Black Gold Dog Food Review: Ultimate Guide to the 4 Best Formulas

Black Gold, now sold as Black Gold Explorer, isn’t among the best-known premium pet food brands, but it has a loyal following among owners of active and working dogs. The brand says its recipes are complete and balanced, and the line includes high-protein performance formulas alongside puppy and senior options.

Ingredient quality varies across the range. The brand uses named meat meals like chicken meal and beef meal as primary proteins, but several recipes also rely on corn, wheat, and by-product meals.

The line includes a few grain-free recipes, though most of it is grain-inclusive. If you’re avoiding gluten, see our picks for gluten-free dog foods. Prices are on the lower end for a premium-positioned brand.

Read on for our full Black Gold dog food review below.

Details on Manufacturing

Black Gold began in 1995 as a private label dog food created by brothers Don and John Allen, whose father owned a local dog food distribution business. The brand stayed family-owned and operated for nearly 20 years before it was sold to Pro-Pet, LLC in 2015.

In January 2018, Cargill announced it would acquire Pro-Pet, an Ohio-based maker of private label and premium pet foods that included Black Gold. Pro-Pet became part of Cargill’s animal nutrition business, and the brand is now manufactured by Cargill.

 

Black Gold Dog Food Review

The Black Gold brand markets itself as an affordable line of premium pet food products. While their recipes all have good-sounding names like “Performance Blend” or “High Energy Blend,” a quick review of several products reveals the use of sub-par ingredients.

Black Gold does use quality proteins like chicken meal and lamb meal, but they also use low-quality carbohydrates like corn meal. This brand makes heavy use of grains in general, many of which contain gluten which could be a problem for some dogs.

The quality and nutritional value of Black Gold products varies significantly, so be sure to do your research before choosing a product for your dog.

1. Explorer Chicken Meal & Brown Rice

This recipe is made for adult dogs and is also suitable for puppies, including large breed puppies. Chicken meal is the first ingredient. It is a concentrated protein source because the moisture has been removed.

The formula is grain-inclusive, not grain-free. It uses brown rice, oatmeal, whole grain sorghum, and pearled barley for energy and fiber. Grains are fine for most dogs unless they have a diagnosed allergy or sensitivity. Grain-free is not automatically better.

Added extras include glucosamine and chondroitin for joints and salmon oil as a source of DHA. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support skin and coat. Prebiotics like inulin and chicory root support digestion, and dried carrots, spinach, and blueberries add plant nutrients.

It contains no corn, wheat, soy, or by-products.

Overall, this is a solid, well-balanced option that supports comprehensive canine health.

If you like this, Black Gold has these other recipes for adult dogs that also use grains:

• Explorer Fish Meal & Oat
• Explorer Beef Meal & Barley

2. Explorer Original Performance 26/18

Dogs with high energy needs do well on a high-protein, high-fat diet. This formula is named for its 26% protein and 18% fat, which help sustain stamina and endurance in active and working dogs. It is an energy-dense food, so it is not a weight-loss option.

The first ingredient is beef meal, a concentrated protein. Chicken fat adds energy and flavor, and chicken by-product meal adds more protein.

This is the most grain-heavy recipe here. It uses ground corn, ground wheat, corn gluten meal, and brown rice. Dogs with wheat or grain sensitivities should skip it.

It also includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joints and taurine for heart health. Prebiotics and probiotics support digestion.

Overall, this formula is energy-dense, palatable, and affordable. It loses some points for its corn, wheat, and by-product ingredients.

3. Explorer Puppy Formula

Growing puppies need extra protein and fat to support fast development. This formula delivers 30% protein (confirm against bag) from chicken meal, with dried egg product adding to the protein.

Carbohydrates come from brown rice, brewers rice, and oatmeal. Salmon oil provides DHA, which supports brain development. The recipe also includes carrots, spinach, cranberries, and blueberries, and it is free of corn, wheat, and soy.

The main drawback is brewers rice. It is a processed rice fragment with little nutritional value, yet it sits high on the ingredient list. It is not harmful, but it takes up room that more nutritious ingredients could fill.

Overall, the formula offers strong protein and nutrient support. It would be better with less filler.

4. Explorer Mature 7+ Formula

Senior dogs need joint, muscle, and weight support. This formula features chicken meal as its main protein, with L-carnitine to help maintain muscle mass and a healthy weight.

Glucosamine and chondroitin support joints, and taurine supports heart health. The brand also adds TruMune, an ingredient it markets for mobility and immunity support. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support skin and coat, and prebiotics and oatmeal are included for digestion.

It contains no corn, wheat, soy, or by-products. It does include brewers rice, a filler that is not harmful but takes up more room than ideal.

Overall, this is a reasonably priced option that covers the main needs of aging dogs.

Made in the USA?

Black Gold began in 1995 as a family-owned brand. Pro-Pet, LLC bought it in 2015 and took over manufacturing and distribution.

In January 2018, Cargill announced it would acquire Pro-Pet. At the time, Pro-Pet’s plants were in St. Marys, Ohio; Kansas City, Kansas; and Owatonna, Minnesota.

Black Gold is made in the USA, and Chewy’s product Q&A states that all ingredients are sourced in the United States. We couldn’t confirm which plant currently makes each recipe, so check the “manufactured by” line on the bag.

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Ingredient Sourcing

Black Gold is now overseen by Cargill. The brand doesn’t publish a detailed supplier list.

Chewy’s product Q&A states that all ingredients are sourced in the United States. Most recipes use meat meals rather than fresh meat.

Food Recall History

Black Gold has no recalls on record. Use their Black Gold review as the link source in place of the petrecalls.com index.

Pro-Pet had one recall in February 2014 for possible Salmonella. It covered the Hubbard Life, Joy Combo, and QC Plus brands. It did not involve Black Gold.

Pro-Pet’s plants now operate under Cargill.

Price Comparison

Black Gold is affordable for a premium-positioned brand. At the time of writing, Chewy listed a 40 lb bag of Chicken Meal & Brown Rice at about $39. HEB listed a 50 lb bag of Original Performance 26/18 at about $49.

Prices vary by recipe and retailer, so check current listings. Black Gold sells dry food only, with no wet food.

Product List

Black Gold Explorer is sold as dry kibble. The brand also sells supplements: Daily Defense, Hip & Joint, and Skin & Coat.

Most recipes are grain-inclusive and made with named meat meals.

Performance Blends

• Original Performance 26/18 (adult)
• Super Performance 32/21 (all life stages)

Life Stage Blends

• Puppy Formula
• Large Breed Puppy Recipe
• Large Breed Adult Recipe
• Mature 7+ Formula

All Life Stages Recipes

• Beef Meal & Barley
• Chicken Meal & Brown Rice
• Sensitive Skin & Coat Ocean Fish Meal & Oat

Verdict

Black Gold Explorer offers nutrient-dense, grain-inclusive recipes for several life stages. Most use named meat meals like chicken, beef, and fish meal as the main protein. Many add glucosamine and chondroitin, taurine, and omega fatty acids.

The weak spots are brewers rice, by-products, and the corn and wheat in the Original Performance formula. These ingredients aren’t harmful, but they’re less nutrient-dense than other options.

Overall, Black Gold is a reasonably priced, well-supported choice for many dogs.