Dog News & Information

What Is the Best Dog Food? A No-Fluff Guide

If you’ve ever searched for the “best dog food,” you’ll know how overwhelming it can be. Shelves and websites are full of bold claims, star ratings, and conflicting advice, leaving many dog parents unsure which food is genuinely right for their pup. The truth is, the best dog food isn’t defined by marketing buzzwords or price. It’s food that is complete, balanced, digestible, and supports your dog’s overall health and happiness. This guide won’t rank brands or suggest a one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, we’ll explain the principles that matter most when choosing dog food. From protein quality and wet vs dry, to gut health, digestibility, and reading ingredient labels, so you can confidently select a food that works for your pup, whether they’re a playful puppy, a high-energy adult, or a distinguished senior dog. What is the best dog food? (plain-English definition) The best dog food is a complete and balanced diet for your dog's life stage, built around digestible animal protein, transparent ingredients, nutritional adequacy, and what your dog eats and tolerates well. This guide won’t give you a top ten list. Lists can't see your dog. Instead this is an informed, plain English framework for how to choose a healthy dog food with confidence based on nutrition, digestibility and transparency.  Whether you’re feeding a zooming puppy, an adult or senior dog, this guide will help you separate marketing fluff from what actually matters to choose the best dog food for your floof's health and happiness. TL;DR: How to Choose the Best Dog Food If you only remember one checklist, make it this: Look for complete dog food tailored to your dog’s life stage, size, and activity level. Prioritise named animal proteins (chicken, beef, salmon) over vague meat derivatives or heavily processed plant proteins. Choose highly digestible recipes to support nutrient absorption and gut health. Avoid added sugars, artificial colours, flavours, and unnecessary fillers. Consider wet, dry, or mixed feeding depending on hydration, palatability, and convenience. Following these principles ensures your pup gets the nutrition they need to thrive every day. Why “Best Dog Food” Lists Are Often Misleading Many “best dog food” lists assume one product suits every dog. In reality, dogs differ in digestion, size, age, activity level and sensitivity. A food that works well for one dog may not suit another. That’s why criteria matter more than rankings. Instead of chasing a top-ten list, it’s more reliable to judge food based on completeness, digestibility, ingredient transparency and how your own dog responds. What Makes the Best Dog Food for Your Pup? The best food for your dog is the one your dog thrives on and enjoys eating. Not just for a week, but consistently. That means: Specifically labelled as complete and balanced, so you can be confident it is providing your dog with FEDIAF-approved levels of essential nutrients like protein, fat, carbs, water and vitamins in the right proportions. UK Pet Food (formerly PFMA) always recommends dog owners to buy a complete dog food to maintain their health.  Digestible ingredients your dog can actually absorb and use. Clear, transparent labelling (you shouldn’t need a science degree to understand the ingredients list). High-quality protein sources, suited to dogs, not padded out with meat derivatives and split ingredients. No unnecessary additives, colours or added sugars. Reliable quality control, so every bag is consistent. Tailored to your dog’s age, size and activity levels. When a food is working well, you’ll usually notice: Steady energy, not alternating between wired sluggish. Healthy appetite. Firm, regular poops. Comfortable digestion and less gas. Healthy teeth and skin, and a glossy coat. Factor Strong Signal Weaker Signal Protein source Named animal proteins (e.g. chicken, turkey, fish) Vague “meat derivatives” or mostly plant protein Nutritional status Labelled complete & balanced Complementary only Digestibility Simple, clearly defined ingredients Heavy fillers or split ingredients Additives No added sugar or colours Added sugars, colours, flavourings Label clarity Specific ingredient names Grouped or unclear terms Format Wet, dry or mixed - based on your dog Claims only one format is best These factors outwardly show that your dog is truly living their best life and that their food is working for them.  Wet vs Dry Dog Food: Which is Better? This is one of the most common questions dog parents ask, and there are a lot of misconceptions on the internet. Neither is inherently better than the other; they just serve different purposes. Dry dog food is convenient and cost-effective, while wet food supports hydration and is often more palatable. Dry Dog Food Strengths: Convenient to store and serve Often more cost-efficient per calorie Easy for measured feeding Can provide natural abrasion for dental hygiene (although brushing those teethies is always #1 for oral hygiene) Dry Dog Food Limitations: Lower moisture content compared to wet food Typically higher carbohydrate levels, though some dry foods can contain low levels so it's worth comparing labels. Wet Dog Food Strengths: High moisture content supporting hydration Often highly palatable Softer texture for dogs missing a tooth-or-two Wet dog food is generally steamed within the can or tray that it is served in, giving it its soft texture, which can be advantageous for older dogs or those with dental issues. As wet dog food doesn’t need excess carbs or binding agents to hold it all together, it is usually higher in protein, fats, and oil which pooches love, making it a more palatable or tasty option for fussy dogs. There is a common misconception that wet dog food is “indulgent”. However, the key ingredients of wet food can be similar to dry dog food as long as it comes from a reputable, healthy dog food brand. The key to figuring this out is reading the ingredients list, which we will unpack later.  Wet Dog Food Limitations: Higher cost per calorie Must be eaten promptly once served Less convenient for grazing Wet dog food contains >70% moisture, so it naturally supports hydration for pooches, making it the best dog food for those that struggle to drink water regularly. The high moisture content in wet food, however, means that it is less calorically dense, meaning you have to feed more of it to your dog. This makes wet food a more expensive option, particularly for those that have higher caloric demands like active dogs.  Mixing Wet and Dry and Why it Helps: For many dogs, a mixed approach works pawesomely as it combines the convenience and cost-effectiveness of dry food, with the moisture benefit and palatability of wet food. What matters most in terms of selecting the best dog food for your pooch isn’t the form it takes, but rather the overall nutritional balance and digestibility. Our dog food recipes are all formulated aligned to current FEDIAF nutritional guidelines and guided by our experience with our dogs. We've spent years developing complete dog food designed to support digestion and gut health. We work closely with nutritionists and vets to create recipes that prioritise ingredient quality, digestibility and long-term wellbeing for dogs of all life stages. Protein Quality vs Protein Percentage Protein is important for our dogs and is made up of small amino acid building blocks that are needed to build body tissue, like muscle, as well as maintain immune function. Your dog requires 22 amino acids; however, they can only synthesise 12 of these, leaving 10 that must come from their food, which are considered “essential amino acids”. High protein claims are everywhere. But protein percentage alone doesn’t tell the full story. It’s not how much protein is listed on the dog food that counts, but rather the quality of the protein and how much your dog can actually digest. While dogs can meet nutritional requirements on a complete and balanced vegetarian diet, animal proteins generally provide a more complete amino acid profile and higher digestibility for most dogs, so feeding a mixture of both meat and veggie food is often a good choice.  When looking at protein and selecting the best dog food for your pup, look for unprocessed forms of protein. This means opting for named animal meat, e.g. “chicken” or “salmon”, rather than “animal or meat derivatives” or unprocessed veggies and legumes over “pea protein” or “soy protein”, which are processed and generally lower-quality.  Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Food Some ingredients don’t add much nutritional value and are best limited or avoided in the diets of dogs. Common ones to watch out for include: Added sugars Artificial preservatives, colours and flavours Vague terms like "meat and animal derivatives" Low meat content and reliance on plant protein concentrates Added sugar in particular offers no nutritional benefit to dogs and is generally considered unnecessary. Diets high in sugar may contribute to dental disease, weight gain, and poorer overall metabolic health. Why Gut Health Matters For Dogs Digestion is where everything starts. A healthy gut microbiome doesn’t just process food; it plays a key role in: Nutrient absorption Immune function Maintaining skin and coat health Sustaining energy levels Supporting stool quality Strengthening bones and joints by synthesising vitamin K Maintaining a healthy weight and managing dog obesity Around 70% of a dog’s immune system is associated with the gut, and imbalances in gut microbiota can predispose dogs to digestive issues, inflammation and reduced well-being. Signs your dog’s gut health may be struggling include: Smelly, watery or inconsistent poops Excessive gas Sensitive stomachs Irregular appetite Poor coat quality If you do spot one of these symptoms, it's always best to go to your vet who'll know your doggy best and what to recommend. Grain-Free Dog Food: Helpful or Hype? Grain-free dog food is often positioned as a premium option, but it isn’t automatically better or worse than grain-inclusive recipes. Both approaches can support good health when properly formulated. What matters most is the overall quality and balance of the food. Factors like protein quality, digestibility, and nutritional completeness are more important than whether grains are included or not. For dry kibble, starch is needed to create structure. Grain-free recipes often use alternatives like potatoes or legumes, while grain-inclusive recipes use ingredients such as rice or oats. Both can work well in balanced formulations. A simple rule: focus on the full recipe and how your dog thrives on the food, rather than the grain-free label alone. How to Read a Dog Food Label Like A Pro Dog food labels shouldn’t feel like you’re reading a chemical equation. We’ve written an entire Dog Food Guide detailing exactly how to read a dog food label like a pro, but here are some structured steps you can take when reading the ingredients list to weed out the best dog food from the fluff: What to look for: Specific labelling as “complete dog food”. A high-quality named protein source listed first on the list.  