Dogs primarily eat meat, but they are not pure carnivores. Over thousands of years living close to humans, the dog has evolved to be able to digest and gain nutrition from far more than what its ancestors lived on. If you ask what do dogs eat, the short answer is: a high proportion of animal protein supplemented with the right vegetables, good fats, fibre and a well-balanced level of vitamins and minerals. It is the combination that provides energy, a healthy coat, a well-functioning stomach and a thriving dog's life.

Below, I go through what actually belongs in the bowl, why the individual parts matter, and how the needs change throughout a dog's life. The goal is that afterwards you can look at a meal and assess whether it gives your dog what it needs.

Are dogs carnivores or omnivores?

The dog is a facultative omnivore, which in practice means that it thrives best on a diet weighted towards the animal, but without being dependent on meat alone. The digestive system is shorter than a human's and designed to make efficient use of animal protein and fat, while the gut can at the same time absorb nutrition from, among other things, vegetables and selected sources of carbohydrate. That is why it makes sense to build a meal around meat and fish and let the plants play a supporting, well-considered role - not the other way round.

This is also the explanation for why a good dog meal is not just "meat in a bag". It is about how the ingredients are put together, so that protein, fat, fibre and micronutrients come together into a whole that the dog can absorb. At ESSENTIAL FOODS, every meal is cooked with exactly that thought in mind, with human-grade ingredients and fresh raw materials as the foundation. If you want to see how that plays out in practice, you can dive into our Dog Meals.

Meat and fish: the core of a dog's diet

Animal protein is the single most important element in a dog's daily diet. Meat and fish deliver the amino acids that build and maintain muscles, organs, skin and coat, and they are at the same time a tasty energy source that the vast majority of dogs go for. Sources such as chicken, duck, lamb, beef and game each contribute slightly different nutritional profiles, and fish also brings important fatty acids into the meal.

The quality of the protein matters more than the quantity. A high proportion of exquisite raw materials, where the meat is gently prepared and put together with care, gives a meal that the dog both thrives on and wants to eat. That is precisely the difference you find in our meals, where carefully selected local and regional delicacies are included, and where the preparation takes place in Our finest British Heritage Kitchens. If you have a large-grown dog with a correspondingly high energy requirement, you can see the meals gathered under For large dogs, while the smaller breeds find suitable kibble sizes and nutritional profile under For small dogs.

Which vegetables and fibres do dogs eat?

Vegetables and fibres are not filler when they are chosen correctly - they are part of what makes digestion work. Fibres give the bacterial flora in the gut something to work with, support a firm and regular stool and help the dog feel full. Vegetables and berries at the same time provide vitamins, minerals and natural antioxidants that work together with the animal part of the meal.

Many dogs also enjoy the taste and texture of greens, and it is completely normal for a dog to chew on grass outside from time to time. If you want to understand that behaviour better, you can read along in our guide about Why Do Dogs Eat Grass. In the bowl it is about balance: the vegetables should supplement the protein, not displace it.

Do dogs need grains in their food?

Grains can be part of a dog's diet as a source of energy and fibre, but it is far from a necessity for all dogs. Some dogs have a sensitive digestion or react to certain ingredients, and here a grain-free meal can be what brings peace to the stomach. Grain-free is not, however, in itself synonymous with "better" or with a particular proportion of animal ingredients - it is a choice that makes sense based on your dog's specific needs.

If you have a dog for which grain needs to be taken out of the equation, you find the relevant meals gathered under Grain-free, and if your dog shows signs of discomfort with certain ingredients, Allergy-friendly can be a good place to start. If it is primarily a sensitive stomach that is causing trouble, we have gathered meals with that in mind under Sensitive stomach. If you experience persistent signs of discomfort in your dog, you should always discuss it with your vet.

Fats and the important fatty acids

Fat is a dog's most concentrated energy source, and it is at the same time the carrier of the fat-soluble vitamins and the essential fatty acids. In particular omega-3 fatty acids, which come from among other things fish, play a role in a glossy coat, healthy skin and the dog's general well-being. A dog with a high activity level typically needs more energy from fat than a dog with a more moderate everyday life, and that is why the fat content is one of the things the nutritional profiles vary on across meals.

Good-quality fat in the right amount also makes the food tastier, and that is one of the reasons why a dog eagerly tucks into the right meal. If you want the full overview of the range across flavours and nutritional profiles, you can browse All meals for dogs.

Do a dog's needs change with age?

What a dog should eat depends to a great extent on where it is in life. A growing puppy needs more protein, energy and certain minerals to build bones and muscles, while an adult dog should have a meal that maintains a healthy weight and a stable energy level. A senior dog often benefits from an adapted nutritional profile that supports everyday life and well-being in the golden years.

That is why the meals are divided by life stage. For the finest beginning, the BEGINNING series is created with luxurious, grain-free puppy meals, fresh raw materials, human-grade ingredients and carefully selected local and regional delicacies - entirely without grain and unnecessary fillers. You find the puppy meals under Puppy & junior, the adult meals under Adult and the senior meals under Senior. If you have just started the journey with a puppy, we have gathered all the advice in a well-considered universe, where the guidance comes directly from ESSENTIAL FOODS, in The Ultimate Puppy Guide.

How much should a dog eat?

Even the right meal only works if the amount suits the dog. The portion size depends on weight, age, activity level and the individual dog's metabolism, and it is easier to adjust a little along the way than to get it perfect from day one. A good rule of thumb is to keep an eye on the dog's body shape and energy over time rather than only reading the number in the bowl. If you want a concrete starting point, you can use our guide How Much Should A Dog Eat.

Weight is the best clue as to whether the balance between food and activity is right. If you are in doubt about whether your dog is where it should be, our guide Does Your Dog Have A Healthy Weight gives a helping hand in assessing it. And if a portion needs to be adjusted upwards or downwards over time, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers are ready by phone, chat or email to help find the right amount and the right meal for your specific dog.

Treats as part of the diet

Treats are a natural part of life with a dog, and they work best when they are factored into the whole rather than added on top. Used thoughtfully, they are a strong tool in training and a way to create good moments together, but they should be in reasonable proportion to the day's total food, so that the weight is kept stable. If you choose treats of the same quality as the meals themselves, your dog gets a reward it loves without compromising. You find the selection under Treats.

What must dogs not eat?

Just as important as knowing what dogs eat is knowing what they should stay away from. A number of quite ordinary foods in our own kitchens dogs cannot tolerate, and some of it can be directly harmful. That is why it is a good habit to keep human food away from the dog's bowl and instead give your dog meals that are put together for its specific physiology. We have gathered what you should be aware of in the guide What Must Dogs Not Eat. If your dog has got hold of something it should not have, or shows signs of discomfort, you should contact your vet.

When it comes down to it, dogs eat best what they are made to eat: a meal weighted towards meat and fish, supported by the right vegetables, fibres and good fats, and adapted to the dog's age, size and everyday life. If you strike that balance - and keep an eye on weight and well-being along the way - you have to a large extent given your dog the best starting point for a long and healthy life. And if you are in doubt about where to start, you are always welcome to reach out to ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers, who will help you find the meal that suits your specific four-legged friend.