Authority Dog Food Reviews, Coupons and Recalls [Updated May 2023]

If you’re looking for a brand of dog food that offers the ideal balance of quality and affordability, I recommend that you consider Authority foods as one of your options.

I’ve checked Authority dog food recipes thoroughly, and I have to say that most of its dog food products pass the test. 

Produced and manufactured by one of the largest pet store chains in the country, this brand is easy to find, and its dog food range is quite large and varied.

You might be interested to know that Authority food products are designed to nourish your dog from the inside out, and the brand accomplishes this goal by using high levels of protein, balanced fat content, and plenty of natural fibers and probiotics for digestive support.

Learn more about this brand by going through our detailed Authority Dog Food Review below.

Who Makes Authority Dog Food?

Before I get on with my Authority dog food review, let’s clarify a few things. The Authority brand of dog food is produced by PetSmart, one of the largest pet store chains in North America. Petsmart was founded in 1986 and has grown to include more than 1,300 retail locations.

You can’t find it anywhere except on the Petsmart website, which is the exclusive distributor of the Authority dog food brand in the country.

Authority Dog Food Reviews

For the most part, this brand receives positive reviews, and many of its products earn a 4-star rating from me. It earns points for using high-quality sources of animal protein as the first ingredient in all of the recipes and for formulating them in a way that ensures complete and balanced nutrition.

Authority dog food may not be the highest quality brand on the market, but it is definitely one of the better options out there. And if you are concerned about price, it’s definitely worth your consideration compared to most dog foods out there, as you’ll find out from my in-depth Authority dog food reviews below.

Reviewed Authority Dog Foods

1. Authority Grain-Free Adult Chicken & Pea Formula
2. Authority Lamb & Rice Entree
3. Authority Sensitive Stomach & Skin
4. Authority Tender Blends Chicken & Rice Formula
5. Authority Turkey, Pea, Duck & Salmon Formula
6. Authority Beef & Rice Entree Adult Cuts in Gravy
7. Authority Lamb & Rice Entree Puppy
8. Authority Chicken & Rice Formula Small Breed Senior

 

1. Authority Chicken & Pea Formula (Large Breed)

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Dried Peas, Dried Chickpeas, Dried Potatoes

Rating: 4/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

This Authority dog food for large pups is made with real chicken and delicious flavor. 

The first ingredient in this pet food is chicken — deboned chicken, to be exact. Though fresh chicken is an excellent ingredient, you must remember that it contains as much as 70% moisture by volume. The chicken meal makes the nutritional content so much better because, pound for pound, it contains more protein than fresh chicken.

After the chicken and chicken meal come several carbohydrate sources — dried peas, potato starch, and flaxseed meal. There are also supplementary fibers in the form of dried plain beet pulp and dried potatoes to help regulate your dog’s digestive system. 

All of the carbohydrates in this dry dog food recipe are grain- and gluten-free, which I think is good, but it should be noted that the dried peas have fairly high protein content, so a significant amount of protein in this dog food is vegetable-based.

The flaxseed meal provides some protein as well, but it is mainly used as a source of fiber and healthy fats. The main source of fat in this recipe is chicken fat, which makes the dog food quite palatable for our furry friends, enticing them to eat more.

Key Takeaways:

Overall, this is a decent option for big dogs, especially for dogs that have food allergies and can’t handle grain. This formula starts off strong with high-quality ingredients and premium meats. There are just a few ingredients here, which you should take as a sign that there are no fillers or unnecessary ingredients. 

I think, though, that it is somewhat concerning to that the dried peas might make a measurable contribution to the total protein content of the recipe. However, this doesn’t make the recipe bad at all. Only if you prefer that most of the protein comes from meat sources.

Best for: Large breed adult canines

Pros:

• Has Orashield system that reduces plaque and tartar
• Contains glucosamine to support large-breed joint health
• Natural fiber and prebiotic blend for digestive support
• No grains or glutens

Cons:

• A significant amount of protein come from legumes

2. Authority Ground Entrée Turkey & Rice Formula

First 5 ingredients: Turkey Broth, Turkey, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Brewers Rice

Rating: 3/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

This adult Authority dog food formula is loaded with savory flavors from delectable turkey and tender rice. It is rich in protein to support your dog’s strong muscles and healthy heart. 

The first ingredient in this wet dog food is turkey broth, followed by fresh turkey. The “meat-first ingredient” rule doesn’t apply here as it does for dry dog food. Canned meals usually start off with water or broth, so this isn’t a problem. 

