The Smart Pet Parent’s Guide to Choosing Food: Questions You Should Be Asking

When it comes to feeding your pet, the choices can feel endless. Bright packaging and bold claims can make any bag of dry food sound appealing, but what really matters is what’s inside and how transparent the company is willing to be.

Pet parents deserve clear, honest answers about the food they feed their pets. The best way to get those answers? Ask the right questions.

Here’s a guide to help you know exactly what to ask when evaluating a dry food for your pet:

Ingredient Sourcing & Transparency

• Where are your ingredients sourced from?

• Are they human-grade or feed-grade?

• Are they traceable to specific regions or suppliers?

Why this matters: Ingredient quality and traceability affect both nutrition and safety. A transparent company should have no problem sharing this information.

Safety & Testing

• Do you conduct third-party testing for contaminants?

• Specifically for heavy metals, aflatoxins, glyphosate, mycotoxins, and pathogens?

• If so, are certificates of analysis (COAs) available?

Why this matters: Independent testing ensures that your pet’s food is free of harmful substances. COAs provide proof, not just promises.

Preservatives & Additives

• Do you use synthetic preservatives, colourants, or flavourings?

• For example: BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, or unnamed “natural flavors”?

Why this matters: Synthetic additives have questionable safety records and can be an allergen to your pet. Knowing what’s in your pets food helps you avoid hidden risks.

Nutritional Data

• What is the total ash content of your kibbles?

• Can you provide a full nutrient breakdown beyond the guaranteed analysis?

  • Including omega-3:omega-6 ratio, calcium:phosphorus, taurine, vitamin D, and iodine?

• Are the vitamins and minerals synthetic or food-based?

• If synthetic, do you use chelated forms for better absorption across all formulas?

👉 Ash is especially important because it allows you to calculate the true carbohydrate content of the food.

Carb calculation formula:

100 – (Protein % + Fat % + Fiber % + Moisture % + Ash %) = Carbohydrate %

Protein & Digestibility

• What is the bioavailability of the protein used?

• Is it from fresh/dehydrated sources, or rendered meals?

Why this matters: Not all proteins are equal. Highly bioavailable proteins provide more nutrition per bite.

Formulation & Testing

• Do you conduct long-term feeding trials, or do you formulate only to meet AAFCO guidelines?

• If yes, how many dogs and how long were the trials?

Why this matters: Feeding trials provide real-world evidence that a diet is safe and effective, not just mathematically balanced on paper.

Manufacturing & Processing

• What is your processing method?

  • Is it extruded, baked, cold-pressed, or air-dried?

• What temperature ranges are used during processing?

• Are probiotics included in the formula?

  • If so, what is the post-processing CFU count?

Why this matters: Processing methods affect nutrient retention and digestibility. Probiotics only benefit your dog if they survive processing in adequate amounts.

Final Thoughts

These questions might feel detailed...but they’re the kinds of questions that reveal how transparent and trustworthy a pet food company really is.

Brands that care about pets’ health should welcome them.

At Auroraw, we believe pet parents deserve straightforward information so they can make the best decisions for their dogs. The more you know, the better you can advocate for your pet's wellbeing.