Quick answer:WDJ (Whole Dog Journal) is an authoritative US pet magazine founded in 1998 that accepts no manufacturer advertising. The 2026 WDJ recommended dry food list covers over 1,200 individual products. The core principles of WDJ’s 8 selection criteria are: the first item on the ingredient list must be a named animal protein, no meat by-products, no artificial additives, and no fat sources of unstated type. In Hong Kong, several WDJ-recommended brands such as Orijen, Acana, Wellness CORE, Fromm and Stella & Chewy’s are sold as genuine local-market goods.
Key Summary TL;DR
- What is WDJ: an authoritative US pet magazine, founded in 1998, fully subscription-based and accepting no advertising, regarded as North America’s most impartial dog food evaluation
- 2026 list: covers over 1,200 recommended dry food products; dry food announced in February, canned food announced in December
- 8 criteria: named meats as the main ingredient, no by-products, no artificial colours/preservatives, no sweeteners, use of whole natural ingredients
- Available in Hong Kong: 10 brands in total—Orijen, Acana, Wellness CORE, Go! Solutions, Canidae, Fromm, Farmina N&D, K9 Natural, Stella & Chewy’s
- Points to note: a WDJ recommendation means the ingredient quality meets the standard, but the ‘best fit’ varies from dog to dog; it is advised to choose by your dog’s age, body size and health condition
What is WDJ (Whole Dog Journal)?
Whole Dog Journal (WDJ) is a pet care magazine founded in the US in 1998, commonly known by a Chinese name meaning ‘Whole Dog Journal’. WDJ’s biggest feature is its fully subscription-based model—since 2007 it has accepted no manufacturer advertising or sponsorship whatsoever, with evaluation costs supported by subscription income. This operating model has led the international pet industry to regard WDJ’s dog food evaluation as one of the most credible third-party dog food assessments in North America.
WDJ conducts two dog food evaluations each year: the dry food (Dry Dog Food) recommendation list is usually announced each February, and the canned wet food (Canned Dog Food) recommendation each December. The 2026 dry food list already covers over 1,200 individual products and offers a searchable online database where subscribers can filter by brand, ingredients, price and other conditions.
BC Pets observation: based on our experience serving Hong Kong dog owners since 2009, a WDJ recommendation is one of the important reference indicators for many quality-conscious Hong Kong consumers when buying, especially carrying benchmark significance when choosing imported natural food.
A Complete Interpretation of WDJ’s 8 Selection Criteria
WDJ’s selection criteria focus on ingredient quality rather than brand fame or market share. The following are the 8 core criteria WDJ uses to assess each dog food:
| No. | Selection Criterion | Detailed Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Named animal protein listed first | The first item on the ingredient list must be a named animal protein source (such as ‘deboned chicken’, ‘fresh salmon’), not a generic ‘meat’ or plant protein. For carnivores, animal protein is the most important nutritional foundation. |
| 2 | Animal protein as the main protein source | Most of the protein in the formula should come from animal sources. When fresh meat is listed first, it should be closely followed by a ‘meat meal’ (Meal, such as chicken meal) to raise the actual animal protein content (because fresh meat contains a lot of water). |
| 3 | Use of whole natural ingredients | Fresh, whole vegetables, fruits and grains provide dogs with abundant minerals, vitamins, digestive enzymes and antioxidant factors. The more whole ingredients used (rather than by-products), the higher WDJ’s rating. |
| 4 | No meat by-products | Rejects any ‘meat by-products’ (Meat By-Products) or ‘poultry by-products’ (Poultry By-Products). By-products usually include organs, heads, feet and other trimmings, which are of unstable quality and lower nutritional value. |
| 5 | No fat or protein of unstated type | Rejects ingredients with generic labelling, such as ‘animal fat’ (Animal Fat) or ‘meat and bone meal’ (Meat and Bone Meal). Such vague labelling is seen as a sign of using inferior, cheap raw materials. |
| 6 | No artificial colours or chemical preservatives | Rejects chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin, and artificial colours such as Red 40 and Yellow 5. Quality dog food should use natural preservatives (such as vitamin E, rosemary extract). |
| 7 | No sweeteners | Rejects products that add sugar, corn syrup or any sweetener to improve palatability. These additives provide only empty calories and over the long term can lead to obesity and related health problems. |
| 8 | Overall proportion of natural ingredients | Overall assessment of the proportion of natural, whole ingredients relative to processed ingredients in the whole formula. The more whole foods (whole ingredients) used and the fewer fillers and processed by-products, the higher WDJ’s score. |
Professional interpretation: WDJ’s selection criteria emphasise an ‘exclusion method’—first removing products containing non-qualifying ingredients, then ranking the qualifying products by ingredient completeness and quality. This means that dog food that passes WDJ’s screening already surpasses most commercial dog food on the market in ingredient quality.
