If you have asked yourself that question, what do you really mean by that?
Do you mean “what is the best commercial dog food” or what is the best dog food in general.
Commercial dog food, the kind we have been feeding our dogs for generations (since the 1940’s to be precise) might be the most promoted, most commonly available, most popular, but not necessarily the best dog food.
Why? 
Because commercial dog food is over processed, contains preservatives, lacks nutrients and enzymes and the ingredients are not the best quality. Most of the dog food you find at the supermarket contains fillers such as corn, chicken meal (do you know what that is?)
Although most commercial dog food comes in attractive packages, the ingredients may not be as healthy and desirable as you might like it.
The term “meal” when applied to chicken, beef, lamb, etc is usually ground up meat products but also may include carcasses or whatever is left after the animals are slaughtered for human consumption. It may include bones, intestines, heads, beaks or any part of the animal.
Commercial dog food may also include toxic products, sugar, too much salt, artificial flavors and other non nutritive fillers. To compensate for the poor quality of nutrients, these foods contain synthetic vitamins and preservatives.
So that is the best dog food?
- Dog food that is made with natural ingredients, preferably human grade meat, whole grains and vegetables
-Raw food (read the article on raw food)
-Organic dog food
-Homemade dog food
When choosing your dog’s diet, read the label. Dog food should contain a simple list of ingredients. Please note that ingredients are listed in quantity order. The first ingredient having the largest amount.
Looking at the list of dog food ingredients, which would you rather choose?
Lamb, Lamb Broth, Lamb Liver, Whole Brown Rice, Fresh Carrots, Fresh Sweet Potatoes, Garden Peas, Fresh Granny Smith Apples, Potato Starch-modified, Lamb Meal, Dried Egg, Olive Oil, Salt
(main list of ingredients from a truly natural dog food manufacturer available online or specialty stores, Merrick’s dog food)
Water Sufficient For Processing, Beef, Wheat Gluten, Liver, Meat By Products, Corn Starch-Modified, Peas, Carrots, Rice Pearled Barley, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Salt, Tricalcium Phosphate, Soy Flour
(main list of ingredients for Beneful Prepared Meals Beef Stew Dog Food)
Suffcient Water For Processing, chicken, meal By-products, wheat Flour, beef, liver, wheat Gulten, chicken Meal, salt Caramel Coloring, Natural Flavours, sodium Tripolyphosohate, guar Gum, vegetable Oil(source of Linoleic Acid),
(main list of ingredients from Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy with Beef Food for Dogs)
While the truly natural dog food might be more expensive, it may save you money in vet bills because your dog will be healthier as a result.
However, if you want to save money, you can make your own dog food. It is not difficult to make dog food and it can always be supplemented with a good really natural kibble.
If you need help with homemade dog food, a downloadable book called Rover’s Recipes is available for about $20. The book comes with over 175 meal and snack choices; you can read it immediately, there are no shipping charges and you save on gas too. If that’s not a bargain, I don’t know what is.
If you want to learn more about the problems with commercial dog food and what to do about it, take alook at