What you put in your dog’s bowl doesn’t just fuel their body—it can shape their behavior, long-term health, and even the number of vet visits you’ll need.
Poor-quality food loaded with fillers can contribute to chronic inflammation, digestive troubles, and even hyperactivity, while a well-balanced diet supports a calmer, healthier, and more resilient dog.
With so many opinions on dog food—from vets and breeders to pet owners—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But after diving into the research and working with countless dogs, I’ve put together these key guidelines to help you make the best choices for your pup.
- Check out DogFoodAdvisor.com to ensure you’re feeding a 4 or 5-star food. This independent site reviews nearly all commercial dog food brands in detail and provides transparency on its rating system.
- Fresh, less-processed foods offer major benefits for your dog’s long-term health.
- Whole foods like lean proteins, veggies, and fruits can be mixed with kibble to boost nutrition and flavor.
- If supplementing with whole foods, stick to an 80/20 ratio (80% balanced commercial food, 20% fresh whole foods). Avoid toxic foods like onions, grapes, and excessive fats.
- Dietary variety helps prevent nutritional gaps and encourages a healthy appetite. Rotate proteins and formulas as long as your dog tolerates them well.
- Low-quality foods may contribute to excess energy, food sensitivities, chronic GI issues, and plaque buildup.
Remember, there isn’t one brand or way of feeding that is best. The best diet is one that works for your dog—a high quality diet that meets their nutritional needs while also fitting into your lifestyle and budget.
References
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Bosch, G., Beerda, B., Hendriks, W. H., van der Poel, A. F. B., & Verstegen, M. W. A. (2009). Impact of nutrition on canine behaviour: Current status and possible mechanisms. British Journal of Nutrition, 102(S1), 36-39. PubMed
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Sandri, M., Dal Monego, S., Conte, G., Sgorlon, S., & Stefanon, B. (2022). Raw food diet influences immune system and oxidative stress in dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. PMC
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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. (2021). First study on human-grade dog food says whole, fresh food is highly digestible. ACES Illinois News. ACES
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Hielm-Björkman, A., Mikkonen, S., & Ruokonen, P. (2023). Early-life diet and gut microbiome influence on canine atopic dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Scientific Reports, 13, 27866. Nature
