When it comes to dog raising, food is king.
No other factors encourage healthy growth and development like good dog food.
With good dog food, your dog can achieve optimal growth and development says George Idam, DVM, chief veterinarian at Thecaninemart.
That is the reason dog food in Nigeria comes in different brands and varieties to cater to the needs of your dog.
From the premium dry and wet dog food packed with protein, vitamins, omega fatty acids, fruits and vegetables, to the subscription and refrigerated food varieties, the list will continue to grow as long as the dog food industry is unregulated in Nigeria.
As you must have observed, most dog food will have similar ingredients. That’s the reason it can sometimes be hard for you to come up with the best dog food.
What Makes One Dog Food Better Than Others?
We have consulted expert veterinarians, nutritionists, and pet food scientists with many years of experience in the dog food industry and they’ve helped us in sifting out dog food with fillers and additives from the best dog food in Nigeria.
Before we continue, we’ll like to remind you that dogs seem to be omnivorous but have some carnivorous traits such as the absence of salivary amylase and short gastrointestinal tract that lack the ability to synthesise vitamin D.
So, before a dog food can be considered to be better than another, it should be easy to digest, absorb and excrete in the form of a smaller and firmer poop. It should also have a label that lists the first three key ingredients to enable you to know whether the food you’re about to buy for your dog is meat-based (fish, lamb or chicken) or vegetable-based (rice or corn).
Let’s say you want to know the best dog food between diamond dry dog food and booster dry dog food. The first thing you should do is to check the label and compare the first three key ingredients before comparing their prices.
Disclosure: We independently selected these products with the believe that your dog will enjoy them. If you buy any of the items using some of the affiliate links below, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Top Ten Best Dog Food Brands In Nigeria
- Bavaro – Best dog food with no additives, preservatives, sugar, soy, or genetically modified raw materials, ideal for working dogs
- Josera – Best for dogs with normal and elevated activity levels
- Royal Canin – Best food for dogs of different breeds, health requirements, exercise level and age
- Nature’s Protection – Best complete nutrition at an affordable price.
- Diamond Naturals – Best for essential nutrients at an affordable price
- Taste of the Wild – Best balanced nutrients formula at a cheaper price.
- Arion – Best in nutritional value and taste
- Purina – Best for tailored nutrition for dogs in all life stages
- Pedigree
- Booster – Best for athletic dogs and puppies.
Bavaro – Best food for active dog breeds.
Bavaro is a dog food brand that is made in Bavaria, Germany.
This dog food brand is known for its excellent quality products suitable for herding, guarding, hunting and all types of working dogs.
In fact, Bavaro is the best dog food in Nigeria for working dogs that doesn’t come with additives, preservatives, sugar, soy and genetically modified raw materials.
We recommend this dog food for active dog breeds
The Bavaro product line includes the following dog food varieties:
- Bavaro adult solid 20/8 for basic feeding and maintenance
- Bavaro adult task 23/9 for dogs with easy and simple tasks
- Bavaro adult work 26/12 for dogs with high performance
- Bavaro junior+adult force 28/16 for power and rearing
We’ll select the Bavaro adult task 23/9 and show you why it’s best for your dog.
Bavaro Adult Task 23/9
- Suitable for working dogs with light jobs
- Good for active dog breeds
- Contains cereals, meat, animal by-products, fat, oil, vegetables and minerals.
- Prices start at ₦31,000
Guaranteed Analysis
23% Protein
9% Fat
2.7% Fibre
7.3% Crude ash
1.4% Calcium
0.7% Phosphorus
14.75 mg/kg of metabolisable energy
13000 IU Vitamin A
1300 IU Vitamin D3
900 mg Vitamin E
135 mg Iron (Ferrous Sulphate, monohydrate)
120 mg Zinc (Zinc chelate of glycine hydrate)
12 mg Manganese (Manganese- (11) oxide)
16 mg Copper (Cupric chelate of glycine hydrate)
1.5 mg Iodine (Calcium iodate, anhydrous)
0.2 mg Selenium ( Sodium selenite)
Josera – Best for dogs with normal and elevated activity levels
Josera is a premium dog food brand made in Germany.
They combine the expertise and experience gained for over 75 years to produce the following outstanding dog food with excellent digestibility and great taste, namely:
Mini well, Minivita, Minijunior, Minideluxe, Festival, Kids, Lamb and Rice, Balance, Large breed, Options, Poultry menu, Sensi plus, High energy, Family plus, Light and vital, Sensi junior, Sensi adult, Duck and potato, Salmon and potato, Active nature, Young star, Nature energetic, Poultry and trout, Josidog agile sport, Josidog active, Josidog adult sensitive, Josidog family, Josidog economy, Josidog junior sensitive, Josidog master mix, Josidog junior, josidog regular, josidog Solido, josidog mini, Josidog lamb basic, Loopies with lamb, Loopies with beef, Loopies with poultry and Knuspies.
