Beneful Dog Food Review 2025: The Good & The Bad Revealed!

The Beneful dog food brand was first introduced in 2001 and the brand has continued to grow and expand in the years since. A dog food-only brand, Beneful offers an assortment of dry food and wet food options as well as an assortment of treats.

According to a company spokesperson, the name Beneful means “full of goodness” but the company has recently come under fire in a 2015 class action lawsuit regarding the use of propylene glycol and mycotoxins as potentially poisonous (even deadly) ingredients in Beneful products.

In 2016, Beneful released a collection of new and updated recipes made with real beef or chicken as the number-1 ingredient with no added sugar in response to consumer feedback.

Overall, however, Beneful is still a mid-quality brand at best if you take the time to review the information provided on their pet food labels.

Read on for our comprehensive Beneful Dog Food Review below.

 

Who Makes Beneful?

The Beneful brand of dog food is produced and manufactured by Purina. The Purina family of brands is overseen by the Nestle Purina PetCare Company, originally the Ralston Purina company. Ralson Purina was acquired by Nestle in 2001 and merged with the Friskies PetCare Company.

Today, Nestle Purina PetCare is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri and it is the second-largest pet food manufacturer in the world and the largest in the United States.

Is Beneful Made in the United States?

Beneful’s products are all made in Purina-owned facilities located throughout the United States with ingredients that meet or exceed federal and state requirements.

According to the FAQ section of the Beneful website, Beneful is produced in cities including Flagstaff, AR; Fairburn, GA; and Davenport, IA. Beneful also has on-site quality assurance labs in each manufacturing facility to monitor and enforce quality and safety protocols.

Beneful Dog Food Reviews

Beneful recently updated some of their recipes to include real beef, chicken, or salmon. While the information on the Beneful website might lead you to believe that these are used as main ingredients in the updated recipes, that is sadly not the case for most formulas.

Beneful relies heavily on by-products and unnamed sources for most of their proteins and they make heavy use of corn, wheat, and soy ingredients as well.

You will also find that most Beneful products include the use of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.

Beneful Infused

Beneful Infused is a premium line of dog food designed to elevate your pet’s mealtime experience with an extra boost of flavor and nutrition. The infuse line comes in 3 kinds: broth, fish oil and sunflower oil.

Infused with rich, savory broth, this range delivers irresistible taste that dogs love while adding essential hydration to their diet.

The inclusion of sunflower oil provides a natural source of omega-6 fatty acids, which support healthy skin and a shiny coat, ensuring your furry friend looks and feels their best.

Fish oil, another key ingredient, is packed with omega-3 fatty acids that promote joint health and overall mobility, making it especially beneficial for active and aging dogs alike.

1. Purina Beneful Infused Pate with Real Lamb, Carrots & Spinach 

A truly healthy meal that is suitable for canines with discerning palates, this lamb pate will keep you filling bowls after bowls without worry. Because the ingredients are limited, you can easily check and analyze all ingredients that make up this food for potential triggers.

This high-protein canned dog food is crafted with real lamb, cooked to perfection, and complemented by a blend of visible, wholesome vegetables like carrots and spinach that your dog will love.

Infused with sunflower oil, this nutrient-rich pate supports your dog's skin and coat health, helping him look and feel his best. Free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, this premium wet dog food delivers the irresistible variety your dog craves while providing peace of mind for you.

Serve it on its own or mix it with his favorite kibble for added flavor and nutrition. Packed with high-quality ingredients, this 100% complete and balanced meal offers the nutritional support your dog needs and the delicious taste he’ll savor in every bite.

Other infusions:

• With fish oil
• With broth

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incrediBITES

Purina Beneful incrediBITEs offer nutrient-rich formulations specifically crafted for little dogs who have a higher metabolism than medium to large-sized breeds.

The kibbles are in perfectly small shapes to fit little mouths, and there are no added sugars, so you can fill your pet’s bowl to the brim without guilt.

A farm-raised animal meat always leads the list of ingredients. There are accents of real vegetables to add more variety, taste, and nutrition to a protein-led diet, plus a load of energy-fueling grains to give your pet the boost he needs for all of his doggy adventures.

