What to Look for in High-Quality Dog Food

With so many different types of dog foods on the market, it is difficult to know which foods are the best for your dog's needs. Examine the list of ingredients and choose only foods containing high-quality ingredients.

  1. Protein

    • According to the Dog Food Project, protein is the most important ingredient in your dog's food. Search for foods that contain only specifically named sources of protein, such as chicken, turkey, beef or lamb. Avoid foods that contain meat byproducts, corn gluten or soy meal as main ingredients.

    Carbohydrates

    • Dogs need carbohydrates in their diet to provide them with energy. Carbohydrates should be obtained from grains such as rice, oats, wheat or barley. Alternative carbohydrate sources, such as peas or sweet potatoes, are equally healthy. Avoid foods that contain unspecified grain sources, such as grain fermentation solubles or potato product.

    Fats

    • A healthy amount of fat is essential to a dog's skin and coat health. High-quality dog foods should contain fats from sources such as canola oil, sunflower oil and chicken fat. High amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential. Avoid feeding your dog foods with sources of fats such as generic fish oil, mineral oil or animal fat.