We review the Josidog regular dog food below.
Josidog Regular
- Gluten-free dog food
- Ideal for adult dogs
- Suitable for dogs with slightly elevated activity level
- Prices start at ₦28,000:00
Composition
Dried poultry protein, whole grain corn, dried meat from New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), hydrolysed animal proteins, ground chicory root, minerals, meat and bone meal, poultry fat, beet fibre.
Royal Canin – Best prescription diet for dogs of different health requirements and breeds.
If you’re looking for dog food in Nigeria that is suitable for a specific breed of dog, we highly recommend royal canin for you.
Based in France, this dog food brand is known internationally for prescription based diets targeted at dogs of different ages, breeds and health challenges.
They offer a wide range of wonderful dog food such as royal canin medium adult that we would like to review below.
Royal Canin Medium Adult
- Enhances natural defences
- Supports digestive health
- Suitable for medium-sized adult dogs
- Prices start at ₦15,000
Use royal canin medium adult dry dog food to maintain a healthy balance of your dog’s intestinal flora and also support the immune system.
It comes with Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) that can help in maintaining the skin, coat, bones and joints of your dog.
Royal Canin medium adult is dry dog food in Nigeria that is suitable for dogs aged between 12 months to 10 years with a body weight of 11-25kg.
You can also get this dog food in wet form.
Ingredients
Dehydrated poultry protein, maize flour, maize, animal fats, wheat flour, dehydrated pork protein, yeasts, hydrolysed animal proteins, wheat, soya oil, beet pulp, fish oil, hydrolysed yeasts, minerals.
Guaranteed Analysis
25% Crude Protein
14% Fat
5.9% Crude Ash
1.2% Crude Fibre
0.6% Omega-3
2.58% Omega-6
Taste of the Wild – Best balanced nutrients formula at a cheaper price.
Taste of the Wild is an affordable and high-quality dog food brand that is produced by Diamond Pet Food in the United States.
Diamond Pet Food makes a wide range of grain, grain-free, wet and dry dog food with protein sources that are based on your dog’s natural diet.
Taste of the Wild Grain-free
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free can be the best choice of dry dog food if you don’t want to feed your dog with food that contains rice, wheat, corn or barley.
The first ingredients in this dog food are either from fowl, real meat or fish.
They include the following varieties:
- Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon,
- Taste of the Wild Pine Forest,
- Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Formula,
- Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Formula,
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula,
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie Formula,
- Taste of the Wild Wetlands Formula,
- Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed,
- Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain
We choose Taste of the Wild High Prairie as a representative of the brand because it’s good for adult dogs and you can easily get it in retail outlets in Nigeria.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie
- High digestible energy for your active dogs
- Powerful antioxidants for overall vitality, and
- Provides all the nutritional needs of your adult dogs
- Price starts at ₦20,000
The first ingredient in Taste of the Wild High Prairie is real meat.
But the unique taste of roasted bison and venison will tickle the taste buds of your dog to enjoy the 32% recipes from protein contained in this dog food.
When this happens, your dog will be active and energetic to carry out the task you assign to him, either as a companion or working dog.
Take a closer look at the ingredients and guaranteed analysis below and decide it for yourself.
But if you find it hard to, we urge you to try out this dog food in Nigeria.
Ingredients
Chicken meal, lamb meal, buffalo, peas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, egg products, chicken fat, roasted venison, roasted bison, potato protein, beef, tomato pomace, natural flavour, choline chloride, pea protein, ocean fish meal, salt, tomatoes, taurine, dried chicory root, dried Lactobacillus Plantarum fermentation product, Yucca schidigera extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, raspberries, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, blueberries, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Zinc proteinate, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, Vitamin E supplement, Copper sulphate, Iron proteinate, Copper proteinate, Potassium iodide, Ferrous sulphate, Thiamine mononitrate, Zinc sulphate, Potassium iodide, Ascorbic acid, Manganese proteinate, Calcium pantothenate, Manganous oxide, Niacin, Sodium selenite, Biotin, Manganese sulphate, Vitamin A supplement, Vitamin B12 supplement, Folic acid, Pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin D supplement, Riboflavin, and naturally microbes.
