of the foods in this guide have moderate to high protein (AAFCO minimums are 22% for puppies and 18% for adults) and low to moderate fat (AAFCO minimums are 8.5% for puppies and 5.5% for adults).

Ingredients list: Navigating the ingredients list doesn't have to be intimidating. The first thing to look for at the top of the list is animal sources of protein. You'll find these in the top slot in all the foods featured in this guide. Whole meat is ideal, but it tends to be quite heavy due to the water content. With dry food, that water is removed, so the meat content might not be as high as it seems. Also, there's no need to write off meat meals, which are usually made from parts of animals that humans don't eat. These can be excellent sources of protein if they're high quality. Since the water has already been removed, they might even pack more protein than whole meat. Meat byproducts do not have to be a deal-breaker, either. Byproducts are processed to remove harmful pathogens and, according to AAFCO, are safe and nutritious.

Healthy extras: Some foods contain extra ingredients intended to support healthy skin, coat, and joints, Swanson notes. Examples include long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA; usually from marine-based oils or meals), omega-6 fatty acids (safflower oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, flaxseed, etc.), glucosamine, chondroitin, green-lipped mussels, and additional vitamins (vitamin A, biotin) and minerals (zinc, copper). Probiotics, prebiotics, and yeast can also benefit a puppy's immature GI tract and probiotics may help boost overall immunity in senior dogs. 

Calorie content: Dogs might start gaining weight if they consume excess calories. That can cause health problems, so look for the calorie content listed in kilocalories, or k/cals, on the nutrition label. If your dog isn't very active, they'll need fewer calories, and if your dog is super active (for instance, a performance or working dog), they'll need much more calorie-dense meals. Helping your dog feel satisfied with their food is really important, and volume can help with that. Ideally, you want to have your dog eat the largest volume of food possible while staying inside their ideal daily calorie range. Check out this calorie calculator to determine how many calories your dog needs. In general, foods that struck this balance rated higher in our selection process. As always, your veterinarian can also help you figure out if you're feeding your dog the right calorie amount. 

Feeding trials: If a food has undergone feeding trials in addition to a laboratory analysis of the food's ingredients, that's a major plus. "It's expensive to conduct feeding tests, and foods substantiated by feeding tests are made by companies that put a lot of resources into quality control," Shepherd says. If the nutritional adequacy statement on the label says something along the lines of: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [product] provides complete and balanced nutrition for [life stage]," it means the food has been proven via feeding trials to be palatable, digestible, and able sustain pets over time.  

Expert formulations: When choosing a dog food, it's very important to consider who actually decided what would go in the food. You want to look for companies that have a PhD-level nutritionist with experience in dog nutrition on staff, Shepherd says. The brand should also employ food scientists who collaborate with nutrition experts. For this guide, we prioritized brands that have a dedicated nutrition expert on staff to align with WSAVA recommendations. 

Next-level ingredients: Despite marketing messaging, human-grade, organic, wild-caught, or cage-free are not necessarily healthier for your pet. But, if you care about the welfare of the animals you (and your pets) eat, these ingredients are a plus. And, unlike farmed fish, wild-caught fish aren't treated with antibiotics or medications, so they may also be better for your dog. You'll also find some foods with meat and eggs from cage-free chickens and turkeys.

We've talked a lot about AAFCO standards in this guide, so you might be wondering what they are exactly. 

The Association of American Feed Control Officials is a private nonprofit corporation that establishes nutritional profiles and defines ingredients for animal feed and pet food. It's important to note that the AAFCO doesn't approve specific foods, and they're not a regulatory body. That means AAFCO isn't checking the ingredients or nutritional standards of pet foods. Instead, pet food companies are responsible for making sure their products adhere to the AAFCO standards. 

The US Food and Drug Administration, which is a voting member of AAFCO, regulates pet food labels at the federal level. " But surveillance is limited relative to the plethora of products on the market," says Shepherd. "So it's important to ensure you're purchasing food from a responsible company." States also regulate pet foods, and most have adopted the AAFCO regulations.

If a dog food meets the AAFCO nutritional standards, you'll find a statement on the label that says the food is complete and balanced for the dog's life stage according to the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile. There are three life stage categories: 1) maintenance, for adult dogs more than 1 year old, 2) growth, for puppies less than 1 year old, and which also includes pregnant and lactating females, and 3) all life stages, which is any dog of any age.

