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Choosing the best food for your dog is not as easy as one may think. With the growing interest in pet nutrition and overall health, there are no shortage of options, and opinions, for what makes an ideal pet food. Like humans, every dog is different and has unique health and nutritional needs. Before you decide on making a switch, be sure to educate yourself through a variety of sources. 

Below, we have broken out some of the top dog food types that are currently available to pet parents. Within each dog food type we have outlined key benefits and things to consider when making a switch or starting a puppy on that particular type of food. The most important thing to remember is that you choose an option that is going to best suit your pet and your lifestyle.

GRAIN-IN DIETS

Benefits

  • Contrary to popular belief, dogs are omnivores, so grains are part of their natural diet
  • Grains offer nutritional benefits such as fiber, antioxidants, carbohydrates, protein and fatty acids
  • The common grains in dog food, including wheat, corn and barley, are easily digestible for dogs meaning they are easy on the stomach

Things to consider

  • Be aware that some dogs may have a grain intolerance
    • Some common symptoms could include: Excessive itching, hot spots, gas or diarrhea
  • Dogs who have been diagnosed with diabetes may have certain grain limitations to keep in mind. Always check with your veterinarian before making a switch to a new pet food.

 

 GRAIN-FREE DIET

Benefits

  • Ideal for dogs that have shown signs of a grain intolerance
    • Some common symptoms could include: Excessive itching, hot spots, gas or diarrhea
  • Closer to an ancestral diet
  • Easier for a dog’s stomach to digest
  • Typically rich in protein, which could support a healthier skin and coat

Things to consider

  • In general, grain-free foods tend to be slightly more expensive per pound than grain-in options
  • Certain large breed dogs may require a diet that is inclusive of grain, always check with your veterinarian before making a switch to your pet food.

 

LIMITED INGREDIENT DIET

Benefits

  • Some limited ingredient diets stick to a single source of protein, i.e. just chicken or just beef, which is helpful for dogs that may have sensitivities to certain ingredients.
  • Dogs who truly suffer from food related allergies may do well on a limited ingredient diet as many of the common allergy culprits are typically not included in these formulas.

Things to consider

  • A diet termed Limited Ingredient can mean that the food includes a single protein source (Only chicken, chicken byproduct meal, or chicken meal, but no beef, lamb or legumes), or that truly a limited number of ingredients are included in the recipe.
  • Limited Ingredient Diets tend to be more expensive than a conventional grain-in or grain-free food.

 

EXOTIC PROTEIN DIET

Benefits

  • Exotic protein foods contain a recipe that contains proteins not typically found in a dog’s diet (i.e. Venison, Rabbit and even Kangaroo) meaning that dogs are less likely to show signs of an allergy or sensitivity as compared to more common proteins
  • Many exotic proteins are lean forms of protein, meaning they are a great option for dogs that may struggle with obesity

Things to consider

  • Exotic protein foods are less common than conventional foods, so there are less options. However, they are growing in popularity and expanded options are expected to continue to become available.

 

 FREEZE DRIED & RAW-INFUSED DIETS

Benefits

  • Proponents of raw-infused and freeze dried diets claim to see a reduction in food-related allergies and improvements in digestion.
  • This is a great option for people who wish to feed a truly raw diet, but can’t or don’t yet want to commit.
  • Many brands that specialize in this variety of food offer options for meal mixers, toppers, and treats to help with converting over to a freeze dried or raw-infused diet.

Things to consider

  • Like Exotic Protein recipes, Freeze Dried and Raw-Infused foods are fairly new to the pet food industry, so there are less options than conventional kibble – however, they are growing at a rapid rate and new options are becoming available every year.