The turkey and rice dry dog food recipe make up for it by including three protein-rich ingredients immediately after the broth. Both fresh turkey and chicken are rich in nutrients, but the chicken liver trumps them both when it comes to being nutritionally dense.

There is also some supplementary protein in the form of a dried egg product. If you’re concerned about why the protein level is “only” at 8%, don’t be. 8% in wet food is much higher than 8% in dry dog food. If you calculate it on a dry matter basis, the 8% in this recipe comes out equivalent to 36% protein in dry food.

The remaining ingredients in this formula consist of carbohydrates like brewer’s rice and rice flour, as well as supplementary fibers and thickeners like dried beet pulp, guar gum, and carrageenan. 

The main source of fat is canola which, though rich in omega fatty acids, is a plant-based fat and, therefore, less biologically valuable than animal fat. 

Key takeaways:

If you have read any of my previous articles, you’d know that I am totally against canola except if the oil used is organic. Non-organic canola is highly processed. Normally, I’d be all up for wet food over dry dog food, but this recipe just contains too many problematic ingredients for me.

It’s not only the canola oil that I don’t like. This Authority dog food also contains carrageenan, which some experts say can cause gastric inflammation in dogs. Although this is a highly controversial ingredient, with experts weighing in on both sides, I would rather stay on the safe side and keep far away from any food with the ingredient in it.

Lastly, though there are grains included (and I like grains, usually), brewer’s rice is not the kind of grain I would go for. It’s a cheaper ingredient and not a whole-grain ingredient. It’s basically broken pieces of white rice and so does not contain much nutrition.

Best for: Adult pups who like plenty of moisture in their food

Pros:

• Few ingredients
• High in protein
• No fillers or artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors

Cons:

• Contains carrageenan and canola
• Does not use whole grains

3. Authority Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Rice Formula

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Ground Wheat, Wheat Germ Meal

Rating: 4/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

This Authority dog food is specially formulated to meet the nutritional and dietary needs of dogs with food sensitivities. It contains none of the common triggers for allergies, such as corn, wheat, soy, or chicken.

Made with deboned salmon, this recipe is easy on sensitive stomachs and full of omega fatty acids (from fish oil) that help reduce the inflammation that is usually present in pups with allergies. Fish meal is included as an additional source of high-quality protein.

Brown rice, ground wheat, wheat germ, oatmeal, rice bran, brewer’s rice, and flaxseeds provide carbohydrates and fiber much needed by dogs. Carbs are necessary for pet food products to provide pups with quick energy because proteins and fats take longer to burn.

Fish and canola oils provide much of the fat in the food. In case you’re wondering what else can be found in fat aside from omegas, well, fat helps dogs perform at a higher level. It gives them the energy they require for movement.

Key Takeaways:

According to my personal research, this Authority food product has been great for pups with sensitive stomachs. Dogs with extreme sensitivities who previously vomited up their meals were able to keep this food down without getting upset tummies.

If you have a dog with a sensitive stomach or are allergic to proteins other than fish, this is a good brand to try. There is absolutely no poultry product in it. 

However, it does have canola oil, which is far more processed than other types of oil. It’s not toxic, but I would rather not have it present in my dog’s food, as there are so many better options out there.

Best for: Pups of all ages who have sensitivities

Pros:

• No poultry product
• Supports skin and coat health
• Reduces itching and helps dog fur grow back

Cons:

• Contains canola oil

4. Authority Tender Blends Chicken & Rice Formula

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Corn, Brown Rice, Oat Groats

Rating: 3.5/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

Authority Chicken and Rice formula dry dog food contain different textures and flavors all in one bag. It has chewy bits, crunchy kibbles, and garden vegetables. 

Made of real deboned chicken, you can be assured that your dog is getting a high-quality source of protein. Chicken is also easy to digest and is a top favorite among canines when it comes to flavor.

This Authority Tender Bites recipe has a unique antioxidant blend of selenium, zinc, and vitamin E supplement for a stronger immune system.

Prebiotics and natural fiber help support gut health for better digestion. These work by ensuring better absorption of nutrients. 

Since this is a grain-inclusive diet, there are plenty of them to be found here. Brown rice, oat groats, and oatmeal provide the carbs and fiber. Brown rice is especially good, in my opinion, because not only is it full of fiber, but it is also vitamin dense. 

The crunchy kibbles that come with the soft bites are specially formulated with Authority’s Ora-Shield. Ora-Shield gives the crunchy kibbles an abrasive texture that helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup.

