Types of Commercial Dog Food Diets

Dogs, much like their human companions, have varied nutritional needs that change depending on a whole host of different factors.

This is why you’ll find so many different dog food options. Manufacturers of commercial dog foods have developed formulas to cater to as many of these scenarios as they can.

In fact, reputable brands will often involve nutritionists and veterinarians when they create different foods so that they meet the specific nutritional needs of different dogs in different scenarios.

Complete vs Complementary

Before we get too far into anything else, lets quickly understand the single most important factor when picking your dogs day to day food.

When you look at dog food, you’ll see two kinds: “complete” and “complementary” foods:

• Complete food: Gives your dog all the important nutrients they need and doesn’t require any other food to be healthy.
• Complementary food: Needs to be mixed with other kinds of food to make sure your dog gets a well-rounded diet.

When picking your dog’s daily food, make sure it’s marked as a complete diet. This ensures your dog gets all their basic nutrient needs met.

This doesn’t mean you can’t give your dog food labelled as complementary. It simply means that it cannot be their main day to day food. In fact occasionally adding complementary foods can add variety to make meals more interesting for your dog.

Getting the right food isn’t just about picking a complete diet though. As we move through the rest of this guide, we’ll talk about some of the other options to help you go above meeting basic nutrient requirements and pick the food best for your dogs health.

The Importance of Age-Appropriate Food & Nutrition

Dogs’ nutritional needs change a lot from when they’re puppies, through adulthood, and into their senior years and you will see this in the range of food options available. So, besides choosing a complete diet, it’s key to consider their age when picking their food. But why is it important:

Puppy Food:

Puppies grow quickly and need a diet that’s high in protein for muscle growth and fats for energy. They also need the right balance of calcium and phosphorus for healthy bone development. Puppy food is packed with these essential nutrients to support their rapid growth. Generally, a dog is considered a puppy until about 12 months old, but for larger breeds, this can extend to 18 months.

Adult Dog Food:

As dogs become adults, their diet needs to change to help them maintain a healthy weight and overall well-being. Adult dog food is well-balanced with the right amounts of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, but it’s less calorie-dense compared to puppy food. This reflects the slower metabolism of an adult dog.

Senior Dog Food:

Senior dogs have distinct nutritional needs. Their metabolism slows down, and they’re usually less active, requiring fewer calories to prevent weight gain. Some senior dog foods include extra supplements to support joint health and have more fibre to help with digestion. Dogs are often considered senior by the age of 7 or 8, though larger breeds may reach this stage a bit earlier.

To go beyond picking a complete diet, you should pick a food that is both age appropriate and appropriate for their size as we’ll explore next.

The Importance of Size Specific Food & Nutrition

Just as age plays a crucial role in determining the right diet for your dog, size is an equally important factor to consider. The needs of a tiny toy breed versus a large or giant breed can be quite different, not just in the amount of food they require but also in the nutrients they need to support optimal health. So how does a dogs size impact its food?

Small and Toy Breeds:

These little dogs have a quick metabolism, needing food that’s packed with nutrients and calories but in smaller bits that fit their small mouths. Their food is made to keep up with their energy without making them overweight.

Medium Breeds:

Medium-sized dogs require a diet that helps them grow steadily and stay healthy without giving them too many calories. Their food has a good mix of protein, fats, and carbs to keep their energy levels just right.

Large and Giant Breeds:

Bigger dogs with a slower metabolism and more joint concerns need food that’s less rich in calories but full of nutrients to help their joints. Their food pieces are also bigger to slow down their eating and aid digestion.

Tailoring the Perfect Diet: Beyond Age and Size

Age appropriate and size appropriate foods are the two most important factors when selecting your dogs complete diet. However, there are many other foods out there, each based on a particular factor that could impact your dog.

Not all factors will be relevant to every dog or owner, but understanding them can help you make more informed decisions. So lets explore some of the other common food types so you can decide if it is something that might impact you or your dog.

Our dog food finder tool takes all of this into account, so don’t hesitate to check it out for your tailored recommendation.

Weight Management

One of the more useful variants of foods you might find are for weight management.

