When it comes to selecting the right food for your dog, it can sometimes feel like a daunting task. With so many brands, flavors, and formulas available, how do you even begin to decide which one is right for your pup? In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the popular brand Purina Beneful and answering the question: Is Purina Beneful good for my dog? We’ll take a look at the brand’s history, ingredients, and nutritional value to help you decide if it is an appropriate choice for your beloved four-legged friend. Whether you’re a new pet parent or veteran, there is something in this blog post for you! With all the important information provided, you’ll have the necessary knowledge to make the best decision for your pup.
Review of Beneful Dry Dog Food
Rating:
The Advisor gives Purina Beneful Dog Food a mid-tier rating of 3. 5 stars.
There are 13 dry dog foods in the Purina Beneful product line.
When available, the AAFCO nutrient profile of each recipe is included. These profiles include Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental, or Unspecified.
For a thorough recipe and nutrient analysis, Beneful Originals with Real Beef was chosen to represent the other products in the line.
Using a dry matter basis, the label and nutrient data below were calculated.
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient ContentProtein =
Ingredients: Beef, whole grain corn, barley, rice, whole grain wheat, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal, beef fat preserved with mixed tocopherols, oat meal, egg and chicken flavor, calcium carbonate, mono and dicalcium phosphate, salt, natural flavor, potassium chloride, dried spinach, dried peas, and dried carrots. In addition, the food contains iron oxide color, minerals [zinc sulfate, ferrous sul
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.7%
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 23% | 12% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 27% | 14% | 51% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 24% | 30% | 46% |
The first ingredient in this dog food is beef. Despite being a high-quality product, raw beef can contain up to 73% water. Most of that moisture is lost during cooking, leaving the meat with only a small portion of its original weight.
After processing, this component would likely make up a smaller portion of the finished product’s overall content.
The second ingredient is corn. Corn is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain. Additionally, this grain has only modest nutritional value for a dog, aside from its energy content.
Barley, a starchy carbohydrate that provides fiber and other beneficial nutrients, is the third ingredient. However, this cereal grain is only modestly nutritious to a dog, aside from its energy content.
The next ingredient is rice. Since the word “rice” doesn’t tell us much, it’s impossible to determine the quality of this item. Is this whole grain rice, brown rice, or white rice?
The fifth ingredient is wheat. Wheat is a different type of cereal grain that shares the same problems as corn (which were previously covered).
The next ingredient is soybean meal, which is typically found in farm animal feeds as a byproduct of the production of soybean oil.
Despite having a protein content of 48 percent, soybean meal is anticipated to have a lower biological value than meat.
The next ingredient is corn gluten meal. When most of the starchy carbohydrates in corn have been washed out, gluten is what’s left behind.
Despite having 60% protein, corn gluten meal is anticipated to have a lower biological value than meat.
Additionally, less expensive plant-based products, such as soybean meal and corn gluten meal, can significantly increase the total protein stated on the label; this is a factor that must be taken into account when evaluating the actual meat content of this dog food.
The eighth ingredient is beef fat. Rendering, a process akin to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid, is most likely how beef fat (or tallow) is obtained.
Despite not sounding particularly enticing, beef fat is a high-quality ingredient.
Oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats, is the ninth ingredient. Oatmeal is naturally high in dietary fiber, B vitamins, and, depending on its purity level, gluten.
The list continues with a number of additional items after this.
But realistically, ingredients this far down the list (aside from nutritional supplements) are unlikely to have an impact on how this Purina product is rated as a whole.
With 6 notable exceptions…
First, we find dried peas. Dried peas are a good source of carbohydrates. Plus they’re naturally rich in dietary fiber.
However, when evaluating the meat content of this dog food, one must take into account the fact that dried peas have about 27% protein.
Next, we come across iron oxide, a synthetic colorant used in industry to give food and paint a reddish hue. This chemical compound is more frequently referred to as “iron rust” in its natural state.
Finding any artificial coloring in pet food always makes us sad. Because of this, coloring is used to enhance the product’s appeal to humans rather than your dog. Do you really believe that your dog is concerned about the color of his kibble?
Next, there is no mention of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria added to kibble surfaces after processing to aid in digestion.
We also observe that none of the minerals listed here seem 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 includes sodium selenite, a contentious selenium mineral form. In terms of nutrition, selenium yeast appears to be a more natural source of selenium than sodium selenite.
Last but not least, this product contains menadione, a contentious vitamin K form associated with liver toxicity, allergies, and the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells.
We question the inclusion of vitamin K in any canine formulation because AAFCO doesn’t specify that it be included in either of its dog food nutrient profiles.
Purina Beneful Dog Food appears to be a below-average dry product based solely on its ingredients.
The dashboard shows a reading of 27% for dry matter protein, 14% for fat, and an estimated 51% for carbohydrates.
The brand’s average protein content is 29%, and its average fat content is 15%. Together, these data point to a 48% carbohydrate content for the entire product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Which means this Purina product contains…
Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to other dry dog foods.
However, this profile resembles a kibble with a moderate amount of meat when you take into account the protein-boosting properties of the dried peas, soybean meal, and corn gluten meal.
Beneful Dog Food Summary
Is Beneful Food Good for Dogs?
Yes, Beneful Dog Food is good.
The formulas are balanced and completed with excellent levels of animal-derived proteins. It is also made using high-quality ingredients, like fruits, vegetables, and wholesome grains. The recipes are enriched with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.
FAQ
Is Purina Beneful safe for dogs?
You can feed all Purina products, including Beneful, to dogs with complete confidence. Visit the Purina website for additional information. You can then access all of Purina’s brand websites to learn more about the steps the company takes to ensure the quality of its food.
What is the number one healthiest dog food?
- Wellness – Best Brand Overall.
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection – Best Dry Dog Food.
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet – Best Prescription Dog Food.
- Castor and Pollux Organix – Best Grain-Free Dog Food.
- Purina Pro Plan – Best Budget Dog Food.
What dog food is not recommended?
Top 10 Worst Dog FoodsDog Chow Complete Adult with Real Chicken Dog FoodAlpha Paw PicksBrandRatingWorst overall Kibbles ‘n Bits Original Savory Beef & Chicken Flavors Dry Dog Food is the runner-up. Purina Senior 7+ Healthy Morsels Soft & Crunchy Bites Dog Food is the worst choice for senior dogs. 4.