You’ve just gotten a puppy, or your best friend has moved into a new stage of your life, and you might find yourself overwhelmed by the types of dog food available. With so many different brands, diets, and ingredients, how does anyone know exactly what they should be purchasing?
With pet food making up the largest share of the pet product market, the options seem endless—but by breaking them down and considering the type of food, as well as your dog’s age and needs, you can find the one that best suits your pup.
What Are The Different Types of Dog Food?
Dry Dog Food – Kibble
A survey found that 65% of pet parents prefer to feed their dogs dry food, also known as kibble. There are so many reasons that kibble can be a great option: it’s easy to store, usually the least expensive option, and most dog food brands come in a variety of tasty flavors so you can switch it up for your pup!
It’s made by a process called extrusion. The ingredients are pushed together and mixed with liquid to form a dough, then cooked under high heat and pressure and reshaped. The food can then be cooled and packaged up, ready to munch on!
A good kibble can be bought at most pet stores, though it’s important to look at the ingredients and consider reviews before going ahead and committing to a brand. High-quality kibble should have specific meat listed in the ingredients (not just “meat” or “fish”), organic ingredients, and very few additives and fillers, if any.
You can also check that the dry food is AAFCO-certified. This means the food has been certified by the FDA as meeting nutritional and safety standards. Since the FDA has strict regulations over pet food, you can trust that anything they’ve certified, they are willing to stand by as healthy!
While kibble is often accused of being the least healthy option for dogs—and it’s true that there are some low-quality options out there—it’s not impossible, or even difficult, to find a high-quality one that balances convenience and budget with nutrition and health.
Freeze-Dried Dog Foods
This type of dog food undergoes a freeze-drying process to remove moisture while preserving the food’s nutritional content and flavor. This process involves freezing the food and then subjecting it to a high vacuum that removes water.
Some pet parents opt for this diet because freeze-drying food preserves nutrients better than boiling or baking, which can often cook some out of it! It is, however, slightly more expensive than kibble and it’s also important to make sure your freeze-dried food is balanced—if it’s just meat, it doesn’t contain all of the nutrients a dog needs.
Freeze-dried treats are also popular, such as liver or beef. These treats are generally very low-calorie and have minimal ingredients, ensuring your pup has healthy treats along with their food. They’re also popular for dogs who are on a controlled diet, as they can be as low as a calorie per treat.
Baked Dog Foods
Baked dog food is similar to kibble, in a way, in that it’s appropriate ingredients for dogs cooked into a handy meal. Although it’s still being cooked, the process is much slower than extrusion, so it’s not going to bake out the nutrients at such a rapid speed.
Baked food can also be a little tastier. If your dog is one of the 70% that pet parents say is fussier than kids, baked food could be the solution to them turning their nose up at kibble.
Baked food can also be a little more expensive than kibble, but it is considerably less expensive than a raw diet and can even be cheaper than wet food. Many baked food companies will customize recipes specifically for your dog, which can contribute to the higher costs as they’re sometimes only available on a subscription.
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Wet Dog Food – Canned Food
The most common type of wet dog food is canned food. Canned dog food comes in different varieties, from food for puppies to senior dogs, so it’s just as important to do your research as it is with kibble.
Meat is mixed with other ingredients to create either a paté or a more chunky formula. Which is better is down to your dog’s preference. Senior dogs may have fewer teeth and prefer a paté which is easier to digest, whereas another dog might prefer chunky food!
Canned food can also be helpful for both hydration and weight loss. It tends to pack fewer carbs than kibble, meaning your dog won’t hold onto the weight—and for those dogs who struggle to remember to drink water, there’s a lot of moisture in canned food.
Just like with kibble, it’s important to do your research, read the ingredients on the label, and make sure you’re aware of what you’re giving your dog.
While wet food is tastier to some dogs and may be a better option than dry kibble for those fussy eaters, it can also be more expensive.
There’s also the disadvantage of it not being as hardy as kibble. While you can safely leave kibble out all day and let your dog graze on it, wet food isn’t quite able to stand up to bacteria as well. Dog food should generally be left out for no more than four hours at room temperature, and can only survive for up to four days in the fridge.
