The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Choose a food made for your pet’s species and life stage, then check the package’s nutritional adequacy statement to see whether it is intended as a complete diet. Use its calorie information and feeding directions as a starting point, and weigh your pet’s health, body condition, and preferences. For illness, unexpected weight changes, or a therapeutic diet, ask your veterinarian before switching.
How do I choose the best food for my dog or cat?
There is no single best food for every animal. The useful question is whether a particular food is nutritionally appropriate for your pet and practical to feed. Start with the animal, verify what the label promises, then compare portions, calories, and the manufacturer’s nutrition information.
Start with your pet’s needs
Note the species, age and life stage, body condition, activity, appetite, food preferences, and any known health needs. Dogs and cats have different nutrient requirements, and growing animals have different needs from adults. Pregnancy and nursing also affect nutritional needs. AAFCO’s consumer FAQ identifies species, life stage, and condition among the most important factors in choosing food.
If your pet is ill, is gaining or losing weight unexpectedly, or may need a therapeutic diet, ask a veterinarian for individualized advice rather than trying to solve the problem by switching foods alone. General label guidance is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan.
#1 Best Overall
- High Protein, Limited Ingredients, And Wysong Micronutrients… The Fundamentals
- Genetically Appropriate For Dogs And Cats. High Meat And Fat Content -- 40% Protein, 15% Fat. Low Glycemic Index
- Chicken And Brown Rice Based (With Organic Chicken As A Primary Ingredient), And A Host Of Beneficial Micronutrients
- Extremely Palatable. Contains Prebiotics, Probiotics, Enzymes, Nutraceuticals, Vitamins And Minerals. Formulated For Dogs And Cats Of All Sizes, Life Stages, And Breeds
- Wysong Has Been A Leader In Pet Nutrition Since 1979
How to read the nutritional adequacy statement
Find the nutritional adequacy statement, usually printed in small type on the back or side of the package. It identifies the intended species and life stage and indicates whether the food is intended to provide complete nutrition. AAFCO calls this statement the key to meeting a pet’s nutritional needs in its selection guide.
Complete and balanced versus supplemental
“Complete” means the food contains the required nutrients; “balanced” means those nutrients are present in appropriate ratios. A product labeled “for intermittent or supplemental feeding only” is not presented as an all-purpose complete diet. Treats and supplements generally belong alongside a complete diet, not in place of one. See AAFCO’s label guide for help interpreting package statements.
Rank #2
- Pedigree Goodness Promise: Every bowl of this dry dog food serves up to 100% complete adult nutrition supporting 6 health essentials, including digestion, immunity, skin & coat, heart, strong bones, and dental care
- Vitamin Goodbites: Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor recipe includes Vitamin Goodbites pieces with elevated levels of essential vitamins for a nutrient boost your dog will love
- Highly Digestible Dog Food Recipe: Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor provides prebiotic fiber to support healthy digestion
- Supports Healthy Immunity: This Pedigree dog kibble recipe is fortified with vitamins and minerals to support a healthy immune system
- High-Quality Pet Food: Pedigree dry dog food is a high-quality dog food recipe that provides protein to support strong muscles, including the heart
What the substantiation language tells you
A statement may say that a food is formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles or that its adequacy was substantiated through feeding tests using AAFCO procedures. Read the wording on the specific package: these are different substantiation approaches, not a simple ranking in which one automatically makes every product superior. AAFCO does not approve or certify individual products; its consumer FAQ explains its role and the label framework.
Match the food to life stage and condition
Common life-stage categories include gestation and lactation, growth, maintenance, and all life stages. A puppy or kitten needs a food intended for growth, while a healthy adult generally needs one intended for maintenance. Foods labeled for all life stages may give different feeding directions for growth, maintenance, and reproduction. Check that the statement covers your animal’s actual stage rather than assuming a food suitable for one stage is suitable for every pet.
Rank #3
- Contains one (1) 6.3-pound bag of Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food
- One hundred percent complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats
- High quality protein helps support strong, healthy muscles
- Produced in the U.S.A. from globally sourced ingredients
- Produced in the U.S.A. from globally sourced ingredients
Life-stage suitability does not establish suitability for a disease or special dietary need. If your veterinarian has recommended a therapeutic diet or your pet has a medical condition, follow that individualized guidance.
