Are you searching for the best dog food for your furry friend but feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of options on the market? In this article, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the world of dog food brands and find the best options for your pup’s health.
The Dog Food Brands to Avoid
Unfortunately, not all dog food brands are created equal. Some brands may use low-quality ingredients or fillers that can be harmful to your dog’s health. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the top dog food brands to avoid.
1. Ol’ Roy
One of the cheapest dog food brands on the market that comes at a cost is Ol’ Roy. Ol’ Roy is a dog food brand that is exclusively sold at Walmart stores. It uses low-quality ingredients such as corn and meat by-products, which are not suitable for canine consumption.
This brand has been linked to several health issues in dogs, including kidney disease and liver failure.
2. Gravy Train
The next wet dog brand to avoid is Gravy Train. Unfortunately, this brand contains low-quality ingredients, including meat by-products, corn, and soy, which are difficult for dogs to digest.
In addition, Gravy Train has been linked to several cases of vitamin D toxicity, which can cause serious health problems for your dog.
3. Dog Chow
The next brand that we don’t recommend using is Dog Chow. These pet foods are one of the worst dry dog food brands to avoid.
This brand has come under scrutiny in recent years for its use of low-quality ingredients. Purina Dog Chow uses corn as its main ingredient, which is a cheap filler that provides little nutritional value to dogs. Additionally, the brand includes animal by-products, which are low-quality protein sources that can be difficult for dogs to digest.
4. IAMS Dog Food
IAMS is a popular brand of dog food that’s been around since the 1940s. While the brand has been known to produce high-quality dog food, some of its products have come under scrutiny in recent years. Now, it is one of the most dangerous dog food brands to avoid on the market.
In 2010, the brand had to recall several varieties of its cat food due to potential salmonella contamination. In 2013, the brand had to recall several varieties of its dog food due to potential mold growth.
5. Beneful
A popular dog food brand that is marketed as being healthy and nutritious is Beneful. However, it contains a large number of artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, as well as cheap fillers like corn and soy.
One more thing to consider is that Beneful has been linked to several cases of kidney failure in dogs. So this brand is also on the list of dog food brands to avoid.
6. Pedigree
Another well-known dog food brand that is commonly found in grocery stores is Pedigree. Unfortunately, this brand contains a high amount of corn, wheat, and soy, which can cause digestive issues and allergies in some dogs.
That’s why Pedigree is one of the most important brands on the list of wet dog food brands to avoid.
7. Great Choice
Great Choice is a private-label brand of dog food that’s sold exclusively at PetSmart stores. While the brand is marketed as being affordable and nutritious, it has come under scrutiny in recent years due to its use of low-quality ingredients.
Additionally, Great Choice dog food has been involved in several pet food recalls over the years. In 2018, the brand had to recall several varieties of its dog food due to potential metal contamination.
8. Sportmix
Sportmix is one of the dog food brands to avoid. Their dog food formulas often include corn and other cheap fillers as their main ingredients, which provide little nutritional value to dogs. While some of the brand’s formulas include real meat as their main ingredient, it’s important to read labels carefully and choose high-quality options.
In addition, there are many reports and cases of aflatoxin contamination for this brand, which can cause serious health problems for your dog.
9. Kal Kan Complete Adult
Kal Kan Complete Adult is another dog food brand to avoid Canada and other countries. If you check the ingredients, you can see it contains: a large number of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, as well as cheap fillers like corn and soy.
Other than that, there are several cases of kidney failure in dogs for this brand.
10. Kibbles ‘n Bits
Kibbles ‘n Bits is another low-quality dog food brand that you should avoid. It contains a large number of fillers like corn and wheat, as well as artificial colors and flavors.
Also, there are many reports of vitamin D toxicity for Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food brand.
Also Read: 35 Top Pet Influencers To Collaborate With In 2023
How to Choose a Safe and Healthy Dog Food Brand
When choosing a dog food brand for your pet, it is important to look for one that contains high-quality ingredients and is free from harmful additives. Here are some tips to help you choose a safe and healthy dog food brand:
- Look for dog food brands that contain high-quality protein sources, such as chicken, turkey, and beef.
- Avoid dog food brands that contain cheap fillers like corn and soy.
- Look for dog food brands that are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- Choose dog food brands that are formulated for your dog’s specific age, breed, and health needs.
- Check the ingredients list and make sure that the first ingredient is a high-quality protein source.
- Look for dog food brands that have been certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
5 Best Dog Food Brands
Now that you know everything about dog food brands to avoid, let’s introduce you to some of the best treats for your pet.
Orijen
Orijen is a high-quality dog food brand that uses fresh, regional ingredients to create biologically appropriate food for dogs. Their dog food contains up to 90% meat, poultry, and fish, and is free from grains, potatoes, and other fillers. They offer a variety of dog food options, including dry food, freeze-dried food, and dog treats.
