Pet food meant for dogs are prepared by several people consisting of ingredients bought from the health food or grocery store. However, others depend on dog food, which is available in the market. Best diet suitable for dogs is based on several recommendations.

There are those who say that pets do better eating the remains of their masters' meals, as they have through the ages, and that the dog food products of more recent times are full of substandard meat, harmful chemicals, and other undesirable ingredients. They insist that commercially prepared pet foods provide an insufficient amount of nutrients for their dogs.

The average dry pet food is the least expensive, per pound, when compared to its canned or semi-moist counterparts. It is usually 6-10% moisture by volume, as compared to up to 78% in canned food. It can be beneficial in the prevention of tartar buildup, as well as being less likely to spoil quickly than an open can. However, if cans are opened only at the time of feeding, they will tend to keep longer than dry food, as dry food cannot be opened on an as-needed basis unless stored in an airtight.

Pellets of dry pet food, called kibble, are primarily produced by one of two methods- extrusion and baking. During the extrusion process, cut dough or a mixture of raw materials is fed into an expander, while pressurized steam or hot water is added. When removed from the high pressure that results, the pellets puff like popcorn. The resultant kibble is allowed to dry, then sprayed with vitamins, fats and oils, or any other ingredients that are not heat-tolerant.

If not properly sealed, it is possible for dry food to lose its quality. Oxygen is known to react with components added after initial preparation, altering the taste. Further, the heat involved in shipping the wellness dog food can also have negative effects before it even hits store shelves. Another alternative comes from the Burns company.

Baked kibble is often sought after by pet owners seeking a more natural or more digestible food, although the effect of baking on either of these factors is the subject of much discussion. Because the heating process is slower, kibble being prepared this way is subjected to a lower pressure for a much longer period of time. Because fat can be cooked in rather than sprayed on, baked kibble will tend to have a slightly longer shelf life compared to extruded kibble, especially when exposed to air, or after its package has been opened by the consumer.