Key Takeaways:

According to reviews from our volunteer pet owners and their pups, puppers of all ages just love Authority Everyday Health recipe in chicken. The mix of chewy pieces, crunchy kibbles, and veggies provides dogs with different textures that they find delicious. 

In fact, some dogs who only ate wet food previously have been converted by this multi-texture recipe from Authority.

However, like many of Authority’s recipes, this one also contains canola. The formulation is mostly fine except for this one ingredient. See, the oil is made by heating canola seeds dissolved in hexane solvent. It is then refined using organic acid at the last stage of processing. If you’re set against highly processed ingredients, this recipe is not for you. 

It also contains corn syrup. What this is, is basically sugar. Your dog does not need additional sugar content in his food. It is there just to make the food more palatable to picky dogs.

Best for: Adult pups of any dog breed and over 1 year of age

Pros:

• Has plenty of omega-6 fatty acids
• Packed with guaranteed levels of vitamins and minerals
• Caloric content is not too high

Cons:

• Uses canola oil
• Has corn syrup

5. Authority Turkey, Pea, Duck & Salmon Formula

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Dried Peas, Turkey Meal, Chicken Fat

Rating: 4.25/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

Authority Turkey, Duck & Salmon Formula is a dry dog food formulated to have the nutrients needed by high-performance dogs of all breeds and ages. This is especially convenient for multiple-dog households.

While it is called a Turkey, Duck & Salmon Formula, there is actually more chicken here than salmon. Salmon is only the 13th ingredient. 

High-performance or working dogs need as much protein as they can get. And this dog food recipe gives that by loading up the first five ingredients with mostly animal meats and fats. 

Protein makes up 30% of this high-performance formula, while healthy fats from chicken and salmon oil make up 20%. Aside from strong muscles, this formulation encourages a healthy metabolism ideal for active pups.

While dogs need protein and fats for longer-lasting energy, they also need carbs to draw on as quick sources of fuel (protein and fat take longer to burn). Peas, lentils, and dried potatoes are those sources.

This dry food has chicken fat and salmon oil, which are rich in omega fatty acids and DHA that help support a healthy immune system, heart, brain, skin, and coat. It also has naturally sourced glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate (from dried chicken cartilage) to keep dogs mobile and their joints pain-free.

Like all Authority dry dog foods, this formula for all life stages is made with the Ora-Shield System to help reduce tartar and plaque.

Key Takeaways:

According to my research, dog owners love the quality of the ingredients that go into this product. As well as the various health benefits it gives to their pups.

As far as our volunteers’ pets have experienced, this formula has been quite gentle, even on sensitive stomachs. It does not upset tummies nor cause issues such as vomiting in these dogs.

I like this dog food formulation. It has no problematic ingredient that I can see, and the meat-packed formulation is always a plus in my book. It’s a good all-around food for your pups, and I especially recommend it for multiple pet households.

Best for: High-performance canines of all ages

Pros:

• High in protein
• Made for all life stages
• Packed with premium meat ingredients
• Contains glucosamine and chondroitin

Cons:

• Kibble might not be the best size for small breeds

6. Authority Beef & Rice Entrée Adult Cuts in Gravy

First 5 ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Rice, Potato Starch

Rating: 4/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

Authority Beef & Rice Entrée Adult Cuts in Gravy is a grain-inclusive wet dog food formulated to give complete and balanced nutrition to adult dogs. It has meaty cuts rich in the flavors of beef and chicken served in savory gravy.

While beef is the main protein source of this recipe, chicken gives it another layer of flavor. Beef broth and liver give this stew an additional lip-smacking richness that adult dogs find hard to resist.

Rice, potato starch, corn starch, and dried beet pulp provide carbohydrates as well as fiber to help aid your dog’s digestion. Fiber is responsible for keeping your dog’s bowel movements regular yet solid. It also helps your dog’s tummy in absorbing nutrients better.

Key Takeaways:

I’ve always liked it when brands include organs in a recipe. Organs are nutrient-dense, and they make the taste of dog food more palatable so that pups like the taste. This Authority adult dog food got it right, and it’s not too rich, either. The calories are just about right, especially for one that’s high in protein.

However, like many of Authority’s recipes, some just fail to meet all expectations. This one gets minus points from me for using oil from canola seeds. It’s just way too processed and well, not one I’d prefer to be in my pet’s food. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not toxic, but again, not something I’d like to see in the dog food I feed.