- Ingredients: Fresh chicken meat, turkey meat, whole eggs, Pacific salmon, chicken liver, turkey liver, chicken heart, turkey heart, whole herring, flounder, whole mackerel.
- Types of dog food: Freeze-dried food, and dog treats.
- Where to buy: Available at pet stores and online retailers.
Blue Buffalo
If you are looking for dog food with a range of vitamins and minerals, there is no better option than Blue Buffalo. Blue Buffalo is an excellent option for pet owners who want to provide their dogs with a high-quality, natural, and nutritious diet. The brand’s commitment to using only high-quality ingredients and avoiding fillers and artificial additives makes it a popular choice among pet owners who are looking for a healthy and nutritious diet for their dogs.
- Ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal, chicken fat, tomato pomace (source of lycopene), peas, potatoes, natural flavor, flaxseed (source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids)
- Where to buy: Available at pet stores and online retailers.
- Types of dog food: Dry food, wet food, and dog treats.
Taste of the Wild
One of the well-known and respected dog food brands that is popular for its high-quality, natural ingredients is Taste of the Wild. The brand’s recipes are inspired by the diets of wild wolves and feature real meat as the first ingredient, which provides dogs with the protein they need to maintain muscle mass and overall health.
Taste of the Wild offers a wide range of grain-free dog food formulas that cater to dogs with different nutritional needs, including puppies, adults, and senior dogs.
- Ingredients: Buffalo, lamb meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes, canola oil, egg product, roasted bison, roasted venison, beef, natural flavor, tomato pomace, ocean fish meal, salt, choline chloride.
- Where to buy: Available at pet stores and online retailers.
- Types of dog food: Dry food, wet food
Jinx Dry Dog Food
Jinx is relatively new to the market, but it has quickly gained popularity among dog owners due to its excellent quality and nutrition profile. This dry dog food is made with real meat as the first ingredient, which provides dogs with the protein they need to maintain muscle mass and overall health. Additionally, the brand uses only non-GMO ingredients and avoids fillers, artificial colors, and preservatives.
- Ingredients: Chicken, brown rice, chicken meal, whole grain barley, oatmeal, chicken fat, natural flavor, flaxseed, carrots, peas, apples, blueberries, cranberries, vitamins and minerals.
- Where to buy: Available on their website.
- Types of dog food: Dry food, dog treats.
Nature’s Logic Dry Dog Food
Nature’s Logic is a dog food brand that uses 100 natural ingredients to create nutritious and delicious dog food. Their dog food contains real meat as the first ingredient and is free from synthetic vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. They offer a variety of dog food options, including dry food, wet food, and dog treats.
- Ingredients: Chicken meal, chicken fat, millet, pumpkin seed, yeast culture, dried egg product, chicken liver, dried kelp, spray-dried chicken liver, spray-dried chicken heart
- Where to buy: Available at pet stores and online retailers.
- Types of dog food: Dry food, wet food, and dog treats.
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Conclusion
Choosing the right dog food brand is essential for ensuring your furry friend gets the proper nutrition they need. By avoiding low-quality dog food brands and choosing brands that use high-quality ingredients, you can help your dog maintain optimal health and well-being. In this article, we told you everything you need to know about dog food brands to avoid. Also, we’ve introduced the best dog food options available in the market.
FAQs
There are several dog food brands that are not considered to be good for your dog’s health. These brands may contain fillers, meat by-products, artificial preservatives, and other additives that can be harmful to your dog.
Here’s the list of dog food brands that you should avoid:
Beneful by Purina
Kibbles ‘n Bits
Ol’ Roy
Iams
Hill’s Science Diet
Pedigree
Gravy Train
Alpo
Cesar Filets
Royal Canin
These brands may contain fillers, meat by-products, artificial preservatives, and other additives that can be harmful to your dog’s health. It’s important to read the label carefully and choose a brand that uses high-quality ingredients and provides a balanced and complete nutrition profile.
You should avoid these dog food brands because they often contain low-quality ingredients, such as fillers, by-products, and artificial additives. These ingredients can lead to health issues such as obesity, digestive problems, and skin irritation. Additionally, some brands have faced recalls due to safety concerns such as salmonella contamination and the presence of euthanasia drugs.
Yes, there are affordable dog food brands that are still healthy for your dog. Look for brands that use high-quality protein sources, such as chicken, beef, or fish, and avoid those that use fillers and by-products. Some good options include Blue Buffalo, Merrick, and Nutro.
You can determine if a dog food brand is high-quality by reading the label and researching the ingredients. Look for brands that use high-quality protein sources, such as chicken, beef, or fish, and avoid those that use fillers, by-products, and artificial additives. Additionally, check for recalls or safety concerns associated with the brand.
