In recent years, more and more pet owners are opting for commercial dog food from pet stores that contains a balanced composition and all the necessary elements for the proper growth and development of their pets. However, to ensure that feeding your dog a ready-made product is genuinely beneficial, it’s essential to select high-quality food based on specific criteria.
In this article, we will discuss the various classes of commercial dog food for both large and small breeds, their differences, an overview of popular manufacturers, and what to consider when purchasing dog food.
Classes of Dog Food and Their Features
Pet stores offer a wide variety of commercial dog food, including dry, wet, and canned options. Based on composition, quality, and price, dog food is categorized into several classes: economy, premium, super-premium, and holistic. Let’s look at the pros, cons, and other features of these different types of dog food.
Economy Class
Economy-class dog food is the most budget-friendly option, making it the most accessible product for the average buyer. However, such food typically lacks natural meat and is not sufficiently balanced. Manufacturers often include by-products from the food industry, questionable-quality meat by-products, soy meal, wheat, corn, and other plant-based proteins that are not very beneficial for animals.
Flavor is enhanced with various additives, flavor enhancers, and artificial flavorings. To make the product visually appealing, coloring agents are also added. These unnatural components can lead to quick habituation. Economy-class food is unlikely to benefit the animal and may even cause severe health issues. Prolonged feeding with economy-class food is particularly dangerous due to its low quality and lack of essential nutrients.
Veterinarians and experienced breeders strongly advise against feeding dogs economy-class food. This product can be used only in rare cases, and if possible, it should be completely replaced with higher-quality food or natural products.
Popular Economy-Class Brands:
- Vygodno
- Pedigree
- Mnyams
- Caesar
Premium Class
Premium-class food features a high-quality and balanced composition, with up to 30% natural meat and by-products, usually with rice as the main ingredient. This type of food contains a complex of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients essential for animal health.
The range of premium dog food available in pet stores includes a vast selection from various global manufacturers. According to experts, products made by reputable companies from the EU and the USA are of higher quality.
Super-Premium Class
Super-premium food is elite and the most expensive, containing top-quality, highly nutritious components. These products are certified and have an energy value of 360-470 kcal per 100 g.
The production uses select first-category meat and by-products, as well as boiled rice that is easily digestible for animals. This food is produced considering the digestive characteristics of dogs and has a natural taste and appetizing aroma. There are no preservatives, colorings, or other chemical elements in the composition.
Super-premium food lines include options for different age groups and breeds, as well as special therapeutic and dietary compositions recommended for feeding during the prevention and treatment of various diseases.
Holistic Class
Holistic food is of the highest quality and maximally beneficial for animals. Its balanced composition includes select meat, quality by-products, and natural sources of vitamins and other nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, and berries. This food is the most expensive but provides dogs with all the necessary elements for healthy growth and proper development.
Popular Holistic Brands:
- Pronature Holistic
- Grandorf
- Farmina
Top Rated Dog Foods
We offer a ranking of the best premium and super-premium dog foods, based on reviews from veterinarians and breeders of various breeds.
Top 10:
- 1st Choice – Canadian food. Price: 500-700 RUB/kg.
- Monge – High-quality Italian product. Average price: 450 RUB for an 800 g package.
- Clan Classic – Russian food. Price: starting at 430 RUB/kg.
- Brit Care – Czech product. Price: starting at 400 RUB/kg.
- Pronature – Super-premium food from Canada. Price: 550-850 RUB/kg.
- Pro Plan – Quality food made in Russia by a French manufacturer. Average price: 500 RUB/kg.
- Royal Canin – Country of origin: France. Price: 350-700 RUB/kg.
What to Consider When Buying Dog Food
When purchasing dog food, the first thing to look at is the composition. It should be high-quality and balanced, free from harmful components that could endanger the animal’s health.
The packaging of the food always contains information about which dogs it is intended for—puppies, adults, or senior dogs; small or large breeds; sterilized, pregnant, allergic, etc. Thanks to the manufacturer’s recommendations, each owner can choose suitable food for their beloved pet, taking into account their age, health, and other important factors.
Also, pay attention to the expiration date and storage conditions of the product.
Prefer high-quality commercial foods from reputable global manufacturers. Avoid trying to save money by buying low-quality economy-class products for your dog, as this can lead to even greater expenses for treating an animal that lacks essential nutrients for its body.