2. incrediBITES for Small Dogs with Real Beef

Beef is the main star here and also the main source of protein as the first ingredient. It’s a savory meat that lends a rich taste to any recipe, further made more flavorful (and nutritious) with the addition of real carrots and peas.

There are many other sources of animal protein in this meal aside from beef. Chicken by-product meal, poultry by-product meal and poultry and pork digest also contribute heavily to the protein load.

Now, a chicken by-product meal isn’t bad per se, but it depends entirely on the quality of the meat used. Plus, many pet owners prefer feeding whole meat rather than a by-product to their pets.

This recipe offers a mix of positives and negatives. While chicken by-products, particularly nutrient-rich organs, can be beneficial, the lack of specificity about the parts used raises concerns.

The inclusion of poultry by-product meal feels vague, which is less than ideal for pet food transparency. On the other hand, poultry and pork digests, sourced from USDA-inspected facilities, enhance taste and palatability while providing protein.

It contains several grains, some better than others. While barley adds fiber and micronutrients, whole grain corn and wheat are less ideal, with corn being hard to digest and wheat serving as a carbohydrate-heavy filler. Corn gluten meal acts as a cheap protein binder.

Despite these drawbacks, the recipe shines with a strong protein content of 27%, supporting muscle health, and the inclusion of 23 essential vitamins and minerals ensures complete and balanced nutrition for your pet.

3. IncrediBites with Real Salmon & Gravy

Chicken takes the lead in this product, serving as the main ingredient and primary protein source. Paired with chicken broth and liver, this recipe delivers a savory, nutrient-rich base that small dogs will love.

While salmon appears as the fifth ingredient, it still contributes omega-3 fatty acids, offering added support for healthy skin and a shiny coat. Real carrots, wild rice and tomatoes round out the recipe, providing natural vitamins and fiber to keep your pup feeling their best.

Though chicken by-products are not included, the presence of liver is a highlight, as it’s packed with essential nutrients that promote overall health. However, the reliance on salmon as a supporting rather than a primary ingredient might be surprising for pet owners looking for a salmon-forward formula.

The inclusion of chicken broth adds moisture and enhances the flavor, making the meal especially appealing for small breeds. And while grains are present in the mix, they are not overly dominant, allowing the recipe to strike a good balance between protein and carbohydrates.

Despite salmon playing more of a supporting role, this wet dog food still offers plenty of high-quality protein and essential vitamins and minerals.

With its enticing flavor and thoughtfully selected ingredients, it provides a delicious and complete meal that small dogs can savor while staying healthy and happy.

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Originals

The Originals range is a line of dog food that takes farm-raised meat (chicken or beef) or real salmon and blends it with energy-fueling whole grains and a bunch of superfoods.

It uses the tagline, “Good food starts with good ingredients” because at the heart of the recipe is 100% nutrition and a tasty flavor that canines will love.

4. Originals with Real Salmon

This formula features salmon as the main source of protein. It is blended to perfection with whole grains and fresh vegetables to ensure that it meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs.

It is worth noting that this recipe has recently been updated and approved as of 2016 in keeping with Beneful’s new commitment to quality proteins.

While corn is a whole-grain ingredient and nutritious, it is not one that most dogs find easy to digest. Corn needs to be broken down or ground before dogs can process it easily. It is also one of the most common food allergies for dogs, so there is a very real risk that this formula could trigger food allergies if your dog is food sensitive.

The main source of protein is real salmon. The total protein content is 24%, meeting a dog's protein requirement.

In addition to being heavy in plant-based proteins, this recipe also includes a lot of grains, including corn, wheat, and soy products. Not really a bad thing for dogs who thrive on meals prepared with grains, but again, this recipe can be an allergy trigger for sensitive canines.

On the other hand, It is good to see that fresh vegetables like sweet potatoes and dried carrots and green beans are used, but they are unlikely to be included in any significant quantity.

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Healthy Weight

Purina’s Healthy Weight line gives dogs a calorie-smart recipe to help him maintain a healthy weight. The formulation is protein-packed to keep dogs active and maintain the lean muscles they need for their playful activities.

