July 31, 2025, 4:05 pm | Read time: 17 minutes

What Ingredients Should Be in Dog Food?

Most people believe that a dog is a pure carnivore, but that’s far from the truth. A dog is a predator and a meat-specialized omnivore. Its ancestor, the wolf, hunts its prey in the wild and consumes it almost entirely. The meat provides proteins and fats, while the organs and blood are rich in vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Bones and cartilage supply calcium and phosphorus. The prey’s intestinal contents or the excrement of herbivores provide fiber, pre-digested plant components, and bacterial strains.

Appropriate feeding for a dog ideally consists of about 60 to 70 percent animal content (muscle meat, organs, cartilage, bones, blood) and about 30 to 40 percent plant content (vegetables, fruits, berries, grasses, herbs). A whole prey animal consists of about 70 to 80 percent water, which confirms the similarity to a wet food diet. When feeding dry food, water must be added. The daily food amount should be about 2 to 3 percent of the ideal body weight (it can be slightly less with dry food).

What Does the Packaging Actually Say?

There are mandatory details set by European feed law. The legally required data mainly includes the type of feed and the animal species it is intended for. Dog food is generally categorized as complete feed (wet or dry food), complementary feed (snacks, treats), or single feed (BARF components).

Complete feed is the term for food that provides all essential nutrients and enough energy in a daily ration. This includes the premium dry dog food varieties analyzed here. The composition, all analytical ingredients, and additional additives must be listed. A feeding recommendation, minimum shelf life, weight, and manufacturer information are mandatory.

How Do I Read the Composition?

As with all foods, the ingredient list starts with the components present in the largest quantities and ends with those in the smallest amounts. Unfortunately, this does not automatically indicate the quality. A percentage indication of the respective shares is voluntary. Only when the exact designation of a food variety, such as with beef, is given, must it also state how much beef it actually contains.

In general, good, ready-made dog food has an animal content of

• 60–70 percent (meat, fish, organs) and a
• plant content of 30–40 percent (vegetables, fruits, herbs, oils).

The more precisely a manufacturer declares the ingredients of its food, the better. This was considered in our comparison of premium dry dog food.

Also interesting: 12 Premium Wet Foods for Dogs Tested – Half Are Unsuitable

Premium Dry Dog Food in Nutrient Comparison – How It Was Evaluated

All twelve wet foods in the mid to high price range from pet specialty stores like Fressnapf, Futterhaus, or Zooplus were evaluated solely based on their declarations and descriptions on the packaging and by the retailer.

The rating (0 to 5 stars) was based on the information about composition, description, additives, feeding recommendation, and a conclusion.

Tundra “Dry Food with Venison, Salmon, and Duck,” 6.16 Euro/kg

Ingredients/Composition Meat/Vegetables:
60% venison, salmon, duck & poultry (consisting of 30% fresh salmon, 14% dried and ground venison, 9% turkey and chicken fat, 5% dried and ground duck meat, 2% poultry liver), peas, pea starch, field beans, flaxseed, beet pulp (desugared), yeast, seaweed meal, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), Yucca schidigera, apple*, pomegranate peel*, rose hips* (*dried), calcium 1.5%, phosphorus 1.2%, omega-3 0.5%, omega-6 3.2%
Additionally: Vitamin A, D3, and E, copper, iron, zinc, manganese, iodine, selenium, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate

Declaration:
Nutritionally balanced, natural composition of ingredients, high-quality products, sustainable production, innovative development, healthy and species-appropriate nutrition

• Listing in percentage of how much of each meat is included
• Made in Canada
• No animal testing

Additives: Without grains, added sugar, flavorings, artificial colorings, chemical preservatives (naturally preserved), or flavor enhancers

Feeding Recommendation:
Simple listing, weight specifications from 4 to 40 kg for recommended food amount

Summary

Positive:

• Good ratio between meat and plant components at 60:40 (unfortunately no indication of which specific animal components (meat, organs, by-products) are involved)
• Balanced composition and healthy additives, e.g., for joint health
• Grain- and potato-free
• Good value for money

Negative:

• With 29% protein and 17% fat content, more suitable for highly active dogs or very large animals
• Made in Canada, no transparency about the origin of the food, not sustainable (long transport route)

