Some people argue that dogs have thrived off of leftovers and scraps from their human owners for thousands of years and that commercial dog foods which have only been available for the past century contain poor-quality meats, additives, and other ingredients dogs should not ingest, or that commercial dog food is not nutritionally sufficient for their dogs.

It's usually less expensive to purchase dry pet food. Per pound, it is much more cost effective than its canned or semi-moist relatives. Dry food generally only contains 6-10% moisture whereas canned foods are 78% moisture. It appears that dry food which contains more actual food ingredients and less water is the better value here. Dry food is also instrumental in your pet's dental health in that it prevents the build-up of tartar. Canned foods which are opened and served at mealtimes mean fresher food for your pet. Unless you have a large, airtight container to keep your dry food in after you open the package, the canned food will provide the freshest diet.

Kibble, pellets of dry pet food, are primarily manufactured by using either an extrusion or baking method. The extrusion process consists of feeding cut dough, or a mixture of raw materials, into an expander. At the same time pressurized steam, or hot water, is added. Pellets puffed like popcorn are the result of this process. The resulting kibble is then allowed to dry and is sprayed with vitamins and other ingredients that could not withstand the heating process.

If the extruded kibble is exposed to air or the elements for too long or not stored properly, the fats and oils added to the kibble can go bad. The vitamins and minerals in wellness dog food could be destroyed if exposed to heat during shipping or during storage. One very popular dog food is Burns Dog Food.

Pet owners desire food for their pets that is closest to its natural state. This may make it easier to digest for their pet. Baked kibble is the choice for most pet owners because the heating process occurs over a longer period of time at a lower pressure. This slower process seals the fat content in rather than applying it after the baking process. In addition to increasing the quality of the product, the baked kibble stays fresher longer, even after the package has been opened and resealed.