Unlock the secret to identifying high-quality dog food

High-quality dog food is nutritious and keeps your furry friend in great shape. But, let's face it, figuring out the quality of dog food can be a bit of a puzzle. It is like navigating ingredient labels in prepared food for us humans. Feeding your dog gets a whole lot easier when you can understand those labels and pick the perfect dog food from the store shelf that suits your dog to a tee.

High-quality dog food is a straight link to your dog’s well-being. The top-notch dog food is the kind that your dog loves eating and leaves it happily wagging its tail. 

If you have never peeked at the ingredients list on that bag of kibble, it is high time to take a sneak peek! In this article we will tell you how you can identify high-quality dog food based on the dog food label.
 

What is high-quality dog food?

A responsible dog food brand tells you what is in the food. In the ingredient list, you will find everything in your dog's food, listed from most to least. A well-organized ingredient list is like a good chat with a friend – it is clear, no mystery, and it is all about giving you answers, not making you wonder.

What is the main ingredient of the food? Give it the once-over and make sure that meat or fish takes centre stage in the product. If you spot wheat, corn, or some other grain as the top dog on the ingredient list instead of meat, it is a sign that the food might be carb-heavy. Loads of carbohydrates can lead to your dog having loose stools or even full-blown diarrhoea. 

If you notice your furry friend’s coat losing its shine or the dog is having stomach troubles, it might be time for a food switch. Check out our tips on smoothly switching up your dog's diet.

Check the protein content. A hefty dose of protein usually points to high-quality food. In dry dog foods a good level for protein is about 25–30 %. If the protein level is closer to 20 % or under, it is too low. But remember, the star protein source should always be animal-based. Take soya, for instance; it is high in protein but does not work as well for your dog as animal protein does.

Check the sources of carbohydrates and starch. In dry dog food, there must be starch to hold the kibble together. For one dog, a food containing maize, or rice may be an excellent choice, while for another, a completely grain-free dog food could be a better option. Read our tips on choosing the right dog food. 

At PrimaDog, we cook up dry foods that match your dog's natural needs. That is why the star of the show in our dry dog foods is always either meat or fish and all our products are always wheat-free. Explore PrimaDog dry foods. 

Omega fatty acids and nutritional supplements. High-quality dog food often contains a balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from either fish or vegetable oils. The food may also include other power-packed ingredients like joint supplements, probiotics, prebiotics, or antioxidant-rich superfoods.

Does the dog food brand follow FEDIAF rules? In Europe, the pet food industry is governed by FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation), which has established scientifically based nutritional and quality requirements for pet foods. Every four-legged friend deserves proper food. That is why PrimaDog follows the guidelines by FEDIAF.

Is high-quality dog food expensive?

So, what is the deal with the price tag on dog food? Well, the cheapest dog food at the store probably won't win any gourmet awards, but going all out with the most expensive option does not guarantee a five-star meal for your dog either. Instead of fixating on the price, let's focus on what is inside that dog food bag.

You see, a reasonably priced dog food can still be top-notch. And when you are comparing prices, it is smarter to think about how much each meal costs rather than the price per kilo. Some lower-quality food might make you dish out bigger servings compared to the high-quality dog food. This can be because the lower-quality food might contain more so-called filler ingredients such as wheat or soy, and the food is not as digestible as the one with better ingredients. 

A hefty price tag does not automatically mean the product is high-quality dog food or the best fit for your furry friend.

The more detailed the product label is in describing the ingredients, the better you will understand what you are feeding your dog. For example, if the percentage of meat is not specified, you can only make rough estimates of the actual meat content based on the ingredient list alone.

Do not forget to check the product content of the expensive dog food to ensure you are getting value for your money. When reading the ingredient list, you might be surprised to discover what the food contains and what you are actually paying for. 

Ultimately, the answer for the best dog food is simple: when the dog happily eats the food without any troubles, and you are content with the dog food's ingredients and price tag, we have a winner!