Dog Food Ingredients to Look for & Ingredients to Avoid
The best dog food ingredients to look for are a named animal protein first on the list (like chicken, beef, lamb or chicken meal), a named animal fat, digestible carbohydrates such as brown rice or oats, and a "complete and balanced" statement for your dog's life stage. The main ingredients to avoid are unnamed meats ("meat meal," "animal digest"), artificial colors, added sugars and the synthetic preservatives BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.
Many dog owners ask us which dog food ingredients to look for and which to avoid. In this article, you will learn what dogs need nutritionally, how to read a dog food label, what dog food is made of, and how to judge a food quickly by checking the first five ingredients.
Dog food ingredients checklist
- Look for: a named meat or meat meal first (chicken, beef, lamb, chicken meal), a named animal fat, digestible carbs like brown rice or oats, and a "complete and balanced" statement for your dog's life stage.
- Be cautious of: unnamed "meat" or "animal" ingredients, by-products near the top of the list, several plant proteins stacked high on the list, and added sugars or corn syrup.
- Avoid: artificial colors (such as Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, Blue 2) and the synthetic preservatives BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.
Nutritional Requirements of Dogs
Dogs are classified in the order Carnivora, but research shows they can digest and use both animal and plant ingredients, and they do best on a balanced diet composed of animal and plant ingredients. Feeding only plain meat or a home-made vegan diet can leave dogs short on key nutrients.
Before we go further, a quick note on fuel: if your dog needs more strength and energy from the bowl, a meat-based, high-protein food is the simplest place to start.
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A healthy, well-balanced diet for dogs must include amino acids from proteins, fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. How much of each a dog needs depends on its size, breed, activity and stage of life. For instance, a growing puppy or a pregnant dog needs more protein and fat than a typical adult.
Proteins
Proteins are the building blocks of muscle. Protein also helps build and maintain fur, skin, nails, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, and it is important for hormones and immune function. Dogs need 10 essential amino acids from their diet.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates serve as energy sources. They let the body spare protein for building and repairing tissue rather than burning it for energy, and many carb sources also supply fiber for digestion.
Fatty Acids
Fat is the most concentrated source of energy, with more than twice the calories per gram of protein or carbohydrates. Fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 support skin and coat, and fat is needed to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
Vitamins
Depending on the type of vitamin, these nutrients support the heart, liver, kidneys, eyes, and immune system. With the right balance and amount, they help promote overall well-being.
Minerals
Minerals are used for bone development, nerve and muscle function, fluid balance in cells, thyroid function, skin and coat maintenance and red blood cell production. Just like vitamins, they need to be in the right balance.
Water
Water is an essential nutrient. It keeps body fluids in balance, regulates body temperature, and helps flush waste from the body. Always keep fresh water available.
Understanding Dog Food Labels
According to the AAFCO, a pet food label has required items. Here is what each one tells you.
Brand and Product Name
The brand and product name distinguish the product in the market. There are rules for product names, and the percentage of an ingredient is one factor. For example, "Beef Dog Food" must be mostly beef, while "Dinner," "Formula" or "with Beef" can contain far less of the named ingredient.
Name of Species the Pet Food Is Intended For
Whether the product is intended for dogs or cats is stated on the principal display panel, usually in the product name or description.
Quantity Statement
This is the net weight or net volume of the product, shown in the correct units on the lower third of the principal display panel.
Guaranteed Analysis
All dog food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis listing the minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat and the maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture. For a dog food to be called complete and balanced, it must meet the AAFCO nutrient profile for its life stage. The protein and fat minimums in those profiles are:
| Nutrient (dry matter basis) | Adult maintenance minimum | Growth and reproduction minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Crude protein | 18.0% | 22.5% |
| Crude fat | 5.5% | 8.5% |
AAFCO profiles are on a dry matter basis. The guaranteed analysis on a bag is "as fed," including moisture, so compare foods on a dry matter basis when moisture differs. Our guide to the best protein sources for dogs shows how to do that math.
Ingredient Statement
According to AAFCO, ingredients must be listed in order of predominance by weight. In simple terms, the ingredient that makes up the highest percentage of the total weight before cooking is listed first.
Quick trick: find "salt" or "potassium chloride" on the list. These are usually added at around 1% of the formula or less, so as a rule of thumb, everything listed after them is present in very small amounts. That's expected for vitamins and minerals, but you don't want to see the meat or other whole-food ingredients the bag advertises below the salt. Likewise, if "chicken" is the 12th ingredient, the food contains very little chicken, even if the front of the bag says "with chicken."
