Worst dog food brands
October 8, 2008 by admin
Filed under Dog Food Tips
Interested in the worst dog food brands? Ingredients separate the worst dog food brands from the best dog food brands. Lets take a look at what make a dog food brand the worst dog food brand:
- By-Products
- Non specefic animal source
- Contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin
- No meats in the first five ingredients
- Contains artificial colorants
- Contains ground corn or whole grain corn
These are just a couple of the things that will make a brand of dog food the worst. Now lets take a look at some of the first dog food brands on the market (These are just my opinion based on the ingredients).
Top 10 Worst Dog Food Brands.
- Beneful Dog Food
- Eukanuba Dog Food
- Hills Science Diet Dog Food
- Iams Dog Food
- Kibbles and Bits
- Opitmum
- Pedigree Dog Food
- Pro Plan Dog Food
- Purina One and Chow Dog Food
- Royal Canin Dog Food
You make some very good points, but what would you rather feed to your dog one of these
■Beneful Dog Food
■Eukanuba Dog Food
■Hills Science Diet Dog Food
■Iams Dog Food
■Kibbles and Bits
■Opitmum
■Pedigree Dog Food
■Pro Plan Dog Food
■Purina One and Chow Dog Food
■Royal Canin Dog Food
OR Taste of rhe Wild???
I feed Orijen Large breed Puppy to my dog but he likes duck so I give him some TOTW Wetlands and Fromms duck. I rotate them along with California Natural and some Orijen regional red. Boy he really likes the red. The red is really spendy.
I agree with you completely….but as you just pointed out why would you feed TOTW when you are feeding MEGA QUALITY FOODS…Orijen, Fromm, Cali Natural (all self manufactured which should be held in a class all its own)
I wish I could get my hands on Orijen regularly…but I can’t
Switching to Evo for my 4 yr old….which I can get my hands on it everyday.
I believe though, Orijen will only get more available as time goes on.
I have a 6 month old pup I’m contemplating putting on California Natural Lamb Puppy. Minimal ingredients…Rice is split yet still yields 26% Protein, 16% fat and produces 535 kcals per cup.
Eric I never said that DFA was gospel,But people have to start somewhere!! That’s where I started,did research elsewhere too.And I was able to choose a decent product all by my self,IMAGINE THAT!!I chose Merrick’s Before Grain.I totally agree with you about manufacturer’s that have their own plants producing a higher quality product!!Merrick’s is in Texas and it’s family owned. I am also impressed with the fact that they don’t distribute to the big box stores like petsmart and petco!! Only to the independently owned pet stores.
I still like TOTW and it’s grain free. Like I said I rotate and I feel thats the way to go. But I always feed some Orijen. I have never had any problem getting Orijen in my area, North Seattle.
Check out this site it’s a little spendy but tax is included and at the top you can get free stuff and free shipping if you spend 50 bucks. I get dog food pretty cheap in my area so I rarely buy anything from them but I have and they are pretty fast.
http://www.k9cuisine.com/
Blue buffalo has a class action suite against them. http://hubpages.com/hub/Blue-Life-Protection-Large-Breed-Healthy-Dog-Foods
Jess, you stated that you were going to try Artemis, I don’t know which formulation that you are considering but Maximal lists Chicken fat 3RD on their ingredient list,this has been researched at perdue university and determined to contribute to Bloat in large breed dogs.
Jess
Found Orijen and Acana at The Pet Health and Nutrition Center.
They keep great stock and ship for only 9 bucks and do not over inflate the purchase price!!!!
Scrap my Evo comment….ordered up Orijen!!!!
Michelle,
I think DFA is a good place to compare ingredients among all the different dry dog foods.
But there rating system is a little rattled.
How does Acana get a 5 star rating and TOTW and Wellness Core get 6 stars? Acanas ingredients are every bit as good, if not better than the other two. Acana has a much more thourough nutrient breakdown, it’s made in a family owned facility and based on the calcium and phosphorus levels, you can clearly make the claim that the protein is coming from the meat source in the food. It’s also low ash and low carb that the other two are not publishing. Wellness Core is made by American Nutrition, Inc. Google that and check out what they make…lol. TOTW is made by Diamond Pet Food….we all know what is in Diamond brand dog food.
How does Merrick Before Grain gain a 5 star over a 6? It has a 6 star ingredients list. And yet Blue Buff Wilderness is a 6 and it has grain in it!!!
Sorry, but Dog Food Analysis is bogus on it’s rating system. Great site to compare all the dog foods available but that rating system is ridiculous. A lot more than an igredients list needs to go into decifering what is the best food. How does the nutrient breakdown read? What is the ash content? What percentage of the protein is sourced from the named meats. Does Omega 6 and 3 balance? Are calcium and phosphorus levels in check? and the big one….WILL YOUR DOG EAT IT?
