Which Cat or Dog Food Brand Is Best? 7 Checks Before You Choose

“Which cat food brand is best?” or “Which dog food brand is best?” is a question pet parents ask all the time. The most honest answer is that no single brand is the best for every pet.

The right food is the one that suits your own pet’s life stage, health and eating habits.

Today we’ve summed up how to choose dog and cat food in 7 simple checks to use before you pick up a new bag. If you’d like a detailed guide to reading labels, see our article [Reading pet food labels].

Check 1: Does it match the life stage, and is it “complete and balanced”?

First, check whether the food is a main diet that provides complete nutrition. “Complete” means it has all the essential nutrients, and “balanced” means those nutrients are in the right proportions.

European nutrition guidelines also clearly separate main foods (complete) from supplements or treats (complementary).

Then look at the life stage on the label. Kittens and puppies, adults, and pregnant or nursing mothers all have different nutritional needs.

Food labeled “all life stages” is made to be adequate for growth as well.

Treats, or foods that are not complete and balanced, are not main meals. They should be only a small part of the diet, no more than about 10%.¹

Check 2: Does the company have real expertise and serious quality control?

Here are questions worth asking a pet food maker:

• Do they work with a properly qualified animal nutritionist?
• Who formulates the recipes?
• How do they check the quality of ingredients and finished products?
• Is there nutrition research or study behind their food?
• Is the company easy to contact, and can they give more nutrient information?

If a company can’t answer these questions, choose carefully.

One more thing to know: words like “holistic” or “premium” are not regulated terms, so they don’t say much about quality. Read more in our article [What is holistic-grade food?].

Check 3: A registration number from the Department of Livestock Development

In Thailand, a Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives notification requires labels on specially controlled animal feed to be in Thai and to show at least the following key information:

• Animal feed registration number
• Name of the manufacturer or importer
• Net weight
• Key ingredients and chemical composition (such as protein and fat)
• Manufacturing date and expiry date
• Directions for use and feeding amounts

Where to check a registration number

If you want to be sure, search the registration number from the label in the Department of Livestock Development’s online search system. The system covers registrations issued from 2020 onward.

If you can’t find it, you can ask the Department of Livestock Development.⁴

Check 4: Ingredients, and what comes first

The ingredient list runs from the heaviest to the lightest by weight, so the first few ingredients give you an overall picture of the recipe.

Read it together with the nutrient numbers in the next check. Details on how to read them are in our article [Reading pet food labels].

Check 5: Nutrient values on the label (Guaranteed Analysis)

These numbers show the minimum protein and fat, and the maximum fiber and moisture.

Another important number is energy (kilocalories). Foods with different energy levels need to be fed in different daily amounts.

Knowing the energy value helps lower the chance of overfeeding and weight gain. If your cat is starting to look a bit round, try reading [Chubby cats].

Check 6: Look out for food allergies and sensitivities

Signs that may be linked to a food allergy include itchy skin, itchy paws, itchy ears, or digestive problems such as vomiting or diarrhea. In cats, itching is often seen around the head and neck.

Common triggers are proteins such as beef, chicken, eggs or dairy, and sometimes certain carbohydrates.

If your pet has reacted to an ingredient before, check the ingredient list every time.

Confirming a true food allergy requires a “food trial” under a vet’s care, which takes several weeks. If you think your pet has a food allergy, talk to your vet before switching recipes.

Check 7: Try it, then watch the results

Does your pet eat well? How is their poop? Is their coat looking good?

The best judge is your pet. Vets also look at weight, body shape, muscle, skin and coat, and stools when they assess nutrition.

• Eats well and consistently
• Firm stools, not often loose (see more in [Dog poop colors])
• Shiny coat, skin not dry (see more in [From dry coat to shiny coat])
• Steady weight and body shape, and their usual cheerful self

If unusual signs keep going, talk to your vet.

Switch foods gradually

Changing food suddenly may upset your pet’s stomach, and cats may refuse that food from then on. A common approach is to mix in a little more of the new food bit by bit over about 1–2 weeks.

• First few days: mostly the old food, with a little new food mixed in
• Middle stage: half old food, half new food
• Final stage: mostly new food, until you have switched completely

If your pet has loose stools, vomits or eats less, slow down the switch. If things don’t improve within 24 hours, contact your vet. Some cats may need much longer than this, so be patient.

More tips in [6 tips to get your cat eating dry food].

Compare cost per day, not price per bag

A cheaper bag isn’t always cheaper in the end, because foods with different energy levels need to be fed in different amounts.

Food cost per day = (bag price ÷ bag weight in grams) × grams fed per day

Find the grams per day in the feeding table on the bag for your pet’s weight, then adjust for body shape and activity.

Summary

Which cat food or dog food brand is best? There is no single answer for every home.

Check the life stage, the company, the registration number, the ingredients, the nutritional values, allergies, and real results with your pet, and work out the cost per day.

If your pet has a health condition or is on medication, always talk to your vet before changing food.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

References: WSAVA, AAFCO, FEDIAF, Department of Livestock Development (Thailand), AAHA, VCA Animal Hospitals, Cornell Feline Health Center