WDJ Qualifying vs Non-Qualifying Ingredients Comparison Table
Based on WDJ’s 8 criteria, the following is a quick comparison of ‘qualifying’ and ‘non-qualifying’ ingredients on the ingredient list:
| Ingredient Category | WDJ Qualifying ✓ | WDJ Non-Qualifying ✗ |
|---|---|---|
| Protein Source | Deboned chicken, fresh salmon, chicken meal (Chicken Meal), turkey | Meat by-products, poultry by-products, meat and bone meal, ‘meat’ (unnamed) |
| Fat Source | Chicken fat, salmon oil, flaxseed oil | ‘Animal fat’ (Animal Fat), fat with unstated source |
| Carbohydrates | Brown rice, oats, sweet potato, peas, whole vegetables | Corn gluten meal, soybean meal (mainly fillers) |
| Preservatives | Natural vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols), rosemary extract | BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin (chemical preservatives) |
| Additives | Natural flavours (such as chicken liver flavour), probiotics | Artificial colours (Red 40, Yellow 5), sugar, corn syrup |
| Fruit and Vegetables | Whole blueberries, fresh pumpkin, spinach, apple | Vegetable by-products, fruit pomace, cellulose powder (processing residues) |
Tips for reading the ingredient list: the ingredient list is arranged by weight from high to low. Pay attention to the first 5 ingredients—if the first 3 include ‘by-products’, ‘unstated animal fat’ or grain fillers (such as corn, wheat, soy), the overall formula quality is still low even if the later ingredients look good.
2026 WDJ Recommended Brands (Available in Hong Kong) Comparison Table
The following 10 brands are all on WDJ’s recommendation list and also have authorised distributors in Hong Kong; BC Pets provides the full range of genuine local-market goods. The comparison covers origin, protein content, key features, Hong Kong reference price and the most suitable type of dog:
| Brand | Origin | Protein | Key Features | HK$ Reference Price/kg | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orijen | Canada | 38% | 85% animal ingredients, Biologically Appropriate formula (Biologically Appropriate) | $160-180 | Dog owners seeking the highest protein |
| Acana | Canada | 29-33% | Made by Champion Petfoods, same maker as Orijen, high value for money | $110-130 | Value-for-money choice |
| Wellness CORE | United States | 34-36% | Grain-free high protein, weight management and age-specific ranges | $120-140 | Dogs needing weight control |
| Go! Solutions / Now Fresh | Canada | 32% | Made by Petcurean, skin + digestion + weight management ranges | $100-120 | Dogs with sensitive stomachs |
| Canidae | United States | 24-32% | PURE range single-protein formula, suitable for dogs with allergies | $90-110 | Dogs with food allergies |
| Fromm | United States | 26-30% | Family-run for over 120 years, small-batch handcrafted, Four-Star/Gold multiple flavours | $100-130 | Dog owners who prefer to rotate flavours regularly |
| Farmina N&D | Italy | 30-37% | Low-grain/grain-free, pumpkin formula, FEDIAF European standard | $110-140 | Fans of European formulas |
| K9 Natural | New Zealand | 35-48% | Freeze-dried raw food (Freeze-Dried Raw), BARF philosophy | $250-320 | Supporters of the raw-food philosophy |
| Stella & Chewy’s | United States | 35-42% | Freeze-dried raw meat coated kibble (Raw Coated Kibble), balancing raw food and convenience | $200-280 | Dog owners wanting to try raw food but wary of the hassle |
*Prices are BC Pets’ reference prices as of April 2026; actual prices vary by pack size and offers. All brands are genuine local-market goods. The above brands are all brands on WDJ’s recommendation lists over the years.
BC Pets recommends: if you are looking for a WDJ-recommended brand as a daily staple, we most recommend three brands—Fromm has a stable formula and excellent stomach adaptability, making it very suitable for beginners; Wellness CORE takes the grain-free high-protein route, with formulas targeting different ages and body sizes and outstanding value for money; Stella & Chewy’s‘ Raw Coated Kibble coats kibble in freeze-dried raw meat, balancing raw-food nutrition with feeding convenience.
How to Use WDJ Recommendations to Choose Dog Food
The WDJ recommendation list is an excellent starting point, but choosing the food best suited to your dog also requires considering the following factors:
Step 1: Confirm WDJ recommendation status. Check on WDJ’s official website (whole-dog-journal.com) whether your target brand is on the 2026 recommendation list. The list is updated annually, and some brands may be removed or added due to formula changes.
Step 2: Filter by your dog’s needs. The 1,200+ products WDJ recommends cover puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs, small dogs, large dogs, weight management and other ranges. Filter by your dog’s age (puppies need 28%+ protein), body size (large-breed puppies need a controlled calcium-phosphorus ratio) and health condition (dogs with allergies should choose a single-protein formula).
Step 3: Compare price and availability channels. Prices of WDJ-recommended brands vary widely—from HK$90 per kilogram (Canidae) to HK$280 (Stella & Chewy’s). Choose a brand that fits your budget and is steadily supplied in Hong Kong. Be sure to choose genuine local-market goods with a Hong Kong authorised distributor, to avoid the storage risks of parallel imports.
