There are so many options for dog food, it can be hard to know what to choose. Our choices are often shaped by cultural beliefs – after all, dogs are family members, so it’s no surprise we think carefully about what to feed them.
Don’t be swayed by marketing, though; dogs are not wolves. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can eat food from both animals and plants.
It sent ripples through the dog community when scientists comparing dog and wolf genes discovered that domestic dogs have 4-30 copies of a gene for amylase, a protein involved in starch digestion, depending on breed; wolves only have two copies of it. It was a surprise finding and it showed that dogs have gained the ability to digest starchy foods such as potatoes and grains.
So how do you pick something that will work for you and your dog?
How to pick a healthy diet for your dog
A lot of words on labels (‘human-grade’ or ‘holistic’) don’t necessarily mean much.
Dr Deborah Linder, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, says, “Look for a nutritional adequacy statement on the pet food label that says if the food is complete and balanced, and what life stage it’s appropriate for.
"There are growth/gestation and adult guidelines. Interestingly, however, there are no senior nutrition guidelines – that’s just a marketing term because every pet needs something different as they age.”
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) suggests some questions to ask when researching foods, including what the company’s reputation is like, whether they have a veterinary nutritionist on their team and what their quality control measures are.
As for raw food, the WSAVA says that there are risks because bacteria can be shed in the dog’s stool without them showing any signs of illness; this may especially be of concern if anyone in your household is particularly vulnerable. They also say that bones shouldn’t be included in raw food due to the risks of damage to your dog’s teeth and of obstruction.
Any food that says it’s ‘supplemental’ is unsuitable as the main diet; it’s more for use as a treat. Of course, we all like to give treats.
Dr Linder says, “Make sure 90 per cent of your pet’s diet comes from a complete and balanced food, and 10 per cent of daily calories can come from treats or other food items.”
If you’re looking for ideas for low-calorie treats or special diets, she and her colleagues have some great information on their Petfoodology blog.
Read more:
- Why your brain thinks puppies are undoubtedly cuter than babies
- Do dogs actually enjoy their food when they eat so fast?
- Why do dogs eat grass (and poop)?
Are grains healthy for dogs?
The American Animal Hospitals Association says that grains in dog food can help to make it complete and balanced. Back in 2018, concerns were raised that some non-conventional diets (including grain-free) were associated with a heart issue in dogs called dilated cardiomyopathy. More research is needed, though.
Meanwhile, if pulses are in the top 10 items on the ingredients list, some dogs might be at risk, according to Petfoodology.
When a dog is on a special diet, it can be a challenge finding training treats. Ingredients from their food can often work, and another great choice would be the canned version of the special diet.
It can get messy using wet food in dog training, but you can use a spoon to put dollops of it in a bowl, or mix it with water and put it in a tube for your dog to lick from. If in doubt, ask your veterinarian if the food you’ve picked is right for your dog.
It’s not just about what we feed our dogs, but also how we feed them. Dogs like to work for their food (contrafreeloading). These days a wide range of feeding enrichment activities are available, from toys to snuffle mats, balls and slow feeders. Scatter feeding, scent games, and homemade food puzzle toys are other options. These are not just for treats, but can be used to feed the dog’s regular meals and provide cognitive enrichment too.
About our expert, Dr Deborah Linder
Deborah Linder is Head of the Obesity Clinic for Animals at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Her research has focused on weight loss strategies for pets, as well as how human-animal interaction affects health and wellness.
Linder’s work has been published in journals including Frontiers in Pediatrics, the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, and Veterinary Sciences.
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