Best for: Adult canines who are picky

Pros:

• Highly appetizing to finicky pups
• Produces shiny coats
• Cuts can be fed as is or used as a topper

Cons:

• Uses oil from canola seeds

7. Authority Lamb & Rice Entrée Puppy

First 5 ingredients: Lamb Broth, Lamb, Chicken, Lamb Liver, Brewers Rice

Rating: 3/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

This Authority puppy food is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of growing puppies. This ground meal is soft to help puppies easily chew and digest the food.

Made with real lamb and chicken, this puppy food is rich in protein, which helps young pups develop strong and lean muscles. Lamb broth and lamb liver add even more flavor, making it hard to resist even for little finicky pooches.

Rice and beet pulp are included as sources of carbohydrates and fiber. Rice is known to be gentle on the tummy, while beet pulp will help your pup maintain intestinal health and enhance your pet’s ability to absorb ingredients.

The DHA and EPA in the food will help promote healthy brain and eye development in puppies. Enriched with vitamin and mineral supplements, this lamb and rice recipe from Authority ensures complete and balanced nutrition with every serving. It can be served on its own or poured over kibbles.

Key takeaways:

I’ve tested this recipe out on little pups, and the result is unanimous among the several ones who happily volunteered. The little furry pups get excited about mealtimes and lick their bowls clean. This Authority puppy food has been quite effective in getting picky little canines to chow down.

As usual, though, with Authority products, there’s almost always one or two things that keep it from being perfect. This time, there are two — canola oil and carrageenan. While I don’t like canola, I really, really do not recommend foods with carrageenan.

The carrageenan you find in food is food-grade and used as a thickener. However, there is evidence that suggests it may degrade in the stomach, and degraded carrageenan is a known carcinogen. While experts are divided on this issue, I prefer not to expose my dogs to such and won’t recommend foods to other owners with carrageenan in them. 

Best for: Little puppies

Pros:

• Contains EPA and DHA for eye and brain development
• Perfect calories to fuel an active puppy
• Liver for extra palatability

Cons:

• Has carrageenan and canola

8. Authority Chicken & Rice Formula Small Breed Senior

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Corn, Dried Plain Beet Pulp

Rating: 4/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

Authority Chicken & Rice Formula Small Breed Senior is a grain-inclusive dry dog food formulated for the unique nutritional needs of small-breed senior pups.

The kibble size is specially designed for small bites to make it easy for little senior pooches to chew and digest. The kibbles are crafted with Authority’s Ora-Shield System to help reduce tartar and plaque buildup.

With chicken as the first ingredient, this Authority formula gives high-quality protein that is also easily digested. The rich chicken flavor of the kibbles is enhanced by chicken fat. Corn gluten meal and dried egg product are included as additional sources of protein.

Brown rice, corn, dried beet pulp, and flaxseed provide carbohydrates and natural fiber, the last of which is much needed by senior dogs to help aid in their digestion to keep their bowel movements regular and solid.

Since seniors often have problems with mobility, this dry food has been formulated with naturally sourced glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate from dried chicken cartilage to support joint health. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids restore coats into glossy ones and help keep inflammation down.

The formula also features a unique antioxidant blend of vitamin E, selenium, and zinc to help boost your dog’s immune system. 

Key takeaways:

Most dogs become pickier with food as they age. They start preferring some flavors and textures more than others. Based on my research, this product has passed the standards of numerous finicky seniors. They love the savory chicken flavor of this recipe. It also helps that the kibbles are small and easy to chew.

I like the use of fish oil as a source of fat, and I wish it were the only one used by the brand. However, Authority decided to pair fish oil with another type of oil that I would prefer not to see in this recipe — canola.  

Best for: Senior small breed pooches 

Pros:

• Kibbles are perfect for little mouths
• Contains joint supplements to keep senior pooches mobile
• Has above-average protein amount to keep aging dogs active

Cons:

• Contains corn and canola

 

Authority Dog Food Products

The Authority brand of dog food offers a wide selection of dry and canned food options as well as an assortment of treats. This pet food brand always uses real meat as the first ingredient for all of its formulas and flavors, plus its recipes are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

Authority dog food reviews are generally pretty positive, though you still need to make your own evaluation of any product you are thinking about buying.

