What Dog Food Is Made In The Usa

About The Author Susan

Dear my friends, Im Susan J.Varney, as a dog lover, Im here to give you best advices and experiences of mine to help you deal with your cute, lovely dogs. The4legged.com was established with the goal to equip you with knowledge about nutrition, common diseases, habits of your dogs. Also, I teach you some simple ways to train your intelligent dogs.Read more

Taste Of The Wild Is A Family

Taste of the Wild isand always has beenowned and operated by one family. As pet owners, the founders of our company saw opportunity for a quality, yet affordable pet food option. They knew there had to be a better way. So, they created it. Inspired by the idea that no one knows what dogs and cats should eat better than their own DNA, they created Taste of the Wild: the complete nutrition nature intended for your dog or cat, in flavors their inner wolf or mountain lion would crave, at prices you can afford.

Today, Taste of the Wild is one of the fastest-growing pet food brands in the world. But we still hold true to the notion that started it all: every pet deserves the best nutrition and every pet owner deserves a fair value.

We dont make anything we wouldnt feed to our own pets. Its the standard to which all Taste of the Wild products are held, and were happy to share it with you and your family. Welcome to the pack.

Where Does Purina Source Its Ingredients

A huge percentage of the ingredients used to make Purina products is sourced in the United States. Although, the company has admitted to sourcing some of their ingredients from other countries, they have assured their customers of quality.

Sourcing data of Purina dated August 1, 2020 suggests that over 90% of all ingredients used to make Purina dog food and products is sourced inside the United States.

Here is a brief summary of the sourcing data:

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Made In The Usa Versus Sourced In The Usa

Pet specialty retailers agree that one area where many customers are misinformed when it comes to dog food and treats is the distinction between made in the USA and sourced in the USA.

I dont think many have thought about it, and manufacturers have polluted perception of these two things with deceptive marketing, said Nicole Cammack, owner of NorthPoint Pets & Co., a pet store in Cheshire, Conn.

Toni Shelaske, owner of Healthy Pet Products, a retailer with three locations in Pennsylvania, agreed.

Most customers do not understand that a product can be made in the USA but not sourced in the USA, Shelaske said. They definitely care once they realize the difference.

The Federal Trade Commission oversees claims that products are made in the USA. To meet FTC standards, all or virtually all of the products parts and processing must be of U.S. origin, with the product containing noor negligibleforeign content.

This leaves room for gray area, Cammack said. Negligible is not explicitly defined, and doesnt necessarily mean a small amount of the final product.

According to the FTC standards, sourcing for foreign vitamin and mineral mix would be considered negligible, and therefore allow a pet food company to use made in the USA on the label, so long as a significant majority of the remaining ingredients were indeed U.S. sourced, she explained.

Cammack said some of these questions include:

Victor Classic Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Victor Hi-Pro Plus is one of 4 kibble recipes included in our review of the Victor Classic product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Beef meal, grain sorghum, chicken fat, pork meal, chicken meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Other recipes: Chicken, puppy, active sporting dog formula and more
• Price: $

Victor Hi-Pro Plus derives the bulk of its meat protein from beef meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 22% fat and 37% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.

An affordable, all life stages kibble recently added to our budget-friendly dog foods list. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewI have 5 active dogs of all different ages. Its been a struggle to find a quality, decently priced food that kept a good weight on all of them and didnt mess with their allergies. Theyve been on this food since April and its been amazing! No bad reactions when switching to Victor, no allergies, and they are all a good weight. Highly recommend.

Rating:

Annamaet Ultra is one of 7 kibble recipes included in our review of the Annamaet product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, whole dry eggs, herring meal
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Other recipes: Puppies, salmon, small breed, senior, weight loss and more
• Price: $$

Especially popular with sporting dog professionals. Enthusiastically recommended.

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The Best Stainless Steel Dog Bowls Made In The Usa

• DogsPet Equipment

Stainless steel dog bowls are among the most popular choice for dog lovers across the world. Known for their durability they tend to last a long time or even a lifetime. Because these dog bowls or dishes are being constantly used and filled with food and water, this is important. They are durable, easy to clean, and dishwasher safe. You may wonder what makes stainless steel dog bowls made in the USA so different than ones from other parts of the world.

Nutritional Requirements Based On Breed Size

Weve said it before, and well say it again all dogs have the same base nutritional needs. When it comes to things like caloric density and beneficial supplements, however, there are some subtle differences from one breed size to another. Here is a summary of the nutritional needs of different dogs based on their breed size:

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Merrick Power Bites Real Rabbit + Sweet Potato Recipe

Alternative protein diets can be expensive, making these rabbit-based treats an extra good deal. Theyre great training treats because theyre small, chewy, and very flavorful, so a little bit goes a long way.

