a bag of premium dog food standing on kitchen floor with dog food spilled around it

Not All Dog Food is Alike: A Dive into Quality Dog Food Brands You Can Trust

July 04, 2025•7 min read

Dog food. It's a topic most pet owners avoid, but let’s face it, your dog’s diet is just as important as your own. They don’t just eat scraps from the table or whatever’s on sale at the big-box pet store. And guess what? Not all dog food is created equal. In fact, some are downright dangerous, and others? Well, let’s just say they're the equivalent of junk food for your furry friend. You wouldn’t feed your kids nothing but chips and soda, so why would you feed your dog food full of weird, chemical-laden fillers?

Let’s talk about some of the brands that get it right, like Inushkush, Farmina, and Honest Kitchen. These brands have one thing in common: they understand that not all dog food is created equal, and they focus on the stuff your dog actually needs—real food, quality ingredients, and no nasty additives that could end up harming your pooch in the long run.

The Bad Ingredients That Should Have Your Red Flags Flying

Before we get into the good stuff, let’s break down what you don’t want in your dog’s food. A lot of commercial dog food is packed with fillers and artificial junk that might be cheap to produce, but it's terrible for your dog. Some of these ingredients include:

By-Products: These are essentially leftovers from the slaughterhouse. You don’t know what parts of the animal are being used, and frankly, you don't want to know.
Corn and Wheat: These are often used as cheap fillers but offer little nutritional value. Dogs are carnivores, not grain-eating machines.
Artificial Colors and Flavors: You know, the stuff that makes the food "pretty" but does absolutely nothing for your dog’s health.
Propylene Glycol: A toxic substance used as a preservative. It’s in antifreeze, people. Need I say more?
BHA/BHT: These preservatives are linked to various health issues and are banned in many countries. But somehow, they're still in your dog’s kibble.

Good Dog Food Brands That Don't Use the Bad Stuff

Now that we know what to avoid, let’s focus on what actually makes a good dog food. These brands are known for their clean ingredients and high-quality formulations:

Inushkush: A Step Above the Rest

Inushkush is a name that stands out because it's one of those brands that doesn’t try to cut corners. This brand uses quality proteins like chicken, lamb, and turkey, and their formula is designed to mimic what your dog would eat in the wild (you know, before they became couch potatoes and Instagram models). They focus on high-quality meats and vegetables with no grains, fillers, or artificial flavors. Think of it as the dog food equivalent of a high-end steak dinner—protein-packed, nutritious, and just what your dog needs to thrive.

Key Highlights of Inushkush:

Natural Proteins: No meat by-products, just real animal protein.
No Grains or Fillers: It’s formulated without corn, soy, or wheat.
Rich in Nutrients: They focus on whole, fresh ingredients like sweet potatoes and carrots to give your dog the nutrition they deserve.

Farmina: Italian Quality Meets Dog Food

If there’s one thing you can trust, it’s the Italians to do food right. Farmina brings that Italian philosophy of "quality over quantity" into the dog food world. Their formulas are packed with meat and fresh ingredients, and they don’t add any cheap fillers or artificial fluff. Farmina uses high-quality meats like chicken and lamb and sources its ingredients from Europe’s best farms, ensuring the ingredients are fresh and rich in nutrients.

One of the things Farmina does well is using low glycemic ingredients, which means they don’t spike your dog's blood sugar levels. This helps maintain a healthy weight and keeps your dog feeling fuller longer.

Key Highlights of Farmina:

High Meat Content: Chicken, lamb, and fish are the top ingredients, ensuring a protein-rich meal.
Grain-Free: Perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies to grains.
No Artificial Additives: No BHA, BHT, or weird preservatives—just clean, high-quality ingredients.

Honest Kitchen: Human-Grade, Because Your Dog Deserves the Best

Now, if you want to go all-in on your dog’s health, Honest Kitchen is a brand that stands tall. They take it a step further by offering human-grade dog food, which means the same quality ingredients that are used to make food for humans are also used in their dog meals. Yep, that means your dog’s food could technically be good enough for you. But don’t do it—you don’t want your dog eating your quinoa salad. Honest Kitchen uses only whole foods like free-range chicken, organic grains, and vegetables, with no nasty preservatives, additives, or fillers.

What’s unique about Honest Kitchen is that they offer dehydrated dog food that’s easy to prepare. Just add water, and voilà—your dog has a nutritious, tasty meal ready to go.

Key Highlights of Honest Kitchen:

Human-Grade Ingredients: Seriously, your dog could be eating what you’re eating (without the spices).
Dehydrated and Nutrient-Packed: You just add water, and the food rehydrates into a delicious meal.
No Artificial Additives: They’re 100% committed to transparency and quality.

Why Choosing Better Dog Food Matters

So, why bother paying more for these premium brands when you can just grab the cheapest kibble at the store? Here's the deal: cheaper food often means more fillers, more preservatives, and a lot less nutrition. This can lead to long-term health problems like obesity, skin conditions, and digestive issues. Your dog might be getting full, but they’re not getting the nutrition they need to live their best life.

A good dog food like Inushkush, Farmina, or Honest Kitchen isn’t just about getting them full. It’s about nourishing them properly, ensuring they have the energy to play, the health to thrive, and the shiny coat to impress the neighborhood dogs. Investing in high-quality food now can save you big-time vet bills later.

The Pros and Cons of High-Quality Dog Food

Pros:

Better Health: With high-quality ingredients, your dog will see fewer health issues, like allergies, obesity, and skin conditions.
More Energy: Premium food provides better nutritional value, so your dog will have more energy to play and stay active.
No Fillers: You’re not feeding your dog empty calories that go straight to their belly without providing any real value.
Fewer Vet Bills: Healthy dogs are less likely to need expensive treatments down the road.
Better Digestion: High-quality food often includes easier-to-digest ingredients that can help with gut health.

Cons:

Higher Cost: Quality comes at a price, and premium dog food isn’t cheap. But can you really put a price on your dog’s health?
Availability: Some high-end brands might not be readily available at your local pet store. You might have to order online or go to specialty retailers.
Transition Period: Switching from lower-quality food to premium food can cause some digestive upset, so you have to transition carefully.
Not All Dogs Will Like It: Some dogs are picky eaters and might take time to adjust to higher-quality food.
Portion Control: Because the food is nutrient-dense, you may need to feed your dog less. This could lead to complaints from the pup about feeling "hungry."

Unique Solutions to the Dog Food Dilemma

Mix It Up: If your dog isn’t thrilled with straight-up premium dog food, mix it with a little bit of wet food or a sprinkle of their favorite toppings (like plain cooked chicken or a bit of peanut butter). You’re still giving them a nutritional boost, but they get the taste they want.
Gradual Transition: Switching dog food can be tricky. If your dog’s stomach isn’t used to the new formula, you can start by slowly mixing the new food with their old food over a week, gradually increasing the ratio of new food.
DIY Dog Meals: If you’re really committed to getting your dog the best of the best, consider cooking for them. It doesn’t have to be complicated—simple ingredients like chicken, rice, and carrots can provide a solid base for a balanced diet. But remember, don’t go all Pinterest on it without consulting your vet first.

Conclusion: Don’t Settle for Crap

At the end of the day, you wouldn’t eat food that’s bad for you, so why would you feed your dog anything less than the best? Sure, Inushkush, Farmina, and Honest Kitchen cost more, but they’re investments in your dog’s long-term health. Your dog deserves better than corn-based fillers and meat by-products. Give them the best, and you'll see the benefits in their coat, energy levels, and overall well-being. After all, a happy dog is a healthy dog.