Step 4: Observe your dog’s adaptation. Even with a WDJ-recommended brand, you need to transition food gradually over 7-14 days. Observe your dog’s faeces, coat shine, mental state and appetite—these are the most direct indicators of whether the food suits them. For details, see the food-transition guide in our Hong Kong Dog Food Buying Guide.
Limitations of WDJ Recommendations
A WDJ recommendation is an important reference for judging dog food quality, but it is not the only indicator. The following are a few points to note when using the WDJ list:
It does not equal ‘best for your dog’. A WDJ recommendation means the ingredient quality meets the standard, but every dog differs in age, breed, allergens and stomach sensitivity. Some dogs may be allergic to certain protein sources in a high-scoring WDJ brand. WDJ itself clearly states that ‘no single dog food suits all dogs’.
It does not cover all types of dog food. WDJ’s annual evaluation mainly targets dry food and canned wet food. Categories such as air-dried food (like Stella & Chewy’s), freeze-dried food (like K9 Natural) and fresh food have only begun to be evaluated separately in recent years, with less historical data.
Focused on the North American market. WDJ’s evaluation is based on product formulas sold in the North American market. Some brands’ formulas sold in different regions (such as Asia) may differ slightly due to raw material supply; check the packaging labelling when buying.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: What is WDJ? Why is WDJ-recommended dog food trustworthy?
WDJ is the abbreviation for Whole Dog Journal, an authoritative US pet care magazine founded in 1998. WDJ uses a fully subscription-based model and since 2007 has accepted no manufacturer advertising or sponsorship, so its annually published dog food recommendation list is regarded as one of the most impartial and credible dog food evaluations in North America. WDJ announces dry food recommendations each February and canned wet food recommendations each December.
Q: How many dog foods are on the 2026 WDJ dog food recommendation list?
The 2026 WDJ recommended dry food list covers over 1,200 individual dry food products from dozens of brands. WDJ provides a searchable online database where subscribers can filter, compare and save products by brand, ingredients, price range and other conditions.
Q: What are WDJ’s 8 criteria for evaluating dog food?
WDJ’s 8 selection criteria include: (1) the first item on the ingredient list must be a named animal protein (such as chicken, beef); (2) most protein sources must be animal protein; (3) use whole fruit, vegetables and grains rather than by-products; (4) no meat by-products or poultry by-products; (5) no fat or protein sources of unstated type; (6) no artificial colours, flavours or chemical preservatives (BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin); (7) no sweeteners of any kind (such as sugar, corn syrup); (8) the more whole natural ingredients used overall, the higher the rating.
Q: Can WDJ-recommended dog food brands be bought in Hong Kong?
Yes. Several brands on WDJ’s recommendation list have authorised distributors in Hong Kong, including Orijen, Acana, Wellness CORE, Go! Solutions, Canidae, Fromm, Farmina N&D, K9 Natural and Stella & Chewy’s. BC Pets Pet Supplies Centre (Fanling store and online shop) provides genuine local-market goods of these brands, with free delivery on orders over HK$350.
Q: Does a WDJ recommendation mean it is best for my dog?
Not necessarily. A WDJ recommendation means the dog food meets strict standards in ingredient quality, manufacturing standards and nutritional balance, but every dog differs in age, body size, health condition and allergens, so the best-suited dog food varies from dog to dog. WDJ itself also stresses that ‘no single dog food suits all dogs’, and advises owners to choose according to their dog’s individual needs and to consult a veterinarian or pet nutritionist when in doubt.
Q: What is the difference between WDJ-recommended dry food and canned food?
WDJ evaluates dry food and canned wet food separately each year. The dry food recommendation list is usually announced each February, and the canned recommendation in December. Both use the same core selection criteria (named meats as the main ingredient, no by-products, no artificial additives, etc.), but the canned evaluation additionally looks at moisture content, actual meat proportion and processing method. The 2026 dry food list covers over 1,200 products.
Q: Why are some big brands not on the WDJ recommendation list?
WDJ’s selection criteria are very strict—it does not accept products containing meat by-products, fat of unstated type, artificial colours or chemical preservatives. Although some large commercial brands sell well, they fail WDJ’s review because they use by-products, artificial additives or unnamed protein/fat sources. WDJ emphasises ingredient quality rather than brand fame or market share.
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Disclaimer: BC Pets is the Hong Kong authorised retailer for some of the brands mentioned in this article. This guide is written based on WDJ’s publicly available selection criteria and our years of sales experience, and all information strives to be objective and accurate. This guide is written based on WDJ’s publicly published selection criteria and the BC Pets team’s years of industry experience. Every dog’s nutritional needs vary by breed, body size and health condition; if there are special dietary needs (such as prescription food), please consult a registered veterinarian first. Brand information and prices are based on April 2026 data and may change.