Conclusion: 5 out of 5 stars

Wolfsblut “Wild Duck Adult,” 8.50 Euro/kg

Ingredients/Composition Meat/Vegetables:
Duck 44% (of which 25% fresh duck meat, 17% dried duck meat, 2% duck fat), potatoes 24%, sweet potatoes 19%, parsnips, duck jus, minerals, fennel, Jerusalem artichoke 1.1%, pumpkin, chickpeas, flaxseed, tomatoes, Mediterranean herb mix 0.5% (thyme, marjoram, oregano, parsley, sage), blackberries, raspberries, blueberries 0.1%, black currants, elderberries, chokeberries, nettle, dandelion 0.05%, ginseng 0.05%, hawthorn 0.05%, mannan-oligosaccharides (prebiotic MOS), fructo-oligosaccharides (prebiotic FOS), Yucca schidigera extract
Additionally: Vitamin A, D3, E, trace elements: iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium, DL-methionine, taurine, L-carnitine

Declaration:
Dog nutrition modeled after the wolf, only one meat type (single protein source), composition based on the latest knowledge (about dogs’ nutritional needs), natural and species-appropriate, precise listing in percentage of how much of each ingredient is included. With superfoods like Yucca schidigera, Jerusalem artichoke, as well as natural probiotics and prebiotics (with detailed explanation of their effects), no animal testing

Additives: Without grains, corn, gluten, soy, flavor enhancers, or artificial additives (except vitamins & minerals)

Feeding Recommendation:
Precise listing, weight specifications from 1 to 45 kg for recommended food amount

Summary

Positive:

• Grain-free
• Balanced composition of meat, vegetables, fruits, herbs, vitamins, and minerals

Negative:

• Single protein, only one meat type (but unfortunately no indication of which specific animal components (meat, organs, by-products) are involved)

Conclusion: 5 out of 5 stars

Wildkind Deep River “Chicken with Salmon,” 7.99 Euro/kg

Ingredients/Composition Meat/Vegetables:
Fresh chicken 36%, potato flakes 22%, salmon protein* 12%, potato starch 7%, poultry protein* 5%, dried beet pulp, poultry fat 3.6%, poultry protein hydrolysate 3%, flaxseed 2%, lignocellulose, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, brewer’s yeast*, egg*, sodium chloride, salmon oil 0.1%, chicory inulin 0.1%, black currant pomace 0.1%, chokeberry pomace 0.1%, sunflower oil 0.1%, yarrow* 0.03%, dandelion leaves* 0.03%, dandelion root* 0.03%, chamomile* 0.03%, nettle* 0.03%, plantain* 0.03%, St. John’s wort* 0.03% *dried
Additionally: Vitamin A, D3, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, iodine, selenium

Declaration:
Listing in percentage of how much of each ingredient is included, natural and optimally tailored to its needs, modeled after the wolf, made in Germany

Additives:
Without grains, soy, chemical preservatives, artificial colorings, and flavors, with antioxidants

Feeding Recommendation:
Simple listing, weight specifications from 10 to 70 kg for recommended food amount

Summary

Positive:

• Grain-free

Negative:

• No indication of which specific animal components (meat, organs, by-products) are involved in the fresh chicken content
• Ingredients are partially only dried and not the whole vegetable or fruit, e.g., potato flakes and potato starch or pomace and not the fruit itself

Conclusion: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Real Nature Wilderness Adult True Country “Chicken with Fish,” 8.25 Euro/kg

Ingredients/Composition Meat/Vegetables:
Fresh chicken meat (24%), chicken protein (18%), potatoes (12%), potato flakes (10%), chicken fat (6%), chicken protein, hydrolyzed (4%), fresh duck meat (4%), fresh salmon (4%), herring protein (4%), apples (4%), fresh chicken liver (3%), salmon oil (3%), carrots (1%), spinach (1%), peas (1%), glucosamine (0.026%), chondroitin sulfate (0.016%), mannan-oligosaccharides (0.015%), fructo-oligosaccharides (0.01%), Yucca schidigera (0.01%), cranberries (0.005%), rosemary (0.004%), psyllium husks and seeds (0.002%), algae (Ascophyllum nodosum, 0.0018%), thyme (0.0014%), peppermint (0.0014%), dandelion (0.0012%), parsley (0.001%).
Additionally: Vitamin A, D3, E, B2, iron, copper, iodine, manganese, selenium, zinc

Declaration:
For dogs of all breeds and sizes from the 11th to 24th month (depending on dog size), modeled after the diet of the wolf as the ancestor of the dog, high meat content (70% animal protein), made in Germany

Additives:
100% natural, without artificial preservatives, emulsifiers, flavorings, or colorings

Feeding Recommendation:
Rough listing, weight specifications from 5 to 80 kg for recommended food amount

Summary

Positive:

• Grain-free

Negative:

• High protein content, but relatively low fresh meat content for a premium dry dog food
• No indication of which specific animal components (meat, organs, by-products) are involved
• The label says “Chicken with Fish,” but duck is also included in the composition.
• Low fruit and vegetable content
• High protein content at 37%
• High fat content at 20% (a lot for a normally active dog)

