Fueling Happy Tails Exploring the Quality of True Meals Dog Food

Best and worst dog food brands

There are hundreds of dog food options available, from dry to grain-free to raw, but which ones will have your furry friend licking the bowl clean?

We surveyed 2,304 dog owners about the pet food they buy to uncover the brands that customers (and their dogs) love and which offer the best value for money.

See how brands such as Burns, Harringtons and Royal Canin are rated by customers, as well as supermarket options from the likes of Aldi and Lidl.

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Dog food brands rated

Our top-scoring dog food brand achieved an impressive customer score of 82%, and five-star ratings for how much pets liked it, as well as their wellbeing when eating it.

At the other end of the scale, two brands scored less than 60%, with just two stars out of five each for how healthy the dog seemed when eating food from that brand.

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Make sure your furry friend is covered see our guide to the best pet insurance for your dog

How to choose the best dog food for your pet

Deciphering all the pet nutrition information on the internet can seem like an impossible task. It can range from confusing to completely contradictory.

We spoke to real pet nutrition researchers to understand what actually matters. Good news: it isnt as complicated as it seems.

The most important part of choosing a food is actually monitoring your pet, said Dr Teresa Hollands, senior lecturer in veterinary nutrition at the University of Surrey. If you're feeding your pet a particular brand of food, and they have plenty of energy and seem well in themselves, then you are on the right track.

Dr Nigel Kendall, lecturer in nutrition at the University of Nottingham, agreed: If your pet is on completely the wrong diet, then there will be physical signs.

Signs that your pet is eating a nutritious diet, and the right food for their needs, include:

• good overall health
• plenty of energy
• good sleeping habits
• regularly passing firm stools
• maintaining a healthy weight.

Also a cat owner? See our guide to thebest and worst cat food brands

How to feed your dog the best and healthiest diet

As well as choosing the right food, you can also maximise the nutritional value of your pets diet by feeding them in the right way.

We spoke with Dr David Gardner, professor of physiology at the University of Nottingham, to find out more:

Choosing a complete food

Start by making sure you are feeding your pet a complete food, he said. Thats really important, but it isnt always clearly labelled.

Complete foods are designed to give your pet all the nutrients they need, so you can feed them the same thing every day without causing a nutritional imbalance or deficit.

Weighing your pet food

David also highlighted the importance of weighing your pets food every time you feed them.

Remember, you may not notice that you're overfeeding your pet if you increase the size of their feed very slightly each day.

Varying your pet food

If you want to take additional steps to ensure your pet is getting the best nutrition, David also suggested varying the food you give them, provided that this doesnt upset their stomach.

These changes could be as small as varying the flavour of food that you give to your pet.

If you buy a bag of lamb dog food one month, try the chicken next time, David suggested.

If you do want to try changing the type or brand of your pet food, remember to do so gradually. Your pet's meal should be no more than 25% new food for the first couple of days, increasing over the course of a week.

Dogs can be fussy, so know that varying your pet food is not essential. The main thing is that they eat and enjoy their food and that it's nutritionally complete.

Best dog harnesses see our pick of the best and worst as tested by dog owners

Is wet or dry dog food better?

Both wet and dry foods can be nutritionally complete, meaning that they should contain all the nutrients your pet needs. That means there is no significant advantage to either food type.

David recommended feeding your pet a mixture of wet and dry food.

Evidence suggests that there are slight differences in the nutritional composition of wet and dry food. That means you are going to cover more nutrients if you mix them together.

If you want to feed your dog exclusively one type of food, then wet food does tend to be more appealing. However, it is often more expensive and it can predispose pets to dental disease.

In contrast, dry food is beneficial to dogs teeth and gums, and it is usually easier and cheaper to use and store. Just make sure that your dog has access to plenty of fresh water, as they will not be getting hydration from their food.

Best food and drinkwe've rated the tastiest food for humans too. Discover our top picks, from chicken soup to red wine

Can dogs be vegan?

Yes, provided you are careful about the type of food you give them.

There are commercial dog foods available that are vegetarian or vegan and nutritionally complete.

Some people may want to prepare homemade vegetarian or vegan meals for their dog, which is not typically recommended by experts.

This is because evidence suggests that homemade food (including meat-based diets) is typically not nutritionally complete even when people follow recipes labelled as such.

Is raw food good for dogs?

