Why it’s important to get the right food for your dog?

Diet directly impacts your pups health, happiness, and longevity. Dogs have different nutritional needs based on age, size, breed, activity level, and health conditions, and the wrong type of food can lead to both short-term issues (like upset stomachs) and long-term problems (like obesity or nutrient deficiencies).

Here are the key reason why it’s important to get your dogs food right:

1. Balanced Nutrition

Dogs require the right balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. High-quality food helps support:

• Strong muscles
• Healthy skin and coat
• Proper organ function
• Steady energy levels

2. Life Stage Needs

• Puppies need calorie-dense food rich in protein and nutrients for growth.
• Adults need balanced energy to maintain weight and health.
• Seniors often need fewer calories, joint support, and easily digestible ingredients.

3. Breed & Size Differences

Small breeds burn calories faster and may need energy-rich food, while large breeds benefit from formulas that support bone and joint health.

4. Digestive Health

Some dogs are sensitive to certain proteins, grains, or additives. The right food helps avoid digestive upset, allergies, or skin issues.

5. Weight Management

Obesity is one of the most common health problems in dogs, leading to diabetes, arthritis, and reduced lifespan. Choosing the right food helps control calorie intake.

6. Special Health Conditions

Dogs with conditions like kidney disease, heart problems, or allergies may need prescription or specialized diets.

7. Longevity & Quality of Life

Consistently feeding the right diet supports your dog’s immune system, keeps them active, and helps them live a longer, healthier life.

 

What are the options on the market

There’s a plethora of options available on the market to keep your pup’s tummy full, and you’d be forgiven for being overwhelmed – not only is there the variety of types of dog food available, but also a huge range of brands to consider within each category.

So, take a deep breath and let’s start with what type’s of food you can feed your dog:

§  Kibble – a type of dry, commercially prepared dog food made by combining ingredients (such as meat, grains, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals) into a dough, then undergoes a cooking process called Extrusion, at a high temperature and is then shaped into small, bite-sized pellets with a low moisture content, usually around 10% water.

§  Wet Canned - a type of commercial dog food that comes sealed in cans and has a high moisture content, usually around 70–85% water. It is made from a blend of meat, poultry, fish, grains, vegetables, and added vitamins and minerals, all cooked and preserved within the can to maintain freshness and shelf stability.

§  Freeze-dried - a type of dog food that has been preserved by removing nearly all of its moisture through a low-temperature dehydration process (freeze-drying). This process locks in the original nutrients, flavors, and textures of raw ingredients—typically meats, organs, fruits, and vegetables—without the need for chemical preservatives.

§  Semi-dry: a type of commercial dog food that has a moderate moisture content, usually around 25–35% water, giving it a soft, chewy texture. It is made by blending meat, grains, and other ingredients into a dough-like mixture, then cooking it under controlled heat and pressure in an extrusion process. To maintain its moist consistency, manufacturers add humectants (such as glycerin or propylene glycol), which help retain water and prevent spoilage, along with flavor enhancers to make it especially appealing to dogs.

§  Cooked meals (Homemade or Commercial) – a type of dog food that is designed to resemble the kind of food an owner might cook in their own kitchen. These foods are made with whole, minimally processed ingredients such as meats, vegetables, grains, and healthy fats, often lightly cooked rather than heavily processed like kibble or canned food.

§  Raw Meat based Diet (RMBD) (Homemade or Commercial) - An RMBD is a diet for dogs that primarily consists of uncooked meats, organs, bones, and often other raw ingredients like eggs, vegetables, or supplements. These diets can be either commercial (sold frozen, fresh, or freeze-dried) or home-prepared. On a typical “dry matter” basis, RMBDs are notably higher in protein (> 60%) and higher in fat (> 20%), but lower in carbohydrates compared to conventional commercial dry or wet dog foods.

 

What’s the most common?

Kibble has historically been, and still is, the most popular dog food available on the market, with 61% of U.S. dogs chowing down on a variety of kibbles on the market, primarily driven by its affordability and convenience.

Times are changing though, pre-COVID, around 94% of U.S. dogs ate kibble for part of, or all of their diet, and recently, Canadian data showed around 57% of dogs eating kibble, with only 39% eating solely kibble.

What were traditionally very niche doggy diets have seen significant growth in popularity over the last 5 years, with freeze-dried, cooked and raw diets all becoming mainstream options, with cooked and refrigerated meals seeing the fastest growth and now accounting for 4% of the U.S. market.

Many dog owners are increasingly choosing to combine different types of food into their pups diets, with Kibble combined with another type of feeding being by far the most popular approach, helping to balance convenience and affordability, with additional health benefits.

 

What are the pro’s and cons of each approach?

1. Kibble (Dry Food)

Pros:

• Long shelf life, convenient to store.
• Usually most affordable option.
• Easy to portion and feed.
• Helps mechanically reduce tartar buildup through chewing.
• Wide variety of formulas (life stage, breed size, health conditions).

