Overwhelmed by the various dog food choices? No problem! This article has a comparison table and graphics to guide you in finding the perfect food for you and your pup! Let's get started!
One of the questions I most often see flooding canine social media pages is: What do I feed my dog?!
Choosing the right dog food for your pup can be a daunting task, riddled with uncertainty and frustration. The pet food market is flooded with countless options, each claiming to be the best for your dog's health and well-being. However, navigating through this sea of choices is often accompanied by a sense of aggravation, as pet owners grapple with the lack of transparency prevalent in the industry. Deciphering ingredient lists, understanding nutritional claims, and discerning between marketing hype and actual quality are overwhelming obstacles to deciphering the best kibble for your dog. Thus, the quest for transparency and reliability in dog food selection remains an ongoing struggle for many conscientious pet owners. Including myself.
I have considered the dog food I feed in my breeding program very carefully. And my goals and desires in a dog food have changed significantly over the years. I started out by feeding Purina Pro Plan, the most widely referred brand by vets and pet health experts. After consulting with my mentor, I learned about pawTree, a very high quality food that really changed my outlook on feed for my dogs, pregnant dams, and growing puppies.
I began valuing different and more substantial qualities in my dog's kibble such as:
Higher quality ingredients:
Greater nutrient density means feeding less volume each meal, saving money.
My dogs are more satisfied between meals.
High digestibility equates to less waste production.
Ingredient Transparency:
Reports of contamination, questionable ingredients, and lax regulations in Asian countries have fueled apprehension among consumers.
Transparent labeling helps owners identify potential allergens so they can avoid them and prevent adverse reactions in their pets.
When manufacturers openly disclose their ingredients, consumers can hold them accountable for the quality and safety of their products.
Rotational or Blended Feeding:
May help prevent the development of food allergies or sensitivities by exposing dogs to a variety of protein sources, reducing the risk of developing intolerance to a specific protein over time.
Ensures a more balanced nutrient intake, as different protein sources offer varying amino acid profiles and nutrient compositions, contributing to overall health and well-being (e.g., Fish are high Omega-3s)
It can enhance the palatability of the dog's diet, promoting interest in meals and reducing the likelihood of dietary boredom.
Supports a diverse gut microflora environment to reduce gastric upset.
Reevaluating my Breeding Program Dog Food
I've recently been reassessing my relationship with pawTree. With three dogs to feed, the cost of kibble has skyrocketed, and I'm feeling the strain on my budget. While I prioritize providing my dogs with top-notch nutrition, I also need to be mindful of my expenses.
Moreover, it's crucial to me that my puppy pawrents are satisfied with the dog food I recommend. Having in-depth product knowledge allows me to offer tailored suggestions and monitor how well the food suits both my dogs and my program. When clients expressed concerns about pawTree's high prices and limited availability, I found myself questioning its compatibility with my program's goals.
How do I choose the right dog food?
In true scientist form, I devised a plan to compare each dog food in which I was interested using set criteria. This would objectively measure each brand.
I used the following criteria:
Digestibility assessment
Availability of both grain inclusive and grain-free options
Ingredient transparency and ethical sourcing
Formulation by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist
Avoidance of hidden chicken ingredients
Affordability (calculated price per pound for a standard lamb formula)
Calorie density per cup and protein-to-fat ratio (standard lamb formula)
Accessibility through various retailers
Inclusion of probiotics
Breeder or customer loyalty discount/reward program
Engagement in feeding trials, nutrient load testing, and peer-reviewed clinical trials for quality evaluation
Brands
I compared each brand to my current choice, pawTree, for assessment. Selected brands include Purina Pro Plan for its widespread veterinary recommendations, Farmina from Italy, noted for its recent rise, Open Farm, a small company prioritizing ingredient transparency, Inukshuk, intriguing due to its use by hunting dog breeders, Eukanuba, recognized for its visibility and endorsement by pet professionals, and Fromm, manufactured in Wisconsin.
Data Collection and Calculations
Based on the answers for each parameter I graded them letters A through D based on the criteria described in Table 2. Each letter corresponded to a number: A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1. Some categories were graded with a + or - depending on how close the answer was to the Grade Criteria and were adjusted appropriately (+.25 or -.25) Then I averaged the score and presented it in the table below.
Food Shaming
Before diving into the data, I want to emphasize that this information isn't intended to pressure anyone into changing their pet's food. Nor does it suggest that one food is superior to all others. It's simply provided for informational purposes, empowering you to make the best decision for your furry family member. Your priorities may differ from mine; perhaps affordability and availability are key for you. For instance, if you're relocating abroad, you might prioritize a globally available food. Or, if you have an active hunting dog, you may seek a more nutrient dense option. Similarly, like me, you might value a company's commitment to peer-reviewed scientific research.
