Why Buy Premium Dog Food

Is premium dog food worth the extra money, or is it just a fancy label with a fetching price tag? It’s a fair question. You’ll generally pay more for a premium product, so naturally, you want to know whether the benefits for your dog are worth the extra spend.

With so many options for premium dog food in Australia, knowing what to look for can make choosing the right food for your pup a whole lot easier. The good news is there are a few things you can look for to help separate the top dogs from the rest of the pack.

Let’s dig into some of the potential benefits of premium dog food, the different types available and a few handy tips for keeping your pup happy, healthy and well fed.

What are the benefits of premium dog food?

Not all dog foods are created equal, and price alone isn’t necessarily a sign of quality. However, premium dog foods are often formulated with a focus on quality ingredients, complete and balanced nutrition and options designed for different life stages and dietary needs.

Some potential benefits include:

• Complete and balanced nutrition: A quality dog food should provide the essential nutrients your dog needs to help support their overall health and wellbeing.
• Quality ingredients and formulation: Premium foods may place greater emphasis on ingredient quality, nutritional formulation and manufacturing standards.
• Options for different life stages: From bouncy puppies to slower-paced seniors, there are formulas designed to suit dogs at different stages of life.
• Food for specific needs: You’ll also find options designed for dogs with particular dietary requirements, sensitivities or lifestyles.
• Nutrient-dense formulas: Depending on the food, your dog may need a different serving size to receive their daily nutrition, so it’s worth comparing feeding guides as well as the price of the bag.

When choosing premium food for a dog, it’s worth looking beyond the front of the bag and considering whether the recipe is complete and balanced, suitable for their life stage and appropriate for their individual needs.

Premium dog food is usually more expensive than many supermarket options, but that doesn’t mean less expensive foods can’t provide good nutrition. When comparing products, look beyond the price tag and consider whether the food is complete and balanced, appropriate for your dog’s life stage and suited to their individual needs.

It can also be worth doing the sums. Serving sizes differ between foods, so a more expensive bag may last longer than you initially expect. Your dog’s daily feeding guide can give you a better idea of the true cost per meal — no complicated maths required!

Types of premium dog food

There are plenty of premium dog foods available, with formulations depending on the age, lifestyle and dietary needs of your pet, as well as your own preferences. While shelves full of bags and tins can feel like a bit of a dog’s breakfast at first glance, taking a closer look will usually reveal plenty of options.

Breed-specific dog food

These foods are developed with the characteristics of particular breeds in mind. For instance, some Labrador-specific dry foods use larger or specially shaped kibble designed to encourage chewing rather than speedy gulping.

Natural dog food

These foods may be made with ingredients such as meat, fruits and vegetables and often contain no artificial colours or flavours. Keep in mind that terms such as “natural” don’t tell you everything about the nutritional quality of a food, so it’s still important to check the complete recipe and feeding information.

Grain-free dog food

Grain-free foods avoid ingredients such as barley, rice, corn and oats. They can be useful for some dogs with particular dietary needs, but grain-free isn’t automatically better for every dog. If you’re considering a specialised diet because of an allergy or health concern, speak with your vet.

Puppy dog food

Puppy foods are formulated to support growth and development and generally provide nutrition suited to the higher energy requirements of a growing pup. Dry puppy food also tends to have smaller kibble that’s easier for little mouths to manage.

Mature or senior dog food

Food for older dogs caters to the changing nutritional needs that can come with age. As dogs become less active, their energy and nutritional requirements may change, so choosing an age-appropriate food can help keep them well supported through their golden years.

Special needs dog food

Dogs with allergies, sensitivities or other specific dietary and lifestyle needs are also catered for with a range of specially formulated foods. If your dog has a diagnosed health condition, always follow your vet’s advice when choosing their diet.

Tips for feeding your dog

1. Wet food or dry?

Wet, dry or a little bit of both? There are plenty of ways to fill your dog’s bowl, and some pups enjoy a combination of the two.

Dry dog food is convenient, easy to portion and generally stores well, while wet dog food can add extra moisture and provide a different taste and texture. If premium dry dog food is your preference, look for a complete and balanced formula suited to your dog’s age, size and individual needs.

The most important thing is choosing a complete and balanced food that suits your dog’s nutritional needs.

If you choose to mix wet and dry food, keep an eye on the recommended feeding amounts so you’re not accidentally doubling up on dinner — no matter how convincingly your dog insists they haven’t been fed yet.

2. Keep it consistent

Whatever you plan to feed your dog, it’s a good idea to maintain some consistency. Dogs’ digestive systems can be sensitive to sudden changes, so chopping and changing foods may lead to an upset tummy.
If you do need to change foods, introducing the new food gradually can make the transition easier.

And while some dogs can put on an Oscar-worthy performance when they’re hoping for something tastier, a sudden or ongoing loss of appetite shouldn’t simply be put down to fussiness. If you notice a significant change in your dog’s appetite or eating habits, check in with your vet.

3. Keep these foods off the menu

As tempting as it can be to share what's on your plate with those puppy-dog eyes staring back at you, there are a number of human foods that can be unsafe for dogs, including:

• Cooked bones
• Onions and garlic
• Grapes and sultanas
• Chocolate
• Macadamia nuts
• Foods or drinks containing caffeine
• Mouldy or spoiled food

This isn’t an exhaustive list, so if you’re ever unsure whether a particular food is safe for your dog, it’s best to check with your vet before sharing.

So, which dog food should you choose?

For those with a limited budget, supermarket brands can be an attractive option, and there are many foods available at different price points that can provide complete and balanced nutrition.

If you’re searching for the best premium dog food for your pup, remember that there’s no single option that will suit every dog. Compare the nutritional information, check that the food is appropriate for your dog’s life stage and individual needs, and take a look at the recommended serving size to get a clearer idea of the cost over time.

Ultimately, the best food is one that gives your dog the nutrition they need, suits their individual requirements and works for your budget. After all, keeping your best mate happy, healthy and well fed is what really matters.

Ready to serve up something tail-waggingly tasty? Shop PetPost's full dog food range and find an option to suit your pup.