The Risk With Dog Food Produced Overseas
In March 2007, Canadian-based Menu Foods alerted the FDA that 14 dogs and cats developed kidney failure and died after eating one of their products. They also issued a voluntary recall. In the ensuing months, more companion animal deaths that were potentially linked to eating pet food occurred.
Investigation of the deaths revealed a common link. According to the FDA’s findings, the culprit was food that was contaminated with melamine and other related compounds. In each case, they traced the melamine to imported vegetable protein products incorrectly labeled as wheat gluten and rice protein. These ingredients originated in China.
Sadly, thousands of pets probably died from dog food contaminated with melamine. However, the tragedy prompted Congress to draft the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA). This piece of legislation required the FDA to:
Improve the reporting system for pet food adverse events
Improve the definitions and standards for pet food ingredients
Improve pet food labeling to better inform consumers
As of 2017, only the first of the above bullet points was completed. That means there is a reporting system in place when someone suspects dog food has become contaminated or adulterated with dangerous substances. While it’s a good first step, your pup could still be at risk…
Best Dog Food Made in the USA
It might be stressful to look for the proper food for your dog. It’s difficult to make a choice when there are so many options and factors affecting your dog’s health. We conducted research to assist you in making an informed decision and to identify the best dog chow manufactured in the United States of America. Numerous large manufacturers reduce corners and acquire their enigmatic ingredients from China and other countries.
We set out to locate firms that provide the highest-quality dog food using only ingredients sourced from within the United States, ensuring that your dog stays healthy for years to come. Our best selections are included below, along with more information about each recipe and the variables that influenced our research.
Why should my pet food come from the USA?
The primary reason that your pet food should originate in the United States is that other countries standards for pet food quality may be lower. When that food makes its way to America and is purchased, we may unwittingly provide our dogs with lower-quality meats than we would otherwise. Only 50 or 60 years ago, even in America, dogs were considered to be work animals, and it was completely normal to feed them low-quality meat. As dogs have become family members, we wish to provide them with higher-quality food, yet manufacturing facilities in many regions of the world have not been modernized.
One thing we should warn you about when it comes to American-made food is that while the packing and baking happen in the United States, some of the components may originate outside the nation. Outsourcing is especially important when it comes to the ingredients of animal waste or meat meals. This dish is typically imported from foreign nations. It is a dried and ground-up meat product. It is not objectionable in and of itself, but lesser standards in other nations may raise concerns about the quality of ground meat.
Best Dog Food Made in the USA: Top Brands
1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food Delivery
Ollie is a pet food delivery service. The company provides “human-grade” or “restaurant-quality” meals for your pets, which implies that each dish is prepared with fresh, healthful ingredients and is calorically appropriate for your dog.
2. American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
Grain-free dog parents will adore the venison flavor of American Journey’s Limited Ingredient dog food. With each bite, savory real deboned salmon will meet your pooch, providing a protein-rich diet for your pet, with protein accounting for 22% of the meal. Additionally, because it is fresh salmon, the meat is far lower in fat and cholesterol than other types of protein. Meanwhile, the sweet potato functions as an energy booster for your dog.
3. Merrick Texas Beef & Sweet Potato
Merrick Petcare’s tagline is “Whole health made right.” This organization is committed to not just producing high-quality pet food, but also to producing the finest pet food ever. Their dishes incorporate USDA-inspected deboned meat and fresh fruits and vegetables for unmatched protein and vitamin content.
4. Taste of the Wild High Prairie
Taste of the Wild has created an outstanding dog food mix that we believe cannot be matched at this pricing point. This dog chow is inspired by the ancestral diet of prehistoric canines, as it contains bison and venison as two animal protein sources.
5. Instinct Original Recipe with Real Chicken
Nature’s Variety is an independent pet food company established in St. Louis, Missouri. It is one of the leading brands of natural pet food. This business is committed to providing pets with the holistic nutrition they require to live long and healthy lives. Nature’s Variety supplements are made with only the finest ingredients and are free of corn, wheat, soy, and chemical additives.