Use calories and feeding directions as a starting point
Check the calorie content in a unit you can portion consistently, such as per cup or can, and use the package’s feeding directions as an initial estimate. AAFCO notes that directions may need adjustment according to the animal’s activity and condition. Monitor your pet’s body condition and discuss meaningful changes with your veterinarian; a package chart cannot account for every individual.
Rank #4
- Purina Friskies Cat Food Dry Seafood Sensations With Salmon, Tuna, and Shrimp Flavors provides 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition.
- This cat-tastic cat kibble dry food has an extra layer of yum cats can’t resist.
- Contains protein to help support healthy muscles, giving your cats everything they need for climbing, jumping, and exploring
- Purrfect texture and flavor, with essential fatty acids for skin and coat health, vitamin A and taurine for vision support, and antioxidants for immune support for cats
- This cat dry food is formulated for all life stages.
Be careful when comparing wet and dry foods by calories per kilogram “as fed.” Canned food contains more moisture, which lowers its calorie figure by weight as served. That number alone does not show that one food is healthier. AAFCO explains calorie labeling and comparison in its calories guide.
Look beyond the ingredient list
An ingredient list does not tell you the quality of the ingredients or establish the overall nutritional quality of a food. Marketing phrases on the front of a package are not substitutes for the adequacy statement, feeding information, and answers from the manufacturer. WSAVA’s Global Nutrition Guidelines and nutritional assessment guidelines encourage a broader assessment.
Best Value
- Moist cat food made with fish and poultry for the tastes cats crave with savory gravy or sauce to add flavor and moisture
- Three tasty Friskies cat food recipes keep her interested in mealtime with tender textures to please her palate
- Tempting canned cat food aroma entices your cat to her dish, where she’ll be rewarded with 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats with no artificial colors or preservatives
- Adult cat food variety pack makes it easy to stock your cat's pantry
- Wet food for cats crafted by Purina, a trusted leader in pet nutrition, formulated to meet industry standards for cat food and checked for quality and safety
Contact the manufacturer if key information is unclear. Useful questions include:
- Who formulates the food, and what nutrition credentials do they have?
- Does the company employ qualified nutrition expertise?
- Is nutritional adequacy based on nutrient analysis, feeding trials, or another stated method?
- What quality-control processes are used, and where is the food made?
- Can the company provide nutrient and calorie information and relevant research?
WSAVA’s Global Nutrition Committee provides assessment tools; it says it does not endorse, approve, recommend, or support specific products or companies. Its materials are not a list of approved brands. See the committee’s page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A practical checklist for comparing two foods
When two foods appear plausible, compare the details that affect your pet rather than relying on a single front-of-package claim:
- Species and life stage: Does the adequacy statement match your dog or cat and the animal’s current stage?
- Purpose: Is it intended as a complete diet, or only for intermittent or supplemental feeding?
- Calories and portions: What is the calorie content per usable serving, and what starting portion does the package recommend?
- Individual fit: Does the food suit your pet’s health needs, body condition, appetite, and preferences?
- Practicality: Can you obtain it consistently, and does its price work for your household?
- Manufacturer information: Can the company answer questions about formulation expertise, adequacy substantiation, nutrient data, and quality control?
AAFCO’s 2023 consumer FAQ describes 37 nutritional parameters for dogs and 44 for cats in its nutrient profiles. These counts describe profile parameters; they are not a product score and do not prove that every food has been independently tested.
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- Identify your pet’s species, life stage, condition, and any health concerns.
- Read the package’s nutritional adequacy statement and confirm it is intended for that species and life stage.
- Check whether the product is a complete diet or a supplemental product.
- Compare calorie information and feeding directions, then treat the suggested portion as a starting estimate.
- Ask the manufacturer about formulation and quality control if important details are missing.
- Ask your veterinarian before choosing food to address illness, unexpected weight changes, or a therapeutic need.
AAFCO’s consumer labeling guidance is U.S.-oriented. Labeling and regulatory rules may differ elsewhere, so use the applicable package information and local veterinary guidance.
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