Do vets recommend fresh dog food

Benefits of Fresh Dog Food vs. Raw Food vs. Kibble For Your Dog

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Food glorious food. Food is an important aspect of the daily lives of humans and dogs. However, dogs dont get to choose what they eat. We choose what we think is best for the health, energy level, and enjoyment of our canine companions.

With the growing popularity of freshly prepared food for dogs (like Ollie, who makes human grade fresh dog food,) our options have increased, and choosing what is best can be challenging. The first step is to consult your veterinarian. Here are some points to consider when you choose a food for your dog:

• Health: A balanced, nutritional diet is critical to maintain good health.
• Activity level: Working dogs and service dogs have different caloric requirements than household pets.
• Age and size: Nutritional requirements differ between puppies and adults, large breed and small breed dogs.
• Food allergies: Some dogs are allergic to specific proteins or ingredients such as eggs, corn, wheat, soy, or milk.
• Taste: No matter what you think, dog food has to taste and smell good to your dog.
• Your lifestyle: How much time do you have available to spend cooking and shopping for your dog?

Fresh Food

Feeding dogs a diet made with natural, real ingredients, such as beef, chicken, lamb, peas, spinach, carrots, and blueberries, can do wonders for their overall well-being promoting heart health, increasing energy level, making coats shiny and breath smell better, improving eyesight, and even impacting a dogs stool.

However, cooking for your pet is a process thats demanding on your time, space, and finances. Merck Veterinary Manual warns, Most homemade diets do not undergo the scrutiny and rigorous testing applied to commercial complete and balanced diets. If pet owners wish to feed their pets homemade diets, the diets should be prepared and cooked using recipes formulated by a veterinary nutritionist.

Fresh dog food delivery services, such as Ollie, work with canine nutritionists to develop cooking methods and personalized formulas that include the vitamins and minerals that meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials standards for dog food. They calculate the exact number of calories needed based on weight, breed, age, activity level, and body composition and take any allergies your pup has into account.

Ollies food is made with human-grade ingredients sourced from reputable farms and approved by veterinarians. They never use fillers, by-products, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Each recipe is cooked by hand at low temperatures in small batches in a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA)-regulated kitchen. All the prep work is done for you, and the food is pre-portioned and stored in the freezer. They even offer all-natural, single-ingredient treats that dogs love.

What to Look For in Fresh Food

Most fresh food services are offered by subscription and delivered to your door. The best ones work with veterinary nutritionists to formulate a plan customized for your dog. They offer options in recipe choices, portion size, and frequency of delivery. They also provide easy-to-understand information about ingredients, feeding schedules, and how to keep the food fresh.

Raw Diet

Raw dog food can be homemade, store-bought, freeze-dried, or dehydrated. A raw diet usually includes organ meats, muscle meat, whole or ground bone, raw eggs, dog-safe fresh fruits and vegetables, and a dairy product such as yogurt. Advocates of raw food diets site these benefits: shinier coats, healthier skin, improved dental health, increased energy, and smaller stools.

Some veterinarians warn that raw diets are not appropriate for dogs who share their homes with young children or people with compromised immune systems. Meticulous care is required in the handling, preparation, and sanitation of raw food. Dogs with pancreatitis, cancer, or other diseases may require cooked food. Puppies are also better off having cooked food.

The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes the unregulated feeding of raw foods and discourages the feeding to cats and dogs of any animal-source protein that has not first been subjected to a process to eliminate pathogens, because of the risk of illness to cats and dogs, as well as humans.

What to Look for in Raw Food

Find a veterinarian who knows the health of your dog, is familiar with raw foods, and can help guide you in the proper handling and cleaning required to address possible health concerns.

Kibble

Dry food or kibble has ingredients that vary by brand, but all are required to be balanced and meet the nutritional needs of a dog. Under USDA regulation, all animal foods must be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled.

The ingredients in kibble are processed together and cooked. Required ingredients include: protein sources such as beef, poultry, fish, and eggs; grains; cereals; and vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. All dry dog foods need preservatives to prevent the fat from becoming rancid. Some brands are heavy on carbohydrates or have low-quality ingredients and added sugar.

Those who feed their dogs kibble suggest the potential benefits to be: reduced dental plaque, healthier gums, reduced risk of bacteria, easier storage, less risk of spoilage, and cost-effectiveness. On the other hand, some dog owners choose to switch to fresh food like Ollie due to the risks of kibble.

What to Look for in Kibble

Read the label. Look for a food that has a protein as the first ingredient, not a grain. The best kibbles have a single source of protein, such as lamb or chicken. Grain-free diets exist, but carbohydrates are required for energy, and the choice of grain is important since some dogs have sensitivities to wheat, corn, or soybeans.

Help From the Experts

The food we give our dogs makes a huge difference in their health and well-being. So it makes sense to let the experts help us determine what is best.

