Discovering Exceptional Dog Food Brands: A Comprehensive Guide

The dog food market is flooded with numerous options, making it challenging to choose a high-quality product.

Therefore, how can you identify a top-tier brand? Here are 9 valuable suggestions to assist you in selecting a premium dog food for your pet.

Tip #1
Inspect the Packaging

When it comes to Dog Food, the packaging holds a wealth of important details. However, it can sometimes be challenging to decipher. To simplify the process, focus on…

Prioritize dog food brands that offer a variety of product options with superior ratings.

This is crucial because formulas with inferior ratings tend to have:

Tip #2:
Consider the Company

Many pet owners may have a tendency to lack trust in bigger pet food companies, assuming that smaller brands produce safer and higher-quality products. However, the reality paints a different picture.

It’s worth noting that just 3 companies—Big Heart, Mars, and Purina—are responsible for 93% of all pet food sales in the U.S.¹

Surprisingly, during a recent 5-year period, 73 out of 88 recall events mentioned on this website are associated with products from smaller brands²³

In essence…even though smaller companies contribute only 7% to the pet food market, they account for a staggering 83% of recalls.

Furthermore, based on numerous interviews, it has come to light that many dog foods may not actually meet the nutritional adequacy claims indicated on their packaging.

This is due to the fact that several smaller companies have openly confessed to not verifying the nutrient content or safety of their products.

Moreover, there is no legal obligation for any pet food company to engage in this verification process.

The reality is, the smaller the brand, the less likely the company has the financial means to ensure the quality of its offerings through all necessary steps.

Therefore, while exceptions exist, it is crucial to acknowledge that larger companies are generally more equipped to:

So, what is the best course of action? Are dog foods manufactured by larger companies superior?

Not necessarily, as the quality of dog food can vary across companies, regardless of their size. However…

Why You Should Look Beyond the Label of Small Dog Food Brands

When it comes to choosing the right dog food for your furry companion, size matters—especially when considering smaller brands. It’s essential to dig deeper and not just rely on what’s written on the packaging.

Tip #3
Identifying the Producer

Many dog owners believe that every Dog Food company actually produce the pet food they offer.

However, in today’s market, many companies rely on third-party manufacturers to produce some or all of their food products.

On the other hand, some companies manufacture their own products.

Ultimately, whether a company produces its own dog food is not inherently good or bad. What truly matters is…

Being aware of the manufacturer behind the Dog Food brand you choose to feed your pet.

Without this knowledge, you won’t be able to monitor its recall history or assess the safety of its offerings.

Tip #4
Evaluate Product Formulation

It may come as a surprise, but there is no legal obligation for a pet food to be created by a certified animal nutritionist or veterinary expert.

Interestingly, we have come across a significant number of Dog Food products that have been created by amateurs over time.

Therefore, to safeguard your pet’s nutritional well-being, it is advisable to…

Reach out to each brand you are interested in and inquire about who actually formulates their products.

Simply knowing the formulator’s identity is inadequate. It is equally important to understand their qualifications for the job.

Tip #5
Verify Nutrient Testing

It is crucial to understand how Dog Food companies ensure that every formula is nutritionally complete and balanced.

Determine the frequency of nutritional content testing conducted by the company.

Does the Dog Food company utilize laboratory analysis or feeding trials for testing?

Surprisingly, some companies, especially smaller ones, never engage in any form of testing. This highlights the importance of…

Evaluating the testing procedures employed by Dog Food companies to ensure compliance with AAFCO nutritional standards.

Tip #6
Investigate Ingredient Sources

No dog food can be superior to the quality of the ingredients used in its production. However, the labels do not provide much information about the actual raw materials used in the food.

Some ingredients are acquired from commodity brokers in the open market, opting for the lowest bid. Others may originate from countries infamous for their substandard food quality regulations.

Nonetheless, reputable companies typically procure their ingredients solely from well-established local or regional suppliers with whom they have ongoing business relationships.

It is important to note that there is no current Federal law mandating pet food companies to disclose the country of origin or any sourcing details on their labels.

Therefore, it is crucial to…

Be aware of the origins of all ingredients utilized in the dog food you purchase. Steer clear of brands that refuse to share this essential information with you.

It is worth mentioning that imported ingredients do not necessarily indicate low quality. In reality, some may be of excellent quality. For instance, certain vitamin and mineral supplements are pharmaceutical grade and can even surpass those sourced domestically from the U.S. or Canada.

Tip #7
Demand Transparency

Certain pet food companies go to great lengths to hide essential details about their products.

For instance, we have come across companies that try to give a false impression of customer support by using voicemail to record messages, with no follow-up. Some brands do not even have a product website, while others avoid inquiries from independent sources like Best Dog Foodz.

These companies create obstacles to obtaining crucial information and blame their lack of cooperation on the fact that we are not veterinarians.

Consider if any of the questions raised in this article actually require veterinary knowledge to answer.

Evidently, companies that exhibit hostility or defensiveness likely have something to conceal and should not be relied upon.

For these reasons, never purchase dog food from a company that is not forthcoming about its products and manufacturing processes.

Ultimately, consumers have the right to full disclosure.

Tip #8
Ensuring Quality Control

When purchasing pet foods, there is always a risk of contamination, including:

While cooking may eliminate many pathogens, there is a possibility of harmful toxins persisting during the manufacturing process.

Moreover, there is a chance of re-contamination if live germs from raw food come into contact with the final product.

For this reason, it is crucial to…

Avoid buying pet foods from companies that do not confirm negative test results for any contamination before shipping their products.

Some companies are more thorough in this regard, with some testing every batch, others conducting random tests, and some neglecting testing altogether.

It can be challenging to determine the extent of a brand’s commitment to quality control measures.

Tip #9
Investigate the Recall History

Dog food recalls offer valuable insights into a brand’s production practices.

Pet owners often misunderstand and overreact to dog food recalls, sometimes exaggerating their significance.

Mistakes are inevitable in any process involving humans, leading to occasional accidents.

This unpredictability makes it impossible to forecast pet (or human) food recalls with certainty.

While no pet food company can entirely avoid recalls, they can control how they handle such situations.

Unfortunately, some companies attempt to cover up recalls rather than prevent them.

For instance, some brands conduct silent recalls, notifying only distributors and not the public.

They may delay announcing a recall until the end of the week to minimize consumer inquiries.

Avoid purchasing dog food from brands that try to conceal recall incidents from the public.

Recalls typically impact a limited number of product runs and batches, so not all products from a recalled recipe are necessarily faulty.

Therefore, don’t dismiss a quality food based on a few isolated recall events like many well-intentioned pet owners do.

Ultimately, it’s possible that your furry friend might not be getting access to some of the top-quality dog food options available.

The Final Verdict

While no system can promise that your dog’s food will never face a recall or that your furry friend will love your selection, following these guidelines can help you identify a top-notch dog food brand. When a product aligns with most of these criteria, you can trust that you’ve discovered a high-quality option.