How to Choose the Best Dog Food in Canada
There is no single best dog food for every dog. A good food is complete and balanced for your dog's life stage, made by a company with real nutrition expertise and quality control, and one your dog does well on. This guide shows what to check. AIVet does not accept payment for placements.
What to look for on the label
- A 'complete and balanced' statement meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles for your dog's life stage (puppy, adult, all life stages)
- Large-breed puppy formulas for dogs expected to exceed about 25 kg as adults
- Calories per cup, so you can feed the right amount
Questions to ask the manufacturer (WSAVA)
- Do you employ a full-time qualified nutritionist (PhD or board-certified)?
- Who formulates your diets?
- Do you run feeding trials or nutrient analysis on finished products?
- What quality-control measures do you use?
Myths to ignore
- Grain-free isn't healthier for most dogs — the FDA has investigated possible links between some grain-free, legume-heavy diets and heart disease (DCM)
- 'Human-grade' and 'holistic' are marketing terms, not nutrition standards
- Ingredient lists alone don't tell you about quality
Made in Canada
Several brands manufacture in Canada. Where a food is made matters less than the company's nutrition expertise and quality control — ask the questions above either way.
Switching foods
Change gradually over 7 to 10 days by mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old to avoid stomach upset.
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If you're worried about your pet, call your vet or an emergency clinic.