Choosing the Right Dog Food

Proper nutrition is fundamental to your dog's health and well-being! Choosing the right food from the sea of options can feel overwhelming, but a basic understanding of canine nutrition, along with informed consultation, can help guide you to the best choices. Here’s an overview of what dogs need to eat for good health, how nutritional needs change over time, and the various food types available from reputable pet food brands.  

Dog nutrition basics

Essential nutrients are substances that a dog’s body cannot produce and must be consumed in food for them to remain healthy. The broad nutrient categories vital for development, growth, and body functions include:  

• Proteins 

• Fats 

• Fatty acids 

• Carbohydrates 

• Fiber 

• Vitamins 

• Minerals 

• Water 

Quality dog food provides these essentials in the proper quantities and ratios required for optimal health, which varies based on a dog’s life stage and health status. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) uses scientific research to determine the minimum and maximum allowable amounts of each substance in commercial dog food. When evaluating pet food, always look for an official AAFCO statement that says the food meets published standards for your dog’s life stage. 

How nutrition impacts your dog's health

Good nutrition supports a dog’s overall health. The wrong diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which in turn can cause severe developmental problems or chronic diseases, such as blindness, bone disorders, or heart disease. A well-balanced diet supports: 

• Energy and vitality — Proper nutrition provides energy for daily activities, exercise, and play. 

• Skin and coat health — A balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can reduce inflammation and promote healthy skin. 

• Digestive health — High-quality ingredients are easy to digest, produce less waste, and feed “good” gut bacteria. 

• Immune function — Quality food promotes a healthy microbiome, supporting immune function.  

• Weight maintenance — High calorie, energy density diets support high-energy lifestyles and growth, while low energy density diets prevent weight gain for less active or older pets. 

Consider the following before choosing a pet food: 

• Life stage — Puppies, adults, and seniors have different nutritional needs. Puppies need concentrated energy and a specific mineral balance to support bone growth, while seniors need less energy. 

• Size — Large-breed dogs should maintain a lean weight and benefit from food with higher omega-3 fatty acids that support joint health. Small-breed dogs have average energy requirements but need food they can easily pick up and chew. 

• Health status — Dogs with specific health issues, such as allergies, diabetes, or kidney disease, may require specialized or prescription diets. 

• Activity level — Highly active dogs need a more high-energy diet.  

Dog food types

High-quality dog foods come in many forms, and choosing one often depends on preference. Some dogs have better digestion or improved health on specific food types. Whatever you choose, you should slowly transition your dog to a new food over several days. 

Pampered Puppies carries food in the following categories: 

• Raw food – Raw diets are made with uncooked meats, organs, bones, and some vegetables, greens, or fruits. They are high in protein and fat and easily digested with little waste, but are not suitable for every dog. Raw food can harbor bacteria and may cause illnesses in immunocompromised canine or human family members. 

• Fresh or gently cooked food — Fresh diets for dogs that mimic a home-cooked human diet are becoming more popular. These diets are made with high-quality ingredients and may be dehydrated, refrigerated, or frozen. 

• Air-dried food — Air-dried food, whose ingredients are usually similar to a raw diet, is lightly cooked with a jerky-like texture that can be stored at room temperature. Air-dried foods offer the benefits of a high-energy diet without the risks of raw food.  

• Traditional kibble — Kibble-based foods are cooked at high temperatures to create the conventional dog food kibble morsels, which range in quality depending on their ingredients. They have a long shelf-life and don’t require special feeding preparations, so are convenient for busy families or those who travel frequently.  

• Wet food — Wet food is also cooked at high temperatures and stored and has a long shelf-life. Wet foods have a high water content and often more protein and fat than kibble. They are a convenient option for small dogs, but can get pricey for large dogs. 

Dog food hype and the facts

The dog food industry is shrouded in mystery and myth. Pampered Puppies only stocks reputable brands with transparent ingredient sourcing and holistic recipes, so you can feel confident in your choice! However, you may see opinions online or in the media about the best ingredients and the most harmful, which can be confusing. Here are the facts about dog food ingredients: 

• When properly formulated, dogs—not cats—can safely eat a plant-based diet. 

• Dogs can thrive on healthy grain-based or grain-free diets as long as they meet AAFCO standards. Some grains have nutritional value and seldom contribute to allergies. 

• The FDA has not established a clear link between certain grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Speak with a Cardiac Veterinarian if you have concerns about this risk. 

• Limited-ingredient diets are ideal for pets with food allergies or gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis.  

The Pampered Puppies team understands that not all dogs are the same and their nutritional requirements vary with age, breed and lifestyle. We use our experience and knowledge to stock our physical and online stores with reputable, nutritionally complete food brands. Visit our online store or stop by in person to browse our selection and chat with our team. We’ll help you find your pup’s best food!