Conclusion: 4 out of 5 stars

Bosch Soft Adult “Chicken with Banana,” 6 Euro/kg

Ingredients/Composition Meat/Vegetables:
Fresh chicken (60%), potato starch, plantain (dried, 8%), potato protein, protein hydrolysate (plant-based), peas (dried), cellulose fibers, psyllium, chicory powder (0.4%), yeast (dried), sodium chloride, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, Yucca (dried)
Additionally: Vitamin A, D3, B1, B2, B6, B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, niacin, folic acid, vitamin K1, vitamin C, choline chloride, vitamin E, L-carnitine, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium, iron, phosphorus 0.8%, calcium 1.2%, sodium 0.25%, potassium 0.8%, magnesium 0.07%

Declaration:
“Single Animal Protein” product for the balanced and healthy nutrition of adult dogs of all breeds from the 1st year of life, particularly suitable for nutritionally sensitive dogs suffering from food intolerances or allergies, soft kibble (19% moisture) is particularly digestible, especially tasty and wholesome, made in Germany

Additives:
With antioxidants, preservatives, without sugar, no animal testing, and no genetic engineering

Feeding Recommendation:
Simple listing, weight specifications from 2.5 to 60 kg for recommended food amount

Summary

Positive:

• Grain-free and production note
• Single protein, only one meat type (good for food intolerances)

Negative:

• Limited variety of ingredients
• For the indication “chicken,” it is not clear which specific animal components (meat, organs, by-products) are involved.
• Moisture content at 19% is on average 10% higher than the comparison products, but partially different information on the product, on the manufacturer’s homepage, and with various providers
• Fat content of 14% is rather high for a nutritionally sensitive animal

Conclusion: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Lex “Rich in Fresh Tripe,” 7.99 Euro/kg

Ingredients/Composition Meat/Vegetables:
23% fresh chicken, 20% fresh beef tripe, 14% potato starch, 12% fresh beef spleen, potato flour, 8% fresh beef, 4% fresh beef liver, 1.7% protein hydrolysate, 1.5% poultry protein, dried beet pulp (desugared), 0.35% carrots (dried), 0.25% peas (dried), brewer’s yeast (dried), fish oil, psyllium husks, pumpkin (dried), green-lipped mussel extract
Additionally: Vitamin A, D3, E, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper

Declaration:
“Hearty Meat Enjoyment” with the freshness factor, 70% meat and animal components with aromatic taste, intense aroma, made in Germany

Additives:
Antioxidants and preservatives, no other information on additives

Feeding Recommendation:
Simple listing, weight specifications from 5 to 80 kg for recommended food amount

Summary

Positive:

• Grain-free, production note

Negative:

• The variety name is misleading and poorly named: it says “rich in fresh tripe,” 20% tripe is declared, but 23% poultry is listed first, with no indication of which specific animal components are involved in chicken and beef.
• Very low-quality vegetable content
• Rather high fat content at 16.5%
• Ingredients are partially only dried and not the whole vegetable or fruit (e.g., only potato starch and potato flour, dried peas and carrots)

Conclusion: 3 out of 5 stars

Premiere Soft Adult “Beef,” 6.37 Euro/kg

Ingredients/Composition Meat/Vegetables:
Beef, fresh (60%), corn, beef protein (8%), rice, flaxseed (1.3%), hydrolyzed poultry protein, dried beet pulp, apples, peas, chicory (0.25%), brewer’s yeast, fish oil, celery, carrots, tomatoes, Yucca schidigera, cranberries, blueberries, glucosamine, marigold flowers, centaury, gentian root, mistletoe, chamomile flowers, caraway, fennel, yarrow, blackberry leaves, nettle
Additionally: Vitamin A (retinyl acetate), vitamin D3, E, C, calcium iodate, copper (II) sulfate, pentahydrate, sodium selenite, zinc oxide

Declaration:
Optimally tailored to the needs of adult dogs, semi-moist, particularly juicy kibbles offer full meat flavor

Additives:
Without artificial colorings, no other information on additives

Feeding Recommendation:
Precise listing, weight specifications from 3 to 60 kg for recommended food amount

Summary

Positive:

• Grain-free
• With various herbs

Negative:

• Only four ingredients are identified by their percentage content.
• For the indication “beef,” it is not clear which specific animal components (meat, organs, by-products) are involved.
• Corn and rice may not be well tolerated by every dog
• Protein content at 25% is somewhat high
• Moisture content at 19% is on average 10% higher than the comparison products