Very active or working dogs, like those in herding or sporting roles, need more calories and nutrients to support their energy expenditure. These dogs benefit from calorie-dense foods that are generally marketed as being for working dogs.

Conversely, less active dogs or those prone to weight gain may need diets that help manage their weight without cutting essential nutrients. These foods are designed to make dogs feel full longer and prevent overeating and are typically marketed as weight control.

Managing a dog’s weight should normally start with portion control, which we’ll cover in some more detail later, but for those at the extremes—either underweight and constantly hungry or overweight and less active—specialised diets can help maintain a healthy balance.

Breed Specific Nutrition

Each dog breed has unique characteristics, energy levels, and potential health issues. The marketing would suggest that different breeds need specific nutrients to support their health better.

While breed-specific foods can definitely be helpful, especially for dogs with certain health conditions common to their breed. Our opinion is that in the majority of cases breed specific nutrition is more of a marketing ploy than anything else. In many cases, a diet suitable for their age and size provides all the necessary nutrients for most dogs.

What you chose to feed your dog is a dynamic process that might need adjustments as your dog ages, their health changes, or their lifestyle shifts. Occasionally reviewing their food ensures your dog not only gets the right mix of nutrients but also enjoys a diet that’s tailored to their specific life stage, lifestyle, and health needs.

Wet Dog Food vs Dry Dog Food

When looking for your dogs food, one of the questions you might have is what is the difference between wet and dry food. Is one better for my dog than the other?

Both forms have their benefits and drawbacks, and understanding these can help you make the best choice for your dog’s health, lifestyle, and your own convenience.

Ultimately it’s a Personal Choice

If you’re dog is happy to eat dry food and you have no other reason to look at wet food, we would recommend to sticking with dry food on its own.

In the long run choosing the correct dry food is much cheaper and more convenient while offering your dog everything it needs for a happy and healthy life.

However, ultimately, the choice between wet and dry dog food comes down to your dog’s health needs, preferences, and your lifestyle.

Many pet owners find that a combination of both provides a good balance, offering the benefits of each while avoiding some of the downsides.

Exploring Alternative Diets for Dogs

While looking at some of the various options out there, many dog owners explore alternative diets beyond the normal traditional commercial foods or will find these alternative diets marketed to them.

These diets, such as raw food, high-protein, and grain-free options, have gained popularity for various reasons.

However, it’s crucial to understand both the benefits and potential drawbacks of each to make informed decisions for your furry friend’s health.

Raw Food Diets

Raw food diets for dogs typically consist of raw meat, bones, fruits, and vegetables. Proponents argue that this diet mimics what dogs would eat in the wild, claiming benefits such as shinier coats, healthier skin, and improved dental health. We would however argue against a raw food diet for the following reasons:

Health Risks: Raw diets can pose risks of bacterial contamination to both dogs and their human companions.

Risk of Nutritional Imbalances: There is a high risk of nutritional imbalances if the raw food diet is not carefully formulated.

Injury Risk: Bones can cause choking or serious internal injuries.

Cost and Convenience: Preparing a balanced raw diet can be more expensive and time-consuming than feeding commercial dog food.

High-Protein Diets

High-protein diets are often sought out for dogs as people believe they are primarily carnivores. That however is in fact not true, they are omnivorous. Whilst their protein requirements are higher than ours, reputable commercial dog foods are formulated to meet these needs adequately.

In fact, unless specifically recommended by a vet, a diet with too much protein may cause unnecessary strain on the kidneys, particularly in older dogs. Potentially putting your dogs health at risk.

Grain-Free Diets

Grain-free dog foods have become popular with owners concerned about allergies or sensitivities to grains. While dogs are omnivores and can generally digest grains without issues, grain-free options may be useful as an alternative for those with specific dietary needs.

Whilst most dogs will not have any issues with a grain-free diet, you should evaluate if its something they need carefully. Some early studies have linked grain free diets to an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a type of heart disease, in dogs.

Make Informed Choices

While exploring different feeding options can be beneficial, ensuring that your dog receives a balanced diet that meets all their nutritional requirements is paramount.