Helpful review: These are the bomb for my no grain guy. He adores them. They dont fall apart on their own, but are easy to divide in half for a tiny training treat.

Is Blue Buffalo Killing Dogs

Over 370,000 social media users have shared a post, which claims that Fox News recently reported that 70 dogs died from eating chicken jerky treats made out of chicken from China, and that the brand Blue Buffalo has recalled them. This claim is false. The last one was in 2016 and it was not due to pet deaths.

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Lack Of Regulation In Pet Food Production

Dog food contamination was a widespread problem in China because they had no regulations for pet food manufacturing in the country. Further, China has no clear set of rules that govern pet food products. What they have is a department handling the approval of human foods.

Secondly, local governments in the country give more importance to quantity over quality. Additionally, China has a wide range of environmental pollution concerns, that even human food is getting contaminated. So what more can you expect with pet food production if there is already a problem with human foods?

However, the Chinese government was never remiss in addressing the reports of dog food contamination. The country implemented new standards and guidelines to address these concerns. China even created a separate government agency to assess and gather information about pet food producers. Further, they offered rewards for those who would report companies with inappropriate production practices. Finally, China imposed death penalties for those responsible for food contamination, especially when there are human deaths involved.

Is A Raw Diet Good For My Dog

Raw pet food poses dangers to both dogs and humans. Veterinarians told Insider Reviews that despite some reported benefits, there are too many risks for pets, including bacterial infections, nutritional deficiencies, and injuries from bones in the food. In addition, people who are immunocompromised, elderly people, and young children are at risk of bacterial infections if they live in a household where a dog is fed a raw diet. For more information, read the statements from the FDA and CDC regarding the health and safety risks of feeding raw dog foods.

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Whole Earth Farms Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Whole Earth Farms Adult recipe is one of 2 kibble recipes included in our review of the Whole Earth Farms product line.

• First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, turkey meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
• Type: Grain-inclusive
• Other recipes: Small breed, turkey, salmon, pork, beef, puppy and more
• Price: $
• See both available recipes

This Whole Earth Farms product derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken and turkey meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 16% fat and 47% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.

A quality yet affordable, grain-inclusive kibble made by Merrick. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer reviewI recently switched to this food due to the recent controversy over Grain Free. This was the only affordable food I found with quality ingredients listed. My dogs love it and it will be the only food I fees from now on.

• See all 11 available recipes

This Holistic Select formula derives most of its meat protein from fresh salmon, as well as anchovy and sardine meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 16% fat and 44% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 48%.

An exceptional grain-free dog food offering numerous recipe and flavor options. Highly recommended.

Manufactured By Vs For

A label or statement that says something is manufactured by identifies the party responsible for the quality and safety of the product and location, according to the FDA. A label that says manufactured for or distributed by indicates that the food was manufactured by a company other than the one selling the product. This is a common practice with private label pet foods. A pet food company that uses their own facilities versus co-manufacturing or manufacturing off-site allows for better quality control as it relates to ingredient sources and processes, Bough said. Pet food companies that use their own manufacturing facilities are also able to set higher quality control standards and are better equipped to deal with quality control issues.

Image:Fedor Korolevskiy/Shutterstock

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How To Shop For The Best Food For Dogs

One of the most important steps in figuring out the best dog food is through the ingredient list, said Freeman, noting the first three are the most critical. This will help you determine if the formula is vegetable-based with things like corn and rice or meat-based with chicken, fish, or lamb, said Freeman. While each dog is different, they generally do best on a protein-rich, meat-based diet, she added.

Next, analyze what type of meat is within. Look for brands that specifically name the type of meat, like beef, chicken, or lamb, said Morgan. She noted that meat, bone meal or meat byproducts could come from any animal. Similarly, poultry meal signals any bird, she said.

The ingredients will also highlight some of what you want to avoid. Freeman suggested avoiding dog food that includes: dyes , sugar and high salt , as well as other solvents and preservatives like propylene glycol, BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.

Spot Farms All Natural Human Grade Dog Treats

These chicken apple sausages look good enough to eat! But trust us, theyre for dogs only. And with a significant discount online, theyre a super-affordable treat for picky dogs.

Helpful review:I have been buying these Spot Farms treats for my dog for several years they are a quality product with a simple list of honest ingredients. My dog knows specifically what these are, and will turn down other treats for these every single time.

