Brenly Goertzen
२०२४ फेब्रुअरी ९
Dry, wet, dehydrated, human-grade and more — we found dog foods for every pup’s needs.
When I brought home my rescue dog, an Australian shepherd named Shea, there were a few things on my new dog to-do list: choose a good walking leash, help Shea identify her favorite napping spot, and, most importantly, find dog food that was both nutritious and would prompt a licked-clean bowl.
It turns out that there are many kinds of dog food to choose from. I use Royal Canin — which is the formula that I named our best overall here, and the favorite of several veterinarians and dog owners I talked to for this story — but depending on your dog’s needs, you may want something different. There are a few factors to consider: What’s your dog’s age, size, and breed? Do they have any health issues? Do you want to serve dry food because it’s easy to store and portion or wet food to help your pet with hydration? And, of course, don’t forget palatability — meaning how much your pup enjoys the food.
To help you sort through all of the options out there, I tested a few dog foods with Shea and Great Dane Benny and then to make sure I covered all of my bases, I consulted with 16 veterinarians, animal specialists, and dog owners about the foods they recommend for their patients and use for their own pups. Note that since every dog is unique, if you’re thinking about changing your pet’s diet, it’s a good idea to consult your vet before doing so. And if you’re shopping for other pet-related items, check my guides to dog beds, trainer-approved treats, and dog coats even fussy pups will tolerate.