Food is one of the most important things you give your dog or cat. Store shelves overflow with cans, bags, and even frozen items all claiming to be the best food for your dog or cat. No food is perfect for every pet – find the best food for your pet as we compare the 6 main types.
| Dry/Kibble Example: Natural Balance 
| Crunchy kibbles are often extruded at high temperatures with added vitamins and minerals. This food category contains the widest variety of food designed for different life stages, conditions, sensitivities, and preferences. In this category, you will also find a wide range in quality - from economy grocery store brands to organic pet specialty store lines. | $-$$$ | Easy | -
Harder kibbles can help with plaque and tartar removal -
Can leave food out all the time -
Widely available - Many types of foods to choose from
-
Relatively long shelf-life -
Designed to be nutritionally complete -
Very food safe | - Dry foods/kibbles can vary widely in quality and nutritional value
- Contains some preservatives
- Low moisture content
- Picky eaters may not find palatable
| - Busy lifestyles
- Often most economical
|
| Semi-Moist/Wet/Canned Example: Blue Buffalo 
| Soft, moist, or wet food is generally the tastiest of the “convenience” pet foods. Food comes in individual serving sizes or a few servings.There is a wide range of brands and qualities - from grocery store economy varieties to pet specialty store brands. | $$-$$$ | Easy | - Palatable
- Soft
- High moisture content
- Can refrigerate after opening for up to 3 days
- Widely available
- Case purchases often more economical
- Long shelf-life
- Designed to be nutritionally complete
- Food safe
| - Can lead to more rapid dental problems without care
- Often contains the most preservatives of all types of foods
- Can leave out only a short time before spoiling
- Can vary widely in nutritional value
| - Senior pets or those who find kibble hard to chew
- As a supplement to a kibble diet
- To make a kibble diet more palatable
- For pets with regular, good dental hygiene habits
- Picky eaters
|
| Dehydrated/ Freeze-Dried Raw Diet (Store bought BARF) Example: Honest Kitchen 
| A close food type to fresh raw food, without actually being fresh. This food type is dehydrated or freeze-dried to maintain maximum nutritional content. The food comes complete or partially complete (meat or vegetables or sometimes both supplied), meaning little to some guesswork for proper nutrient ratios. | $$$-$$$$ | Moderate | - Long shelf-life
- Palatable
- Can be easiest raw diet to feed, some require no preparation
- Some are nutritionally complete as they are
- Some require water to rehydrate and then have high moisture content
- Contains high amounts of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals
- Benefits of raw without all the prep
- Often more control over ingredients than dry or wet food
| - Can be hard to find
- Need to remove and discard any remaining food after pet eats
- Fresh foods require refrigerator space
- Food often requires some preparation (rehydrating)
- Raw meat handling
- Often some careful attention required to supply complete nutrition
| - A good transition from kibble or wet food to a raw diet
- For busy lifestyles who like the benefits of a raw diet
- Picky eaters
- For traveling while feeding a raw diet
|
| Fresh/Frozen Raw Diet (Store-bought BARF) Example: Deli Fresh Dog Food 
| Vegetables or meat are flash frozen or sold fresh to be almost as nutritionally whole as a completely do-it-yourself diet. Like dehydrated diets, they can be sold complete or partially complete for ease. Some are pasteurized or slightly heated to be more food-safe. Some care must be taken to maintain proper nutrient ratios. | $$$-$$$$ | Moderate | - Very palatable
- Can have long shelf-life
- Contains high amounts of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals
- Can feed raw or cooked meat depending on preference
- More control over ingredients than dry or wet food
- Some are pasteurized, eliminating some contamination concerns
| - Can be hard to find
- Raw meat handling
- Need to remove or discard any remaining food after pet eats
- Food requires some preparation
- Can have short shelf life
- Some careful attention required to supply complete nutrition
- Traveling can be difficult on this diet
| - A good transition from kibble or wet food to a raw diet
- For busy lifestyles who like the benefits of a raw diet
- Pets with allergies or sensitivities
- Very picky eaters
|
| Do-it-Yourself Raw Diet (DIY BARF) 
| A do-it-yourself bones and raw food (BARF) diet can be the freshest, most natural diet out there for dogs and cats. DIY BARF diets have unlimited nutritional potential if the pet owner is careful and dedicated and has the necessary time on their hands. | $$$-? | Difficult | - As fresh as you make it
- Most palatable
- Easy to obtain - your own grocery store!
- Can make use of fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients
- Diet can be as diverse as you make it
- Complete control over ingredients
- Most natural diet
- Quality is what you make it
- Includes real meat bones for plaque and tartar removal
- Contains high amounts of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals
| - Very short shelf-life
- Raw meat handling
- Need to remove or discard any remaining food after pet eats
- Food requires preparation
- Careful attention must be made to supply complete nutrition
- Traveling can be difficult with this diet
| - Pet owners who have or make time to prepare meals for their pet
- Pets with severe allergies or sensitivities
- Very picky eaters
|
Disclaimer: Please notice that cost estimates are general and for comparative purposes only. Estimates may not be indicative of all types of food within each category.
Try something healthier today for your pet. Take advantage of our Free Pet Food Swap from now until April 30, 2012.
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