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A bag of dog food can promise a lot: premium dog food, grain-free recipes, plenty of meat or support for skin, coat and joints. But an eye-catching front label doesn’t always tell you whether it’s right for your dog. The best choice depends on your dog’s life stage, size, activity level and the full composition of the food.
Look out for these three common pitfalls:
A high percentage on the packaging with no clear explanation
Check whether the percentage refers to fresh meat, dried ingredients or protein of animal origin. These terms don’t mean the same thing.
Grain-free dog food as a one-size-fits-all solution
Grain-free doesn’t automatically mean a product is a better fit. Ingredients such as peas, chickpeas or potato may be used instead of grains. So make sure you check the full ingredients list.
Choosing a product without considering your dog’s life stage
Puppy food, adult dog food and senior dog food have different nutritional profiles. Kibble size matters too, whether you’re choosing food for small breeds or for medium and large breeds.
Does the label say complete pet food or complete and balanced food? If so, the product is intended to be fed daily, in line with the feeding guidelines on the packaging. A complementary product, treat or single-ingredient meat product won’t automatically replace a complete meal.
With wet dog food, pay particular attention to the high moisture content. A product such as HERRMANN'S MANUFAKTUR Pure Horse Meat contains 79.9% moisture according to the product information and is made from 100% horse meat. It may work as part of a feeding plan, but always check whether the product is labelled as a complete pet food before serving it as your dog’s only meal.
Don’t just look for claims such as “with chicken”, “with lamb” or “with fish”. Check where the ingredient appears in the list and compare the crude protein, crude fat, fibre and moisture content.
Here are some examples from the product specifications:
These figures alone don’t tell you whether a dog food is right for your pet. An active dog may need more energy than a less active pet dog. Use the feeding guide on the packaging and adjust the amount to suit your dog’s weight, age and activity level.
For dogs with a sensitive stomach, switching foods gradually and choosing a recipe with a clear ingredients list may matter more than an eye-catching marketing claim. According to the product information, Farmina Quinoa Digestive Lamb contains lamb, quinoa, fennel, mint, artichoke, inulin and psyllium, among other ingredients. Eukanuba Life Care Adult Small/Medium Lamb & Rice uses lamb, rice and a fibre blend with prebiotics and beet pulp.
If you’re specifically looking for dog food with omega 3, check the product specifications for fish, fish oil, herring oil, DHA and EPA. Farmina N&D Ocean Salmon Adult Mini lists fish oil and an omega 3 content of 0.9%. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate are sometimes added to dog food to support healthy joints. Farmina N&D Pumpkin Lamb Adult Medi/Maxi lists 1200 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg respectively.
Ingredients like these help define a product’s positioning, but they’re not a medical treatment. If your dog has ongoing stomach, skin or mobility problems, speak to your vet.
Dry dog food is easy to measure, usually keeps for longer after opening and is convenient for everyday feeding. Store the bag tightly sealed in a cool, dry place. Kibble size is worth checking too: smaller kibble is often more convenient for small breeds, while medium and large dogs may need a different size.
Wet dog food contains more moisture and may appeal to dogs that are less keen on dry kibble. Once opened, leftovers should be refrigerated according to the product information and used within the stated time.
Combining dry and wet food can be practical, but adjust the total daily amount. Otherwise, your dog’s energy intake can creep up without you realising.
Why it suits this profile: An accessible bag of dry food for adult dogs weighing up to 10 kg, with a clear feeding guide for different weight ranges.
The product information lists protein, fat, fibre and daily feeding amounts. This lets you check portion sizes instead of relying on the front of the bag alone.
Dry food for small adult dogs, with 22% crude protein and a kibble shape designed for small breeds according to the product description.
Why it suits this profile: For dog owners who want to compare a detailed ingredients list and a high protein content.
The ingredients list names individual animal ingredients, including chicken, turkey, herring, cod and egg. Analytical values and feeding guides are also provided.
38% crude protein, 18% fat, omega 3 and a product information sheet that describes the food as complete for dogs at different life stages.
Why it suits this profile: Designed for puppies of medium and large breeds, with a feeding guide organised by age and weight.
The product information specifies who it’s for and gives portion sizes for different growth stages. This helps prevent you from switching to adult dog food too soon.
34% crude protein, 20% fat, chicken as the listed protein source and pumpkin in the recipe. The packaging recommends a gradual transition over 5 to 7 days.
We’ve put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that meet these strict selection criteria and current European safety regulations.
Gradually mix the new dog food with the old one. Several products in this selection recommend a transition of around 7 days. Start with a small amount of the new food and increase it step by step. Keep an eye on your dog’s stools, appetite and behaviour.
Keep dry food sealed in a cool, dry place and use it before the date on the packaging. Wet food should generally be refrigerated after opening. CESAR, for example, states that leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to two days. Always follow the instructions for the specific product.
No. Compare the price per kilogram with the daily portion, but also consider your dog’s life stage, protein source, energy content and whether the food is labelled as complete. In the long run, a product suited to your dog’s age, size and activity level may be more practical than one that only looks appealing because of its packaging.
