Nutrition — Feeding Your Dog Well

Finding the Right Food for Your Dog: A Guide to the Main Diet Types

There is no single "best" food for every dog. What works beautifully for one dog may not suit another — and factors like age, breed, health conditions, activity level, and budget all play a role. What matters most is that whatever you feed is nutritionally complete, appropriate for your dog's life stage, and chosen in conversation with your veterinarian.

This guide gives you an honest, surface-level look at the main diet options so you can ask better questions and make more informed choices.

Before You Start: The AAFCO Statement

No matter what type of food you're evaluating, always look for an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the packaging. AAFCO (the Association of American Feed Control Officials) sets the nutritional standards for pet food in the United States. The statement will tell you whether the food is complete and balanced, and for which life stage — puppy, adult, all life stages, or senior. If a food doesn't have this statement, set it down.

Food is medicine — and unfortunately, also one of the most common sources of health problems in dogs. Getting nutrition right is one of the highest-impact things you can do for your dog's long-term health.

Choosing a Food

Look for an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement on the label: "formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles" or "complete and balanced." The protein source should be the first ingredient.

We dive more into details on the different types on the Nutrition page.

Life Stage & Nutritional Needs

  • Puppies: Food formulated for puppies or "all life stages" — different calcium and calorie needs

  • Large breed puppies: Large-breed-specific puppy food — prevents growth that's too fast, which stresses developing joints

  • Adult dogs: AAFCO-compliant adult formula matched to size and activity level

  • Senior dogs: Senior formulas or prescription diets depending on health conditions: Dogs with health issues

  • Prescription therapeutic diets through your vet (kidney, liver, joint, weight support)

Portion Sizes & Feeding Schedules

  • Feed measured portions on a consistent schedule — typically twice daily for adults

  • Use a measuring cup or kitchen scale, not just a scoop

  • Use feeding guidelines on the bag as a starting point only — adjust based on body condition

  • Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories

  • Avoid free-feeding (leaving food out all day) — a major driver of obesity

⚠️ Table Scraps & Toxic Foods

High-fat foods, spicy food, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, xylitol, macadamia nuts, chocolate, avocado, and many other human foods are dangerous or fatal to dogs. When in doubt, don't share.

Dry Kibble

Dry kibble is the most widely used dog food in the United States, and for good reason — it's convenient, shelf-stable, affordable, and widely available in formulas for every life stage, size, and health condition.

Pros:

  • Convenient and easy to store — no refrigeration needed

  • Wide range of price points makes it accessible for most budgets

  • Huge variety of formulas including breed-specific, life-stage, and prescription options

  • Many kibbles are nutritionally complete and meet AAFCO standards

  • Some textures may offer mild dental benefits by reducing plaque buildup

Cons:

  • Heavily processed — ingredients are cooked at high heat, which can reduce the bioavailability of some nutrients

  • Quality varies enormously between brands; cheaper options often rely on fillers, low-quality proteins, and artificial additives

  • High carbohydrate content in many formulas, which doesn't reflect a dog's natural dietary needs

  • Some dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies don't do well on certain kibble ingredients

What to look for: A named protein source (chicken, beef, salmon — not "meat meal") as the first ingredient, an AAFCO statement, and a formula appropriate for your dog's life stage.

Wet / Canned Food

Wet food contains significantly more moisture than kibble — typically around 70–80% water — which makes it a good option for dogs who don't drink enough on their own, or for those with dental issues who struggle with hard textures.

Pros:

  • High moisture content supports hydration, which benefits kidney and urinary health

  • Often more palatable — great for picky eaters or dogs with reduced appetite

  • Softer texture is easier for seniors, puppies, and dogs with dental problems

  • Can be used as a meal topper to encourage a dog to eat their kibble

Cons:

  • More expensive than kibble per calorie

  • Must be refrigerated after opening and used within a few days

  • Can contribute to dental tartar if fed exclusively without any dental care routine

  • Calorie-dense — easy to overfeed if portions aren't measured

What to look for: Same rules apply — named protein first, AAFCO statement, life-stage appropriate formula.

Fresh Cooked (Subscription Services)

Fresh cooked food — delivered through services like The Farmer's Dog, Ollie, Nom Nom, or Spot & Tango — has grown rapidly in popularity. These meals use human-grade ingredients, are gently cooked rather than highly processed, and are portioned specifically for your dog's weight and needs.

Pros:

  • Gently cooked rather than heavily processed, which preserves more nutrients

  • Human-grade ingredients with far fewer artificial additives or fillers

  • Highly digestible — many dogs with sensitive stomachs do better on fresh food

  • Portion-controlled and customized to your individual dog

  • Most dogs find it extremely palatable

  • Reduces food safety risks associated with raw diets while retaining many of the benefits

Cons:

  • Significantly more expensive than kibble — cost can be prohibitive for large dogs or multi-dog households

  • Requires refrigeration or freezer space

  • Subscription models mean less flexibility in where and when you purchase

  • Quality and nutritional completeness varies by company — look carefully for AAFCO compliance

A note from veterinarians: Fresh cooked food is generally regarded as a safer alternative to raw diets while offering many of the same benefits. It's a great option when budget allows.