Before transitioning your dog to an alternative diet, consult with a veterinarian or a canine nutritionist. They can provide guidance tailored to your dog’s specific needs, helping to prevent nutritional deficiencies or excesses that could lead to health issues.

How Much Should you Feed your Dog?

Once you’ve selected the right food, you will need to make sure to feed your dog the right amount. This is important as overfeeding can lead to obesity and it’s associated health problems, while underfeeding can result in nutritional deficiencies.

In general dog food manufacturers will provide feeding guidelines on their packaging. These provide a great start point for how much to feed your dog.

If you need help, then this picture from Royal Canin provides an example of how to find the total daily amount your dog should be eating based on their weight. Whilst this picture is for puppies, it is exactly the same for adult and senior dogs.

To maintain accuracy in feeding, we would recommend using scales to measure your dog’s food. Consistent portions are key to preventing overfeeding or underfeeding.

When you use a scoop or a cup, portions can vary in size. But weighing food ensures your dog gets the same amount every time.

Assessing your Dogs Body Condition

After feeding your dog the recommended amount for a while, observe their body condition and overall health. Are they maintaining a healthy weight?

Do they seem overly hungry or leaving food behind? Based on your observations, you may need to adjust the portion sizes.

A dog at an ideal weight will have:

• Visible Waistline: Viewed from above, there should be a noticeable waist.
• Ribs Not Easily Seen but Felt: The ribs shouldn’t be visible but should be easily felt under a slight layer of fat.
• Tucked Abdomen: The belly should be tucked up when viewed from the side.

Dogs that lack a visible waist or have ribs that cannot be easily felt may be overweight, while those with pronounced ribs and hip bones may be underweight.

If you have any concerns or are not comfortable assessing your dogs body condition yourself, you should speak to your veterinarian for further advice.

Tips for Transitioning Diets

If and when you come to change your dogs diet, it can be a delicate process. Whether transitioning to a new brand, a different type of food, or adjusting for health reasons, it’s important to do it gradually to avoid digestive upset and ensure acceptance of the new food.

Gradually Introduce New Foods

1. Start with Small Amounts: Begin by mixing a small amount of the new food with the current food.
2. Increase Gradually: Over the course of 7-10 days, gradually increase the proportion of the new food while decreasing the old food.
3. Consistent Feeding Times: Maintain regular feeding times to help your dog adjust.
4. Observe Your Dog: Watch for signs of enjoyment or reluctance, which can indicate their acceptance of the new food.

As you introduce new food, you should monitor your dog for any signs of adverse reactions. This can include digestive issues, changes in appetite, or allergic reactions. Try using these monitoring tips:

• Digestive Health: Look out for signs of diarrhoea, constipation, or vomiting.
• Behavioural Changes: Changes in energy levels or behaviour can signal a problem.
• Physical Symptoms: Skin rashes, itching, or excessive shedding can indicate a problem.
• Appetite Changes: A sudden decrease in appetite could be a sign of digestive discomfort.

If any adverse reactions are noted, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian. They can provide guidance and, if necessary, suggest alternative diet options more suitable for your dog’s needs.

Reputable UK Dog Food Brands

In the UK, the market is flooded with a lots of different dog food brands, each claiming to offer the best for your furry friend.

Understanding what makes a brand reputable can help you make an informed decision for your dog’s nutritional needs.

When evaluating dog food brands, consider the following factors:

• Nutritional Expertise: Reputable brands often have veterinary nutritionists on staff to help formulate their diets.
• Transparency: Trustworthy brands are transparent about their sourcing and manufacturing processes.
• Compliance with Standards: Look for brands that adhere to pet food regulations set by organizations like the FEDIAF (The European Pet Food Industry Federation).

Some of the brands that we feel hold themselves to good standards are:

• Royal Canin
• Purina

We only recommend brands that we feel hold themselves to a high standard in our dog food finder tool. By simply answering a few questions, you can access personalized food recommendations that align with the high standards of quality and nutrition we’ve discussed in this article.

Start exploring your tailored options today: