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Buying dog food: how to choose the right food for your dog

Buying dog food seems simple, until you have to choose between kibble, wet dog food, grain-free dog food, puppy food and senior dog food. Packaging is filled with terms like “premium”, “natural” and “high in animal protein”. On their own, such words say little about whether the food is right for your dog.

That’s why the right choice starts not with the brand, but with your dog's life stage, size, activity level, and the food's complete composition. Below, you can read which points to check before you order online.

Common pitfalls when buying dog food

1. Confusing a snack with a complete meal

Not every product with “food” in its name is suitable as a main meal. Check the legal designation on the packaging:

  • Complete pet food is intended as daily nutrition when you follow the feeding guide.
  • Complementary pet food is a snack, reward or topper and does not replace a complete meal.

For example, INABA Churu Dog Multipack is meant as a treat or a topper. According to the product information, it contains at least 90% moisture and comes in 20 tubes of 12 grams. This makes it practical for training or as an addition to a meal, but not as a replacement for kibble or complete wet food.

2. Only looking at the protein percentage

A higher protein percentage doesn't automatically make a product suitable for every dog. You should also look at:

  • the energy content;
  • the fat content;
  • the recommended life stage;
  • the size of the kibble;
  • the protein sources;
  • the complete feeding guide.

An active large dog may need different amounts than a calm small dog. For puppy food, growth and expected adult weight are important. If you have any doubts about an individual feeding plan, seek advice from a vet.

3. Seeing “grain-free” as a universal solution

Grain-free dog food can be a good choice for a specific preference or dietary situation, but “grain-free” is no guarantee of better digestion or a suitable composition. In such recipes, grains are often replaced with ingredients like peas, chickpeas or sweet potato. Therefore, you should always compare the ingredients list and analytical constituents.

You should also read claims about skin, joints, digestion or immunity with caution. According to a brand's own research, certain ingredients may support a particular function, but such claims are not a guaranteed result for every dog.

Check these product specifications first

1. Complete or complementary pet food

This is your first filter. For daily use, choose a product that states it is complete and balanced for the correct life stage. For rewards, you can use dog treats, but keep the quantity limited. As a practical guideline, treats should generally provide no more than 10% of the daily calorie intake.

The product information for INABA Fun Bites Dog Chicken Wraps states that it is a complementary pet food. The portions are individually wrapped and, according to the product information, contain 15.6 kcal per pack. This is handy for training, but it remains a snack.

2. Life stage and breed size

Pay attention to the designation on the bag:

  • Puppy food: for young dogs, with feeding advice that supports growth.
  • Adult: for adult dogs.
  • Senior dog food: for older dogs, often with an adjusted energy content.
  • Small breeds: smaller kibble and feeding advice for a lower body weight.
  • Medium breeds: tailored to an average size and activity level.
  • Large breeds: larger portions and often a larger kibble.

A large-breed puppy does not need the same food as a small-breed adult dog. According to its product information, Farmina N&D Pumpkin Lamb Puppy Medi/Maxi is intended for puppies of medium and large breeds. In contrast, Eukanuba Life Care Dog Puppy Medium is specifically for medium-breed puppies aged 1 to 12 months.

3. Composition, moisture and packaging

Compare the first few ingredients, the analytical constituents and the net quantity. With wet dog food, the moisture percentage plays a major role when comparing nutritional values. A tin with 78% moisture is not directly comparable to dry kibble with around 12% moisture.

In addition, check:

  • whether the packaging is resealable;
  • how long the food stays fresh once opened;
  • whether an opened tin needs to be refrigerated;
  • whether the portion size is practical for your household;
  • that fresh drinking water is always available.

Recommended products for different user profiles

Suitable for: Price-conscious beginners
Purina Beneful Adult Dog Food Beef & Garden Vegetable Formula 1.4kg

Purina Beneful Adult Dog Food Beef & Garden Vegetable Formula 1.4kg

Why this fits the profile: A 1.4 kg bag is a manageable size when you're comparing dog foods for the first time or want to try a smaller quantity for an adult dog.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information states that this is a complete and balanced adult food. The composition and feeding amounts are clearly described.

Key benefit & plus points

Dry food with 15% crude protein, 8% fat, and whole grains as an ingredient.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for top quality
Orijen Original Prey Dog Food 11.4 kg

Orijen Original Prey Dog Food – 11.4 kg

Why this fits the profile: Ideal for those looking for a large bag of complete food who place a high value on an extensive ingredients list with multiple animal sources.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product page states that it is a complete food for dogs of all life stages. The feeding amount must be adjusted according to weight and activity.

Key benefit & plus points

38% crude protein, 18% crude fat and an 11.4 kg bag; a gradual transition over 7 to 10 days is recommended.

Suitable for: Specific uses & frequent users
INABA Churu Dog Multipack Chicken Seafood

INABA Churu Dog Multipack Chicken Seafood

Why this fits the profile: Handy for training sessions, as a food topper, or when you want to give small portions without opening a whole meal.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information explicitly calls this complementary pet food. This makes it clear that you should not use it as a complete meal.

Key benefit & plus points

20 tubes of 12 grams, minimum 90% moisture, and two flavour varieties with chicken, tuna and salmon.

Suitable for: Owners of medium-breed puppies
Eukanuba Life Care dog puppy medium chicken 3kg

Eukanuba Life Care dog puppy medium chicken 3kg

Why this fits the profile: The product description focuses on medium-breed puppies from 1 to 12 months, offering a clear starting point for a growth-oriented food choice.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The life stage and breed size are specifically mentioned. This prevents you from choosing an adult food or a formula for a different size.

Key benefit & plus points

3 kg of dry food, with ingredients including chicken, DHA, calcium, and a fibre blend with FOS, MOS and beet pulp, according to the product information.

Looking for more options?

We have compiled a complete, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and comply with current European safety regulations.

Dry food, wet food or snacks?

Dry dog food (kibble) is practical to portion and easy to store. It's often a good fit for households that want fixed feeding times and clear portion control. Be sure to check the kibble size for small breeds and the energy content for less active dogs.

Wet dog food contains more moisture and can be appealing to dogs who prefer a softer texture. According to the product information, Ziwi PEAK Dog Cans Venison 390 g is sold as a complete wet food with venison as the animal protein source. After opening, the tin must be refrigerated and used within the specified period.

Dog treats are suitable for rewards, training or variety. Give them alongside the daily food and, if necessary, subtract the calories from the main meal. INABA Fun Bites Dog Chicken Wraps are individually portioned and, according to the product information, can also be used for hand-feeding or to hide a small pill. Always follow the instructions from your vet and on the packaging.

Frequently asked questions about buying dog food

What should I look for in dog food for small, medium or large breeds?

First, check the life stage and expected adult weight. Then, choose a kibble size and feeding guide that matches. A product for large breeds is not automatically suitable for a small dog, even if the ingredients seem similar.

How do I switch to a different dog food?

Gradually mix the new food with the current food. A transition period of about 7 to 10 days is mentioned in the product information for several products. Start with a small proportion of new food and increase it step by step. Keep an eye on your dog's appetite, stools and body condition.

How long does dog food stay good after opening?

Store dry food in a well-sealed container in a cool, dry place. Opened wet food and liquid snacks should generally be refrigerated. INABA Churu states it should be consumed within 24 hours of opening; for Ziwi PEAK, a maximum of 2 days after opening is mentioned. Always check the label on the packaging, as storage instructions differ from product to product.