Exploring the Best Dog Foods: What My Dogs Eat and Other Food Brands I Trust

Finding the best dog food for your dog

Choosing the right food for your dog can feel overwhelming with so many options available. Over the years, I’ve discovered that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, the best food for your dog depends on their unique needs, lifestyle, and preferences.

In this post, I’ll share what my dogs eat and why these foods work for them. I’ll also highlight other brands and types of dog food that I recommend and I trust, even if they don’t make it into my dogs’ bowls; for their own individual reasons. From fresh-cooked meals to air-dried and dehydrated foods and more, we’ll explore the benefits and options to help you make the best choice for your furry friend.

While I’m not a certified nutritionist, I’ve learned a lot about dog nutrition through hands-on experience and research. I also consult with my veterinarian and an amazing veterinary nutritionist to ensure my dogs get exactly what they need. This collaborative approach helps me make confident choices about their diet, and I’m excited to share what works for them and what might work for you.

In this post, I’ll break down the foods my two dogs eat, along with the reasons behind my choices. I’ll also highlight other fresh-cooked food brands I support and explain why they might be a great fit for you, even though I don’t personally feed them to my dogs.

If you’re unsure about what to feed your dog, I always recommend starting with your veterinarian. However, it’s important to remember that many vets receive limited education on dog nutrition during their training, often just a brief course focused on kibble or elective courses that may be influenced by major pet food brands (more on that in a future blog). For more specialized guidance, consider consulting a veterinary nutritionist. Keep in mind that a veterinary nutritionist is different from a pet nutritionist, as they have advanced training and credentials specifically in animal nutrition.

What I feed my own dogs

I’ve worked closely with my veterinarian and a veterinary nutritionist to ensure my dogs get a diet tailored to their needs. I spent way longer than I care to admit trialing foods for them, researching ingredients, picking the mind of my very patient vet, making price charts, calorie charts, talking to food brands, questioning food brands and so much more. I really wanted to feed them the best and understand the very confusing fresh food pet market.

Here are the primary foods I feed them:

The food brands mine eat

1. My Perfect Pet: My Perfect Pet (MPP) takes a unique approach by using fresh, human-grade ingredients in small-batch, gently cooked recipes. What sets them apart is their commitment to providing balanced nutrition using whole, simple ingredients with no synthetic vitamins or fillers. Their focus on safety and digestibility makes it an excellent choice for dogs with sensitivities or specific dietary needs, offering peace of mind to pet parents who want the best for their furry companions. This is the only fresh food that Rossi did not gain weight one and has been a huge component of him staying slim, healthy and fit. I also love that I can buy this locally, if I’m running low, want a protein change or anything changes, and I love to support our local stores. Note: If you’re in Los Angeles I buy this at Centinela which if you’re on their email list they frequently run discounts for 20-40% off items in the store. Or if you have a big freezer MPP does offer bulk discounts on their site.
2. Ziwi: Ziwi sets itself apart with its air-dried recipes, think kibble like ease but you feed a lot less of it due to their high amount of protein and high quality ingredients, that combine the best of raw nutrition with the convenience of kibble. Their New Zealand-sourced ingredients, including free-range meats, sustainably caught seafood, and nutrient-rich organ meats, mirror a dog’s ancestral diet. Unique additions like green-lipped mussels provide natural joint and mobility support, while their commitment to limited-ingredient, high-protein recipes makes them a standout option for dogs with allergies or dietary sensitivities. Similar air dried diets have glycerin and other additives and don’t compare IMO. They also launched a steam dried line recently which is cheaper and Maggie really loves it too. We rotate between air dried and steam dried.  They have never had a recall and their food really is amazing quality. I also use their food for training most of the dogs I work with as a training treat. This is also a food I can pick up locally and often with a discount when a store is running a promotion, you can also use code Maggie20 at us.ziwipets.com to save 20% off.

These foods provide a balance of high-quality ingredients and the convenience or nutrition that fits my dogs’ lifestyles and most of all they both really love their food.

Why Fresh Food is a Great Option

Fresh-cooked dog food is one of the most nutritionally robust options available. It’s minimally processed, making it rich in bioavailable nutrients that your dog’s body can easily absorb. Fresh food can be particularly beneficial for dogs with food sensitivities, picky appetites, or specific health concerns, as many brands offer customizable recipes.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your dog’s health, longevity and vitality, fresh-cooked meals are worth considering.

The Benefits of Air-Dried and Dehydrated Foods

• Air-Dried Food: This type of food is slowly dried at low temperatures, preserving nutrients while removing moisture. It offers the convenience of dry food with the nutritional benefits of raw or minimally processed diets. Air-dried food tends to be lightweight and easy to store, making it great for travel or as a meal topper.
• Dehydrated Food: Dehydrated foods are another fantastic option for dog owners who want to minimize processing. These foods retain most of their nutritional value and are rehydrated before serving, creating a fresh and appealing meal for dogs. They’re also shelf-stable, making them a practical alternative to fresh or frozen diets.

What About Raw Food?

Raw food can be a fantastic option for some dogs and their families. It’s minimally processed and often closer to what dogs might eat in a natural setting. However, raw diets require careful handling to ensure safety, both for the dog and the humans preparing the food.

One of my best friends dogs absolutely thrives on raw. But raw isn’t the right choice for my household. My dog Maggie has IBD, making raw food unsuitable for her sensitive digestive system. Rossi, who would be an excellent candidate for raw, simply refuses to eat it (and I have tried a lot of brands)! While it’s not on our list, raw food can be a great option if your dog tolerates it and you’re committed to handling it properly.

I definitely have not dug into the market as much with raw as my own dogs don’t eat it and hence won’t be making any recommendations.

