Is Beneful Dog Food Good for Dogs

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Beneful dog food has been a staple in many dog owners' homes, but is it really good for our furry friends? According to the manufacturer's claims, Beneful dog food is made with high-quality protein sources and whole grains, which is a great start.

However, some owners have reported that their dogs experience digestive issues after eating Beneful. In fact, the article mentions that some dogs have developed diarrhea, vomiting, and gas after consuming the food.

Many owners have also expressed concerns about the high carbohydrate content in Beneful dog food. The article notes that some formulas contain as much as 50% carbohydrates, which can be detrimental to a dog's health.

Some owners have reported positive experiences with Beneful dog food, citing improved coat health and energy levels in their dogs. However, these claims are anecdotal and may not be representative of all dogs.

Beneful Dog Food Options

Beneful dog food offers a variety of options for different life stages and dietary needs.

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You can find Beneful dog food suitable for puppies, as well as senior dogs. They also have specific formulas for small breeds and dogs with allergies.

Here are some of the specific options available:

Beneficial Originals Dry

Beneficial Originals Dry is a dog food option that has raised some concerns. It's high in carbohydrates, with some recipes averaging 42% carbohydrate content. This can be a problem for dogs, as they don't need that much sugar in their diet.

The protein content in Beneficial Originals Dry is also a concern, with plant protein being used instead of animal-based protein. This can be difficult for dogs to digest. Additionally, the food is ultra-processed, which can destroy nutrients and make it harder for dogs to get the nutrients they need.

Some recipes in Beneficial Originals Dry also contain high pesticide foods and GMO crops in the top 5 ingredients. This can be a problem for dogs, as they are more sensitive to these types of ingredients. The food also includes natural flavor, which can be a vague term and doesn't provide much information about what's actually in the food.

Expand your knowledge: Dog Food for High Energy Dogs

Credit: youtube.com, Purina Beneful Originals with Real Beef Dry Dog Food | PuppySimply

Here are some of the specific concerns with Beneficial Originals Dry:

  • High in carbohydrates
  • Excessive added vitamins and minerals
  • Plant protein
  • Ultra-processed
  • High pesticide/herbicide foods in top 5 ingredients
  • GMOs in top 5 ingredients
  • Natural flavor
  • Menadione (which can lead to liver toxicity and allergic reactions)
  • Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio

It's worth noting that the omega-6:omega-3 ratio is an important consideration in dog food, as it can affect a dog's overall health and well-being.

Beneficial IncrediBites

Purina Beneful IncrediBites is considered a very high risk dog food.

There are 2 recipes that average 26% protein and 38% carbohydrate as calculated.

The high carbohydrate content is a major concern due to the low ingredient quality.

Excessive added vitamins and minerals and plant protein also contribute to this issue.

Ultra-processing with high heat destroys nutrients, which is a significant drawback.

High pesticide foods and GMO crops are listed in their top 5 ingredients.

Natural flavor, added color, rice that can contain arsenic, and menadione are all present in the recipes.

Menadione can lead to liver toxicity and allergic reactions.

Purina doesn’t provide the omega-6:omega-3 ratio, which is a concern since AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1.

If this caught your attention, see: Purina One Dog Food Making Dogs Sick

Chopped Blends

Credit: youtube.com, Beneful Dog Food Review Chopped Blends Salmon

Chopped Blends is one of the Purina Beneful dog food options, but it's considered a moderate risk food according to our criteria.

Purina Beneful Chopped Blends averages 50% protein and 27% carbohydrate on a dry matter basis, which is high in carbohydrates.

Moderately processed foods like Chopped Blends use heat, which destroys nutrients.

Some of the top ingredients in Chopped Blends are high in pesticides and herbicides.

Rice is also an ingredient in Chopped Blends, which can contain arsenic.

The omega-6:omega-3 ratio is not provided by Purina, which is a concern since AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1.

Here are some specific concerns with Chopped Blends:

  • High in carbohydrates
  • Excessive added vitamins and minerals
  • Unnamed protein
  • Moderately processed
  • High pesticide/herbicide foods in top 5 ingredients
  • Rice
  • Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio

Feeding Guide: See Packaging

When you're ready to feed your furry friend, remember to see the packaging for the full feeding guide. The recommended feeding amounts are based on using a standard 8 oz/250 ml measuring cup, which contains approximately 106 g of Purina Beneful Healthy Weight.

