When you become a dog parent, there can be a lot to figure out. From taking care of your dog's physical health to stimulating their brains with interactive toys and activities, there’s a lot to keep in mind. One of the most important responsibilities you’ll encounter as a dog parent is choosing what to feed your dog. 

Whole oats are great for us — how about for them? How about carrots? Celery? Duck?

Just like us, your dog gets most of their nutrients through their diet. Dog supplements and vitamins aren’t common, so understanding which food is best for your pup will determine which vitamins and minerals they have. That’s why we made this helpful guide!

If you’re considering Fromm dog food, here’s everything you need to know.. 

The first step to comparing different dog foods is to understand how to compare them. With what criteria should you compare dog food types and brands? There are three main components to look at: ingredients, processing methods, and AAFCO standards. 

When you look at the ingredient list, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

First, take a general glance at the foods listed. Are they familiar? Are they easy to pronounce? While a few unfamiliar ingredients usually aren’t cause for concern, it’s important to be able to recognize most of the foods listed. 

Look for foods that you eat and enjoy. If you see whole fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins, this is a good sign. If you see mostly longer names for foods, meat meals, or preservatives, this likely points to artificially derived ingredients. 

Another factor to consider when comparing dog food is how it was processed. Many dog foods are processed with a method known as hot extrusion. This process uses intense temperatures and pressures to kill bacteria in food. But, along with the bacteria, it also kills much of the nutrient content. 

Look for dog food that is minimally processed, like gently air-drying the food to retain it’s nutritional value. 

The last criteria to look at is the labeling. Any AAFCO labels such as “natural,” “all-natural,” or “organic” have to be regulated by the dog food industry. Many dog foods that are natural may still use chemicals, preservatives, synthetic ingredients, and other harmful foods according to the AAFCO. 

So, how can you know you’re buying the best, highest quality food for your pup? Look for the term “human-grade,” instead. Human-grade dog food is dog food made and processed up to human food standards. 

Dog food standards are much lower and can include byproducts like teeth, feathers, eyeballs, talons,, and everything along with the main meat and ingredients. Human-grade standards set a higher bar for what is and isn’t allowed in your dog’s food and in the processing methods. 

When you look at dog food with this perspective in mind, you will be able to analyze which food is healthiest and best for your pup! 

Fromm dog food is a popular dog food brand. They have a range of food types, from puppy food, adult food, senior dog food, as well as dry and wet food. They also make cat food. 

They describe themselves as a “fifth-generation family-owned and operated artisan pet food company based in Wisconsin,” but marketing tactics aside, is Fromm dog food really a  healthy choice for your dog?

Here’s what you need to know. 

While Fromm seems like a healthy brand with a variety of dog food options, there are a few problems we encounter right off the bat. One of these is their selection of wet dog food. 

Many dog parents choose wet food over dry food, but wet food can actually pack more sodium and sugar content than other types of food. The salt and sugar are added in order to preserve the wet dog food. Over time, this can lead to serious health concerns and an imbalance in nutrition. 

Dry dog food doesn’t need added sodium or sugar to extend its shelf life. It’s best to avoid wet dog food and opt for dry food as this is the healthier option for your furry friend. 

Fromm dog food also uses meat meals. What are meat meals and are they safe for your pup? Let’s take a closer look. 

In short, meat meals can include any of the byproducts of meat like eyeballs, remnants, bones, features, beaks, claws, blood, and more. In other words, these ingredients can be made from the leftovers of the animal rather than the actual meat itself. There are few regulations concerning meat meals in dog food, though they’re considered inedible for humans. 

Fromm dog food includes fish meal, specifically in the form of menhaden fish meal. While fish can be an excellent source of lean protein and fatty acids for your pup, fish meal isn’t so healthy. When trying to feed your dog healthy foods, stay away from any meat meals. These include turkey meal, chicken meal, beef meal, lamb meal, or general meat meals.  

Another concern with Fromm dog food is its contents of beans, especially in their wet food options. 

Beans are safe for dogs and are great sources of protein when included in small quantities. In the case of Fromm dog food, beans are included in larger quantities, especially in their grain-free options, where they act as a filler ingredient rather than a high-quality nutrient. 

For instance, Fromm’s Shredded Chicken in Gravy wet food has pinto beans, kidney beans, and white beans listed as the seventh, eighth, and ninth ingredients. With so many beans, your dog is consuming more calories than they need with less diverse ingredients, leading them to feel full with less value. 

How does Sundays for Dogs compare to Fromm dog food? Read on below to learn what you need to know. 

Here at Sundays, we also use minimal processing methods to make your dog’s food. How do we do this? By gently air drying each recipe in small batches. Not only does this allow us to retain as much nutritional value as possible, but it also lets us pay special attention to each batch. 

Our ingredients include foods you’ll recognize, like strawberries, orange, cranberries, mushrooms, spinach, parsley, salmon oil, USDA grade beef, beef heart, beef liver, and much more. 

With absolutely no fillers, synthetic ingredients, or chemicals, you can rest assured knowing your pup is getting the best. 

Labels like “natural” mean little when it comes to dry kibble food. That’s why all our food is made up to human-grade standards, so you could sit down with your pup and have a bite, too! 

Determining which dog food is the best for your pup is a breeze with our helpful guides! 

We help you read between the lines of dog food labels to understand the real meaning behind ingredients, processing, and everything you need to know. 

And, when it’s time for you to find the best food for your furry best friend, we offer customizable food plans that fit every pup’s needs. 

Learn more about ingredients to look for here, or get started with the best choice right off the bat by clicking here.

Sources:

People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets | ASPCA 

Natural | AAFCO 

What is In Pet Food? | The Association of American Feed Control Officials