Are Premium Dog Foods Better?
Meeting Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs
By Janis Row
Dogs, like people, have nutritional requirements they need to meet to keep their bodies healthy. Instead of being meat-eating carnivores, dogs are actually omnivores (eating meat and plants), like most humans. (I guess that explains their penchant for catching popcorn tossed their way!)
Canines can and do eat many different things, and their intestinal tract is engineered for more than just meat. A proper diet must include minerals, vitamins, certain amino acids from proteins, and specific essential fatty acids from fats. From these nutritional elements, the body builds and sustains tissue and healthy body functions.
The element proportions change with age from puppyhood through the senior years, but the elements themselves should be maintained. It is important to understand that some of these must not exceed a certain percentage of the overall diet, and these guidelines are known to food manufacturers. The six basic elements dogs must have are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.
Your dog’s energy comes from proteins and fats, but he also needs carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates, such as grains, are more easily digested when they are cooked because cooking lowers the risk of illness from bacteria, fungi and more. Some fruits and vegetables may fall into the complex carb category, but others can be dangerous for your dog. Grapes and raisins, for instance, are toxic and should not be fed to dogs. Certain berries and vegetables are fine.
The standards for quality pet nutrition in commercial pet foods are set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
How to Pick the Best Dog Food
Some of you might be wondering, “So, what should I feed this dog? Isn’t all dog food pretty much just DOG FOOD?” For others, just hoping your picky pooch eats anything well at all is the main goal.
Here are some answers and considerations to help you choose wisely:
- AAFCO approved. It is important that the food you feed meets the AAFCO standards for your dog’s life stage. For example, if you have a puppy, it should be formulated to meet the nutritional needs of a growing dog.
- Prescription (Rx) diets. Any dog may need more or less of some things according to his own particular health situation. Depending on your dog’s health issues, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet. There are foods specifically formulated to benefit dogs with allergies, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, weight control and more.
- Feed the best. Feed the highest quality food you can afford and, if in doubt about the nutritional content or ingredients, ask your veterinarian for advice.
- Ingredients. Look for whole food ingredients that you understand. Do not buy something if the main ingredients are something you’ve never heard of!
- Understand the labels. Ingredients are listed by weight on the label as they are added to the mixture. Meat contains a lot of water, so it might be listed first. Protein-wise, however, that weight might be misleading. Check the protein content but know that digestibility is important, too.
- Calorie needs. Obese, older and sedentary dogs require less calories. On the other hand, for a working dog, an active sports dog or one running the Iditarod, caloric needs will be much higher. Pregnant, nursing and certain breeds of dogs may also have specialized requirements. In many adult dogs today, a lower calorie diet is better because they are more sedentary and their energy needs are lower. Your veterinarian can help you understand what your dog’s body condition score is and how to keep it at an optimum rate.
- Calorie content. Different foods have varying amounts of calories. Some can have around 200 calories and others upwards of 350 or more calories per cup of food. A ballpark guideline is less than 350 calories per cup. Watch out though: if you switch from a lower calorie to a higher calorie food, you will need to feed a smaller quantity and your dog may give you dirty looks at mealtime!
- Observe your dog. A healthy adult dog should not have ribs, spine or pelvic bones sticking out. A filled-out dog should have a “waist” and be trim, not heavy. Most dogs do well by being fed twice a day. Be careful to not allow excess activity or heavy exercise following a meal because digestive disorders such as bloat or intestinal obstruction can result. Make sure your dog has fresh water at all times. Water makes up half your dog’s body weight and if he loses even 10% of that, he could die.
How Much Should You Feed?
How many calories does a dog need? An average house dog that is spayed or neutered and is lightly exercised might have daily calorie needs based on this formula: 30 x body weight in kilograms (kg) +70. To convert pounds to kg divide by 2.2. Not all dogs are equal, of course, so this formula is just one way to calculate caloric needs. Don't forget to include treats in the daily calorie count.
Using this formula, a 20-pound (9.09 kg) dog would need approximately 342 calories (30 x 9.09 + 70 = 342) If the dry food in this example has 350 calories per cup, the dog would need just under one cup of that food per day, ideally split into two feedings of a half cup each time.
Dry or Wet Dog Food?
Many dry and wet canned foods are nutritionally balanced. Sometimes a dog needs more moisture in his diet for a particular reason and might be best served by a canned diet. Kibble (dry food) is usually fine for most dogs, and some believe it helps remove dental plaque. Both dry and wet foods may be found in prescription formulations.
What’s the Scoop on Grains?
There has been a lot of controversy about grain-free foods in recent years. Grain-free dog diets and novel protein foods came into being, in part, because of a rise in canine allergies. In July 2018, the FDA began looking into reports of increased canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) that seemed to involve grain-free diets.
Several universities and veterinary groups have researched the problem, and the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association (JAVMA) published an article in January 2021 reporting there seems to be a pattern in dogs who consumed large amounts of legume seeds, including lentils and peas. Treatment for DCM includes a change in diet and administration of taurine and pimobendane, and an ACE inhibitor. Some breeds are naturally susceptible to DCM; they should be monitored by a vet and possibly kept from any diet with legume seeds.
For healthy dogs with no allergic issues, a grain-free food is generally not needed. If your dog has allergy symptoms or problems, talk to your vet about the best option for your situation.
