Homemade Dog Food Sources
- Meats: chicken, turkey, beef, bison, pork, lamb, venison
- Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, zucchini, summer squash, spinach, kale, collard greens, chard, thawed frozen peas
- Complex carbohydrates: brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, lentils, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, winter squash
Recommended Serving Amounts
- 2 pounds of food per day for a 100-pound dog
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of food per day for a 50-pound dog
- 1/2 to 3/4 pound of food per day for a 25-pound dog
- 5 to 6 1/2 ounces of food per day for a 10-pound dog
This information is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Every dog’s dietary needs are different. Please consult with your veterinarian and use personal judgment when applying this information to your own dog’s diet.
What Is The Best Dog Food Recommended By Vets
What is the best dog food recommended by vets? Veterinary care is not free of judgment when it comes to choosing a pet food.
This article looks at a few brands that many vets recommend.
You can choose between Royal Canin, Purina Pro, NutriSource, and Taste of the Wild, as well as JustFoodForDog.
Regardless of which brand you choose, youll find a few common denominators in all of these diets.
Lets discuss a few of the top brands and what makes them great for your dog.
Natural Balance Dog Food
All the Natural Balance Dog Food recipes are grain-free and have meat as their primary ingredient. The food comes in different varieties like duck, chicken, lamb, bison, fish, venison and beef and some vegetarian options also. Moreover, it also offers special food formulas for overweight and dogs with special needs.
Why Choose Natural Balance Dog Food?
- It is free from all kinds of artificial additives and colours
- It offers grain-free and other varieties of dog food
- They make specially formulated food for dogs with special dietary needs
Other than the ones mentioned here, there are several other dog food options, including Blue Buffalo Dog Food that is great for your canines health and is highly recommended by vets.
Don’t Miss: What Are Signs Of Food Allergies In Dogs
The Best Dog Food Brands
Every dog has its own needs, and the best diet for dogs will vary depending on size, breed, and more. If you just got a new pup, or your dog is refusing to eat their dinner and youre in the market for a new brand, check out the best dog food brands below. If you need to replace other items for your dog as well, like toys, treats, or accessories, make sure to check out the holiday sales.
Hills Science Diet Puppy Best For Puppies
When it comes to feeding puppies, I choose Hills for my dogs. They love the flavor, and I love the fact that Hills employs veterinary nutritionists to formulate their diets. Theyre constantly testing, researching, and upgrading their diets so you know your puppy is getting the best nutrition. They choose high-quality protein but carefully balance the calcium and phosphorus so that your dog gets exactly what they need to grow well.
Hills also advise that this food is suitable for all breeds, which is great if you arent sure what your mix is although if you have a very large breed, I would look to a giant breed puppy food to avoid problems with growth. My only bugbear with this diet is that they dont offer more flavors, as I believe puppyhood is a time for exploring and trying new things.
Recommended Reading: Why Do Dogs Like Cat Food
Best Wet Dog Food For Seniors
Wet foods offer a tasty option for senior dogs to continue receiving complete and balanced nutrition in their golden years and have several specific benefits for this age group. For example, senior dogs with advanced dental disease will have an easier time chewing and swallowing wet food than kibble.
Wet food’s high moisture content is good for senior dogs with urinary stones. “If a senior dog has recurring urinary stones, maximizing water intake by soaking kibble or replacing kibble with wet food may be ideal,” says Dr. Shepherd. The extra water intake will encourage urination, which helps reduce the risk of stone formation.
Wet food’s strong flavor and aroma can stimulate appetite in senior dogs that may feel lousy from a chronic illness, such as chronic kidney disease.
Shepherd advises dog owners to consider calorie count when feeding wet food to senior dogs. One cup of wet food has fewer calories than one cup of kibble, meaning that your dog would need to eat more wet food to maintain the proper calorie and nutrient intake. Fat content is also worth considering. “Compared with dry food, canned food tends to be higher in fat,” she adds. Not all senior dogs can tolerate a high-fat diet.
You may see various age designations on senior dog wet food labels, such as “mature adult,” “adult 7+,” or “senior.” As long as the food meets the AAFCO standards for maintenance , it will be nutritionally appropriate for your senior dog.
Our picks for senior wet dog food:
Dr Marty Freeze Dried Dog Food
Image courtesy Dr. Marty
Dr. Marty’s Nature’s Blend is a nutritional supplement that aims to aid your dog’s youthful vitality, simple digestion, healthy teeth and skin, mobility, and long life. Each batch is made from high-quality meats, veggies, fruit and seeds with zero artificial preservatives, fillers, or synthetic additives.
Don’t Miss: Is Wholehearted Dog Food Good
Best Whole Food Diet Dog Food: The Farmers Dog
New York City veterinarian Jonathan Block, DVM, of the Worth Street Veterinarian Center feeds his elderly lab/golden mix Neshi, The Farmers Dog, a whole food diet crafted from human-grade ingredients. The Farmers Dog has taken the extra measures to make sure all of their formulas are perfectly well-balanced according to AAFCO , a non-profit group that sets standards for pet foods in the United States. The improved nutrient bioavailability helps his aging dogs energy levels, body conditions, mobility, and overall health. Dont miss these 12 foods you never knew were toxic for dogs.