Conclusion: 3 out of 5 stars

More on the topic

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The Following Premium Dry Dog Foods Were Below the Average Rating of 3 Stars:

Wiejska Zagroda “Duck with Pear,” 10 Euro/kg

Ingredients/Composition Meat/Vegetables:
Duck meat (52.5%, of which 35% dried duck meat, 17.5% fresh duck meat), chicken fat (11%), peas, peeled peas, dried potato flakes, hydrolyzed chicken liver protein (4%), dried brewer’s yeast (1%), flaxseed, dried (sugar) beet pulp, lignocellulose (from spruce), potato protein, minerals, dried pears (0.5%), salmon oil (0.5%), dried chicory, MOS (mannan-oligosaccharides), glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, plant extracts (rosemary, citrus plants, turmeric, Syzygium cumini, Mojave yucca)
Additionally: Vitamin A, D3, E, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, selenium, taurine, calcium 2.1%, phosphorus 1.3%, omega-3 fatty acid 1.6%

Declaration:
Description on the packaging only in Polish, made in the EU, food quality, raw materials sourced from regional suppliers

Additives:
With antioxidants, without artificial preservatives or unnecessary fillers, no other information on additives

Feeding Recommendation:
Simple listing, weight specifications from 5 to 70 kg for recommended food amount

Summary

Positive:

• Grain-free

Negative:

• Only for individual ingredients is it clear what the percentage content of each ingredient is.
• For the indication “duck,” it is not clear which specific animal components (meat, organs, by-products) are involved.
• Partially different information on the product and from the provider: duck is indicated in the name, in the German description of the product at the supplier it is turkey, in the composition it is chicken
• Protein content at 32% is high
• Fat content at 21% is high for a normally active dog
• Crude ash is exceptionally high at 10% (can lead to an oversupply of minerals)
• Information on the packaging only in Polish
• No transparency about the origin of the food, not sustainable (due to production in Poland, long transport route)
• Poor value for money

Conclusion: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Monge Bwild Adult “Salmon with Peas,” 10.75 Euro/kg

Ingredients/Composition Meat/Vegetables:
Dried salmon (38%), potatoes (16%), animal fat (15%, of which 99.5% purified chicken oil), fresh chicken meat (12%), potato protein, brewer’s yeast, peas (4%), dried beets, cellulose, hydrolyzed animal proteins, minerals, mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS 1%), xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS 0.3%), Yucca schidigera (0.3%), spirulina (0.3%), glucosamine (0.057%), chondroitin sulfate (0.04%), milk protein powder
Additionally: Vitamin A, D3, E, selenium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, iodine, L-carnitine, omega-3 fatty acid 0.5%, omega-6 fatty acid 4.2%

Declaration:
Description on the packaging only in English, over 65% animal ingredients are perfect for a species-appropriate diet for your dog, made in Italy

Additives: Tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils (antioxidants), without artificial colorings and preservatives

Feeding Recommendation:
Simple listing, weight specifications from 12 to 70 kg for recommended food amount

Summary

Positive:

• Grain-free

Negative:

• Only for individual ingredients is it clear what the percentage content of each ingredient is.
• “Salmon with Peas” is indicated in the name, but chicken also appears in the composition.
• For the indication “chicken,” it is not clear which specific animal components (meat, organs, by-products) are involved.
• Protein content at 32% is high
• Low-quality fruit and vegetable content
• Milk protein powder is not well tolerated by every animal
• No indication of moisture content
• All information on the packaging is in English
• Made in Italy, no transparency about the origin of the food, not sustainable (long transport route)
• Poor value for money

Conclusion: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Taste of the Wild Pine Forest “Venison and Lamb,” 9.65 Euro/kg

Ingredients/Composition Meat/Vegetables:
Venison (10%), lamb meal, chickpeas (10%), peas (10%), lentils (10%), pea flour, dried yeast, egg products, canola oil, tomato pomace, fish meal, salmon oil (a DHA source), minerals, dried chicory roots, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, extract of Yucca schidigera
Additionally: DL-methionine (sulfur-containing amino acid), vitamin A, D3, E, taurine, iron, copper, iodine, manganese, zinc, selenium, omega-3 fatty acid 0.3%, omega-6 fatty acid 2.8%, docosahexaenoic acid 0.05%

Declaration:
All information on the packaging in English, premium dry food for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages, without slaughterhouse waste, plant or animal by-products, attractants, flavor enhancers, special note on the individual ingredients and their positive effects on health, made in the USA

Additives:
Natural flavor, no other information on additives

Feeding Recommendation:
Simple listing, weight specifications from 1 to 79 kg for recommended food amount, including age indication (from 6 weeks) and American and English measurements on the packaging