Guaranteed Analysis
- 32% Crude Protein
- 4% Crude Fibre
- 18% Crude Fat
- 10% Moisture
- 0.3% Omega-3 Fatty acids
- 2.8% Omega-6 Fatty acids
- 0.12% Taurine
- 150 mg/kg Zinc
- 150 IU/kg Vitamin E
- 0.35 mg/kg Selenium
Diamond Naturals – Best for essential nutrients at an affordable price
When it comes to quality dog food at affordable prices, Diamond naturals is the best.
All diamond naturals formula is made in the United States with high-quality ingredients.
They have different products for dogs in all life stages such as diamond naturals beef meal and rice formula shown below.
Diamond Naturals beef meal and rice formula
- Suitable for adult dogs
- Contains probiotics and superfood
- Prices start at ₦30,000
This dry dog food contains probiotics that will support the immune and digestive systems of your dog.
It also contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that will help in keeping the coat and skin of your dog healthy.
Ingredients
Beef meal, egg product, grain sorghum, dried yeast, rice bran, ground white rice, cracked pearled barley, DL-Methionine, dried beet pulp, chicken fat, salt, natural flavour, Potassium chloride, Glucosamine hydrochloride, flaxseed, Choline chloride, kale, dried chicory root, chia seed, taurine, oranges, Yucca schidigera extract, pumpkin, Papaya, blueberries, quinoa, dried Lactobacillus Plantarum fermentation product, dried kelp, folic acid, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, Sodium selenite, Vitamin B12 supplement, Manganese sulphate, Niacin, Vitamin A supplement, Biotin, ascorbic acid, Calcium pantothenate, Manganous oxide, Thiamine mononitrate, Manganese proteinate, Potassium iodide, Zinc sulphate, Zinc proteinate, Copper proteinate, Ferrous sulphate, Chondroitin sulphate, Iron proteinate, Vitamin E, beta carotene, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product.
Guaranteed Analysis
- 25% Crude Protein
- 3.5% Crude Fibre
- 15% Crude Fat
- 10% Moisture
- 2.4% Omega-6 Fatty acids
- 0.4% Omega-3 Fatty acids
- 0.12% Taurine
- 300 mg/kg Glucosamine
- 150 mg/kg Zinc
- 100 mg/kg Chondroitin sulphate
- 0.35 mg/kg Selenium
- 15000 IU/kg Vitamin A
- 150 IU/kg Vitamin E
Nature’s Protection – Best complete nutrition at an affordable price.
Nature’s protect is a leader in the pet food industry.
This brand is known for a super premium dry and wet dog food that is cherished by dog parents all over the world.
Over many years, nature’s protection has refined and created dog food based on assessment and efficiency of leading breeders.
Nature’s protection dog food in Nigeria is simply the best in complete nutrition for specific needs under special conditions, lifestyle and life stage of your dog.
Their dry dog food includes the following varieties:
Puppy starter, Junior lamb, Maxi junior, Mini junior, All breed junior, Active sport, Weight control sterilized, Mini extra salmon, Mini adult, Maxi adult, Mini adult lamb, Adult lamb, All breed adult and Extra salmon, Mini senior, and All-breed senior.
We’ll take a look at nature’s protection all breeds dog food below.
Nature’s Protection All Breed Adult (18kg)
- Complete food for different adult dog breeds.
- Poultry is the main source of animal protein
- Contains no wheat
- Prices start at ₦30,000
This dog food contains microzeogen that helps in stimulating the intestinal microflora of your dog for active nutrient absorption.
It is highly digestible
The food is also rich in essential fatty acids that will strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and maintain proper cardiovascular and brain function of your dog.
The crunchy kibbles have calcium that will help in keeping the gums and teeth of your dog healthy and also reduce the build-up of tartar.
Composition
40% poultry meat (finely ground and dried), maize, rice, fish meal, poultry fat, chicory extract, dried eggs, yucca extract, peas, linseed, dynamic micronized clinoptilolite (1%), sugar beet pulp.
Guaranteed Analysis
27% Crude Protein
2.1% Crude Fibres
14% Crude Fat
6.5% Crude Ash
1.1% Calcium
0.9% Phosphorus
2% Omega-6 fatty acids
0.8% Omega-3 fatty acids
0.4% Sodium
0.5% Potassium
Arion – Best in nutritional value and taste
By using their innovative production processes, Arion has produced nutritious, tasty and easily digestible dog food that supports your dog in all life stages.
Their dog food comes with fresh meat, whole grains, fat and oil.
Their products include:
Arion fresh junior, Arion fresh adult small, Arion fresh adult medium-large, Arion fresh adult active, Arion fresh adult sensitive, Arion fresh senior light.
Let’s consider the Arion fresh adult active variety as our benchmark in order to see the value you can get from Arion dog food.
