Dog Food - The Pets Kingdom

Choosing the right dog food can feel surprisingly complicated. Walk down a pet food aisle, or start shopping online, and you’ll find everything from everyday adult diets and puppy food to weight-management formulas, sensitive-stomach recipes, senior diets and foods designed for specific health needs.

There is no single “best dog food” for every dog. The right choice depends on your dog’s age, size, activity level, body condition, health and, of course, what they will actually eat.

As a veterinarian, I generally recommend looking beyond attractive packaging and fashionable ingredients. A good dog food should provide complete and balanced nutrition for your dog’s life stage, come from a reputable manufacturer with appropriate nutritional expertise and quality-control procedures, and suit your individual dog.

Finding the Right Food for Your Dog

Puppies need food formulated to support growth, while adult dogs need a diet designed for maintenance. Large-breed puppies have particular nutritional requirements because excessively rapid growth can contribute to orthopedic problems, so choosing an appropriate large-breed puppy formula is especially important.

As dogs get older, their nutritional needs may change again. Some senior dogs benefit from foods with a lower calorie density as their activity decreases, while others need highly palatable, nutrient-dense food to help maintain weight and muscle.

Dogs that are overweight may benefit from a purpose-designed weight-management diet rather than simply being given much smaller portions of their normal food. These foods are typically formulated to provide adequate protein, vitamins and minerals while reducing overall calorie intake.

You will also find foods marketed for sensitive digestion, skin and coat health, dental care and other specific needs. Some can be useful, but persistent digestive problems, itching, weight changes or other symptoms should be discussed with your veterinarian rather than treated by repeatedly changing foods.

Dry, Wet or a Combination?

Both dry and wet dog foods can provide excellent nutrition when they are complete and balanced. Dry food is convenient, usually economical and easy to portion, while canned or wet food provides considerably more moisture and can be particularly appealing to dogs that are fussy eaters.

Many dogs do very well with a combination of the two.

Whatever format you choose, portion size matters. Feeding guidelines on the packaging are a useful starting point, but they are not a perfect prescription for every dog. Keep an eye on your dog’s body condition and adjust portions when necessary.

Our Dog Food Picks

Below you’ll find a selection of dog foods available from pet retailers we work with. I’ve organized them to make it easier to compare options for different life stages and nutritional needs.

Always check the current product information before purchasing, particularly if your dog has an existing medical condition or requires a veterinary diet.

The Pets Kingdom may earn a commission if you purchase through some of the links below, at no additional cost to you.

Give your canine companion the protein-rich nutrition it’s meant to eat with ORIJEN Ori… [More]

Price: $35.99