Raw pet food has become more popular over the past few years, especially for dogs, but experts don't generally recommend it.

I would not recommend a raw food diet due to the risk to human health, says Dr Heather Bacon, dean of veterinary medicine at the University of Central Lancashire.

Bacteria present in raw meat can include salmonella, listeria, campylobacter and E-coli. These cause significant illness in humans and animals, particularly young, old and immune-compromised individuals.

These can be spread around the house during food preparation and eating. They can also be passed from animals to humans if your pet kisses your face after eating.

All of these bacteria are destroyed when meat is correctly cooked.

How much should my dog weigh?

According to a 2022 survey by UK Pet Food, 50% of dogs (and 43% of cats) are overweight or obese.

Your pet being overweight can have a huge impact on its quality of life, including limiting their ability to exercise or sleep properly. According to the RSPCA, it also predisposes them to illness including:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• cancer.

How to if tell your dog is overweight

Dr Teresa Hollands recommends an easy method for checking your pets weight.

Create a fist with your hand, and feel your knuckles with your fingers, she said. If your pets ribs feel like that, they are underweight.

Then lay your hand flat, and feel your knuckles again. If their ribs feel like that, they are the perfect weight.

Finally, keep your hand flat, turn your hand over, and run your fingers over the pads on your palm at the base of your fingers. If their ribs feel like that, they are overweight.

Physical signs that your dog is overweight

• Very thin(more than 20% below ideal body weight) Ribs, spine and hip bones easily seen (in short-haired pets), obvious loss of muscle bulk, no fat can be felt under the skin.
• Underweight (10-20% below ideal body weight)Ribs, spine and hip bones easily seen, obvious waist and abdominal tuck, very little fat can be felt under the skin.
• IdealRibs, spine and hip bones easily felt, visible waist and abdominal tuck, small amount of fat can be felt.
• Overweight(10-15% above ideal body weight): Ribs, spine and hip bones are hard to feel, waist barely visible, broad back, layer of fat on belly and at base of tail.
• Obese (more than 15% above ideal body weight)Ribs, spine and hip bones extremely difficult to feel under a thick layer of fat, no waist can be seen and belly may droop significantly, heavy fat pads on lower back and at base of the tail.

How we rated dog food brands

To uncover the best and worst dog food brands, in July 2023 we surveyed 2,304 Which? members who had bought dog food recently, and asked all about their experiences with their chosen brand.

We asked them to rate the brand on various attributes including value for money, how their dog responded to the food, and its perceived wellbeing on the food.

Overall customer scores are based on how satisfied customers were with the brand overall and whether or not they would recommend it.

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Is True meals a good dog food?

Awesome and nutritional The True Meals Multi-Protein Adult dog food was a great hit with our 2 dogs!! This dog food is very nutritional with a lot of proteins and all natural with vitamins, minerals and amino acids which are a great asset to adult dogs.

What is the #1 recommended dog food?

Best Overall: Purina Pro Plan In addition to wet and dry options, Purina Pro Plan formulas include food nutritionally designed for adult dogs, puppies of various sizes, senior dogs, and specialized diet support for overweight dogs, sensitive stomachs, and more.

Does True Chews make a dog food?

The answer is True. Our dog food combines deliciousness with real protein, vegetables and grains so your best friend can enjoy the benefits of many nutrients from one True Meals Dog Food bag.

What is the healthiest dog food recommended by vets?

• Wellness Natural Food for Dogs.
• Castor & Pollux.
• Kirkland Pet Foods.
• Nutro Ultra.
• The Honest Kitchen.
• Natural Balance.
• Royal Canin.
• Purina Pro Plan.

What dog food does Tyson make?

Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, ibp, and State Fair.

Does Tyson Own Blue Buffalo?

General Mills entered the pet food category in 2018 when it acquired Blue Buffalo Pet Products, Inc. for approximately $8 billion. Pet food is a high-growth category, fueled by the humanization of pets, a trend that has only increased during the pandemic, said Bethany Quam, General Mills group president, Pet segment.

What ingredients should I avoid in dog food?

• Corn and wheat gluten.
• Meat and grain meals and by-products.
• BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
• BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
• Ethoxyquin.
• Food Dyes (Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, 4-MIE)
• PG (Propylene Glycol)
• Rendered fat.

What brand of dog food do dogs like best?