If a dog food label doesn't say that it's complete and balanced by AAFCO standards, then you should consider it a supplemental food only. This means that the food doesn't have the right 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. Pro tip: If you're not sure whether a food has been analyzed or it 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.

Just like human food brands, dog food brands use marketing to make their products more appealing. That means they've got nice-looking images and aesthetically pleasing color schemes on the packaging that are meant to signify the healthfulness and quality of the food. But in order to know the truth about the appropriateness of a dog food, it's essential to learn what to look for on the nutrition label. 

One place to get started is this handy reference from the WSAVA about interpreting food labels. The top things to look for are the AAFCO complete and balanced statement, the guaranteed analysis (crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and moisture), and the calorie content.

Next, read the ingredients list. It's tricky for the average dog owner to make a decision about a dog food based on the ingredients alone though. "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." So basically, as long as the food is complete and balanced, don't stress about the individual ingredients too much. 

Also, beware of buzzwords. "Terms like 'natural' and 'organic' are very common in the industry today," Swanson says. "While both terms were intended to highlight higher quality ingredients, they do not guarantee high quality." Quality is determined by the raw ingredients a company uses and their manufacturing processes, something you can't always determine from the label alone. "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 give you advice on how much to feed them.

Dogs are usually not picky eaters, but that does not mean they can safely eat anything and everything. Certain ingredients should be avoided in dog food to keep dogs safe. Dr. Shepherd provided insight on which toxic ingredients dog owners should look out for, and avoid, when selecting a dog food: 

• 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. Dr. Shepherd recommends avoiding any dog food that contains garlic powder.
• Raw meat: Although raw food diets have become increasingly popular for dogs, 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. Dr. Shepherd points out that freeze-dried meat products should still be considered as raw food, and thus avoided, because their manufacturing process does not get rid of disease-causing pathogens. Read more about the harmful effects of feeding your dog a raw diet.
• Specific allergens: For dogs with food allergies, certain ingredients should be avoided 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 be a good choice. A food elimination trial is typically used to determine which particular ingredient to avoid.

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There's no end-all-be-all, best dog food ever. That's because every dog is different. Some dogs may do better with more protein or fat and some with less. Dogs handle amounts of fiber differently too.

It's also important to find a food your dog enjoys eating, which can take some trial and error. According to Shepherd, you'll know you're feeding your dog a food that's right for them, when they maintain a healthy weight (meaning their body condition score is a 4 or 5, and they have a normal muscle condition score); have formed stool that's easy to pick up, but not so firm that they're having a hard time pooping; aren't vomiting between meals; have healthy skin and coat (meaning they don't have dry, flaky skin); and are growing appropriately if they're a puppy.

Other signs of good health, Osborne says, include clear eyes and nose, ears that aren't smelly, and bowel movements that are homogeneous, meaning they don't have little undigested pieces of food in them. 

What is human-grade dog food?

If a dog food says it's "human-grade," that means the finished food is processed, handled, stored, and transported according to the manufacturing practices for human foods. This process needs to be meticulously documented, and the label should clearly mention the food is for dogs. 

In his years of experience, Swanson has tested a few human-grade pet foods in his lab. "While I don't have a strong preference to any one type or brand of diet, I can say that the human-grade foods I have had experience with are highly palatable, highly digestible, and resulted in a low volume of stool that allowed for easy clean up," he says.

What is a raw diet for dogs?

Most typical dog food contains a mix of cooked meat, grains, fruit, and vegetables. But a raw diet means your dog's food is only made up of uncooked meat, bones, fruit, vegetables, raw eggs, and yogurt or another dairy product. 

Is a raw diet good for my dog?

Insider Reviews spoke to veterinarians who said that even though there are some reported benefits of raw diets, they're just too risky. They put pets at risk of nutritional deficiencies, bacterial infections, and possibly even injuries from bones in the food. Plus, there are risks to humans. Those who are immunocompromised, elderly people, and young children are at risk of bacterial infections if they live in a household where a dog is fed a raw diet. If you want to learn more, you can check out the statements from the FDA and CDC on the health and safety risks of raw dog foods.

