PawBench Blog

Dog Gear Guides & Honest Reviews

Buying guides, product comparisons, and honest advice for dog owners.

Showing 19 posts tagged #nutrition

Dog Body Condition Score: Reading the WSAVA 9-Point Scale
Dog Body Condition Score: Reading the WSAVA 9-Point Scale

Dog Body Condition Score: Reading the WSAVA 9-Point Scale

How to read a dog's WSAVA Body Condition Score at home: the rib, waist, and tuck check, why ideal is 4 to 5 of 9, and what each score means.

Hilly Shore Labs
6 min read·June 4, 2026
Does Your Puppy Actually Need DHA? The Science
Does Your Puppy Actually Need DHA? The Science

Does Your Puppy Actually Need DHA? The Science

Does your puppy need DHA for brain development? The real science, AAFCO growth minimums, food sources, and why supplements usually aren't needed.

Hilly Shore Labs
7 min read·May 29, 2026
Skip This: Grain-Free Diets for Most Dogs
Skip This: Grain-Free Diets for Most Dogs

Skip This: Grain-Free Diets for Most Dogs

The FDA's 2018-2022 investigation linked grain-free diets to a rise in canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Here's what the evidence actually says — and what to feed ...

Hilly Shore Labs
3 min read·April 27, 2026
How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight: Vet-Backed Diet and Exercise Plan
How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight: Vet-Backed Diet and Exercise Plan

How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight: Vet-Backed Diet and Exercise Plan

How to help your dog lose weight with a vet-backed plan — calorie calculation, best weight loss dog foods, portion control, and safe exercise by breed.

Hilly Shore Labs
6 min read·April 7, 2026
Best Dog Food for Senior Dogs in 2026: Vet-Recommended Picks
Best Dog Food for Senior Dogs in 2026: Vet-Recommended Picks

Best Dog Food for Senior Dogs in 2026: Vet-Recommended Picks

Best senior dog food picks for 2026 — vet-recommended formulas for joint support, weight management, and aging dogs over 7 years old.

Hilly Shore Labs
5 min read·March 19, 2026
How to Switch Dog Foods Without Causing Digestive Chaos
How to Switch Dog Foods Without Causing Digestive Chaos

How to Switch Dog Foods Without Causing Digestive Chaos

A sudden food switch is the fastest way to get a sick dog. Here's the 10-day transition that actually works.

Hilly Shore Labs
5 min read·March 17, 2026
5 Signs Your Dog's Food Isn't Working (And What to Do)
5 Signs Your Dog's Food Isn't Working (And What to Do)

5 Signs Your Dog's Food Isn't Working (And What to Do)

Your dog can't tell you the food isn't right. But their body can. Here's what to look for.

Hilly Shore Labs
5 min read·March 17, 2026
Why Is My Dog a Picky Eater? (And How to Fix It)
Why Is My Dog a Picky Eater? (And How to Fix It)

Why Is My Dog a Picky Eater? (And How to Fix It)

Picky eating in dogs is usually a people problem, not a dog problem. Here's the honest breakdown and the fixes that actually work.

Hilly Shore Labs
5 min read·March 17, 2026
Best Puppy Food 2026: DHA-Rich Picks for Growth
Best Puppy Food 2026: DHA-Rich Picks for Growth

Best Puppy Food 2026: DHA-Rich Picks for Growth

We ranked 5 puppy foods on AAFCO growth formula, DHA, and digestibility. Purina Pro Plan Puppy wins; Hill's Science Diet is the large-breed pick.

Hilly Shore Labs
7 min read·March 17, 2026
Best Dog Food for Allergies 2026: 5 Limited-Ingredient Picks
Best Dog Food for Allergies 2026: 5 Limited-Ingredient Picks

Best Dog Food for Allergies 2026: 5 Limited-Ingredient Picks

We ranked 5 limited-ingredient and hydrolyzed-protein dog foods. Purina Pro Plan HA wins for vet-diagnosed allergies; Natural Balance L.I.D. is the OTC pick.

Hilly Shore Labs
8 min read·March 17, 2026
How Much Should I Feed My Dog? Complete Feeding Guide by Weight and Age
How Much Should I Feed My Dog? Complete Feeding Guide by Weight and Age

How Much Should I Feed My Dog? Complete Feeding Guide by Weight and Age

A research-based feeding guide that covers daily portions by weight, age, and activity level — plus how to tell if you're feeding too much.

Hilly Shore Labs
8 min read·March 17, 2026
Best Senior Dog Food 2026: 6 Vet-Backed Picks for 7+
Best Senior Dog Food 2026: 6 Vet-Backed Picks for 7+

Best Senior Dog Food 2026: 6 Vet-Backed Picks for 7+

Senior dogs need fewer calories and joint support. Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind leads our 6 picks; Hill's Science Diet is the kidney-friendly runner-up.

Hilly Shore Labs
7 min read·March 16, 2026