Meet Against The Grain Dog Food
In this article, Against The Grain Dog Food Review, we’re taking an in-depth review of this dog food brand to help you make the right decision for your canine companion.
Against The Grain is a unique brand that offers one-ingredient dog food recipes. Unlike most other brands that use multiple ingredients in their recipes, the company prides itself on dog meals that contain a single high-quality ingredient that provides the essential nutrients beneficial to dogs.
The company has two product lines – “Nothing Else” and “Grain-Free” – with limited ingredients.
Against The Grain proudly declares that all the products are manufactured in its own facilities, where the owners themselves can closely oversee the entire process from start to finish.
The owners added that they proudly use natural skylights in their facilities and pay close attention to their carbon blueprint.
All ingredients used are at least 85% real meat as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.
We will break down each of the more popular Against The Grain dog meals for you to help you decide if they're worthy to be part of your pups' daily menu.
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Brand Quick Look
- Parent Company: Evangers
- Founded in: 2009
- Made in: Illinois USA
- Available at: Chewy and Amazon
- Types of Food: Canned
- Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients? : Yes
- Recalled in Past? : Yes
Behind the Brand
Against The Grain is a dog food brand that was conceptualized by the original owners as a better alternative to the more common commercial names.
The passion and love for canines inspired the owners to do away with the traditional dog food manufacturing processes of using low-class ingredients to minimize costs.
These low-quality products provide very little nutrition to dogs, and in some cases, even do more harm than good. Against The Grain was set out to be the healthier dog food option as envisioned by the owners.
And so instead of using popular methods and cheap, commercially available ingredients, the owners opted for the higher-standard procedures and the use of only the finest ingredients.
All the foods from this company follow these core principles:
- Safety first
- Only nutritionally superior food using whole and unprocessed ingredients
- Maximum flavor for the pups' pleasure
- Always using reliably sourced ingredients
All Against The Grain dog food products contain zero preservatives or artificial enhancers of any kind.
What Types of Dog Food Does Against The Grain Offer?
Against The Grain keeps things simple by offering only two different types of dog food, and one line of air-dried food. The first type is the standard grain-free shredded meats line, which has two flavors – chicken and beef.
And then there's the “Nothing Else” line, which contains only one ingredient packaged into a can free from preservatives, additives, gluten, or grain.
The brand’s Hi Bio line features high-value air-dried food suitable for both cats and dogs. It combines the dense nutrition of a raw diet with the convenience and longer shelf life of dry kibble.
Here is a list of the dog food products that Against the Grain offers:
Wet dog food
- Nothing Else Salmon
- Nothing Else Duck
- Nothing Else Beef
- Nothing Else Chicken
- Nothing Else Pork
- Grain-Free Pulled Chicken
- Grain-Free Pulled Beef
Air-dried dog/ cat food
- Hi Bio Superfood – Beef
- Hi Bio Superfood – Chicken
Against The Grain Dog Food Review
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Against the Grain Nothing Else Salmon
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Against the Grain Nothing Else Duck
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Against the Grain Nothing Else Chicken
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Against the Grain Nothing Else Beef
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Against the Grain Nothing Else Pork
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Against the Grain Hand Pulled Chicken with Gravy
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Against The Grain Hand Pulled Beef with Gravy
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In this section, we’re going to break down some of the most popular dog food products from Against The Grain.
Apart from providing a thorough evaluation of the recipes and their ingredients, we will also take a look at some of the product ratings and feedback sent by respondents online.
- Against the Grain Nothing Else Salmon
- Against the Grain Nothing Else Duck
- Against the Grain Nothing Else Chicken
- Against the Grain Nothing Else Beef
- Against the Grain Nothing Else Pork
- Against the Grain Hand Pulled Chicken with Gravy
- Against the Grain Hand Pulled Beef with Gravy
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1. Nothing Else Salmon
- Overall: 4.1 out of 5
- Ingredients: 4.5 out of 5
- Flavor: 4.5 out of 5
- Packaging: 3.5 out of 5
- Price: 4 out of 5
Only Ingredient: Salmon
Nutritional Analysis:
This dog food surprised us that there is nothing else in the can except salmon, as the company promised. No water is added to the mix. The broth is a result of natural juices from the cooking process. Though it does not smell as appetizing as we would want to, this diet should be appealing to most dogs.
