Many dog owners will stare at the ingredient list and count the pieces of meat when choosing dog food. But in the eyes of veterinarians, the ingredient list is just a reference, and the real nutrition depends on actual absorption and clinical manifestations.

How do you choose dog food?

Instead of staring at the ingredient list and counting pieces of meat, it is better to learn the simpler and more direct grain selection method of veterinarians.

Step 1: Look at the certification mark on the packaging

1. Look for the words AAFCO or FEDIAF

This is the bottom line of grain selection. These two labels represent dog food that has passed the basic nutrition standard test and guarantees the essential nutrients your dog needs to survive. Food without these two logos, no matter how advanced the ingredients are, may lead to unbalanced nutrition in dogs.

2. Check if there are feeding experiments

Big brands will pay real dogs to conduct long-term tasting experiments. Veterinarians trust this type of product more, because the values calculated by the computer and the blood and urine indicators after the dog eats them are two different things. Foods supported by clinical data have higher safety.

Step 2: Choose a formula suitable for your dog’s age

Don’t expect a bag of food to nourish a dog from puppyhood to old age. The same brand of dog food cannot suit all dogs, as the physical needs of dogs at different ages are completely different. Choosing the wrong dog food can cause irreversible damage to a dog’s health.

Don’t be misled by marketing rhetoric

Nowadays, many people choose dog food, all of which are taken away by the publicity of merchants, in fact, a lot of common sense has been reversed.

1. Offal is actually a source of high-quality nutrients

Don’t feel bad when you see the by-products. As long as the source is clear, offal contains natural vitamins and minerals that are not found in muscles. In the opinion of veterinarians, reasonable visceral matching is more in line with the nutritional needs of dogs than pure muscles.

2. Look at grains and starches scientifically

Dogs are omnivores, and the right amount of grains and starches provides energy and helps intestinal motility. Unless your dog is indeed allergic to certain grains, there is no need to pursue so-called grain-free foods, as some grain-free added legumes may increase the risk of heart disease.

How to judge if dog food is good?

Since you’ve learned to read packaging and choose formulas, does this bag of food suit your own dog? Feeding it for a week or two, the dog’s body will give the most authentic feedback.

1. Observe the state of the poop

This is the most intuitive reflection of digestibility. Cereals with high absorption rates result in less stool volume, well-formed stool that doesn’t stick to the ground, and dark color. If the stool volume is large, extremely foul-smelling, or frequently soft, it indicates that there is too much filler in this bag of food, and the dog isn’t absorbing it at all. 

2. Check the shine of the fur

The skin is the dog’s largest immune organ. If they are eating correctly, their fur should be shiny, and dandruff should decrease. If after switching to this food the dog frequently scratches, has red skin, or their fur looks like dry grass, it means the fatty acid ratio in this food isn’t suitable for them.

3. Pay attention to oral health and post-meal vitality state

Low-quality dog food can easily cause tartar buildup, making a dog’s mouth smell bad. At the same time, you also need to observe its condition after eating—if it remains energetic and doesn’t seem tired, it means the grain has good carbohydrates and keeps blood sugar stable.

Summary

Choosing dog food boils down to two things: a reputable brand and good bowel movements. Don’t be misled by those trendy, misleading marketing claims; your dog’s healthy condition is the best proof of its health.

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