4-Star Rated Dog Foods - Affordable, But Still Good

Brief Overview Nature’s Logic has been in business since 2005-06. According to the company, they are completely devoted to making pet food that is 100 percent natural, without taking any shortcuts or using synthetic supplements. Nature’s Logic uses no man-made, chemically synthesized vitamins, minerals or amino acids, chemical preservatives, artificial flavorings or colorings, and no corn, wheat, soy, rice, potato, tapioca or peas. Their foods are 100 percent natural and derived only from whole foods and all natural ingredients. The company makes dog and cat food (kibble and cans), raw food, treats, supplements, and cat litter. They currently make 27 products for dogs: 7 kibbles, 7 canned foods, 13 kinds of treats, and 1 raw food. They have dog foods in a wide range of meat proteins. Nature’s Logic has headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska. Who Manufactures Nature’s Logic? According to information online, Nature’s Logic’s canned foods are made by Simmons. A 2011 interview found on the TruthAboutPetFood.com web site reports that the company’s dry food is made in Mt. Pleasant, Texas (home of Mid American Pet Food, the maker of Victor); and that the company’s canned food is made in Emporia, Kansas (site of Simmons/Menu Foods Midwest). The article reports that the company’s raw food is made in Lincoln, Nebraska. “Raw Frozen Foods are manufactured in Lincoln, NE at a human processing plant called Del Gould. They are an inspected USDA plant which mainly makes customer steaks for many restaurants and stores in the greater Lincoln and Omaha area.” According to Nature’s Logic they source and purchase all of their own ingredients. They also test every batch of foods to make sure their specifications are being met. The article also reports that ingredients for Nature’s Logic are sourced from the U.S., New Zealand, Italy, France, and Norway. Nature’s Logic Recalls 2016 We do not find any recalls for Nature’s Logic online or in the FDA pet food recall database. Nature’s Logic Dog Food Coupons 2016 20% Off + Free Shipping on Nature’s Logic Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Check Chewy.com and other online pet food sites for discounts on Nature’s Logic foods. You can visit the Nature’s Logic Facebook page to stay advised of upcoming specials and new products.You can also sign up for the Nature’s Logic newsletter by filling in your e-mail address near the bottom of the page on the company web site. Nature’s Logic Dog Food Overview Information from TheTruthAboutPetfood.com interview with Nature’s Logic was very helpful with this overview. We recommend that you read it if you are interested in feeding Nature’s Logic dog food. Nature’s Logic uses meat meals in their foods instead of whole meats. As we have noted in other reviews, meat meals are generally recognized as equal to whole meats from a nutritional viewpoint. Since the moisture has already been removed from these meals, they are a concentrated form of protein. When a meat meal is listed as the first ingredient in a dog food it usually means the food contains more of that meat protein than when a whole meat protein is listed. For example, when you see chicken meal as the first ingredient, there is usually more chicken protein in a food than when you see whole chicken as the first ingredient because of the moisture in the chicken that will cook away during the manufacturing process. We have no problem with companies such as Nature’s Logic that use named meat meals. Nature’s Logic also uses foods that are GMO-free. Grains are more likely to be genetically-modified than most other foods but they report that they do not use any GMO ingredients in any of their dog foods. They also don’t use ingredients that have been exposed to herbicides or pesticides; and they don’t use chemical preservatives. Additionally, Nature’s Logic does not use any synthetic vitamins or minerals and they don’t source any ingredients from China. According to the company, “All other commercial dry, canned, and even some raw foods add as many as 20 to 26 chemically-synthesized vitamins, minerals and amino acids. We never add man-made nutrients so pets are not exposed to the potential toxicities associated with these chemical substances.” The company does not use the commercial, hydrolyzed liver flavoring that is often found in other dog foods. This flavoring is often a hidden source of MSG and soy. Instead, they make their own flavoring from real, dried liver and spray-dried plasma to make their dog food appealing to dogs. For their raw food they do not use high pressure sterilization. This method is often used to kill pathogens such as Salmonella and e. Coli, but it also kills beneficial bacteria. The company tests ingredients and finished products to make sure they don’t contains harmful bacteria and that they meet guaranteed levels of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. Other tests are done for possible rancidity, aflatoxins, and vomitoxins. They also do random testing for fluoride. Nature’s Logic completed AAFCO All Life Stage feeding trials for their dry dog and cat foods. These are 26-week tests which require certain feeding parameters, clinical observations, and measurements. Nature’s Logic focuses on using whole foods instead of adding synthetic nutrients. Their dog foods are high in protein (30-36 percent) and low in carbs. They use high quality protein such as beef, duck, venison, chicken, fish, and rabbit. They use clean muscle meat with no internal organs, feathers, feet, or heads. The meats and poultry they use come straight from the human processing plants. According to Nature’s Logic they use “carnivore-appropriate starch.” “Millet is the starch in our kibble. This grain contains less natural sugar than other starches frequently used in pet foods. Further, millet is much more likely to occur naturally in a wild dog or cat’s diet than chick peas or potato, so will be more familiar to their digestive systems.” Nature’s Logic says that all of their formulas are Complete and Balanced for All Life Stages. “Variations in formulas marketed for different life stages all meet the minimum requirements for one of […]

Brief Overview Dr. Harvey’s Healthy Formulations has been in business since the early 1980s. It was founded by Dr. Harvey Cohen and it is still a family-run business. They make health food and safe, all-natural care products for companion animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. Their products include all natural foods, chemical free grooming essentials, nutritious treats and chews, and essential vitamins and supplements. According to the company, Dr. Harvey’s was a pioneer and the first companion animal food producer in the ultra natural and all natural pet food category. The company follows the principles of fresh, organic, holistic, natural and top quality nutrition which they say means no added chemicals, no preservatives, and no synthetic additives or coloring agents. Dr. Harvey’s dog foods use human grade ingredients and no chemical additives. They are made in the USA. Dr. Harvey’s makes three dog food pre-mixes and a freeze-dried raw complete diet for dogs. The company also makes four kinds of natural treats and nine supplements for dogs. They also make grooming products for dogs. According to the company, their sales doubled in 2013 and they have seen tremendous growth since that time, largely due to social media. Who Manufactures Dr. Harvey’s? Dr. Harvey’s moved into a new facility and headquarters in July 2013 in Keansburg, New Jersey. This facility is larger and more modern than their previous production facility. According to the company the new location offers ample space for growth as well as additional office space, a photographic and video production studio and a much larger shipping a receiving area. Per Dr. Harvey’s, they have experienced rapid growth in the last 10 years and have grown from 10 employees to 20 full-time employees. In addition to working with distributors in the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Harvey’s also sells their products in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. Dr. Harvey’s is available in all 50 states in the U.S. According to a 2013 interview with Petfoodindustry.com, Dr. Harvey makes all of their own foods, so we assume this would also include their freeze-dried raw foods. Dr. Harvey’s Recalls 2016 We do not find any recalls for Dr. Harvey’s dog foods online or in the FDA database. Dr. Harvey’s Dog Food Coupons 2016 20% Off + Free Shipping on Dr. Harvey’s Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Check Chewy.com and other online pet food sites for discounts on Dr. Harvey’s foods. You can visit the Dr. Harvey’s Facebook page to stay advised of upcoming specials and new products. Dr. Harvey’s Dog Food Overview Dr. Harvey’s makes all natural foods for dogs, cats, birds, and horses. Their foods have no added chemicals, no preservatives, and no synthetic additives or coloring agents. According to the company, all of their foods use 100 percent human grade ingredients. In 2013 the company launched the Oracle freeze-dried raw food line for dogs and cats. Oracle contains no preservatives, dyes, coloring agents or synthetic ingredients. Oracle features USDA-inspected antibiotic free, freeze-dried meat and vegetables. Oracle is the first food made by Dr. Harvey where the buyer can just add water and feed it to their pet. Other foods made by Dr. Harvey have been pre-mixes. Pre-mixes are helpful for people who feed a homemade diet or who want to supplement a raw diet. They are also helpful for owners who have dogs with health problems that require specific amounts of protein, fat, or other ingredients that have to be added separately to their meals. Pre-mixed ingredients, such as those made by Dr. Harvey, can save pet lovers a lot of time and work in the kitchen. Pre-mixes If you are unfamiliar with pre-mixes, they are not a complete and balanced meal for dogs. They cannot be fed to your dog alone. AAFCO only approves such pet food products (IF it approves them) for supplemental feeding and not as complete and balanced meals for dogs or cats. That’s because pre-mixes do not contain all of the nutrients that an animal requires – such as protein, for example. If you use a pre-mix, it’s very important to follow the instructions and add the additional ingredients such as meat, oil, and so on. Even then, some experts express doubts about the nutritional safety of using pre-mixes. Mary Straus (Whole Dog Journal) at Dogaware.com has this to say about Dr. Harvey’s pre-mixes: Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health is a mix of dehydrated and freeze-dried grains, vegetables, herbs, and supplements. The company also offers Veg-to-Bowl, a similar mix that is grain-free. Both are designed to be mixed with meat, oil, and water. The ingredient lists for both products changed in 2012 to include supplements, indicating that neither of these products was complete prior to that time, even though they were marketed as such. It’s still questionable whether or not these mixes provide a complete diet, since no analysis or AAFCO statement is provided. Note that Dr. Harvey is apparently a chiropractor, not a veterinarian or someone with training in canine nutrition. You can read lots of claims and suggestions for how to use Dr. Harvey’s pre-mixes on the web site and you can download feeding guidelines – which also encourage you to buy other Dr. Harvey’s products. But we still don’t find any AAFCO approval statements for these pre-mixes to be fed on a supplemental basis. In case you are thinking that it’s impossible to meet these standards, the Honest Kitchen has complete dog food mixes that you can mix with your own ingredients. They are AAFCO-approved. There are others that meet these standards, as well. Dr. Harvey makes the following pre-mixes: Canine Health Miracle Dog Food Holistic Blend of 6 Organic Grains and 9 Dehydrated Vegetables Makes Healthy Homemade Meals So Easy Just Add Meat and Oil for a complete meal. Ready in Minutes. Allows for total Control of Quality and Quantity of Protein Holistic All-Natural Formula with No Dyes, Chemicals or Preservatives Ingredients Organic Rolled Oats, Organic Barley, Organic Triticale, Organic Spelt, Organic Brown Rice, Organic Kamut, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Potatoes, Zucchini, Peas, Green […]

