One of the most important aspects of caring for a dog is choosing the right, healthy, and balanced food. A good owner knows that the quality of their dog's food affects more than just their four-legged companion's energy levels. Dogs with the right diet are known for their docile nature, shiny coats, and inquisitive and active behavior.
There are many pet foods available on the market today. They vary in price, type, composition, and many other factors. Let's look at the different types, their pros and cons, based on the ranking of the most popular prepared dog food for 2019.
Content
What types of dog food are there?
Manufacturers produce a wide variety of pet foods, aiming to please both their four-legged friends and their owners. Generally, all commercial pet foods can be divided into two main types:
- Dry granules are dried and pressed using a special technology. They are relatively light and have a fairly long shelf life.
- Wet kibble is canned meat pieces in a special sauce that does not contain any substances harmful to dogs. They have a rich, meaty flavor.
Dogs are known to be carnivores, so their diet should be primarily meat-based. Furthermore, pets must receive vitamins and minerals. These are the criteria you should use to select your pet's food.
Both dry and wet foods are divided into several classes:
- economy;
- premium;
- holistics.
Economy class feeds are mostly made from food production waste, soy and grains. The manufacturer doesn't enrich them with vitamin supplements, so owners will need to ensure their pet gets all the necessary vitamins when feeding this diet. However, this class of food is two, and often three times cheaper, than high-quality balanced nutrition. This explains its popularity among dog owners.
Premium pet foods contain a significantly higher concentration of animal proteins than their economy counterparts. They are often made not from actual meat, but from by-products and waste from the meat processing industry. The composition contains a considerable amount of preservatives and flavor enhancers.
Holistic dog food is the highest quality type of dog food. Its composition is balanced and enriched with all the vitamins and microelements necessary for a dog's health and well-being.They are made with probiotics, which is especially important for dogs living in apartments, who may experience digestive issues due to a sedentary lifestyle. In this class of food, the manufacturer specifies not only the total percentage of meat but also the type of meat. Holistic food does not use by-products or meat scraps, but only high-quality meat.
Table of major feed manufacturers
| Company | Country of origin | Minimum price |
| Mars Petcare | Belgium | from 300 rub. for 0.4 kg. |
| Nestle-Purina | St. Louis, USA | from 800 rubles per 3 kg. |
| Hill's Pet Nutrition | Topeka, Kansas, USA | from 500 rubles for 800 g. |
| Mervo products | United Kingdom | from 250 rub. for 0.5 kg. |
| Rarity | Russia | from 1500 for 13 kg. |
Feed rating
Economy class
Darling — dry food for all dog breeds. Contains 4% meat and by-products. It also contains vegetables, fiber, and fats. It is enriched with a minimum set of vitamins. The food primarily consists of grains. "Darling" contains synthetic preservatives and flavor enhancers and has an unpleasant aroma. It is manufactured in Russia using technologies from a French company.
Pedigree — dry food for all dog breeds. The main ingredient is corn. Meat and meat by-products do not exceed 4%. Vegetables are limited to beet pulp. Pedigree is enriched with vitamins and minerals and is marketed as a complete diet. Reviews are mixed. It is manufactured in Russia.
Oscar— dry food for dogs prone to allergies and gastrointestinal issues. It's grain-based. The manufacturer lists meat and meat by-products in the ingredients, but doesn't specify the amount, suggesting a relatively low percentage. The food contains protein and can improve digestive function. It's enriched with vitamins. Made in Denmark.
Our Brand — dry food for young medium-sized dogs. Made from natural ingredients without added flavor enhancers. The main component is grains. It also contains poultry meal. It's enriched with vitamins to prolong the pet's youth. According to dog owners, "Nasha Marka" has a pleasant aroma, but not all dogs like it. Sometimes it's necessary to experiment with different types of food in this line to please your beloved pet. Made in Russia.
Meal— Suitable for all dog breeds. Enriched with vitamins to boost the animal's immune system. The manufacturer lists at least 20% animal protein in the ingredients, but doesn't specify the types of meat used. The formula also includes grains and vegetable oils. It's produced in Russia using technology from a Danish company.
