Best and worst dog food brands - which ones? (2023)

From dry and wet to raw dog food, there are hundreds of options, and figuring out what's truly best for your pet can be a daunting task.

Our exclusive research reveals which dog food brands are loved by which? Members (and their dogs) who offer the best value, quality and enthusiastic response from their four-legged companions.

We also asked veterinarians for expert advice on choosing the right dog food and feeding amount.

See how brands likeburns,HarringtonseRoyal Caninare rated by customers, as are dog foods from supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl.

What brand of food is the best for my dog?

Any commercially manufactured dog food in the UK that meets the requirementsPFMA(Pet Food Manufacturing Association) Guidelines will include full nutritional requirements for pets, says the British Veterinary Association (BVA).

The PFMA states: 'All "complete" pet foods are required by law to contain all of the nutrients in the correct proportions that a pet needs for healthy bodily function.'

So as long as you buy a complete commercial dog food, your dog should be getting all the nutrients they need and you don't have to supplement them with anything else.

However, the BVA adds that “Each pet has their own unique needs, so diet needs to be tailored to your pet's lifestyle, age, breed and any health conditions they may have. We advise people to speak to their veterinarian when considering getting a new pet.”

Our survey results below highlight which ones? Members' favorite pet food brands, ranked from best to worst (ranked by overall customer rating). We also asked them to rate the value for money, the quality of the ingredients, and their dogs' response to the food.

Dog Food Brands Reviewed By Customers

We researched 3,122 What? members to discover the tastiest dog foods you can buy.

One of the brands achieved an impressive customer satisfaction rating of 85%, while two fell behind with less than 60%.

Find out which four dog food brands have the highest scores, the best options, and which brands have the lowest overall scores. You can learn more about each brand and see their range of dog food by following the links below.

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Dog Food Brand Customer Satisfaction Survey Reviews

Best cheap dog food

Different pack sizes and different recommended serving sizes make it difficult to calculate how much your dog's food is actually costing you per month.

We compared the monthly costs of the three most popular dog food brands, as well as the highest and lowest scoring brands in our survey.

Cost is based on an average medium sized dog (10kg) such as a French bulldog, on a simple dry food diet.

Medium dog: monthly food expenses

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• New dog owner? Don't forget about pet insurance - check out oursBest and worst guide to pet insurance
• Are you also a cat owner? see oursbest and worst nutritional guides for cats.

How to choose the best dog food

Choosing the right food can be critical to your dog's health and happiness, but figuring out what's truly best for your pet can be a daunting task.

Signs that your pet is eating a nutritious diet include bright, clear eyes, a shiny, shed-free coat, lots of zest for life, and a lack of excess body fat - you should be able to feel their ribs and see their waistline.

(Video) 10 Worst Dog Food Brands to Avoid | +5 We Recommend

What is healthier - dry or wet food?

Whether one is better than the other is debatable. The BVA says: “There is not enough evidence to recommend one over the other; both have advantages. A veterinarian can recommend the most appropriate diet for you.”

You can feed your animals wet food or dry food or a mixture of both.

Dry food is generally the most economical and easiest to feed and store. Owners who feed their pet wet food should monitor their pet's teeth, as wet food can predispose to dental disease.

Whether the dog food you choose is grain-free, raw, hypoallergenic, or just plain dry, commercial grade dog food that meets PFMA guidelines is nutritionally sound.

Some pets have specific dietary needs due to clinically identified issues and should eat a diet tailored to their needs under veterinary supervision.

The most appropriate diet should be easily digested and produce dark brown, firm, formed stools.

Here's what animal welfare organization PDSA suggests you look for when choosing dog food — and what to avoid.

Where to look:

• Something appropriate to your dog's age (e.g. puppy, adult, senior)
• A commercial dog food labeled "complete"
• A manufacturer that is part of the Pet Food Manufacturer's Association (PFMA).

Avoid:

• Leftover food and human food as they can unbalance your dog's diet
• Give your dog bones as these can cause blockages and harm your dog

Should I feed my dog ​​raw dog food?

Raw food for dogs is becoming increasingly popular. One in six members (16%) told us they feed their dog raw food. Of these, almost four in ten said they would never eat dry or wet food again.

The BVA informed us: "At least without veterinary guidance, we advise against a raw food diet. There are two main reasons for this: the nutritional deficiencies that often accompany raw food consumption (eg, low taurine in cats or high levels of vitamin A) and the risks associated with handling raw food—both for pets and animals also for the family.”

Commercial options are a safer diet choice. The PFMA says that commercially prepared raw dog food labeled "complete" meets guidelines for providing the balanced nutrition a dog needs in its daily diet.

Some of the reasons dog owners prefer the food relate to its being "natural" along with perceived improvements in their dogs' health.

• 40% reported seeing a harder stool
• 28% better digestion
• 26% brighter coating
• 22% more enthusiasm when eating

There are risks associated with handling fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried raw foods. OPFMArecommends the following:

1. Buy products in good condition. You should not see any visible signs of damage to the packaging, such as B. dents, cracks or discoloration.
2. Wash your hands with hot, soapy water after handling your pet, its food, or its packaging.
3. Wash and disinfect all surfaces, dishes and utensils that have come into contact with raw food immediately after each use.
4. Once your pet has finished eating, carefully remove and discard any uneaten raw food.
5. Clean and disinfect your pet's eating area once they've finished eating.

