When a client recently asked me why her Labrador was thriving on a recipe that made her friend's Lab gassy and lethargic, I wasn't surprised. I hear variations of this question every week in Dubai.
The truth is, there's no single "best" food for dogs, because there's no single type of dog.
Every dog has a different metabolism, lifestyle, emotional state, and medical background. That's why modern nutrition has moved away from one-size-fits-all rules toward something more thoughtful: a truly individual approach.
Food doesn't act in isolation. What your dog eats interacts with their hormones, gut bacteria, immune system, muscles and joints, and even their behaviour and mood.
This is why we talk about whole dog nutrition, not just calories and protein percentages. When nutrition is right, it supports the mind, the body, and something harder to measure: their overall sense of wellbeing.
Here in the UAE, there's another layer to consider. Our dogs live in air-conditioned environments, often with less outdoor time during summer months. Many have relocated from completely different climates. These factors affect hydration needs, activity patterns, and metabolism in ways that generic feeding guidelines simply don't account for.
Two dogs can weigh the same, eat the same amount, and have completely different outcomes. Why? Because individual nutritional needs depend on multiple variables working together:
A 5kg toy breed, for instance, may need twice the calories per kilogram compared to a large breed. Senior dogs often need fewer calories but higher-quality protein to preserve muscle. And dogs recovering from illness benefit from more digestible energy, not simply more food.
One thing many owners don't realise: your dog's nutritional needs aren't static.
A dog’s nutrition journey naturally evolves. Puppies need fuel for growth, bone development, and immune support. Adult dogs shift into a phase of maintenance, muscle health, and balanced energy. As the years go by, weight control and joint support become more important, and in the senior stage, digestion, mobility, and even cognitive health start to need extra attention.
The mistake is feeding the same way for years while the body quietly changes.
In practice, many chronic issues begin when nutrition doesn't evolve with the dog.
When we talk about “holistic” nutrition, I always like to clarify one thing: it doesn’t mean ignoring science. It actually means using science more thoughtfully.
A holistic approach considers nutrient quality (not just quantity), digestibility, moisture content, fat quality, gut health and microbiome balance, and how food affects inflammation and recovery.
This is why two diets with identical calorie counts can have very different effects on energy, stool quality, skin health, and behaviour. From a vet’s point of view, that’s when nutrition stops being a formula and starts becoming personal.
Some dogs thrive on higher protein. Others develop digestive upset on the same formula. Some need calorie-dense meals; others gain weight on surprisingly small portions.
A thoughtful nutrition approach starts with questions: Is the dog gaining or losing weight? How is their stool quality? Are they itchy, stiff, lethargic, or anxious? What does their bloodwork show? How active are they, really?
The answers guide the choices.
In daily practice, I see the impact of individualised nutrition constantly.
There's the two-year-old Vizsla whose owner swore he was "just hyperactive" until we switched him to Chicken with Banana and discovered he'd been under-fuelled for his activity level. Within weeks, his focus improved and the frantic edge softened. He wasn't wired; he was running on empty.
Then there's the Shih Tzu who'd been through four different brands, each one triggering loose stools and skin flare-ups. Turkey with Honey finally gave her gut a break, providing the gentler protein and prebiotic support her system needed. Her owner told me it was the first time in two years she wasn't constantly scratching.
And the nine-year-old Golden Retriever whose weight had crept up after her walks shortened. Beef with Beetroot gave her the joint support and controlled calories she needed. Six months later, she'd lost the extra weight and was asking for her evening walk again.
Same philosophy. Different dogs. Completely different needs.
When food truly supports the whole dog, owners notice changes that go beyond the physical: better focus and calmer behaviour, improved sleep and routine, stronger immune resilience, and more enthusiasm for walks and play.
This is where nutrition starts supporting more than just the body. It supports the mind, and something harder to define but easy to recognise when you see it: your dog’s emotional wellbeing. It’s the “soul” part of the equation, not something you can measure on a label, but something every dog parent instinctively understands.
Feeding your dog well isn't about chasing trends or copying what works for someone else's pet. It's about listening, observing, and adjusting.
The best results come when nutrition evolves with your dog, matches their lifestyle, supports healing when needed, and maintains balance when things are going well.
Every dog's path is different. That's not a complication; it's exactly how it should be.
And if you ever feel unsure about your dog’s next nutritional step, that’s completely normal. You’re not meant to get everything perfect. The goal is progress, guided by science, experience, and compassion.
Because when we respect the individuality of each dog, nutrition becomes more than food. It becomes part of their lifelong wellness journey.
Not sure where your dog is on their nutrition journey? Our team can help you find the right starting point.