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What dog food ingredients are good or bad, including grains?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Black and Tan Coonhound | Male | neutered | 5 years and 2 months old | 75 lbs

I am still searching for a dog food for my dog and I'm still confused with what's good and bad for my dog , I've narrowed it dog to a few , ( Dog chow natural, Natural Balance , and Nutrish (Rachel rays ), what are the most important ingredients to avoid in dog food choices ? And what are the best ones to look for ? Are grains and wheat good for your dogs ,

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

Published on July 3rd, 2017

These are questions that really depend on your individual dog, as well as your needs. Most owners try to look for foods that don't have a lot of fillers, IE animal byproducts, too many grains, non-natural ingredients, etc. Ingredients are listed by their volume, so the ones at the top of the list are in a higher quantity than the lower, however the same ingredient may be broken down into different parts and listed several times. Grains and wheat are a good source of energy and carbohydrates, however some dogs do have allergies or issues with digesting them, so they should be avoided if this is the case with your own dog. All commercial dog foods have to meet AAFCO guidelines for nutrition, so making sure the food you choose has a statement that it meets those guidelines is good.

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