This makes it a non-economical option for those pups that like to take their time!
Fresh Dog Food
Fresh dog food is a fairly recent option, with companies realizing pet parents want to do the best by their pups and provide a convenient and healthy option. A lot of fresh dog food (such as The Farmer’s Dog) offers human-grade food and will provide a plan tailored to your pup.
The idea is that you put in all of the information about your dog (such as breed, size, weight, allergies, etc.), and they will make you a meal plan that they’ll send right to you. The process can vary between fresh food companies, but the main advantage is that you don’t have to think too hard about providing your dog with a healthy option.
For the most part, the food will show up at your door, pre-portioned, and you simply give it to your dog at the appropriate time.
As you can imagine, there is one major disadvantage—the price. Fresh food is amongst the more expensive options, and the price can vary greatly depending on the company and your dog.
Raw Dog Food
Some people choose to feed their dogs a completely raw diet. Dogs in the wild ate only raw meat for centuries, and some parents believe this is the best way to give their dog the life they deserve.
Guardians have seen significant health advantages of feeding their dogs raw meat, but studies note this depends on two things: the dogs themselves and if the diet is done properly. A raw diet still needs to have all of the nutrients that a pup needs to thrive, so it’s important to do your research on raw food and make sure this is the right option.
Raw meat can also be very expensive (though it is possible to do them on a little more of a budget) and require a lot of freezer storage. Some pet parents who feed a raw diet will have a dedicated freezer for the raw food just to make sure they have enough room, which is another added expense some people don’t think of when they decide to embark on a raw journey.
Home-Cooked Dog Food
Some people choose to feed their dogs a home-cooked meal. This could be because their dog is fussy, they want to give them the best as they approach the end of their life and aren’t as into their food anymore, or because they simply believe this is best.
While it’s very possible to feed your dog a home-cooked meal that has all of the nutrients they need, you should do your research to make sure you aren’t missing out on something critical. Cooking your dog food and feeding them only this means they’re relying on you to get everything they need, so don’t fail them!
Your dog needs a lot of nutrients, so home-cooked food can be a challenge—but if you’ve nailed the recipe and know what you’re doing, your pup can enjoy their luxurious life of personally cooked meals!
Grain-Free Dog Food
Lastly, some pet parents have chosen to feed their dogs a grain-free diet.
Grains are usually in most foods for dogs, and this includes things like, corn, wheat, rice, etc. They’re a significant source of carbs for dogs, which they need, as well as being a good source of nutrition and fibre. Incorporating grains also reduces production costs for the dog food companies, which has prompted pet parents to look into if grains are necessarily good for their pups.
Grain-free food is widely available in grocery and pet stores now, often marketed as a healthier option. However, some reports have linked grain-free food to heart issues, suggesting it’s much better for our canine companions to have grains in their food.
But what’s the truth? Is grain-free food bad for your dog?
The truth is, we don’t know for sure yet. It might be best to err on the side of caution and include grains in your dog’s food—the exception to this being if your dog is allergic to grains, in which case, it’s not only understandable but important to provide them with a grain-free diet.
Dog Food For Each Stage of a Dog’s Life
While considering the consistency of your dog’s food and the diet you choose to feed them is important, so is thinking about the stage of your dog’s life. Their age will often depend on the best diet for them, as well as any health issues they might have.
Puppy Dog Food
Puppies need more nutrients and more calories than an adult dog (at a recommended range of 22-33% protein on a dry matter basis).
This is done to make sure they grow at an appropriate level (as it’s possible for puppies to grow too slowly if they don’t have the right food), make sure their immune system functions well, avoid developmental disease, and make sure they’re in the correct weight range.
For this reason, and all of the complicated issues that come with raising a puppy, most dog food brands have specific pet food formulated just for puppies so you don’t need to do all of the calculations yourself! This food should have the right nutrients as well as more calories than adult dog food.
How long your puppy should stay on this food for depends on their size and breed. Experts recommend that small puppies eat puppy food until they’re around nine months old, medium-sized dogs until they’re around 15 months, and large to giant breeds up to 24 months.
