“What’s the best food for my pet?” – probably the most asked question in pet nutrition. The truth? It depends on your situation and your pet’s individual needs.

Let me honestly explain the pros and cons of each feeding method.

High protein content and minimal processing
Raw food often contains the highest concentration of natural nutrients without additives or heating.

Natural feeding approach
Most closely mimics what dogs and cats would eat in the wild, which feels like the “right” choice for many owners.

Flexibility in composition
You have full control over what your pet eats – no hidden ingredients or additives.

Bacterial risk if handled incorrectly
Certain bacteria can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable pets or at-risk people in the household.

Requires thorough knowledge of nutritional balance
An unbalanced raw diet can cause serious deficiencies. Calcium/phosphorus ratios, organ meat percentages, vitamins, and minerals – everything needs to be just right.

Not suitable for all pets
Animals with certain medical conditions are better off without raw food.

Time and cost
Daily prep, food safety, and quality meat make it labor-intensive and often more expensive.

Convenient and long shelf-life
Easy to store and serve – ideal for busy owners or when traveling.

Cost-effective for most families
Generally the most affordable option, especially for larger pets.

Standardized nutritional values
Quality brands meet nutritional standards and contain all essential nutrients.

Quality varies widely between brands
From excellent to very poor – you need to know what to look for (see this blog).

Highly processed, often high in carbohydrates
Many kibbles contain grains and fillers pets don’t necessarily need.

Can contribute to dehydration
Dry food contains only 6-10% moisture, while pets naturally get 60-70% moisture in their food.

Limited shelf-life after opening
Must be used within 6-8 weeks after opening to prevent it from going stale.

Less processed than kibble, safer than raw
Retains more natural nutrients than kibble, but eliminates bacterial risks.

Easier to tailor to individual needs
A great option for pets with sensitive stomachs or specific medical conditions.

Commercial fresh meals available
More and more brands now offer ready-made fresh, cooked meals – convenience without hassle.

More expensive than kibble
Fresh meals cost more than traditional kibble, both commercially and homemade.

Home cooking requires extensive nutritional knowledge
Crucial to understand: Cooking for your pet isn’t simply “chicken with rice.” Every meal has to be nutritionally balanced with the right proportions of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. This demands professional knowledge and often customized supplementation.

Short shelf-life
Fresh meals have to be used within a few days, requiring planning and fridge (or freezer) space.

The truth: there’s no single “best” option

- Fully meets your pet’s nutritional needs
- Fits your budget and lifestyle in a sustainable way
- Your pet genuinely enjoys

For raw food, you need:
- Thorough knowledge of nutritional balance
- Time for daily preparation
- Adequate fridge/freezer space and hygiene protocols
- A pet without medical contraindications

For cooked food, keep in mind:
- If home cooking: a professionally designed meal plan from a specialized pet nutritionist
- For commercial fresh meals: budget for higher costs
- Careful planning for shelf-life

For kibble, be sure to:
- Choose your brand carefully based on ingredient quality
- Supplement with plenty of fresh water for hydration
- Store in an airtight container in the original bag (contact with just the container may cause kibble to go rancid)

What matters most isn’t the food philosophy, but whether your individual pet thrives. A well-balanced kibble diet is better than a poorly composed raw diet.

Focus on what you can realistically sustain and what your pet responds to best. Optimal nutrition is personalized – there’s no one-size-fits-all.

Every dog and cat is unique. Age, activity level, health status, and your personal situation all determine what’s optimal. Unsure which feeding method is best for your pet and situation? Get in touch for personal advice tailored to all the factors that matter to you.

Raw, kibble, or cooked: what’s best for your pet?

"She eats high-quality food, so that should be enough, right?" This is a question I often hear from owners of pregnant dogs. But pregnancy and lactation create completely different nutritional needs.

Think of it like an athlete versus someone with a desk job. You wouldn’t give a marathon runner the same nutrition plan as someone who sits behind a desk all day, would you?

Pregnancy is the ultimate marathon for your dog’s body. She’s not only creating new life - during lactation, her energy requirements can rise to as much as four times her normal level.

The body starts to prepare itself. The nutritional needs don’t change dramatically yet, but the foundation is being laid for what’s to come.

This is when the real challenge begins. The puppies grow exponentially and take up more and more space. At the same time, the stomach gets smaller due to the pressure of the growing uterus.

The dilemma: More nutrients are needed, but there’s less room to digest them.

This is where things get really intense. Producing milk for a whole litter requires huge amounts of energy and specific nutrients. It’s not unusual for dogs at the peak of lactation to eat almost non-stop.

It’s not just about quantity. The composition of the nutrients needs to change:

- Protein needs rise dramatically – not only for the growing puppies but also for milk production.
- The balance of calcium and phosphorus becomes crucial – too much or too little can cause serious problems.
- Fat content should be adjusted – for energy density without overloading the stomach.
- Small, frequent meals become necessary when stomach space shrinks but needs grow.

For the mother:
- Weight loss despite eating well
- Exhaustion during/after lactation
- Higher risk of complications
- Prolonged recovery after weaning

For the puppies:
The nutritional choices you make now affect their entire lives. Undernutrition during development in the womb can have lifelong consequences for their health, immune system, and growth.