Brief Overview Nutrisca dog food is made by the Dogswell company. Based in Los Angeles, Dogswell markets and sells brands under the Dogswell, Happy Hips, Vitality, Nutrisca, and LiveFree brand names throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company was founded in 2004. The company makes dry dog food, canned dog food, several kinds of treats, and cat foods. According to the company, “We’re committed to the quality and integrity of our products. We only use high quality, purposefully chosen ingredients and absolutely no corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors or artificial flavors.” In 2015 Dogswell acquired Natural American Pet Products (NAPP) and Natural Life Pet Products (NLPP), which included Natural American Pet Products’ SQF-certified production plant based in Joplin, Missouri used for developing and producing high-quality premium chicken, beef, and duck pet treats. Both Dogswell’s dry and canned foods have previously been listed as approved foods by the Whole Dog Journal. Who Manufactures Nutrisca? Dogswell uses co-packers to make their foods. Per the company: “Our co-manufacturing plants operate under programs like HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP’s), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) and others under a system for managing food safety and quality.” They also say they have a rigorous testing program for both raw materials and finished products; and independent third party auditors ensure that all food safety controls and procedures are followed. According to the Whole Dog Journal, KLN Enterprises (Tuffy’s Pet Foods) makes dry foods for Dogswell; Simmons makes their canned foods. Nutrisca Recalls We did find recall information regarding Dogswell and Nutrisca. Dogswell jerky treats were recalled in 2013. Nutrisca dry dog food was recalled in February 2015 because of concerns about Salmonella. In 2012, Dogswell voluntarily recalled some Catswell VitaKitty treats because of concerns about propylene glycol. We didn’t search any farther back and the FDA site makes it difficult to do deep searches now. There are some anecdotal blog posts online but no recalls associated with them. Nutrisca Dog Food Coupons 20% Off + Free Shipping on Nutrisca Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Check Chewy.com and other online pet food sites for discounts on their foods. You can visit the Dogswell Facebook page to stay advised of upcoming specials and new products. Dogswell offers prizes and promotions on their Facebook site. Dogswell Dog Food Overview Judging from posts online and other factors, it appears that Dogswell places a lot of emphasis on the treats their company makes. And they do make a lot of different kinds of treats. We won’t review them here but we will list them: Nutrisca® Raw Freeze Dried Solos® Beef Liver Treats Nutrisca® Raw Freeze Dried Bites Beef Treats Nutrisca® Raw Freeze Dried Bites Chicken Treats Nutrisca® Raw Freeze Dried Solos® Chicken Treats Boundless® Chicken Flavor Long-Lasting Chews Boundless® Bacon Flavor Long-Lasting Chews Vitality® Bars Chicken & Veggie Treats Happy Hips® Bars Chicken & Veggie Treats Happy Hips® Bars Lamb & Veggie Treats Vitality® Grillers Chicken Treats Vitality® Grillers Duck Treats Happy Hips® Grillers Chicken Treats Happy Hips® Grillers Duck Treats Vitality® Chicken Breast Jerky Treats-USA Recipe Happy Hips® Chicken Breast Jerky Treats- USA Recipe Vitality® Strips Chicken Treats Vitality® Strips Duck Treats Happy Hips® Strips Chicken Treats Happy Hips® Strips Duck Treats Happy Hips® Strips Lamb Treats Vitality® Meatballs Beef Recipe Treats Vitality® Meatballs Chicken Recipe Treats Vitality® Meatballs Lamb Recipe Treats Many of these treats are very popular. Even if you don’t feed your dog Nutrisca, you may have picked up a package of Dogswell’s treats at the pet store. I know I have – and with no ill effects for my dogs. Dogs love them. That said, I don’t think there’s any doubt that many people have had problems with jerky treats and treats made in China (or using ingredients from China). Like everything else you give your dog, you have to use care. If you’re afraid to buy treats, make some for your dog. Most dogs love simple baked liver cut in small pieces. Or, give him some of your food. We all know that’s what dogs really want anyway. Bites of baked chicken breast or cheese make good treats. Even dogs that are lactose-intolerant can eat small amounts of cheese without a problem. Back to dog food. Dogswell makes both dry dog food and canned. They have four lines of canned food: LiveFree, Nutrisca, Vitality, and Happy Hips. LiveFree includes “digestibits” – a proprietary blend of pumpkin, eggs, prebiotics, probiotics, and 11 antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies to help maintain digestive health; pumpkin, and prebiotics for digestive health. LiveFree comes in two chicken stew formulas – one for adult dogs and one for senior dogs. It also comes in salmon stew for adult dogs and a lamb stew for adult dogs. Nutrisca has high protein and it’s grain and potato-free. These canned foods come in a chicken and chickpea stew; a salmon and chickpea stew; and a turkey and chickpea stew. Note that chickpeas will increase the protein percentage of a dog food so that is probably where some of the extra protein comes from. Vitality has added vitamins for “holistic wellness” (which seems redundant). It comes in a chicken and sweet potato stew; a duck and sweet potato stew; and a lamb and sweet potato stew. Happy Hips has glucosamine and chondroitin for hip and joint wellness. These canned foods include chicken and sweet potato stew; duck and sweet potato stew; and lamb and sweet potato stew. Dogswell has dry dog foods that are both grain free and grain-inclusive. They have no corn, wheat, or soy. They make four product lines of kibbles – matching the canned product lines: LiveFree, Nutrisca, Vitality, and Happy Hips. LiveFree kibbles include: Chicken Senior Dog Food; Chicken Adult Dog Food; Chicken Puppy Dog Food; Salmon Adult Dog Food; Lamb Adult Dog Food; and Turkey Adult Dog Food. Crude protein percentages for these foods are around 36-40 percent; crude fat percentages are 14-18 percent. Kcal/cup ME (calculated) range from 387 to 412. Most of the foods do contain pea protein and […]

Brief Overview Evolve is made by Sunshine Mills, with headquarters in Red Bay, Alabama. Sunshine Mills has been making pet food since 1960. According to Evolve, all of their products use real meat and are free from corn, wheat, and soy. They make grain free and grain-inclusive dog food, as well as canned dog food, along with dog treats and cat food under the Evolve brand name. In addition to Evolve, their brands include Sportsman’s Pride, Hi-Tor Veterinary Select, Triumph, Lassie, and others. The company also works under private label agreements to make many grocery store, feed store, and pet food specialty store brands. They also co-pack for some nationally-known pet food brands. Who Manufactures Evolve? Sunshine Mills has four company-owned facilities and make their own dry pet foods for Evolve and their other brands. They use SQF certification and are certified at Level 3, the highest certification under this program. Many other pet food companies use this same certification program for food safety. They make dry pet food at their facilities in Red Bay, Alabama; Halifax, Virginia; and in Tupelo, Mississippi. They also make pet biscuits at their Halifax plant; and they make pet biscuits and soft treats at a second Red Bay facility. The company also has a joint venture facility under the name Sun Classics in Greenville, North Carolina. Simmons makes canned food for Evolve. Some products are listed under “Triumph Pet Industries, Inc.,” a subsidiary of Sunshine Mills. Evolve Recalls Evolve had kitten formula recalled in 2007, related to melamine in the formula. Sunshine Mills also had dog treats/biscuits recalled at that time due to melamine contamination. We have not found any other recalls for Evolve products. Sunshine Mills had a company recall for one of the brands of dog food they make in May 2014 because a sample of one lot of product was found to contain levels of thiamine below the FDA recommended limit. This was a voluntary withdrawal initiated by the company. Considering how many companies were affected by melamine contamination in 2007, and how much pet food Sunshine Mills makes, we think this is an excellent record. Evolve Dog Food Coupons 20% Off + Free Shipping on Evolve Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Check Chewy.com and other online pet food sites for discounts on their foods. You can also visit the Sunshine Mills page on Facebook to check for coupons. Evolve Dog Food Overview Evolve currently makes two grain free dog foods and three grain-inclusive kibbles. They also make three canned dog foods. All of their foods are listed as AAFCO-approved for maintenance. Even their puppy food is described as AAFCO-approved for the maintenance of puppies – which sounds odd since AAFCO puppy foods are supposed to be approved for growth but that’s what they have listed on the page for the food. (As you probably know, AAFCO doesn’t provide exact wording for their approvals. That’s why you find such a wide variety of nutritional adequacy statements on pet food labels.) Along with being free of corn, wheat, and soy, Evolve’s foods contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Their kibbles are also oven-baked. And they do not use by-products. Evolve’s grain free dog foods include the following foods: Evolve Grain Free Turkey & Garbanzo Bean & Pea Recipe For Dogs with Food Sensitivities First five ingredients: Turkey, Chicken meal, Whole ground garbanzo bean, Peas flour, Sweet potato Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein: 25 percent, Crude Fat: 15 percent, Crude Fiber: 3 percent, Moisture: 10 percent Calorie Content (calculated): Metabolizable Energy (ME) 3,550 kcal/kg Evolve Grain Free Formula Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs. Evolve Grain Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe For Dogs with Food Sensitivities First five ingredients: Salmon, Chicken meal, Sweet potato, Whole ground garbanzo bean, peas flour Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein: 25 percent, Crude Fat: 15 percent, Crude Fiber: 3 percent, Moisture: 10 percent Calorie Content (calculated): Metabolizable Energy (ME) 3,450 kcal/kg Evolve Grain Free Formula Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs. The dry matter basis figures for Evolve’s grain free foods works out to: 27.8 percent protein; 16.7 percent fat; 3.33 percent fiber; and 44.4 percent carbohydrates. That means that the carbohydrates in the foods are pretty high, even though these are grain free foods. Ingredients like garbanzo beans (chickpeas), peas flour, sweet potatoes, potato starch, and tapioca are all high in carbs. With that many carbs in a food, they become fillers at some point. So, while the meat and other ingredients in Evolve’s grain free foods look good, nearly half of what you’re buying and feeding your dog is carbohydrates. Evolve isn’t the only brand that does this with grain free foods, but it’s easy to see it when you figure the dry matter basis for a food sometimes, especially when the protein percentage is modest, as it is here. Carbs are not “bad” – many ingredients aren’t bad in moderation. But too much of something is often not a good thing. Dogs can eat carbohydrates and starches. But the more carbs in the food, the less of other nutritious things. Both Evolve’s grain free and grain-inclusive kibbles use fermentation products to aid with digestion. Evolve’s grain-inclusive foods include the following foods: Evolve Maintenance Formula with Chicken Natural dog food for adult dogs First five ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, ground brown rice, rice flour, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid) Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein: 25 percent, Crude Fat: 15 percent, Crude Fiber: 4 percent, Moisture: 12 percent Calorie Content (calculated): Metabolizable Energy (ME) 3,480 kcal/kg Evolve Natural Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs. Evolve Chicken & Rice Formula Puppy Food For the special energy needs of growing puppies First five ingredients: Chicken, chicken […]

Brief Overview Black Gold began in 1995 as a family-owned company. It was purchased by ProPet LLC in 2015. Company headquarters are located in Vienna, Missouri. Black Gold makes a number of dry dog foods, with an emphasis on working dogs such as those that hunt. They make a variety of foods including foods that are grain free; corn-free; and corn, wheat, and soy free; and performance foods that are extra high in protein and fat. The price of Black Gold foods is comparable to Diamond and ProPlan foods. The foods are very popular with hunters – both those with kennels of dogs and people with just one or two dogs to feed. Black Gold dog food is well-known to many hunters and some dog owners in rural areas since it is sometimes carried in feed stores. However, it may not be widely known nationally. Finding distributors is sometimes a problem. The food is sold online at sites like Chewy.com and you can find retailers and distributors on the Black Gold site. With ProPet’s purchase of the company it should become easier to find the food in the future. Who Manufactures Black Gold? ProPet has manufacturing plants in Ohio, Kansas, and Minnesota. We couldn’t find any more specific information about where Black Gold is made. Black Gold Recalls We found no recalls related to Black Gold. However, ProPet had a voluntary recall in February 2014 that affected three dog food products they produced over a two-day period. The products tested positive for Salmonella. Those products came from ProPet’s Ohio plant. This was before ProPet purchased Black Gold. In June 2010 ProPet had a recall for daily vitamin supplements for dogs because of potential Salmonella contamination. In July 2010 that recall was expanded to include other private label vitamin supplements that might have also been contaminated with Salmonella. Black Gold Dog Food Coupons We haven’t seen any Black Gold coupons but you can get discounts when you buy online from sites like Chewy.com. 20% Off + Free Shipping on Black Gold Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Black Gold Dog Food Overview Black Gold currently makes two grain free blends: Salmon White Potato, Chicken Sweet Potato. They make four corn-free blends: Ultimate Puppy, Ultimate Performance, Ultimate Chicken Rice, Ultimate Lamb Rice. They make four premium blends: Super Blend, Performance Blend, Large Breed Puppy, High Energy Blend. They make four basic blends: Professional Blend, Trainers Blend, Bites Bones, Kennel Blend. They make Dog Forte Supplement, a couple of kinds of dog treats, and they even make cat food. At one time, when Black Gold only had three or four formulas, all of their foods were corn, wheat, and soy free. They were super premium foods that hardly anyone knew about. My own dogs were refusing to eat the pricey food I was buying at this time. I ran out of food one day and decided to stop at the feed store near my house instead of going to the store where I usually bought dog food. The owner showed me Black Gold and said the hunters loved it. We talked about it for a few minutes and I bought a bag. My dogs loved it. I ended up feeding it for the next year – until I moved and there was no distributor close to me. My dogs looked great while they ate it. And I liked it because the food was always fresh. You could tell that it had been made recently. It even smelled good (well, for dog food). That was a few years ago and Black Gold has many more formulas now – some with corn, some without. Ingredients vary depending on the blend. But you can still find some good formulas with this brand. I haven’t tried it in years but my experience with the food was very good in the past. Here’s a look at some of their popular foods. Black Gold’s #1 Seller: The 26/18 Performance Blend is recommended for all breeds and ages of dogs with high to extremely high activity levels like field trial conditions, long hours of fast activity or stressful conditions. This food can be used for daily rations regardless of activity but amounts should be reduced for low activity dogs. Also an excellent puppy food for all breeds. Meat-based protein and no soy. Metabolized Energy 1851 kcal/lb, Digestibility 90 percent. Crude protein 26 percent, crude fat 18 percent, crude fiber 3.5 percent, moisture 12 percent. First five ingredients: Beef Meal, Corn Meal, Ground Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, and Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid). 24/20 High Energy – This food is recommended for adult dogs with higher activity levels, for dogs in competition, for finicky eaters, for dogs being worked in extreme weather conditions or for show dogs that go off feed when traveling. Daily use without higher daily activity is not recommended. With Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids and added Vitamin C Energy Enhancer plus Chondroitin and Glucosamine. Metabolized Energy 2000 kcal/lb and Digestibility 92 percent. Crude protein 24 percent, crude fat 20 percent, crude fiber 3.5 percent, moisture, 12 percent. First five ingredients: Beef Meal, Corn Meal, Chicken Fat, (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid), Ground Whole Wheat, and Brewers Rice. 24/12 Trainer’s Blend – This product is lower in protein and fat for dogs with lower activity levels, feeding in hot weather, or feeding during off season. Otherwise it has the same formula as the 26/18 Performance blend. This is a maintenance food and is not recommended for puppies. Metabolized Energy 1711 kcal/lb, Digestibility 84 percent. Crude protein 24 percent, crude fat 12 percent, crude fiber 3.5 percent, moisture 12 percent. Beef Meal, Corn Meal, Ground Wheat, Brewers Rice, and Corn Gluten Meal. Ultimate Adult 25/14 – This food is known as Natural Signature Series Ultimate Chicken & Rice. It is corn-free, soy-free, and wheat-free. It’s also a single source protein using chicken meal. It uses rice, barley, whole eggs with naturally-preserved chicken fat […]

