is beneful a good brand of dog food

Beneful Dog Food Review (Dry)

The table below shows each recipe in the range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Beneful Originals with Farm-Raised Beef was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is beef. Although its a quality item, raw beef contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

The second ingredient is corn. Corn is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain. And aside from its energy content, this grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The third ingredient is barley, which is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The next ingredient is rice. Is this whole grain rice, brown rice or white rice? Since the word rice doesnt tell us much, its impossible to judge the quality of this item.

The fifth ingredient is wheat. Wheat is another cereal grain and subject to the same issues as corn (previously discussed).

Next, we find soybean meal, a by-product of soybean oil production more commonly found in farm animal feeds.

Although soybean meal contains 48% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.

The next ingredient is corn gluten meal. Gluten is the rubbery residue remaining once corn has had most of its starchy carbohydrate washed out of it.

Although corn gluten meal contains 60% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.

And less costly plant-based products like soybean meal and corn gluten meal can notably boost the total protein reported on the label a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

The eighth ingredient is beef fat. Beef fat (or tallow) is most likely obtained from rendering, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Although it may not sound very appetizing, beef fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The ninth ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Purina product.

With six notable exceptions

First, we find dried peas. Dried peas are a good source of carbohydrates. Plus theyre naturally rich in dietary fiber. However, dried peas contain about 27% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

Next, we find iron oxide, a synthetic color additive used in industry to impart a reddish color to food and paint. In its natural form, this chemical compound is more commonly known as iron rust.

Were always disappointed to find any artificial coloring in a pet food. Thats because coloring is used to make the product more appealing to humans not your dog. After all, do you really think your dog cares what color his kibble is?

Next, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.

We also note that the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods.

Additionally, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

And lastly, this product includes menadione, a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.

Since vitamin K isnt required by AAFCO in either of its dog food nutrient profiles, we question the use of this substance in any canine formulation.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Purina Beneful Dog Food looks like a below-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 26.1%, a fat level of 13.6% and estimated carbohydrates of about 52.2%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 28.3% and a mean fat level of 14.5%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 49.3% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 51%.

Which means this Purina product contains

Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to other dry dog foods.

However, when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the corn gluten meal, soybean meal and dried peas, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.

Our Rating of Beneful Dog Food

Purina Beneful includes both grain-inclusive and grain-free dry dog foods using a moderate amount of named meat and by-product meals as its primary source of animal protein, thus receiving 2.5 stars.

Recommended with Reservations

Purina Beneful Dog Food Review 2024: Pros, Cons, Recalls & FAQ

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give Purina Beneful dog food a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Purina is one of the largest dog food manufacturers out there today. They were actually one of the first to create dry dog food and remain one of the most popular options today. In fact, the history of this company dates all the way back to the 1860s.

However, this company produces a wide range of different dog foods and Beneful is one of their budget options. Therefore, it often costs less than most others out there. For those on a budget or with very big dogs, it can be a lifesaver. However, it also utilizes less-than-stellar food ingredients, which can be a problem for some dogs.

At a Glance: The Best Beneful Purina Dog Food Recipes

Purina Beneful Dog Food Reviewed

Who makes Purina Beneful and where is it produced?

Purina owns all of its own facilities and creates its foods there, including Beneful. According to the company, all Beneful recipes sold in the United States are made in facilities the company owns. Because the company has direct control of these facilities, they are able to keep track of how the food is made and ensure that certain safety procedures are followed.

Typically, dog food made at company-owned facilities is safer than those made by third parties.

However, while this food is made in the United States, some of the ingredients are sourced from other countries. While we dont know exactly what is sourced where, we do know that many companies source their vitamin mixes from China. These mixes are often hard to source in the United States in the quantities that these larger companies need.

Which type of dog is Purina Beneful best suited for?

Generally, we recommend this brand for dogs without underlying conditions that are rather healthy. This food isnt designed to handle health conditions or specific concerns that you may have regarding your dog. Therefore, if your dog needs a specific formula, we recommend looking elsewhere.