Single-ingredient foods are great for dogs with allergies and are meant to get served alongside a dry kibble or well-rounded wet food. If you’re looking to supplement your pups’ current diet with more protein-rich real ingredients, then you should consider this type of food.
Against the Grain Nothing Else Salmon is a single-ingredient pate form dog meal made of salmon from local US fish farms. Apart from the pure salmon and natural gravy, this product does not have any other fillers and artificial ingredients.
It's good for all dog ages, sizes, and breeds, and those with food sensitivities or on limited ingredient diets. It can be served with another wet or dry meal.
It’s vacuum-packed in a BPA-free can and cooked with no additional water to secure all the natural flavors and nutrition.
Its single ingredient is salmon, which provides a wealthy supply of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 is vital for a dog's optimal health because it enhances the immune system, reduces inflammation, and promotes a healthier and shinier coat.
And, it is also good for the heart, which is why many veterinarians recommend fish oil capsules for dogs to boost their heart health.
Salmon is also known to have Omega-6 acids, which can help strengthen joints, and also promote improved cognitive functions, especially in senior dogs.
We noticed a high concentration of protein and fat in this recipe, which is uncommon in canned foods. It's probably due to the purity of the single ingredient in this recipe and so it can do well when mixed with dry kibble.
This single-ingredient food has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 on Chewy.com with many reviewers not pleased about the smell and lack of pate in the can.
The negative reviews are few and far in between with many verified purchasers saying they loved the product, and that their pups enjoy it. Some suggest serving this pate with a more balanced diet.
As for our own assessment, we believe 4.1 out of 5 stars is a fair rating for this product from Against the Grain .
While we don't doubt the high-quality salmon single ingredient in this recipe and the pure essential nutrients that go with it, we think mixing this meal with other more balanced diets will be more beneficial to dogs. This product is also quite pricey for its size.
2. Against the Grain Nothing Else Duck
- Overall: 4.1 out of 5
- Ingredients: 4.33 out of 5
- Flavor: 4.5 out of 5
- Packaging: 3.5 out of 5
- Price: 4 out of 5
Only Ingredient: Duck
Nutritional Analysis:
This dog food is a single-ingredient pate with duck as the only ingredient. No water is added to the mix. The broth and gravy are from natural juices in the cooking process.
Single-ingredient foods are great for dogs with allergies and are meant to be served alongside a dry kibble or well-rounded wet food.
If you’re looking to supplement your pups’ current diet with more protein-rich real ingredients, then you should consider this type of food.
Against the Grain Nothing Else Duck is a single-ingredient pate form dog meal made of duck from local US farms. It does not have any grains, GMO's, or other fillers and artificial ingredients.
It's good for all dog ages, sizes, and breeds, and those with food sensitivities or on limited ingredient diets. It can be served with another wet or dry meal.
It’s vacuum-packed in a BPA-free can and cooked with no additional water to secure all the natural flavors and nutrition.
Duck is not a very common ingredient for dog food because it's usually more expensive than other more popular farm animals. But it has its distinct advantages over other meats as well.
It has lean meat and easy-to-digest proteins and is low in saturated fat. It is a great source of iron and amino acids that help build muscles.
Iron is responsible for several physiological processes such as the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin, which is responsible for distributing oxygen and nutrients through the bloodstream.
Duck meat is also rich in antioxidants like zinc and selenium, which foster the immune system and protect against bacterial infections, viruses, and parasites. Duck is also an excellent alternative as a meal for dogs with food allergies to chicken or beef.
This recipe got mixed reviews on Chewy.com even when about 60% gave it the high 5-stars. Many said their pets loved the duck meal.