How to Pick a Reputable Brand
When choosing the best dog food for your pet, consider the company behind the brand. The dog food manufacturer should have a long-standing reputation for making quality food and for having excellent formulations. Considerations include:
- The company should be active in nutrition research and be forthcoming with the results. A company that hides information should be suspect.
- Rigorous quality control processes are a must. They should ideally test the raw ingredients that come in, conduct analysis and digestibility studies, and have careful tracking of their batches. A reputable company will have a “diet vault” of all batches in case a question or problem arises.
- Do not believe unfounded claims such as “cures diabetes” or “our food is superior to all else.”
- Consider companies located in North America over companies that manufacture in China or other countries where protocols are not as stringent.
- Consider companies that source all ingredients in North America.
- Some of the best pet food companies have veterinarians and/or PhD nutritionists on staff, rather than just consultants who may—or may not—have the credentials or experience to advise in this role.
The AAFCO conducts feeding trials and approves top foods, so look for the company’s AAFCO approval rating.
Final Thoughts on Premium Dog Foods
Quality dog food doesn’t need to be the most expensive brand on the shelf, but premium foods do cost more because of all that goes into making them a better, more nutritional product for your dog. When you purchase higher quality brands of dog food, consider that some of these foods have a higher calorie density, so you need to feed less in quantity and the bag will last longer. That means a premium brand may not be quite as expensive as you think.
Know what you are looking for in a dog food so you can choose with confidence for the health and well-being of your best friend. Bon Appetit!
- 20 Hours of Research
- 25 Products Reviewed
- 3 Top Picks
Our Top 3 Premium Dog Foods
There are many premium dog foods available in dry and wet varieties. Here are three high-quality brands we recommend.
Our experts independently review and recommend the best products. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen products and links.
Wellness Complete Health Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe
This natural dry food for dogs is specially formulated to provide whole-body nutritional support.
- Includes premium proteins and wholesome grains.
- Designed to encourage a strong immune system.
- Developed without any GMOs, meat by-products, fillers or artificial preservatives.
- 30 lb bag. Save an additional 5% with autoship.
This natural dry food for dogs is specially formulated to provide whole-body nutritional support.
- Includes premium proteins and wholesome grains.
- Designed to encourage a strong immune system.
- Developed without any GMOs, meat by-products, fillers or artificial preservatives.
- 30 lb bag. Save an additional 5% with autoship.
List Price
Your Price
You Save
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP
Formulated with hydrolyzed proteins that reduce the risk of triggering an immune reaction.
- Reduces skin and GI reactions.
- Helps support healthy digestion.
- 25 lb bag. Save 5% with autoship.
- Vet-Authorization Required.
Formulated with hydrolyzed proteins that reduce the risk of triggering an immune reaction.
- Reduces skin and GI reactions.
- Helps support healthy digestion.
- 25 lb bag. Save 5% with autoship.
- Vet-Authorization Required.
List Price
Your Price
You Save
ACANA Free-Run Poultry Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food
Crafted with 60% animal ingredients including free-run chicken and turkey, plus cage-free eggs.
- High-protein recipe with fresh turkey and chicken.
- Includes fiber-rich fresh veggies and fruit.
- Coated with freeze-dried chicken liver.
- Size: 25lb bag. Autoship and save 5%.
Crafted with 60% animal ingredients including free-run chicken and turkey, plus cage-free eggs.
- High-protein recipe with fresh turkey and chicken.
- Includes fiber-rich fresh veggies and fruit.
- Coated with freeze-dried chicken liver.
- Size: 25lb bag. Autoship and save 5%.
List Price
Your Price
You Save
Wellness Complete Health Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe
This natural dry food for dogs is specially formulated to provide whole-body nutritional support.
- Includes premium proteins and wholesome grains.
- Designed to encourage a strong immune system.
- Developed without any GMOs, meat by-products, fillers or artificial preservatives.
- 30 lb bag. Save an additional 5% with autoship.
This natural dry food for dogs is specially formulated to provide whole-body nutritional support.
- Includes premium proteins and wholesome grains.
- Designed to encourage a strong immune system.
- Developed without any GMOs, meat by-products, fillers or artificial preservatives.
- 30 lb bag. Save an additional 5% with autoship.
List Price
Your Price
You Save
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP
Formulated with hydrolyzed proteins that reduce the risk of triggering an immune reaction.
- Reduces skin and GI reactions.
- Helps support healthy digestion.
- 25 lb bag. Save 5% with autoship.
- Vet-Authorization Required.
Formulated with hydrolyzed proteins that reduce the risk of triggering an immune reaction.
- Reduces skin and GI reactions.
- Helps support healthy digestion.
- 25 lb bag. Save 5% with autoship.
- Vet-Authorization Required.
List Price
Your Price
You Save
ACANA Free-Run Poultry Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food
Crafted with 60% animal ingredients including free-run chicken and turkey, plus cage-free eggs.
- High-protein recipe with fresh turkey and chicken.
- Includes fiber-rich fresh veggies and fruit.
- Coated with freeze-dried chicken liver.
- Size: 25lb bag. Autoship and save 5%.
Crafted with 60% animal ingredients including free-run chicken and turkey, plus cage-free eggs.
- High-protein recipe with fresh turkey and chicken.
- Includes fiber-rich fresh veggies and fruit.
- Coated with freeze-dried chicken liver.
- Size: 25lb bag. Autoship and save 5%.
List Price
Your Price
You Save