Ready-made dog food – what’s really in it?

Many dog ​​owners rely on ready-made food because it's convenient, easy to portion, and has a long shelf life. But what's really in dry food, wet food, or semi-moist food? Why do many types of food contain a high grain content, and is this even healthy for dogs?

In this article, we clarify the most common myths and problems surrounding ready-made food and show what you should pay attention to if you want to offer your dog a species-appropriate diet.

1. Is the dog a predator or an omnivore?

It's often said that dogs are omnivores and can therefore easily digest large amounts of grain. But this is only partially true.

🐺 Wolf ancestry
Dogs are genetically descended from wolves, and although domestication has given them a greater tolerance for carbohydrates, they are still primarily carnivores.

🦷 Teeth of a carnivore
A dog's teeth are designed for tearing and grinding meat and bone. Unlike herbivores, which have molars, dogs have sharp canines and fangs.

🧪 Digestive system of a carnivore
- Dog saliva does not contain carbohydrate-splitting enzymes like humans do.
- A dog's stomach acid has an extremely low pH to efficiently digest meat and bones.
- The digestion of plant carbohydrates is significantly less efficient than that of animal proteins and fats.

👉 Conclusion: The dog can digest small amounts of plant food, but is primarily a carnivore and needs high-quality animal protein.

2. Why is grain in ready-made food problematic?

Many ready-made foods contain between 50–90% grain – but why?

✅ Cost-effective filler
Grain is a cheap ingredient that stretches the feed and reduces production costs.

❌ Poor bioavailability of nutrients
Plant proteins from wheat, corn or soy have an unfavorable amino acid composition and are less efficiently utilized in the dog's digestive tract than animal proteins.

❌ Increased stress on the organism
A high grain content can lead to nutrients not being properly absorbed, placing unnecessary strain on the dog's digestion and metabolism.

❌ Grains can cause allergies and intolerances
Many dogs are sensitive to gluten-containing grains such as wheat or to artificial additives in processed foods. Symptoms such as itching, digestive problems, or inflammation can result.

3. What additives are contained in the finished food?

Many manufacturers add artificial preservatives, colors, and flavor enhancers to make the food last longer and more appealing. However, some of these substances are controversial and suspected of being harmful to health.

4. What would be a better feeding concept?

A species-appropriate diet should be based on a dog's natural diet. This means a high proportion of high-quality animal protein, healthy fats, and little to no grain.

5. Conclusion – What should you pay attention to?

When purchasing dog food, you should pay attention to the ingredients list. A high meat content, no artificial additives, and as little or no grain as possible are important criteria for a healthy dog ​​diet.

Additional section: Why are so many feeding scales misleading?

There are numerous scales for feeding dogs available online. However, many of them are outdated or based on generalized assumptions. It's important to consider a dog's individual needs—such as activity level, age, and health status. This is the only way to ensure a truly appropriate diet.