Vandaag of morgen in huis
Kwaliteit gegarandeerd
Welkomstaanbiedingen ontgrendelen: GRATIS bezorging | Tot 80% korting | Gratis 30 dagen JoyPlus-proefperiode
Download de app
Ordering dog and cat food online is convenient, but the huge choice can make it difficult to compare products. Eye-catching packaging, terms such as “premium pet food” or a long ingredients list don’t automatically tell you whether a product is right for your pet. Small differences in ingredients, life stage and portion size can make a big difference, particularly with dry dog food, cat biscuits and treats.
Three common pitfalls are worth watching out for:
The packaging usually states whether a product is complete pet food or complementary pet food. Complete food is intended as a daily meal for a particular animal and life stage. Complementary food, such as dog biscuits and treats, is given alongside regular meals.
For example, INABA Fun Bites Dog Chicken Wraps Chicken with Sweet Potato are intended as a reward or snack. The ingredients include chicken, chicken broth and sweet potato, and the product contains 82% moisture. The packaging states that it is not a substitute for a complete meal. Once opened, the pack must also be kept in the fridge and used within 24 hours.
INABA Fun Bites Chicken with Cheese are treats too. Each pack contains eight 12 g portions. According to the product information, they contain a maximum of 15.6 kcal per portion, and treats should make up no more than around 10% of your pet’s daily calorie intake. Use this information as a guide and adjust their regular meal if needed.
Puppy food is not the same as food for adult dogs. A medium-sized puppy has different nutritional guidelines from an adult dog of the same breed. So look out for terms such as puppy, adult, small breed, medium breed or large breed.
The same applies to kittens. Kitten food is designed for the growth stage, while cat food for adult cats is intended for cats from around one year old, depending on the product information. Felix Double as Nice Junior, for example, is intended for kittens aged 6 to 52 weeks. Whiskas Junior is also sold as complete food for kittens.
Compare at least the levels of crude protein, fat, crude fibre, crude ash and moisture. Dry food often has a moisture content of around 8 to 12%, while wet dog food usually contains more than 75% moisture. This means you can’t compare the protein and fat percentages of dry and wet food directly without taking moisture content into account.
Farmina N&D Prime Chicken Adult Mini, for example, lists 34% crude protein, 18% fat and 9% moisture. It is intended for adult dogs of small breeds. Cesar Classic Wet Dog Food Chicken, by contrast, contains 81% moisture, 10% protein and 5% fat. This is complete wet food for adult dogs, but the portion size and daily amount differ from those for dog biscuits.
Don’t focus only on marketing terms such as grain-free dog food. Check that grains are actually absent and see which ingredients are used instead, such as sweet potato, peas or pulses. Grain-free doesn’t automatically mean a product is suitable for every dog.
Also check the feeding guide for your pet’s body weight. Purina One Sterilcat Beef & Grain Formula, for example, recommends 35 to 50 grams per day for a sterilised cat weighing 2 to 3 kg, and 65 to 75 grams for a cat weighing 4 to 5 kg. The right amount also depends on activity, age and body condition.
When changing food, it’s best to make the transition gradually by mixing the new food with the old. According to its product information, Farmina recommends a transition period of 7 to 10 days. This makes it easier to see how your dog responds to the new food.
Why it suits this shopper: A handy-sized pack for anyone wanting to try food for adult cats without buying a large supply straight away.
The product information states that this is complete food for adult cats and includes a feeding guide by weight.
800 g pack; 34% crude protein and 14% fat according to the product specifications.
Why it suits this shopper: For owners of adult small-breed dogs who want to compare a grain-free formula with detailed analytical information.
The description clearly states the life stage, breed size, ingredients and levels of protein, fat and moisture.
7 kg pack; 34% protein, 18% fat and 9% moisture; contains chicken, sweet potato and fish oil.
Why it suits this shopper: Designed for owners of medium-sized puppies looking for a complete meal clearly labelled for the growth stage.
The product information specifies medium-breed puppies aged 1 to 12 months and describes it as a complete daily food.
3 kg pack; chicken is the stated protein source; contains DHA, calcium and a fibre mix according to the product description.
Why it suits this shopper: Convenient portions for training, hand-feeding or hiding a small tablet.
The packaging clearly states that this is complementary food and provides portion guidelines based on your dog’s weight.
Eight individual portions; 12 grams per portion; according to the product information, a maximum of 15.6 kcal per pack.
We’ve put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that meet these strict selection criteria and comply with the applicable European safety regulations.
Choose food that is clearly labelled for puppies and suited to the expected size of the adult dog. Puppy food for large breeds may have different feeding guidelines from food for small or medium breeds. Also check the recommended amount for your puppy’s age and weight.
That depends on your dog’s preferences, your circumstances and their overall feeding plan. Wet dog food generally contains much more moisture, while dog biscuits are easier to store and weigh out. So compare the complete composition, portion size, moisture content and price per amount of food.
Unopened food stays fresh until the date on the packaging, provided it is stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, a bag of dry food should be sealed properly. Opened wet food and soft treats usually need to be kept in the fridge; always follow the specific instructions on the label.
