Best dog food in Canada: how to choose, plus the Canadian brands we carry

There is no single best dog food for every dog. A young Labrador, a senior Chihuahua and a dog with a sensitive stomach need different things. What you can do is choose a well-made food that suits your dog, then watch how they do on it.

What to look for on the label

• A complete and balanced statement for your dog's life stage, usually against the AAFCO nutrient profiles. Without it, the food isn't meant to be the whole diet.
• A named animal protein near the top of the ingredient list, such as "chicken" or "lamb" rather than just "meat".
• The feeding guide and calories, so you can work out how much your dog needs and what it costs per day.

Questions to ask about the company

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association suggests asking pet food companies a few questions, such as whether they employ a qualified pet nutritionist, whether their foods go through feeding trials, and what quality control they use. Good companies answer these openly on their website or by email.

Grain-free and heart health

In 2018 the US Food and Drug Administration began looking into reports of a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating some grain-free foods rich in peas, lentils and other legumes. The cause hasn't been settled. If your dog's breed is prone to heart disease, or you're unsure, talk to your vet; grain-inclusive recipes are an easy alternative, and many brands make both.

Compare cost per day, not per bag

A bigger, richer bag can cost less per day than a cheaper one if you feed less of it. Divide the bag price by the number of days it lasts at your dog's portion. We are happy to work it out with you in store.

Watch your dog

After a slow 7 to 10 day switch, give a new food about a month. A food that suits your dog shows in firm, regular stools, a healthy coat, steady weight and good energy. Our guides to sensitive stomachs, puppy and senior food and kibble, dehydrated and freeze-dried go into more detail.

Canadian brands at our store

We carry dog food from several Canadian companies, alongside brands from Italy and the US such as Farmina and Fromm:

• Acana and Orijen, from Champion Petfoods in Alberta
• Carna4, made in Canada with Canadian and New Zealand ingredients
• Boreal, a Canadian-made line
• Now Fresh, crafted in Canada
• Canisource Grand Cru, a dehydrated food made in Canada
• Nutrience, including SubZero freeze-dried raw with Canadian meat
• Open Farm, a Toronto company (some of its products are made in the US)
• Big Country Raw, frozen raw from Ontario; see our Big Country Raw guide

• Acana Free-run Poultry 1.8kg
• Orijen Original Dog 6kg
• Carna4 Fresh Chicken 3lbs/1.36kg
• Boreal Functional Herring Dog Food 4lb
• Now FreshSalmon Recipe Dog Dry Food 3.5 Lbs
• Grand Cru Red Meat Dog Food 2kg
• Open Farm Rawmix Tide & Terrain Dry Dog Food 3.5lb

• Dog dry food
• Dog wet food
• Our pet store in Pickering

More guides

Dog dental care: teeth cleaning at home

How to brush your dog's teeth, which dental chews and additives help, signs of dental disease, and when your dog needs a professional cleaning at the vet.

Cat toys: how to play with your cat

Which cat toys keep indoor cats active, how to play like a hunt, catnip and silver vine, laser pointer tips, and toy safety.