Summary

Positive:

• Grain-free and gluten-free

Negative:

• Only for five ingredients (half of the total amount) is it clear what the percentage content of each ingredient is.
• No fresh meat and total amount unknown
• In the composition, the amount of fish meal is unknown
• All information on the packaging only in English
• Made in the USA, no transparency about the origin of the food, not sustainable (long transport route)
• Poor value for money

Conclusion: 2 out of 5 stars

Golden Eagle Holistic Health “Power Chicken,” 9.83 Euro/kg

Ingredients/Composition Meat/Vegetables:
Chicken meal (min. 27%), whole grain brown rice, white whole grain rice, refined chicken fat, oatmeal, pork meal (min. 5.5%), beet pulp, tomato pomace, egg (min. 3%), salmon meal (min. 3%), flaxseed, peas, carrots, alfalfa, salmon oil, chicken liver broth, monosodium phosphate, salt (Natrox), potassium chloride, seaweed, Yucca, Joint Care Pack, dried apple, cranberry, selenium, beta-carotene, L-carnitine, minerals, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acid 0.95%, omega-6 fatty acid 3.55%
Additionally: Calcium, phosphorus, copper, vitamin A, D3, and E

Declaration:
Protein-rich dry food for very active dogs (working dogs, such as sled or hunting dogs) or also suitable for pregnant or nursing bitches, multi-protein food with high protein content with a balanced recipe with fruits and vegetables, the most important information on the packaging is in English, made in England, developed with veterinarians

Additives:
Gluten-free, without soy, wheat, and corn, according to the manufacturer no additives

Feeding Recommendation:
Simple listing, weight specifications from 2 to 90 kg for recommended food amount; all information only in English

Summary

Positive:

• Precise declaration that this food is suitable for particularly active dogs due to the high protein, fat, and crude ash content

Negative:

• No high-quality fresh meat content, only meat meal (less than 50%) in the composition (meat and fish meal is obtained from slaughterhouse waste and by-products)
• Only for individual ingredients is it clear what the percentage content of each ingredient is
• Not grain-free, as rice and oatmeal are included in an undefined amount (possibly difficult to digest for some animals)
• Fruit and vegetable content not declared
• Information on the packaging mainly in English
• Made in England, no transparency about the origin of the food, not sustainable (long transport route)
• Poor value for money

Conclusion: 1.5 out of 5 stars

Natur Plus Adult “with Chicken and Beef,” 4.60 Euro/kg

Ingredients/Composition Meat/Vegetables:
25% oats*, 23.6% barley*, 19% chicken protein (dried)*, 15% peas*, 7.3% poultry fat*, 4% beef protein (dried)*, 1.4% minerals (sodium chloride*, calcium carbonate), 1% flaxseed*, 1% apple pomace (dried)*, 0.7% poultry liver (hydrolyzed), 0.5% sunflower oil (refined), 0.5% pumpkin (dried)*, 0.1% chicory inulin* * natural raw material, calcium 1.6%, phosphorus 1%
Additionally: Vitamin A, D3, E, C, B1, B2, niacin, calcium-D-pantothenate, vitamin B6, B12, biotin, choline chloride, folic acid, DL-methionine, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, iodine, selenium

Declaration:
31% animal raw materials and natural ingredients, promotes good nutrition with natural ingredients (avoiding unnecessary ingredients), special focus on the environment, delivery routes as short as possible, as the products are made in Germany or neighboring countries, also special attention is paid to raw material origin, CO₂ emissions, and recyclability, made in the Netherlands, raw materials mostly from Europe

Additives:
Antioxidants: tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils

Feeding Recommendation:
Simple listing, weight specifications from 5 to 60 kg for recommended food amount

Summary

Positive:

• Special focus on the environment

Negative:

• Not grain-free, almost half of the composition consists of oats and barley (5.6% fiber), possibly difficult to digest for some animals
• No high-quality fresh meat content, only dried protein in the composition
• Very low fruit and vegetable content
• Made in the Netherlands, no transparency about the origin of the food (mostly from Europe), not sustainable (long transport route)
• Little information about the food itself, mainly information about sustainability

Conclusion: 1 out of 5 stars

Summary

In summary, each of the premium dry dog foods showed average values of crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, crude fiber, and moisture content. In this premium segment, unlike discount or drugstore brands, ten food varieties avoided low-quality plant and animal by-products and used only pure meat, fruits, and vegetables. Two premium dry dog foods were not grain-free.

Five varieties from different manufacturers were not made in Germany, resulting in longer transport routes. Four of the products stood out for their particularly poor value for money.