Best Dog Food For Dogs With Dietary Needs: Nutro
The pack of Los Angeles-based veterinarian Jeff Werber, DVM, includes four dogs with a variety of dietary needs, so he feeds them Nutro. I like the brand because its varieties contain quality, real, recognizable ingredients that serve a purpose and meet my dogs nutritional needs, says Dr. Werber. More importantly, Nutro satisfies all his dogs taste budsnot an easy feat when you have four pups to please. He uses the senior variety formula for Herbie and Pierce, Tommy eats the adult formula, and Denzel dines on the limited ingredient variety because he has a chicken sensitivity. Here are some of the things your dog wishes you knew.
Don’t Miss: What Is Grain Free Dog Food Missing
Products Labeled Premium Or Gourmet Arent Required To Have Higher
Organic food labeling requirements for pets dont exist. But the AAFCO has a definition for natural, which can mean a lack of artificial flavors and preservatives or colors in the food, ingredients pet owners might choose to avoid if they prefer less-processed food. Color additives exist and are usually added so the food looks more appealing to humans.
Which Purina Pro Plan Cat Food Dry Formulas Changed
All Purina Pro Plan Dry Cat formulas experienced changes in 2020. As part of the renovation, all dry cat formulas now provide a minimum of 36% protein , and all kitten formulas provide a minimum of 42% protein. All of our formulas now feature updates to names, packaging designs, some ingredient names and Guaranteed Analysis declarations on pack. Weve also made minor ingredient realignments to some formulas, and minor changes to our cat food formulations to meet new regulatory requirements and/or to strengthen their nutritional profile. If you have questions about specific changes to the formula you feed your cat, please contact our consumer affairs team toll-free at 800-778-7462.
Recommended Reading: Best Dog Food For Weight Loss Made In Usa
What To Look For In Vet
Like with any other product you choose for your dog, youd want to know what is it exactly your dog is ingesting. Luckily, with this list, you can be sure your vet will approve. However, some dogs might have different preferences and allergies that might prevent them from eating one of these vet-recommended dog foods. Here are the most important things to look for
Dont Worry Too Much About The Guaranteed Analysis Section
The guaranteed analysis is required to provide the percentage of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture content, but it shows only the minimum and maximum amounts that are guaranteed, notes Petfoodology veterinarian Lisa M. Freeman. Therefore, its fairly useless as a way to compare pet foods or judge the nutrient levels of an individual food, she writes.
So if your vet tells you your dog needs to up their moisture intake, for example, and youre comparing a few different products, call the manufacturers to confirm the amounts, rather than just referencing the guaranteed analysis. Ask them for the average or typical nutrient percentages, or the figures per 100 or 1,000 kilocalories, so its easier to compare. Remember that a good pet food company should employ nutritional experts and have quality-control measures to ensure consistency across products.
Read Also: What Are The Best Ingredients For Homemade Dog Food
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Canned Dog Food
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal
Whatever the breed size, if your dog has problems with digesting fat, this dog food provided by Royal Canins special veterinary diets line will be the answer to your worries. The ideal blend of antioxidants will help your friends immune system, while the combination of the right proteins and probiotics will maintain the balance of bacteria in his gut. Other necessary nutrients will also help him stay in shape and good mood. Its a veterinary diet item, which confirms its effectiveness, but also requires a veterinarians authorization for you to buy it.
Vet Recommended Dog Food 2022
And the best part is all of these recommended dog foods are tested and considered best for the dogs of various ages and breeds. As we always say, perfect dog food is formulated by considering various health conditions of your dog.
So, what dog food do vets recommend? All of the following dog food brands are recommended by veterinarians. Still, before you pick and feed your dog any of the following, always talk to your veterinarian first.
Don’t Miss: How To Switch Your Dog’s Food
Our Rating Of Instinct Dog Food
The Dog Food Advisor finds Instinct to be an exceptional grain-free dry kibble. The Original recipe uses an abundance of named meat meal as its primary source of animal protein thus earning the brand 5 stars. The Limited Ingredient formula gets 4.5 stars.
Enthusiastically recommended with confidence.
What Type Of Meal Plan Do Vets Recommend For Dogs
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best type of food for your dog will depend on their individual needs. However, many vets recommend a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
This type of diet can help your dog maintain a healthy weight, while also providing them with the nutrients they need to stay active and healthy.
Don’t Miss: Is Iams Dog Food Good For Dogs
Whats The Safest Way To Switch My Dog To New Food
There may be multiple reasons for which you may need to switch your dog to some different food. Most often, it is linked to a newly-discovered health condition or an allergy, but it can also depend on the dogs age, breed, size, etc. However, even when youre changing to the right diet, you may do some harm if you dont think this through.
