2023 Dog Food list
“Most, if not all, diseases and conditions can be affected by diet.”
Would you like feed:
Quality ingredients?
Minimally processed?
No or fewer synthetics?
Lower carbs?
Quality proteins?
High digestibility?
Several affordable dry foods (kibble) have been added to this years list. The list includes canned, air-dried, dehydrated, freeze-dried, and frozen raw foods.
There are over 1000 dog foods you can choose to feed your dog and the quality and cost vary greatly. After reviewing hundreds of dog foods the list contains foods I consider the best dog food choices based on the ingredients, processing, and digestibility. The dry food (kibble) list contains 9 brands, and 47 foods that are above average, better quality, high quality, and exceptional quality. Many popular brands considered “quality” by others did not make the list since they were “nothing special” and many were considered soup stone foods. (1)
None of the foods selected are sponsored nor are paid advertisements.
HOW TO DETERMINE QUALITY?
Quality can vary greatly and it is affected by the source, type of ingredients, formula, heat, processing, fiber, and ash content. Ingredients can look the same in different foods but protein can be poor, moderate, or high quality. For a food to be high quality it needs to be both highly digestible and contain the proper amino acids available to have actual nutritive value once digested. Since pet food companies are not require to provide a true quality score (digestibility & nutrients) we are left with evaluating the ingredients, calories, nutrient analysis, and running our own calculations to gain insight on each food. (Companies that provided impressive digestibility % are included on the 2022 list.)
Ingredients
Amount of protein, fat, carbs & calorie breakdown
Essential nutrients – balanced or over/under
Ingredients
o Source (farm to table, trusted or foreign)
o Quality (food or feed, organic, human grade)
o Quantity (ingredient splitting, fairy dust, etc)
Added Synthetics
Digestibility
Calorie breakdown
Amount of:
Protein
Fat
carbs
Essential Nutrients - To much calcium?
Added Supplements (potential source of problems – over or under)
(1) Soup Stone Foods
What is a Stone Soup food? First a bit of history. Stone soup is a folktale about a clever or charismatic traveler who convinces people they are self-sufficient since they have a stone that makes soup. The traveler is hungry so they ask for some water so they can make stone soup so they will have a meal. As the water is heated and the stone is added the traveler asks for a few herbs to give the soup some added flavor. While the stone does its magic they ask for salt and pepper just to add a bit more seasoning. As the soup continues to cook the traveler continues to get others to supply some onions, cabbage, carrots, and just a small bit of meat to make the soup even tastier. When the soup is finished the traveler shares the soup with those who were intrigued with the concept of the soup stone. The people are amazed and attest to what a fabulous soup that was made with a stone. https://stonesoup.com/about-the-childrens-art-foundation-and-stone-soup-magazine/history-of-the-stone-soup-story-from-1720-to-now/
How does this relate to pet food? Some pet food companies just as the clever traveler are great at marketing. Companies tout their quality proteins and ingredients. But are they?
How to identify a soup stone food?
A food that touted as containing quality proteins but a closer look at the ingredients reflects the inclusion of added essential amino acids. e.g. DL-methionine, L-Lysine, L-Tryptophan, etc. I equate this to needing to add vitamin C to an orange or calcium to milk.
A “natural” food with added vitamins and minerals. A natural food would get its vitamins and minerals from food sources and not need added synthetic vitamins and minerals added.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with adding essential amino acids or vitamins and minerals to a food I place a food that adds both in the nothing special category at best.
Dog Food 101
Choosing Pet Foods (Dog & Cat)
Canine Daily Calorie Estimator (free)
Feline Daily Calorie Estimator (free)
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