What Are Some Of The Top Dog Food Brands Made In The Usa
| Our 2021 Picks: Best Made in the USA Dog Foods |
| Rank |
Though being made in the United States does not necessarily guarantee the quality of a pet food product, choosing a dog food made in the USA is a step in the right direction. Just be sure that you take the time to review the information on the packaging to ensure that the product offers good quality nutrition for your dog. If you need help getting started in your search for a dog food made in the USA, try one of the top-rated brands reviewed below:
If you really want to make sure that your pup is eating a wholesome, balanced diet, then you might be interested in the human-grade NomNomNow delivery service. With options like beef, chicken or pork recipes, NomNomNow allows you to personalize your dogs meals, and have them delivered directly to your doorstep. These high-quality meals are freshly-cooked every week, right here in the US, and the NomNomNow staff work closely with veterinarians to make sure your precious pup is getting a healthy, balanced diet. If your dog is sensitive or allergic to several ingredients or just a picky eater, personalizing their meals can ensure that they enjoy what theyre eating.
Foods Dangerous To Dogs
A number of common human foods and household ingestibles are toxic to dogs, including chocolate solids , onion and garlic , grapes and raisins , milk , nutmeg , mushrooms, fatty foods, rhubarb, xylitol,macadamia nuts, as well as various plants and other potentially ingested materials.A full list of poison/toxic substances can be found on the ASPCA’s website.
The 2007 pet food recalls involved the massive recall of many brands of cat and dog foods beginning in March 2007. The recalls came in response to reports of renal failure in pets consuming mostly wet pet foods made with wheat gluten from a single Chinese company, beginning in February 2007. After more than three weeks of complaints from consumers, the recall began voluntarily with the Canadian company Menu Foods on March 16, 2007, when a company test showed sickness and death in some of the test animals.
Overall, several major companies recalled more than 100 brands of pet foods, with most of the recalled product coming from Menu Foods. The contaminant was identified as melamine, which had been added as an adulterant to simulate a higher protein content.
Before You Start Cooking: Homemade Dog Food Needs To Be Balanced
Your homemade meal must contain protein, fiber and carbohydrates. Puppies require about 25 percent protein in their meals, while 18 percent is sufficient for adults. However, protein needs change according to your dogs age and vary according to breed, so check with your vet regarding the right amount for your dog. You might have noticed that commercial dog foods often dont list the percentage of carbohydrates. Thats because the proper percentage of carbs in the dogs diet is still not set in stone by the veterinary community and regulators. If youre making Fidos meals yourself, you have the freedom to purchase the freshest, highest-quality ingredients available. Make sure you weigh your dog frequently to verify he stays a healthy weight. Take your dog to the vet before starting the homemade diet so your vet can determine Fidos ideal weight.
Also Check: Iams Veterinary Formula Low Residue
What Is The Difference Between The Worst And Best Dog Food
If you were to pour a bowl of the best and worst dog food, they might look pretty similar. Even if you took a quick look at the packaging, you might still think there wasnt anything different. There are, in fact, some significant similarities between the best and worst foods but it is the differences that really matter.
First and foremost, you need to understand that a low-quality dog food and a high-quality dog food will both technically meet your dogs minimum nutritional requirements . The difference is in the quality of the ingredients and the degree to which the product exceeds those minimums.
To understand the difference between the worst and the best food, lets quickly review the basics of your dogs nutritional needs. He needs protein for growth and development , fat for energy , carbohydrates for energy and fiber, and vitamins and minerals for nutritional balance. Even the worst dog food will contain the minimum amount your dog needs from each of these categories, but it is the best food that will exceed those minimums.
In addition to noticing the things that ARE included in the ingredients list, another important difference between the best and worst dog food is the ingredients that are NOT included. The worst dog food will contain things like corn, wheat, and soy ingredients that dont provide your dog with much nutritional value and are hard to digest. A 5-star dog food also wont contain any fillers, by-products, GMO ingredients, or artificial additives.
Health Extension Chicken & Brown Rice Review
Health Extension is a family-owned pet food company based in the United States. The brand stands out in the crowd by having very impressive transparency about the source of their ingredients, including an interactive map for visitors of their site to explore.
This level of transparency is unprecedented in the industry and is something that many larger and more successful brands could learn from.
Chicken and Rice recipes have been a staple of the industry for decades, and Health Extensions latest attempt at this classic is worth considering.
The Chicken and Rice recipe makes use of a mix of Chicken ingredients, including Chicken, Chicken Meal, and Chicken Fat.