Clearly named protein sources like “chicken” and “salmon” over vague terms like "meat derrivities" A limited ingredient list for easier digestibility.  No artificial additives, preservatives or added sugar. Red flags: Vague ingredient names or banner terms: like “animal and meat derivatives” or “cereal derivatives”. These umbrella terms don’t tell you much about what is actually in the food. They can legally include a wide range of materials, from different animal species to varying cuts and by-products, without specifying source, quality or consistency. Marketing terms without explanation: premium, superfood, gourmet, vet approved, are all just marketing buzz words which tell you nothing about the actual ingredients and quality.  Long lists of split ingredients: As ingredients must be listed by weight, some recipes "split" list to make certain ingredients look like they hold a smaller weight e.g. maize, maize gluten and maize flour all appearing in the same list. Once added all together you'll realise that maize may make up a rather high overall percentage. Although it can be difficult to navigate through the realm of pet food marketing, its impawtent to decipher what is really in your dog’s food, as feeding them a cheaper, lower quality or poorly digestible food may increase the likelihood of digestive issues over time. So, Where Does Scrumbles Fit? We keep things simple and do the fundamentals properly. Our puppy and dog food is designed with gut health front of mind, using ingredients chosen for how well dogs can actually tolerate and absorb them. You won’t find added sugars or salts, artificial preservatives or unnecessary fillers in our recipes, just clear ingredient lists and honest labelling you can read without a chemistry degree. Our complete dog food contains high levels of quality meat (up to 70%) and veggies, alongside added prebiotics, probiotics or postbiotics to help support sensitive stomachs and keep everything running smoothly from bowl to poops. Available in both wet and dry formats. All of our healthy dog food is naturally gluten-free and hypoallergenic (aka no soy, gluten, egg, dairy or red meat), with carefully selected, highly digestible grains added where they make nutritional sense. No hype. No bold marketing claims. Just food designed to help dogs feel good from the inside out! Key Takeaways Choosing the best dog food doesn’t have to be confusing. Focus on nutritionally complete recipes, high-quality protein, digestibility, and gut health to keep your dog happy, healthy, and thriving. Remember to: Check that the food is complete for your dog’s life stage, size, and activity level. Read the ingredients list carefully, prioritising named animal proteins and simple, digestible formulas. Avoid unnecessary additives such as sugar, artificial preservatives, or heavily processed fillers. Consider wet, dry, or mixed feeding depending on your dog’s hydration needs, preferences, and convenience. Support digestion and gut health with prebiotics, probiotics, or postbiotics where possible. Following these steps helps you separate marketing hype from genuinely healthy dog food, so you can feed your pup with confidence. FAQs Is dry dog food bad for dogs?No. High-quality dry food can be just as healthy, if not more so, than wet dog food for most dogs. It’s more important to check the ingredients list than the form the food takes. Do vets recommend specific dog foods?Vets usually recommend dog foods that are complete, balanced and suitable for an individual dog’s age, size and lifestyle needs, not one universal brand or specific food. If your dog has specific needs, an allergy or a health condition, your vet may recommend a specific diet for your dog to follow, so check with your vet if you have any questions or concerns. Is premium dog food worth it?Often yes, as long as the ingredients list truly backs its claim as “premium”. It’s more important to check the ingredients list than to blindly trust marketing claims. If the ingredients offer better digestibility, fewer additives and more consistent nutrition, then that’s the option to choose. How quickly should I switch dog food?Gradually, over 7–10 days, to allow the gut to adapt and minimise the risk of stomach upsets. Why does my dog have a sensitive stomach?True food intolerances appear to be less common than often assumed in pets. Stomach sensitivities are usually due to poor dog food formulas and digestibility, sudden diet changes, or gut microbiome imbalance.