Choosing dog food and treats: how to compare food, treats and chews

A full shelf of dog food and treats doesn’t always make choosing easier. Wet dog food, dry dog food, dog treats and chews vary considerably in their ingredients, portion sizes and intended use. And eye-catching packaging doesn’t necessarily tell you whether a product is right for your dog.

The most common buying mistakes come down to three pitfalls:

• Confusing “with meat” with a clearly stated meat percentage. Check the ingredients list and look for a specific percentage or named type of meat.
• Treating a snack as a complete meal. A chew or reward is usually a complementary food. According to the product information for several treats, they should make up no more than around 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.
• Focusing only on flavour or discounts. A multipack of dog food may seem like good value, but it’s less practical if your dog doesn’t like one of the varieties or opened portions need to be refrigerated quickly.

What should you look for in dog food and treats?

1. Check the food category

For everyday use, look for complete and balanced dog food that’s suitable for your dog’s life stage. Food for adult dogs isn’t automatically suitable for puppies. Puppy food has different nutritional labelling and should be appropriate for your puppy’s age and expected size.

Look out for these differences:

• Dry dog food: easy to measure and generally practical to store.
• Wet dog food: has a soft texture and is often sold in tins, trays or pouches. Once opened, it should be refrigerated according to the packaging.
• Puppy food: choose this only when the packaging specifically states that it’s for puppies.
• Treats: intended as rewards, snacks or chews, and not necessarily as a complete food.

If your dog has a medical condition, allergy or special dietary requirements, it’s best to speak to a vet. Marketing claims such as “for healthy digestion” or “supports joints” are no substitute for personalised dietary advice.

2. Look beyond “chicken”, “beef” or “grain-free”

The flavour shown on the front isn’t the same as the full ingredients list. When checking dog food with beef or dog food with chicken, look at:

• the exact ingredients;
• the stated proportion of beef, chicken or other animal ingredients;
• the analytical constituents, such as protein, fat, fibre and moisture;
• whether it contains grains, pulses or plant-based ingredients.

Grain-free dog food isn’t automatically necessary for every dog. And grain-free doesn’t mean the food contains no sources of carbohydrates. For example, the product information for some grain-free formulas lists peas and sweet potato.

A specific example is EUKANUBA Grain Free Adult with venison. The product information describes a grain-free recipe containing peas and gluten-free sweet potato as alternative sources of carbohydrates. Always check the label, especially if you suspect a food sensitivity.

3. Match the size and chew time to your dog

A small dog won’t necessarily benefit from a large chew. Check the dimensions, number of pieces and texture. Supervise your dog when giving chews and make sure fresh drinking water is available. Remove the product if it becomes too small to hold safely or if large pieces break off.

Read dental stick claims for dogs with care. According to the product information from certain brands, some sticks are designed to help care for teeth while your dog chews. This doesn’t mean they replace professional dental care.

Our recommendations for different buying needs

Suitable for: Budget-conscious first-time buyers

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

Why it suits this profile: A 1.4 kg bag is a manageable size if you’re choosing dry food for an adult dog for the first time and want to measure out daily portions.

How this product helps avoid the pitfall

The product information includes feeding guidelines for different weights. This helps you avoid relying solely on guesswork when feeding your dog.

Key benefits and features

Dry kibble with beef and vegetables; the stated analysis contains 15% protein, 8% fat and 12% moisture.

Suitable for: Buyers looking for premium quality

Orijen Original Prey Dog Food – 11.4 kg

Why it suits this profile: A good choice for households comparing large bags with detailed ingredients lists and several animal-based sources.

How this product helps avoid the pitfall

The product page lists percentages and the full composition. This makes it easy to compare the proportions of chicken, turkey, fish and egg with other options.

Key benefits and features

According to the product information, the food contains 38% crude protein, 18% crude fat and animal ingredients such as chicken, turkey, herring and cod.

Suitable for: Specific needs and frequent chewers

Rosewood Dog Chewy Sticks Chicken Wrap Medium 4pcs

Why it suits this profile: A practical choice for dogs that love to chew, and for owners looking for an additional product to offer alongside their dog’s daily meals.

How this product helps avoid the pitfall

The packaging states that there are four medium-sized sticks and that they’re a complementary food. So it’s clear that this isn’t a complete meal.

Key benefits and features

Beef hide with a layer of dried chicken; according to the product information, made without added grains, artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives.

Suitable for: Families who want to plan portions

g'woon Adult Chunks in Jelly Multipack 12 pcs

Why it suits this profile: The individual pouches are handy for portioning, travelling or households that regularly feed their dogs wet food.

How this product helps avoid the pitfall

A multipack means you don’t have to store several large opened packs at once. Still, check the flavours and any grains listed on the label.

Key benefits and features

Twelve portions of wet food in chicken, beef and salmon varieties; the product information states 83 kcal per 100 grams.

Practical feeding tips for everyday use

• Introduce new food gradually, for example over several days. Product information from various brands recommends a gradual transition to help prevent digestive problems when changing food.
• Weigh out each portion and adjust it according to your dog’s weight, age, activity level and body condition.
• Always provide access to clean, fresh water when feeding dry food.
• Cover opened wet dog food and store it in the fridge, following the storage time stated on the packaging.
• Include dog treats, dental sticks and chews in your dog’s daily food allowance.

Frequently asked questions

Is wet dog food better than dry dog food?

Not necessarily. Wet food has a soft texture and is usually high in moisture, while dry food is easy to store and measure. The right choice depends on your dog’s age, preferences, portion size and any dietary needs.

How many dog treats can a dog have each day?

Follow the guidance on the packaging. For several of the treats mentioned, the advice is that treats should make up no more than around 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake in total. Reduce the main meal if needed, and take your dog’s size and activity level into account.

How long does opened dog food keep?

It varies by product. Opened wet food often needs to be refrigerated and used within 48 hours; some treats have a different storage time once opened. Always check the packaging, and seal dry food and treats securely.