Because it’s so dog-dependent and individual, it’s important to consult with your vet. They’ll be able to tell you when your puppy should be weaned off their current food and moved onto the next stage: their big girl or boy diet!
Adult Dog Food
Adult dog food is what your pup should eat for the majority of their life. It comes in many different forms, like the previously discussed kibble, freeze-dried food, wet food, raw food, and more.
With so many options, you might be asking yourself how you’re supposed to pick. We all want what’s best for our dogs, so what’s the right answer? What is the best pet food?
The truth is, it depends on you, your dog, and your circumstances—and there are great options under any category. There’s nothing wrong with choosing to feed your dog kibble, but you should make sure you find a high-quality one rather than grabbing the first one off the shelf at the grocery store, which may not meet your dog’s nutritional needs.
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Likewise, if you choose to opt for a more expensive raw diet, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. Many people have seen great health benefits from feeding their dogs a raw diet, but if improperly stored or balanced, the effects could be more detrimental than helpful.
Take your time to do some online research and speak to your vet before your puppy hits adulthood (or when you rescue your dog, if they’re already an adult) so you can get the best advice and set them up for success.
And if you choose to change an adult dog’s diet at any time, make sure you transition the food slowly to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
Senior Dog Food
As your dog approaches their golden years, finding the best senior dog food becomes the goal.
Senior dog food is specifically formulated to help out changing nutritional needs of older dogs, whose metabolism and activity levels are getting lower with age. As our beloved pups get older, they may become less active and require fewer calories to avoid obesity—an issue that can make heart problems and mobility worse.
But even though they might need fewer calories, those calories need to come from high-quality sources to support their overall health without putting on unnecessary weight. Senior dog foods often have reduced calorie content but maintain the needed protein levels to help preserve muscle mass.
Senior dog foods are sometimes also enhanced with specific nutrients to address age-related health concerns. For example, they might include increased levels of glucosamine to relieve joint pain
Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best time to switch to senior dog food, as it varies between breed and specific dog themselves. The diet can also address issues like constipation and other gastrointestinal upset that are common in senior dogs.
By picking carefully, you’ll be able to make sure their pup lives out their golden years as they intend: at optimal health and with some tasty food to enjoy.
Special Diets
Gastrointestinal problems and other health issues are, however, not exclusive to senior dogs. Dogs as young as puppies can get health issues throughout their life, much as us pet parents don’t like to think about it!
For dogs with chronic ongoing issues, prescription diets might be the best choice throughout their life. For dogs prone to crystals in their urine, for example, a urinary diet can be given to them to ensure that their bladder isn’t a hospitable place for crystals to form.
Typically, if a dog is placed on a prescription diet, this should be all they eat, and the brand may also sell treats to go along with it. Prescription diets can’t be bought in stores without a valid prescription from your veterinarian, so if you think your dog needs to be on some sort of special diet, make sure to talk to them. They can also usually sell you the food directly.
Unfortunately, prescription diets do tend to be more expensive than regular kibble and canned food, though often not as expensive as a raw or fresh diet.
Another special diet that’s not necessarily prescription is lower-calorie food. For dogs who struggle with exercise or are just a little overweight and have been advised to lose a few pounds, these diets can be the best way to do it.
Final Thoughts
The world of dog food is an intimidatingly expansive one but, with some careful research and determination to do right by your dog, you’ll be able to get them on the right track with their diet. Read the labels and make sure to ask your veterinarian if you’re in any doubt about the food your dog should be getting!
FAQs
What Is the Most Common Type of Dog Food?
Most dog parents choose to feed their dog kibble. However, that doesn’t mean it’s always the best option—every type of dog food has its advantages and disadvantages, which is why it’s important to do your research and consider your pup as an individual.
What Are the Main Food Groups for Dogs?
The main food groups for dogs include proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Proteins are crucial for muscle development and overall health, sourced from meats like chicken, beef, and fish. Carbohydrates provide energy and can come from grains like rice or vegetables like sweet potatoes, while fats are essential for skin and coat health and can be found in oils or meats. Your dog needs all of this to thrive!
