Vet-backed food and endorsements

Most veterinarian-endorsed dog food brands have been rigorously researched, and while the professional approval is reassuring, this is only one piece of the pet-food puzzle. The best diet for your dog is more than just who promotes it. It depends on your dog’s unique needs, your values and how the food is made.

What does “Vet-recommended” dog food actually mean?

Veterinarians are trained scientists who follow evidence-based medicine and nutrition. Many vets do genuinely recommend foods they have themselves critically assessed and trust being fed to their own pets, but context is important. Any brand can use the term “vet recommended” loosely.

Making informed choices

Choosing the right food for your dog isn’t about flashy packaging, catchy slogans or celebrities on bus advertisements. Marketing can offer useful insights and support, but it’s no substitute for expert guidance. It’s a good idea to have a chat with your vet if you’re unsure about making a dietary change for your dog.

Trust yourself. As a dog parent, you know your pet best, and your instincts matter. Together, you and your vet understand your dog’s unique preferences, medical history, breed tendencies and nutritional needs to help you navigate the overwhelming range of products out there.

Quality dog food companies will regularly perform independent quality assurance testing on their food and will publish these results to deliver a consistent and reliable product.

What’s in a veterinary name?

Reputable dog food brands consult with board-certified veterinary nutritionists during product development. You won’t always see their names splashed across the packaging, and that’s actually a good sign. When professionals from the development stages remain unnamed, it often indicates that their involvement is based on science and ethics, not paid endorsements. It reflects a commitment to nutritional integrity over marketing, which is exactly what you want when it comes to your dog’s health.

Decent dog food companies also hire veterinarians, who may lend their names, however, this is not necessarily a red flag. In Australia, veterinarians are legally required to identify themselves when providing advice, including recommendations related to animal health. This requirement is part of their obligation under the relevant veterinary board regulations and helps ensure accountability, transparency and trust in their profession.

The difference between scientific contribution and promotional influence

In many cases, vets are engaged by pet food companies in broader consultancy roles to:

• train customer service staff,
• offer pet health advice to customers,
• contribute to the drafting of educational content,
• provide veterinary guidance on product development and improvement.

Their professional input is valuable, so what matters is transparency. Consider a veterinarian’s advice more seriously when they are paid for consultation or customer education, rather than for their fame or through sales commissions; it’s worth recognising the difference. 

Signs of a trustworthy vet endorsement

• Scientific backing: References to clinical studies or involving experts (e.g. by board certified veterinary nutritionists) lean more toward medicine than marketing.

• No pressure: A trustworthy vet’s motivation is your dog’s health and well-being. A good vet may suggest that you purchase a product from their clinic for convenience, but they will happily encourage you to find any alternative brand that suits your dog’s lifestyle, medical condition, age, and breed.

• Focuses on individual dog needs: A food that works brilliantly for one dog might not suit another, especially if they have a sensitivity or health conditions such as liver disease or kidney failure. It’s important to consider your own values and budget, too.

• Involved in formulation: A vet that was involved in its development or scientific review

• It supports ingredients and concepts rather than overly branded messaging. For example, “I support this recipe because it features therapeutic levels of green lipped mussel powder for joint health, uses low-GI carbohydrates like sweet potato to support slow release energy and includes prebiotics and probiotics to promote gastrointestinal health consistent with current canine nutritional research.”

Transparency is the key

Look for brands that are transparent about how their food is made, test and quality assure their product with independent third parties, publish the results, consult with board certified veterinary nutritionists and other vets, and detail to you how and where ingredients are sourced. A good rule of thumb: If the food is genuinely well-formulated, the company won’t be afraid to show you how and why.