best and worst brands of dog food

17 Worst Dog Food Brands In 2024 (Avoid #3 At All Times)

Your pooch is what they eat.

Its because food affects their appearance, health, and mood.

But with all the options and marketing gimmicks around

Picking the best one can be overwhelming.

Thats why Im here to help you filter your choices.

And steer you away from low-quality diets for your furry friend.

Continue reading to discover:

• 17 worst dog food brands you should be wary of.
• 5 important things to look for in a quality dog food product.
• The current worst brands in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada.
• And many more

FREE VIDEO: Chicken vs Beef vs Pork (the #1 WORST dog food for your pets health & vitality)

17 worst dog food brands worldwide

So here are the typical dog food ingredients with their meanings by AAFCO:

Before we start, the terms can be confusing.

#1: Ol Roy

Youd see this budget-friendly brand at Walmart.

However, since its on the cheaper side

Its bags mostly filler or ingredients with little nutritional value for your Fido.

But before I talk more about this, you may think

What does quality dog food have?

• Named meat source as 1st ingredient.
• Minimum daily nutrient requirements of dogs.
• Specified sources of meal, bones, fat, or digest.
• More actual meat and whole grains and few by-products.
• Statement from The Association of American Feed Control Officials, a.k.a. AAFCO.

Their Complete Nutrition Dog Food formula has:

Ground Yellow Corn, Soybean Meal, Meat and Bone Meal, Wheat Middlings, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Wheat, Animal Digest, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Garlic Oil, Added Colour (Red 40), Vitamins and Minerals.

Note: These are arranged from heaviest to lightest. So, check the first few ingredients, as they make up most of the dog food.

Grain as primary protein

Based on the list, Ol Roys main sources of protein are:

But a study says that compared to animal meat

Plant-based proteins (e.g., corn) have fewer essential amino acids.

Theyre substances you need to make protein.

Moreover, research shows that dogs digest animal meat better than plant-based ones.

Thus, most corn and soybean will leave your poochs system undigested.

And your Fido wont absorb all the nutrients.

Unspecified animal meat and fat

The 3rd ingredients meat and bone meal.

Its dried leftover tissues and bones. So its inexpensive than fresh meat.

But whats concerning is that the brand didnt specify the animal they used.

Besides this, Ol Roy also has other mystery ingredients, like:

• Animal fat.
• Animal digest.

This is another red flag, as you dont know where they got these from.

If the brand used a high-quality source of meat or fat

Theyll likely specify it on the list. So it could be of lower quality.

Or worse, 4D meats or products taken from animals that are:

• Dead.
• Dying.
• Disabled.
• Diseased.

Recalls

You also need to research the manufacturer. And know if they ensure the quality of their products.

From what I gathered, Ol Roy dog food has had 6 recalls so far.

Learn more: Dog Constantly Begging For Food: 7 Reasons + 3 Tips

#2: Gravy Train

When mixed with warm water, this kibble will create gravy. Which smells and tastes great for most dogs.

But this cant cover the fact that it has less nutritional value. Like an equivalent to human fast food.

Gravy Trains a low-end US dog food brand.

Thus, like Ol Roy, grains are also its main protein source. Say corn, soybean, and wheat.

Then its also followed by a meat and bone meal.

Also, this has grain by-products instead of nutritious whole grains like:

• Wheat flour.
• Wheat middlings.
• Modified food starch.

Plus, it also has iffy ingredients, such as:

• Unknown animal fat and digest.
• Artificial meat flavor (e.g., beef).
• Food colorings (e.g., Red 40, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and 6).

Are food dyes toxic to dogs?

FDA approved the use of certain coloring additives in food:

• Red 3.
• Blue 1.
• Blue 2.
• Red 40.
• Green 3.
• Yellow 5.
• Yellow 6.

Gravy Train has Yellow 5 and 6, Red 40, and Blue 2.

And a study suggests that these (except for Blue 2) can have a contaminant that causes cancer.

Plus, they may also result in hypersensitivity. Or when the immune system overreacts to a substance.

Which then leads to an allergic reaction.

You might also like: Can Dogs Eat Froot Loops? 7 Hidden Health Risks

#3: Kibbles N Bits

Instead of a complete meal

This is like an unhealthy snack theyll love. And they wont get much nutrition from it.

Its because a bag of Kibbles N Bits has mostly plant-based proteins:

• Corn.
• Soybean.
• Wheat middlings.
• Ground wheat flour.

Theyre healthy. But your dog cant digest them well.

However, it has a specified meat source beef and bone meal.

Although its only 4th on the list.

So when combined, the grains could weigh more than it.

Thus, the dog foods digestibility is still poor.

Plus, the brand has generic animal fat and corn syrup.

The latters unnecessary as the grains already have enough sugar in them.

So over time, vets say it may result in:

Thats why some dogs who had Kibbles N Bits, pee and drink a lot of water daily.

Fun fact: PetMD says that most dogs have a sweet tooth. This might be because, back then, canines in the wild had a diet made of fruits and vegetables. So the added syrup makes this kibble so tasty for Fidos.

