There are various dog food ratings websites online, and while many of them are filled with well researched, valuable information I think it’s important to take heed to the fact that there are many different views on what makes a dog food high quality and healthy for our pooches. For example, many dog food ratings websites like to rate grain-less, meat heavy dog foods at the top of their lists, and while few would disagree that the primary ingredient in any high quality dog food should be meat, there are some that would wonder if the protein content in some of the “top rated” dog foods is too high.
Of course, many will say that dogs descend from wolves and so they then should eat an amount of protein similar to what a wolf would receive from their natural diets. However, most dogs now have lifestyles that are very different from their wolf ancestors, and while most good dog owners take their pet on a daily walk, they do not receive the kind of exercise that would warrant a very high protein diet. In fact, there have been many reports of supposed high quality, high protein dog kibbles contributing to kidney issues in dogs, as the protein found in such foods is too high to be compatible with the lifestyles of dogs today.
Others would say that dogs who experience kidney issues on a high protein diet must have had a preexisting condition in the first place, and that said diets should be fine for dogs in good health. The truth of the matter is that there is no consensus and much debate over which of these points of view is true. However, few would debate that foods found at the top of any dog food ratings should contain high quality ingredients free of byproducts, fillers and allergens (many dogs are allergic to ingredients like corn and wheat, which are major ingredients in many low grade dog foods).
We at GoodDogBreeds.com tend to take a more conservative approach in our dog food ratings, and prefer to give top marks to foods containing top quality ingredients (human grade is best), with a protein level that is adequate without being likely too high for the lifestyles of most family dogs. We note that working dogs may be able to process higher protein diets effectively, however our dog food ratings are designed with the family dog in mind. With all that said, here are our dog food ratings:
Halo Spot’s Stew Dry Formula – This is the dog food brand affiliated with Ellen Degeneres, and if you watch her show you may have even seen her sample some herself. We place Halo high on our Dog Food Ratings because they use high quality human grade ingredients, no fillers or by-products, and provide an overall well balanced formula for dogs to enjoy.
Wellness Super5Mix Small Breed – A great option for small breeds. While Wellness in general uses good quality ingredients in their dog foods, we are weary of many of their formulas due to their inclusion of canola oil. However, the small breed Super5Mix is free of canola oil and features high quality meat ingredients without overdoing it on the protein content, so it warrants a high placement in many dog food ratings.
Timberwolf Organics Southwest Chicken Canid Formula – Timberwolf Organics Southwest Chicken Canid Formula is another well balanced kibble that uses high quality ingredients such as chicken, turkey and salmon. This formula lists meat as the first three ingredients, however does not go into too high of a protein amount for the average dog. Our Dog Food Ratings team likes that salmon oil as well as flax seed are included in the Timberwolf Organics Southwest Chicken Canid Formula, as those ingredients provide for healthy Omega 6 and Omega 3 properties in the kibble.
Chicken Soup For The Dog Lover’s Soul – This is a great choice for families on a budget, as Chicken Soup For The Dog Lover’s Soul is a higher quality food with a price comparative to many low grade foods. So, instead of trying to save money by compromising your dog’s health with brands like Pedigree, Purina Beneful or Dog Chow, you can keep your budget in check while feeding your dog a higher quality food like Chicken Soup for The Dog Lover’s Soul.
Artemis Fresh Mix Adult – Artemis Fresh Mix provides one of the most well balanced, high quality kibbles on the market. They use quality ingredients like real chicken and turkey, and have meat listed at the top four ingredients in their food. Add in a variety of fruit and vegetables and our Dog Food Ratings team is confident in giving this kibble high marks.
Dog Food Ratings
There are various dog food ratings websites online, and while many of them are filled with well researched, valuable information I think it’s important to take heed to the fact that there are many different views on what makes a dog food high quality and healthy for our pooches. For example, many dog food ratings websites like to rate grain-less, meat heavy dog foods at the top of their lists, and while few would disagree that the primary ingredient in any high quality dog food should be meat, there are some that would wonder if the protein content in some of the “top rated” dog foods is too high.
Of course, many will say that dogs descend from wolves and so they then should eat an amount of protein similar to what a wolf would receive from their natural diets. However, most dogs now have lifestyles that are very different from their wolf ancestors, and while most good dog owners take their pet on a daily walk, they do not receive the kind of exercise that would warrant a very high protein diet. In fact, there have been many reports of supposed high quality, high protein dog kibbles contributing to kidney issues in dogs, as the protein found in such foods is too high to be compatible with the lifestyles of dogs today.
Others would say that dogs who experience kidney issues on a high protein diet must have had a preexisting condition in the first place, and that said diets should be fine for dogs in good health. The truth of the matter is that there is no consensus and much debate over which of these points of view is true. However, few would debate that foods found at the top of any dog food ratings should contain high quality ingredients free of byproducts, fillers and allergens (many dogs are allergic to ingredients like corn and wheat, which are major ingredients in many low grade dog foods).
We at GoodDogBreeds.com tend to take a more conservative approach in our dog food ratings, and prefer to give top marks to foods containing top quality ingredients (human grade is best), with a protein level that is adequate without being likely too high for the lifestyles of most family dogs. We note that working dogs may be able to process higher protein diets effectively, however our dog food ratings are designed with the family dog in mind. With all that said, here are our dog food ratings:
Halo Spot’s Stew Dry Formula – This is the dog food brand affiliated with Ellen Degeneres, and if you watch her show you may have even seen her sample some herself. We place Halo high on our Dog Food Ratings because they use high quality human grade ingredients, no fillers or by-products, and provide an overall well balanced formula for dogs to enjoy.
Wellness Super5Mix Small Breed – A great option for small breeds. While Wellness in general uses good quality ingredients in their dog foods, we are weary of many of their formulas due to their inclusion of canola oil. However, the small breed Super5Mix is free of canola oil and features high quality meat ingredients without overdoing it on the protein content, so it warrants a high placement in many dog food ratings.
Timberwolf Organics Southwest Chicken Canid Formula – Timberwolf Organics Southwest Chicken Canid Formula is another well balanced kibble that uses high quality ingredients such as chicken, turkey and salmon. This formula lists meat as the first three ingredients, however does not go into too high of a protein amount for the average dog. Our Dog Food Ratings team likes that salmon oil as well as flax seed are included in the Timberwolf Organics Southwest Chicken Canid Formula, as those ingredients provide for healthy Omega 6 and Omega 3 properties in the kibble.
Chicken Soup For The Dog Lover’s Soul – This is a great choice for families on a budget, as Chicken Soup For The Dog Lover’s Soul is a higher quality food with a price comparative to many low grade foods. So, instead of trying to save money by compromising your dog’s health with brands like Pedigree, Purina Beneful or Dog Chow, you can keep your budget in check while feeding your dog a higher quality food like Chicken Soup for The Dog Lover’s Soul.
Artemis Fresh Mix Adult – Artemis Fresh Mix provides one of the most well balanced, high quality kibbles on the market. They use quality ingredients like real chicken and turkey, and have meat listed at the top four ingredients in their food. Add in a variety of fruit and vegetables and our Dog Food Ratings team is confident in giving this kibble high marks.