Choose dry food by your dog's life stage first
The most important thing when choosing dry food is to match your dog's life stage. A growing puppy needs more protein and a different ratio of calcium to phosphorus to build its skeleton than an adult dog does, and an older dog needs a food that doesn't put unnecessary strain on the kidneys and joints. That's why the range is divided by age: Puppy & junior for dogs in growth, adult for the daily diet through most of life, and senior for older dogs. Start by finding the right age category, and narrow down from there by size and any special needs. If you're really in doubt about what to choose, the guide which dog food should I choose can take you through the considerations step by step.
How much dry food should your dog have per day
The daily amount depends on the dog's weight, age, activity level and on the food's own energy density. A food with a high meat and fat content is more filling in a smaller portion than a food full of fillers, so you can't simply transfer an amount from one brand to another. Every bag has a feeding guide printed on the back, and that is your starting point, not the final answer: if you weigh your dog at regular intervals and keep an eye on whether the waist is still clearly visible, you can adjust up or down from there. A dog that is gaining weight should have less, and an active dog typically more. If you want to calculate more precisely, how much dog food should my dog have goes through the relationship between weight and portion.
How to switch to a new dry food without stomach problems
A sudden food change is one of the most common causes of loose stools. The dog's gut flora needs time to get used to the new ingredients, and that typically takes about a week. The safe method is to mix gradually: for the first couple of days about a quarter new food and three quarters old, then half of each, then three quarters new, and finally fully onto the new food. If you keep an eye on the stools along the way and extend the transition a little if the stomach reacts, most dogs get through without problems. The full procedure is described in how to switch dog food.
Dry food for small and large breeds
Size means more than just the size of the portion. Large and heavy breeds grow over a longer period, and their joints and bones are stressed differently, so their puppy food needs a carefully balanced content of calcium and energy so they don't grow too quickly. Small breeds have a faster metabolism and a small mouth, where small kibbles are easier to chew. That's why the food comes in variants that suit the body build: For small dogs and for large dogs. For puppies you can also go directly by breed size, and the guide large dog breeds choices and meals elaborates on what's worth knowing if you have one of the larger breeds.
Grain-free dry food and dogs with a sensitive stomach
Some dogs react to grains or to certain protein sources with itching, poor digestion or loose stools. Here a grain-free food or an allergy-friendly food with a limited ingredient list can make a difference, because there are fewer possible triggers to keep track of. It is important to emphasise, however, that grain-free is not in itself healthier for a dog without problems, and that true food allergy is less widespread than many people think. If your dog has a delicate digestion, a selection has been gathered under sensitive stomach. If you're unsure whether grains are even the cause, why grain-free dog food gives a sober overview, and dog with a sensitive stomach collects the typical causes.
What a good dry food should contain
Look at the ingredient list, not just the front of the bag. The first ingredients make up the most, and here you want to see a named meat or fish source rather than vague terms like "animal by-products". A high meat content gives the dog easily absorbed proteins, and natural fats like fish oil contribute omega-3 for coat and skin. Avoid unnecessary colourings and flavourings and large amounts of cheap fillers. The declaration also states crude ash, which is simply the sum of the minerals left after combustion, and nothing suspicious in itself. If you want to be properly equipped to read a product declaration, what should good dog food contain goes through the points, and what does dog food contain explains the individual ingredients.
When your dog is picky about the dry food
A dog that sniffs at the bowl and moves on is not necessarily picky by nature. Often it's a matter of too many treats between meals, the food having been left out and lost its scent, or the portion simply being too large. Fixed feeding times, a bowl that is taken away again after fifteen minutes, and a food with a clear scent of meat help many dogs through. Some dogs also take better to the dry food when it's topped with a little pâté or moistened with lukewarm water. If you have a dog that consistently rejects dry food, dry food picky dogs and my dog won't eat dry food collect the concrete tips.
Try the food before you buy a large bag
Because a food change should happen gradually, and because dogs have different taste preferences, it makes good sense to test a food on a small scale before committing to a 10 kg bag. With sample meals you can let your dog taste it and see how the stomach responds to the new food, without ending up with a large bag the dog might not want. For puppies there are also complete packages where the right food for the breed size has been put together in advance, whether you have a small or large breed.