Brief Overview Redford dog food is a new food (at the time of this review). It appears to be a private label brand made for Pet Supplies Plus company stores. We found the applications for the trademarks “Redford Naturals” online here and here. They were filed in 2015 and issued in February and March 2016. The trademarks refers to “Cat food made in significant part from natural ingredients; dog food made in significant part from natural ingredients.” The owner of the trademark is PSP Franchising. You can see the other products they have trademarked on this page. All of these products appear to be sold through Pet Supplies Plus. Redford currently offers both grain free and grain-inclusive foods in several recipes. Pet Supplies Plus opened their first store in Redford, Michigan in 1988. They currently have some 315 franchise and corporate stores in the midwest and eastern U.S. Who Manufactures Redford? At this time we don’t know who manufactures Redford. It’s only been on the market for a few weeks. The ingredients and guaranteed analyses have some similarities to Wellness foods, Blue, Earthblend, and some other foods we recognize but we don’t want to speculate about who is making the kibble. Redford Recalls No recalls. Again, the food hasn’t been in the store for a month yet at the time of this review. Redford’s Dog Food Coupons You can check with Petsuppliesplus.com for PPC loyalty discounts if you sign up for the program. Local stores may also have sales and discounts on the food. Redford Dog Food Overview Redford currently has three grain free formulas and two natural formulas. The grain free formulas are Redford Naturals Grain Free Chicken & Potato Dog Food; Redford Naturals Grain Free Duck & Potato Dog Food; and Redford Naturals Grain Free Salmon & Potato Dog Food. The natural foods are Redford Naturals Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food; and Redford Naturals Lamb & Potato Dog Food. None of the Redford foods contain any corn, wheat, or soy. Here’s a brief look at Redford’s three grain free formulas: Redford Naturals Grain Free Chicken & Potato Dog Food Grain free and the first ingredient is real chicken; no soy, corn, or wheat fillers. First five ingredients: Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Potato Crude Protein (Min) 30.00 percent, Crude Fat (Min) 15.00 percent, Crude Fiber (Max) 6.50 percent, Moisture (Max) 10.00 percent Calorie Content: Metabolizable Energy 3,427 kcal/kg (Calculated), 361 kcal/cup (Calculated) Redford Naturals Grain Free Duck & Potato Dog Food Grain free and the first ingredient is real duck; no soy, corn, or wheat fillers. First five ingredients: Deboned Duck, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Potato Crude Protein (Min) 30.00 percent, Crude Fat (Min) 15.00 percent, Crude Fiber (Max) 6.50 percent, Moisture (Max) 10.00 percent Calorie Content: Metabolizable Energy 3,427 kcal/kg (Calculated), 361 kcal/cup (Calculated) Redford Naturals Grain Free Salmon & Potato Dog Food Grain free and the first ingredient is real salmon; no soy, corn, or wheat fillers. First five ingredients: Deboned Duck, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Potato Crude Protein (Min) 30.00 percent, Crude Fat (Min) 15.00 percent, Crude Fiber (Max) 6.50 percent, Moisture (Max) 10.00 percent Calorie Content: Metabolizable Energy 3,427 kcal/kg (Calculated), 361 kcal/cup (Calculated) These three formulas appear to be identical with the only difference being the primary meat protein that makes up the first ingredient. Redford’s natural dog foods are free of corn, wheat, and soy but they do contain other grain cereals. Here’s a quick look at them. Redford Naturals Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food The first ingredient is real chicken; no soy, corn, or wheat. First five ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Rice, Oats Crude Protein (Min) 25.00 percent, Crude Fat (Min) 14.00 percent, Crude Fiber (Max) 3.50 percent, Moisture (Max) 10.00 percent Calorie Content: Metabolizable Energy 3,628 kcal/kg (Calculated), 380 kcal/cup (Calculated) Redford Naturals Lamb & Potato Dog Food The first ingredient is real lamb; no soy, corn, or wheat. First five ingredients: Lamb, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Dried Potato, Rice Crude Protein (Min) 25.00 percent, Crude Fat (Min) 14.00 percent, Crude Fiber (Max) 3.50 percent, Moisture (Max) 10.00 percent Calorie Content: Metabolizable Energy 3,522 kcal/kg (Calculated), 369 kcal/cup (Calculated) While these two foods have similar guaranteed analyses their ingredients are slightly different. If you are interested in Redford but you don’t like potatoes, the chicken & brown rice food doesn’t contain any potatoes according to the ingredient list, for example. Overall, the ingredients and guaranteed analyses for the Redford foods look very good. It would be nice to know who makes the food but we don’t know right now. All we can say is that the foods look better than average for grain free and natural dog food. Redford Naturals Grain Free Chicken & Potato Dog Food Review It looks like Redford Naturals Grain Free Chicken & Potato Dog Food is selling well for the company so we’ll use this food for our review – though we were very tempted to do the review on Redford Naturals Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food. If you don’t especially require a grain free dog food, that formula looks good. The first five ingredients in Redford Naturals Grain Free Chicken & Potato Dog Food are: Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, and Potato. As you can see, the first three ingredients are named meat proteins – something that is always desirable in a good dog food. Chicken and chicken meal (the first and third ingredients in the food) are both good sources of protein. Most people agree that chicken meal is as good as whole chicken as a dog food ingredient. While chicken probably sounds better than chicken meal, chicken meal has already had most of the moisture removed so it’s a more concentrated form of protein. Whole chicken has about 60 percent protein and 40 percent fat but it’s also about 70 percent water. When you remove the water from the chicken, it only contains about 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat. With the moisture […]

Brief Overview Kinetic makes performance foods for dogs. The company notes on their web site, “Kinetic is a line of performance dog food products specifically formulated for high energy working and sporting dogs.” The foods are generally nutrient-dense, high calorie, and high in protein, making them suitable for very active dogs that use a lot of energy . However, Kinetic suggests that their 26K formula food can be fed to moderately active companion dogs as long as they are not overfed. Kinetic was originally developed by 3 Amigos Nutrition Group, a limited liability company based in Cincinnati, Ohio, that develops and markets animal health and nutrition products. 3 Amigos reached agreement with Hubbard Feeds in 2014 to distribute Kinetic. Kinetic currently has four dry dog foods. The foods are made without corn, wheat, or soy and only use natural preservatives. You can read more about the origin of Kinetic and one of its founders here. The company has ties to Kent Feeds and their Native brand of dog food. The article provides a good look at the Kinetic’s thoughts on nutrition. Who Manufactures Kinetic Dog Food? Kinetic is made by Hubbard Feeds. Hubbard Feeds makes an extensive range of animal feeds – some of them very well-known in agricultural circles. They produce feeds for virtually every kind of farm animal, as well as cats, dogs, game birds, and other animals. Their corporate office is in Mankato, Minnesota but they have plants located throughout the upper Midwest and in a few other states. The company has already upgraded to meet the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Kinetic Dog Food Recalls We did not find any recalls related to Kinetic in the FDA database or online. Kinetic Dog Food Coupons 20% Off + Free Shipping on Kinetic Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Check Kinetic’s Facebook page for any discounts and information about their newsletter. Kinetic Dog Food Overview Kinetic’s foods were primarily developed for working and sporting dogs that expend a lot of energy. As explained in the article that interviews John Howard, one of Kinetic’s founders, many times bird dogs should only be fed once a day when they are doing hard work. Food needs to be packed with nutrients and energy. The company also uses a very high quality vitamin and trace mineral package in their foods. The company does not follow the popular trend toward using pet food ingredients that are supposed to be good for people. Instead, they use ingredients that have proven to be scientifically healthy for dogs. Kinetic sticks with core principles of canine nutrition. If you like cage-free, organic, and kale, you are probably not going to like Kinetic. However, if you have a dog that uses lots of energy and needs a good performance food with good quality nutrition based on science, then you might be interested in Kinetic. From the article: To elaborate on this further, Howard explains, “We basically ignored the give-people-food-to-dogs trend and stuck to core nutrition principles. This is why our formulas contain multiple animal protein sources, plenty of digestive fibers, and good fat sources. Of those, the protein sources are extremely important to understand, especially when you start dealing with meat by-products. By-products get a bad reputation because we don’t want them in our food, but a lot of by-products are highly digestible and contain essential amino acids. Wild dogs or wolves don’t eat deer backstraps and leave the intestines for the crows, they eat it all and they start in the guts first because it’s what they need. Our dogs need a wider variety of animal proteins than we do, which is why we have put so much into our formulas.” Kinetic’s four kibbles include Kinetic Active 26K Formula which has 26 percent crude protein, 16 percent crude fat, 3 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. It has 444 kcals/cup. This is an all life stage food. The first five ingredients in the food are: Chicken Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal (natural source of glucosamine), Brewers Rice, Ground Sorghum, and Brown Rice. According to Kinetic, this formula is also suitable for adult dogs that tend to maintain weight under normal conditions and medium or large breed puppies on fixed feeding programs. They also have Kinetic Puppy 28K Formula. This puppy formula is intended to support healthy and controlled growth for medium or large breed puppies. It has elevated levels of DHA for healthy heart, and brain development. This formula is also suitable for pregnant or lactating females. The food has 28 percent crude protein, 15 percent crude fat, 3 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. It has 435 kcals/cup. This is also an all life stage formula. The first five ingredients in the food are: Chicken Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal (natural source of glucosamine), Brewers Rice, Ground Sorghum, and Chicken Fat (mixed tocopherol preservative). Kinetic also makes Kinetic Power 30K Formula. This food is a nutrient dense performance dog formula. It’s made for dogs with frequent high activity levels that include periods of intense activity in 1-2 hour increments. Kinetic also says the formula is suitable for adult dogs that have difficulty maintaining weight under normal conditions and small or medium breed puppies on fixed feeding programs. The food has 30 percent crude protein, 20 percent crude fat, 3 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. The first five ingredients in the food are: Chicken Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal (natural source of glucosamine), Chicken Fat (mixed tocopherol preservative), Brewers Rice, and Ground Sorghum. The food has 462 kcals/cup. This is also an all life stage food. Finally, Kinetic makes Kinetic Ultra 32K Formula. This food is another nutrient dense performance dog food that is designed for dogs with frequent high activity levels that include long periods of intense activity in 3-4 hour increments. The food is also considered suitable for adult dogs that frequently struggle to maintain weight even under normal conditions and small or medium breed puppies on fixed feeding programs. (Small breed puppies burn more calories than their […]

