How to Choose the Best Dog Food (Complete Buyer’s Guide)
- Ryan Rothon
- Feb 20
- 4 min read
Choosing the best dog food isn’t about marketing claims, trendy ingredients, or flashy packaging.
It’s about getting a clear understand of:
Ingredient quality
Processing methods
Digestibility
Nutritional balance
EU regulatory standards
If you’re searching for the best dog food in Europe, this guide will show you exactly what to look for, and what to avoid.
1. Start With “Complete & Balanced” (EU Standards Matter)
In the EU, reputable dog foods should meet nutritional guidelines set by:
FEDIAF
European Commission
Look for wording such as:
“Complete pet food for adult dogs”
This means the food meets established nutritional profiles and can be fed as the sole diet.
If it says “complementary,” it’s not nutritionally complete.
2. Check the Ingredient List (Carefully and in Detail) 🔎
Ignore the front of the bag. Turn it over.
✅ What You Want to See:
Clearly named meat sources (e.g., chicken, duck, salmon)
Meat or fish listed first
Identifiable ingredients
Natural preservatives
Around 30% dry meat content (if you see 'fresh chicken/pork/beef' or just or 'chicken/pork/beef' etc then divide the stated percentage by 3 to get a rough estimate of the dry meat content. Fresh meat contains up to 70%+ water).
🚩 Red Flags:
“Animal derivatives” (unspecified)
Artificial colours
Artificial flavour enhancers
Excessive ash content
Sugar added (yes, some foods do this)
High-quality dog food is transparent.
3. Understand Processing: Not All “Dry Food” Is the Same
Most supermarket/pet shop kibble is extruded at very high temperatures. This:
Can reduce nutrient integrity
Often requires synthetic additives afterwards
Produces very hard, dense kibble
Cold pressed dog food is processed differently:
Lower temperatures
Gentle pressure
Better nutrient preservation
Breaks down more naturally in the stomach
This is one reason many owners searching for premium dog food in Europe explore cold pressed options.
Other options include raw food and tinned foods. While these are also very natural and generally great options, they can be expensive and hard to balance/prepare. That's why most owners look for a dry option long term.
4. Look at Protein Quality, Not Just Percentage!
A food boasting “30% protein” means nothing if:
The protein comes from low-quality by-products
It’s heavily plant-based filler
Digestibility is low
Instead, look for:
Named meat sources (chicken not 'poultry' as that is too generic)
Animal-based protein dominance (Is meat the main ingredient?)
Balanced amino acid profile
More protein isn’t always better. Better protein is better.
5. Watch the Carbohydrate Sources
Dogs don’t need excessive carbohydrates. But it is a great source of healthy clean energy and a key part of a balanced diet. You want to be wary of both TOO MUCH and TOO LITTLE carbs. Also consider the quality.
Better carbohydrate sources:
Rice (Brown)
Sweet potato
Oats
Less desirable:
Excess wheat fillers
Cheap corn-heavy formulas
Balanced energy matters more than carb elimination.
6. Digestibility Is Everything
The best dog food is the one your dog thrives on.
Signs a food suits your dog:
Firm, small stools
Healthy coat
Stable energy
Good muscle tone
No chronic bloating
If stools are consistently large, loose, or frequent, the food may not be well absorbed.
7. Consider Your Dog’s Individual Needs
The best dog food for:
A senior Labrador is different from
A working Border Collie
Or a small indoor Maltese
Think about:
Activity level
Age
Weight
Digestive sensitivity
Breed tendencies
There is no universal “best.” There is only best for your dog.
That said, there are some general rules to consider. For puppies (up to 12/18 months look for higher protein levels and avoid low protein or adult/elderly specific recipes. You can feed 'all life stages' foods as long as they suggest a higher per day food amount for a puppy. Contact the brand if you need any more specific advice.
For adult dogs (normal activity level) you should prioritise named meat sources and moderate fat levels. Look for balanced recipes with meat, carbs, veggies, fruits, herbs and oils. Avoid fillers and poor quality ingredients (Cereals or chemicals). This is the food that will support them in their main years so you want something that is giving them nutritional benefits. For more active adults you just need something with higher protein (higher meat) and more fat.
For senior dogs (7 years+) go for high digestibility (this often means simpler recipes with a balance of meat and carbs, rice is good for digestion) and Joint-supporting ingredients (like Green Lipped Mussel Meat).
For weight management, look for higher protein with moderate fat and low starch content (no starchy veggies etc) and for sensitive stomachs you want clearly names proteins (single source is better, white Fish is perfect and make sure there is no hidden animal fat). For any food, the processing is important so prioritise any food that uses lower temperatures to prepare as this preserves the nutrients.
So… What Is the Best Dog Food?
The best dog food in Europe is one that:
✔ Meets FEDIAF standards
✔ Uses clearly named ingredients
✔ Avoids artificial additives
✔ Uses quality protein sources
✔ Is appropriate for your dog’s life stage
✔ Is processed in a way that preserves nutrients
For many owners, this leads them toward higher-quality dry options such as carefully formulated cold pressed foods which combine convenience with gentler processing.
If you want to learn more about dog nutrition read our comprehensive guide here. And to learn about red flag ingredients in your dog's food click here. We also have a great article that explains the difference between traditional dry kibble and cold pressed. And we invite you to give our own cold pressed dog food a try. Our carefully selected human grade ingredients and balanced recipe has helped thousands of dogs across Europe live a healthy and happy life.
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