I guess that’s my biggest beef with DFA and so many people live and die by it. It seems to be many peoples only point of reference for dog food debate and these same people don’t understand the nutrient breakdown in which the ingredients are sourced and haven’t trial’d and error’d it on there own pet.
On a side note….I like your Before Grain food. I trust Merrick, it is a good food to feed your pet in which you can feel comfortable about. My dogs enjoy Merrick Texas Toothpicks, Merrick Snoozles, and Merrick Lamb Filet Squares. I have used the 5 star entrees which is still by far the best canned dog food and asides from Evangers (which I don’t trust) is the only canned dog food made by it’s company owned facility. Every other canned dog food is outsourced. Favorite Merrick Entree is Turducken.
If you are serious about learning about dog food nutrition, The Whole Dog Journal is a way better place to start than DFA.
I disagree that Pro Plan and Iams are one of the worst 10 dog foods. I would consider these grade C dog foods, or average.
Top 10 Worst for me are:
Pedigree
Kibbles n Bits
Ol’Roy
Purina Dog Chow
Beneful
Alpo
Pet Pride
Goodlife Recipe
Gravy Train
Eukanuba
I do a RAW / BARF diet… My pets mean to much to me to risk feeding them a less than great food that has iffy ingredients. I actually go right to a local butcher and get what I need for a reasonable price.
BTW Propylene Glycol is an ingredient in many of our pets foods and treats now… Yup thats the stuff in our deodorants and in antifreeze. Sounds nutritious right??
We just have to read labels, ask questions and be smart / aware consumers.
Learning lots about different dogfoods here.. I am wondering what is in Science Diet that makes it such a bad food? I am asking because it was recommended by my vet! Thanks!
I have prepared my own home cooked dog food for 25 years. You never have to look for any brand again. My daughter and i wrote the book “For the Love of Dogs”, because everyone had a sick dog and wanted the recipes.
High quality protein, veggies, fruit and some whole grains, calcium supplement, omega 3′s. You can feed yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, beef, chicken, chicken livers, beans, broccoli – everything but onions and chocolate. There is a list of what not to feed – like candy, ice cream, pizza crusts, etc, and raisins are on the careful list, as some dogs are allergic, but we have fed raisins for years and still do.
Unless you have many big dogs and no time, I would never feed any commercial dog food. Pellets, dried unidentifiable kibbles! Canned is just as bad. There are some dog foods being advertised that are refrigerated in the markets – they might be ok, but if you cook for yourself -why would you feed your beloved family dog junky, trashy, non regulated bags of kibbles?
There are some organic brands that are now on the market, but you’ll be paying a lot more for someone else to cook your dog food for you.
It’s actually fun and your doggies will love to eat!!! and kiss you and thank you and live long, healthy lives.
I agree, ecept for the fact you feed cheese and cottage cheese. And I have no problem with Orijen, Acana, Evo, Innova, California Natural, Healthwise, Horizon Legacy, Wellness(?), Go and Now. I am sorry but their are some decent manufactures of dog food now days, it really has changed. When I grew up in the 60′s Purnia actually made a decent dog food, Boy has that ever changed!!
Where can we find “for the love of dogs”?
Double click on her name!!
Eric I still get Orijen LBP for 57 bucks here. They have not raised their price since I’ve been feeding it. When I get low on California Natural I am gonna do a little shopping and see if my pet food store is lying or if Nuturepet did raise their price.
Hi. I am a new dog owner, 16 years old. And I have a ton of questions! I’ll start off with what kind of dog I’m getting. He is a Alaskan Malamute Husky mix. He is about 3 and half months old. My fist questions is on what food to feed him. I have been reading http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com and that helped me a lot. but now I need to narrow my search. I have a job, but I will be paying for all his food. So I’m looking for good food at a reasonable price. Is Merrick puppy plate good food? Also how long do i feed my puppy on puppy food? I also have a question on Solid Gold Barking at the Moon, and Innova EVO large bites, and Welness Just for puppy. Like I said please nothing to expensive. Please answer back, I am getting him in a week. I reposting because I really need a answer
I am not clear with which brands are the worst, but I use Evanger’s and I think it’s the BEST! something I ALWAYS do is check out the ingredients lists, and I find so many products that Evanger’s has with only ONE ingredient and that is the meat source. So, if you can would treat yourself to something like, Hunk of Beef (the ingredient says 100% Beef and nothing else because it has no added fillers or preservative or by-products), than why can’t your dog eat it?! This is something I have been researching for years, and I am so glad I found Evanger’s.
Here are 20 of the worst dog foods made today and most are cheap. They are cheap because they use CHEAP BAD INGREIDENTS….
