Pet stores and grocery stores have dozens of pet foods to choose from. They’re often from all over the globe, each touting a new flavor or dietary benefit, so it makes it difficult to choose a single one. As a paw-parent, you have to make an informed decision about what nutrition to provide your furry friend.
One thing is for sure, not all food brands are created equally. You want one that is affordable, nutritionally beneficial, and that your doggo enjoys eating each day. We’re here to narrow it down and make your life easier.
Best Supermarket Dog Foods
Supermarket dog food shopping can be risky. If you’re going to brave the aisles, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of foods that you can take comfort in, and foods you’ll be thankful to avoid.
Signs Your Dog Needs Better Food
When your dog receives adequate nutrition, they have the energy to play and have an increased quality of life. It can be difficult to gauge how your doggo should behave, especially if they’ve been eating the same food their entire life. But there are tell-tale signs they’re not getting the nutrition that they need.
-
-
- Lack of energy for their age & breed
- Dull looking coat
- Skin irritation
- Noticeable ear issues
- Hair is falling out or patchy
- Loose stools or constipation
- Gums are pale
- Significant loss or gaining weight
- Unusual behavioral issues
- They won’t touch their food, even when hungry
-
Don’t delay getting your dog a new brand of food. Nutrition is a key ingredient to maintaining their health, and in turn, you’ll have a happier pup and reduced veterinarian visits.
Supermarket Dog Food Brands to Avoid
Strolling the aisles of the supermarket is never much fun. But searching each bag for the best ingredients for your dog is downright dreadful. Here’s a quick breakdown of foods that will make your weekly grocery run much easier.
1. MyDog Dog Food
Their dog food comes in wet and dry dog food. This is the kind of food you wouldn’t want to pick up, unless you’re desperate in a convenience store in the middle of the night. Even then, you’d be better off making your dog rice to tide them over till morning. MyDog food is crammed with preservatives, and doesn’t market where it’s made or what kind of meat “by-product” is in it.
Out of the few ingredients listed, you’ll see everything you want to stay away from:
-
-
- Flavourings
- Preservatives
- Meat by-products
- Cereal proteins/ cereal grain
-
This is one you won’t want to pick up.
2. OPTIMUM™
OPTIMUM is an Australian-made dog food that says it supports joint health, healthy digestion, and strengthens the immune system through targeted ingredients. Their dog food looks like it achieves the kind of quality that you’re searching for. But in reality the first ingredients are “sorghum,” “corn” and “chicken digest” which are ingredients you don’t want to see on your pup ingredient list.
Do yourself a favor and don’t pick up a bag of this dog food. They advertise specific benefits, without listing the ingredients in prominent print. That’s a sure sign they’re hiding behind good advertising, instead of high-quality ingredients.