However, Health Extensions Chicken & Brown Rice recipe does contain some other meat ingredients in notable portions. Examples of these ingredients include Lamb Meal and Menhaden Fish Meal.
This combination of Chicken, Lamb, and Fish combines into a satisfactory proportion of animal-based protein and fat.
The recipes primary plant-based ingredient is Brown Rice. As we regularly discuss on our site, Brown Rice is preferred to White Rice or cheaper rice-based ingredients. This Brown Rice will provide a blend of carbohydrates and fiber.
Don’t Miss: Purina Dog Food Rating
Why Does It Matter Where Your Dog Food Is Made
Simply put, there are more regulations in the U.S. than abroad when it comes to pet food production. This allows overseas manufacturers to cut corners with more heavily processed ingredients and other low quality ingredients like propylene glycol, which is commonly found in antifreeze. Simply put: dog food made in the USA is a safer bet more often than not.
What About Ingredient Sourcing
In addition to the country in which a dog food is made, it is also important to think about where the manufacturer obtains the ingredients they use.
You may encounter foods with the label made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. This just means that these foods are prepared in America, but they are made with ingredients imported from other countries.
This isnt necessarily an issue, but foods made solely from US-sourced ingredients are preferable.
However, foods that are made solely with US-sourced ingredients are pretty rare in the marketplace, and most manufacturers end up having to obtain some of their ingredients from other countries.
In fact, Nom Nom is the only food discussed above that is made solely from US-sourced ingredients.
However, as dog food manufacturers increasingly recognize that consumers want their dogs food to contain locally, ethically sourced ingredients, its slowly becoming more common to see US-sourced ingredients. Heck, some sustainablility-focused dog food brands like Open Farm even have lot trackers that identify exactly where each ingredient from your specific bag of dog food comes from.
Also Check: What Dog Food Is Comparable To Nutro
Dr Tims Dog Food Review
Based on its ingredients alone, Dr. Tims Dog Food looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 33%, a fat level of 22% and estimated carbohydrates of about 36%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 35% and a mean fat level of 21%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 36% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 61%.
Which means this Dr. Tims product line contains
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the flaxseed meal, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a generous amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Dr. Tims is a grain-friendly dry dog food using a liberal amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus receiving 5 stars.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Dry Dog Food Versus Wet Or Canned Dog Food
Freeman argued the amount of water in wet food might make it an unwise investment, and instead recommended you go with dry food. One benefit to dry food , she noted, is that the friction of chewing it can help keep your dogs teeth and gums healthy. Its also less messy. Morgan added that bags of dry food also tend to be more affordable compared to the other options.
However, Morgan noted that kibble typically includes less meat and often includes some sort of grain, legume, or potato. If you go with kibble, Morgan suggested topping the dry food with a bit of canned food, meat from home, or other toppers.
Also Check: Where Is Natural Balance Dog Food Made
Holistic Health Extension Chicken & Rice
It has all the necessary vitamins that your adult dog needs. All the recipes manufactured by Holistic Health Extension comply with the requirements of AAFCO and are suitable for dogs at all stages. This chicken and rice recipe is a dogs all-time favorite because it has real, de-boned chicken with no animal fats, gluten or preservatives.
When Is A Dog Considered A Senior
Not all dogs get grey hair around their muzzles. In fact, many are as playful as a puppy for their entire lives.
In fact
You may have noticed that small dogs seem to age more slowly than large dogs. Its true. A small dog can live to be as old as 20 years. But a large dog can reach maturity much sooner.
So, how do you know when your dog has entered her golden years?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association2
small dogs are generally considered senior at 7 years of age. Larger breed dogs tend to have shorter life spans and are often considered senior when they are 5 to 6 years of age.
Of course, all dogs are different. A healthy diet, regular exercise and good dental care can help extend your dogs middle age phase.
Recommended Reading: Costco Purina Pro Plan
What Dog Foods Are Recalled
- The company that issued a recall on the dog foods is Sunshine Mills Inc. The specific dog brands they are recalling are Evolve Puppy, Sportsmans Pride Large Breed Puppy, Triumph Chicken and Rice Dog Food. Accordingly, high levels of Vitamin D will result to high calcium levels and it could lead to problems like…
In July 2018, the FDA announced that it had begun investigating reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs eating certain pet foods, many labeled as “grain-free,” which contained a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds , and/or potatoes in various forms
Do Older Dogs Need More Protein Or Less
Despite what you may have heard
An older dog needs more protein in her diet than a younger dog. Thats because , seniors need to replace wasting muscle mass as they age.
