How to shop for the best dog food in 2022, according to experts – NBC News

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In addition to giving your dog a cozy bed to sleep on and keeping them entertained with fun toys, feeding your pup a nutritious diet is one of the many responsibilities that come with being a pet parent — in fact, “appropriate food” is fourth in the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership. And selecting the right food for your dog is one of the most important decisions you can make as a pet owner: Experts told us the right food can not only lead to better absorption and digestion, but also give your dog distinct health advantages.
“Commercially processed canned or kibble foods are formulated to meet dogs’ nutritional needs for proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals — they’re convenient, consistent and readily available, and they undergo a process of quality control and inspection that is meant to catch any contaminants or pathogens before they affect pets or people,” explained Dr. Lori Teller, a board-certified veterinarian and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
SKIP AHEAD How to determine the best food for your dog | Wet versus dry food | Is a grain-free formula better for dogs? | Are raw food diets and supplements necessary?
As the number of dog-owning households grows in the U.S., it comes as no surprise that Americans are spending more on their furry friends’ diet. According to a recent survey by the American Pet Products Association, people spent upwards of $50 billion on food and treats for their pets in 2021 (up from $38 billion in 2020), with dog owners spending an average of $287 on food annually. The same survey reported that 41% of dog owners opted to feed their companion premium dog food in 2020, an increase from 37% in the year prior. And major pet retailers like Chewy and Petco have also seen a higher demand for premium dog food in the past year, despite inflation concerns causing decreased spending on other essentials like leashes and toys.
But which dog food is best for your dog, and how can you determine which one’s right for them? To help you decide, we consulted veterinarians and animal nutrition experts on what to keep in mind when shopping for the best dog food. We also compiled some highly rated options that are in line with their guidance.
In line with our experts’ guidance, all of the following highly rated dog foods — including dry kibble and canned wet food — meet or exceed the Association of Animal Feed Controls Officials (AAFCO) nutritional standards, come from a brand that has a team of veterinary nutritionists on staff to regulate the use of high-quality ingredients and provide a feed guide on their packaging to help you determine the appropriate portions for your dog’s weight and size. All of the brands also offer high-calorie options for puppies and easily digestible kibble sizes for various sized dogs.
Royal Canin offers some of the most diverse dog food options on the market — the brand makes both dry and wet food for a variety of dog sizes, breeds and dietary restrictions, including food sensitivities and gastrointestinal issues. I feed my 4-year-old Havachon, Bella, this small breed kibble from the brand — which is formulated for small dogs from 10 months old to 8 years old that weigh 9 pounds to 22 pounds — after it was recommended by my veterinarian. Bella tends to eat this brand faster than others, some of which she would leave half-eaten. Select’s manager of editorial operations Shari Uyehara said she also feeds her dog Loki, an 11-month-old King Charles Cavalier, the brand’s puppy formula, which was recommended by Loki’s breeder. The brand also offers its dry food formula for medium and large breeds.
There are several subscription home delivery services for dog food, which regularly send bags of fresh food directly to your door. Dr. Judy Morgan, a veterinarian who specializes in integrative care, recommended The Farmer’s Dog, which she calls “TV dinners for dogs” due to their palatability. Select social editor Sadhana Daruvuri said she feeds The Farmer’s Dog to her 7-month-old Maltipoo, Bandit, and he loves it. “I knew friends who tried it and their dogs were all big fans, so I did a trial with Bandit and it was obvious he liked it way more than his kibble,” she said. If you’re on a budget and have a large dog, this might not be a cost-effective option for you, but it may be more beneficial for owners of smaller dogs, Morgan noted.
Hill’s Science Diet’s dog food for puppies is designed for dogs up to 1 year old and is packaged in a small, easy-to-digest kibble, according to the brand. The formula contains natural DHA from fish oil that works to support healthy brain and eye development as well as a vitamin E and vitamin C blend that helps support a healthy immune system in puppies, Hill’s Science Diet says. The food comes in a 4.5-pound or 15.5-pound bag, and the brand also offers a canned puppy formula, which our experts said can be great to mix into your dog’s kibble.
