How to choose your dog's dry food: 5 essential criteria
Protein, grains, additives, price, breed: 5 veterinary criteria for choosing the best dry food for your dog.
1. Crude protein content
The dog is an opportunistic carnivore. Aim for 22 to 35% crude protein according to FEDIAF. Above 35%, excess is often excreted, costing money without benefit. Below 22%, the product may not meet the needs of an active dog.
Look at the first 3 ingredients on the list: they represent 80% of the volume. If you see "meats and animal by-products" at the top, it's vague. Instead, look for "fresh chicken 25%", "dehydrated lamb", "salmon".
2. Grains or grain-free?
Grain-free dry food is not automatically superior. A 2019 FDA study even suggested a link between certain grain-free foods high in legumes and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Good grains (rice, oats, barley) are well digested by dogs.
Avoid: unidentified corn, low-quality wheat, soy in large quantities.
3. Problematic additives
Certain additives are controversial:
- E320 (BHA) and E321 (BHT): antioxidant preservatives suspected of being carcinogenic — avoid
- E324 (ethoxyquin): banned in the EU but sometimes present via imports — absolutely avoid
- Artificial colorants (E127, E131): unnecessary for dogs who don't see colours the way we do
Prioritize: natural vitamin E (tocopherols), rosemary extract, vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
4. Adapt to breed and age
An obese Labrador doesn't have the same needs as an elderly Chihuahua:
- Large breeds (>25kg): need glucosamine/chondroitin for joints
- Small breeds: higher caloric density (small stomach, fast metabolism)
- Puppies: minimum 22.5% protein according to AAFCO, balanced calcium/phosphorus
- Seniors (>7 years for large breeds, >10 years for small): fewer calories, more fiber
5. Value for money
Dry food at €2/kg generally contains lots of filler (corn, wheat, by-products). Conversely, paying €8/kg doesn't guarantee superior quality — some premium brands live on their image.
An honest range for an average adult dog: €3 to €5/kg. Beyond that, the difference is often no longer nutritionally justified.
Our recommendation
To find the best product for YOUR dog, scan any dry food with SokoScan: we automatically analyze the 3 pillars (Nutrition, Ingredients, Risks) and personalize the score based on your pet's breed, age, weight and allergies.
Also consult our guide to the best dog dry food with the complete ranking.
The right score for YOUR dog
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