Everything you need to know to choose the best dog food.

How to choose the best dog food?

Every dog is unique, which means their nutritional needs will vary based on their breed, size, age, and health status. These characteristics are the pillars for choosing the best possible nutrition.

That's why there are different types of dog food. For example, if your dog has a food allergy, hypoallergenic food is usually chosen, or if they have trouble digesting grains, grain-free food is recommended.

Just like with breed or age, there are foods designed for each stage of life: puppy, adult, and senior, formulated to address the specific needs of a breed (or even if it's a mixed breed).

To clear up any doubts, always consult your veterinarian, as they'll have the information from veterinary check-ups to know what your friend needs and how you should feed them.

Next, you'll see these factors or selection filters in more detail:

Depending on breed, size and age

To choose well, you have to consider the primary characteristics of the dog:

• Breed

• Size (mini or small breeds, medium, large, and giant)

• Age (puppy food, junior, adult, or senior dog food)

It's common sense to think that a Dachshund doesn't need the same food as a Doberman, or a puppy doesn't need the same as a senior dog, and of course, a miniature breed doesn't have the same needs as a giant one. That's why these three points must be taken into account.

If necessary, choose a functional diet

If your dog has any illness or specific requirement to improve their health, it's essential to adapt their diet, as there is specific dog food for certain conditions that contribute to improving these dogs' health.

These types of dog food include:

• Food for allergic dogs (formulated for sensitive dogs)

• Food for joint health (with nutrients that protect the joints). For more information, check out our post "Discover the best dog food for joint problems."

• Light dog food and wet food for weight control (to keep overweight in check)

• Digestive dog food (for dogs with sensitive digestion)

• Food for neutered dogs (designed for spayed or neutered dogs). In our post "Discover the best dog food for neutered dogs," you'll find all the information you need.

• Urinary dog food (for dogs with kidney or urinary problems)

Select the type of feed

The following classification can help you narrow down the best option for your dog. The groups of dog food are as follows:

• Veterinary diets for dogs (designed for dogs with mild health problems)

• Natural dog food (without added additives). Want more information?

• Hypoallergenic dog food (without allergenic ingredients for sensitive dogs)

• Grain-free dog food (for dogs sensitive to wheat, rye, etc.)

The taste of your food matters

Your dog also has something to say! Pay attention to what they like and what they don't, or what agrees with them better. Keep in mind that taste is important, as they should also enjoy mealtime and lick their chops.

Basically, these are the main protein ingredients:

• Salmon, Tuna, Chicken

• Lamb, Beef, Turkey

• Pork, Wild boar, Duck

• Ox, Venison, Cheese

What is better, dry or wet food?

Answering the question of what is the best food for dogs depends, first of all, on the preferences and needs of your best friend, as well as factors such as the nutrient concentration offered by both dry food and wet food.

The main difference between them lies in their water content, with wet food being a great source of hydration. However, this also influences the preservation of the food, as dry food stays in good condition for a longer time.

On the other hand, a small amount of dry food is enough to provide a large dose of energy to the dog, making it necessary to supply a greater amount of wet food to reach that level. Conversely, wet food is usually more appetizing due to its taste and aroma, as well as being more digestible.

It should also be noted that dry food is usually the most economical option, while wet food is more suitable for those dogs who start to reject dry food or have more specific needs.

Therefore, when choosing the best food for a dog, the most important thing is to see its composition and whether it meets the nutritional needs of the animal based on its breed, age, weight, health status, and physical activity. For this reason, it is usually recommended to choose a food with around 70% meat and 30% vegetables, also trying to avoid cereals and additives.