6. Castor and Pollux Dog Food
Castor and Pollux are one of only a handful of pet food manufacturers in the United States that sells USDA-certified pet foods. This company bills itself as the “industry leader” in organic and natural pet food, with five distinct product lines.
7. The Farmer’s Dog
This is one of the best American-made dog foods. All of their dog foods for people are made with high-quality ingredients like fresh turkey, pork, vegetables, and fruit. Another great thing about The Farmer’s Dog is that they tailor each recipe to your dog’s health and energy needs, taking into account things like allergies, breed, age, conditions, and more. So, whether your dog is a couch potato or a high-energy puppy, it will get the right mix of nutrients to stay healthy and happy.
Also, The Farmer’s Dog Food is very easy to use. They do everything for you, so you don’t have to scoop, measure, or cook. Your dog’s food comes in packs that are already measured out and ready to feed. Plus, their food is delivered to your door within days of being cooked, so you know your furry friend is getting the best and freshest food possible.
The Farmer’s Dog food is a bit more expensive than regular kibble or commercial wet food because it comes in a personalized meal subscription for your dog. But the fresh ingredients, easy delivery, and custom nutrition are worth every penny.
8. Iams ProActive Health
Adult MiniChunks Dry Dog Food is the best U.S.-made dog food for the money. Its main ingredient is chicken, and it also has other sources of protein. It has flaxseed, which is a source of omega fats, and a lot of vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants that can help keep disease away. It also has a lot of fiber and prebiotics to help your pet stay regular. Most dogs find it easier to chew the smaller kibble, and the ingredients don’t have any harmful dyes or chemical preservatives.
9. Taste of the Wild
The brand that is best for puppies is High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. It is a food without grains whose first ingredient is buffalo. It also has beef, deer, bison, lamb, and chicken, which are all good sources of protein. This much protein is just right for a puppy that is growing. It also has raspberries, blueberries, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables that provide antioxidants and important vitamins and minerals to help your puppy grow up healthy. Probiotics help your pet’s digestive system work as well as it can.
10. Blue Buffalo
The first thing in Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food is deboned chicken, and it also has chicken meal to add more protein. Blueberries and cranberries are high in antioxidants that can help keep your pet healthy. Carrots and sweet potatoes are high in fiber and complex carbs that can give your pet the energy they need to stay active. L-Carnitine helps build strong muscles, while glucosamine and chondroitin protect the joints and ease the pain of arthritis. It doesn’t have corn, wheat, or soy on the list of ingredients, and it doesn’t have any dangerous preservatives.
11. Rachael Ray
Nutrish Natural Dry Dog Food’s first ingredient is farm-raised chicken, and its second ingredient, chicken meal, adds more protein. It has all the vitamins and minerals you need for a complete, balanced meal. High fiber from brown rice and beet pulp helps keep your dog’s digestive system in good shape, and omega fats help keep the coat shiny and soft.
The biggest problem with Rachael Ray Nutrish is that some of the smaller dogs might find the kibble too big. It also has corn, which can upset your pet’s stomach and isn’t good for them in any way.
12. American Journey
Another great dog food made in the U.S.A. is Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. The main ingredient in this brand is deboned salmon. It also has other meat proteins. Extra protein helps your pet build muscle and keeps them full longer, so they eat less. It also has a lot of other high-quality ingredients, like sweet potatoes, chickpeas, blueberries, and carrots. Your pet will get a lot of antioxidants and fiber from these ingredients, which will help their immune system and keep their digestive system running smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Purina dog food made in the U.S.A.?
Purina pet food items offered in the United States of America are made in the United States of America in 99 percent of cases. Not only are the vast majority of our dog foods manufactured in the United States, but we also obtain the majority of our ingredients here.