Small- to medium-sized breeds will likely do best on this brand, as they do not have many formulas designed for larger breeds. Large breeds need specific nutrition, as they are prone to certain joint and heart conditions. Therefore, it is often best to feed them a formula designed explicitly for larger dogs.

Furthermore, this food is considered generally lower-quality than other options out there. Therefore, we dont recommend it for particularly unhealthy breeds, as it may increase their risk for health issues.

Which type of dog might do better with a different brand?

If your canine has underlying conditions, you should speak to your vet about what food would work best for them. Beneful does not make any health-specific formulas, so youll often have to look elsewhere for most health issues. However, if your dog has something minor like food allergies, then you may be able to find a Beneful formula that works for them.

Larger breeds may also want to choose a different brand. Beneful does not have many options for larger dogs, who often benefit from very specific nutrition. Larger dogs are more prone to certain health issues and benefit from extra vitamins to prevent those health problems.

In this way, Beneful isnt for every dog out there. However, if your dog is relatively healthy and youre on a strict budget, then Beneful may be a great option for you.

Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)

To keep prices low, Beneful utilizes some lower-quality ingredients. While these may not upset all dogs, they absolutely can upset some canines.

With that said, the ingredients are not as bad as youd imagine. For instance, the first ingredient is typically whole meat of some sort. Beef is utilized for beef-centered recipes, for instance. Sometimes, other meat sources are also utilized. Some sort of animal fat is also used, which increases the flavor of this food. However, youll also notice flavorings on many ingredient lists, which can be troublesome for some dogs.

Most Beneful formulas are grain-inclusive. Despite many misconceptions, grains are not bad for dogs in the least. In fact, grain-free formulas have been linked to certain health issues. Therefore, we typically recommend feeding your dog grains unless they have an allergy, which is quite rare.

In fact, these formulas often include whole-grain corn of some sort. Corn is surprisingly very good for dogs, as it is extremely digestible. In other words, dogs are able to easily digest and use the vitamins and amino acids in corn. Therefore, dogs typically get more out of corn than other grain ingredients.

Purina Beneful Formula Changes

In recent years, Beneful has changed many of its formulas. While formula changes are common, many dogs did not like the Beneful formula change, which led to several negative reviews. The company has even commented on why they changed their formulas, stating that they switched to higher-quality ingredients.

While dogs may stop refusing food for many reasons, we expect that Beneful started using fewer artificial flavors in the past years, which led to some dogs refusing to eat their formulas. Switching from artificial flavors to natural flavors can be a shock for many dogs.

With that said, it does not appear that this formula change signaled a decline in Benefuls quality. Therefore, we dont necessarily recommend avoiding this company simply because of their formula changes.

Quality Assurance

Because Purina owns all of its facilities, they are able to control the standards in those facilities directly. Therefore, they are able to produce very safe food using strict standards and very careful protocols. Because their food is made within the United States, all of their food meets FDA and AAFCO standards.

Furthermore, Purina runs many quality checks within a 24-hour production period. Before being distributed, ingredient quality, packaging, processing, and packing are all checked and double-checked.

This company does a lot to ensure that their pet products are safe for your dog.

A Quick Look at Purina Beneful Dog Food

Pros

• Crafts food in owned facilities
• Mostly grain-inclusive formulas
• Meat as the first ingredient
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Some lower-quality ingredients

Recall History

Purina has been around for a long time. Therefore, they have had several recalls. However, considering how massive the company is, Purina hasnt had as many recalls as youd expect. They carefully make all of their own food in the facilities they own. Therefore, they have direct control over how their food is made.

Because Beneful is a brand of Purina, all of this information applies to them, as well.

There have been several claims that Beneful is making dogs sick over the last few years. These claims started in 2011 and pop up every few years. However, Beneful has claimed that these claims are false and misleading. Furthermore, a lawsuit stating the same thing was dismissed because there was no link between the dogs eating Beneful and then getting sick.

Another lawsuit claimed that an ingredient in Beneful called propylene glycol was causing dogs to become sick. This ingredient is commonly confused with ethylene glycol, which is an ingredient in antifreeze. However, they are not the same thing. Youll still find many claims today that Beneful contains antifreeze, though this is untrue. As youd guess, this lawsuit was also thrown out.