Brief Overview Muenster is a Texas brand made by Muenster Milling Company. The company is a fourth generation, family-owned and operated animal food manufacturer located in Muenster, Texas. They have been in business since 1932. According to the company, they use as many locally-sourced ingredients as possible and never used ingredients from China. The company transitioned from livestock feeds and horse feed to pet foods in 1989 when it installed a pet food extruder. According to the company, in 1999 they were one of the first pet food companies to produce all-natural pet food diets. Along with dog food, Muenster also makes cat food, horse feed, and food for pond fish. Muenster’s dog foods include Muenster Natural, Perfect Balance, and Full Balance product lines. All of their foods are kibbles. Some are grain free and some have grains. Who Manufactures Muenster Dog Food? Muenster dog foods are made by Muenster Milling Company in Muenster, Texas. They are a small, family-owned and operated company in business since 1932. Muenster Dog Food Recalls We did not find any recalls for Muenster pet foods in the FDA database or online. Muenster Dog Food Coupons 2016 20% Off + Free Shipping on Muenster Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer We didn’t find any coupons for Muenster dog foods on their site. However, you can check their Facebook page for information about any discounts. Muenster Dog Food Overview Like many other small pet food companies today, Muenster is becoming more well-known nationally thanks to the Internet and online pet food specialty retailers like Chewy.com. Even though the company has been in business since 1932, many people outside Texas are probably unfamiliar with the brand. That is changing rapidly today. Muenster currently makes five Muenster Natural dog foods. All of these foods are made for all life stages. One of these foods – Grain Free Chicken & Turkey – is grain free. The other four foods are Whitefish (Joint Health), Classic Chicken, Chicken & Pork (Low Carb), Large Breed Classic Chicken. The foods vary somewhat in their percentages since they are designed for different purposes. For example, Muenster recommends Muenster Natural Grain Free Chicken & Turkey and Muenster Natural Whitefish for dogs with sensitive skin. They recommend those two foods and Muenster Natural Chicken & Pork for dogs that need fewer calories. (Actually, they recommend the grain free formula and the whitefish formula for just about everything.) If we use the Muenster Natural Whitefish formula as an example, the first five ingredients in the food are: Fish Meal, Chicken meal, whole ground brown rice, whole ground grain sorghum, and chicken fat (naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid). The food has 28 percent crude protein, 16 percent crude fat, 4 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. The food has 377 calories per cup. It also has added glucosamine and chondroitin and it uses non-Chinese vitamins. Muenster also makes the Perfect Balance line of foods. There are currently six foods in this line and three of them are new. The foods include: Perfect Balance Grain Free, Perfect Balance Elite, Perfect Balance Maintenance, Perfect Balance Pork Grain Free, Perfect Balance Performance, and Perfect Balance Whitefish. All of these foods are for all life stages with the exception of Perfect Balance Maintenance which is a maintenance dog food. We can use Perfect Balance Grain Free as an example for these foods. This food has Chicken Meal, potatoes, turkey meal, chicken fat, and herring oil as the first five ingredients. It has 31 percent crude protein, 17 percent crude fat, 3.5 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. No Chinese-sourced ingredients. No calorie information provided. And Muenster makes a line of foods called Full Balance. These foods include Full Balance All Life Stages and Full Balance Maintenance. We can use Full Balance All Life Stages as an example for this line. The first five ingredients for this food are: Pork meal, ground corn, wheat middlings, ground milo, and chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols). The food has 27 percent crude protein, 13 percent crude fat, 4 percent crude fiber, and 12 percent moisture. This food has 503 calories per cup. Muenster uses locally-sourced grains from Texas suppliers in their foods, often buying from farms they have been working with for 80 years. Again, no Chinese-sourced ingredients in this food. Overall, the kibbles from Muenster appear to be moderately-priced and have meat protein meals (chicken meal, whitefish meal, pork meal) as the first ingredient. Crude protein percentages range from 36 percent to 21 percent, with most of the foods around 27-28 percent. All together, we counted three foods that are grain free. As far as we can tell, the Muenster Natural and Perfect Balance lines are corn, wheat, and soy-free though some of the foods do use other grains/cereals such as sorghum and brown rice. Muenster Natural Grain Free Chicken & Turkey All Life Stages Dog Food Review We have chosen Muenster Natural Grain Free Chicken & Turkey All Life Stages Dog Food for our review. This looks like a good food and Muenster recommends it on their web site for a number of health issues (sensitive skin, low fat, performance, and sensitive stomach). According to Muenster, this was the company’s first grain free food. Note that the company seems to have made some formula changes to some of their foods a year or two ago. We found some complaints online. Company representatives responded online and said the food would be replaced. We often find this situation when we check foods and companies have made a formula change so we try to make allowances unless the problem continues or the company doesn’t provide good customer service. Most companies do make formula changes from time to time and it doesn’t always go smoothly. At least a few dogs or their owners usually notice and may be unhappy. According to the company, Muenster Natural Grain Free Chicken & Turkey is the lowest carbohydrate diet they make. It is said to be designed for dogs that are […]

Brief Overview ProPlan Bright Mind is made by Purina (Nestle Purina PetCare), a subsidiary of the food giant Nestle. Purina is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The company was founded to feed farm animals in 1894 by William Danforth with the company name becoming Ralston Purina in 1902. The company established the first pet nutrition and care center at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Missouri in 1926. Dog Chow became the first pet food to use extrusion to produce kibble in 1956. Cat Chow was introduced in 1963. The company introduced Puppy Chow in 1963 – the first company to provide added protein and nutrients for puppies. In 1986 ProPlan was the first food to use real meat as the first ingredient in pet food. In 1986 the Purina Mills animal feeds were sold so Purina could focus solely on pet foods. In 2001 Nestle acquired the company to make the food available globally. As of 2012 the company was the 2nd largest pet food company in the world and the largest pet food company in the U.S. Purina makes a wide range of foods and treats for pets including Purina Pro Plan, Purina Dog Chow, Friskies, Beneful and Purina ONE. Bright Mind was introduced in January 2015 and is aimed at dogs 7+ years to help their alertness and mental sharpness. Who Manufactures Bright Mind? Bright Mind is made by Purina. The company has over 6500 employees in the U.S. and more worldwide. As of 2014 the company had 19 pet food manufacturing plants. According to sources at Purina, “ingredients always meet or exceed every federal and state requirement. In a typical 24-hour production, Purina conducts 30,000 quality checks involving ingredient/packaging, receiving, processing and packing. We take these steps to ensure that our consumers and their pets have safe, quality products.” Bright Mind Recalls We did not find any recalls for Bright Mind, which has only been on the market for a little over a year at the time of this review. ProPlan (which includes a number of Purina’s best quality foods) had a voluntary recall of select lots of wet dog foods in March 2016 because they did not contain the recommended levels of vitamins and minerals. Bright Mind Dog Food Coupons 2016 20% Off + Free Shipping on Bright Mind Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Purina ProPlan Dog Food Overview The Purina site isn’t the easiest site to navigate. If you click for ProPlan products you get 83 results. And this is just one of Purina’s product lines. It can take a lot of clicking to find what you’re looking for. But we’ll muddle through. Purina’s ProPlan product line features some of the company’s higher quality pet foods. ProPlan includes both dog and cat foods. Along with veterinary diets (a prescription is required from your veterinarian), ProPlan includes Bright Mind for improved cognitive function in older dogs; Savor for everyday nutritional needs; Focus for specialized nutritional needs such as sensitive skin and stomach issues, healthy weight, etc.; Sport which is preferred for very active dogs and performance dogs; and Natural which is made without corn, wheat, or soy. Packaging and names of the ProPlan formulas were re-done in the last couple of years but, per the company (and as far as we can tell), the formulas remain the same – though some of the lines have been expanded. For example, ProPlan Sport was formerly ProPlan Performance and had 30 percent crude protein and 20 percent crude fat. The first ingredient was/is chicken. ProPlan Sport is still available in that formulation but it is now also available in a 28/18 formula, a 26/16 formula, and a salmon & rice formula. ProPlan has also expanded the offerings with their other formulas. ProPlan Natural is new and probably a response to the increased demand for foods that do not contain corn, wheat or soy. This line also contains no added artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Some of the ProPlan Natural formulas are grain free. They include both kibble and canned foods. Animal proteins include lamb, tuna, chicken, eggs, turkey, beef, and duck. If we use the ProPlan Turkey & Barley formula as an example, the food has 27 percent crude protein, 17 percent crude fat, 4 percent crude fiber, and 12 percent moisture, with 436 kcal/cup. The first five ingredients in the food are: Turkey, brewers rice, barley, chicken meal (natural source of glucosamine), and dried egg product. This is an all life stage food. Most people probably don’t remember, but years ago ProPlan used to offer a Turkey & Barley formula (my dogs liked it). They also had a beef formula. There might have been others. This was at least 15 years ago. Those formulas went away. Perhaps they didn’t sell well at the time. But people may like them better now in these natural formulations. Along with canned/wet food and kibble, the ProPlan products also include treats and sport bars for dogs that complement the dog foods and use similar ingredients. ProPlan Bright Mind, of course, is another one of ProPlan’s special foods. We’ll look at it more closely below. ProPlan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Chicken and Rice Review Full disclosure here: I have tried this food with my two older dogs and I love it. My two older dogs are both eight years old. They do not have canine cognitive dysfunction but I thought they were slowing down and they were not as playful as they once were. I had heard a lot of great things about ProPlan Bright Mind from different people so I decided to try it. I could honestly see a difference in my dogs. As a pet owner, I don’t care what’s in the food or why it works. I love my dogs and I will feed them whatever helps them enjoy life the most. Now, that said, it’s my job to look at the food and tell you the pros and cons, so here goes. You can make your own decision about it. Bright Mind was introduced in […]

Brief Overview FirstMate pet foods was founded in 1989 by Michael Florian. Florian was a former commercial fisherman who became involved in aquaculture. He developed his own feed company for salmon farming in British Columbia called Taplow. This led to the development of the pet food company in 1989. The company is located in Chilliwack, British Columbia (Canada), near Vancouver. According to the company web site, FirstMate introduced the very first pet specialty grain free food in 1995. They make both dog food and cat food, and Taplow Feeds continues to make fish feed. Their dog foods include limited ingredient canned foods, classic formula kibbles, grain free limited ingredient kibbles, and Skoki dog food, made under the Taplow label (corn and wheat-free, with all natural, regionally-sourced ingredients from the Pacific Northwest). Who Manufactures FirstMate Dog Food? FirstMate/Taplow Feeds have their own manufacturing facilities and make their own foods. From the FirstMate web site: “Our modern machinery and advanced technology assures quality control. From the beginning Michael realized that he wanted control of production and ingredient supply. He did not wish [to] become just a marketing company. He always had pets and wanted to ensure that they, and all FirstMate customers, had access to a great food.” The canned foods are made in FirstMate’s own human-grade manufacturing facility in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. You can see a Plant Tour online: Note that this is a slightly idealized version of a plant with no actual pet food being made but it shows you what their plant looks like. FirstMate is a family-owned and operated manufacturer. They have complete product and quality control over their products. FirstMate Dog Food Recalls We did not find any recalls for FirstMate. According to information we found online, the company has never had a pet food recall. FirstMate has CFIA, USDA and European Union certification. FirstMate Dog Food Coupons 2016 20% Off + Free Shipping on FirstMate Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Check FirstMate’s Facebook page for any discounts. You can also sign up for the FirstMate newsletter on their web site. FirstMate Dog Food Overview FirstMate provides a very helpful brochure about their foods that can be downloaded from their web site: (lower right corner). According to the company, they use regionally-sourced ingredients from the Pacific Northwest to make all of their diets with the exception of the lamb in their foods which comes from Australia. As already noted, FirstMate was the first pet specialty food to introduce a grain free food in 1995. This food was a potato & fish diet that is now known as Pacific Ocean Fish. Their foods have since expanded into a variety of life stages but still include a number of grain free foods for both dogs and cats. The foods also contain fish oil to provide Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for cardiovascular, joint, and brain health, as well as improved skin and coat. Their grain free Classic line of foods are made without corn, wheat, or soy. These foods rely on chicken and herring. According to FirstMate, at least 57 percent of the protein in the Classic line of foods comes from these meat and fish proteins or from anchovies, sardines, or Australian lamb. The Classic line also uses a combination of healthy, easy-to-digest grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. They also feature a mix of antioxidants from blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries for a healthy immune system, better eyesight, and improved memory. The foods also contain botanicals as digestive aids. The Classic line features four kibbles with relatively simple ingredients. The kibbles included in the Classic line are: Lamb Meal And Rice, Trim And Light, Maintenance, and High Performance. We can use the FirstMate Maintenance formula as a sample for this line. The first five ingredients in this food are: Chicken meal, pearled barley, oatmeal, brown rice, and chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols). The food has 26 percent crude protein, 15 percent crude fat, 4 percent crude fiber, 10 percent moisture, and 8 percent ash. (The ash percentage is higher than the industry average for ash content in kibble.) The food has 540 kcal per 130 grams/8 ounce cup. (This makes the food very high in calories.) According to FirstMate, 73 percent of the protein in the food comes from wild herring and chicken; and 27 percent of the protein comes from grains. Despite the name of the food, this food is AAFCO-approved for all life stages. According to FirstMate, their grain free, limited ingredient kibbles are unique. They say that their formulas are 100 percent nutritionally complete and use only one protein and one carbohydrate. Technically, this is what a limited ingredient diet is supposed to be, but most companies do not stick to this recipe. FirstMate says that this makes their foods more digestible and reduces stress on the body. It lessens the likelihood of an allergic reaction. FirstMate says that their grain free, limited ingredient diets can be fed as maintenance foods but they can also be fed to dogs with digestive problems or allergies. Here are the diets included in their grain free limited ingredient kibbles: Australian Lamb, Australian Lamb – Small Bites, Chicken With Blueberries, Chicken With Blueberries – Small Bites, Pacific Ocean Fish Endurance/Puppy, Pacific Ocean Fish Large Breed, Pacific Ocean Fish Original, Pacific Ocean Fish Original – Small Bites, Pacific Ocean Fish Weight Control/Senior, and Pacific Ocean Fish with Blueberries Treats. We can use the Pacific Ocean Fish Original formula as an example for this line of foods. The first five ingredients in this diet are: Potato, Pacific Ocean Fish Meal, Tomato Pomace, Chicken Fat* (preserved with mixed tocopherols), and Fish Oil. According to FirstMate, 73 percent of the protein in the food comes from wild Pacific Ocean fish; 27 percent of the protein comes from potatoes. The chicken fat used in FirstMate pet foods is processed free of protein, eliminating the risk of allergies derived from chicken. The food has 23 percent crude protein, 10 percent crude fat, 8 percent crude fiber, […]