It is important to do it gradually, step by step, to avoid upsetting your dogs stomach or unsettling the dog. Day by day, decrease the amount of old food and increase the amount of new food. Remember always to feed your dog the proper amount, and not to get confused while mixing.
If you want to switch a puppy to adult food , talk to your veterinarian first to be sure that the dog receives all the necessary nutrients and calories.
Are Meat Byproducts Bad
AAFCO defines byproducts as “secondary products produced in addition to the principal product.” Pet food advertising often portrays byproducts as undesirable and unappetizing, but byproducts that are properly processed are safe and nutritious. Byproducts include liver, for example, which is full of vitamins and minerals that are good for pets.
Before meat byproducts can be used in dry or canned pet food, they must be heat-treated and undergo additional processing to eliminate all disease-causing bacteria. Sometimes, pet food manufacturing facilities will render byproducts, meaning that the byproducts are cooked to kill disease-causing bacteria.
On a dog food label, you will see a meat byproduct listed as “byproduct” or “meal.” Either term indicates that the meat ingredient has undergone additional processing and is safe for your dog to eat.
Don’t Miss: What’s The Best Dry Dog Food For Puppies
What Is The Best Dog Food Brand
None of the independent experts we spoke with were direct on which of the more than 500 pet food facilities in the United States make the best dog food. And, as anticipated, representatives for dog food companies tended to recommend their products over all others. The truth is that there is no true gold standard for pet food, admitted Dr. Darcia Kostiuk, senior veterinarian with Champion Petfoods, the company behind Acana and Orijen.
Whats good for a professional dock-diving dog might not be what the pooch on the sofa beside you needs. Like people, dogs are individuals with different activity levels, preferences, temperaments, and metabolisms. As long as you consult your vet and select a product your dog enjoys eating, youre well on your way to providing your pup with a great meal.
Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend With Probiotics Adult Dry Dog Food
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets
This dog food developed by Purina Pro Plan can provide your adult canine with all the necessary nutrients to keep him healthy and energized. If you choose it, you can be sure you feed your furry friend wholesome meals that he willy actually like and enjoy. You will stay calm and satisfied, being sure that you keep your dog on a balanced and complete diet. Your Fido will be happy and eager to play, he will stay in shape while also maintaining healthy teeth and a shiny coat.
You May Like: Is Dehydrated Dog Food Good For Dogs
I Noticed The Packages Of Pro Plan Dry Dog And Cat Foods Have Changed Have The Formulas Changed
In 2020, Pro Plan dry formulas underwent a renovation. Driven by the desire to provide pets with the worlds most advanced nutrition, Pro Plan optimized some of its dry formulas and renovated its packaging design. This renovation included updated packaging designs and new formula names, optimized formulations and some minor ingredients shifts, as well as new labeling to reflect the latest regulatory guidelines.
How To Transition Your Dog From Old To New Food
Slow and steady is the theme all of our experts recommend for transitioning to a new food. Just as if you were suddenly told your entire diet was changing, you might experience some side effects.
Beck explains the general guideline is to begin the week with 75% old food and 25% new food mixed together, and gradually increase the percentage of the new food each day until youve switched completely.
Caplan adds that this can take about a week, and dog parents should watch for soft stool or diarrhea during the transition, or if they lose their appetite completely. If your dog is experiencing these issues, you can hold off on the new food, and call your vet for further directions.
Don’t Miss: When To Stop Feeding Dogs Puppy Food
Who Makes Instinct Dog Food
Instinct is owned by Natures Variety of Lincoln, Nebraska. All Instinct recipes are made at the companys own facilities in Lincoln.
Each Instinct dog food is formulated by the companys on-staff professionals. This includes a veterinarian who is board-certified in both veterinary nutrition and integrative medicine.
The companys chief scientific officer holds a PhD in food science. And one of its directors of research and development holds a masters degree in the same field.
Best For Dogs With Food Sensitivities: Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet
Amazon
-
Made with 10 ingredients or less
-
Available in several flavors
For dogs with specific food sensitivities, Merrick Limited Ingredient dog foods are made with 10 ingredients or less, yet they still deliver complete, balanced nutrition to your pet. This line of food is available in both wet and dry formulas, and it comes in a variety of flavors, all of which have deboned meat, fish, or poultry as the first ingredient.
Merrick is part of Nestlé Purina, meaning they use the same team of nutritionists, veterinarians, and behaviorists when creating their dog food formulas. The brand also has its own Ph.D. nutritionists on staff. Merrick dog foods dont contain any fillers, additives, sweeteners, colors, or preservatives, and theyre made in the companys Texas-based kitchen.
No matter what type of dog you own, Purina Pro Plan is a top choice for its dog food. This highly trusted brand is extremely transparent about its processes, and it offers a wide range of formulas for dogs of all sizes, ages, and lifestyles. If youre looking for a less-expensive dog food, Pedigree offers complete and balanced formulas for dogs of all ages.
You May Like: Where Can I Buy Blue Buffalo Dog Food