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May 28th, 2025

How to Choose a New Dog Food: A Pet Owner’s Guide

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How to choose the right dog food can feel overwhelming, but it’s one of the most important decisions for your dog’s health. The right food supports their immune system, helps maintain a healthy weight, and promotes long-term well-being. With so many options on the market, knowing what to look for can make all the difference.

This guide will help you feed your dog with confidence. You’ll learn about your dog’s nutritional needs, which ingredients are good or bad, how to read dog food labels, how to switch to a new food safely, and when to seek special diets or veterinary help.

Understanding Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs

Every dog is unique, with nutritional needs that vary based on age, size, and overall health. Providing a complete and balanced diet is essential at every stage of their life.

Life Stages and Dietary Needs

  • Puppies: Growing pups need extra protein, fat, and essential nutrients to support development. Try options like Wholesomes Puppy with Chicken Meal & Rice, packed with high protein, fruits, and veggies for digestion, or Wholesomes Large Breed Puppy, which includes joint-supporting nutrients and hearty grains for future big dogs.
  • Adults: Adult dog food should offer a balanced mix of protein and fat to maintain muscle and energy without adding excess calories. Great options include formulas like:
  • Seniors: Older dogs benefit from fewer calories and increased fiber to support digestion and weight management, as they are typically less active. Look for formulas made specifically for seniors or all life stages to ensure your senior dog gets all the nutrients they need.

These guidelines align with expert advice from the American Kennel Club (AKC), which stresses the importance of feeding based on your dog’s life stage.

Breed Size and Nutritional Requirements

  • Small Breeds: These dogs burn energy quickly and need calorie-dense foods designed for small breeds to keep up with their nutritional needs.
  • Large Breeds: These dogs are more prone to joint issues and weight gain. Look for formulas that support joint health, lean muscle, and overall wellness. Great options include Wholesomes Large Breed with Chicken Meal & Rice, fortified with Glucosamine and Chondroitin and free from corn, wheat, and soy, and Wholesomes Sensitive Skin & Stomach Large Breed with Salmon, made with digestible salmon protein, DHA for brain development, and omega fatty acids for skin and coat health.

As noted by PetMD, feeding your dog based on breed size can help prevent obesity and related health issues.

Key Food Ingredients to Look For

Reading dog food labels is one of the best ways to understand exactly what you’re feeding your dog. Focus on these essential components:

Protein

Protein is essential for muscle development and overall strength. Choose foods with clear, high-quality sources like:

Fats

Fats provide energy and support a shiny coat and healthy skin. Look for sources of fatty acids, particularly omega-3 and omega-6:

  • Fish oil
  • Chicken fat
  • Flaxseed oil

Carbohydrates & Fiber

Healthy carbs support digestion and sustained energy. Look for:

  • Brown rice
  • Oats
  • Sweet potato

Vitamins & Minerals

These are essential for a strong immune system and bone health, and are hallmarks of well-rounded pet nutrition.

  • Vitamin E
  • Calcium
  • Phosphorus

These ingredients match expert recommendations from both AKC and PetMD, which stress the value of whole-food, nutrient-dense ingredients in a dog’s diet.

Ingredients to Avoid

Not every ingredient in commercial dog food supports your dog’s health. Be cautious of:

  • Fillers like corn, wheat, and soy, which offer limited nutritional value
  • Artificial additives, including colors, preservatives, and synthetic flavors
  • Unspecified by-products, such as “meat by-product” without clear sourcing

PetMD and the AKC both caution against these common problem ingredients when evaluating dog food.

Reading Dog Food Labels Like a Pro

To make the best choice, here’s what to look for on the label:

Guaranteed Analysis

This section lists the percentages of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. It’s important to choose a formula that matches your dog’s age, size, and especially their activity level.

For example, if your dog is highly active, works outdoors, or participates in regular training or exercise, you’ll want to choose a formula with higher protein and fat content to support energy and endurance. Foods like Wholesomes Energy Plus for adult dogs or Wholesomes High Energy for active dogs and puppies offer the extra calories, muscle-supporting protein, and joint-friendly nutrients needed for a more demanding lifestyle.

On the other hand, dogs with a more relaxed routine may need a lower-calorie option to avoid weight gain. Matching the nutritional profile to your dog’s daily energy output helps maintain a healthy weight and overall well-being.

Ingredient List

Manufacturers list ingredients in order by weight, starting with the most abundant. Look for high-quality proteins and whole-food ingredients at the top of the list to ensure better nutrition.

AAFCO Statement

Make sure the label includes:
“This food meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO for [life stage].”
This ensures the food is complete and balanced according to the standards set by the American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

How to Transition Your Dog to New Food

Rapidly changing your dog’s food often causes stomach discomfort. Follow this gradual plan:

  1. Start Slowly: Mix 25% new food with 75% old food.
  2. Increase Gradually: Over 7 days, increase the new food while reducing the old.
  3. Monitor: Keep an eye out for changes in appetite, digestion, or behavior, and slow the transition if any issues arise.

Special Dietary Needs and Veterinary Support

Some dogs need customized diets due to allergies or medical conditions:

  • Allergies or Sensitivities: Try hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient diets designed to reduce common triggers. For guidance on feeding dogs with sensitivities, check out How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach & Skin.
  • Weight Management: Use low-calorie, high-fiber foods to help dogs feel full while maintaining a healthy weight.

Consulting Your Vet

When in doubt, always consult your vet or a veterinary nutritionist. They can help you select the best diet based on your dog’s health, breed, and lifestyle.

Conclusion

Feeding your dog the right food supports a healthy, active, and happy life. By understanding their unique needs, learning how to read labels, and choosing AAFCO-approved formulas with high-quality ingredients, you’re setting your pup up for long-term wellness.

Whether you’re shopping for a growing puppy or a beloved senior, your dog deserves food that’s as wholesome as they are. When your dog feels good, you feel good too, and it all starts with proper nutrition.

For more expert tips, check out the full nutrition guides at PetMD and AKC.

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