Understanding dog food: What ends up in the bowl – and why it’s important

Proper nutrition is crucial for a dog's health and well-being. But with the vast selection of complete foods available, it can be difficult for dog owners to make the best choice for their four-legged friend. Every manufacturer promises the highest quality and optimal nutritional support – but what's the most important thing?

In addition to individual factors such as digestion, living conditions and the general health of the dog, it is essential to understand and critically examine the ingredients in the complete food.

A good dog food should fully meet the dog's nutritional needs, be balanced, and avoid excessive amounts of any ingredients. Bioavailability —that is, the dog's ability to optimally absorb and utilize the nutrients contained in the food—is also important. Not only the composition but also the various processing methods of the food play a crucial role here.

Complete food variants (dog food) for dogs

• dry food

• wet food

• Ready-made BARF / fresh food / dog food from the refrigerated section

• BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) & PREY (Prey)

• Home-cooked complete food

BARF & PREY and home-cooked complete food will not be specifically discussed in this blog article, as this would go beyond the scope of the blog article.

Complete food: dry or wet?

Complete food is mainly divided into two categories: dry food and wet food . Both types of food have their own characteristics and should be selected individually for each dog.

dry food

Dry food is particularly convenient because it has a long shelf life and is easy to dose. However, there are significant differences in nutritional quality depending on the manufacturing process.

Extruded dry food

In this method, the ingredients are mixed into a dough and then pressed into pellet form under high pressure and temperatures of up to 200 °C.

✅ Cheap, widely used, long shelf life

❌ The high heat can destroy nutrients, which is why they must be supplemented synthetically afterwards.

Cold-pressed dry food

The ingredients are processed at lower temperatures (approximately 70–110 °C) and then pressed.

✅ Gentler processing, more nutrients are retained, does not swell in the stomach and is easier to digest.

❌ Can spoil faster than extruded food.

Baked dry food

With this method, the food is processed into a dough and then slowly baked in the oven.

✅ Nutrients are largely retained, crispy consistency, often grain-free.

❌ Less common, often more expensive than extruded feed.

Pellets / Pressed tablets

The ingredients are ground, mixed and formed into pellets or pressed tablets under pressure.

✅ Gentler production than extruded feed, which allows for better nutrient utilization.

❌ Less choice, not all dogs like the consistency.

Air-dried or freeze-dried dry food

By removing the moisture, the food remains shelf-stable without the need for high temperatures.

✅ High bioavailability, very natural ingredients.

❌ Less common, more expensive than conventional dry food.

wet food

Wet food has a high moisture content (60-85%) and is therefore particularly good for dogs that drink little or have digestive problems.

Classic canned food

Wet food in cans or trays consists of meat, offal, vegetable ingredients and often broth or gelatin.

✅ Easily digestible, long shelf life, high moisture content.

❌ Requires more storage space & must be kept airtight and refrigerated once opened.

Sausage-shaped wet food (sausage rolls)

This food is filled into natural or artificial casings and has a firm consistency.

✅ Conveniently portionable, often without preservatives.

❌ Must be stored airtight and refrigerated after opening.

Frozen and fresh food (BARF alternative)

Available frozen or in freshness bags, it consists of raw meat, vegetables, offal and oils.

✅ Natural nutrients are largely retained, artificial additives are rarely used.

❌ Requires hygienic handling and sufficient space in the freezer or refrigerator.

Semi-moist wet food (soft food)

This food contains 20-40% moisture and therefore has a softer consistency than dry food.

✅ Particularly suitable for dogs with dental problems.

❌ Shorter shelf life after opening, often containing preservatives.

Natural & balanced

BARF is based on a dog's natural diet: The food ration is composed as balanced as possible, with a fixed ratio between meat and plant-based components. This ratio can serve as a guide for daily feeding.

🥩 1. Animal components ( ≈ 70–80 %)

🥦 2. Plant components ( ≈ 20–30 %)

➕ 3. Additives (as needed)

When it comes to dog food, many people first look at the protein/meat content or the brand – but the real difference is often in the fine print. In addition to the ingredients themselves, the quality of the raw materials used is crucial. And that's exactly where a look at the packaging is worth it.

Examples:

• Chicken meat (muscle meat, heart, liver) from country chicken vs. poultry protein

• Lamb meat (muscle meat, heart, liver) from pasture-fed lamb vs. lamb protein

Ingredients that are not clearly named or are difficult to understand make me doubt whether the food in question is a suitable choice for my dog.

An important point that deserves more attention is the so-called declaration. That is, how precisely manufacturers specify what's in the product. Here, a basic distinction is made between closed, semi-open, and open declarations.

To keep things simple, this blog post will focus on the two most important variants: the open and closed declaration. Let's take a closer look at the differences—and what you should pay attention to.

📦 What does “closed declaration” mean?

In a closed declaration, the manufacturer lists the ingredients only in groups or collective terms – without precise quantities or exact components.

❌ Examples of closed declaration:

• “Meat and animal by-products”

• "Poultry protein"

• "Grain"

• “Vegetable by-products”

• “Oils and fats”

• “Minerals”

➡️ You don't know :

• What types of meat were used (chicken, beef, pork?)

• Which offal or by-products are included

• How high the meat content actually is

• For example, whether the food suddenly contains corn instead of rice (allergy risk?)

✅ Opposite: Open declaration

Here all ingredients are listed individually and precisely , including type of meat, proportion, origin, etc.

Example:

• "30% fresh chicken"

• "20% sweet potato"

• "5% carrots"

• "Origin: Lake Constance region"

🐶 Why is this important?

• In case of allergies or intolerances

• If you value quality and transparency

• If you want to avoid constantly varying the recipe

Conclusion

Choosing the right food depends on your dog's individual needs. In addition to deciding between dry or wet food, the quality of the raw materials and their processing play a key role . A conscious examination of the ingredients helps you find the best nutrition for your dog. As dog owners, we bear responsibility for what ends up in their bowl – a balanced, high-quality diet is an important building block for a long and happy dog life. ❤️