Brief Overview Dogswell makes dry and canned dog food, a multitude of dog treats, as well as dry and canned cat food. Their brands include Vitality, Happy Hips, Boundless, Super Boost, and Nutrisca. Vitality, Happy Hips, and Nutrisca each offer dry and canned dog foods, along with treats, while the other brands offer treats. Nutrisca has the widest selection of recipes. The Nutrisca foods are made with real meat, fish, or poultry as the first ingredient. They use peas, chickpeas, real fruits, and vegetables. They are grain and potato-free. And they do not use any corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. All of their products are grain free except grain-free except Happy Hips and Vitality dry food for dogs, which contain whole grains and oats. Dogswell began as a dog treats company specializing in hip and joint health for dogs in 2004. They have since expanded into pet food. Dogswell is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Who Manufactures Dogswell Dog Food? According to their web site, Dogswell uses co-packers to make their foods. They note: “Our co-packing plants operate under HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), a system for managing food safety. Also, U.S.-based Third Party Food Safety Auditors make announced and unannounced visits to the audit all food safety and quality systems in which our facilities have always received high scores.” And, “Most Dogswell products are manufactured in the US. Our Nutrisca Cat wet food items are manufactured in Thailand, where we hold these facilities to the same stringent quality standards we maintain at our US facilities. In February 2015 Dogswell’s Nutrisca dry dog food was being made by Tuffy’s (KLN Family Enterprises) in Perham, Minnesota. We don’t have an update on this information and we don’t know if they make other dry foods for Dogswell. As far as we know, Simmons makes canned dog food for Dogswell per several online sources. Dogswell Dog Food Recalls Dogswell has had a couple of recalls – one related to their treats. They had a recall for dog and cat jerky treats in July 2013. In February 2015 a small amount of Nutrisca dry dog food was recalled. 20% Off + Free Shipping on Dogswell Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Dogswell Dog Food Overview All together, Dogswell makes five different dry dog foods and nine canned dog foods under three different brands. Per the company, their foods are free of corn, wheat, soy, sugar, and artificial flavors. They use preservatives from natural or mineral sources. The food is fortified with added vitamins, minerals or supplements that provide functional health benefits. And its made with simple, real food ingredients that taste good. Dogswell’s dry foods include the following brands and recipes: Per Dogswell, the Nutrisca dry foods are high in protein, and grain and potato-free. The three foods are: Dogswell’s canned foods include the following brands and recipes: Dogswell Vitality Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew Canned Dog Food Review We’ve chosen Dogswell’s Vitality Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew canned dog food for our review. If you check online for Dogswell products and reviews, you will find a lot of unhappy people, whether they have actually bought Dogswell products or not. Some people are unhappy about Dogswell treats, especially jerky treats. Other people are unhappy about Dogswell customer service. We are only concerned here with Dogswell’s dog foods. As far as we can tell, most people have good things to say about their foods, both dry and wet. Nutrisca is the company’s main dry dog food line at this time but we were more intrigued by some of the canned foods under the Vitality and Happy Hips brands. These canned foods use cage-free chicken and duck, and antibiotic-free lamb. They have No grains, corn, wheat, soy; no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. And they use chelated minerals and other good quality ingredients. They appear to have ingredients that are at least as good or better than the Nutrisca canned foods. The first five ingredients in the Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew are: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product. Chicken is a good source of protein, of course. In its whole form it contains lots of water (about 70 percent). The rest is mostly protein (18 percent) and fat (5 percent). Together with the chicken broth and water for processing, this will provide the 82 percent moisture in the food. The next ingredient (after the chicken broth and water for processing) is chicken liver. Chicken liver is about 63 percent protein and 35 percent fat. It’s a great source of vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin A and iron. Dried egg product is the fifth ingredient. We don’t mind this form of eggs in dog food. Eggs are often added as a way to increase the amount of protein in the food. They are a good source of lots of vitamins and minerals plus they are in a form that is easy for your dog to absorb and use (“bioavailable”). After about the fifth ingredient (or by the time you reach the fat in a dog food), it’s questionable whether how much of an ingredient is present in a food. However, we will mention some other ingredients in this food. It also contains salmon – a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acid. It contains cranberries and blueberries which are said to be good sources of antioxidants. Flaxseed oil (in small amounts) is a plant source of omega-3 fatty acid. Not as desirable as fish sources, but still useful in some ways. And the food contains taurine which is sometimes added to dog foods today for heart health, among other things. Ingredients that might cause concern include “natural flavor” which can indicate the presence of a form of monosodium glutamate (MSG) used as a flavor enhancer or other undesirable additives; and guar gum. Guar gum comes from guar beans and it’s used as a thickener in all kinds of food products. In fact, it’s been […]

Brief Overview PetKind Pure Kindness dog food is made in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada, near Vancouver. The company was started by members of the Wasmuth family in 2004 when they began marketing their original canned green tripe food. According to the brand’s video, which you can watch on their site, their mother was a dog breeder and had fed their dogs green tripe, so they believed in the food. Working with nutritionists, they developed the formulas they have now which all feature various kinds of green tripe as the primary ingredient. This protein source makes the foods unique among commercial dog foods. All of their foods are grain free but they do use the ancestral “grain”/seed quinoa in their foods. They also use some organic ingredients. Most of their ingredients are sourced in Canada. Their foods come in dry and canned formulas which are complete and balanced; and Tripett Butcher Shop canned formulas which are either 100 percent pure tripe or tripe and some other protein such as venison. They also make different kinds of tripe treats. Who Manufactures PetKind Dog Food? PetKind reports that their dry foods are produced in Canada in a facility that is CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) approved to make food for human edible consumption. We have not been able to determine if they make their own food or have it co-packed by another company, however. Online sources say that PetKind has used Evanger’s to can their foods in the past but we don’t know if they are still using Evanger’s at this time. PetKind Dog Food Recalls We did not find any recalls for PetKind in the FDA database or in the CIFA database for Canadian food recalls. 20% Off + Free Shipping on Petkind Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer PetKind Dog Food Overview PetKind has three dog food lines and they also make treats for dogs. Their dog food lines includes their original Tripett – canned tripe from various animals; PetKind That’s It – canned dog foods that are sold as dry food mixers or raw food enhancers; and Tripe Dry, a complete and balanced green tripe dog food. Tripe Dry has only been around for 2-3 years so it’s a relatively new offering for PetKind. In case you are wondering what tripe is and why a dog food company would base their entire line of products on this ingredient, green tripe is the raw, unprocessed stomach lining of a grass-fed animal. The stomach lining is really brown but it can be shaded green because these animals (such as cows, bison, lamb and some others) eat grass. It is rich in naturally occurring essential fatty acids like omega 3 and 6. Most dogs absolutely love green tripe when they have the chance to eat it. As you might imagine, most dogs today rarely have the opportunity to eat the lining of a cow’s stomach unless they live on a farm and get some leftovers from a farmer having cattle processed. You can buy a white, bleached form of tripe in some grocery stores but this is not the same thing at all. Many dogs won’t touch this form of tripe that has had all of the good stuff removed. It’s only PetKind and a few special suppliers that make real green tripe available commercially. Many raw feeders use green tripe in their dogs’ diets, whether fresh raw or frozen raw. People who feed it seem to rave about it. Some of the benefits attributed to feeding green tripe are discussed in this Whole Dog Journal article, “Green Tripe, Old-fashioned wonder food for dogs,” by CJ Puotinen, published in July 2008. When asked to describe the benefits of feeding green tripe, the breeders and dog lovers we polled all mentioned improvements in health, appearance, and disposition. Puppies thrive while avoiding bone growth problems, older dogs become more lively and active, digestive disorders vanish or improve dramatically, skin problems disappear, coats shine, coat color improves, eyes brighten, muscles become toned, teeth look terrific, stool size diminishes, and endurance and stamina increase. Dogs with behavioral problems become calmer, some chronic illnesses or conditions improve or disappear, dogs with breeding problems successfully reproduce, pups raised on green tripe excel at everything, elderly dogs resume their careers and win competitions, and the list goes on…Almost everyone we interviewed for this article mentioned that dogs fed green tripe tend to live longer, have fewer injuries and health problems, and have cleaner, whiter teeth than dogs fed other foods. Obviously, this is not true for every dog that eats green tripe, but plenty of owners do report health improvements for their dogs. Green tripe is well-known for having a strong stench – it’s a cow’s stomach, so what do you expect? That may also be part of the appeal to dogs. Some of the less processed foods that use green tripe can also have a strong smell, though we are told that the green tripe made from lamb has less of an odor. Expect canned foods and toppers to have some odor. Dry foods will have less odor. PetKind’s Tripett foods are 100 percent unbleached, minimally rinsed and unprocessed green tripe. Some of the foods include additional protein sources such as venison or duck & salmon but, for the most part, these foods are nothing but green tripe. Tripett is suggested to be mixed with dry or raw foods. PetKind recommends it for picky eaters, dogs with sensitive digestion, to keep a dog’s teeth cleaner, to improve a dog’s digestion, for puppies, for older dogs, to improve a dog’s skin and coat, and to help a dog with changes in food and diet. Tripett comes in Green Venison Tripe, Original Formula Beef Tripe, Green Beef Tripe & Venison, Green Beef Tripe, Duck & Salmon, New Zealand Green Lamb Tripe, and Green Bison Tripe. We can use Original Formula Beef Tripe as an example to look at more closely. Original Formula Beef Tripe Ingredients: Green Beef Tripe, Water, Garlic, Carrageenan […]

