NBC Select’s 2025 guide lays out recommended dog foods tailored to breed size, age and specific health concerns.

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The guide, assembled with input from veterinarians and nutrition experts, evaluates dry, wet and fresh options and highlights the need for diets that match a dog’s life stage, activity level and medical needs. These changes in dietary trends closely mirror broader human food preferences, with pet owners increasingly seeking premium, “natural,” minimally processed, and science-backed nutrition for their animals, much as they do for themselves. How do changing dietary trends in pet food reflect broader consumer preferences.

Board-certified veterinarians quoted in the piece stressed that commercially produced foods are formulated to meet a dog’s nutrient needs and that owners should use label information to choose products. “Commercially processed canned or kibble foods are formulated to meet dogs’ nutritional needs for proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals — they’re convenient, consistent and readily available, and they undergo processes of quality control and inspection that are meant to reduce the risk of contaminants or pathogens affecting pets or people,” said Dr. Lori Teller, board-certified veterinarian and immediate past president of the AVMA Honors Dr. Lori Teller For Contributions To Medicine.

Nutrition guidance in the guide emphasizes the nutritional adequacy statement on packaging. “You can determine if a pet food meets your pet’s nutritional needs by looking at the nutritional adequacy statement on the label — if this statement includes the phrase ‘complete and balanced,’ then the product is intended to be fed as a pet’s sole diet and should be nutritionally balanced,” said Dr. Brian Roberts, board-certified veterinarian and regional medical director at VCA Animal Hospitals. Pet owners should first ensure the dog food is labeled as “complete and balanced” according to AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, which indicates it meets established nutritional standards for a dog’s life stage and species.

Experts in the guide also addressed ingredient labeling and terminology. “Some say natural ingredients like whole chicken are better than something processed like chicken meal; however, both are from the same source — chicken meal is just dehydrated chicken,” said Dr. Joe Wakshlag, professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, underscoring that ingredient form does not necessarily indicate inferior nutrition. High-quality dog foods typically list a named animal protein (such as chicken, beef, or fish) first for essential amino acids that support muscle maintenance, immune function, and overall health, and they include digestible carbohydrates for energy. What steps can pet owners take to determine the best dog food for their specific needs.

The guide pairs expert commentary with real-world testing and examples of dogs with distinct needs and preferences. Bella, a 6-year-old Havanese and bichon frise mix, prefers Royal Canin dog food; Loki, a 2-year-old cavalier King Charles spaniel, eats Royal Canin kibble; Mac, a 3-year-old rat terrier and a picky eater, favors a Purina Pro Plan formula; Bandit, a 2-year-old maltipoo, enjoys The Farmer’s Dog subscription food; and Chance, a 100-pound yellow lab, is fed a weight-management dry kibble.

The guide highlights specific formulas for common issues: a high-protein salmon option is recommended for dogs with sensitive stomachs, while small-breed kibble is formulated for dogs 10 months to 8 years old weighing between nine and 22 pounds, showing the degree of tailoring offered by some manufacturers. Also, as pet owners make decisions, they should consider healthy fats (including omega-3) for their beneficial effects on skin and coat health.

Those trends mirror broader shifts in the pet market toward more personalized and premium products, a dynamic explored in industry reporting such as The Ultimate Guide to Dog Food Ingredients | Chewy, which notes rising demand for science-backed, individualized nutrition. The guide’s mix of dry, wet and fresh foods reflects that variety and aims to match choices to medical conditions, body condition and owner preferences.

Practical takeaways in the guide include focusing on named animal proteins, appropriate calorie density for the dog’s size and life stage, and the importance of feeding a product labeled as complete and balanced for sole-diet use. Coverage in the guide was produced by NBC Select and draws on testing and expert interviews to produce recommendations for different breeds and needs. For owners choosing between formulations, the guide’s experts recommend starting with a complete and balanced product appropriate for the dog’s life stage and then adjusting for activity level, weight-management needs, or sensitivities in consultation with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist.

NBC Select’s 2025 guide does not replace individual veterinary care, but it aims to give owners a structured starting point for selecting food that meets recognized nutrient standards and specific canine needs. Readers who want deeper explanations of ingredients and their roles can consult resources on common dog-food components, such as discussions of protein, fats, carbohydrates, and micronutrients on sites like Chewy, which frame ingredient lists in terms of digestibility and nutrient supply.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.