Nutritional Adequacy Statement
This is an important statement that tells you the food is complete and balanced for a particular life stage, such as "Growth," "Reproduction," or "Adult Maintenance." Dog food labeled for "All Life Stages" meets the needs for both adult maintenance and growth/reproduction. Some products, like treats and toppers, are intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.
Feeding Directions
All pet foods labeled as complete and balanced include feeding directions, usually given as the amount of food per weight of dog per day. Use them as a starting point; see our guide to how much to feed your dog.
Name and Address of Manufacturer or Distributor
This shows who makes or distributes the food, with city, state and zip code, usually after "manufactured by," "manufactured for" or "distributed by."
What Is Dog Food Made Of?
Most dry dog food is made from a protein source (meat, meat meal or plant protein), a carbohydrate source (grains, potatoes or legumes), a fat source (animal fat or oils), plus added vitamins and minerals so the food is complete. These ingredients are mixed, cooked under heat and pressure, shaped into kibble, dried and coated with fat and flavor. Protein, carbohydrate and fat sources make up the bulk of the food, so they usually fill the first five ingredients.
Protein Sources
Protein can come from animal or plant ingredients. Common animal-based protein sources include chicken, lamb, fish, and beef. Plant-based sources include corn gluten meal, soybean meal and pea protein. Animal proteins provide a more complete amino acid profile for dogs, which is why they should lead the list.
Types of Protein Sources
- Whole meat: fresh or frozen meat such as "chicken" or "beef." It is about 70% water before cooking, compared with roughly 10% for a meal.
- Named meal: rendered meat from a single named species, with most water and some fat removed (e.g. chicken meal, lamb meal).
- Unnamed meat meal: rendered meat from unspecified species, such as "meat meal" or "meat and bone meal."
- By-products and by-product meal: clean parts other than muscle meat, such as organs. They can be nutritious, but the source and quality vary.
In general, named whole meats and named meals are ideal protein sources in dog foods. The difference is moisture. Because a meal has been dried, it is a concentrated protein source, with roughly three times the protein of fresh meat by weight. A fresh meat listed first may drop lower on the list once its water is cooked out, so "chicken meal" third on the list can supply more protein than "chicken" listed first. Read more in the truth about meat meal.
This is why named meals are a common, concentrated protein source in high-protein dry foods.
Episode 2 of our onboarding series walks through the real ingredients in Bully Max and what to look for on any label:
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Carbohydrate Sources
Carbohydrates are major energy sources and commonly come from cereal grains such as brown rice, sorghum, barley, oats, wheat and corn, or from potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas and lentils. Good carb sources also provide fiber for healthy digestion and firm stools.
Fat Sources
Just like proteins, fats can come from animal or plant ingredients. Named animal fats like chicken fat and beef fat are concentrated energy sources and supply linoleic and arachidonic acids. Fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), and plant oils like flaxseed and sunflower oil provide omega-6 and some omega-3.
Vitamins, Minerals and Preservatives
The long list of vitamins and minerals at the end of a label is normal. Cooking reduces some nutrients, so complete foods add a vitamin and mineral premix to meet AAFCO profiles. For preservatives, look for natural options like mixed tocopherols (vitamin E), vitamin C (often listed as ascorbic acid) and rosemary extract. Natural preservatives don't keep food fresh as long as synthetic ones, so check the "best by" date and use an opened bag within a few weeks.
Common vitamins and minerals you'll see on a complete food label include:
- Vitamins: vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
- B vitamins: niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, biotin, vitamin B12, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid.
- Minerals: calcium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, sodium selenite (selenium).
Why the First Five Ingredients Matter
Because ingredients are listed by weight, the first five ingredients make up most of a dog food. Here are some tips when checking them.
- A high-quality protein source should be at the top of the list. This may include whole meats or named meals. For wet dog foods, whole meat (e.g. "chicken") is typical, while meals (e.g. "chicken meal" or "lamb meal") are common and appropriate in dry food. Unnamed meat meals or by-products high on the list are a red flag.
- Good sources of carbohydrates should be in the first five ingredients. Whole grains (e.g. brown rice or oats) are good carbohydrate sources that also provide fiber.
