Dog Food Brands to Avoid: Keep Your Pet Safe and Healthy
Providing your dog with a balanced and nutritious diet is essential to their overall health and longevity. While many trustworthy dog food options exist, there are some dog food brands that pet owners should avoid due to concerns over ingredients, quality, and safety. In this article, we highlight the brands that may pose a risk to your pet’s health—and explain why steering clear of them is a good idea.
Why Some Dog Food Brands Are Dangerous
Not all dog food is created equally. Some brands fail to meet basic nutritional standards or contain harmful additives. There are a few key reasons why a dog food brand should be avoided:
- Use of low-quality fillers such as corn, soy, or animal by-products.
- Recalls due to contamination with salmonella, aflatoxins, or pentobarbital.
- Artificial preservatives and dyes that can cause allergic reactions.
- Poor manufacturing practices or lack of transparency.
Dog Food Brands You Should Avoid
Here is a list of dog food brands commonly identified as poor choices based on recall history, controversial ingredients, and overall quality:
- Ol’ Roy (Walmart) – Frequently cited for using unsafe ingredients and by-products; numerous recalls for contamination.
- Kibbles ‘n Bits – Contains BHA/BHT preservatives and controversial dyes; linked with lower nutritional value.
- Gravy Train – Tested positive for pentobarbital, a euthanasia drug, and has poor ingredient sourcing.
- Beneful (Purina) – Accused of causing illnesses in pets; includes artificial colors and questionable preservatives.
- Pedigree – Contains artificial coloring and low-quality meat by-products; linked to digestion issues.
Recent Recalls To Be Aware Of
Dog food recalls are issued when a product is found to be unsafe, and keeping up to date on such notices can help keep your dog safe.
- Gravy Train – Recalled for pentobarbital contamination in recent years.
- Ol’ Roy – Subject to salmonella and aflatoxin-related recalls.
- Sportmix – Recalled for toxic levels of aflatoxin that caused several pet deaths.
Ingredients to Watch Out For
Regardless of brand, it's important to read labels and be wary of the following ingredients:
- Rendered meat by-products (source often unknown or low-quality).
- Corn meal and wheat gluten – Used as cheap fillers with low nutritional content.
- Artificial preservatives (e.g., BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin).
- Artificial coloring like Red 40 and Blue 2, which may cause food sensitivities.
Tips for Choosing a Safe Dog Food Brand
To make sure your dog receives proper nutrition, follow these guidelines:
- Look for AAFCO approval indicating the food meets nutritional guidelines.
- Choose brands that list real meat (like chicken or beef) as the first ingredient.
- Do research on recall history and company transparency.
- Consult with a veterinarian for personalized dietary recommendations.
Conclusion
Feeding your dog a nutritious and safe diet is a vital aspect of their care. Avoiding brands with problematic histories—including Ol’ Roy, Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘n Bits, and others—can help protect your pet’s health in the long run. Always be vigilant about reading ingredients and staying informed about recalls. Your dog depends on you to make the best choices for their wellbeing.