• Ollie. This high-quality, freshly prepared, human-grade dog food will be virtually irresistible for even the pickiest of pooches.
• The Farmers Dog.
• Hills Science Diet.
• Rachael Ray Nutrish.
• Lucy Pet Formulas For Life.
• Royal Canin.
• Purina Pro Plan.
• Taste of the Wild.

Why do vets recommend Royal Canin?

Vets recommend Royal Canin so highly because there is a veterinary nutritionist on staff who makes sure that the ingredients in the food are of high quality and the diet is nutritionally balanced to get the needs of the dog.

Are True Chews healthy?

True Chews is a premium and healthy dog treats that is always made with 100% natural ingredients, all sourced and made 100% in the USA with no artificial flavors and no artificial preservatives just nutritious ingredients, and premium cuts of meat, chicken, and fish are always first.

Where are true chews made?

True Chews Premium Jerky Cuts Dog Treats Made with Real Chicken are 100% natural and made in the USA.

Did top chews go out of business?

MINNEAPOLIS General Mills announced July 6 it has successfully completed its acquisition of Tyson Foods pet treat business, which includes its Nudges, Top Chews and True Chews brands.

What food do dog nutritionist recommend?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekx6WGBFVak

Do vets recommend grain free dog food?

When it comes to the question of grain-free diets, veterinarians recommended that dogs be fed a grain-inclusive diet unless there is a reason that makes it unsuitable. One thing to always look out for when choosing a food is an adequacy statement on the label.

Is grain free better for dogs?

While your dog needs carbohydrates to produce energy, too many of them can contribute to obesity, the wrong bacteria in the gut and a lack of energy. So, if a dog food is labeled grain free but the grains are replaced with other ingredients, its not necessarily a healthier option for your dog.

Who bought Tyson?

MINNEAPOLIS(BUSINESS WIRE)General Mills (NYSE: GIS) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) pet treats business for $1.2 billion in cash. The business, which includes the Nudges, Top Chews and True Chews brands, is the leader in natural meat treats for pets.

What dog food brands are owned by General Mills?

Blue Buffalo was acquired in April 2018 for $8 billion. 3 With the addition of Blue Buffalo, General Mills became the leader in the Wholesome Natural pet food category. Blue Buffalo sells dry food, wet food, and treats for dogs and cats.

Does General Mills own Blue Buffalo?

Since its acquisition of Blue Buffalo in 2018, General Mills has delivered significant growth for the pet food and treat brand.

Who makes Blue Buffalo dry dog food?

Blue Buffalo is owned by U.S. food company, General Mills. All of the brands dog food products are produced in the United States. Blue Buffalo owns and operates 2 manufacturing facilities.

Who makes diamond dog food?

Who Makes Diamond Dog Food? Diamond is made by family-owned Diamond Pet Foods, of Meta, Missouri. All dry foods are produced at the companys own facilities in South Carolina, California, Arkansas and Missouri. Wet recipes are made by a private-label cannery in the United States.

What dog food is killing dogs right now?

A pet food recall is widening after the Food and Drug Administration announced that more than two dozen dogs died after eating Sportmix brand dry kibble. The statement issued on Monday said that the suspect is aflatoxin, a byproduct of a corn mold Aspergillus flavus, which at high levels can kill pets.

What should the first ingredient be in dog food?

The first five ingredients of your dogs food should always start with protein. Dogs are omnivores, so they receive energy and nutrients from both plant and animal nutrients. But protein is essential to their muscle and tissue development, immune system health, energy, and healthy skin and nails.

Are sweet potatoes good for dogs?

Why Sweet Potatoes Are Good for Dogs. Sweet potatoes provide an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps the digestive system function more effectively. Eating fiber on a regular basis lowers the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancers.

What is the best dry dog food for picky dogs?

1. Ollie Hearty Beef Eats.
2. A Pup Above.
3. Nom Nom.
4. Stella & Chewy Freeze Dried Mix-Ins.
5. Instinct Raw Boost.
6. Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Beef and Rice Formula.
7. Taste of the Wild Salmon Recipe.
8. Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe.

What brand of dog food is good for picky eaters?

The Purina Pro Plan Salmon & Rice Formula is a high-quality, real salmon and rice diet. Its been designed to meet the demands of all life stages and dog breeds. Salmon & Rice, Chicken & Rice, and Beef & Rice are just a few of the flavors available.