FAQ: Food for dogs

These fatty acids matter for the skin, coat, joints and immune system. Omega-3 often comes from fish oil or linseed, and omega-6 from vegetable oils and poultry fat.

They are substances linked to joint cartilage health, which is why they are often added to senior and large-breed foods. The amounts in food are small, so if your dog has joint problems, discuss suitable options with a vet.

Taurine is an amino acid that is important for the heart. Most dogs make enough themselves, but some, especially certain breeds or dogs on unusual diets, may run short; a vet decides whether supplements are needed.

Prebiotics, such as FOS, MOS or inulin, feed beneficial gut bacteria, while probiotics are the beneficial bacteria themselves. They can support digestion, but how well probiotics survive in dry food depends on manufacturing and storage.

It usually means no synthetic colourings, flavourings or preservatives are used, though vitamins and minerals may still be added. It is a marketing claim, so always check the full ingredients.

Some vitamins break down during cooking, and the raw ingredients don't always supply enough of every essential nutrient, so vitamins and minerals are added to make the food complete. This is normal and not a sign of poor quality.

It means the ingredients and production meet the standards for food for people. Such food is usually more expensive, but what matters most is still that it is complete and suits your dog.

Not always. Overall balance, the right ratio of protein, fat and minerals and the dog's own needs matter, and very high-protein, high-fat food may not suit some dogs, such as less active ones or those with sensitive digestion.

Yes, percentages show how much of each ingredient the food really contains. More transparent makers state the amounts of the main ingredients, while generic names without percentages, such as ‘meat and animal derivatives’, tell you less about what your dog eats.

The energy value (kcal per 100 g or per kilogram) shows how much energy the food provides. It helps compare foods: you need less of a more energy-dense food, so it can work out cheaper even if it costs more per kilogram.

Foods differ in energy value and composition, so the same dog needs less of one food and more of another. When you change food, always check its feeding table again.

Pet food sold in the EU must meet the same feed safety rules whichever EU country it was made in. The ingredients, how transparent the maker is and how the food suits your dog matter more.

Grain-free food contains no wheat, maize, rice or other grains; carbohydrates usually come from potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas or lentils. Grain-free doesn't mean carbohydrate-free.

Not necessarily. Most dogs digest grains perfectly well, and true grain allergy is rare; animal proteins cause allergies more often. Grain-free food mainly suits dogs a vet has found to be intolerant of grains.

In some countries, cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs fed grain-free diets high in legumes have been investigated, but no clear link has been proven and research continues. If you feed grain-free, discuss it with your vet.

Gluten-free food contains no wheat, barley or rye, but may contain rice, maize or other gluten-free grains. Grain-free food contains no grains at all.

Properly processed grains are a digestible energy source for dogs and provide fibre. They are only a problem if they make up most of the food in place of animal protein, or if the dog doesn't tolerate them.

They can, but it is rarer than often thought. The most common food allergens in dogs are beef, dairy, chicken and wheat, and a food allergy can only be confirmed with an elimination diet set by a vet.

Puppies start tasting solid food at about 3–4 weeks of age and are fully weaned off their mother's milk at around 7–8 weeks. From then on they need a special puppy (growth) food.

Puppy food has more energy and protein, and its calcium and phosphorus levels are carefully balanced for growth. Adult food may not meet these needs, so don't give it to a growing dog.