Brief Overview American Natural Premium (ANP) was founded in Wisconsin in 1998. According to founders Gene Large and Jennifer Burlo, they wanted to provide high quality high quality pet food at an affordable price. According to the company, ANP focuses on three main criteria: quality, taste, and price. ANP currently makes nine kibbles for dogs (including three grain free foods); several treats and biscuits; and dry cat food. Company headquarters are located in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Who Manufactures American Natural Premium Dog Food? According to the information we found from several sources, American Natural Premium pet foods are co-packed for the company by Fromm which has several USDA-inspected pet food manufacturing plants in Wisconsin. American Natural Premium Dog Food Recalls We did not find any recalls listed for American Natural Premium products in the FDA database. 20% Off + Free Shipping on Petkind Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer American Natural Premium Dog Food Overview Until rather recently, American Natural Premium has been considered a regional brand. It’s been readily available in the upper midwest so many people in Wisconsin and surrounding areas knew about it and liked it but people outside the region probably hadn’t heard of it. With the growth of sites like Chewy.com, American Natural Premium (and other regional brands) are now easily available to everyone. ANP has several features that dog lovers will like, especially if you have multiple dogs or you feed bigger dogs. First, their foods are very reasonably priced for premium dog foods. Second, some of their formulas are available in 40-lb bags. If you have 2-3 Labrador Retrievers or other big dogs, you probably know how fast they can go through a 25-lb bag of premium dog food. It’s nice to buy a big bag of food that lasts a little longer. It’s even nicer when that 40-lb bag of food costs less than $60. We also like the fact that this food is co-packed for the company by Fromm, a company that has a very good reputation in the dog food business. We personally know several midwest breeders and dog show exhibitors who feed ANP and they have dogs that are always in wonderful condition, with healthy skin and coat. You can find many breeders and dog show people online who give glowing reports about ANP foods. According to the ANP web site, their foods have no corn, wheat, or soy; and no ingredients from China. Their foods are quality-tested during cooking and before distribution. They purchase their ingredients in small batches, often from local farmers and producers, to ensure quality and freshness. Their foods are cooked in small batches at low temperatures to ensure palatability, digestibility, and the availability of the nutrients. Probiotics are added after cooking to ensure their viability. These are all good things to see in the food you feed your dog. As already mentioned, ANP currently makes nine kibbles, including three grain free foods. Original Recipe First Five Ingredients: chicken meal, oatmeal, brown rice, white rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 25 percent, Crude Fat (min) 16 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 3.5 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 384.33 Kcal/cup This is an all life stage food. Lamb & Rice First Five Ingredients: lamb meal, brown rice, barley, peas, oat flour Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 24 percent, Crude Fat (min) 14 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 382.72 Kcal/cup This is an all life stage food. This food is completely free of chicken and potatoes. Sensitive Care First Five Ingredients: chicken meal, oatmeal, oat flour, potato, brown rice Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 22 percent, Crude Fat (min) 11 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 3.5 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 364.89 Kcal/cup This is an all life stage food. Low fat formula. Endurance Plus First Five Ingredients: chicken meal, pearled barley, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), whole dried egg Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 30 percent, Crude Fat (min) 20 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 3.5 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 387.88 Kcal/cup This is an all life stage food. High performance formula for active and working dogs. Suitable for pregnant and nursing dogs and growing puppies. Exhibitor’s Choice First Five Ingredients: chicken meal, pearled barley, oatmeal, whole dried eggs, chicken Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 25 percent, Crude Fat (min) 17 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 3.5 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 387.35 Kcal/cup This is an all life stage food. Basic Formula First Five Ingredients: chicken meal, brown rice, white rice, barley, oat flour Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 21 percent, Crude Fat (min) 11 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 3.5 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 364.89 Kcal/cup This is an all life stage food. No peas, no potatoes. Low fat, low protein. Duck & Pork First Five Ingredients: duck meal, peas, potatoes, pea flour, pork meat meal Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 28 percent, Crude Fat (min) 17 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 3.5 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 399.18 Kcal/cup This is an all life stage food. Grain free, no chicken. Ocean Fish & Potato First Five Ingredients: ocean fish meal, peas, potatoes, pea flour, pork meat meal Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 28 percent, Crude Fat (min) 17 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 3.5 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 407.09 Kcal/cup This is an all life stage food. Grain free, no chicken. Pork First Five Ingredients: pork meal, potatoes, chick peas, green peas, lentils Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 26 percent, Crude Fat (min) 14 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 6 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 490.0 Kcal/cup This is an all life stage food. Grain free, single-source meat protein. As you can see, American Natural Premium foods offer a nice selection of meat proteins. They have grain free foods, foods that do not contain peas or potatoes, and foods that do not contain chicken. And the foods are free […]

Brief Overview Horizon dog food is made by Horizon Pet Nutrition, a family-owned company in Saskatchewan, Canada. According to their web site, they source their ingredients as locally as possible from Canadian sources and manufacture their food at their own plant. The company makes premium dry dog and cat foods. Their foods contain no GMOs no growth hormones, no steroids, no by-products, no artificial flavors, and no chemical preservatives. Horizon says that their formulas are “meat dense.” They also favor the use of pulses (dried peas, dried beans, chickpeas, lentils as opposed to some other members of the legume family). Horizon currently has four brands or product lines which include puppy foods, food for adult dogs, senior and weight management foods, and cat foods. Most of their foods are grain free though the Complete line uses whole grains (barley, rye, oats). Who Manufactures Horizon Dog Food? Horizon manufactures their foods at their own plant in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. According to Horizon, this is a farming community. They opened their first plant there in 2007. In 2017 they finished construction on a second plant next door to the first. It provides five times the capacity of the first plant. They have more than 30 full-time workers and many of them live in the small town of Rosthern. (We genuinely appreciate the information provided about the Horizon facilities. Most pet food manufacturers do not provide this kind of information.) Horizon Dog Food Recalls We did not find any recalls for Horizon in the FDA database or online. However, we did find customer complaints regarding formula changes to Horizon Legacy in 2010. There were enough complaints online about the changes that we think they should be noted. 20% Off + Free Shipping on Horizon Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Horizon Dog Food Overview Horizon Pet Nutrition is a relatively new Canadian company (less than 10 years old) but they have a good reputation for making premium pet foods. They make their own food in their own facilities in Saskatchewan using high quality ingredients. They currently have four product lines (referred to as “brands” on their web site): Amicus, Complete, Legacy, and Pulsar. All of their brands are relatively high in protein. They also have moderate fat levels. The company uses pulses (dried peas, dried beans, chickpeas, lentils) instead of soybeans, peanuts, fresh peas, or fresh beans. Many other premium dog food companies that make grain free foods also use pulses, though they may not use this term. You can find chickpeas, lentils, etc., as ingredients in many grain free dog foods. These ingredients do have some good points. They are high in plant protein compared to corn and wheat. They are also low glycemic which is better for dogs that have to watch their blood sugar levels such as diabetic dogs. This means that the sugars in these ingredients are released into the bloodstream slowly, at a steady rate. They do not spike the high sugar levels that can occur with some high glycemic ingredients such as corn flour and potatoes. All of the product lines offer various foods such as puppy foods, adult foods, senior/weight control foods, and some offer cat foods. Amicus is designed for Toy and small breed dogs. It comes in puppy, adult, and senior/weight management. (No cat food.) Here’s a sample from the Amicus line. Amicus Adult First Five Ingredients: TURKEY, CHICKEN MEAL, RED LENTILS, PEAS, PEA STARCH Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 30 percent, Crude Fat (min) 16 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4.25 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 440 ME Kcal/cup This is an adult maintenance food. The Complete line is meat-based with alternative whole grains. It is still a low-glycemic food. The grains used are barley, rye, and oats. It does include pea fiber. The foods in this line are an all life stage food, a large breed adult formula, a large breed puppy formula, a senior/weight management food, and an all life stage cat food. Complete All Life Stages First Five Ingredients: CHICKEN MEAL, WHOLE GRAIN BARLEY, WHOLE GRAIN RYE, CHICKEN, WHOLE GRAIN OATS Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 26 percent, Crude Fat (min) 14 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 415 ME Kcal/cup This is an all life stage food. Legacy is a grain and potato-free product line that has a higher animal protein content. This is an ancestral diet in kibble form. It includes probiotic cultures, prebiotics, and chelated minerals. This line comes in an adult formula, an all life stage fish formula, puppy formula, and a cat food. Legacy Fish First Five Ingredients: SALMON, SALMON MEAL, PEAS, PEA STARCH, MENHADON MEAL Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 34 percent, Crude Fat (min) 15 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4.8 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 422 ME Kcal/cup This is an all life stage food. The Pulsar foods have slightly less animal protein (thought still quite a bit). These foods feature single meat protein, grain free formulas. They emphasize pulses such as red lentils and peas which are supposed to be easily digestible, low-glycemic, and a good source of antioxidant-rich carbohydrates. They also provide a plant source of protein. The Pulsar line includes a chicken formula, a turkey formula, and a fish formula. These are all life stage foods. (No cat food.) These single meat protein foods could be good for dogs with allergies, though you would need to look carefully at the other ingredients in the foods. Pulsar Turkey First Five Ingredients: TURKEY MEAL, RED LENTILS, PEAS, PEA STARCH, TURKEY Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 27.5 percent, Crude Fat (min) 15 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4.5 percent, Moisture (max) 9 percent Calorie Content: 392 ME Kcal/cup This is an all life stage food. As you can see, there are differences in these product lines, even though they are formulated with the same philosophy. They are all relatively high in meat protein and most of them depend on pulses as a substitute for grains. Chicken, turkey, […]

Brief Overview Natural Planet Pet Foods are manufactured by Tuffy’s Pet Foods, part of KLN Family Brands, a family-owned business located in Perham, Minnesota. According to their company information , KLN started making pet food over 50 years ago, in 1964, with Tuffy’s Pet Foods, which they still make. Today the company also makes NutriSource and Pure Vita pet foods, along with Natural Planet. KLN also make lots of popular snack foods such as Wiley Wallaby licorice, Vic’s Popcorn, and Barrel O’ Fun snacks, sold throughout the U.S. Their pet foods include foods for both dogs and cats. They make dry, canned, grain free, and organic pet foods. The Natural Planet pet foods include organic foods and foods with exotic protein sources such as venison, duck, kangaroo, and rabbit. Their super premium foods use the company’s “Good 4Life” system of nutrients. They are all life stage foods. Natural Planet also offers foods with grain free options. Who Manufactures Natural Planet Dog Food? KLN makes their own pet foods at their own pet food facilities . Their plant in Perham, Minnesota produces only pet food and nothing else. They have an on-site, fully equipped, wet chemistry lab that constantly monitors and tests products to insure correct formulation, appearance, palatability, aroma, and digestibility. Natural Planet Dog Food Recalls We did not find any recalls for Natural Planet but KLN/Tuffy’s did have a voluntary recall in 2015 for certain lots of Nutrisca Chicken and Chick Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food in 4 lb. bags after routine testing by the Ohio Department of Agriculture found Salmonella in a sample. Nutrisca is not a KLN/Tuffy’s product, but they are (or were) a co-packer of the food for Dogswell. This is the only recall we found online or in the FDA database associated with KLN. 20% Off + Free Shipping on Petkind Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Natural Planet Dog Food Overview KLN/Tuffy’s has been making pet food for over 50 years. They point out on their Nutrisource web site that they have a seasoned, specially-trained work force and management team. The company has a very good reputation for making pet food. According to their web site and other sources, they use high quality fresh and raw ingredients in their foods that are tested upon arrival. KLN uses state-of-the-art equipment to develop and produce their products and they have a new 130,000 square-foot pet food plant. The company also says they conduct extensive research and quality testing of their products. The KLN pet foods also use something they call the “Good4Life” formula. This formula includes Sel-Plex – an organic form of Selenium; Yea-Sacc to help improve digestion; Bioplex organic trace minerals; and Bio-Mos to help build health bacteria in the intestines. According to the company, they use the Good4Life vitamin and mineral formula for optimum gut health and immunity benefits. This formula is also found in their Nutrisource and Pure Vita foods. They also use a specially sourced probiotic in their organic foods. The Natural Planet foods are made with organic and non-GMO ingredients. (Organic ingredients are, by definition, non-GMO.) The canned foods have at least 95 percent organic ingredients while the dry foods are made with organic ingredients (so they are at least 70 percent organic). While Nutrisource and Pure Vita are also considered premium dog foods, they do not use organic ingredients. The kangaroo in Natural Planet dog food is wild and harvested from Australia. The rabbit and duck used in their foods are farm-raised and come from France. These exotic proteins can be good choices for dogs that are sensitive to chicken, turkey, and other more common meat proteins. Dogs with food allergies may do well on the Natural Planet dog foods. There are lots of other things to like about Natural Planet foods. They use proteinated minerals which make it easier for your dog to absorb them. Digestive enzymes are sprayed on the outside of each piece of kibble so they are quickly activated in your dog’s digestive system. All of their formulas include glusocamine and chondroitin. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are balanced and enhanced with DHA. They do not use by-products or corn. They use natural preservatives. And KLN/Tuffy’s, the maker of Natural Planet, is a family owned business with over 50 years of experience. Natural Planet currently has five dry dog foods, two canned dog foods, and one kind of treat for dogs. Kibbles Chicken & Oats Formula First Five Ingredients: Organic chicken, chicken meal, organic oats, organic barley, organic peas Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 23 percent, Crude Fat (min) 14 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 6 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Metabolizable Energy (calculated): 3,888 kcals per kg, 397 kcals per cup This is an all life stage food. Duck & Whitefish Entree First Five Ingredients: Duck, whitefish, salmon meal, chickpeas, organic peas Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 23 percent, Crude Fat (min) 14 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 5 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Metabolizable Energy (calculated): 3,900 kcals per kg, 453 kcals per cup This is an all life stage food. Rabbit & Salmon Entree First Five Ingredients: Rabbit, salmon, salmon meal, chickpeas, organic peas Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 25 percent, Crude Fat (min) 14 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 5 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Metabolizable Energy (calculated): 3,856 kcals per kg, 448 kcals per cup This is an all life stage food. Kangaroo & Venison Entree First Five Ingredients: Kangaroo, venison meal, chickpeas, organic pea flour, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid) Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 25 percent, Crude Fat (min) 14 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 6 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Metabolizable Energy (calculated): 3,844 kcals per kg, 436 kcals per cup This is an all life stage food. Turkey & Peas Formula First Five Ingredients: Organic turkey, organic peas, turkey meal, organic pea flour, organic tapioca flour Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 25 percent, Crude Fat (min) 15 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4.5 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent […]