Purina says it employs several veterinary nutritionists to help determine healthy formulations and ingredients — the brand’s highly rated Pro Plan dog food can be good for dogs of different sizes and in all stages of life, including large breed adults and puppies, Purina says. The Purina Pro Plan formula contains natural prebiotic fiber for digestive health and omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A for skin and coat health, according to the brand. Select writer Zoe Malin said her large 100-pound yellow lab Chance eats the weight management dry kibble from the brand — which Purina says contains a more optimized protein-to-fat ratio — since he’s 9 years old and less active compared to when he was a puppy.
Just Food for Dogs is designed to be high in protein and low in calorie count, so it can be beneficial for dogs who may be overweight or don’t get regular exercise, according to the brand. It offers a variety of meal options that are made up of locally sourced produce and only one source of protein for a limited ingredients diet.
This sweet potato and fish option provides a balanced diet for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those in need of a novel protein due to allergies, Just Food For Dogs says. The brand offers two types of food: Fresh Frozen, which has no preservatives and can be thawed and served, and Pantry Fresh, which is shelf-stable for up to two years and doesn’t require refrigeration, according to the brand.
Some dogs are sensitive to certain food ingredients, which can cause excessive itching, loose stools, occasional vomiting and other symptoms. Investing in dog food formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs and skin can help minimize these issues. This option from Purina is crafted without corn, wheat or soy to make it more easily digestible for dogs with an intolerance to these ingredients — however, experts told us these types of ingredients should only be avoided if your dog has an intolerance as they are full of healthy vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. To help your dog maintain a complete and balanced diet, the brand says the formula contains high-protein salmon, probiotics and prebiotic fiber for digestive and immune health and omega-6 fatty acids to help support a healthy skin and coat.
Select editor Morgan Greenwald said she gives Merrick’s salmon and sweet potato kibble to her 1-year-old pit bull mix, Suzie, since she can’t tolerate some other types of protein. “She gobbles it down and she does great with it — she has a sensitive tummy and her vet said we should avoid chicken and turkey, so I stick to salmon,” Greenwald said, adding that she likes the sweet potato in the formula “because it’s good for dogs’ digestion.”
The experts we spoke to agree: Studies show that proteins like beef and chicken are among the most reported causes of allergies in dogs, so it’s important to look out for common signs of allergies — like excessive itching and vomiting — to figure out what works best for them, said Dr. Joe Wakshlag, professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. However, most dogs don’t usually experience these types of allergies, so you don’t need to avoid chicken and turkey unless you think your dog may have an allergy or intolerance.
If you prefer to incorporate canned food into your dog’s meals, Royal Canin offers a variety of wet food options tested by veterinary nutritionists that can help you provide them with a little more diversity at dinnertime. Though it’s on the pricier side, this low-fat option can be good for adult dogs with gastrointestinal issues or digestive sensitivities, according to the brand. The formula contains prebiotics to help maintain good bacteria in the gut, a blend of dietary fibers that can promote healthy digestion and omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil to help soothe the GI tract, Royal Canin says.
The two biggest factors that determine whether your dog’s food is good for their health is whether it’s nutritionally complete and balanced and whether you’re giving your dog the right proportions based on their size and weight. “Overall, when selecting your pet’s food, it is important to consider the information on the label and information beyond the label,” said Dr. Megan Shepherd, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and owner of Veterinary Clinical Nutrition, PLLC.
On the label, the nutrition adequacy — or the AAFCO statement — indicates the species and life stage the food is formulated for and how it’s substantiated, either by formulation or feeding tests. But what isn’t on the label can be equally as important. The Global Nutrition Guidelines set by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) recommend investigating the brand to determine the people involved in the product’s formulation and manufacturing and whether the company routinely analyzes its finished products for nutrient content, pathogens and other items that don’t belong in dog food.