Why I Avoid Kibble

While kibble is a convenient and affordable option for many pet owners, it’s not my first choice for my dogs. Most kibble is highly processed, which can strip ingredients of their natural nutrients. To compensate, synthetic vitamins and minerals are often added back in, but they don’t offer the same benefits as nutrients from fresh, whole foods. Additionally, many kibbles really rely on fillers like corn, wheat, or soy, which don’t align with a species-appropriate diet for dogs.

Another concern is the potential for harmful storage practices or contamination during production, which can lead to issues like mold or bacteria in some batches. While there are higher-quality kibble brands that focus on better ingredients and lower processing, I prefer to prioritize fresh or minimally processed options that more closely mimic a dog’s natural diet.

Want an easy kibble like option? Consider air dried, steam dried or a dehydrated option that is on the market.

Dog food brands I support but don’t feed

While I’ve found the right foods for my dogs, there are many other incredible brands and types of food that I trust and a much longer list of ones I wouldn’t touch. Here are some examples of the foods I stand by:

1. Green Juju – Raw, Freeze dried raw and treats.
   • Why I support it: Green Juju provides a fresh, holistic boost to any dog’s diet with its nutrient-dense superfood blends and whole food recipes. Featuring ingredients like fermented vegetables, turmeric, and kale, their products are designed to support gut health, reduce inflammation, and enhance overall well-being. Whether used as a topper or a primary food, Green Juju is a versatile and highly nutritious addition to your dog’s meals.
   • Why I don’t feed it: Maggie can’t eat raw as mentioned above and Rossi hates raw and really thrives on a fresh fresh food. With that said I do very often use their dehydrated food and treats for training and when I’m traveling and it’s cumbersome to travel with fresh food. I never hesitate to bring these on the road for the kids.
2. Emma Lou’s Kitchen
   • Why I support it: Emma Lou’s Kitchen, a women owned company, stands out for its use of many organic ingredients, locally grown vegetables from the Pacific Northwest, and quinoa as a nutrient-packed carbohydrate. Their recipes are thoughtfully crafted to provide balanced nutrition with a focus on freshness and sustainability. It’s a great option for pet owners looking for high-quality ingredients that also support local agriculture.
   • Why I don’t feed it: Honestly, I really love this food but Rossi didn’t do well on grains as he gains weight, even quinoa sadly.
3. Raised Right
   • Why I support it: Raised Right offers a unique approach to fresh dog food by focusing on limited-ingredient recipes designed to meet AAFCO standards for a complete and balanced diet. Every ingredient is carefully selected for its quality and nutritional value, making their meals an excellent choice for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. Their emphasis on transparency, including batch testing and providing detailed nutritional profiles, ensures peace of mind for pet parents.
   • Why I don’t feed it: Maggie only liked it for a little bit then was no longer interested. Rossi did okay on it but definitely wasn’t the food he thrived on; but remember every dog is unique and what doesn’t work for mine may work for yours. 
4. Evermore
   • Why I support it: Evermore is known for its unparalleled commitment to quality, offering fresh food that incorporates the highest percentage of organic ingredients in the category. Their recipes use only humanely raised, GMO-free proteins and pasture-raised eggs, making them a leader in sustainability and animal welfare. While slightly more expensive, Evermore’s exceptional sourcing and nutrient-dense formulas make it one of the best options for pet owners seeking top-tier fresh dog food. While this one will be slightly more expensive, it’s arguably the highest-quality fresh food on the market today.
   • Why I don’t feed it: Price was a factor to be honest, I loved that I can get MPP (and small batch) at a local store when I run low 
5. Goodness Gracious
   • Why I support it: Goodness Gracious is all about simplicity and quality, using USDA-certified, human-grade ingredients in their hand-prepared recipes. Their meals are free from synthetic additives and made in small batches, making them a clean, nutritious choice. With options tailored for dogs with dietary restrictions, this brand provides peace of mind for pet parents.
   • Why I don’t feed it: Maggie didn’t love it long term (but loves their treats) and Rossi didn’t go well on the carbs so we really needed a carb free option for him.
6. Small Batch
   • Why I support it: Small Batch combines the benefits of fresh and raw diets with its minimally processed, humanely sourced ingredients. Their recipes prioritize organic produce, grass-fed meats, and pasture-raised poultry, delivering exceptional nutrition. They offer both raw and gently cooked frozen and dehydrated options, Small Batch caters to a variety of feeding styles, offering flexibility for pet parents who want the best for their dogs.
   • Why I don’t feed it: Maggie didn’t love their gently cooked sadly (she is VERY picky). They didn’t have many proteins for gently cooked that Rossi could rotate between but he did love their chicken option. But I do love their freeze dried for traveling and bring that on most trips with us for him to eat as his main meals.

Each of these brands offers something unique and special. If you’re considering a switch or looking for alternatives, these are fantastic options to explore!

Finding the Right Food for Your Dog

Every dog is different, and finding the best food means considering factors like their age, activity level, and health conditions. Whether you’re exploring fresh-cooked meals, air-dried or dehydrated options, or even traditional kibbles and canned foods, here are some things I look for:

• High-quality ingredients
• Transparent sourcing
• Recipes tailored to your dog’s needs
• One that isn’t packed with potatoes and macaroni; and I personally avoid any with pea’s we simply don’t know the long term effect of these and it’s not something I care to test personally
• If your dog is okay on a rotation fo protiens that is something to look for; keep in mind I never feed salmon as a main protein unless it’s wild caught due to mercury levels.

No matter what you choose, the key is to provide a diet that supports your dog’s long-term health and happiness.

What foods do you feed your dog? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below! I hope this helps you get on the path to helping your pet eat a healthy food that can help prologue their health and life with you.