Why there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

The honest answer is simple—and uncomfortable for many:
There is no single “best” type of food for all dogs.
The best diet is one that keeps your dog physically healthy, mentally calm, and resilient. Everything else is just ideology.

In my practice, I see time and again how heated discussions about food can get.

BARF vs. dry food.
Natural vs. processed.
Right vs. wrong.

But people often forget the most important thing:
How does the dog really feel about it?

BARF – Raw Feeding

BARF can be a very high-quality diet if it’s prepared properly.
It provides plenty of moisture, high-quality protein, and is easy to digest.
Many dogs on this diet look muscular and energetic and have a beautiful coat.

The downside:
BARF doesn't forgive mistakes. Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, energy requirements, trace minerals—if these aren't right, problems arise that are then mistakenly attributed to the dog or the training.

Especially with nervous or very active dogs, I often notice something else:
If the BARF diet is too low in fat, the dog lacks readily available energy. The dog then slips into a hyperactive state:
restless, internally tense, and difficult to control.

Dry food

Dry food is predictable, consistent, and very practical for everyday use.

A good dry food can provide a steady source of energy and work well. Problems mainly arise with low-quality brands:
too many empty carbohydrates,
too little fat,
poor-quality protein sources.

The dog may appear full, but inside it is still restless, nervous, or lethargic.

In addition, some dogs don't drink enough, which can be harmful in the long run.

Semi-moist or soft food

This category is often underestimated. Yet high-quality semi-moist food can be a very good compromise.

More moisture than dry food.
Often more palatable.
Often provides a more consistent energy profile.

In my practice, I often find that this approach works best, especially for nervous, very active, or rather thin dogs.

The downside:
The quality varies wildly.
Many products are mostly just marketing gimmicks, packed with sugar, glycerin, or artificial flavors.

What really matters—regardless of the type of food

For me, it’s not labels or beliefs that matter, but these points:

Your dog will maintain a stable weight—not just look slim.
Digestion is normal.
He has energy without being nervous.
He can take breaks and relax.
He shows a healthy interest in food, without any coercion or excessive foraging behavior.

If a dog is nervous, hyperactive, obsessed with food, and constantly on edge, then the food is very often not the right fit in terms of energy or hormones—whether it’s BARF, dry, or semi-moist.

My clear practical recommendation

I especially recommend this for sensitive, nervous, or very active dogs:

Don't feed them too little
enough fat as a source of energy
regular meals
no dogmatic fixation on "natural" or "artificial"

Food should stabilize, not stimulate.
It should provide energy without causing restlessness.

Conclusion

The best type of food isn't the one that's defended the most vocally. It's the one that helps your dog lead a balanced, resilient, and calm life.

If you're unsure whether the food is right for your dog, his behavior, and his energy level, or if you notice that nervousness, restlessness, or extreme eating behavior are an issue, I'd be happy to help you figure it out.

It all starts with a free initial consultation, which you can schedule here .

The best type of food for your dog