“Do they have veterinarians on staff or, more specifically, do they have veterinary nutritionists who are board-certified in that field? Brands that provide the best diets also invest in research,” said Dr. Brian Roberts, a board-certified veterinarian and regional medical director in the Mid-Atlantic region with VCA Animal Hospitals.
Below, we break down some key considerations experts suggest when shopping for high-quality dog food.
Our experts all agreed that any good dog food will meet the AAFCO nutrition standards. “You can determine if a pet food meets your pet’s nutritional needs by looking at the nutritional adequacy statement on the label — if this statement includes the phrase ‘complete and balanced,’ then the product is intended to be fed as a pet’s sole diet and should be nutritionally balanced,” Roberts said.
“We have the AAFCO to make sure that everything you feed [your dog] is a form of dog food that’s nutritionally complete,” said Wakshlag. You should be able to find the statement — which the FDA considers one of the most important aspects of a dog or cat food label — on the back label (in small font).
While AAFCO has feed control officials that develop standards, definitions and policies for the sale and distribution of pet food, among other animal feeds, the voluntary membership association doesn’t regulate, test, approve or certify pet food, so there’s no such thing as an “AAFCO approved” brand or product.
Finding the best food for your dog is much less about the specific ingredients than you may think. Dr. Richard Hill, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and associate professor at the University of Florida Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, noted dog owners should focus on the nutrients their companion is getting from those ingredients instead.
However, the ingredient list can give you an idea of what nutrients your dog can get from their meal. The AAFCO states that an ingredient list is required to display all ingredients from highest amount to least amount by weight, which means the first three listed are the most critical — this will help you determine if the formula is vegetable-based with things like corn and rice or meat-based with chicken, fish or lamb, experts told us.
AAFCO has developed several safety standards for ingredients used in pet food, and the association goes into depth about common pet food labels.
“Some say natural ingredients like whole chicken are better than something processed like chicken meal; however, both are from the same source — chicken meal is just dehydrated chicken,” Roberts noted.
There are some ingredients that you should avoid, though — the main one that’s commonly seen in commercial pet food is garlic powder. Garlic is a palatant, which means it’s designed to make the food taste better, according to Shepherd — however, it can be dangerous. “While the amount of garlic in pet food and treats may be below the level that could cause anemia, garlic still causes red blood cell oxidation — I recommend avoiding products that contain garlic powder,” she said.
To make sure you’re giving your dog the appropriate nutrients and proportions, Shepherd recommended first checking the food’s energy density — which is shown as kcal (calories) per cup, can or ounce, similar to the nutritional facts on human foods — and its feeding guidelines. Once that’s determined, you can keep an eye on your pet’s weight with the Body Condition Score, which is a visual scale that evaluates the amount of fat on key parts of the dog’s body (a 4 or 5 score is ideal).
Unfortunately, the No. 1 nutritional disease in dogs is obesity and, in some breeds, this can take as much as two years off their lifespan, according to Hill. A lot of obesity problems in dogs come down to the owner’s inability to understand their dog’s calorie intake. “We just pay attention to what’s on the side of the bag and those recommendations are pretty much for the normal, active dog — a lot of dogs just aren’t normal and active,” Wakshlag said. “That’s one thing to consider that’ll help your dog live longer: It’s not necessarily about what you’re feeding them, it’s how much you’re feeding them,” Hill added.
Generally, your dog’s food should match their life stage. For example, you should feed your puppy food that has the puppy label until they reach their adult body weight — small breeds can switch to adult food at seven to nine months, while bigger breeds typically switch at 12 to 14 months, according to the American Kennel Club.