Most adult dogs can be fed once daily, but dividing the recommended daily amounts into two meals may be beneficial. Feeding your dog twice a day can help maintain their ideal body condition.

Credit: youtube.com, Purina Beneful Healthy Weight with Farm-Raised Chicken Dry Dog Food | PuppySimply

The food intake required to maintain ideal body condition will vary depending on your dog's age, activity level, and environment. You'll need to adjust the feeding amounts accordingly to ensure your dog stays healthy.

Allow 7-10 days for the transition when switching your dog to Beneful Healthy Weight dog food. This gradual transition will help avoid dietary upsets and keep your dog's digestive system happy.

Broaden your view: Heart Healthy Food for Dogs

Nutrition and Safety

Beneful Originals Dry dog food is considered a very high risk food due to its high carbohydrate content, averaging 42% in its recipes. This can be detrimental to a dog's health.

The recipes also rank low in ingredient quality, with excessive added vitamins and minerals and plant protein. This can lead to nutrient imbalances and deficiencies in your dog.

The ingredients list includes high pesticide foods and GMO crops in the top 5 ingredients, which is a concern for pet owners.

Nutrition and Safety

Purina Beneful Originals Dry Food is considered a high-risk dog food due to its high carbohydrate content, averaging 42% per recipe. This can lead to weight gain and other health issues in dogs.

Credit: youtube.com, Unit 2 Health, Safety and Nutrition

The ingredient quality is also a concern, with excessive added vitamins and minerals, plant protein, and ultra-processed ingredients that destroy nutrients with high heat. This means that the food may not provide the necessary nutrients for your dog's optimal health.

Some of the top ingredients in Purina Beneful Originals Dry Food include high pesticide/herbicide foods and GMO crops, which can be detrimental to your dog's health. Additionally, the presence of menadione, a synthetic vitamin K3, can lead to liver toxicity and allergic reactions in some dogs.

Here are some of the specific concerns with Purina Beneful Originals Dry Food:

  • High in carbohydrates
  • Excessive added vitamins and minerals
  • Plant protein
  • Ultra processed
  • High pesticide/herbicide foods in top 5 ingredients
  • GMOs in top 5 ingredients
  • Rice
  • Natural flavor
  • Menadione
  • Food coloring
  • Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
  • Doesn't specify farmed or wild-caught fish
  • Ingredient splitting
  • Glam ingredients

Purina Beneful has had a number of recalls in the past, including a 2023 recall of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL for potentially elevated Vitamin D and a 2016 voluntary recall of Pro Plan Savory Meals and Beneful for inadequate vitamins and minerals. This raises concerns about the safety and quality of their products.

Nutrition and Safety

Credit: youtube.com, FDA Basics: Mike Taylor - A Common Sense Approach to Food Safety and Nutrition

Purina Beneful Healthy Weight dog food is considered a very high risk food due to its high carbohydrate content.

The recipe averages 25% protein and 41% carbohydrate, which is a concern for many pet owners.

Excessive added vitamins and minerals, plant protein, and high pesticide foods are also present in this recipe.

High heat processing destroys nutrients, making this recipe ultra-processed.

Purina Beneful Healthy Weight dog food includes GMO crops in its top 5 ingredients, which can be a concern for some pet owners.

Natural flavor, food coloring, and rice that can contain arsenic are also present in this recipe.

Menadione, which can lead to liver toxicity and allergic reactions, is another ingredient of concern.

The omega-6:omega-3 ratio is not provided by Purina, and AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1.

On the other hand, the recipe with Farm-Raised Chicken has real U.S. farm-raised chicken as the #1 ingredient.

Credit: youtube.com, VideoSmarts: Nutrition, Health, & Safety

This recipe contains 26 grams of protein per cup to help maintain strong muscles.

The weight management dog food formula has 10% fewer calories than Purina Beneful Originals With Farm-Raised Beef.

It also contains no added sugar or potatoes, making it a better option for some pet owners.

The recipe with Farm-Raised Chicken also includes 23 essential vitamins and minerals per serving.

About Pet Foods

Pet foods can be a complex and overwhelming topic, but understanding the basics can make a big difference in your pet's health and well-being.

