Guides
How to switch your dog's food without an upset stomach
Most stomach upsets after a food change come from switching all at once. A week of mixing usually avoids them.
3 min read
- feeding
- switching
- sensitive-stomach
Dog food guides
Plain-English guides to reading labels, choosing food for allergies, and feeding the right amount.
Guides
Puppy food vs adult dog food, and when to switch
The name on the bag says "puppy", but the label sentence is what decides whether a food supports growth.
3 min read
- puppy
- life-stage
- aafco
Guides
Wet vs dry dog food, compared with real numbers
Canned food looks low in protein on the label because three quarters of it is water. Take the water out and the picture flips.
4 min read
- wet-food
- dry-food
- nutrition
Guides
What "complete and balanced" means on a dog food label
One sentence near the ingredient list decides whether a food can be your dog's whole diet. Most owners never read it.
5 min read
- labels
- aafco
- life-stage
Guides
Dry matter basis, explained with real numbers
A wet food that says 8% protein can contain more protein than a kibble that says 26%. The difference is water.
5 min read
- labels
- nutrition
- protein
Guides
Grain-free dog food and DCM: what the FDA found
The investigation raised a real question and didn't settle it. Here is the timeline in plain terms, with the FDA's own pages linked.
5 min read
- grain-free
- dcm
- heart
Guides
How to spot hidden chicken in dog food
Checking for the word "chicken" is not enough. Meal, fat, broth, digest and "poultry" can all bring it back into the bowl.
5 min read
- allergies
- ingredients
- chicken
Guides
How much to feed your dog: the calorie math, step by step
The feeding chart on the bag is a starting range for an average dog. Your dog's weight, neutering status and activity move the number a lot.
5 min read
- feeding
- calories
- weight
Guides
How to read a dog food label, section by section
The front of the bag is marketing. The back is regulated. Here is what each regulated part means and how to use it.
6 min read
- labels
- aafco
- ingredients