Choosing the right dog food

Your dog’s nutrition is incredibly important, and shouldn’t just be an afterthought.

In fact, this is enshrined in the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which Agria strongly supports. This law provides that animal owners have a “positive duty of care, and [the act] outlaws neglecting to provide for their animals' basic needs, such as access to adequate nutrition and veterinary care”.

As such, we're proud to partner with veterinary behaviourist Sophie White, Butternutbox and UK Pet Food who have created this complete guide on how to choose a dog food.

Another way to provide for your dog’s needs is with peace-of-mind dog insurance.

Finding the right food for your dog

Which is the best dog food? Well, there are thousands of options when it comes to feeding your dog. But there are two golden rules that you stick to when choosing a food:

1. It must be complete and balanced (more on this in a moment)
2. It must be life-stage appropriate

To help you pick, you should consider the following:

• Your dog’s age, size, weight and activity level
• Whether they have any specific allergies or medical needs

And there are a few more considerations to throw into the mix:

• What can you afford?
• What’s practical to store and prepare?
• What does your dog like?

Add some variety

Consider having a couple of options for your dog to add variety. For example, you could have both wet and dry food, or alternatively different flavours.

It’s fine to give your dog small amounts of pet-safe foods, but you must ensure the bulk of their diet is balanced, and you account for the extra calories.

What do dogs need in their diet?

Most vets will recommend feeding your dog a ‘complete’ diet. But as a new pet parent, you might be wondering what on earth that means.

Complete dog food: In a nutshell

For a dog food to be labelled ‘complete’, it must meet regulations laid down by the European Pet Food Industry (FEDIAF). These regulations define the levels of all the vital nutrients a dog needs, with the word complete indicating that no supplementary foods will be required in your dog's diet.

In other words, a dog can stay fit and healthy by eating complete food alone.

What is complementary dog food?

Complementary dog food refers to items which can be fed alongside complete food. They are ‘incomplete’ in that they need to be combined with other foods (usually meat) in order to deliver all of the nutrients your dog needs on a daily basis.

Mixer biscuits are an example of a complementary food. These are also subject to FEDIAF rules.

It’s important to ensure that you’re feeding your dog the right balance between complete and complementary food sources. Feeding an incomplete diet could lead to deficiencies in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. This can cause growth problems, poor skin health and hormone imbalances.

Ingredients to look for in dog food

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for this. All dogs are unique in their daily nutritional requirements. Various things factor into this, including life-stage, activity level, health conditions and so on.

Protein should make up the majority of their diet, followed by fat, both of which will likely come from meat and fish sources. It’s essential for growth and repair, as well as providing energy. Look for foods with as high a meat content as possible.

Next up is fibre, which will be supplied through consumption of vegetables and complex carbohydrates. This will keep your dog’s poos healthy as it aids digestion.

Last, but certainly not least, we have vitamins and minerals. The list of benefits is endless, some of the most important ones being their contribution to building strong bones and supporting immune responses.

What types of dog food are available?

Ok, so that’s the high-level stuff. But when it comes to picking a type of food, how do we choose the best diet for our four-legged friend?

Above all else, we recommend that you speak with your vet regarding the most appropriate diet for your dog. They can point you in the right direction, considering any particular nutritional requirements your dog might have.

But these are the main types of dog food available. Each will have its own benefits, and some may appeal more to your dog’s tastes than others.

1. Dry food (also known as kibble)

Dry food is a popular choice for a number of reasons. It’s affordable, convenient, and has a long shelf life. As above, look for a complete and nutritionally balanced dry food if this is going to comprise the main part of your dog’s diet.

Kibble comes in numerous flavours and formulas, catering to dogs’ life stages and specific health concerns. It can also help with dental health, by reducing the build-up of plaque.

2. Wet food (often canned or in pouches)

Wet food has a high moisture content, which is good for hydration. Plus many dogs find it delicious, so it’s worth a try if your dog’s a picky eater. It's also soft and easier to chew, making it a good bet for older dogs or those with dental issues.

On the flipside, wet food is more expensive, plus it has a shorter shelf life once opened. But as long as you do your research and pick something nutritionally balanced, your furry friend should lap it up.

Raw food

This is becoming increasingly popular, not least among those who want to pick something less processed. Raw dog food aims to replicate a dog’s natural diet, including uncooked meats, bones, fruits and vegetables.

Raw food fans say it promotes healthier skin, teeth and digestion. It does require careful preparation and storage to avoid contamination though. Plus this diet should be balanced to meet nutritional needs, and isn’t suitable for all dogs.