“Puppy food is appropriate for adult dogs only if the adult dog will not become overweight on a higher calorie food,” Shepherd noted. When it comes to the later stages of your dog’s life, if your senior dog is healthy and eating a nutritionally balanced diet, there is no need to change their food, according to Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
You’ll often see certain dog foods labeled for small, medium and large breeds — these labels mostly deal with the size of the kibble and whether it’s easy for them to ingest. Some brands like Royal Canin offer breed-specific formulas, which can help certain breeds’ needs. “Manufacturers that follow nutritional science have developed diets with ingredient content for specific classes of breeds who are predisposed to certain problems. Many large and giant breeds can develop joint problems in life — some of which are linked to certain ingredients — and diets labeled ‘giant breed’ take this into consideration,” Roberts said.
Wakshlag suggested being mindful of whether the formulas are actually beneficial or just marketing tactics, noting that you should double-check the ingredients list and nutritional content to make sure the food is actually serving its purpose for your breed.
The main difference between dry food and canned dog food is its water content. “Kibble is 10% water, [while] canned food is upwards of 70% water,” Roberts said. If both products have the same ingredients and only the water content differs, he noted it’s okay to mix the wet food with your dog’s dry kibble, especially if they often get picky about their food or need an extra boost of hydration. You can also add fresh dog-safe vegetables and fruits to their meals (or as treats) to add nutritional value without adding the calories (as long as they’re still getting their normal kibble), Wakshlag said.
Dry food is also more economical and typically much more stable if it’s stored in its original container in a dry location compared to wet food, which perishes at room temperature after opening, according to Shepherd. (For food safety purposes, Hill recommended storing your dog’s kibble in a cool, dry environment to prevent it from going bad and completely cleaning out the bag or reusable container before putting new kibble on top.)
Shepherd added that a sole wet food diet can be helpful for dogs who can no longer chew kibble due to dental disease or dogs who may benefit from a higher moisture diet due to health conditions, like chronic recurrent urinary issues.
A grain-free formula is made without wheat, barley, rye and corn, and it’s commonly fed to dogs with a gluten intolerance. However, a grain-free diet isn’t better for your dog — and feeding grain-free kibble to your dog can sometimes prevent them from getting their appropriate daily nutritional intake.
“Although often seen in humans, actual cases of true gluten intolerance in dogs and cats are quite rare,” said Roberts, adding that the aforementioned ingredients aren’t just filler ingredients. “Carbohydrates — and corn especially — provide calories, extra fiber for better digestion, important vitamins and minerals and antioxidants,” he said. Hill echoed the importance of carbs in your dog’s diet: “There’s no reason why animals shouldn’t consume a reasonable amount of carbohydrates — [they’re] okay in moderation.” Plus, grain-free foods will usually use other sources of carbohydrates in place of grain — including potatoes and legumes — so the formula will very rarely be low in carbs despite the brand’s marketing, Hill explained.
Research has found an association between some grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy in some dogs, but the cause for the association is still under investigation by the FDA. “We don’t know if there are ingredients to avoid or if it is due to an overall quality control issue,” Shepherd said. Wakshlag noted that it may not be the grain-free foods that are causing these issues, but rather the dogs themselves may be predisposed.
Typical dog food, whether it’s basic dry kibble or a combination of kibble with wet food, is specifically designed to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. Some dog owners will feed their dogs a raw food diet — which can be homemade, freeze-dried and dehydrated — and this typically consists of everything from raw meat and eggs to dog-safe fruits and vegetables. But our experts advised against it: “The AVMA discourages feeding dogs any animal-source protein that has not first been subjected to a process to eliminate pathogens because of the risk of illness to cats and dogs as well as humans,” Teller said.
Raw meat-based diets can also produce a higher risk of microbial pathogens, antibiotic resistance genes and other anti-nutritional factors, according to Shepherd. This also goes for freeze-dried meat products that typically get mixed in with kibble as “boosters” — “they should be considered raw as freeze-drying does not eliminate pathogens,” Shepherd said. And if your pet is eating a complete and balanced commercially available pet food, supplements are not recommended unless specifically prescribed by your veterinarian, Teller noted.
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Mili Godio is an associate reporter for Select on NBC News.
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