But there also was a considerable number of complaints about the cans being only half-full, or mostly fluids. Some thought they were being short-handed because of the inadequate content. There was also one that claimed the meal had mold.
Overall, we give this duck formula a 4.1 out of 5 rating. We believe the duck used for the meal is of superior quality.
We also trust the process by which it was made. But issues of deficient content must be addressed by the company, especially that this product is premium priced.
3. Against the Grain Nothing Else Chicken
- Overall: 4.1 out of 5
- Ingredients: 4.5 out of 5
- Flavor: 4.5 out of 5
- Packaging: 3.5 out of 5
- Price: 4 out of 5
Only Ingredient: Chicken
Nutritional Analysis:
This dog food is a single-ingredient pate with chicken as the only ingredient. No water is added to the mix. The broth and gravy are from natural juices in the cooking process.
Single-ingredient foods are great for dogs with allergies and are meant to be served alongside a dry kibble or well-rounded wet food.
If you’re looking to supplement your pups’ current diet with more protein-rich real ingredients, then you should consider this type of food.
Against the Grain Nothing Else Chicken is a single-ingredient pate form dog meal made of chicken from local US farms.
It does not have any grains, GMO's, or other fillers and artificial ingredients. It's good for all dog ages, sizes, and breeds. It's ideal to be served with another wet or dry dog meal for a more balanced diet.
It’s vacuum-packed in a BPA-free can and cooked with no additional water to secure all the natural flavors and nutrition.
Chicken, as a single ingredient for this product, is one of the most favorite ingredients in dog food because of its flavor and lean meat.
It's quite rich in protein, vitamins B3 and B6, phosphorus, and selenium. Chicken is also a rich source of glucosamine, which helps keep the joints healthy.
For dogs that need to lose weight, chicken is the ideal protein source because of its low-fat content compared with beef and lamb.
But some dogs are allergic to chicken, so it's best to observe your dog after serving this meal. The American Kennel Club includes chicken as among the top 10 common allergy-inducing ingredients in dog food.
Most reviews for this product are positive, with an average of 4-stars out of 5, with a few not-so-good remarks. While many said their dogs adored it, there was also quite a number that claimed their pets did not touch it.
And like in the other variants of this product line, there were a few complaints about the meal being too brothy and half-filled.
Some also complained about the smell. One customer claimed the cans were inconsistent in content, with some too liquid, some too solid, and some half-filled.
We give this chicken variant a score of 4.1 out of 5 stars, which is a pretty generous grade.
We do like the protein-rich, flavorful pate it offers. But just like with the other variants of this brand, we recommend this to be served with other more balanced dog meals for better nutrition for your dogs.
The single ingredient feature is great especially for dogs with food sensitivities. But dogs also do need other nutrients that are found in other ingredients, even plant-based ones.
Also, this product belongs to the upper budget price range. It would serve the brand better if the canned products were more consistent with the mass, and if the issue with being half-filled or with too much gravy and soup can be addressed.
4. Against the Grain Nothing Else Beef
- Overall: 3.6 out of 5
- Ingredients: 3.5 out of 5
- Flavor: 3.8 out of 5
- Packaging: 3.5 out of 5
- Price: 3.5 out of 5
Only Ingredient: Beef
Nutritional Analysis:
This dog food is a single-ingredient pate with beef as the only ingredient. No water is added to the mix. The broth and gravy are from natural juices in the cooking process.
Single-ingredient foods are great for dogs with allergies and are meant to be served alongside a dry kibble or well-rounded wet food.
If you’re looking to supplement your pups’ current diet with more protein-rich real ingredients, then you should consider this type of food.
Against the Grain Nothing Else Beef is a single-ingredient pate form dog meal made of beef from locally-bred cattle in US farms.
It does not have any grains, GMO's, or other fillers and artificial ingredients. It's good for all dog ages, sizes, and breeds. It's ideal to be served with another wet or dry dog meal for a more balanced diet.
It’s vacuum-packed in a BPA-free can and cooked with no additional water to secure all the natural flavors and nutrition.
