Let’s face it —choosing the right food for your dog can feel like trying to read a foreign language with your eyes closed. Between the confusing ingredients, bold claims on the front of the bag, and the guilt of wondering “Am I feeding my dog the right thing?”—it’s enough to drive any loving dog mum a bit barking mad.

Whether you're navigating the world of complete kibble , considering raw feeding, or even thinking about whipping up homemade dog meals, this guide will help you cut through the fluff (literally) and find good dog food that works for your pup.

One of the biggest myths in the dog world is that all dog food is basically the same. Spoiler alert: it's not. Here’s how to decode the ingredient list and avoid being fooled by clever marketing.

Ingredients to LOOK FOR:

• Named meat sources (e.g. chicken, beef, duck, salmon): These should be the first ingredient. Even better if it’s a clearly listed meat meal like “chicken meal” (which has water removed, so it's more protein-rich).

• Whole foods : Things you recognise—like sweet potato, lentils, carrots, blueberries.

• Added nutrients : Look for omega-3s (from fish or flaxseed), joint support like glucosamine, and prebiotics or probiotics for gut health.

Ingredients to AVOID:

• Meat and animal derivatives : This is code for mystery meat. It can include hooves, feathers, and anything deemed not fit for human consumption.

• Artificial preservatives and colours : BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and unnecessary dyes (your dog doesn’t care if it’s bright red).

• Sugars and syrups : Yep, some dog foods sneak in sugar to make it tastier—especially low-quality supermarket brands.

• Wheat, corn, soy : Often used as fillers to bulk out the food cheaply. Some dogs can tolerate them, but many have sensitivities, and they don’t offer much nutritional value.

Pet food labels are designed to make things look better than they really are. Let’s break it down:

The Ingredient List:

• Ingredients are listed by weight before cooking —which means that fresh chicken listed first might end up being a small portion once the moisture is cooked off.

• Watch for label tricks : For example, “with chicken” only means 4% chicken. Yep—just 4%! If it says “rich in chicken,” it only needs 14%.

Percentages That Matter:

• Protein : Aim for at least 25% protein in dry food. Higher is usually better, especially for active dogs.

• Fat : Around 10–20% is normal. Good fats come from fish oils or meat fats—not generic "animal fat."

• Ash : A by-product of mineral content. Lower is usually better (ideally under 8%).

Quick Tip:

If a food doesn’t say what meat it uses, or has lots of vague ingredients and long chemical-sounding words—it’s probably not good dog food .

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to feeding your dog. Here's a breakdown of the main types of dog food—and the pros and cons of each.

Complete Kibble (Dry Food)

The most common choice for dog parents. It’s easy to store, convenient, and budget-friendly.

Pros:

• Long shelf life

• Easy to portion and serve

• Often includes added vitamins and minerals

Cons:

• Highly processed (especially supermarket brands)

• Can be bulked with fillers and mystery meat

• Less moisture = higher water intake needed

💡 Look for cold-pressed or oven-baked kibble , which is less processed and often contains more digestible ingredients.

Raw Feeding

Based on what dogs would naturally eat in the wild—uncooked meat, bones, offal, and a little veg.

Pros:

• Great for coat condition, teeth, and digestion

• Often improves skin and energy levels

• High in real, fresh protein

Cons:

• Needs to be balanced properly (ratio of meat:bone:organ:veg)

• Can be expensive or messy

• Not ideal for all households (e.g. immunocompromised humans or toddlers around raw meat)

✅ Pre-made raw from trusted brands is a great way to get the benefits without the faff.

Homemade Dog Food

Making your dog’s meals at home sounds wholesome—and it can be! But it also requires care to avoid nutritional gaps.

Pros:

• Full control over ingredients

• Ideal for dogs with allergies or picky eaters

• Can be very digestible

Cons:

• Needs planning and vet-approved recipes

• Hard to balance all essential nutrients (like calcium, iodine, etc.)

• Time-consuming

📝 A quick idea : Chicken thigh (cooked & deboned), steamed sweet potato, green beans, and a canine supplement added after cooling.

Fillers are cheap ingredients added to bulk up dog food without offering real nutrition. Think of them as the dog food equivalent of crisps or white bread.

Common Fillers:

• Corn

• Wheat

• Soy

• Cellulose (yes, that’s wood pulp!)

These ingredients can be hard to digest and may cause sensitivities or itchiness in some dogs. Not all carbs are bad—just the ones that don’t nourish.

Better Alternatives:

• Sweet potato – high in fibre and vitamins

• Chickpeas or lentils – plant-based protein and energy

• Oats – gentle on the stomach