How to Choose a Complete and Balanced Dog Food

What “Complete and Balanced” Actually Means

In AAFCO’s definition, “complete” means the food contains all the nutrients a dog requires, and “balanced” means those nutrients are present in the correct ratios (AAFCO). A food that is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage can be fed as the whole diet without added supplements.

In the US, AAFCO’s model pet food regulations are not federal law, but most states have adopted a version of them, so in practice they are the standard on American labels. European products are generally formulated against FEDIAF nutrient guidelines instead, and the WSAVA advice below applies to both (WSAVA).

Step 1: Find and Read the Nutritional Adequacy Statement

AAFCO calls the nutritional adequacy statement “perhaps the most important part of a label.” It is usually on the back or side of the package, in small print. Because the wording is standardised, there are only a few versions, which makes products easy to compare (AAFCO).

Step 2: Match the Life Stage to Your Dog

AAFCO recognises four life stages — gestation/lactation, growth, maintenance and all life stages — because dogs need different amounts and ratios of nutrients at different points in life (AAFCO). WSAVA notes that foods labelled for all life stages are formulated to meet the needs of reproduction and growth.

Step 3: Extra Checks for Puppies and Large Breeds

Puppies need a diet that meets growth requirements until they are at least 1 year old, or about 18 months for giant breeds (Tufts). Foods for large-breed puppies are designed with lower calcium and are usually lower in calories than typical puppy foods.

AAFCO uses 70 lb as the large-breed cut-off, but Dr. Freeman suggests a more conservative 50 lb (about 23 kg): if your puppy is expected to weigh more than that as an adult, choose a food labelled “including growth of large size dogs.”

Step 4: Judge the Manufacturer, Not the Marketing

Tufts’ nutritionists point out that the information that matters most — the company’s nutritional expertise and quality control — is not on the label, and that the best foods are not necessarily the most expensive or the best marketed (Tufts). Their studies have even found nutritional deficiencies in foods labelled complete and balanced. The WSAVA guidelines list questions to ask a brand directly, by phone or email:

What the Label Can’t Tell You

• The ingredient list shows order, not quality. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, but amounts are not given (AAFCO). Tufts calls the ingredient list “one of the most useless aspects” of the label for judging quality, and notes it is often used for marketing.
• The guaranteed analysis gives limits, not actual levels. It lists minimum crude protein and fat and maximum fibre and moisture. Tufts calls these numbers “nearly useless” for comparing foods — ask the company for a typical analysis instead.
• Unregulated terms such as “premium” and “holistic” are designed to sell and have little practical value (WSAVA).
• Product names follow percentage rules. Under AAFCO rules, “Beef Dog Food” must be at least 95% beef (excluding added water); “Beef Dinner” or “Entrée” at least 25%; “with beef” only 3%; and “beef flavour” only needs a listed ingredient that provides the flavour.
• Ratings websites usually rank foods on opinion or on ingredient lists, which Tufts says does not ensure a good-quality food.

Step 5: Check Calories and Adjust the Amount

In the US, labels must show calorie content as kilocalories per kilogram and per familiar unit such as a cup or can (AAFCO). WSAVA notes this is only required on US labels; elsewhere the manufacturer should be able to tell you. Calories vary widely — Tufts found puppy foods ranging from about 300 to more than 500 calories per cup (Tufts).

Feeding directions are a starting point. AAFCO describes them as guidelines that may need adjusting for an individual dog, and Tufts recommends adjusting the amount to keep a trim body condition — 4 to 5 on a 9-point scale. Spaying or neutering can reduce a puppy’s calorie needs by up to 30%.

Treats count too: WSAVA advises that foods not labelled complete — including treats and supplemental foods — should make up no more than about 10% of the diet unless a veterinarian is supervising.

Grain-Free Dog Food and DCM

In 2018 the FDA began investigating reports of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a heart disease, in dogs eating certain foods — many labelled “grain-free” — with peas, lentils, other legumes or potatoes among the main ingredients (FDA). In December 2022 the agency said the reports alone could not establish a causal link, described the issue as complex and possibly involving multiple factors, and said it would only publish further updates if there was meaningful new science.

Until the cause is better understood, Dr. Freeman notes that some owners choose to avoid foods with peas, lentils, chickpeas, potatoes and sweet potatoes. The FDA urges owners to work with their veterinarian before changing diets, and to contact a vet promptly if a dog shows possible signs of heart disease such as decreased energy, coughing, difficulty breathing or collapse.

What If You Want to Cook for Your Dog?

Most home-prepared recipes are not complete and balanced. If you prefer to cook, get a recipe formulated for your dog by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and follow it exactly. See our guide: veterinarian warning about homemade dog food. For short-term bland diets, see is chicken and rice good for dogs?

Frequently asked questions

How This Guide Was Prepared

This guide was researched and written by the AnimalIDFinder editorial team using AAFCO’s consumer labelling guidance, the U.S. FDA, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s Global Nutrition Committee guidelines, and articles by board-certified veterinary nutritionists at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, all linked below. It has not been individually reviewed by a veterinarian. We do not recommend or rank specific brands.

Label rules described here are US (AAFCO) rules unless stated otherwise. Last reviewed against sources: October 2026.

Related dog guides

Sources

Regulatory and veterinary nutrition references used in this guide:

• AAFCO — Reading pet food labels
• U.S. FDA — “Complete and balanced” pet food
• WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Guidelines on selecting pet foods (2021)
• Tufts Petfoodology — Questions you should be asking about your pet’s food
• Tufts Petfoodology — What’s the best food for your new puppy?
• Tufts Petfoodology — Confused about what to feed your large breed puppy?
• U.S. FDA — Investigation into a potential link between certain diets and canine DCM
• Pet Nutrition Alliance — Pet food manufacturer evaluation report