Raw Food (BARF Diet)

Raw feeding — often called the BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) — involves feeding uncooked meat, bones, organs, and sometimes fruits and vegetables. Advocates argue it more closely mirrors what dogs evolved to eat. The veterinary community has more complex feelings about it.

Pros:

  • Some owners report improvements in coat quality, energy, digestion, and dental health

  • Minimal processing — no high-heat cooking that can degrade nutrients

  • Protein-rich and low in the carbohydrates found in many kibbles

  • Gives owners control over exactly what goes into their dog's food

Cons:

  • Significant food safety risk — raw meat can harbor Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and other pathogens that can make your dog sick, and can be transmitted to humans in the household, including children and immunocompromised individuals

  • Nutritional balance is difficult to achieve without veterinary or veterinary nutritionist guidance — deficiencies and imbalances are common in home-prepared raw diets

  • Raw bones can splinter and cause choking, internal punctures, or broken teeth

  • More expensive and time-consuming than most other options

  • Not recommended for dogs living with immunocompromised people, young children, or elderly family members

The veterinary stance: Most veterinary organizations — including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) — advise against raw diets due to food safety concerns. If you're interested in raw feeding, please discuss it with your veterinarian first and consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to ensure your dog's diet is properly balanced.

Freeze-Dried & Dehydrated Food

Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods offer a middle ground — the ingredients are raw or minimally cooked, then processed to remove moisture, which kills many pathogens while preserving nutrients. They're shelf-stable without refrigeration and often used as toppers, treats, or full meals when rehydrated with water.

Pros:

  • Minimal processing compared to kibble, with better nutrient retention

  • Shelf-stable and easy to travel with

  • Reduced (but not eliminated) food safety risk compared to fresh raw

  • Many dogs find them extremely palatable

  • Can be used as a high-value topper to increase interest in regular food

Cons:

  • Expensive — among the pricier options per calorie

  • Must be rehydrated for full meals, which adds a step

  • Not entirely risk-free for food safety — freeze-drying does not eliminate all pathogens

  • Nutritional completeness varies widely by product

Home-Cooked Food

Some owners choose to cook all of their dog's meals from scratch at home. This offers complete control over ingredients, which can be valuable for dogs with complex food allergies or multiple health conditions. However, it's also the option with the highest risk of getting nutrition wrong.

Pros:

  • Full transparency over every ingredient

  • Can be tailored precisely for dogs with multiple food sensitivities or medical conditions

  • No artificial preservatives, fillers, or additives

Cons:

  • Nutritionally complete and balanced home-cooked diets are extremely difficult to formulate correctly without professional guidance

  • Research consistently shows that the vast majority of home-cooked recipes found online — including those in published books — are nutritionally incomplete

  • Time-intensive and requires ongoing commitment

  • Can be expensive depending on ingredient quality

If you want to home cook: This is one area where working with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist is not optional — it's essential. They can create a complete, balanced recipe specific to your dog. Find one at acvn.org (American College of Veterinary Nutrition).

Prescription & Veterinary Therapeutic Diets

Prescription diets are formulated to support specific medical conditions — kidney disease, urinary crystals, liver disease, diabetes, severe allergies, pancreatitis, and more. These are only available through veterinarians, and for good reason: they're precision tools, not everyday foods.

If your vet recommends a prescription diet, trust that recommendation. These foods are backed by rigorous research and are often a critical part of managing a chronic condition.

A Word on Grain-Free Diets

You may have seen headlines about grain-free dog food and heart disease. Here's where things stand: between 2018 and 2019, the FDA began investigating a potential link between grain-free diets — particularly those high in peas, lentils, and legumes — and a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The FDA has since ended regular public updates, stating the data collected was insufficient to establish a definitive causal link.

However, ongoing research continues, and some veterinary cardiologists remain cautious — particularly for breeds already predisposed to DCM. The current consensus: grain-free diets are not inherently dangerous, but they're also not inherently superior. Grain-free marketing is just that — marketing. Grains are not harmful to dogs without a confirmed grain allergy. Talk to your vet if you have questions about whether grain-free is right for your specific dog.

The Bottom Line

Every diet type has real strengths and real limitations. The best food for your dog is one that is nutritionally complete for their life stage, fits your household's budget and routine, and is chosen with input from your veterinarian. Your vet can also help you evaluate specific brands, read labels, and navigate any health conditions that affect what your dog should eat.

When in doubt: look for the AAFCO statement, choose named proteins, and ask your vet.

Sources: AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association,Veterinary Partner, VCA Animal Hospitals , PetMD , American Animal Hospital Association, MedVet, PMC / NIH peer-reviewed research, ASPCA Animal Poison Control, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), Merck Veterinary Manual, VIN (Veterinary Information Network), Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Canine Arthritis Resources and Education, Zoetis Petcare, Sustainable Vet, and trusted Veterinarians along my 17-year journey as a dog mom

The Good Boy Foundation is committed to providing valuable resources and education to empower pet parents in caring for their furry companions. However, it's important to note that the information provided on our website is intended for educational purposes only and should never replace the advice or treatment provided by a licensed veterinarian. While we strive to offer accurate and helpful guidance, we cannot be held responsible for any outcomes or consequences resulting from the application of this information. Pet parents are encouraged to consult with their veterinarian for personalized guidance and recommendations tailored to their pet's specific needs and circumstances.