#4: Purina Beneful

This company has been around for over 90 years.

And it carries many brands like Beneful.

But with its price, Im sure you can get a healthier option for your pooch.

Plus, you wont have to worry about its reputation.

Beneful lists an identified meat as its 1st ingredient.

Say beef or salmon depending on the formula. And this is good.

But usually, what comes after that are 4-8 different grains, such as:

• Rice.
• Barley.
• Oatmeal.
• Soybean hulls.
• Soybean meal.
• Corn gluten meal.
• Whole grain wheat.
• Ground whole corn.

Now, the meat in the ingredients list is wet.

Its basically about 75% water.

So if you remove that

All the grains will likely outweigh the meat. And youll have less animal protein than expected.

Then after the grains, youll often see a chicken by-product meal. Which is from less-desirable parts of the poultry.

Feedback and recalls

Many dog parents on the Internet claim that their Fidos had odd smelly poop while on Beneful.

But heres whats more alarming:

In 2015, there was a lawsuit against Purina Beneful.

It claims that the brands dry dog food made thousands of Fidos sick. (Over 3,000 complaints online.)

According to the lawsuit, the culprits propylene glycol.

Its FDA-approved. But you can also see this in antifreeze.

Pet food uses this to absorb extra water. And also to keep enough moisture in the dog food.

But as per Pet Poison Hotline, its toxic to Fidos in large doses.

However, in the end

Purina denied all the allegations. And the lawsuit was dropped in 2016.

So, are the complaints about Beneful true?

They may or may not be real.

However, you can see the complaints about the brand for yourself.

#5: Purina Alpo

This is a low-end brand from the same company.

So if you look at Alpos label, youll notice grains as its main ingredients:

• Wheat bran.
• Soybean meal.
• Whole grain cereals (corn, wheat.)

The animal proteins usually 4th or 5th on the list.

Plus, its only a by-product or meat and bone meal. And Alpo doesnt even name the animal source.

#6: Purina Dog Chow

This also has grain as its 1st ingredient corn.

Followed by an unknown meat and bone meal.

Then its succeeded by more plant-based proteins. Which are processed ones, like:

• Soybean meal.
• Corn gluten meal.

As I write this, there wasnt a recall for Dog Chow.

But since youre unsure where it got most of the ingredients

Its hard to know if theyre indeed reliable.

#7: Iams

Its an affordable brand owned by Mars Petcare Inc.

The same big company manufactures Mars bars and M&Ms.

Now, Iams dog food lists a named animal fat (e.g., chicken).

And their formulas also state specified meat as their 1st ingredient. Which is often chicken too.

But again, if you remove water from it

The meat may weigh less than the grains on the list:

• Brewers rice.
• Whole grains (e.g., corn, sorghum).

Note: Brewers rice is a product after making beer. It may not sound appealing. But based on a vet, it offers nutrition to dogs.

Recalls

#8: Grreat Choice

Since its also a low-end dog food

It can only provide fillers for your furry friend.

Its dry food usually lists ground corn as its main protein source. Not the best choice like specified meat or meat meals.

Next to it is an unidentified meat and bone meal.

Followed by a grain by-product like wheat middling. And were succeeded by more grains:

• Ground wheat.
• Corn gluten meal.

And it also has colorings.

Well. Grains arent bad for all dogs.

They also need those in their diet. But it has to be balanced.

Experts say that most Fidos can only absorb up to 30%-60% of carbs per dry dog food.

So less or more than that might not be good for your pooch.

#9: Nutro

Heres another common US dog food brand.

Its ingredients seem alright with its price.

But if you check its review in ConsumerAffairs, youll see a lot of similar complaints by dog parents.

After eating the kibble, most of the Fidos had the signs below:

• Tremors.
• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Restlessness.
• Excessive licking of surfaces.

Recalls

Like Iams, the recall history of Nutro is also worrying:

#10: Kal Kan

This is one of the oldest US dog food brands.

But as of now, Kal Kan only offers 1 formula Adult Dog Food.

The brand hasnt had any recalls so far.

However, if you scan its ingredients

Its not different from the previous brands above.

Kal Kan recipe has:

• Grains are its main protein source.
• Processed chicken by-product meal.
• Unnamed meat and bone meal and animal fat.

So, feeding this to your Fido will only put them on a high-grain diet.

Plus, you dont know where they took most of their ingredients.

#11: Baxters

This is an Australian dog food brand.

And it has this as its 1st ingredient:

Meat and meat by-products (from beef and poultry).

Its a bit unreliable. As there could be less fresh meat in the diet than processed by-products.

Also, Baxters use cereal and cereal by-products from wheat. And theyre not as healthy as whole grains.

Now, if you look at this report

Youll see over 200 claims from dog parents.

Many Fidos got extremely sick hours after eating the formula.

And most of them had these common signs:

• Lethargy.
• Extreme itchiness.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Swollen face and paws.

Based on a study, animal meat (e.g., beef) is a more common allergen in dogs than grains.

But still, food allergies are rare in our furry pals. As vets say, they only affect 1%-2% of the cat-dog population.

