What Should I Feed My Dog

What Should I
Feed My Dog

Feeding your dog a nutritious and balanced diet is one of the most important ways to support their overall health and longevity. As a valued member of your family, your dog deserves food that meets their specific needs and supports their lifestyle.

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At St.Francis Animal Hospital Brooklyn, we’re here to guide you through the options. Our veterinary team can help you select a diet that’s appropriate for your dog’s age, breed, health conditions, and activity level. Whether it’s commercial dog food, prescription diets, or tailored nutritional plans, we’ll ensure your pet gets exactly what they need — without the guesswork.

What Does “Complete and Balanced” Mean?

A complete and balanced diet ensures that your pet receives:

High-quality proteins to build and maintain strong muscles

Essential fats like Omega-3 and Omega-6 for healthy skin and coat

Carbohydrates for energy

Vitamins and minerals to support metabolic functions and organ health

The goal is to match your pet’s caloric needs with nutrient intake, so they remain healthy without becoming overweight or nutrient-deficient.

AAFCO Guidelines: Your Assurance of Quality

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets the standard for what qualifies as a complete and balanced pet food. These guidelines vary based on your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, senior) and reproductive status (intact or neutered). Pet foods that meet AAFCO standards will display this clearly on the label. This is your assurance that the food meets the nutritional needs appropriate for your dog’s specific life stage.

Is this food right for my dog’s life stage?

Not all dog foods are created equal. Puppies, adults, and senior dogs each have different nutritional needs. We recommend selecting a food formulated specifically for your dog’s life stage (e.g., puppy, adult, senior) rather than one labeled “for all life stages”, which may not provide the appropriate balance.
For large-breed puppies, look for diets labeled to control growth, which help prevent joint and bone issues later in life.

Who formulates this food, and are they qualified?

We strongly recommend choosing a brand that employs a full-time, qualified veterinary nutritionist—ideally someone with:
A PhD in Animal Nutrition, or
Certification from the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) or the European College of Veterinary Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN).
This ensures your dog’s food is formulated based on scientific evidence—not marketing trends.

Should I feed my dog a grain-free diet?

In recent years, some grain-free diets—especially those high in legumes (peas, lentils) or potatoes—have been linked to canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart condition. The FDA has issued an advisory regarding this possible connection.
Until more is understood, we recommend avoiding grain-free diets unless medically necessary and prescribed by your veterinarian.

How was this food determined to be complete and balanced?

There are two primary ways dog food can meet AAFCO nutritional standards:
Feeding Trials: The gold standard. The food is fed to dogs over time to evaluate their health and response.
Formulation: The food is lab-analyzed or designed to meet nutrient profiles without live animal testing.
We recommend choosing foods that have undergone AAFCO-approved feeding trials whenever possible.

Where is this food made, and how is its quality controlled?

Find out if the manufacturer owns the plant where the food is made—this often indicates better quality control. Reputable companies also perform:
Ingredient sourcing audits
Routine testing for contaminants
Strict safety protocols
Smaller companies that outsource manufacturing may lack control over the production process. Look for brands with transparent manufacturing practices and a strong safety track record.

Is a raw food diet safe for my dog?

While raw food advocates claim benefits like improved digestion and a shinier coat, the scientific evidence does not support these claims. In fact, raw diets carry serious risks, including:
Bacterial contamination (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria)
Infectious disease transmission to pets and humans
Nutritional imbalances that can harm your dog’s health long-term
Studies show that up to 48% of raw diets are contaminated with harmful bacteria. Unless specifically formulated by a veterinary nutritionist, we do not recommend raw food diets for your dog.

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At St.Francis Animal Hospital, we provide compassionate, lifelong care for your pets in Brooklyn and surrounding areas. Call or text us today to book your visit!

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7303 13th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11228

Phone: (718) 621-1629

Monday : 10 AM–5 PM
Tuesday : 10 AM–5 PM
Wednesday : Closed
Thursday : 10 AM–3 PM
Friday : 10 AM–5 PM
Saturday : 10 AM–4 PM
Sunday : 9 AM–2 PM