The worst dry dog foods often use low-quality fillers like corn, wheat, and by-product meals, contain artificial colors/flavors, and may use ingredient splitting to hide excessive carbs, leading to poor nutrition; brands frequently cited as poor quality include certain lines of Dog Chow, Kibbles 'n Bits, and supermarket generic brands, though specific "worst" lists vary by reviewer, focusing on ingredient quality and potential health impacts.
The "worst" dog foods often contain low-quality fillers (corn, soy), unspecified "meat meals," artificial colors/flavors, and excessive sugar, leading to poor nutrition, allergies, or weight gain; brands frequently cited include Beneful, Kibbles 'n Bits, Gravy Train, and some Purina varieties, though specific product quality varies. Key red flags are generic ingredients like "animal fat," "meat by-product meal," and a first ingredient being corn or fillers instead of real meat, with ingredients like BHA/BHT also concerning.
Our vets' overall pick for the best dry dog food is the Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials dry dog food. Other highly recommended dry dog foods come from Royal Canin and Hill's Science Diet.
Common toxic foods for dogs
There's no single "number 1" healthiest dog food, as the best choice depends on your dog's age, breed, and health; however, look for foods meeting AAFCO standards (Association of American Feed Control Officials), with real meat as the first ingredient, and vet-recommended brands like Hill's Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, and Royal Canin are often cited for balanced nutrition. Freshly prepared or raw diets can also be healthy but carry risks, so always consult your vet.
Processed meats, including deli meats and hot dogs, offer numerous reasons why you should avoid feeding them to your dog from the additives, salt content, choking hazard, and the fat contents. Hot dogs are packed full with additives ranging from seasonings, sweeteners, and preservatives that are not healthy for dogs.
The top dog foods often cited by experts include Purina Pro Plan, Hill's Science Diet, Royal Canin, Orijen, and Acana, with specific choices depending on your dog's needs like sensitive stomachs (Hill's), breed-specific requirements (Royal Canin), or high-protein diets (Orijen/Acana). Other excellent brands frequently mentioned are Black Hawk, LifeWise, and Prime100, especially for Australian pet owners, offering quality ingredients for various sensitivities and life stages.
The 90/10 rule for dogs means that 90% of their daily calories should come from a complete and balanced dog food, while only 10% should come from treats, chews, and table scraps, preventing weight gain and ensuring proper nutrition. This guideline helps owners manage treat portions, preventing unbalanced diets and health issues like obesity, joint problems, and diabetes, as treats can be surprisingly high in calories, even healthy ones.
Grain-free dog food has raised concerns due to possible links with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a traditionally genetic, breed-related disorder causing dilation and thinning of the chambers of the heart. This can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden death.
What dog food ingredients should I avoid?
The best dry dog food depends on your dog's needs, but top-rated brands often include Hill's Science Diet, known for science-backed nutrition; Royal Canin, great for breed/size specifics; and Orijen, a high-protein choice, with Purina Pro Plan frequently cited as a strong overall option. Look for an AAFCO statement for complete nutrition, veterinarian-recommended formulas, and ingredients suitable for your dog's age, size, and health (like limited ingredients for sensitivities or high protein for active dogs).
Due to the range of benefits that wet and dry diets boast, a mixed feeding approach can help your dog get the most out of mealtime. Combining both wet and dry to their diet can give them some variety, where they are exposed to different textures that they will generally be more tempted to try.
Dog Food Ingredients to Avoid
The best dry dog food depends on your dog's needs, but top-rated brands often include Hill's Science Diet, known for science-backed nutrition; Royal Canin, great for breed/size specifics; and Orijen, a high-protein choice, with Purina Pro Plan frequently cited as a strong overall option. Look for an AAFCO statement for complete nutrition, veterinarian-recommended formulas, and ingredients suitable for your dog's age, size, and health (like limited ingredients for sensitivities or high protein for active dogs).
Some dog foods have been linked to sickness, particularly grain-free formulas potentially causing heart issues (DCM), while recalls have occurred for contamination (Salmonella, mold), and certain ingredients like onions, grapes, xylitol, and raw foods pose risks for digestive upset or toxicity; always check for recalls and consult your vet if your dog seems ill.
The leading cause of death in dogs, especially older dogs, is cancer (neoplasia), affecting about 1 in 4 dogs, similar to humans, with specific breeds at higher risk. Other significant causes include old age, heart disease, digestive disorders (like bloat), infectious diseases (like Parvo), and trauma, with sterilization influencing risks for cancer and infections.
There's no single "number 1" healthiest dog food, as the best choice depends on your dog's age, breed, and health; however, look for foods meeting AAFCO standards (Association of American Feed Control Officials), with real meat as the first ingredient, and vet-recommended brands like Hill's Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, and Royal Canin are often cited for balanced nutrition. Freshly prepared or raw diets can also be healthy but carry risks, so always consult your vet.
There is no medical or physiologic basis to feed dogs or cats a grain-free diet. If a dog or cat has a specific food allergy there may be some medical reason to limit the carbohydrate source which can be done for some animals by feeding a grain-free food.
Over 2,000 years ago early Romans were feeding their farm dogs barley bread soaked in milk as well as meat scraps. They fed their war dogs more raw meat and garlic doses to strengthen them. During the Middle Ages, European royalty often treated their hunting hounds better than their wives.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for new owners, especially for rescues, showing a dog's typical adjustment phases: 3 Days (overwhelmed, decompression), 3 Weeks (settling in, learning routine, showing personality), and 3 Months (feeling at home, building trust, fully integrated). It's a framework to set expectations, reminding owners to be patient and provide structure, as every dog's timeline varies.
The hardest "commandment" (command) to teach a dog is often considered Recall ("Come"), due to powerful natural instincts to explore or play, followed by impulse control commands like "Leave It/Drop It", and complex obedience actions like the "Finish" (positioning at the handler's side) or "Heel", requiring intense focus and self-control, especially with distractions like other dogs or interesting sights/smells.
The length of time a dog can be left alone depends on the individual dog but we advise that they are left for no longer than four hours so they have opportunities to exercise, go to the toilet, and spend time with people.
The best dog food brands are those with research-backed formulas developed with veterinary nutritionists that meet AAFCO nutritional guidelines for dogs of different life stage and health needs. Top picks include Hill's Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, and Royal Canin.
The best dry dog food depends on your dog's needs, but top-rated brands often include Hill's Science Diet, known for science-backed nutrition; Royal Canin, great for breed/size specifics; and Orijen, a high-protein choice, with Purina Pro Plan frequently cited as a strong overall option. Look for an AAFCO statement for complete nutrition, veterinarian-recommended formulas, and ingredients suitable for your dog's age, size, and health (like limited ingredients for sensitivities or high protein for active dogs).
Vets may recommend fresh dog food for conditions like food allergies; low appetite or picky eating; skin conditions; or sensitive stomach. The best fresh diets come from reputable companies whose diets are developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists, such as JustFoodforDogs, Freshpet, and Nom Nom.