What to Feed Your Dog (And What to Avoid)

Dog food is confusing. Walk into any pet store and you'll face a wall of options. Grain-free. Raw. Organic. Holistic. Natural. Premium. Most of it is marketing BS designed to separate you from your money.

Here's what you actually need to know.

The Basic Formula

Dogs are omnivores. They can eat meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits. Unlike cats, they can actually digest plant matter. That's why most good dog foods have a mix of animal protein and plant ingredients.

Look for a food where meat is the first ingredient. Not "chicken meal." Not "poultry by-product." Real meat. Chicken. Beef. Fish. Lamb. That's what you want.

What to Avoid

• Too much corn, wheat, or soy. These are cheap fillers. Some dogs are allergic. They're not inherently bad but shouldn't be the main event.
• Artificial colors. Dogs don't care what color their food is. Neither should you.
• BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin. These are preservatives linked to health issues. Skip them.
• Vague protein sources. "Poultry" instead of "chicken." "Meat meal" instead of "beef meal." Be specific.

Grain-Free: Worth It?

Here's the deal. Most dogs don't need grain-free food. The grain-free trend was driven by a theory that grains cause inflammation. That theory has been largely debunked.

That said, some dogs have grain allergies. If your dog has skin problems, ear infections, or digestive issues, try a grain-free diet for 8 weeks. See if it helps. Some dogs do better without grains.

But for the average dog? Grains are fine. They're actually a good source of nutrients.

Raw Diet: Good or Bad?

Raw feeding is controversial. Here's my take. Dogs have shorter digestive tracts than humans. They can handle more bacteria than we can. Raw diets can work but they're a pain in the ass to prepare properly.

If you want to try raw, do your research. Balance the calcium and phosphorus. Be careful about salmonella. And don't feed raw if anyone in your house has a weak immune system.

Honestly? A good quality kibble is easier and safer. Unless you really know what you're doing.

How Much to Feed

Read the bag. It tells you how much to feed based on weight. But that's just a starting point. Every dog is different.

Watch your dog's body. You should be able to feel their ribs but not see them. If you can see ribs, feed more. If you can't feel ribs at all, feed less.

Puppies need more. Seniors need less. Active dogs need more. Couch potatoes need less. Adjust accordingly.

People Food: What's Safe

• Safe: Cooked chicken, turkey, beef. Plain rice. Carrots. Apples (no seeds). Blueberries. Bananas. Sweet potato. Green beans.
• Not safe: Chocolate. Grapes. Raisins. Onions. Garlic. Avocado. Macadamia nuts. Alcohol. Caffeine. Xylitol (artificial sweetener, deadly).

Treats: The Rules

Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's calories. That's it. Any more and you're messing up their nutrition.

Small training treats. Tiny pieces. You're not feeding a meal. You're rewarding a behavior. One kibble works just as well as a fancy treat if your dog is food motivated.

My Recommendation

Pick one good commercial food. Stick with it. Don't switch around. Dogs' stomachs get used to one food. Switching too much causes digestive issues.

Some brands I think are solid: Orijen, Acana, Wellness, Merrick, Taste of the Wild. They're not cheap. But neither is the vet bill when you feed your dog cheap food and they get sick.

Feed the best you can afford. Your dog will thank you with more years.