Question 1

What is WSAVA and why does it matter for dog food?

Accepted Answer

WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) publishes Global Nutrition Guidelines that set the gold standard for pet food quality. WSAVA-compliant brands employ board-certified veterinary nutritionists, conduct AAFCO feeding trials, and invest in published peer-reviewed research. Only 5 brands in the US meet all WSAVA criteria: Hill's Science Diet, Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan, Iams, and Eukanuba.

Question 2

Is grain-free dog food healthier for dogs?

Accepted Answer

No. The FDA issued an alert in 2018 linking grain-free diets high in legumes (peas, lentils, chickpeas) to Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious and potentially fatal heart disease in dogs. WSAVA veterinary nutritionists recommend grain-containing diets unless a dog has a veterinarian-diagnosed grain allergy, which is rare.

Question 3

Are boutique or premium dog food brands better than mainstream brands?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Boutique brands with premium pricing, exotic ingredients, and attractive packaging rarely employ board-certified veterinary nutritionists or conduct AAFCO feeding trials. Price and marketing do not correlate with nutritional quality. The WSAVA-compliant brands (Hill's, Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan, Iams, Eukanuba) invest the most in nutritional science and safety testing.

Question 4

Is raw food safe for dogs?

Accepted Answer

The CDC, AVMA, and WSAVA all discourage raw diets due to significant health risks including Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli contamination that can affect both dogs and humans in the household. Raw diets also carry risks of nutritional imbalance and bone fragment injuries.

Question 5

Are home-cooked diets good for dogs?

Accepted Answer

Home-cooked diets are extremely difficult to balance nutritionally. Studies show that the vast majority of home-prepared pet food recipes  - including those from veterinary textbooks  - are nutritionally incomplete. If you want to home-cook for your dog, work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN) to formulate a complete and balanced recipe.

Know What's in the Bowl 🐶

What is WSAVA?

The Grain-Free Myth

Boutique Brand Problems

Raw Food Risks

Home-Cooked Diet Risks

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