There are numerous excellent options for your dog, and ultimately, you'll select what's best for both you and your pup. Choose a food that most appropriately meets your goals and satisfies your dogs needs.
The Results are In...
Results
Based on the findings, Farmina stands out as the top choice for me. Their food boasts high digestibility, with protein digestibility reaching 88%, and fats and carbs at least 95%. The lamb and blueberry with ancient grains formula matches pawTree's lamb formula in nutrient density. Farmina offers a range of grain free and grain inclusive options with diverse protein sources. They are transparent about ingredient sourcing, with proteins sourced from Italy, New Zealand, and the Mediterranean, and all plant extracts, vitamins, and minerals naturally derived from Italy. While some lamb formulas contain chicken fat for increased nutrient density, Farmina purifies the fat from protein, reducing the risk of allergens. They opt for plant-derived prebiotics over probiotics for gastrointestinal health.
What excites me most is their commitment to peer-reviewed clinical studies, which are readily accessible on their website. Farmina collaborates with a professor at Cornell University for further testing in animal studies. They adhere to nutritional standards set by both FEDIAF in Europe and AAFCO in the United States. Their formulas are widely available, accessible through platforms like chewy.com, baxterboo.com, Tabby and Jacks, Mounds, and numerous boutique stores. Despite being a higher-priced kibble option, Farmina is still $1.22 per pound cheaper than pawTree. Additionally, many retailers offer reward programs such as buy 12 bags get 1 free (participating boutique retailers) or cashback with purchase (Chewy; BaxterBoo offers a Subscription Reward Program) , providing further cost-saving benefits for Farmina formulas.
In the chart below you will find some additional information and factoids regarding each company. For example, Farmina displaces the oxygen in their feed bags with Nitrogen to prevent fat oxidation and rancidity. Open farm offers a 'catch of the day' which is a rotational seasonal fish option. And Purina is always ready to sponsor and support dog-related activities and events.
I'm enthusiastic about transitioning to Farmina within my breeding program. While continuing to support pawTree for a little while longer during the transition period, I'll gradually introduce Farmina to the dogs. Additionally, Halli's upcoming litter will be weaned with Farmina. Over the next few months, I'll start the transition process to Farmina, updating the website and guidance documents accordingly to reflect this change. This shift represents an exciting step forward in providing optimal nutrition for Mandi's Doodles and the puppies we produce.
If you have any questions about dog food or the information presented in this table and infograph, please get in touch! I'm happy to help you make the best decision for your pup! And also, share your thoughts about this decision.
Thank you!
Table 2. Criteria for grading each variable for each dog food manufacturer.
Variable | Grade Criteria | |
1 | Digestibility | A = >90% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = unlisted or <70% |
2 | Availability of both grain inclusive and grain-free options | A = even number of grain free and inclusive options B = less than half grain free options available C = select or few options available D = only grain inclusive options |
3 | Ingredient transparency and ethical sourcing | A = transparent about where all ingredients are sourced B = transparent on where major ingredients are sourced C = general statement about where ingredients are sourced D = not transparent or ingredients from China |
4 | Formulation by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist | A = certified vet nutritionist on staff B = contract with certified vet nutritionist D = No certified vet nutritionist |
5 | Avoidance of hidden chicken ingredients | A = clearly labeled recipes with and without poultry; easily identified B = some non-chicken formulas have chicken products D = poultry and/or by product in most or all formulas |
6 | Affordability (calculated price per pound for a standard lamb formula) | A = < $2.74/lb B = $2.75 - 3.49/lb C = $3.50-3.99/lb D = > $4.00/lb |
7 | Calorie density per cup and protein-to-fat ratio (standard lamb formula) | A = > 400 cal/cup; balanced carbs to fat B = 350 - 400 cal/cup; balanced carbs and fat C = 350 - 400 Unbalanced cards and fat D = <350 cal/cup |
8 | Accessibility through various retailers | A = website, 3rd part website, in store shopping B = website, a few select retailers, some boutique shops C = website, and some boutiques D = website only |
9 | Inclusion of probiotics | A = yes, more than 1 strain included B = yes, only 1 strain C = No probiotics included Note: Probiotics may or may not be beneficial for dogs. Limited bacterial strain diversity may not be advantageous for the canine gut microflora. Prebiotics may be more beneficial to feed the innate bacteria present. |
10 | Breeder or customer loyalty discount/reward program | A = Breeder and Client reward programs available B = Breeder program only C = Breeder and Client program but minimal rewards D = No program available |
11 | Engagement in feeding trials, nutrient load testing, and peer-reviewed clinical trials for quality evaluation | A = peer reviewed publications and feeding trials B = many feed trials for health and longestivty C = feeding trials for digestibility only D = No publications, no feeding trials |
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