Dry Products

This brand offers a decent assortment of dry food recipes for dogs in all life stages. Their products can be divided into several different product lines, including original, grain-free, and tender blend formulas. There is also a line of GNC Pets products to provide specialized nutrition for certain things such as healthy joints, healthy weight, and healthy skin and coat. Here is a list of their dry recipes:

Dry Products:

• Puppy Chicken & Rice
• Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice
• Adult Chicken & Rice
• Adult Lamb & Rice
• Mature Adult Chicken & Rice
• Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice
• Large Breed Mature Chicken & Rice
• Weight Management Adult Chicken & Rice
• Large Breed Weight Management Adult Chicken & Rice
• Small Breed Adult Chicken & Rice
• Small Breed Adult Lamb & Rice
• Small Breed Mature Adult Chicken & Rice
• Grain-Free Puppy Chicken & Pea Formula
• Grain-Free Adult Chicken & Pea Formula
• Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Chicken & Pea Formula
• Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Chicken & Pea Formula
• Tender Blends Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula
• Tender Blends Puppy Beef & Rice Formula
• Tender Blends Adult Beef & Rice Formula
• Everyday Health Adult Chicken & Rice Formula
• GNC Pets Healthy Weight + Joint Support Adult Turkey & Chickpea Formula
• GNC Pets Skin, Coat + Digestive Healthy Support Formula

Wet Products

When it comes to the brand’s canned products, this brand offers three sizes – 15-ounce, 13-ounce, and 6-ounce cans. Its wet foods can be divided into several product lines, including GNC Pets, Savory Cuts, Ground Entrees, and Patés. These recipes feature real meat ingredients like beef, chicken, and lamb. Here is a list of canned dog food recipes:

Wet Products:

• GNC Pets Puppy Food Chicken Recipe
• GNC Pets Adult Food Chicken Recipe
• GNC Pets Mature Dog Chicken Recipe
• GNC Pets Adult Food Chicken Weight Management Recipe
• Savory Cuts Adult Beef & Rice Formula
• Ground Entrée Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula
• Ground Entrée Adult Lamb & Rice Formula
• Ground Entrée Mature Lamb & Rice Formula
• Ground Entrée Adult Lamb & Rice Weight Management Formula
• Grain-Free Paté Adult Beef & Vegetables Formula
• Grain-Free Paté Adult Turkey & Sweet Potato Formula
• Grain-Free Paté Puppy Chicken & Carrots Formula
• Grain-Free Paté Adult Chicken & Carrots Formula
• Grain-Free Paté Mature Chicken & Vegetables Recipe
• All Life Stages Pumpkin Supplement

Treats

In addition to dry and wet food products, this brand also offers ten different options of treats. These treats take the form of dental treats, training treats, and chewy treats in different flavors, such as chicken and beef. 

Here is a list of Authority’s dog treat recipes:

Treats:

• Chewy Wraps Dog Treats
• Beef Meatball Chewy Treats
• Puppy Teething Sticks
• Dental Stick Dog Treats
• Puppy Teething Rings
• Training Soft Bites Treats

Authority Dog Food Recall History

Though the brand doesn’t provide much information about where its products are made or how the ingredients are sourced, they do offer its customers a satisfaction guarantee.

PetSmart is generally considered a trustworthy company, though that doesn’t necessarily guarantee the quality of their products. It does bode well, however, that there are not many Authority recalls – here are the details for the only recall in the brand history:

• In March 2007, the FDA issued a massive recall for many pet food brands, including this one. The recall was issued for multiple products, including both canine and feline recipes, due to concerns about potential melamine contamination.

Does Corn Gluten Meal Contain Gluten? 

Corn gluten meal is a staple in many Authority formulas. For dog owners whose dogs have sensitivities to gluten, this can be concerning. But I will address that worry here.

It may sound surprising, but corn gluten meal is actually gluten-free. The stuff is 60%-70% protein, and none of the corn gluten meal is gluten. In fact, corn in its natural state does not contain gluten. 

So how did corn gluten meal get its name? The story goes that the word “gluten” got attached to corn because one worker in a wheat gluten processing facility just started calling everything with protein in it as “gluten.”

Final Verdict on Authority Pet Foods

I’ve found Authority formulas as mostly decent alternatives to cheaper brands of dog foods that have loads of fillers. The recipes do not contain soy, wheat, or artificial ingredients. The list of ingredients is often short, and the meat sources are premium. 

However, some recipes do contain ingredients that I do not wish to see in dog food. In particular, canola and, most worrying of all, carrageenan. The few Authority pet foods without these ingredients that I have reviewed are quite excellent and can be a match for the more expensive brands. 

If you can steer away from those recipes with carrageenan, I feel that your dog will be in good hands with this as part of his regular diet.