Beef is perhaps the most popular ingredient in dog food because of its availability and affordability. Plus, it is an ideal ingredient because of its abundance of protein that provides essential amino acids, the building blocks of life, to help build and repair cells and muscles, generate hormones and enzymes, and boost energy.
It also offers an ample amount of iron, zinc, selenium, and Vitamins B12, B3, and B6, which all provide several health benefits to canines.
However, some dogs developed food allergies to beef-based recipes. So it's best to test your dog before regularly feeding with this meal.
While about 70% of the respondents at Chewy.com would recommend this product, only about 40% thought it was an excellent dog meal.
Almost 30% gave the recipe the thumbs down. The reviews are varied with some customers loving it, while others are clearly disappointed.
Some of the usual complaints we saw with other variants were also present in this one, especially the issue about the cans not being filled, or having too much soup and not enough meat.
Some are dismayed by the smell. And a good number of customers also said there was too much fat in the product, which they found awful. And then there's the usual objection to the high price.
Our verdict for this beef recipe: 3.6 stars out of 5. It's the lowest grade we gave of all the variants for this brand, basically because of the comments we gathered on different websites.
To be clear, we don't think this meal is a bad one. We trust in the good quality of the single ingredient that the company uses.
We believe in the nutrition facts provided in the labels. But we have to take into consideration what the customers think.
Of all the variants in the Against The Grain Nothing Else product line, this one received the most complaints. With its premium price, customer expectation is sure to be sky-high.
5. Against the Grain Nothing Else Pork
- Overall: 4 out of 5
- Ingredients: 4 out of 5
- Flavor: 4.5 out of 5
- Packaging: 3.5 out of 5
- Price: 3.9 out of 5
Only Ingredient: Pork
Nutritional Analysis:
This dog food is a single-ingredient pate with pork as the only ingredient. No water is added to the mix. The broth and gravy are from natural juices in the cooking process.
Single-ingredient foods are great for dogs with allergies and are meant to be served alongside a dry kibble or well-rounded wet food.
If you’re looking to supplement your pups’ current diet with more protein-rich real ingredients, then you should consider this type of food.
Against the Grain Nothing Else Pork is a single-ingredient pate form dog meal made of pork from locally-bred swine in US farms. It does not have any grains, GMO's, or other fillers and artificial ingredients.
It's good for all dog ages, sizes, and breeds. It's ideal to be served with another wet or dry dog meal for a more balanced diet.
It’s vacuum-packed in a BPA-free can and cooked with no additional water to secure all the natural flavors and nutrition.
Pork is not a very popular choice for dog food ingredient because it is rich in a type of fat that's difficult for dogs to digest, which can lead to indigestion and inflammation of the pancreas.
However, it's still an excellent supplier of amino acids. It's also rich in thiamine or vitamin B1, which is an essential nutrient that must be included in a canine's diet.
The lack of thiamine may cause muscle weakness in dogs. Pork is also a good alternative to dogs with food sensitivities to beef and chicken.
Quite surprisingly, the reviews for this recipe are mostly supportive. More than 60% of respondents gave it the top-rate 5-stars.
Many customers were happy with the results in their food-allergic pets, with quite a few saying their furry friends stopped itching.
Some also say this is their favorite of all the Nothing Else flavors. But there are still several gripes about the “half-filled” content, and having too much water and less meat. And of course, the upscale price will always be something to scoff at.
We believe that a fair grade for this pork recipe would be 4.0 stars out of 5. Since the company is respectable with its meat sources, we think the pork used as a single ingredient in this product is of prime quality.
It provides enough protein for the needs of dogs. But like all other variants in the product line, we recommend this meal to be served alongside other dry kibble or wet meals with more balanced nutrition.
6. Against the Grain Hand Pulled Chicken with Gravy
- Overall: 4 out of 5
- Ingredients: 5 out of 5
- Flavor: 4 out of 5
- Packaging: 3.5 out of 5
- Price: 4 out of 5
First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Apples
Nutritional Analysis:
This canned food more closely resembles what we expect to see in moist dog foods; an overall balanced diet of proteins, vegetables, and fruits.