1. Ol Roy
2. Pedigree
3. Beneful
4. Purnia
5. Alpo
6. Friskies
7. Liams
8. Science Diet
9. Nutro
10. Royal Canin
11. Kibbles and Bits
12. Abady
13. Eukanuba
14. Bil Jac
15. Pro Plan
16. Authority
17. Nutra
18. Cesar Millan
19. Pro Pac
20. Ultra
I checked caringconsumer.com to find my dogs food – Solid Gold. Some other good choices: Evangers, Halo, Fromm, Artemis, Natural Balance. All are not tested on animals in laboratories, left in cages w/o any vet care for their open wounds (from lab testing)- but rather with family pets, with loving owners and veterinary care.
Isn’t it absurd that the some of the same dog food manufacturers that must have started out with a true love for dogs are now focusing on profit and making food that is actually unhealthy for dogs???!!! Jess’ list of the 20 worst dog foods is missing one that claims to be premium dog food… Science Diet. Unfortunately, there are not many brands available that are actually good for your dog. The following ingredients are found in the majority of dog foods:
1) Corn – a cheap filler that is terribly hard on a dog’s digestive systems and has no nutrients
2) Corn gluten – a binding agent and type of sugar that causes problems in the dog’s digestion tract resulting in gas, bloating and constipation
3) Chicken by-products – consists of the ground clean parts of slaughtered chickens and contains necks, feet, bones, undeveloped eggs, intestines and feathers
4) Meat by-products – organs and parts of all animals which are either dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter including bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, heads, feet, etc and are not fit for human consumption
5) Meat and bone meal – inexpensive sources of animal protein, lacking any nutritional value
6) BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) – chemical preservatives that have been banned from human use and are potentially cancer-causing agents
I’ve researched them all and only found one dog food that doesn’t contain any of these ingredients and really is dedicated to the pet’s health… Life’s Abundance. Check out the information at my website, http://www.thehealthypetplace.com. Scientific studies prove that dogs and cats really can live 25-30 years, if they’re given the proper nutrition. This product really is what pet food should be.
It’s number 8. I would NEVER miss that crap. I believe you might like my list of good dog foods. I think you would like many of them. I really liked California Natural but now that P&G has taken over that company, all their products are moving down my list. Evo is one of the best dog foods made today, but I am sure p&g well ruin it. That’s why it slid from 2 to 11. And check this site out!!!
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients
1. Orijen
2. Acana, Wild Prairie, Pacifica & Grassland only.
3. Wellness Core
4. Go, Natural Grain Free Endurance.
5. Blue Wilderness
6. Taste of the Wild, wetlands & prairie only.
7. Instinct
8. Artemis
9. Fromm
10. Acana, the rest of their products.
11. Evo
The B list
1. Now
2. GO, chicken, salmon only.
3. Merrick
4. Evangers
5. Timberwolf
6. First Mate
7. Wellness
8. Solid Gold
9. Canidae, grain free ALS only.
10. California Natural
10. Nature’s Logic
11. Karma
12. Summit Holistic
12. Taste of the wild, rest of their products.
13. Innova
14. Heath Wise
15. Costco’s Kirkland brand
Jess- I doubt that Kristine is going to look at your list-she works for Life’s Abundance…She said so in her post….anyway Life’s Abundance is an okay product…a little lite in meat content as the only meat source in the first 5 is chicken meal.Also the reported protein content of 30% is exaggerated by the use of plant proteins in the form of Brewer’s Yeast and Flaxseed meal.It’s not a terrible food,but certainly their are much better foods for the money.Here’s a review if anyone wants to check it out… http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/lifes-abundance-dog-food-dry/
LOL, I just wanted to see if she would respond. Did you notice that they do not disclose the ingredient list???? Just a bunch of sales pitch’s. I just hate that.
How can I contact you???
Sorry for missing Science Diet on your bad-list, Jess… I should have known you wouldn’t miss that one! As for your good-list, those are excellent brands and you should also check out Flint River Ranch, as they also offer a high-quality food.
Thanks for referring to the http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/lifes-abundance-dog-food-dry/ website, Michelle! It’s an informative site and I’m sorry to see that the website’s author, Mike Sagman, only gave Life’s Abundance 4-stars. As I’m sure you know, I believe that it deserves a better rating. The negative points that Mr. Sagman made regarding Life’s Abundance dry dog food relate to 2 ingredients that he believes may be controversial: dried beet pulp and canola oil. He also states that dried beet pulp is entirely acceptable (some studies show it to have outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits and others believe it’s just a filler) and the negativity related to canola oil is based in urban legend rather than actual science.
I love my pets and would do absolutely anything to ensure they live longer, healthier and happier lives. I know there are other good foods available, but I believe Life’s Abundance is the highest-quality and most nutritionally-balanced food for my furry little friends.
FYI… Life’s Abundance ingredients are fully disclosed and the list can very easily be found on my website by clicking on ‘Dogs’ or ‘Cats’ – then ‘View/Print Dry Food Info’, ‘View/Print Wet Food Info’ and ‘View/Print Weight Loss Info’ on the far right side of the that page… LOL:)