Ollies veterinary nutritionists use the latest advancements in research to develop the best recipes for your dog recipes that include fresh ingredients to keep your pups brain function healthy, address allergies and gastrointestinal sensitivities, are proportioned for ideal weight, and use Omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation. All that delivered right to your door, for free.

Ollie has received rave reviews from both customers and industry leaders. Ollies customers have reported better weight management, shinier coats, and more. Ollie has received a 5-star rating from Dog Food Advisor and has named one of the best dog food brands by Forbes, and Readers Digest.

8 Best Vet-Recommended Dog Foods 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Choosing the right food for your dog is a difficult decision. There are so many brands on the market making claims to be the best. Of course, not all dog foods are made equal. This leaves you, as a loving pet parent, trying to navigate through the good and bad the world of dog food has to offer in an attempt to keep your pooch fed and healthy. Were here to help. Weve spent lots of time working with our veterinarians to determine 8 of the best dog foods this year. Take a look at these reviews and you will find the perfect dog food for your canine companion.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Important

The following information tables are based on data provided by the food manufacturers. The nutrient percentages are not based on dry matter basis but on the food as it is found in the bag or can (guaranteed analysis).

Wet foods have a much higher water content than dry kibble, which means that the nutrient percentages are normally lower compared to dry food since a significant portion of the total amount of food is moisture (>60-65%). This does not mean that wet food is of lower quality or has fewer nutrients than dry food.

In order to compare the nutrient percentages of two different products, this should be done based on dry matter or by comparing two products with the same amount of moisture. Furthermore, when choosing a product, it not only matters the quantity of an ingredient, but also its quality.

It is important to note that these foods are recommended for healthy adult dogs with no underlying medical issues or specific nutritional requirements. It is best to follow your veterinarians lead when it comes to selecting a nutrition plan appropriate for your pet.

The 8 Best Vet-Recommended Dog Foods

1. Farmers Dog Fresh Chicken Recipe Best Overall

Our choice for the overall best vet-recommended dog food this year is Farmers Dog Chicken Recipe. If your dog is healthy and free of food allergies, Farmers Dog Chicken Recipe is an excellent choice for their mealtimes. Packed with nutrients, this food features only the finest ingredients and essentials to keep your dog healthy. The chicken, which is the 1^st ingredient, is USDA human-grade. Youll also find chicken liver, healthy veggies like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and fish oil to ensure your pet receives a balanced meal. Even better, Farmers Dog takes your dogs needs into account and sends pre-packaged meals to make your life easier.

The only issue we have with Farmers Dog is that you must order a subscription to access this food. This may seem troubling to some pet parents, but the serving convenience outweighs this issue in our opinion.

• USDA human-grade chicken is the main ingredient
• Packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
• AAFCO compliant, complete and balanced
• Packaged with your dog in mind

2. Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Beef & Rice Entre Budget Buy

The best vet-recommended dog food for the money is Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Beef & Rice Entre. This wet food recipe is considered complete and balanced for adult dogs. Beef is the primary ingredient but Purina makes sure to include healthy grains, vitamins, and minerals so your dog gets what they need. Although this dog food is less expensive than many others on the market, the recipes are still overseen by a veterinarian nutritionist to ensure they are healthy and well-balanced. Youll even find that the foods texture is ground. This means your pooch cant pick and choose what they eat and gets all their nutrition when eating their food.

Its important to know your dogs reactions to foods before you invest in a lot of new products. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or is a picky eater, it may have issues with this recipe. Luckily, Purina offers lots of others to try. In addition, this food is intended for adult dogs. It is not considered a complete diet for puppies, pregnant dogs, or working dogs.

• Well-balanced nutrition
• More affordable than other top options
• Uses real beef as the main ingredient

• May be difficult for dogs with sensitive stomachs
• Not appropriate for puppies, pregnant or lactating dogs, or working dogs.

3. Hills Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food

When it comes to giving your dog the best and helping them lose a little weight in the process, a prescription diet is the answer. Unfortunately, when a dog is overweight, mobility issues often pop up as well. If money is no issue, turning to Hills Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility Chicken Flavor Dry Food is a great choice. This food takes on the idea of being higher in fiber to keep dogs feeling fuller longer. It also contains a unique blend to help boost your dogs metabolism, which will help them burn more calories, even when at rest. Following this plan is better than reducing the amount of food you normally feed your dog as this prescription food ensures they are still getting the vitamins, minerals, and nutrition they need. Keep in mind, this food does require a veterinarian prescription to purchase.

Unfortunately, youll find many pet parents reporting their pooch doesnt like the flavor of this food. Another concern is the size of the food pieces for smaller dog breeds.

• Great for dogs with weight issues
• Supports better mobility

• Requires a vet prescription
• Some dogs may not like the flavor
• Food pieces are quite large for smaller dog breeds

4. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food Best for Puppies

Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food is ideal for daily use. The deboned chicken inside is rich in protein and can help your pup develop strong bones and muscles. Youll also find that there are lots of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in this recipe to provide a well-balanced meal. Your pup will also enjoy the bite-size pieces that are easy for most to chew.