Whats more
A dog food rich in meat-based protein will not strain a healthy, older dogs kidneys. However, if your dog has already been diagnosed with kidney disease, be sure to ask your vet about prescribing an appropriate diet.
Although adult dog foods can legally contain as little as 18%, all our recommended senior brands above contain at least 27% protein.
Read Also: Can You Buy Dog Food With Food Stamps
American Journey Dog Food
Our Most Affordable: Produced and sold by Chewy, the American Journey brand of dog food is an affordable option that still offers good quality which makes it one of the best foods if youre on a budget. American Journey offers a wide variety of products, including grain-free options made with digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes. Their chicken and brown rice recipe is one of their most popular, made with high-quality and nutritious ingredients like deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, and fresh fruits and vegetables. It also contains chelated minerals for maximum nutrient absorption.
- Pros: Affordable but high in quality, rich in protein and healthy fats, made with nutritious ingredients, fresh fruits and vegetables, digestible whole grains, chelated minerals
- Cons: Some recipes are not grain-free, no probiotic supplements
Best Dog Foods Made In The Usa In 2021 Reviews & Top Picks
Many people are concerned with where their dog food comes from because standards are lower in some countries, but finding an American-made brand can be challenging and tedious. There are many brands available, and the writing is not always clear or easy to find. You may even find that you have other questions about the ingredients in your pets food.
Weve chosen ten different brands of dog food all made in the U.S.A. to review for you. Well go over the pros and cons of each brand and tell you what our dogs thought of them as well. Weve even included a short buyers guide where we pick apart some of the important ingredients and discuss why you should use them or avoid them.
Join us while we discuss cost, ingredients, fatty acids, antioxidants, and more to help you make an educated purchase.
Don’t Miss: Where To Buy Darwin’s Dog Food
Whole Earth Farms Grain
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is another healthy food that contains pork, beef, and lamb proteins for strong muscle growth. Hs grain-free food also includes apples, sweet potatoes, flaxseed, and other important fruits and vegetables that boost energy and supply antioxidants. Its an easy to digest formula that shouldnt upset your pets delicate digestive tract.
The downside to Whole Earth Farms food is that the pork, beef, and lamb proteins are far down the list of ingredients while pork meal is at the top. While pork meal isnt necessarily bad, its not as good as the whole meat. We also noticed that this food caused a few of our dogs to begin scratching and felt that it was drying out their skin. Other dogs wouldnt eat it, and we werent sure if it was because they didnt like the flavor or because the kibble was too hard.
American Natural Premium Original Recipe Dry Dog Food Is the last brand of dog food made in the U.S.A. on our list, but it still has some good qualities. It features a blend of chicken, pork, fish, and egg flavors that many dogs will enjoy. Its fortified with probiotics and includes complex carbohydrates from brown rice, barley, and oat flour. The food is cooked in small batches at a low temperature to preserve freshness and flavor, and it contains no chemical preservatives.
- No whole meats
Best Dog Food For Small Breeds : Bil
This Bil-Jac recipe is formulated with small dogs in mind, and the best small breed recipe we found among the competition. It has small, easy to chew bites and the three primary ingredients are chicken, oatmeal, and yams. This recipe is great for small senior dogs as well – if you mix with a little bit of water or wet food, this food softens up easily and is chewable by pretty much any dog, even ones with arthritis or bad teeth. Bil-Jac Small Breed Select also has naturally sourced Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to help your dog maintain a strong coat, and other vitamins to support their immune system. Check out our full review of the Bil-Jac Small Breed Select.
What We Like
You May Like: Is Natural Balance Dog Food Made In China
What Should You Include In Diabetic Dog Food
Now we know what dog food ingredients to avoid, let’s see what should be in your dog’s bowl.
Dog food rich in protein and fat will keep blood glucose levels in checkbut you need to make sure they’re still receiving an AAFCO complete and balanced diet.
Muscle meat and offal are excellent ingredients, rich in nutrients and reflective of a dogs natural diet. Eggs are also an excellent source of protein and good cholesterol.
Gluten-free oats provide a healthy amount of fiber without a dangerously high glycemic index.
Vegetables and fruits like carrots, blueberries and pumpkin provide plenty of nutrients to a diabetic dogs dietwhile avoiding large spikes in blood sugar.
Here at Yumwoof, we have a simple rule: We only want to give our dogs food wed eat ourselves. Thats why Yumwoof never uses any of the filler ingredients in this list.
If you want to learn more about what goes into our products, check out our ingredients page for further details.
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:
Read Also: What Does Dog Food Taste Like