Before picking a dog food for your pet, it’s a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about the best dog food based on their size, breed, and dietary needs. While some dogs may prefer the texture of wet food, dry food is always a good idea to have on hand for snacking on kibble. It can be challenging to find a dog food that both fits your dog’s health needs and your budget. Here are some things to keep in mind, in addition to some top-rated choices for dry dog food.

What Nutrients Do Dogs Need?

While dogs mostly eat meat, they also need nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables. The best dry dog foods contain high-quality versions of these ingredients that are appropriate for your dog’s digestive system in a kibble form. Most commercial dog food should be formulated to meet the nutritional needs of most dogs, just make sure it meets your dog’s specific needs as well. Some dog food is formulated for weight loss and other is better for senior dogs’ nutritional needs.

One of the first things you should look for on a dog food label is the statement “(Name of product) is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.” This isn’t just an advertising slogan. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has strict requirements to make sure that a product is in fact complete and balanced for dogs (or cats).

What Are the Best Dry Dog Foods?

Dry dog food is oftentimes more readily available and affordable compared to wet food, as it does not require refrigeration and contains approximately 90 percent dry matter and 10 percent water. This makes it easy to store. It;s made by combining and cooking ingredients like meat and grains, which converts the starches in the food into an easily digested form, while also destroying toxins and flash sterilizing the ingredients. The best dry food for your dog depends on your dog’s dietary needs, and there are various available for their stage of life or breed.

How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

In order to curb dog obsiety, it’s important to know how much to feed your dog and what healthy dog weight looks like, which can be tricky. It can be easy to overfeed your pet, so take your dog in for regular checkups to ensure they’re at a heathy weight and to talk with your vet about appropriate portions. While the dog food’s guidelines may be helpful, you’ll likely have to adjust based on your dog’s activity level, time of year, illness, and other  factors.