When it comes to choosing a dog food, you might find yourself overwhelmed with the number of types available. With so many brands and formulas, deciding which is the best dog food can be difficult. But there are certain things to look for when determining the best option for you and your dog.

The old adage, "You are what you eat" holds true for dogs, so it's important to remember that nutrition is essential. Adequate nutrition helps your dog grow, stay strong, maintain a healthy coat and immune system, and provide energy for playtime. When breaking down nutrition and choosing a food, there are some key factors to consider.

Balanced Nutritional Formula

When choosing the best dog food for your pup, the nutritional value of the food is the first factor you should inspect. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has established guidelines for regulators to govern claims a pet food company can make on its label. A balanced food should contain healthy ingredients, such as protein from an animal source, vegetables, whole grains and micronutrients like omega-3 fatty acids.

When it comes to individual ingredients, it's important to note that foods said to contain a single ingredient must include at least 95 percent of said ingredient, not counting water. For instance, if the formula claims to be made solely of beef, beef makes up 95 percent of the food. Another idea to consider is the food type. Phrases and the labels "dinner," "platter" or "entree" require that the food contains at least 25 percent of the named ingredient. So a chicken dinner might actually only contain 25 percent chicken.

There are wet foods, dry foods, dehydrated foods and even frozen-thawed foods that are available to your dog. You'll have to decide which offers the best nutritional value for your particular pup and make sure that your dog enjoys eating it. For example, freezing food changes the taste of canned wet food, so there's a chance your dog won't be a fan of it.

Once you know how to identify the ingredients you want in your dog's food and which you'd prefer to avoid, you can use your dog's opinion to decide which is the most flavorful delivery. The best dog food is a completely balanced food that your dog will enjoy!

Age and Lifestyle

Your dog is unique and needs to be treated as such. This means that the best dog food for one dog might not be so great for another. First, consider the size of your dog. A Great Dane and Chihuahua are going to need very different amounts of nutrients and different amounts of food altogether. There may be various sizes of kibble and cans that are geared toward the size of your dog.

Next, evaluate your dog's age. A puppy is still growing and is going to need different nutrients than a sedentary senior dog. Puppies generally need vitamins and minerals that encourage healthy growth and development, while seniors need fewer calories and added supplements to help their aging bones and joints. Again, a Great Dane puppy is going to need nutrition that supports a very large, quickly growing body while a Chihuahua puppy will likely need a more steady intake throughout his life.

Pregnant and lactating females require a special formula to sustain their and their puppies' bodies. For example, because she's expending a lot of energy sustaining her puppies, a pregnant dog needs a calorie-rich food. Special nutrients, like protein and DHA, are needed to promote healthy puppy development. If you have a pregnant and lactating dog, be sure to ask your veterinarian what dog food you should be feeding her.

Your dog's lifestyle determines the amount of food and nutrition needed as well. Working dogs such as police dogs and search and rescue dogs are constantly on the go. Their hard-working bodies are going to need a lot of nutrition for active energy to keep up with them. They'll need a lot more food that your average couch potato dog won't need.

The less your dog moves around, the fewer calories he needs, says PetMD. You want to prevent obesity and maintain a healthy weight and body condition throughout your dog's life, so tailored nutrition is key.