"She already eats puppy food, so that must be enough" Puppy food is a start, but pregnancy and lactation often require even more specific adjustments.

"If she’s hungry, she’ll just eat more" During lactation, dogs can burn through their own reserves without you noticing.

"Calcium supplements are always good during pregnancy" Using calcium at the wrong time can actually cause problems.

It’s not just what you give, but especially when you give it. Each stage asks for a different approach:

- Switching too soon can cause unnecessary weight gain
- Starting too late can lead to deficiencies that can’t be fixed later
- Bad supplement timing can do more harm than good

Pregnancy and lactation put a huge strain on the mother. Just like you wouldn’t put a top athlete on an ordinary diet, a pregnant or nursing dog deserves nutrition that matches the challenge she’s facing.

The choices you make now not only determine how well she gets through this time, but also how healthy the puppies’ lives will start off.

Why pregnant dogs need specialized nutrition

Even with the best puppy food, making the wrong exercise choices can cause joint damage. Here’s what every puppy owner should know about balancing nutrition and exercise.

Puppy bones are literally soft. Calcium and phosphorus in puppy food support bone growth, but developing bones remain fragile until they’re fully formed. Too much impact before they’re ready can cause permanent damage.

Growth plates only close completely between 12-18 months (depending on the breed). Until then, joints are extra sensitive to overload.

Long walks or running
- Too much impact on soft growth plates
- Puppies are often too excited to stop on their own

Walking on loose sand or uneven terrain
- Increased risk of slipping or stumbling
- Unstable surfaces put extra strain on joints

High-impact activities
- Jumping on/off furniture
- Climbing stairs
- Agility training before 18 months

Controlled, gentle movement
- Short walks on flat surfaces
- Free play at your puppy’s own pace
- Swimming

The 5-minute rule – but with nuance
The well-known guideline of "5 minutes per month of age, twice a day" is a starting point. More important: let your puppy set the pace. Controlled, gentle movement is always good. Think sniffing, relaxed walks, and calm exploration.

Mental stimulation
- Puzzle toys
- Basic training (sit, stay, come)
- New scents and experiences

Perfect food can’t make up for the wrong kind of exercise. Both aspects must be right:
- Proper nutrition: Balanced calcium/phosphorus for bone building
- Appropriate exercise: Controlled activity for healthy development

Too little exercise isn’t ideal either. Puppies need activity for muscle growth and coordination, but it must suit their stage of development.

Stop immediately if you notice:
- Puppy panting excessively
- Limping after exercise
- Reluctance to continue
- Seeking rest during activity

Remember: A tired puppy isn’t always a happy one. Over-tiredness can be just as harmful as too little exercise.

Quality over quantity. Short, positive experiences build confidence. Long, exhausting sessions can be harmful both physically and mentally.

Your puppy’s joints develop only once. Invest in the right balance of nutrition and exercise for a lifetime of healthy joints.

Every puppy is unique. Breed, size, and individual development determine what’s optimal. Contact us for personal advice tailored to your puppy’s breed and stage of development.

Perfect nutrition + the wrong exercise = joint problems?

Feeling lost in the aisles of dog food? With hundreds of options and claims like "premium", "natural" and "gourmet", choosing the right food has become quite a challenge.

The first 5 ingredients make up 80% of the food. That’s where your focus should be, not on the claims on the front of the bag.

- ✅ "Chicken", "salmon", "beef"
- ❌ Vague terms like "meat" or "poultry"

Ingredients are listed by weight. If the first ingredient is a carbohydrate (rice, corn, wheat), your "meaty" kibble is mostly grains.

Here’s where you find the actual nutritional values:

- Protein: At least 18% for adult dogs, 22% for puppies
- Fat: 5-15% depending on activity level
- Fiber: 2-4% is ideal
- Moisture: Important when comparing dry to wet food

Pro tip: Always compare based on dry matter. Wet food looks like it has less protein because of the higher moisture content.

- Carbohydrates as the first ingredient
- Too many preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin)
- Vague ingredients like "animal by-products"
- Artificial colorings (dogs don’t care about color!)

Those tempting words on the packaging? There’s a story behind them:
"Natural", "Premium", "Gourmet" are not protected terms. Anyone can use them, and they don’t actually guarantee quality.

The most expensive bag isn’t always the best choice. Sometimes, you’re mostly paying for marketing and fancy packaging.

Turn the bag around – ignore the front, focus on the back

Read the first 5 ingredients out loud – do they sound like real food?

Check the feeding table – does it suit your dog’s needs?

Instead of asking “What is the best food?”, ask this:
“What is the best food for my dog?”
Because every dog is different. Age, activity level, sensitivities, and health all play a role in what’s optimal.

Reading food labels is a skill. If you’re still unsure what’s best for your specific situation, personalized advice is the next step.

Do you have questions about which food is the best fit for your dog? Contact us for advice tailored to their unique needs.

Overwhelmed by food labels? The truth about dog food

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Practical nutrition tips and insights for dogs and cats from integral nutrition therapist Tinne. Preventive care, allergies, digestion and more.

Blog | Dog & cat nutrition tips | The Echo of Food

Practical tips and insights about nutrition for dogs and cats. From preventive care to support for specific health issues - here I share my knowledge and experience as an integral nutrition therapist.