Choosing the right food for your dog is one of the most important decisions to ensure your dog's health, energy, and longevity. With so many brands and formulas available on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is truly the best option.

In this guide, we will explain how to choose good food for your dog, what ingredients to look for and what to avoid, to ensure a balanced diet appropriate for your furry friend's needs.

Why is it important to choose your dog's food well?

Diet has a direct impact on several aspects of your dog's health:

✔ Energy levels and vitality
✔ Digestive health
✔ Skin and coat quality
✔ Maintenance of ideal weight
✔ Muscle and bone development

Quality food provides all the essential nutrients your dog needs daily, preventing long-term health problems.

1. Choose the right food for your dog's age

One of the first factors to consider is your dog's life stage.

Puppy

Puppies need more protein, fats, and minerals to support rapid growth and bone and muscle development.

Adult

Adult dog foods are formulated to maintain energy, muscle mass, and overall health.

Senior

Older dogs need formulas with fewer calories, more joint support, and easier digestion.

Choosing age-appropriate food helps ensure the dog receives the right amount of nutrients for each life stage.

2. Consider the dog's size or breed

The size of the dog greatly influences its nutritional needs.

Small dogs

• Faster metabolism
• Need more calories per kg
• Smaller kibble to facilitate chewing

Large dogs

• Require joint support
• Growth and weight control

3. Check the food ingredients

Good dog food should have quality and well-balanced ingredients.

Recommended ingredients

Look for foods that have:

✔ Animal protein as the first ingredient (chicken, turkey, salmon, lamb, sardines)
✔ Healthy fats (omega 3 and 6) for skin and coat health
✔ Carbohydrates/Fibers (rice, oats, sweet potato)
✔ Essential vitamins and minerals (calcium, zinc, and iron)
✔ Fibers for healthy digestion
✔ Sources of Antioxidants (vegetables and fruits like carrots, apples, and blueberries).

Ingredients to avoid

Some very cheap foods may contain large quantities of:

• Excess cereals as first ingredients (corn, wheat)
• Low-quality by-products ("meat by-products," if the exact source is not mentioned, it's better to choose another option)
  
• Artificial colors or preservatives

This can affect digestion and the nutritional quality of the diet.

4. Evaluate specific dog needs

Each dog is unique and may have different needs. Some examples include:

• Dogs with food allergies
• Overweight dogs
• Digestive problems
• Joint problems

In these cases, there are specific foods formulated to help control these problems.

5. Observe your dog's reaction to the food

Even when choosing quality food, it's important to observe how your dog reacts to the diet.

Signs that the food is adequate include:

✔ Shiny coat
✔ Firm and regular stools
✔ Good energy and vitality
✔ Healthy body weight

If you notice digestive problems, hair loss, or lack of energy, it may be necessary to adjust the diet.

6. Transition food correctly

Whenever you change your dog's food, it's important to do it gradually to avoid digestive problems.

A good transition should be made over 5 to 7 days:

Day 1–2: 75% old food + 25% new
Day 3–4: 50% old food + 50% new
Day 5–6: 25% old food + 75% new
Day 7: 100% new food

This process helps the dog's digestive system adapt.

Final tips for choosing good food

✔ Always choose recognized and quality brands
✔ Prefer formulas adapted to the dog's age and size
✔ Check ingredients and nutritional value
✔ Adjust daily quantity according to the dog's weight
✔ If in doubt, consult a veterinarian or schedule a nutritional consultation with our veterinarian (only €19.99)