It can be difficult to understand which ingredients are good for your dog and which aren’t. This is why we have curated a list of ingredients that healthy dog food should contain. Not all dog food will contain all the ingredients, but this will help you pick foods that are good for your little pooch.

Meat
The top ingredient should be meat such as venison, chicken, rabbit, or fish in dog food. Your dog needs to consume protein, and this comes from various meat sources. If egg protein is listed as one of the ingredients, it can be good, but always prioritize real meat because it is more beneficial.

Water
Your dog will appreciate food with high water content. It would help if you looked for foods that contain a lot of moisture as they are healthy for your dog. Apart from this, you should always make sure the water bowl is filled with fresh and clean water.

Vegetables
Vegetables in dog food are good, as they are helpful for your dog’s overall health. Certain foods, such as sweet potatoes, are great for your dog’s health. Sweet potato contains antioxidants, potassium, beta-carotene, and vitamin B. However, your dog doesn’t need to have vegetables.

Vitamins
Fido needs vitamins in his diet because they provide a multitude of advantages. Vitamins such as vitamin E, vitamin A, and B-vitamins are beneficial for dogs for their immune system, skin and coat, and general health.

Carbohydrates and grains
If your dog isn’t allergic to grains, then they can be good for your dog. Carbohydrates provide energy, and it can help in digestion too. You should opt for ingredients such as peas, rice, barley, and oats instead of whole wheat, corn, and soy.

Minerals and nutrients
Your dog’s health will benefit from consuming nutrients and minerals. You should opt for a dog food containing manganese, zinc, calcium, iron, and potassium. DL-Methionine and L Carnitine are important too for dogs.

Fruits
Your dog can do without fruits, but if the dog food contains fruits, it can be a good source of different vitamins. For example, apples and blueberries are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C that can benefit your dog. Cranberries are great too.

Fats
People assume fats are harmful, but that isn’t true. Your furry friend can benefit from fats as they aid in digestion, provide energy, contain nutrients such as vitamins, and boost cell function. Healthy fats include fish oils, omega-3, chicken fat, omega 6, and olive oil.

Preservatives
Preservatives are only acceptable when they come from natural sources. You should never buy dog food that has artificial preservatives. Ascorbic acid and tocopherols are examples of healthy preservatives that are fine for your dog, whereas BHT and BHA are not okay.