This food contains only wholesome ingredients and without GMOs, hormones, or antibiotics. The company recommends serving it as a full meal or a topper for dry kibble.
Against The Grain presents a unique dog recipe with this product featuring shredded chicken mixed with fruits and veggies in tasty gravy.
The formula looks nutritiously delicious as a regular meal or toppings for dry kibbles. It's suitable for dogs of all life stages, breeds, and sizes. It contains no GMOs and artificial preservatives but is packed with essential nutrients that dogs need.
Chicken is the first ingredient in this recipe, which is also the main source of needed proteins. It is quite delectable and appetizing for many dogs.
Chicken is rich in protein, vitamins B3 and B6, phosphorus, and selenium. It also has glucosamine, which is good for the joints. Its low-fat meat is good for controlling the weight of your pooch. But some dogs have an allergic reaction to chicken.
Chicken broth is added to the mix for the extra flavor and palatability of this recipe. It also adds valuable nutrients as broth retains these essentials from the raw meat when boiled. Also, chicken bones contain collagen, which is dissolved into the broth.
Sweet potatoes are a sweet addition to this recipe. Rich in manganese, phosphorus, copper, potassium, vitamin B6, carotenoids, vitamins C and A, plus antioxidants and phytochemicals, it's a type of low-fat root vegetable. It surely adds some mild sweetness to this moist meal.
Carrots are surely a welcome addition to this dog diet. Low in fat and calories, this vegetable is high in soluble fiber, which is beneficial in bowel movement. More importantly, carrots are rich in vitamin A, and beta-carotene, an antioxidant and healthy nutrient for the eyes.
Like carrots, apples are also a great supplement in this recipe. It's packed with vitamin C and A, and dietary fibers, which are all highly valuable to your dog's health.
We found several comments about this brand. And although close to 70% of respondents recommend it, a good 22% of them gave this wet food the snub.
Some are unhappy about the taste, texture, and smell. Some complained about the lack of chicken and too much gravy. But there are also those that are delighted about the balanced nutrition in this formula.
Overall, we think 4.1 stars out of 5 is a fair grade for this formula. We absolutely like the mixture of ingredients in this formula, which offers a balanced diet of meat protein, and plant-based nutrients.
We also believe that the company sourced all the ingredients in the USA, even when there are claims from some camps that other components were from Thailand.
It surprised us a bit that over 20% of online reviews showed dissatisfaction over the meal. If there's anything we're quite not agreeable with this product, it's got to be the steep price.
7. Against The Grain Hand Pulled Beef with Gravy
- Overall: 4 out of 5
- Ingredients: 5 out of 5
- Flavor: 4 out of 5
- Packaging: 3.5 out of 5
- Price: 3.5 out of 5
First 5 ingredients: Beef, Beef Broth, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Apples
Nutritional Analysis:
This canned food more closely resembles what we expect to see in moist dog foods; an overall balanced diet of proteins, vegetables, and fruits.
This food contains only wholesome ingredients and without GMOs, hormones, or antibiotics. The company recommends serving it as a full meal or a topper for dry kibble.
Against The Grain presents a unique dog recipe with this product featuring gravy wet and shredded beef mixed with fruits and veggies.
The formula looks nutritiously delicious as a regular meal or toppings for dry kibbles. It's suitable for dogs of all life stages, breeds, and sizes. It contains no GMOs and artificial preservatives but is fortified with essential nutrients for your pooch.
Beef, the first ingredient, is an excellent source of protein to help build and repair cells and muscles, generate hormones and enzymes, and boost energy.
Beef is also notable for its supply of iron, zinc, selenium, and Vitamins B12, B3, and B6. But some dogs have allergy issues with beef so it's best to test your pups for reactions.
Beef broth is part of the recipe, which serves as an enhancer of flavor and palatability. The broth retains some of the essential nutrients from the raw meat when boiled.