There are 10% fewer calories in the Healthy Weight line when compared to the Beneful Originals Beef recipe.

5. Healthy Weight with Real Chicken

Nutrition-packed but low in calories, every bowlful of feed is as healthy as it gets. This recipe keeps the calories down but makes sure to deliver all the wholesome goodness your dog needs for everyday adventures.

Chicken is the main meat and protein ingredient, which is a good choice since that particular poultry meat has relatively low fat content. Since it’s the first ingredient in the list, it makes up the bulk of the recipe.

Closely following the whole chicken is a chicken by-product meal to turn up the protein to a good enough level at 25%. Though not amazingly high, it’s still well above what the AAFCO prescribes for adult dogs.

This kibble contains a significant amount of grains and legumes, with seven following the two chicken-based ingredients: whole grain corn, soybean hulls, barley, whole grain wheat, corn gluten meal, soybean meal and rice. While many of these, like barley, soybean meal, and rice, provide fiber, protein, and carbohydrates, the whole grain corn is less ideal as it’s not easily digestible unless ground.

Grains, though not the preferred focus for carnivorous diets, can still offer benefits like supporting healthy skin, hair, and immune systems, as long as the dog isn’t grain-sensitive. However, the inclusion of poultry by-product meal is less desirable due to its vague labeling, leaving questions about the quality of the ingredient.

That said, the recipe has its strengths. It avoids added sugars, which helps prevent unhealthy weight gain, and includes supplemental vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to provide complete and balanced nutrition. While a more meat-forward formula would be preferable, this recipe still offers a solid foundation for canine health.

6. Healthy Puppy with Farm Raised Chicken

A thoughtfully crafted meal to meet the unique nutritional needs of growing puppies.

Real, USA farm-raised chicken is the star of the recipe, proudly listed as the number one ingredient, ensuring your pup gets a high-quality source of protein to support strong muscle development.

With 29 grams of protein per cup, this premium dry dog food delivers the building blocks for your puppy’s active and playful lifestyle.

Designed with your puppy’s health in mind, this formula provides calcium-rich nutrition to help support strong bones and teeth. It also includes DHA, an essential nutrient that promotes healthy brain and vision development, giving your little one a great start in life.

It is tailored for small mouths, featuring bite-sized kibble for easy chewing. Accents of real peas and carrots not only add a natural source of vitamins and fiber but also enhance the flavor, making every bite irresistible.

To top it off, the formula is made without artificial flavoring or preservatives, giving you peace of mind that your puppy is enjoying wholesome, natural ingredients.

Packed with 23 essential vitamins and minerals, this kibble provides complete and balanced nutrition to support your puppy’s overall health. It offers the perfect combination of flavor, nutrition and care, helping your furry friend grow up strong, healthy and full of life.

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Chopped Blends

The Chopped Blends line of wet dog food is made with real meat combined with finely chopped nutritious ingredients that you can see, such as sweet potatoes, carrots and/or brown rice.

These are easy-to-chew meals that have just a bit of touch of savory sauce that every dog from small pups to seniors can enjoy.

7. Chopped Blends with Turkey, Sweet Potatoes, Brown Rice & Spinach

Because it’s made to break apart easily, any dog from the youngest to the oldest can easily eat and enjoy a meal out of the Chopped Blends. Like with many wet foods, the ingredient list is short. (Wet foods typically offer meat that is less processed and the sealed cans keep the food fresher longer, reducing the risk for preservatives or binders.)

The first ingredient is turkey broth. It’s fairly typical for a wet food to start with a broth or water ingredient because the moisture content in wet foods range from the 70 to 80 percentile. In this case, it’s 76% — an excellent level.

The turkey broth is followed by real turkey meat, which is an excellent meat option. It’s similar to chicken in protein, carb, and fat content but its zinc, potassium, and vitamin B6 and B12 levels are higher. As an allergenic potential, turkey also has a much lower risk than chicken. In fact, some consider it to be a hypoallergenic meat.

