Good Brands of Dog Food in Mexico? A Glossary of Terms

Carl and Lorena’s beloved Poco

A reader writes:

Hello Carl
Could you please provide me with the names of some of the better quality dog foods. I can’t read Spanish (yet)
Thanks
Lois

editor’s note: Carl is lurking in his northern lair, so I turned to PG correspondent El Codo for some investigative reporting.

El Codo:

Northern Mexico, the Baja California peninsula, and larger cities are more prosperous and a person is more likely to find expensive dogs, and therefore expensive dog food.

Unless you shop in a gringo enclave, smaller neighborhood tiendas (stores) are most likely to only have the most plain-jane generic pet food.  Light brown nuggets which I refer to as “Doggie K-Rations” are sold in bulk or repackaged in small clear plastic bags. Skinny Mexican dogs gobble this stuff up, but a dog from the US or Canada would seemingly rather starve than eat this dismal fare.

Supermercados, chain grocery stores will have a larger selection, including quality Mexican brands and familiar US brands. Commercial Mexicana, Gigante, Soriana, and Bodega Aurerra are some examples of larger chain stores. Popular brands like Pedigree and Purina are common, as are variants of the majors. Puppy food is common, and “low fat” varieties are getting more common. But only in those larger stores.

28% Protein “Made in Mexico”

Costco and Sam’s Club carry a large variety, as well as larger sacks in case you are feeding a particularly hungry Great Dane, or brace of smaller dogs.

However, truly exotic (to Mexicans) dog food brands like “Science Diet” are rare. Some veterinarians in gringo enclaves sell high-end dog food, but be forewarned, the price may make your knees wobble. If your pooch requires a special food, then by all means bring it from home. It will be difficult to find down here.

Some bag dog food list vitamins minerals, protein and fat content but don’t count on it.

Mexican Brand

Counterfeit dog food is quite rare – I’ve never heard of it being found.

Glossary of Spanish Dog Food Terms:

ALIMENTO PARA PERROS Dog Food

ALIMENTO PARA CACHORROS Puppy Food

ALIMENTO PARA GATASCat Food

Carne: MEAT

Carne de Res BEEF

Pescado FISH

Pollo CHICKEN

Subproductos BYPRODUCTS

Arroz RICE

Trigo FLOUR

Pasta de Soya SOY PASTE

Nutritional Info

Bha/Bht PRESERVATIVES (Google for definitions)

Vitaminas VITAMINS (the same as in English)

Minerales MINERALS (latinized but very similar to English. “sulfate de magnesio” for “MAGNESIUM SULFATE” etc.)

Analisis Garantizados GUARANTEED ANALYSIS

Proteina Cruda CRUDE PROTEIN

Grasa Cruda CRUDE FAT

Fibra Cruda CRUDE FIBER

Humedad MOISTURE

Ceniza ASH

Editor’s note: See comments for additional info.