How do I Rate Dry Dog Foods?

Dry dog foods, or kibble, come in a variety of brands, some of which contain better ingredients than others. Look at the ingredient list of the food to determine how it rates in terms of quality and nutritional value.

  1. Ingredients

    • Dog food manufacturers list ingredients by weight, with ingredients listed first being most prevalent in the food, according to the Dog Food Analysis website. As carnivores, dogs require a diet made up primarily of meats. High-quality foods specify a type of meat or meat meal first, while other ingredients are listed first in low-quality foods.

    Grains

    • Dry dog foods need to include grains in their formula to keep the kibble together. Low-quality foods have a higher percentage of grains as a primary ingredient. Higher-quality foods contain whole grains instead of grain fragments. When buying premium foods, look for those that use organic whole grains in small amounts.

    Considerations

    • Low-quality dry dog food contains byproducts, unidentified meats or fats and controversial chemical preservatives such as BHT, BHA, ethoxyquin and propyl gallate. High-quality dog foods contain natural preservatives like vitamin E or rosemary, but they have a shorter shelf life. Dry dog foods with better-quality ingredients generally cost more than low-quality ones.