Sweet potatoes are added to the meal for enhanced flavor and nutrition, apart from serving as filler. Wealthy in manganese, phosphorus, copper, potassium, vitamin B6, carotenoids, vitamins C and A, plus antioxidants and phytochemicals, it's a type of low-fat root vegetable. It surely adds some mild sweetness to this moist meal.
We love that this recipe included carrots and apples, both extremely rich in essential vitamins. Carrots are high in soluble fiber, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. Apples are known for vitamin A and C as well as dietary fibers.
While we gathered less than 10 comments about this dog dinner online, all were very constructive. Eight of them bestowed the 5-stars. Many are pleased with the ingredients of this mix.
In conclusion, we give Against The Grain Hand Pulled Beef with Gravy a high 4.0 stars out of 5. We dig the balanced nutrition in this diet, especially coming from high-quality mixed ingredients of meat and plant-based.
We're glad that so far there aren't any unfavorable reactions to it yet. It seems most regular customers are very satisfied. However, its price is without a doubt a bit expensive for its size.
Against The Grain Recall History
There were two recalls recorded for Against The Grain Dog Food from February 2017. Below are the full details of the recalls.
- February 14, 2017 – Against The Grain Pulled Beef with Gravy Dinner recalled for possible pentobarbital contamination.
- February 28, 2017 – Against The Grain Pulled Beef with Gravy Dinner recalled for possible pentobarbital contamination.
In our research, we found out that the main issue for the recalls was the possible contamination of the products with pentobarbital, which is a drug used to euthanize animals.
It is possible that some of the ingredients included in the products were sourced from euthanized cattle using this drug. With significant amounts, this drug can be fatal for dogs.
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are highly valuable to us when making our own reviews. We believe that most, if not all, comments are honest and made with the best intentions. Although people have varying opinions about certain matters, we look out for common observations.
Most of the pros for the Against The Grain products are delighted about the high-quality ingredients and the nutrient content. Some love the smell and texture.
On the other hand, there were consistent complaints about changes in the formula, and the cans being just half-full, or too much gravy and less meat.
Here are some of the actual comments:
Positive
Good supplement!
- My picky eater enjoys this. We put a couple of tablespoons on top of her grain-free salmon and sweet potato kibble to help entice her. She now looks forward to eating on a more regular schedule. We cut her kibble back by about 1/4 cup since we are just using this as a supplement and don’t want to increase calories. The food is of good quality and does not smell bad whatsoever. Very pleased with this product and will be ordering again. – Chewy Customer
Great for dogs with allergies
- I specifically need a very limited ingredient food for my dogs with multiple allergies. This is perfect for one who does well with salmon; however, it has an issue with a lot of ingredients mixed in most dog foods. He loves it and eats more willingly than he did before! – Chewy Customer
Negative
Yuck
- I have been buying the pulled chicken for almost a year and absolutely loved the chunks of chicken and yummy vegetables that were jammed into each can. There was just a little bit of broth, and it always smelled really good. I just received a case and was surprised at the amount of liquid in the can. The chicken looked different too. NOTHING about this food looks the same. What happened? I contacted Chewy, and they are giving me a refund for the case. Thank you Chewy for being so nice about this! Such a shame!! – Chewy Customer
One of our dogs won't touch it.
- Although three of our dogs seem to like it, our fussy one will not touch it, even leaving the room. Some of the cans have been about 25% juice, so it's not especially economical. – Chewy Customer
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Against The Grain Dog Food Lives up to Their Name
The products of Against The Grain are special in such a way that they use only one ingredient in most of the meals. This way, the nutrients coming from meat sources are not diluted with fillers.
It's also a good way of avoiding food allergies in dogs as some other additives usually cause these reactions. The company is notable for using top-quality ingredients too.
While some grains can provide healthy nutrients to dogs, they offer much lesser essentials when compared with meat and other plants. We highly recommend Against The Grain to supplement your dog's dry kibble with some of the nutritious moist food.