Walk into any pet shop and you will see dozens of dog food brands, flavours and pack sizes. Choosing the right one can feel confusing. The good news is that you only need to answer a few simple questions: how old is your dog, how big is it, and does it have any special health needs? This guide walks you through each choice.
Puppy food vs adult food
Puppies grow very fast, so they need more protein, calories, calcium and DHA than adult dogs. Puppy food is made for this growth stage.
- Small and medium breeds: puppy food until about 10-12 months
- Large breeds such as Labradors, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers: puppy food until about 15-18 months. Large-breed puppy food controls calcium and energy to protect growing joints.
- Starter food is for very young puppies being weaned from their mother’s milk, usually from 3 to 8 weeks.
Adult food has fewer calories, which helps prevent weight gain once growth stops. Senior dogs (usually 7 years and older) may benefit from senior formulas that are easier on joints and digestion.
Shop puppy food, adult dog food and starter food.
Dry food vs wet food
| Dry food (kibble) | Wet food (gravy, chunks) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower cost per meal | Higher cost per meal |
| Storage | Keeps well once opened | Must be refrigerated and used quickly |
| Teeth | Crunch helps reduce some plaque | No cleaning effect |
| Taste | Good for most dogs | Very tasty for fussy eaters |
| Water | Low moisture | High moisture, helps hydration |
Many pet parents feed dry food as the main diet and mix in a little wet food as a topper to make meals more exciting. If you do this, reduce the dry portion so your dog does not overeat. Browse dry dog food and wet dog food.
Vegetarian vs non-vegetarian dog food
Dogs can live healthily on a well-formulated vegetarian diet, as long as it is a complete and balanced commercial food made for dogs. Home-cooked vegetarian meals often lack protein, taurine and key vitamins. If your family prefers vegetarian food, choose a complete veg dog food such as Drools 100% Vegetarian and discuss it with your vet. Non-vegetarian foods with real chicken, fish or egg are the most common choice and suit most dogs well.
How to read the label
- Look for a named protein (chicken, fish, egg) as the first ingredient.
- Check that it says complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage.
- Choose the right size: small-breed kibble is easier for small mouths.
- Follow the feeding guide on the pack as a starting point, then adjust to keep your dog at a healthy weight.
Foods you should never give your dog
Chocolate, grapes and raisins, onion and garlic, cooked bones, and anything sweetened with xylitol can all be dangerous. Many adult dogs also cannot digest milk well.
How to switch foods safely
Change food slowly over 7-10 days. Start with a quarter of the new food mixed with the old, then half and half, then three-quarters, and finally the new food alone. A sudden switch can upset your dog’s stomach.
Find the right food at Sandy’s Friends
At Sandy’s Friends, we stock trusted brands like Royal Canin, Pedigree, Drools and Zippy for every age and size, plus healthy treats and chews from Gnawlers and Basil. Visit our store in Shahdara, Delhi, and our team will help you choose the right food for your dog, or shop online anytime.