With all the recalls and reports of dogs getting sick or even dying because of their dog food, it is natural to be nervous when choosing a dog food brand. To help you narrow down safe choices, here are a few dog food companies that are doing everything they can to ensure their food is safe for your loved ones.
#1 – Evanger’s
This is a FAMILY RUN dog food company with their own cannery located in Illinois. The U.S. sourced ingredients are 90% locally grown and used within 24 hours. Of course, they use no soy, corn, wheat, artificial ingredients, harmful additives, preservatives, or by-products. In addition, they have Hi-Bio™, a uniquely processed “Semi-Moist” food, combining the benefits of raw food in the convenient form of kibble—it’s 85% meat with no grains or fillers. The rest is fresh produce and vitamins/minerals. More information is available at www.evangersdogfood.com.
#2 – The Honest Kitchen™
Unlike traditional kibble, The Honest Kitchen line is dehydrated, making it closer to a raw or home-cooked meal with the convenience of a dry food. There foods are human grade according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO); In fact, the workers often taste test the dog food! Finally, they test each batch for bacteria, yeast, mold, contaminants, and to verify pH and proximates. Check out all the amazing products The Honest Kitchen has to offer.
#3 – CARU
Made in the U.S.A. in a human food plant by a family owned company, this dog food is in a category all its own. Packaged in Tetra Pak® cartoons instead of cans, the food is cooked right in box, lasts for 2 years on the shelf but comes out looking like homemade stew! The human quality ingredients are USDA inspected, grain and gluten free with added vitamins and minerals that meet AAFCO maintenance diet guidelines. For more information visit www.carupetfood.com.
#4 – Canidae®
Made in Texas from U.S. ingredients, all of Canidae’s formulas are produced in USDA, FDA, and AAFCO approved facilities. Even the meat and meals they use originate from USDA inspected meats processed in a human grade facility. To ensure safety, they test ingredients before the accept them, test each batch of food as it’s made, AND test each finished bag before being sent out with an array of safety tests including an advanced salmonella-specific test. More information can be found at www.canidae.com.
#5 – Zignature®
Made in the USA, they claim the highest quality controls in the industry. They achieve this in part by having a co-manufacturer that is one of the few certified “BRC Global standard” food safety plants in the U.S. Their formulas contain no fillers and have no China-sourced ingredients. More information is available at www.zignature.com.
#6 – ACANA®
This brand is made in Alberta, Canada from fresh (never frozen) regional ingredients. Their food is based on a rich in protein, low in carbs philosophy and is all cooked in-house. Another interesting thing about their food is it steam-cooked in its own juice, so no water is added. More information is available at www.acana.com.
#7 – Castor and Pollux®
Their ORGANIX® line is the most complete line of USDA certified organic food for pets. In 2012, they were acquired by Merrick Pet Care, Inc., the only U.S. manufacturer certified to make both dry and canned organic dog food. Like Canidae, they test their ingredient before and the food during and after manufacturing to ensure safety. For more information visit www.castorpolluxpet.com.
Related: Best Dog Foods Rated
Toledo, United States.
