The Best Pet Food for Dogs

In recent years, dog food recalls and illnesses caused by tainted food have prompted dog owners to learn more about the food they are feeding their beloved companions. By cooking at home and learning to read pet food labels, dog owners can offer their canine companions nutritious and tasty food without the worry of contamination and malnutrition.

  1. Home-Cooked Meals

    • The best option for feeding your dogs is to cook the food at home. Meals of fresh, organic meat (raw or cooked), fruits, vegetables and grains are healthy and high in nutrition.

    Pet Food Labels

    • Learn to read and understand pet food labels. Ingredients are listed in the order of their percentage of the total food. Foods named on the packaging--such as chicken and rice formula--are only required to be 25 percent of the total ingredients.

    Proteins

    • Almost all commercial dog foods contain some form of meat product. But not all proteins are equally nutritious. Look for named meats (chicken, beef, turkey) and avoid generic meats (poultry, animal). Avoid products with meat meal and byproducts.

    Fats and Oils

    • Look for specific named fats and oils, such as chicken fat, salmon oil or beef fat. Avoid generic fats like animal fat and mineral and vegetable oils.

    Carbohydrates

    • Unlike true carnivores such as cats, dogs do need and can process carbohydrates. Good carbohydrates include whole grains, potatoes and peas. Avoid corn, flours, milled grains and unspecified grains, as these are usually remnants from the processing plants and hold no nutritional value.

    Preservatives

    • Dog food must be preserved. Look for natural preservatives such as vitamin E and rosemary. Avoid dog food preserved with several chemical ingredients.