Brief Overview Leonard Powell Signature Series dog food is made by Signature Pet Products. Signature Pet Products is a 2nd generation family-owned business. The company is owned by Carron Powell and Connie Powell Scott and was founded by their father, Leonard Powell, when the company was known as Hi-Tek Rations, Inc. The company is located in Dublin, Georgia. The Leonard Powell Signature Series features exotic meats and grain free proteins; classic dog foods, and baked dog foods. They also make Hi-Tek Naturals Hi-Tek Naturals Grain Free; Perfectly Natural Dog Food made with holistic ingredients; Hi-Tek Rations formulated to compete with national brands at value prices; and Premium Blend affordable dog foods. According to an article on Petfoodindustry.com, Signature Pet Products is now focusing on their premium brands and has transferred their value brands (they previously had several other value brands) to Sunshine Mills under the company name Sun-Tek Pet LLC. Who Manufactures Leonard Powell Signature Series Dog Food? According to the information we found online, Leonard Powell and other Signature Pet products are made by Sun-Tek Pet LLC in Dublin, Georgia. This is the joint venture between Signature Pet Products (Hi-Tek Rations) and Sunshine Mills which the companies formed in 2014. Sunshine Mills is a large, established pet food manufacturer with plants in several states in the South. They make pet food and treats for several well-known brands. The Dublin, Georgia plant was previously operated by Hi-Tek Rations before the companies formed Sun-Tek. This is still the same plant where Hi-Tek/Signature previously made their foods and they are a partner in making the foods now. 20% Off + Free Shipping on Leonard Powell Signature Series Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Leonard Powell Signature Series Dog Food Recalls According to Signature Pet Products, the company has not had any recalls. Prior to becoming known as Signature Pet Products, the Hi-Tek company never had a recall in 27 years. Leonard Powell Signature Series Dog Food Overview Leonard Powell Signature Series dog food is one of the premium foods made by Signature Pet Products (formerly Hi-Tek). They make two classic formulas, two exotic formulas, and two baked formulas. All are kibbles. They also make grain free treats. Classic Leonard Powell Signature Series Sunday Dinner with Chicken First Five Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, White Rice, Oatmeal Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 28 percent, Crude Fat (min) 15 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: not provided This is an all life stage food. Leonard Powell Signature Series Center Chops with Pork First Five Ingredients: Pork, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, White Rice, Oatmeal Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 28 percent, Crude Fat (min) 16 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: not provided This is an all life stage food. As you can see, these are all life stage foods with generous protein percentages. They have whole chicken or whole pork as their first ingredients. They include antioxidants from cranberries and lycopene from tomatoes – a powerful antioxidant. They also have pre- and probiotics for digestive health. Plus they are rich in fatty acids such as omega-3, omega-6, and DHA. They are a mix of grains and lentils/legumes. Exotics Leonard Powell Signature Series Grain Free American Heritage Formula with Bison First Five Ingredients: Bison, Bison Meal, Russet Potato, Sweet Potato, Peas Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 28 percent, Crude Fat (min) 15 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: not provided This is an all life stage food. Leonard Powell Signature Series Grain Free Low Country Formula with Duck First Five Ingredients: Duck, Duck Meal, Russet Potato, Sweet Potato, Peas Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 28 percent, Crude Fat (min) 16 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: not provided This is an all life stage food. If you’re interested in a grain free food in this product line, you will want to consider these exotic options. While bison and duck are not terribly uncommon today, they are not as common as chicken, beef, and many other meat proteins found in dog foods. They are both good sources of meat protein. These foods use potatoes which some people will dislike but many dogs can eat them without a problem. They also use sweet potatoes and lentils/legumes in place of grains. (When they take out the grains, they have to use something else. That’s just how it goes.) These foods are rich in antioxidants from cranberries and blueberries. They also have lycopene from tomatoes which is high in antioxidants (seen in the list as tomato pomace). Unlike some other reviewers, we like tomato pomace (in modest amounts). These foods also have pre- and probiotics for digestive health and they are rich in fatty acids such as omega-3, omega-6, and DHA. Baked Leonard Powell Signature Series Oven-Baked Dinner with Lamb First Five Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Pork Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 24 percent, Crude Fat (min) 12 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: not provided This is an all life stage food. Leonard Powell Signature Series Oven-Baked Dinner with Chicken First Five Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Garbanzo Beans, Oatmeal Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 24 percent, Crude Fat (min) 12 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: not provided This is an all life stage food. Baked dog foods have always been popular with people who know about them so it’s nice to see the Leonard Powell Signature Series including these baked foods. Whole chicken and whole lamb are the first ingredients. The foods contain dried kelp, lentils, peas, and carrots. They have pre- and probiotics for digestive health. They are rich in fatty acids such as omega-3, omega-6, and DHA. The foods are slow-baked in the company’s handmade 150-foot conveyor oven. Slow-baked dog foods are generally easier for dogs to digest. They are not made […]

Brief Overview Dr. Gary’s Best Breed was founded by Dr. Gary Cotton, DVM, in 1994. The company is a privately-held, family-owned business that specializes in making all-natural super premium pet foods. According to the company, Dr. Gary (as he’s known) was inspired to create the brand because of his work as a veterinarian in private practice where he encountered what he felt were nutritionally-related health issues in pets. He believed that changing their diet would improve their health. Per Dr. Gary, the founding philosophy of the company’s foods is based on Common Sense Nutrition: ingredients of the highest quality that must add up to the highest overall value in the diet; and no animal by-products, cheap fillers, any sort of gluten, and artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. Today the company makes over a dozen kibble dog foods (with and without grain), cat foods, as well as supplements and treats. The company is based in Findlay, Ohio. Dr. Gary’s Best Breed has been annually listed on the Whole Dog Journal’s list of “Approved Foods.” Who Manufactures Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Dog Food? Dr. Gary’s Best Breed is co-packed by another company. According to our information the food is made by Ohio Pet Foods (now part of the BrightPet Nutrition Group). This is the same company that makes Blackwood and Adirondack foods. (Note that co-packing information is always subject to change. This is the last information that we had.) Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Food Recalls We did not find any recalls listed for Dr. Gary’s Best Breed dog foods in the FDA database or online. 20% Off + Free Shipping on Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Dog Food Overview Best Breed is probably best known in Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and some parts of Kentucky where it is sold by independent pet food retailers. It’s now available on Chewy.com so it’s become more widely known in the last few years. Being included on the Whole Dog Journal’s annual list of approved foods has also helped the food gain attention and become known to more pet owners. Best Breed is a small, independent company. Foods are made in small batches using a unique, slow-cooking process at low temperatures that is said to make the carbohydrates easier to digest and ensure optimum absorption of the nutrients. The formulas are made using only EU (European Union)-approved ingredients, which sometimes have to meet a higher standard than USDA ingredients. The foods contain no animal by-products, cheap fillers, any kind of gluten, and no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. No corn or wheat. Best Breed uses only ethoxyquin-free sources of fish and chicken raised without antibiotics. (All poultry in the U.S. is raised free of added hormones.) At the present time Best Breed makes seven holistic formulas, two grain free formulas, and six specialty holistic formulas for specific breeds and working dogs. The grain free foods contain no high glycemic ingredients such as potatoes or tapioca. The protein percentages in the foods range from 21-32 percent. Fat percentages range from 7 percent to 22 percent. Foods contain green-lipped mussels for natural joint health. All of the company’s dog (and cat) foods are dry kibbles. They do not make any canned foods at this time, though they do make supplements and treats. Here’s a look at Best Breed’s product lines and formulas. Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic Dog Formulas Chicken with Vegetables and Herbs Dog Diet A holistic blend of chicken and duck, whole grains and vegetables. First Five Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Millet, Pearled Barley, Duck Meal Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 26 percent, Crude Fat (min) 15 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 468 Kcal/cup Best Breed Chicken with Vegetables & Herbs Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. This formula will benefit dogs of all sizes and life stages (puppy through senior). Lamb Meal with Fruits & Vegetables The perfect holistic red meat and fish formula made with lamb, whitefish, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. First Five Ingredients: Lamb Meal, White Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Millet, Pearled Barley Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 26 percent, Crude Fat (min) 15 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 472 Kcal/cup Best Breed Lamb Meal with Fruits & Vegetables is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance. This formula will benefit all sizes of adult dogs. Salmon with Vegetables and Herbs Dog Diet Hypoallergenic: a holistic blend of wild-caught salmon, whole grains and vegetables. Excellent for dogs with sensitive skin. First Five Ingredients: Salmon Meal, Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Canola Oil, Oatmeal Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 23 percent, Crude Fat (min) 13 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 449 Kcal/cup Best Breed Salmon with Vegetables & Herbs Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. This formula will benefit dogs of all sizes and life stages (puppy through senior). All Breed Dog Diet A complete and wholesome maintenance diet holistically formulated for all adult dogs. First Five Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Pearled Barley, Dried Beet Pulp, Sorghum Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 25 percent, Crude Fat (min) 12 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 4.5 percent, Moisture (max) 10 percent Calorie Content: 445 Kcal/cup Best Breed All Breed Diet is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. This formula will benefit dogs of all life stages (puppy through senior). Large Breed Dog Diet Formulated to promote the health and happiness of all large breed dogs – excellent for dogs with sensitive digestive systems. First […]