- Watch for "ingredient splitting." If peas, pea protein and pea fiber all appear, the combined plant content may outweigh the meat listed first.
- A named animal fat should appear early. Good choices include chicken fat and beef fat. Fish oil is usually listed lower down because it is used in smaller amounts.
- Artificial ingredients should be absent. Dyes can be listed as "caramel color," Blue 2, Red 40, and Yellow 5 and 6, and preservatives to avoid include BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.
- Known allergens for your dog should not be on the list. If your dog is allergic to chicken, chicken and chicken meal should not appear anywhere. This is why it is important to avoid products with unnamed, mystery ingredients.
These tips apply to dog foods labeled as "complete and balanced." Treats and other products meant for supplemental feeding have different ratios, but you should still check them for artificial ingredients and allergens.
Once your dog's food passes the first-five-ingredients test, a daily chew can add extra support. One soft chew covers gut, joint, immune, skin, and coat support.
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Dog Food Ingredients to Look for & to Avoid
Ingredients to Look For
- Named meats and meat meals: chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, fish, chicken meal, lamb meal.
- Eggs and organ meats such as liver, which are nutrient-dense.
- Whole grains and digestible carbs: brown rice, oatmeal, barley, sweet potatoes.
- Named fats and oils: chicken fat, fish or salmon oil, flaxseed oil.
- Natural preservatives: mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract.
- Gut-support ingredients such as probiotics, prebiotic fiber and postbiotics.
Ingredients to Avoid or Limit
- Unnamed proteins: "meat meal," "animal meal," "meat and bone meal," "animal digest." You can't tell what animal they came from.
- Generic fats: "animal fat" with no named source. "Poultry fat" is a little better; "chicken fat" or "beef fat" is best.
- Artificial colors and flavors: dogs don't care about color, and dyes add nothing nutritionally.
- BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin: synthetic preservatives that many owners prefer to avoid when natural options exist.
- Added sugars and corn syrup: unnecessary calories that can contribute to weight gain and dental problems.
- Propylene glycol: a humectant used in some semi-moist foods and treats.
- Lots of plant protein near the top: corn gluten meal, wheat gluten, soybean meal or pea protein used to boost the protein number instead of meat.
How to Spot a Dog Food Brand to Avoid
Instead of memorizing a list of brands, judge any brand by how it answers a few questions:
- Is a named animal protein first, and are all meat and fat sources named?
- Does the bag have a "complete and balanced" statement for your dog's life stage?
- Does the company share its calories per cup and full ingredient list openly?
- How does it test for safety, and what is its recall history?
- Where is the food made, and can you reach the company with questions?
Why Choose Bully Max Dog Food?
Bully Max 30/20 High Protein Dog Food is a complete and balanced food built on high-performance, meat-based nutrition, with brown rice as a whole-grain carbohydrate. It delivers 30% protein, 20% fat and 535 calories per cup. Bully Max is a family-owned U.S. company founded in 2009, every batch is triple tested for safety, our food is made in the USA, and we have zero recalls.
If your dog does better without chicken, our 30/20 beef recipe is chicken-free with the same 30% protein and 20% fat. For more on choosing a food, read our guide to meat-based dog food.
Ready to put this into practice? Start your dog on a meat-based, high-protein food made in the USA by a family-owned company, with every batch triple tested for safety.
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Fuel strength and energy with meat-based nutrition, 30% protein, 20% fat, and 535 calories per cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients should be in a good dog food?
A named animal protein first, a named animal fat, digestible carbohydrates such as brown rice or oats, added vitamins and minerals, and a "complete and balanced" statement for your dog's life stage.
What dog food ingredients should I avoid?
Unnamed meat or animal ingredients, artificial colors, added sugars or corn syrup, and the preservatives BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. Also avoid anything your dog is allergic to.
What is in dog food?
Most dry dog food is a mix of protein (meat, meat meal or plant protein), carbohydrates, fats and a vitamin and mineral premix, cooked and shaped into kibble.
How can I tell how much meat is really in a dog food?
Check where the meat sits on the ingredient list. Ingredients are listed by weight, and salt is usually around 1% or less, so meat listed after salt is only a tiny part of the food. A named meat meal near the top is a concentrated protein source.
Is chicken meal a good ingredient?
Yes. Named chicken meal is chicken with most of the water removed, which makes it a concentrated protein source for dry food.
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