Types of Dog Food: 5 Tips for Finding the Best Brand for You

84.9 million households in the United States own a pet, and 63.4 million of those households own a dog. 

Dogs are such popular pets for a reason. They provide comfort and companionship and are incredibly loyal. They deserve the best care possible, which means finding the best types of dog food. 

You may think all dog food brands are created equal, but this couldn’t be less true. There are several factors you should consider to ensure your dog gets high-quality, healthy, appropriate, and delicious food. 

Keep reading below to learn five tips for finding the best dog food brand for your furry family member. 

1. Look Into the Company

Finding the best type of dog food requires you to research the company that is selling it.

Many dog owners distrust big dog brand names, such as Purina, Big Heart, and Mars. You may think that smaller dog food companies are safer, but this is not necessarily the case. 

Big dog food companies actually have fewer recalls every year than smaller brand names. The smaller the company, the less likely it is that they are meeting the nutritional claims made on their labels, as they are less likely to have the financial ability to do so. 

More prominent companies are able to employ certified food scientists and animal nutritionists. They can better test for impurities, conduct safety and quality control procedures, and verify their goods before they are shipped. 

Whether you use a smaller company’s brand or one that is much larger, it’s essential that you look beyond what is on the label and research what protocols they have in place. 

2. Watch the Calories

As you browse through various types of dog food brands, you’ll most likely find a wide range of calories. For humans, low-calorie food is generally desired.

For dogs, this is not necessarily the case. Dog food should be higher in calories than human food because dogs expend twice the amount of energy. 

This is especially important for puppy food. However, you don’t want to find one that is too high, as this can contribute to having a weight problem in the future. 

You especially don’t want to choose a brand that is too low in calories, as about half of the calories dogs consume are used for tissue growth and development. 

If you are unsure how many calories your dog should be eating a day, consult with your veterinarian before settling on a dog brand. 

3. Choose Based on Breed Size

The size of your dog is one of the most important factors to consider when searching for different types of dog food. 

A smaller dog’s bone growth will drastically differ from a large dog’s, so they shouldn’t be fed the same food to contribute to that growth. 

Larger breeds also have different needs from smaller breeds. For example, dog food for larger dogs usually has a specific ratio of calcium and phosphorus to help prevent joint disease and aid bones in developing correctly. 

Smaller breeds don’t specifically need this but will have other things in their food to help with their particular health requirements. In addition to this, you should also be mindful of the size of the food itself, especially with smaller breeds. 

You don’t want the kibble to be too big, or they’ll be at a greater risk for choking. This pertains to wet food, too, ensuring that the various chunks are small enough for them to chew properly. 

4. Read the Ingredients Thoroughly

To learn what type of dog food is best, you need to know what the ingredients are. If you aren’t thoroughly reading the label on your dog food, you can never be sure that your dog is getting all of the nutrients they need. 

You want to look into the amino acids and fatty acids, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, and carbohydrates. 

All dog food should contain these ten essential amino acids:

• Valine 
• Histidine 
• Leucine
• Melanin Tryptophan 
• Arginine
• Isoleucine 
• Phenylalanine 
• Lysine 
• Methionine 
• Threonine

Proteins are essential in dog food, as dogs need a ton of protein in their diet. It helps them grow their fur, protects their immune system, and transports nutrients throughout the body. 

Look for proteins that are listed first and by their name, such as “salmon,” “beef,” or “chicken.” If the label says meat by-products or poultry, there’s a good chance you’ll be getting a mix of low-quality animal parts. 

As you study the label and read the ingredients, you’ll know right away if the food has what you’re looking for or if it is only pretending to. 

5. Confirm Nutrient Testing 

The best type of dog food will undergo multiple nutrient tests to ensure the recipe is nutritionally balanced and complete. 

The brand you choose should use laboratory analysis as well as feeding trials. 

Many smaller dog brand companies don’t run any tests at all, so it’s crucial that you look into their nutrient testing protocols and see if you can find the results. If they do nutrient testing, they should be transparent about it, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find. 

If you feel confident about buying your dog food and want to check out dog food subscription boxes, check out this list. 

Find the Best Types of Dog Food for Your Dog

Choosing the best types of dog food requires a bit of work, but once you’ve found it, you’ll be glad you know exactly what your dog is eating. They deserve the best care, and that all starts with their food. 

If you are looking for more lifestyle articles like this, check out our website now!