4. Freeze-dried and dehydrated food

Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods preserve nutrients through a drying process. They tend to be lightweight and long-lasting, convenient and good quality –  with ingredients closer to raw diets.

Check before you buy, but some will require rehydration before feeding. And also check the price tag, as they’re not always the cheapest.

5. Grain-free food

These are designed for dogs with grain sensitivities or allergies. Grain-free food replaces grains like wheat or corn with ingredients like sweet potatoes or peas.

Note: A link between grain-free diets and heart conditions has been investigated in some breeds. While not conclusive, it’s always worth discussing your dog’s proposed diet with your vet before you commit.

Find out how to make eco-conscious choices for your dog’s diet.

How to choose puppy food

Young dogs should always be fed on specialised puppy food. This will have been specifically formulated to provide all the essential nutrients, and carefully balanced to ensure puppies grow up to be healthy and strong.

Feeding an unsuitable or unbalanced diet during puppyhood can have serious consequences, not only to developmental growth, but also to overall health and immunity later in life.

It’s your choice

Most importantly, you should feel comfortable and happy with the food you choose. Don’t feel pressured into making choices you’re not entirely satisfied with.

Whether you choose to feed dry food, wet food, raw food or a mixture of all three, be sure to thoroughly read the pet food label to understand the contents. Don’t be swayed by packaging or TV adverts – dig a little deeper to find out exactly what you’re giving your pup.

Tips for choosing puppy food

Ideally, you should be able to recognise all of the individual ingredients listed. They’ll be presented in order of highest inclusion to the lowest. Good-quality pet food should have their meat listed first as this indicates what the food is predominantly made from.

Top tip: Be aware of ‘meat derivatives’ and ‘animal by-products’, as this doesn’t reveal the type of meat being used. It could be a mixture of several different animal proteins.

Although dogs are omnivores – in other words, they can eat a mix of food from both plant and animal origin – the nutrients found in meat proteins are used more efficiently by a dog’s digestive system. They also contain essential amino acids necessary for growth, development and cell function.

This is why we believe dogs thrive on a predominately meat-based diet, with a healthy portion of fresh fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates.

Avoid artificial colours, preservatives and sugars, especially with young puppies. These ingredients will often result in hyperactivity and the inability to concentrate or completely rest.

Look for a food which states natural ingredients, high-quality meat inclusion and minimal processing. It’s also a good sign if the company has freely available information and is able to provide professional help and advice if needed.

Look at what a dog would naturally choose to eat (within reason) then decide on your puppy’s food accordingly. After all, they are your newest family member.

What you choose to feed is your choice and you should research all avenues including practicalities of feeding, cost and availability before making a decision.

Our friends at Natures Menu have a wide range of food suitable to feed from weaning, until puppies reach an age when they can be transitioned over to adult food.

When to change from puppy to adult food

Whether they're a miniature breed who finishes the majority of growing at six months, or a giant breed who still has a lot of growing to do, your puppy is still going through important developmental changes. This requires the correct balance of nutrients.

This is why it's important to feed them the right diet. Make sure you change their food at the right time.

Keep in mind that some puppies when teething may be fussy and go off food so make sure you're past this transition before introducing adult food.

When should I change my dog's food?

Depending on the food you feed them, you may be able to start progressing onto adult food at around five months. But always check with your food manufacturer for the best advice, as all brands differ.

Keep taking your puppy to your local vet for regular weigh-ins. Bear in mind that overweight puppies tend to grow into overweight adults, when excess weight becomes far more difficult to shift.

Keep your dog in tip-top shape

Ensure you feed your dog in a way that keeps them in a lean, healthy condition.

If you find your dog finishes their food very quickly and still appears hungry after, try feeding in a slow feeder, slow bowl or food rewarding toy. Encouraging dogs to slow down as they eat improves mental stimulation, and can help to feel them satisfied for longer. 

Our friends at Natures Menu have some delicious choices for you to check out.

Thanks also to our lovely partners at Butternut Box and Sophie White for the advice that has gone into this guide.

To find out more about your dog’s health, check out our diet and nutrition guides for dogs, and also a list of substances which are toxic to dogs.

Also check out our list of which fruits, vegetables and nuts dogs can and can’t eat.

As an Agria Pet Insurance customer, you can speak to a vet completely free whenever you have a question or concern about your pet’s health. Simply download the Agria app for free 24/7 video calls; giving you expert advice to help keep your pet happy and healthy.

Find out more about the Agria app.