Many commercial pet foods, like Beneful Originals with Farm-Raised Beef, list a long series of ingredients on their labels. These ingredients can include various grains, meats, and supplements.

A closer look at the recipe and nutrient analysis of Beneful Originals reveals a mix of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

Here's a breakdown of the estimated dry matter nutrient content:

The estimated fiber content of Beneful Originals is 4%, which is a relatively low amount compared to other pet foods.

Nutrient Analysis

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The dry matter protein reading in Beneful dog food is around 26%, which is considered above-average. This is based on the analysis of Beneful Originals with Farm-Raised Beef.

According to the estimated dry matter nutrient content, the carbohydrate content in Beneful dog food is around 52.2%. This is near-average when compared to other dry dog foods.

The fat content in Beneful dog food is around 13.6%, which is near-average. However, when you consider the protein-boosting effect of ingredients like corn gluten meal and soybean meal, the fat-to-protein ratio is around 51%.

The overall protein content in the Beneful product line is around 28.3%, with a mean fat level of 14.5% and a carbohydrate content of 49.3%. This suggests a moderate amount of meat in the kibble.

Here's a breakdown of the estimated nutrient content in Beneful dog food:

Our Review

Beneful dog food uses a moderate amount of named meat and by-product meals as its primary source of animal protein.

Their dry dog foods include both grain-inclusive and grain-free options, which may be a convenient choice for pet owners with varying dietary needs.

According to The Dog Food Advisor, Beneful receives 2.5 stars, indicating a mediocre rating.

Our Verdict

Dogs Standing near Woman with Food
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After comparing Beneful with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands, we found that Beneful doesn't quite measure up.

The Dog Food Advisor's top picks tend to have fewer recalls and more transparent manufacturing processes.

Our Rating

Purina Beneful dog food receives a moderate rating of 2.5 stars.

The primary source of animal protein in Beneful is named meat and by-product meals.

A moderate amount of named meat is used in Beneful dog food.

This suggests that while Beneful dog food is not the highest quality, it still meets the minimum standards for a decent dog food.

Both grain-inclusive and grain-free dry dog foods are offered by Beneful.

Explore further: Dogs Raw Meat Diet

Comparison

In comparison to other dog food brands, Beneful has its strengths and weaknesses.

One notable difference is that Beneful contains more fillers like corn and wheat, whereas some other brands opt for higher-quality protein sources.

Some dog owners have reported improved digestion and coat health after switching to Beneful, likely due to its inclusion of omega-6 fatty acids and other essential nutrients.

Credit: youtube.com, Is Purina Beneful harmful to your dog's health?

However, the high carbohydrate content in Beneful may not be ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those prone to weight gain.

Beneful's use of artificial preservatives like BHA and BHT has raised concerns among some pet owners, who prefer more natural ingredients in their dog's food.

On the other hand, Beneful's affordable price point makes it a more accessible option for many dog owners, especially those on a budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do vets say about Beneful?

Vets say mycotoxins in common dog foods like Beneful are likely present but not proven to harm dogs. Despite concerns, there's no scientific data linking Beneful to dog harm or death.

What is going on with Beneful dog food?

A class-action lawsuit alleged that Beneful dog food caused sickness and deaths in dogs due to propylene glycol, a food additive approved by the FDA. However, it's essential to note that propylene glycol is not the same as ethylene glycol, a toxic agent found in antifreeze.

What food do vets recommend for dogs?

Vets often recommend high-quality dog foods like Freshpet Vital Chicken Recipe, Purina Pro Plan, and Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula, which provide essential nutrients for optimal health. However, it's always best to consult with a veterinarian for personalized dietary recommendations tailored to your dog's specific needs.

Is Beneful dog food being recalled in 2024?

No, Beneful dog food has not been recalled in 2024. However, it's always a good idea to check the latest information on the manufacturer's website or with your veterinarian for the most up-to-date recall information.

Terry Williamson

Junior Writer

Terry Williamson is a rising star in the world of writing, bringing a fresh perspective to the topics she covers. With a passion for animal welfare and education, Terry has established herself as a go-to expert on canine companions. Her articles on the standard poodle and poodle breeds have been widely read and appreciated for their engaging style and informative content.

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