The short answer
Choose a food labelled “complete”, which meets all your dog's nutritional needs on its own, and match it to your dog's life stage. Look for a named meat first in the ingredient list. UK pet food must comply with The Pet Food Regulations 2005, and a higher price does not always mean better nutrition.
Step 1: Understand UK pet food labelling
In the UK, all pet food sold commercially must comply with The Pet Food Regulations 2005 and EC Regulation No. 767/2009. This means:
- “Complete food: Food that meets all of a dog's nutritional needs when fed on its own as the sole diet. Look for the word "complete" on the label.” food:meets all your dog's nutritional needs as a sole diet. Look for this word on the label.
- “Complementary food: Food that has to be fed with other food to make a full diet, such as treats, toppers and most mixer biscuits.” food: must be combined with other food. Treats, toppers and most mixer biscuits are complementary.
- Ingredient listing: Ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight before cooking. 'Chicken (60%)' should be interpreted carefully: this is pre-cooking weight, so actual meat content after cooking can be significantly less.
- Analytical constituents: Protein, fat, crude fibre and ash must be declared. High-quality foods typically have >25% protein (dry matter) for adult dogs.
- Species-specific labelling: If labelled for dogs, it must be formulated for dogs, not a general 'pet food'.
Step 2: Match food to life stage
| Life stage | Key nutritional needs | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 12 months) | Higher protein, calcium, and DHA for brain and bone development | Labelled 'puppy' or 'for all life stages'. Large breed puppies need controlled calcium: look for 'large breed puppy' labelling. |
| Adult (1–7 years) | Balanced maintenance nutrition | Any 'complete adult' food appropriate for your dog's size. Watch calories vs activity level. |
| Senior (7+ years) | Joint support (glucosamine), lower calories, higher digestibility | 'Senior' labelled foods or adding a joint supplement like YuMOVE alongside adult food. |
| Pregnant/lactating | Significantly increased protein, calories, and DHA | Puppy food is often recommended for its higher nutrient density. Ask your vet. |
| Working dog | High protein, high fat for sustained energy | Working dog formulas or performance dry foods. Not appropriate for sedentary pets. |
To turn your dog's weight and life stage into a daily amount, use our dog food portion calculator.
Step 3: Understand the types of dog food
Dry (kibble)
Most adult dogs, especially those without digestive sensitivities
Pros
- Most convenient
- Good dental health benefit
- Most economical per serving
- Long shelf life
Cons
- Lower moisture content
- Quality varies enormously
- Palatability lower than wet
Wet (tins and pouches)
Picky eaters, senior dogs, kidney issues, dogs that don't drink enough
Pros
- High palatability
- High moisture content (good for hydration)
- Good for picky eaters
Cons
- More expensive per serving
- Opened packs need refrigerating
- Dental benefit lower
Fresh / gently cooked
Sensitive stomachs, picky eaters, owners prioritising ingredient quality
Pros
- Human-grade ingredients
- Highest palatability
- Full ingredient transparency
Cons
- Most expensive
- Requires freezer storage
- Needs thawing
Raw (BARF)
Experienced raw feeders with vet oversight. Not recommended for immunocompromised owners.
Pros
- Natural diet, high palatability
- High protein, low carb
Cons
- Bacterial risk (Salmonella, E. coli)
- Nutritional balance challenging
- Not recommended for homes with young children
Step 4: Read the ingredient list
Look for these
- Named meat source first: 'Chicken (25%)' not 'Meat and animal derivatives'
- Named organ meat: 'Chicken liver' rather than 'derivatives'
- Whole vegetables: 'Sweet potato, pea, carrot' rather than 'vegetable extract'
- FEDIAF or AAFCO compliance statement
- No artificial colours (E102, E110, E122, E124)
- No artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin)
Be cautious of these
- 'Meat and animal derivatives' without named species: the lowest quality protein source
- Sugar or glucose syrup: added for palatability, no nutritional benefit
- Propylene glycol: a preservative, banned in cat food for good reason
- Ash content over 10%: indicates high bone content, lower digestibility
- Generic 'cereals' without specification: quality varies enormously
Step 5: Example foods and costs by type
| Category | Example food | Budget option | Monthly cost (20kg dog) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium dry | Millies Wolfheart | James Wellbeloved | £35–£55 |
| Wet / pouches | Lily's Kitchen | Wainwright's | £45–£90 |
| Fresh subscription | Butternut Box | Pure Pet Food | £100–£180 |
| Puppy dry | Royal Canin Puppy | Hills Science Diet | £40–£65 |
| Senior dry | Hill's Prescription Diet j/d | Burns Senior | £40–£70 |
For our full dog food comparison with detailed scoring, see our Best Dog Food UK 2026 guide. For what different foods cost per day, see our dog food cost guide.
Questions
What should I look for in dog food in the UK?
Key things to look for: (1) 'Complete' labelling, which confirms nutritional adequacy, (2) named meat first in the ingredient list ('chicken' not 'meat derivatives'), (3) no artificial colours or preservatives, (4) FEDIAF or AAFCO compliance, (5) appropriate to your dog's life stage. UK pet food must comply with The Pet Food Regulations 2005.
Is wet or dry dog food better?
Neither is universally better. Wet food has higher moisture (good for kidney health and picky eaters); dry food is more convenient, better for dental health, and more economical. Many UK vets recommend mixing both. Either is nutritionally adequate if 'complete' labelling is confirmed.
How much should I spend on dog food UK?
For a 20kg dog, expect £35–£55/month for quality dry food, £45–£90/month for wet, and £100–£180/month for fresh. Expensive doesn't always mean better: many mid-range UK brands like James Wellbeloved offer excellent nutrition.
Is grain-free dog food better UK?
Not necessarily, and potentially harmful. The FDA in the US has investigated a link between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. There is no proven benefit to grain-free for most dogs. Unless your dog has a diagnosed grain intolerance (rare), a high-quality grain-inclusive food is recommended by most UK vets.
How do I switch my dog to a new food?
Switch gradually over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset. Start with 25% new food / 75% old food, increasing the new food ratio every 2–3 days. Dogs with sensitive stomachs may need a 14-day transition. If you see persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, slow the transition further.