Nutrition: First ingredients are brewer’s rice, chicken by-product meal, and wheat | Breed size: Small | Wet or dry food: dry | Cost: $6.80 per pound Angie Krause says, “When a dog’s diet gets so high in legumes as a protein source, it may change their uptake of certain amino acids.” Sara Ochoa, “large and giant-breed dogs are predisposed to this disease.” The majority of the vets we spoke with explained that the correlation doesn’t stem from the lack of grains in these foods but rather from the legumes or peas that have been added as a replacement. We should also note that the FDA has warned against certain grain-free foods, which the agency thinks may be linked to an increase in dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. All the dog food recommended below meets or exceeds AAFCO standards. This can help identify sensitivities to specific proteins, Fadl says. Shelly Zacharias, a vice-president of medical affairs for Gallant, also stresses that ingredients lists should name the exact type of meat included (instead of “meat” or “meat byproducts”). Gabrielle Fadl, a medical director at Bond Vet. If you’d like to dig deeper than AAFCO standards, Finn says he prefers “companies that employ a full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist on staff and don’t just consult with one.” This can help ensure the food is backed by research a brand is invested in, says Dr. Zay Satchu, the co-founder and chief veterinary officer at Bond Vet. The statement is a sign that the food is nutritionally complete and balanced, explains Dr. It’s important to look at a brand’s recall history and to locate an official nutritional-adequacy statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials on the bag, box, or can.

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. To get a better idea of which foods are preferred by the experts in this field - both human and canine - we talked to 19 veterinarians and animal specialists about the ones they recommend for their patients and feed to their own dogs at home. Hunter Finn, a Texas-based integrative veterinary expert. An easy way to gauge this is by looking to see if he finishes his meal in one sitting, as “dogs do not necessarily love to just leave food in the bowl until the next time they’re feeling hungry,” says Dr. The question of what to feed your dog should take into account its age, size, breed, and any health issues it may have - and palatability, or how much your pup enjoys his food, says veterinarian Stephanie Liff of Pure Paws Veterinary Care.

Whether you adopt a rescue dog or bring home an American Kennel Club–certified pup, providing that pet with proper care, a soft place to snooze, and good nutrition is, as the saying goes, a big responsibility.

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