Premium class
Caesar — Canned meat food for medium and small breed dogs. Made in Russia. Contains at least 20% meat and by-products. Contains no preservatives, flavor enhancers, or colorings. Contains vegetables and herbs. Available in both cans and soft pouches. The food is supplemented with grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Happy Dog — dry food suitable for sensitive dogs. It's enriched with valuable fatty acids and contains easily digestible ingredients that significantly facilitate digestion. It's well tolerated, even by dogs with gastrointestinal issues.
Organix — dry food for medium breeds. Contains no artificial colors or flavors, soy, wheat, or corn. Animal protein content ranges from 23 to 30%. Perfectly balanced nutrition for dogs every day.
Four-legged gourmet— Canned food containing meat, offal, and rice. No preservatives or flavor enhancers are used in the production process. Contains a significant amount of vitamins that can improve the condition of the dog's coat and increase its activity level.
Breed Meal– dry food for dogs with moderate activity levels. Contains the optimal amount of fat, protein, and fiber for your pet. This perfectly balanced food prevents excess weight gain in dogs that don't get much exercise.
Blitz — Russian-made dry pet food that can be classified as super-premium. Meat components are listed first on the ingredient list, only animal fats are used, including highly valuable fish fats. Furthermore, these foods are free of wheat, soy, and other undesirable plant components. One of the advantages of Blitz diets is their highly balanced composition, additionally enriched with live probiotics—a rarity not only for domestic but also for foreign products. The location of production in Russia makes the Blitz brand accessible to consumers, and the wide range of products allows for the selection of food for pets with any needs.
Holistics
Applaws — Made according to a recipe developed by specialists at the Institute of Nutrition in the UK. Contains only natural ingredients and no preservatives. Contains all the vitamins and minerals an active dog needs. Suitable for fussy large-breed dogs.
Acana And Orijen — Canadian brands owned by a single manufacturer are classified as Biologically Appropriate foods. This means their composition closely resembles the diet of wild carnivores. These foods are distinguished by a very high meat content—up to 75% in Acana and 85% in Orijen—a complete absence of grains and potatoes, and the use of abundant fresh meat. Acana and Orijen's know-how includes the WholePrey principle, which includes valuable by-products—liver, heart, tripe, kidneys, and cartilage—sources of essential micronutrients, minimizing the use of synthetic vitamins. The animal receives everything it needs from food, as it should with a proper natural diet.
Go— high content of high-quality meat. The food also includes vegetables, fruits, and even berries. It is grain-free, contains no GMOs, and is preservative-free. Suitable for both puppies and senior dogs. Made in Canada.
Barking Heads Canned Food— wet food for small-breed dogs. Contains 60 to 85% meat or fish. Suitable for continuous feeding, no additional vitamins or other nutrients are required. Its unique formula makes the dog's coat soft and silky thanks to zinc sulfate. Contains medicinal herbs and is suitable for dogs of all ages. Made in England.
CarniLove — dry food for large-breed dogs. It contains over 50% meat and meat by-products. It is enriched with vitamin E. Suitable for daily feeding of adult dogs aged 1 to 6 years. It is grain-free, and the vegetable protein is provided by yellow peas. Made in the Czech Republic.
Almo Nature — dry food for small breed dogs. Contains at least 53% meat ingredients. Complete nutrition that provides your dog with all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and protein. May contain grains. Made in Italy.
In summary, it's worth noting that manufacturers have strived to meet all pet needs. There are foods with formulas balanced to suit the specific needs of different dog breeds and their owners' budgets.
It's worth remembering that high-end dog foods are more suitable for everyday feeding. In contrast, economy-class dog food requires additional supplements, as it doesn't contain enough calories, vitamins, and other nutrients to fully nourish a pet.
It's important to know that dogs are naturally carnivores, and their diet should consist of at least 30% meat. This is the primary criterion for choosing the right food for your four-legged friends.