Do dogs need grain-free food?

Despite the popularity of grain-free foods for dogs, dogs do not need a grain-free diet. "Animals require nutrients, not ingredients," says Swanson.

The concern over grain-free dog foods began in 2018, when several veterinary cardiologists began to notice unusually high numbers of non-genetic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The FDA has been investigating a potential link between grain-free foods and DCM in dogs, but a definitive link has not yet been established.

Grain-free dog foods can contain carbohydrates, but these carbohydrates will come from non-grain sources, such as peas, potatoes, and lentils.

Despite pet food marketing that suggests that grain-free foods are better for dogs than grain-containing foods, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. To date, grain-free foods have not been proven to be nutritionally superior to dog foods with grain.

Although dogs with grain allergies would benefit from grain-free dog food, these allergies are quite rare in dogs. The most common food allergies in dogs are protein allergies, such as chicken.

Are meat byproducts bad?

AAFCO defines byproducts as "secondary products produced in addition to the principal product." Pet food advertising often portrays byproducts as undesirable and unappetizing, but byproducts that are properly processed are safe and nutritious. Byproducts include liver, for example, which is full of vitamins and minerals that are good for pets. 

Before meat byproducts can be used in dry or canned pet food, they must be heat-treated and undergo additional processing to eliminate all disease-causing bacteria. Sometimes, pet food manufacturing facilities will render byproducts, meaning that the byproducts are cooked to kill disease-causing bacteria. 

On a dog food label, you will see a meat byproduct listed as "byproduct" or "meal." Either term indicates that the meat ingredient has undergone additional processing and is safe for your dog to eat.

How often should I feed my dog?

Swanson explains that several factors determine the frequency of feeding, such as life stage, health status, and palatability. "The most important thing is to feed a complete and balanced diet and provide controlled amounts of food. Monitor your dog's body weight and body condition over time and adjust feeding amounts so that a healthy body weight is maintained," he says.

Dog food labels include feeding guidelines. However, these are general recommendations. Your veterinarian can provide individualized feeding recommendations for your dog to ensure proper nutrition and calorie intake. 

Free choice feeding (also known as ad libitum feeding) is not recommended because it can lead to overeating. Dogs aren't known for their portion control, so food should not be left out for all-day eating. 

Many dog owners love to feed treats to their dogs. When overdone, though, treats can add lots of extra calories to a dog's diet, possibly leading to weight gain. Treats should comprise no more than 10% of a dog's daily caloric intake. Your veterinarian can help you determine how many "treat" calories your dog can have each day.

• Jean Dodds, DVM, obtained her veterinary degree from Ontario Veterinary College. A clinical research veterinarian for more than 50 years, Dr. Dodds has more than 150 research publications. She is the founder of Hemopet, the first nonprofit national animal blood bank. Dr. Dodds is the developer of NutriScan, a food sensitivity and intolerance diagnostic test for dogs, cats and horses. She co-authored two books with Diana Laverdure, The Canine Thyroid Epidemic: Answers You Need for Your Dog (Dogwise, 2011) and Canine Nutrigenomics: Foods that Heal Your Dog (Dogwise, 2015).
• Carol Osborne, DVM, is founder and director of the Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. She is author of the books Naturally Healthy Cats (Marshall, 2006) and Naturally Healthy Dogs (Marshall, 2006), and hosts a weekly National Pet Talk AM radio show broadcast. Dr. Osborne has appeared on Good Day L.A. and Today in New York, where she was the on-camera staff veterinarian.
• Jamie Richardson, BVetMed, USDA Accredited, is a veterinarian and the Chief of Staff at Small Door Veterinary. Richardson has a special interest in endocrine and metabolic diseases.
• Megan Shepherd, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, is a board certified veterinary nutritionist and clinical assistant professor of nutrition at Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Shepherd has authored a variety of research articles on animal nutrition.
• Kelly S. Swanson MS, PhD, is a professor of animal and nutritional sciences in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Urbana, Illinois. Dr. Swanson's lab conducts research on nutrition-related problems like obesity and intestinal health. Dr. Swanson is the Kraft Heinz Company Endowed Professor in Human Nutrition.
• Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) 
• World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Global Nutrition Guidelines