Arion Fresh Adult Active
- Made for active dogs
- Contains herbs and dried yeast to boost immunity
- Helps in keeping your dog’s joints strong and supple
- Prices start at ₦15000
Composition
This dog food is made of high-quality ingredients sourced from meat and animal derivatives (4% fresh chicken), cereals (14% whole grain wheat), vegetables (fennel, nettle, marigold, gentian, chamomile), fat and oil, seeds (linseed), minerals, Chondroitin sulphate, L-carnitine, glucosamine, yeast.
Guaranteed Analysis
30% Crude Protein
18% Crude Fat
3% Crude Fibre
7.5% Crude Ash
1.6% Calcium
1.15% Phosphorus
Purina – Best in nutritional value and taste
Millions of dog owners around the world make Purina their pet food brand.
Their popularity is due in part to passion for pets and their owners, quality of their products, and the unique and innovative ideas they deliver in every Purina item you buy.
They have dry, wet, and grain-free dog food for your puppies, small, large and senior dogs.
Let’s talk about Purina dog chow which is a very popular dog food in Nigeria.
Purina Dog Chow Dry Dog Food
- Suitable for adult dogs
- Made with chicken and real beef
- Has no artificial preservatives, flavours, or colours
- Prices start at ₦22,000
Purina dog chow is made with real chicken, beef and essential minerals and vitamins.
The protein will help your dog to grow strong muscles
Ingredients
Chicken, beef, whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal, beef fat, salt, whole grain wheat, soybean meal, ground rice, Manganese sulphate, natural flavour, Potassium chloride, Calcium carbonate, Calcium iodate, Sodium selenite, mono and dicalcium phosphate, Zinc sulphate, Copper sulphate, Ferrous sulphate, choline chloride, niacin, vitamin A supplement, Vitamin B6, vitamin B12 supplement, Vitamin B1, vitamin D3 supplement, Vitamin K, Folic acid, biotin, riboflavin supplement, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B5, L-Lysine monohydrochloride.
Guaranteed Analysis
25% Protein
4.5% Crude Fibre
11% Crude Fat
12% Moisture
1.0% Calcium
0.8% Phosphorus
1.5% Linoleic acid
10,000 IU/kg Vitamin A
Pedigree
The Pedigree dog food brand has been at the forefront of fortifying, supporting, encouraging, and fueling the power in dogs so that they can be healthy and happy in every stage of life.
They make the following dry dog food varieties:
High protein beef and lamb flavour; Roasted chicken, rice and vegetable flavour; Adult grilled steak and vegetable flavour; Small dog roasted chicken, rice and vegetable flavour; Small dog grilled steak and vegetable flavour; Puppy chicken and vegetable flavour; Big dogs roasted chicken, rice and vegetable; Healthy weight roasted chicken, and vegetable flavour; Active senior roasted chicken, rice and vegetable flavour; High Protein chicken and turkey flavour; Puppy growth and protection dry dog food (grilled steak and vegetable flavour).
Pedigree dry dog food is a very popular variety, let’s see the value it brings.
Pedigree Adult Roasted Chicken, Rice and Vegetable Flavou
- Suitable for adult dogs
- Contains fibre for good digestion
- Prices start at ₦29,000
Ingredients
Meat and meal, corn gluten meal, ground whole grain, soybean meal, animal fat, dried plain beet pulp, chicken by-product meal, natural flavour, salt, ground whole grain wheat, dried peas, brewers rice, Calcium carbonate, Potassium chloride, choline chloride, Zinc sulphate, vitamin E supplement, DL-Methionine, L-tryptophan, monocalcium phosphate, dried carrots, Copper sulphate, vitamin B2, vitamin A supplement, folic acid, vitamin B6, yellow 5 and 6, red 40, vitamin B3, Sodium selenite, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin B1, vitamin D3 supplement, blue 2, D-Calcium pantothenate, Potassium iodide.
Guaranteed Analysis
21% Crude Protein
4% Crude Fibre
10% Crude Fat
12% Moisture
2% Linoleic acid
0.8% Phosphorus
1% Calcium
100 mg/kg Vitamin E
80 mg/kg of Zinc
Booster – Best for athletic dogs and puppies
The booster brand is another popular dog food in Nigeria.
They make unique advanced formula food and treats for athletic dogs and puppies.
You can go through the booster dog food review to know more about this unique brand.
Conclusion
The dietary needs of your dog depend on many factors such as breed, age, activity and size.
Therefore, one dog food may not be appropriate for every dog.
We believe this article will guide you on the best dog food in Nigeria that will be appropriate for your dog.
But we encourage you to work closely with your veterinarian and discover what is best for your furry friend.