Raw dog food may not be right for all dogs (or owners): 11% of those who tried raw dog food for their dogs said they wouldn't do it again. Some of the reasons given were that it was too dirty or smelly, or concerns about contamination.

Overall, 33% of members haven't tried raw dog food because they didn't do enough research, and a further 28% don't want to handle raw meat - with nearly a quarter of respondents saying they fear spreading bacteria.

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Is Preparing Homemade Dog or Cat Food a Good Idea?

The experts we spoke to advise against homemade dog food. This is because it can be extremely difficult to create a balanced home-cooked diet for your pet, which is why it is generally not recommended unless supervised by a veterinarian.

Can I feed my dog ​​vegetarian?

In theory, it is possible to find and feed your dog a vegetarian diet that suits their needs.

However, the BVA warns that getting it right can be difficult and if you don't work with a dietician with a veterinary background, you risk damaging your pet's health.

Do dogs need different food as they get older?

The BVA says: "Yes. It is important that puppies and kittens are fed puppy food and kitten food as they have specific energy and nutritional needs. Different dog breeds age at different rates as they age. For example, a Great Dane is likely to be "older" than a Yorkshire terrier."

Your veterinarian can advise you on the best diet for your pet's life stage, breed and lifestyle, and let you know if your pet has any special dietary needs.

My dog ​​has allergies - should I buy hypoallergenic dog food?

Some pets appear to be sensitive or intolerant to certain ingredients and additives, which can lead to a variety of problems.

Common symptoms include lethargy, aggressive or overactive behavior, chronic skin and ear problems, passing mucus and jelly in the stool, gas, bloating, and weight gain/loss.

The most common food intolerances seem to be colorings, sugar, wheat, milk and soy. Obviously, not all pets are sensitive to these things, but if the effects persist, it's best to see your veterinarian.

How much should I feed my dog?

How much your dog should eat depends on factors such as breed, type, age, health and lifestyle. For example, a working German Shepherd will require more energy than a small dog with a less active lifestyle.

Make sure you're feeding your dog the right amount every day by measuring each meal on a scale. A few extra munchies may not seem like much, but they can go a long way toward weight gain.

Most commercial dog foods come with feeding guidelines on the package based on your dog's weight and activity level. If you are unsure, ask your veterinarian.

Is my dog ​​overweight?

Pet obesity is the number one animal welfare concern for veterinariansPAW Annual Report. Another 2021 study by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) found this to be the caseOne in 14 dogs was registered as obese by their veterinarian. The study also found that some breeds are more likely to gain weight.

The PAW report also estimated that about half of overweight and obese dogs had health issues that could be related to their weight.

Weight-related problems can range from musculoskeletal disorders to breathing problems and diabetes, among others.

In order to know if your pet is overweight, it is important to know their ideal weight and shape. A good rule of thumb is to be able to see your dog's ribs.

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How much should my dog ​​weigh?

• Small: less than 10 kg
• Medium: 10-25kg
• Large: 26-40 kg
• Giant: more than 41 kg

Check your dog's weight

Very thin: more than 20% below ideal body weight

• Ribs, spine and hipbones clearly visible (in short-haired animals), marked loss of muscle mass, no fat felt under skin.

Underweight: 10-20% below ideal weight

• Ribs, spine and hip bones clearly visible, waist and tummy fold clearly visible, very little fat to be felt under the skin.

Ideal

• Ribs, spine and hip bones easily palpable, visible waist and abdominal fold, small amount of fat palpable.

Overweight: 10-15% over ideal weight

• Ribs, spine and hip bones are difficult to feel, the waist is barely visible, the back is broad, and there is a layer of fat on the belly and base of the tail.

Obesity: More than 15% over ideal body weight

• Ribs, spine and hip bones are extremely difficult to feel under a thick layer of fat, no waist can be seen and the belly can sag heavily, heavy pads of fat on the lower back and base of the tail.

Is my dog ​​obese? discover the signs

The Kennel Club suggests looking for:

• a bigger and rounder face
• a reluctance to go for a walk
• difficulty walking
• get out of breath easily
• a thick and fat neck
• Ribs that you cannot easily feel when running your hands down the side of the dog
• lack of visible waist.

If you think your four-legged friend may be overweight, make an appointment with your local veterinarian for advice and a plan of action.

Can you give your dog treats?

Treats are a great way to train and reward your dog. A quarter of the dog owners we surveyed said they feed their pets treats daily, and another three in 10 feed them twice a day. But giving your dog too many treats could be a case of killing our pets with kindness.

Treats contribute to your pet's daily nutritional needs, so take this into account when measuring food.

Which? dog food research

To find out what the best and worst dog food brands are, in November 2021 we put 1,564 What? Members who have recently bought dog food and asked about their experience with their chosen brand.

Customer ratings are based on how satisfied customers are with the brand overall and whether or not they would recommend it.

For more details on the most popular brands above, check out our guides toBaker,burns,Harringtons,hilleRoyal CaninDog Food.

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