Cons:

• Often heavily processed, with some nutrient loss during extrusion.
• Lower moisture content (≈10%) → less hydration support.
• Can contain fillers, additives, or low-quality proteins in cheaper brands.
• Some picky dogs find it less palatable.

2. Wet Canned Food

Pros:

• High moisture content (70–85%) helps with hydration, especially for dogs that don’t drink enough water.
• Highly palatable → good for picky eaters or dogs with reduced appetite.
• Softer texture makes it easier for puppies, seniors, or dogs with dental issues.
• Less processed than kibble in terms of extrusion.

Cons:

• More expensive per calorie compared to kibble.
• Shorter shelf life once opened (needs refrigeration).
• Doesn’t support dental health (can stick to teeth).
• Heavy and less convenient to store in bulk.

3. Freeze-Dried Food

Pros:

• Retains more nutrients and natural flavors compared to high-heat processed foods.
• Lightweight, long shelf life.
• Convenient to store and rehydrate.
• Often made with high-quality, minimally processed ingredients.
• Good option for raw feeders who want less mess and more convenience.

Cons:

• Can be very expensive compared to kibble/wet food.
• Must usually be rehydrated before feeding (extra step).
• Some brands may lack complete nutrient balancing unless fortified.
• Still relatively niche, so limited availability in some areas.

4. Semi-Moist Food

Pros:

• Softer, chewy texture is highly palatable to dogs.
• Convenient, no preparation needed.
• More moisture (25–35%) than kibble, helping hydration somewhat.

Cons:

• Often contains humectants (like propylene glycol), sugars, and flavor enhancers that may not be ideal for long-term health.
• Still relatively processed.
• Expensive compared to kibble for similar calorie content.
• Not always nutritionally complete on its own.

5. Cooked Meals (Homemade or Commercial)

Pros:

• Made from whole, minimally processed ingredients.
• More digestible and palatable compared to kibble.
• Can be tailored to a dog’s specific health needs (allergies, sensitivities).
• Commercial fresh-cooked options (like subscription meal services) are portioned for convenience.
• Often more appealing to owners (resembles “real food”).

Cons:

• Homemade diets require careful formulation to ensure nutritional balance (often need supplements).
• Can be more expensive than kibble/wet food.
• Shorter shelf life (especially homemade or fresh commercial options).
• More preparation/storage effort if making at home.

6. Raw Meat-Based Diet (RMBD)

Pros:

• Very high in protein and fat, mimicking ancestral diets.
• Minimally processed → retains natural nutrients and enzymes.
• Highly palatable.
• Can improve coat condition, muscle mass, and stool quality in some dogs.
• Commercial raw options can be balanced with supplements.

Cons:

• Potential risk of bacterial contamination (Salmonella, E. coli) for dogs and humans.
• Bones can pose a choking or tooth-fracture risk.
• Homemade RMBDs are often nutritionally imbalanced unless carefully formulated.
• Expensive compared to kibble and wet food.
• Requires freezer space and safe handling practices.

 

Food Type	Health & Nutrition	Practicality (Cost, Storage, Ease)	Key Pros	Key Cons
Kibble (Dry)	⭐⭐ Good, but highly processed, low moisture	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Most practical, cheapest, long shelf life	Affordable, easy to feed, helps with tartar	Lower hydration, nutrient loss from processing
Wet Canned	⭐⭐⭐ Better hydration, good palatability	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Convenient, but bulky, pricier	Hydrating, tasty, good for seniors/picky eaters	Expensive per calorie, short shelf life once opened
Freeze-Dried	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nutrient-preserving, minimally processed	⭐⭐ Long shelf life, but costly & prep needed	Light, stores well, premium ingredients	Must rehydrate, expensive, sometimes incomplete
Semi-Moist	⭐ Least healthy, often additives/sugars	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Convenient, no prep	Very tasty, softer texture	Artificial ingredients, not ideal long-term
Cooked Meals (Fresh/Homemade)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wholesome, digestible, customizable	⭐⭐ High cost, needs refrigeration	Whole ingredients, tailored nutrition, very palatable	Expensive, short shelf life, requires careful balancing
Raw Meat-Based Diet (RMBD)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very nutrient-dense, ancestral diet	⭐⭐ Least practical: costly, storage + safety concerns	High protein/fat, minimally processed, shiny coat/muscle support	Potential risk of pathogens, expensive

Summary

There’s no one size fits all approach to choosing a dog food, and it might be that a test and learn approach is needed to find what’s right for you and your pup.

There are lots of considerations to bear in mind, including:

• The dog’s nutritional requirements, including which diets and foods the pet wants to eat,
• Pet health conditions such as significant disease, immune-mediated disease, and current medications
• Your time and financial concerns
• Your family situation such as pregnancy, children under the age of 5 y, any immuno-compromised family members,
• What feels right to you