While there have been some unsuccessful lawsuits, Beneful has actually been recalled once. This recall occurred in 2016 and was targeted at specific Beneful wet dog foods, which potentially did not contain enough vitamins or minerals. The problem was found during the companys regular quality checks. There were no animals reported to be affected.

Reviews of the 3 Best Purina Beneful Dog Food Recipes

1. Purina Beneful Originals with Farm-Raised Beef Dog Food

Like most formulas, Purina Beneful Originals with Farm-Raised Beef Dog Food contains beef as the first ingredient. It also includes a variety of grains, including corn, barley, and wheat. Luckily, most of these grains are whole, which makes them high in fiber and other nutrients. Corn is the second ingredient, which works well for most dogs.

This formula delivers 100% of the nutrients that your dog needs. It is approved by the AAFCO for adult dogs. Furthermore, it doesnt have any artificial flavors or preservatives. All of the taste is natural, which typically makes it healthier for your canine.

We also like that this formula includes tons of antioxidants, which prevent oxidative stress. Oxidation is associated with a variety of health conditions, so the inclusion of these antioxidants helps prevent health issues in your dog.

Pros

• Beef as the first ingredient
• Contains whole grains
• Meets AAFCO requirements
• No artificial flavors or preservatives

Cons

• Quite a lot of grain included

2. Purina Beneful Medleys Romana Style Canned Dog Food

Compared to other wet foods, Purina Beneful Medleys Romana Style Canned Dog Food contains very small chunks. Therefore, it is a great option for senior dogs and canines that have difficulty eating. Very small dogs should have no problem eating this wet food, either.

The very first ingredient in this food is chicken broth, which adds to the moisture and nutritional content. Furthermore, chicken is included as the second ingredient. With that said, there are some lower-quality ingredients included, too. For instance, meat by-products are also included. We dont know what parts of meat this ingredient is or what type it is. Therefore, it is basically mystery meat.

On top of the by-products, unnamed liver is also included. While organ meats contain a lot of nutrients, we dont know the source of the included liver.

Pros

• High in meat
• Chicken broth utilized instead of water
• Fortified with vitamins and minerals
• Individual servings

Cons

• Some low-quality ingredients

3. Purina Beneful Prepared Meals Beef Stew

As the name suggests, the primary ingredient in Purina Beneful Prepared Meals Beef Stewis beef and beef broth. The usage of beef broth instead of water adds to the flavor and nutritional content of the food. As youd expect, things made with broth are more flavorful than things only made with water. Its the difference between making soup with beef broth or making it with waterthe taste difference is obvious and the broth contains extra nutrients.

On top of that, this food also contains wheat gluten. This ingredient contains the processed protein portion of the wheat, raising the protein content substantially. However, this protein isnt as digestible as meat protein, so your dog wont get quite as much out of it. Furthermore, meat by-products are also utilized.

We love that this formula doesnt include any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Therefore, it is generally healthier for your dog than other options.

Pros

• Beef and beef broth as the first ingredients
• No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Some low-quality ingredients

What Other Users Are Saying

Many users reported that their dogs loved Beneful wet foods, even if they were on the pickier side. One dog owner had an extremely pick Rottweiler, for instance, who would only eat Beneful wet food. Their use of broth instead of water really makes a difference.

However, there are other reviews stating that their dogs didnt like the food. Of course, some dogs simply arent going to like certain foods and that isnt necessarily the brands fault. Therefore, while most dogs seem to love this food, it will be a bit hit-and-miss for others.

Some owners did love that Purina has spent years researching what foods are best for dogs. On the other hand, many new companies have not done this, despite much of their advertising. Therefore, dog owners often feel more comfortable using this food because of the research behind it.

Conclusion

Purina Beneful is a budget company. They cost far less than other dog foods out there, and they use some lower-quality ingredients to keep those prices low. However, they also have a lot of research behind them and have very strict safety guidelines. Therefore, they have fewer recalls and seem to have fewer problems with their food.

Still, if youre looking for high-quality, premium food, this isnt the best option.