Brief Overview Premium Edge makes dry food for dogs and cats. Real meat is the first ingredient in each formula. Their foods contain no ground corn, wheat, or soy. The company currently makes eight foods for dogs which include foods for puppies, senior dogs, and overweight dogs. The company is owned by Diamond Pet Foods (owned by Schell & Kampeter Inc.). It was formed in 1970. Premium Edge, along with Diamond, is headquartered in Meta, Missouri. Who Manufactures Premium Edge Dog Food? Premium Edge is made at Diamond pet food facilities. The company is owned by the same company that owns Diamond. According to Premium Edge: “We have five manufacturing facilities, all located in the United States. One is in northern California, one in central California, one in Missouri, one in South Carolina and one in Arkansas.” Premium Edge Food Recalls Premium Edge has had several recalls. In March 2013 the company recalled three varieties of dry cat food for possible low thiamine levels. In May 2012 Premium Edge recalled all of its foods with certain production codes, in a certain date range, because of possible Salmonella contamination as part of a larger Diamond recall. In November 2009 the company recalled two varieties of Premium Edge cat foods because of possible low thiamine levels. Thanks to Petful.com for this archived information. 20% Off + Free Shipping on Health Extension Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Premium Edge Dog Food Overview As we mentioned, Premium Edge currently makes eight dry dog foods. According to the company, their foods for dogs offer the following benefits: ANTIOXIDANT NUTRITION Guaranteed zinc, selenium and vitamin E. Helps provide optimum health and vigor. Antioxidants combat aging change and protect the cells in the body from the damage of everyday living. CHELATED MINERALS Minerals attached to proteins or amino acids, listed as proteinates in the ingredient legend, are easily absorbed by the body for optimal mineral nutrition. This is especially important for growing puppies and reproducing females. CONTAINS GLUCOSAMINE & CHONDROITIN Sources of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate help lubricate the inside of the joints. This helps promote healthy, pain-free movement for your dog. CONTROLLED CARBOHYRATES High protein, low carbohydrate formula to help your dog burn excess body fat DENTAL HEALTH FORMULA Crunchy kibble helps reduce plaque and tartar, which helps keep teeth strong and healthy. DRIED CHICORY ROOT Dried chicory root is a prebiotic that promotes good digestive health by providing energy to the “good” bacteria in the intestines as well as to the cells within the colon. ENHANCED WITH DHA DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, has been proven in scientific studies to be critical for development of the puppy’s brain and vision. This omega-3 fatty acid, supplied to the diet by salmon oil, helps puppies learn more quickly. OMEGA FATTY ACID BLEND Flaxseed provides omega-3 fatty acids for optimal omega fatty acid balance for optimal skin and coat condition and overall health. REAL CHICKEN Number one ingredient in select formulas. Creates superior taste. Real meat is very digestible protein and also low in ash for overall good health. REAL LAMB Number one ingredient in select formulas. Creates superior taste. Lamb meat has very digestible protein and is also low in ash for overall good health. SALMON MEAL Salmon meal is a quality protein source as well as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. VEGETABLES & FRUITS Potatoes, carrots, apples, tomatoes and blueberries provide plant-sourced nutrients to help support overall well-being. Premium Edge also states in their FAQ section that they use vendors and suppliers that do not use ethoxyquin as a preservative. We recommend reading the FAQ section. It has some good information about the company’s food and about pet nutrition in general. We do need to point out that while flaxseed, mentioned above is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, since it is a plant-source, dogs are not able to utilize this omega-3 in the same way they can use the omega-3 from fish sources. Flaxseed does have some other benefits, however. Otherwise, we can’t quibble with any of Premium Edge’s claims about the benefits of these ingredients, though some people will argue that crunchy kibble doesn’t really do anything to reduce plaque or keep teeth cleaner. According to the sources we checked, Premium Edge foods do appear to have an ash content that is somewhat lower than many other premium dog foods. Considering the dog food industry average is about 7 percent, Premium Edge foods are estimated to have a slightly lower ash figure than this percentage. Here is what Premium Edge has to say about ash: What is ash and why do you put it in your pet foods? Ash is the non-combustible portion of the diet. This means that when a sample of the food is burned in a special oven called an ash oven, the portion that remains is ash. Just like a fireplace, but much hotter and more controlled. We do not add an ingredient called ash to the food, but our foods (and all other pet foods out there as well) do contain ash. Ash comes primarily from the bone content of the dry protein ingredients, such as chicken meal. Chicken meal is made from chicken meat and bone and is a natural source of essential minerals. Dry protein ingredients such as chicken meal typically contain 70% protein (fresh meats are only 20-25% protein because of their high water content). This ingredient also is made up of some fat, some moisture, a little bit of fiber, and ash. Ash levels in pet foods should be controlled, especially in adult or senior diets. Excess ash will contribute excess minerals to the diet, potentially leading to health problems. Ingredients such as chicken by-product meal are much lower in ash than chicken meal or lamb meal, but many individuals choose not to feed diets that contain by-product meal to their pets. Dog lovers should know about ash in dog food. It’s often over-looked and misunderstood when considering dog foods but it’s an important indicator […]

Brief Overview Active Care Healthy Joint Formula dog food is a line of dog foods that is part of the Breeder’s Choice brand, made by Central Garden & Pet Company. Central Garden & Pet Company also makes AvoDerm, Four Paws, DMC (Dallas Manufacturing Company), Pinnacle, Nylabone, tfh, and Cadet. In addition, Central Garden & Pet makes products for horses, birds, aquatics and reptiles, and other small pets. Breeder’s Choice has been making pet products for more than 60 years. According to Bloomberg.com the company was founded in 1947. Breeder’s Choice is headquartered in Irwindale, California, while Central Garden & Pet Company has headquarters in Walnut Creek, California. Several of Central Garden & Pet kibbles, including Active Care, have repeatedly been listed on the Whole Dog Journal list of approved foods. Please note that while there is still a web site for Active Care Healthy Joint Formula dog food made by Breeder’s Choice and it is still sold online in some places, we could not find this food sold on Chewy.com. However, Chewy.com is now selling AvoDerm Active Care Healthy Joint Formula dog food. The formula and guaranteed analysis are different but it’s possible that this food is replacing the Breeder’s Choice version of Active Care. Or maybe Chewy.com just isn’t carrying Active Care Healthy Joint Formula foods at the moment. We’re just guessing. Who Manufactures Active Care Dog Food? According to Whole Dog Journal, Central Garden & Pet Company manufactures Active Care dog foods at their own facilities. TruthAboutPetFood.com seems to verify that Breeder’s Choice has their own kibble manufacturing facility in Irwindale, California. Active Care Food Recalls We did find a recall for Active Care Healthy Joint Dog Treats dating from April 2013. This was a voluntary recall for a single batch of Active Care biscuits due to the presence of mold. According to the company, the problem was likely due to varying dryer temperature settings for drying the dog biscuits and it was quickly fixed. (We cannot find an FDA page for this recall. According to one online source, it was announced in a company news release.) Breeder’s Choice also had a voluntary dog food recall in September 2012 that affected a single manufacturing batch of Breeder’s Choice AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula due to possible contamination with Salmonella. 20% Off + Free Shipping on Active Care Healthy Joint Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Active Care Dog Food Overview Active Care by Breeder’s Choice is formulated for joint health. According to the company, the food was created with natural cartilage from the highest levels of unprocessed chondroitin and glucosamine, to develop, maintain and repair the joints. The kibbles are intended for all breeds (and types of dogs), at all ages. Most dogs do begin to experience some joint stiffness and arthritis as they age, so dog foods formulated for joint health are popular. Large breeds, especially, can have joint problems. But we do need to point out that research about chondroitin and glucosamine and their benefits for joint health are somewhat inconclusive. Many people believe these supplements are helpful both for humans and for dogs but the evidence is lacking so far. The FDA only allows pet food companies to make very vague, generalized assertions about the benefits of chondroitin and glucosamine. Companies are not allowed to make unverified health claims or they will get a letter such as this one. As you can see (assuming you made it through the lengthy letter), the FDA takes a rather dim view of health claims regarding glucosamine and chondroitin. As already stated, many people do believe that these supplements are helpful for people and dogs. It’s up to you if you want to select a dog food that adds these ingredients. It is a fact that dog food companies use comparatively small amounts of these supplements. If they used the amounts normally recommended by weight for a dog, your dog would have to eat bowls and bowls of food per day to eat the recommended amount of the supplements. Many people who decide to use glucosamine and chondroitin buy these supplements online or at big box stores to save money. They then add the recommended dosage to their dog’s food to make sure the dog is getting the correct amount. Many good quality premium dog foods do add glucosamine and chondroitin to their formulas today, whether they are specifically made for joint health or not. You can check the ingredients to see if the food has small amounts of these supplements. In the case of the two Active Care formulas, they each have the following amounts: Chondroitin Sulfate* not less than 400 MG/CUP Glucosamine* not less than 200 MG/CUP If you compare these amounts with the recommended dosages for chondroitin and glucosamin on this page, you will see that one cup of food would only provide enough of the supplements for a very small dog (a 10-pound dog for the glucosamine; and a 24 pound dog for the chondroitin). Feeding directions for an adult dog weighing 10 pounds are ¼ to ½ cup of food per day; for a senior dog they are ¼ to ¾ cup. You see that it could be difficult for some dogs to get enough of these supplements in their diet from eating the recommended servings. Active Care does point out that they use a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin which we appreciate. It comes from chicken cartilage which is known to be a good source for these supplements. As we mentioned, Active Care currently has two kibbles: Chicken Meal & Brown Rice and Lamb Meal & Brown Rice. Active Care Active Care Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin for joints; nutrients for healthy skin and coat. First Five Ingredients: Brown Rice, Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Chicken Cartilage (Source of Chondroitin Sulfate & Glucosamine) Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 25 percent, Crude Fat (min) 15 percent, Crude Fiber […]

Certain lots of Party Animal Cocolicious have been recalled due to the presence of pentobarbital. See our recall notice here. Brief Overview Party Animal Pet Food, headquartered in West Hollywood, California, makes mostly canned foods for dogs and cats. They have been in business since 2006. According to the company, they want to make “the most scrumptious & healthiest pet food from our kitchen for our furry children.” They use some organic ingredients such as organic oils, fruits, and vegetables, and good quality protein sources including some organic meats. Their foods are “hand-crafted” in small batches. Their foods are made in the U.S. and all ingredients come from the U.S. except for venison and lamb that come from New Zealand. They use no corn, wheat, or soy and their foods have no carrageenan. Party Animal uses no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in their foods. Their cans are human-grade though the 13-ounce dog food cans do contain a trace amount of BPA, well below the level considered acceptable by the FDA. At this time the company has two different lines of canned dog food: Party Animal and Cocolicious. They also make Party Animal dry dog food with 70 percent organic ingredients. Who Manufactures Party Animal Dog Food? According to various online sources, Party Animal’s canned foods are manufactured by Evanger’s in Illinois. Some pet lovers see this as a negative since Evanger’s has had issues with rusty cans and has something of a reputation for not adhering to guaranteed analyses. The company’s dry dog food is (or was in 2010) manufactured in Minnesota. Party Animal Food Recalls We did not find any recalls listed for Party Animal dog foods in the FDA database or online. 20% Off + Free Shipping on Party Animal Dog Food How To Redeem This Offer Party Animal Dog Food Overview Organic pet foods are growing in popularity along with organic foods in general. It’s becoming easier for pet food companies to source many ingredients now at reasonable prices so they can make them available to pet food buyers. Party Animal is one company benefiting from this increased interest in organic foods. (You can read about other popular organic dog foods in this helpful article.) If you’re new to organic pet foods, there are different kinds, based on the amount of organic ingredients in the food. In general, organic ingredients do not contain pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, growth hormones, GMOs, or other artificial additives. Farms have to be free from prohibited substances for 36 months prior to the first organic harvest. Meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy have to come from animals that are fed organic, pesticide-free grains and the animals can’t be given antibiotics or growth hormones. (You can find lots of information about organic farming on the USDA web site.) There are also strict regulations about organic labeling for foods and pet foods so people will know what they are buying. Products labeled USDA organic are required to contain 95-100% certified organic ingredients. Products labeled made with organic ingredients must contain a minimum of 70% certified organic ingredients. The certifying agency symbol may be used on the packaging. However, the USDA symbol may not be used under the “made with organic ingredients” rule. Party Animal dry dog food is formulated under the “made with organic ingredients” classification. Oregon Tilth is an organic certification agency that operates under the national organic standards federal law. Oregon Tilth inspects the production facility where Party Animal’s canned foods are made and reviews the ingredients used in their organic formulas. A complete breakdown of their formulas, including sources of each ingredient, is required as part of the agency’s review and approval process to certify that the federal organic standards are met. As with many companies that use organic ingredients, some of the meat proteins used by Party Animal are not certified organic. Either they are not available in organic form, available in small quantities, or the price is probably cost-prohibitive for a pet food company. According to Party Animal, although they do not use certified organic duck, lamb, salmon, or venison, they do use free-range duck, free-range, grass-fed lamb and venison, and wild-caught salmon. All of their fruits and vegetables are organic. At this time Party Animal makes 10 Party Animal Original canned formulas – six organic and eight grain free (they overlap). They also make 14 Cocolicious formulas – six organic and all grain free. The Cocolicious formulas all contain coconut oil. They also make Party Animal dry dog food which is 70 percent organic. (Note that the Party Animal web site is very colorful and fun but it’s somewhat challenging if you are a word-oriented person. It’s a little haphazard if you are trying to sort the foods and find information.) Party Animal Original Formulas Party Animal Organic Blazin’ Beef Grain free canned dog food made with organic beef, fruits, vegetables, vitamins and minerals. First Five Ingredients: Organic Beef, Organic Beef Broth, Organic Sweet Potatoes, Organic Liver, Organic Cranberries Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 9 percent, Crude Fat (min) 7 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 1.5 percent, Moisture (max) 78 percent Calorie Content: 980.0 kcal/kg or 361.62 kcal per 13.0 oz. can ME (metabolizable energy) on an as fed basis (calculated) We did not find an AAFCO state for Party Animal’s canned foods on their site. However, we did find the following statement on a pet food site: ALL Party Animal flavors are formulated to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. Party Animal Organic Chillin’ Chicken Grain free canned dog food made with organic chicken, fruits, vegetables, vitamins and minerals. First Five Ingredients: Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Broth, Organic Sweet Potatoes, Organic Liver, Organic Blueberries Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 9 percent, Crude Fat (min) 7 percent, Crude Fiber (max) 1.5 percent, Moisture (max) 78 percent Calorie Content: 980.0 kcal/kg or 361.62 kcal per 13.0 oz. can ME (metabolizable energy) on an as fed basis (calculated) We did not find an AAFCO state for Party Animal’s […]