Deciding what dog food to feed your best friend can be quite overwhelming. You want to find a dog food that provides your dog with the nutrition they need to keep them healthy, while ensuring that they like it and that it fits within your budget. Choosing a healthy dog food ensures that your pet gets can build and maintain strong muscles, has a healthy and luxurious cost, maintain a healthy weight, and ensures proper digestion.

Here are a few tips for choosing a healthy dog food:

1. Be pet specific
You will want to pick a dog food specifically for your pet. There are foods for puppies, seniors, pregnant or nursing dogs, active dogs, overweight dogs, and gluten free dog food if needed. Purchasing food for your specific pet will help to avoid potential health issues.

2. Know your dog food ingredients
Knowing what the terms mean that are found on dog food packages will help you to know exactly what you are purchasing. Names such as, “Chicken or Beef for Dogs’ indicates that the listed ingredients (beef or chicken) is at least 95% of the ingredients minus water. If water is included, the protein is 70%. The word, “dinner” on packages or other words such as “nuggets”, “formula”, or “entree” indicate that there is a 25% protein of the listed product. If there is more than one protein, then there has to be 25% protein when combined. The term, “with” such as “with cheese”, means that there only has to be 3% of that ingredient. Lastly, the word, “flavor” indicates that there is only a trace amount of that ingredient.

3. Choose a meaty food
Meat or meat meal should be the first ingredient on the ingredient list. Only dogs with allergies should be given only vegetarian-based food. Additionally, grain-free food is only necessary for dogs with allergies. Grains are not bad for dogs, but meat should be the primary ingredient.

4. Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards
Consider food that has words similar to, “provides complete and balanced nutrition.” This is a statement from the AAFCO that indicates that the good has met the organizations’ expectations for high standards regarding nutritional value.

5. Wet vs. dry dog food
Wet food is more hydrating, is better for dogs with food sensitivities, and is more palatable. However, it is also messy, has a shorter shelf life, and is more expensive. Dry food does not go bad and can be left out for your pet to eat as they want it as it does not go bad. Dry food also aids in dental health, but the brand must be carefully selected to avoid unnecessary fillers. Both types are good choices for most dogs, so it is often a matter of personal preference.