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Natures Variety Instinct Raw Boost Kibble + Raw Food

Our Best Dry Pick: When it comes to foods dogs like, dry food is usually the way to go, and Natures Variety Instinct Raw Boost is an excellent option. This dog food consists of high-quality kibble mixed with bits of freeze-dried meat to provide a boost of nutrition and natural flavor. Each recipe features a different protein, but they are all rich in protein and healthy fats. This line of products is free from grains, potatoes, and low-quality fillers as well as by-products and artificial colors. Plus, it is made in the USA and contains all the supplements your dog needs for healthy digestion and balanced nutrition.

• Pros: High-protein kibble and freeze-dried raw pieces, real animal proteins, rich in healthy fats, free from grains and fillers, no artificial additives, made in the USA, beneficial supplements
• Cons: Very expensive, some recipe contain chicken ingredients

Now that youve seen a preview of some of our dog food reviews, were going to start getting into the nitty gritty of it. First, well review the different types of dog food and their benefits you may be surprised to learn theres more than just dry food and wet food! From there, well explore special diets and nutritional requirements based on breed size.

Dog Food Ingredient Sourcing

If you are looking for an All American dog food brand, you need to trace the source of the ingredients being used in the food first.

You cannot trust a Made in America label because the FTC hasn’t been cracking down hard enough on companies loosely using this term to improve their sales. And this is not exclusive to the pet food industry, either.

Pet food companies understand the value of the Made in the USA label and have been taking advantage of it for years.

Since 2015, politicians have been encouraging FTC to allocate more resources to investigate these claims but to no avail.

Thus, pet owners are left to do their own research and investigation when searching for dog food Made in USA brands where not just manufacturing but ingredients are sourced in America.

Finding the source of ingredients, however, is far from simple.

Dog food companies that claim dog food made in the USA often intentionally mislead customers to think that their ingredients are also sourced in the US.

They do this by slapping the Made in America stamp on their bag and adding claims like No ingredients sourced in China or Responsibly sourced ingredients as a distraction.

These claims are designed to put your mind at ease, yet they tell you nothing about where ingredients were sourced.

Consumers tired of pet food companies tricking them into buying fake Made in USA foods have previously filed lawsuits against well-known brands for fake labels.

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Effects Of Melamine On Dogs

Melamine is a small, nitrogen-containing molecule. It has several industrial uses, like being a binding agent and flame retardant. Also, manufacturers use this chemical as part of the polymer in the production of plates and cooking utensils. Moreover, manufacturers use it to produce glue, countertops, laminates, and other construction purposes.

Combining melamine and cyanuric acid could form crystals in urine and kidney tissue, and eventually, kidney failure. A study conducted in 2007 showed that when given separately, melamine or cyanuric acid did not cause renal failure in cats. But when they gave both compounds together, the cats showed signs of intra-tubular crystals and renal failure. The FDA continues to study the interactions of melamine and other related compounds to find how they cause pet illnesses and death.

Cook According To Instructions

Its a lot less time consuming than most people think to cook dog food. You dont have to slave over the stove like you do for most meals for humans.

You simply mix the ingredients and roast the meat according to your recipes instructions. Let the food cool for at least 30 minutes before storing or serving for best results.

Its best to cook in batches toowe recommend making 5 to 10 pounds of food at a time to help save time. You can limit your dog food cooking to 1 or 2 days per month this way to easily fit it in your schedule.

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Convenient Customized Consistent: Ollie

Price: Starts at $2 a day, depending on plan, recipe, and dog size. General averages range from $9 to $42 per week.

Get your first order at 60% off, plus a free bag of treats, using the link below.

Our experience: The feeding instructions were very detailed yet easy to understand, and I appreciated the booklet with instructions for easing my dog from his current kibble to an Ollie diet to avoid digestive issues. The brand is definitely very focused on education: the booklet also included tips for keeping the food fresh, guidelines for feeding , and expected results from switching to Ollie .

The food is easy to store, though two weeks worth took up quite a bit of space in my freezer. Even though it was wet, fresh food, it didnt gross me out like other wet foods have, probably because it more closely resembles human food and smelled pleasant.

Overall? I tried the chicken recipe with my dog, and he was a big fan.

What sets them apart:

Available recipes: Heed the Cattle Call , Get Your Gobble On , Dare to Cross the Road , Get Some Sheep Thrills

Ollie

Price: Depending on age, breed, and size of dog, meal plans start at $2 a day.

Use the link below to get 50% off your first two weeks of food.

What sets them apart:

Refrigerating, then scooping and fluffing the food, then using the fridge container was a little extra. My husband complained about it, and neither one of us could remember which package to use as we had been taking turns feeding Whiskey.

The Farmers Dog