The only issue weve found with this puppy food is that it does have the potential to cause loose stools. In such a scenario, you may need to speak to your veterinarian or try another food.

• Well-balanced recipe
• Supports strong bones and muscles
• Great energy source for puppies

5. ACANA Singles + Wholesome Grains Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food Vets Choice

Our vets choice is ACANA Singles + Wholesome Grains Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food. This food provides your pooch with a nutrient-dense diet appropriate for all life stages. Inside you will find heart-healthy vitamins to support the circulatory systems. This healthy food is also free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids also promote healthy skin and coats.

Unfortunately, owners with picky eaters report that many dogs will not eat this food. If you have a picky eater, definitely opt for the 4 lb bag over the 22.5 lb bag to assess your dogs preference.

• Nutrient-dense food
• Features heart-healthy vitamins
• Good for skin and coat
• Appropriate for all life stages

• Picky eaters may not like it

6. Purina Pro Plan Adult Weight Management Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

For adult dogs that are on a weight loss program suggested by their veterinarian, Purina Pro Plan Adult Weight Management is a great option to choose. The recipe is designed to have 15% less fat (when compared to other recipes from the same brand) to help reduce calorie intake. Chicken is the main ingredient and source of protein. This helps your dog maintain their muscle while they lose any extra pounds they need to drop. Theyll even enjoy the taste as Purina has mixed in meaty pieces for dogs to love.

Unfortunately, this dog food is quite expensive. This can leave owners with overweight pooches struggling to fit this food into tight budgets.

• Promotes healthy gut microbiome
• Lesser fat than other recipes from the same brand
• Features chicken as the main ingredient

7. Hills Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Wet Dog Food

Unfortunately, some dogs deal with difficult digestive issues. Thanks to Hills Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Wet Food, your dog can still enjoy a great meal without all the discomfort. Often used by veterinarians for post-surgery care, this food is rich in both soluble and insoluble fibers. This is great for a dogs gut health, especially those that deal with acute or chronic diarrhea. Youll also find this food easy to digest and full of B vitamins to replace those lost during diarrhea.

The biggest downside to this food is that it is a prescription diet only meant as a temporary option for dogs in recovery from a surgical procedure, dogs dealing with digestive system issues, or dogs with some pancreatic disorders.

• Easy to digest
• High in fiber

• Temporary diet
• Requires a prescription

8. Purina Pro Plan Adult Large Breed Shredded Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

Weve already discussed a couple of Purina foods, but if youre the pet parent of a larger dog breed, this one is designed specifically for you and your pet. Purina Pro Plan Adult Large Breed Shredded Chicken & Rice Formula is a dry food that offers a high-protein diet rich in probiotics and prebiotics.

The biggest issue we found with this dog food was the texture upon arrival. Unfortunately, several of the kibble pieces get pulverized and with the texture already being a bit mushy, this can make feeding difficult.

• Specifically designed for larger breeds
• Features glucosamine and EPA for joint health
• Formulated with probiotics and prebiotics

• Texture isnt the greatest

Buyers Guide

Now that weve taken a look at our favorite, vet-recommended dog foods, lets discuss what you should keep in mind when choosing your favorite.

Ingredients

Possibly the most important aspect to keep in mind when choosing dog food for your dog is the ingredients. Our pets are family. Just like ourselves or our children, we want them to eat the best. This meansfood that is crafted with high-quality proteins and fibers. Youll also want vitamins, minerals, and nutrients included to help keep your pooch healthier.

Price

Unfortunately, with the cost of everything in the world on the rise, dog food is becoming more expensive. Honestly, if you want your pooch to have the best, youll find yourself having to pay for it. However, if youre on a budget, we have included a best-value option to help you stay on budget while still offering your pet vet-recommended dog food.

Your Dogs Needs

You cant simply go out and grab puppy food for your large breed dog. Its important that when you choose dog food you keep your dogs individual needs in mind. Foods should be age-appropriate, designed for the breed of dog you own, and even adhere to specific dietary requirements suggested by your veterinarian.

Conclusion

By choosing one of the foods in this review, youll be on the right track with a good diet for your pet. For the best overall vet-recommended dog food, we suggest giving Farmers Dog Fresh Chicken Recipe a shot. This food is designed for your dogs feeding needs and provides all the nutrition your pet requires for a healthy diet. If youre on a budget, Purina Pro Plan Complete Beef & Rice wet dog food is a great option. Not only is this food beneficial and healthy for your dog but it is more affordable than many others on our list. Hills Prescription Diet Metabolic is ideal for dogs who need a bit of help with losing weight while Merrick Health Grains is a healthy, balanced dog food for growing puppies. ACANA Singles + Wholesome Grains is another solid choice that is nutrient-dense and packed with essentials for your pet.

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Featured Image Credit: Boryana Manzurova, Shutterstock