What Is The Best Dog Food – Find What Your Canine Needs The Most

Only the healthiest food can be the best dog food. While there are many canned and dry dog foods to choose from, the quality of their ingredients is what sets them apart. DogFood.guru showed how some of the most trusted brands now use grass-fed beef in their foods only. Since the quality of the ingredients is always improving, there’s worth investigating which type of food is best for your particular dog.

What is the best dog food by today’s standards?

The best dog food is made from human-grade ingredients. Its nutritional value makes it safe for human consumption and this should speak for itself when it comes to proper quality.

Good dog food is made from real meat

Your dog is carnivore and meat is the main feeding necessity. Dogs require the best meat to live a healthy life. In the best dog food, you should look for the type of meat it comes with on the label. You should overlook products simply labeling ‘meat’ or ‘meat byproducts’ if they don’t show real meat options first such as lamb, chicken, or beef.

There are no filler ingredients in the best dog food

Cereal byproducts are now seen as fillers in dog food. Not all of them are bad but you end up paying for a food that isn’t as high in protein with it. Corn bran is one of these byproducts that is seen in some low-quality dog foods.

Artificial preservatives aren’t an option

As in human-grade food, artificial preservatives are added to some foods to make it last longer. The problem with these preservatives is they are detrimental to the dog’s health in the long term.

Vegetables aren’t overlooked

Most vegetables have a positive role in the digestive system of your doggy. However, there are a few types of products that the dog can’t digest such as corn, which aren’t necessarily the best use of vegetables in tasty healthy food.

Nutritional adequacy

Most foods are formulated for a general category of foods. But nutritional adequacy changes for some foods which are simply a bit better at certain stages of the dog’s life. Small kibble food is perfect for puppies. Foods with added calcium and other minerals are essential for older dogs.

Some foods are even specifically formulated for the reproductive period while others are made for every specific digestive issue. You shouldn’t settle for anything less when you know your dog has different nutritional needs compared to others.

Guaranteed analysis (your macronutrient guideline)

Macronutrients such as protein and fat have a minimum content which needs to be labeled on the product. For example, almost all canned dog food shows a protein content between 6 and 9%. This shows you exactly what you’re paying for as protein is the most expensive ingredient in these foods.

The best dry dog food

Dry food is very popular today. Available in general and in special formulations, dry dog food is practical to store and it’s also highly nutritious. Following the guidelines above, the following dry food is the best.

1. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

The novel formula found in Taste of the Wild is what makes it very tasty for most dogs. Its new sources of protein (mostly bison and buffalo) are enjoyed by dogs of all ages. It’s no surprise this food is one of the most popular across several retailers.

Apart from its novel sources of protein, it also comes with sweet potatoes and peas as sources of protein. Dried chicory is added to this food as prebiotic support. Rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, the food is among the most interesting in terms of a balanced nutritional plan that can be sustained for months and years.

2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice

The high amount of protein in Blue Buffalo’s dog food is what places it high on our list of recommended products. It features 24% minimum chicken protein which makes it very useful for adult healthy and active dogs.

Apart from such high protein content, dog food also features brown rice, oatmeal, and pea starch. We also like that it comes with a unique Blue Buffalo antioxidants blend. It sustains an active lifestyle where your beloved dog needs to fully recover after running around all day.

3. Merrick Grain-Free Texas Beef & Sweet Potato

With 34% crude protein at a minimum, Merrick’s dog food is also worth giving a try. 3 sources of protein are used in this food and they include beef, lamb, and salmon. Most dogs love salmon and its protein can also be a good source of healthy fats.

Sweet potatoes and peas are added as sources of carbs which quickly turn into glycogen. Beef liver and flaxseed are also added to complete the formula. There’s no corn or soy in the food which makes it one of the options without any large percentages of fillers.

4. Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe

Salmon is the main ingredient in Nature’s Recipe dog food. It comes in a minimum 27% crude protein amount which makes it both filling and beneficial for the general health. Salmon is among the rare types of protein that are high in healthy fats which aid joints, skin, and coat.

Sweet potato and pumpkin are added to the formula as quickly-absorbed carbs. Since the food is made without chicken or beef, it recommended to have a slow transition process for your dog. You can fully transition to this salmon-based dog food within 5-7 days.

5. Victor Hi-Pro Plus Formula

Beef, chicken, fish, and pork are combined in this complex formula. The protein content is a minimum of 30%. But this combination of proteins comes with complex amino acids that are highly useful for active dogs as they sustain muscles and everyday activity.

With a base of energy for high-performance doggies, the formula is not the most affordable. These ingredients are what add to the final cost of the food, but for the right dog, you’ll know it’s worth it.

6. Purina ONE SmartBlend Lamb & Rice

Purina’s SmartBlend is an excellent choice if you know your dog digests lamb easily. This source of meat is common on its own but Purina also mixes it with a smaller amount of chicken to make it more flavorsome.

A vitamins and minerals complex is also added to the formula. It’s what keeps your dog healthy in the long-term as it’s not all about the crude protein content.

The best wet dog food

Wet dog food is another great choice for your beloved pet. Juicy and packed with meat and vegetables, canned food is easy to store and easy to serve as well. Here are a couple of options that have proven popularity based on the quality of their ingredients.

1. Blue Buffalo Family Favorite Recipes

Inspired by traditional family meals, Blue Buffalo’s wet dog food is one of the tastiest and healthiest options out there if your dog can’t stomach dry food. The main flavors are inspired by barbeque, Shepherd’s pie, Turducken turkey dinner, Sunday Chicken dinner, and by Turkey Day Feast. Green beans, carrots, and peas complete this interesting food selection.

One can of Blue Buffalo’s wet god food weighs 12.5oz (354g). You can purchase the delicious meal-inspired foods in packs of 12 so that it lasts a bit longer. Since there are no artificial flavors or preservatives in it, you can even consider the food as the long-term feeding option for your lovable mutt.

2. Cesar Gourmet Wet Dog Food Variety Packs

If you have a small dog with a weight between 10 and 20lbs, you need to check out Cesar Gourmet’s variety pack. It ships in 24 count with 6 flavors such as turkey, grilled chicken, duck, and roasted chicken. This pate-style canned food comes in a total weight of 5.29lbs. The variety of food is what makes this value pack an interesting choice for your small pooch.

Final words

Now that you know the answer to ‘What is the best dog food?’ question, you can simply try them out to see if your dog loves them. As a new dog owner, you should understand that even if the food before your dog is the healthiest, it might not go well in terms of activity. This is why one dog might prefer a certain brand and others prefer foods from other manufacturers depending on their natural ingredients and their mystery ingredients.

It’s also up to you to easy in your dog to the new food since dietary changes aren’t frequent for dogs. Most dogs know exactly what they like and what they don’t like. This is why the best food for canines is the one which is both healthy and which is tasty for your particular dog. You can order these online and skip the queue in physical stores so that your dog always has access to delicious food that doesn’t run out.

Below is a list of products reviewed in this article

Updated August 04, 2020

by Adrian

What Is The Best Dog Food

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