Note: this text is informative and does not replace veterinary care. Before changing your dog's diet — especially for puppies, pregnant or nursing bitches, or dogs with health issues — consult your veterinarian, ideally a veterinary nutritionist.
- Good food is recognised by a completeness statement (FEDIAF/AAFCO) for the right life stage and by a transparent manufacturer.
- More important than trendy ingredients are expert formulation, quality control and testing.
- For small breeds (terriers, Yorkie): frequent meals, energy-dense food, small kibble, dental care.
This is the third and final part of the nutrition series (part one: raw, cooked, kibble; part two: by life stage). Here I answer the question I hear most often: "Which food is good and how do I choose it?"
How to recognise good food
Rather than getting caught in marketing, I recommend asking a few level-headed questions (based on WSAVA guidelines):
- Does the manufacturer employ a veterinary nutritionist?
- Who formulated the recipe, and on what basis?
- Is the food verified by feeding trials or only by calculation?
- What is the quality control, and can they provide a precise nutrient analysis?
- Does the packaging carry a completeness statement for the right life stage (growth / maintenance; a special statement for large breeds)?
Ingredient quality and energy
Quality food clearly states its protein source, has suitable energy density and an appropriate nutrient ratio. "Natural" or "grain-free" does not by itself mean better — balance and proven performance matter more. Always consider the dog’s body condition and adjust the amount to it, not only to the label (labels often overestimate needs).
Feeding small breeds
As I breed small breeds — black and chocolate terriers (black and chocolate Yorkie) and Biewer Terriers — let me highlight what applies to them:
- Frequent meals, especially for puppies (hypoglycaemia risk).
- Energy-dense food — small dogs eat little but need much per kilogram of weight.
- Small kibble, suited to a tiny mouth.
- Dental care — small breeds are more prone to plaque; regular checks and care matter.
Three common myths
- "Raw is always better." There is no evidence for this; it does bring risks (see part one).
- "Meat and rice are enough." Without supplements such food is not complete (Stockman et al., 2013).
- "Grains are harmful." For most dogs they are not; overall balance matters more.
End of the series
To sum up all three parts: what matters is not which "camp" the food comes from, but that it is complete, balanced, safe and suited to the dog’s life stage. Each method can be good if done right — and harmful if not. For decisions about your own dog, your first address should always be your veterinarian.
Our nutrition partner 🐾PLATINUM — natural food with at least 70% fresh meatI feed my dogs Platinum combined with raw food. See the products and offers at platinum.si →References
Freeman LM, Chandler ML, Hamper BA, Weeth LP (2013). Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats. JAVMA 243(11):1549–1558.
Stockman J, Fascetti AJ, Kass PH, Larsen JA (2013). Evaluation of recipes of home-prepared maintenance diets for dogs. JAVMA 242(11):1500–1505.
FEDIAF. Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs.
NRC (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. National Academies Press.
WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee. Global Nutrition Guidelines; Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods.
VCA Animal Hospitals. Nutritional Considerations for Large and Giant Breed Dogs.
Purina Pro Club. Canine Nutrition During Pregnancy and Lactation.
The Kennel Club. Feeding mum from whelping to weaning.
Note: this text does not replace veterinary care; for specific decisions (especially calcium in pregnant bitches) follow your veterinarian's advice.
