- Dog food manufacturers list ingredients by weight, with ingredients listed first being most prevalent in the food, according to the Dog Food Analysis website. As carnivores, dogs require a diet made up primarily of meats. High-quality foods specify a type of meat or meat meal first, while other ingredients are listed first in low-quality foods.
- Dry dog foods need to include grains in their formula to keep the kibble together. Low-quality foods have a higher percentage of grains as a primary ingredient. Higher-quality foods contain whole grains instead of grain fragments. When buying premium foods, look for those that use organic whole grains in small amounts.
- Low-quality dry dog food contains byproducts, unidentified meats or fats and controversial chemical preservatives such as BHT, BHA, ethoxyquin and propyl gallate. High-quality dog foods contain natural preservatives like vitamin E or rosemary, but they have a shorter shelf life. Dry dog foods with better-quality ingredients generally cost more than low-quality ones.