However, grains of low quality may cause such a reaction in dogs. And this can be due to storage mites.

Now, the claims may or may not be coincidental.

But if you see a better option on the pet food shelf

You better go for it instead of this brand, as its not worth the risk.

Read also: 9 Signs That Your Dog Food Has Gone Bad

#12: True Blue

Its another Australian dog food.

But its also high in carbs and low in protein.

True Blue dog food lists grains as its main ingredients.

And they go in this order:

1. Whole grains.
2. Wheat.
3. Sorghum.

Then its only sources of animal proteins are processed, such as:

• Poultry meal (unnamed).
• Meat meal (beef and lamb).

#13: Winning Edge

Contrary to its name

This Australian brand might not be the winning dog food for most Fidos.

It has the same company as True Blue.

So you wont see much difference in their quality.

First, it also has whole wheat meal as its main ingredient.

Followed by meat meal from beef and sheep.

Its good that the brand named its animal protein source. But it could be better if its the main element.

#14: Chewdles

Now, lets go to the UK.

This brands recipes are mostly cereal-based.

It means your Fido will mainly get their nutrition from grains. Say corn, wheat, or rice.

But since its in a collective term, you dont even know which specific grains are there.

Plus, it also has various sugars.

And again, those will only add to your poochs weight.

As your dog will already get enough sugar and starch from the cereals.

#15: Chudleys

This is also a UK brand. And it has similar ingredients as Chewdles.

But, Chudleys have whole grains:

• Oats.
• Wheat.
• Barley.
• Maize (corn).

And these are more reliable than unspecified cereals.

However, meats only 3rd and 7th on the list.

So its clear that Chudleys doesnt have much protein that your pooch fully absorbs.

Note: Many parents claim their furry friends had dull, flaky coats with this diet. And VCA says its a sign of a poor diet.

#16: Hill Science Diet

This US brand was once a great one, as per reviews.

Not until it changed its formula.

Take their Active Adult dog food as an example.

Like the other brands, it lists grains as its 1st ingredient whole corn.

Then its succeeded by:

1. Chicken by-product meal.
2. Pork fat.
3. Corn gluten meal.

The brand has no mystery ingredients.

But its only source of animal protein is a by-product meal. Which is processed.

And in January 2019, Hill Science Diet recalled its canned food.

But why?

The FDA received many calls about dogs getting ill from it.

Then tests found that the wet food had high levels of vitamin D.

And it has serious health risks in dogs, such as:

#17: Pedigree

Lastly, this brands known worldwide. And it may be more popular than Purina.

But since it offers low-end dog food

Its cost comes with the same price low-quality ingredients.

Their dry dog food recipes mainly consist of the following in this order:

1. Ground whole grain corn.
2. Meat and bone meal.
3. Corn gluten meal.
4. Animal fat.
5. Soybean meal.
6. Chicken by-product meal.
7. Food colorings (red 40, blue 2, yellow 5 and 6).

So it has more grains than actual meat.

Also, the brand doesnt name the meat and fat they used.

Not to mention the food colors they add to improve the kibbles appearance.

Which has more possible risks than benefits. Say cancer or hyperactivity.

Recalls

Over the years, Pedigree had withdrawn its products 6 times.

Check out also: Can dry dog food go bad in heat?

Worst dog food brands per country

What is the worst dog food brand in the US?

The worst dog food brand in the US is Kibbles N Bits. It has unnecessary corn syrup, and its meat source is only 4th on the list. So its formula mainly consists of grains that are less digestible for dogs, such as:

• Corn.
• Soybean.
• Wheat and wheat flour.

What is the worst dog food brand in Australia?

The worst dog food brand in Australia is Baxters. Its full of processed by-products. And based on reviews, many dogs got sick upon eating it.

What is the worst dog food brand in the UK?

The worst dog food brand in the UK is Chewdles. Its main ingredients are cereals instead of animal protein. Plus, it also has added sugars. Which may only cause cavities and weight gain.

What is the worst dog food brand in Canada?

The worst dog food brand in Canada is Purina Mainstay. Its adult formula lists corn as its main protein source. And it also has the following unidentified ingredients:

• Animal fat.
• Animal digest.
• Meat and bone meal.

Often, sources that arent named are of low quality. And theres also a chance that they came from 4d meats (e.g., roadkills, euthanized animals).

FREE VIDEO: Chicken vs Beef vs Pork (the #1 WORST dog food for your pets health & vitality)

According to the best-selling author and internationally acclaimed veterinarian, Dr. Lisa Marshall, theres one dog food ingredient that pet owners should avoid at all costs.

This ingredient can harm your pets digestive system and disrupt their nutrient absorption.

Both draining their vitality and encouraging the accumulation of stubborn fat deposits that cannot be eliminated through normal diet and exercise.

Do you know the ingredient Im referring to? Ensure your pets health by selecting the option below you believe it is, and discover the answer from Dr. Marshall herself on the following page:

>> Chicken>> Beef>> Pork>> Fish

Make your selection above orclick hereto skip straight to the answer.

==> Click Here To Discover The #1 Dog Food To Avoid

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