We’ve already discussed wheat for the other dog foods above and its many benefits. But here it is again. Wheat (or wheat gluten meal for this recipe) contains lots of protein with high digestibility.

It is low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and has an amino acid profile that is complementary to meat protein profiles. So if your dog is not gluten-sensitive (this is quite rare in dogs), your pet should not have any problem with this ingredient.

Now the other ingredients are also fine with us like the sweet potatoes (low in fat but high in fiber), the brown rice (fiber, vitamin D, and carbs), and liver (vitamin A), but there is one on the list that we particularly dislike.

While animal by-products are safe according to the Pet Nutrition Alliance, an unnamed meat source is something to distrust. This is the meat by-product ingredient.

Meat by-product is vague and non-specific. It does not name the animal the meat comes from and we draw the line on unnamed animal meat. Thankfully, this is only ranked as the 7th ingredient and does not have much impact on the recipe. Still, it’s something that needs to be brought up.

So to summarize, if you’re concerned about nutrition, this recipe offers a complete meal for your dog. Most of the ingredients are quality picks, with the exception of the meat by-products, which are safe and nutritious but are otherwise concerning if you, as a pet owner, would like to know what exactly goes into your dog’s food.

The Chopped Blends range is also available in salmon, chicken and beef flavors.

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Medleys

The Medleys recipes contain a mouthwatering mixture of meat, vegetables, and wholesome grains in different cuisine-style formulations guaranteed to get tails a-wagging. The tender chunks of meat in a generous sauce are fit to be eaten as a standalone meal or mixed into your dog’s dry food as a topper.

8. Medleys Mediterranean Style

There is no lack of moisture with this Beneful Medleys recipe. The first ingredient is water, and at 82% moisture content, it contains enough to keep dogs hydrated well.

The second ingredient of the Mediterranean Style formulation is chicken, a common meat source in dog foods and a favorite of many canines. It provides most of the protein in the meal but is also assisted by lamb.

While the two meat sources are impeccable and high-quality ingredients, there’s a third one that we do not care for. It’s meat by-product. Animal by-products are deemed safe for pet consumption, but feeding pets an unnamed meat source can feel iffy. And if your pet happens to be allergic to some meat sources, this can be a big concern.

Apart from this, there is only one other ingredient that we kind of frown upon. It’s the inclusion of modified corn starch, which is really nothing more than a filler.

Almost everything else seems fine. There’s wheat gluten, a protein-rich food that also has an excellent amino acid profile. There are tomatoes, which are high in antioxidants, lycopene, and soluble fiber. (The ripe fruit is beneficial to dogs, and only the leaves and unripe ones are considered unsafe.)

There is brown rice, spinach, and soy flour. And of course, added vitamins and minerals.

If you can discount the two so-so ingredients above, this is actually a pretty good recipe. And since it lacks any kind of artificial preservative, color, or flavor, your dog can savor all the delectable flavor of natural food.

Medleys is also offered in Tuscan Style and Romana Style.

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Prepared Meals

Prepared Meals offer dogs with a lot of variety when it comes to their favorite meats. Simmered, roasted, and cooked in different other ways, all these meals share two big similarities: they’re chunky and accompanied with a rich, savory gravy. Each recipe is a hearty meal of real beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey mixed with whole grains and real veggies.

9. Prepared Meals Chicken Stew with Rice, Carrots, Peas & Barley

Chicken and chicken broth make up the majority of this Prepared Meals stew. The moisture content is at a nice 78%, while the protein is up at 10%. (This protein level is average for wet foods.) The chicken is further supported by liver and then boosted nutritionally with liver’s rich vitamin and mineral content.

Another meat source that helps take the protein level up is the meat by-products ingredient, but we frown on the use of this. Anything vague or unnamed in a pet food is cause for concern.

While we are sure this is safe for dogs to consume, pet owners deserve to know exactly what is being fed to our dogs, and this includes naming what animal meat (or part) was used.

There is also another ingredient in this recipe that we feel is unnecessary. It’s modified cornstarch, which is really just a filler. It has very little nutrient content, but it provides bulk to meals and may make dogs feel fuller. At the 7th position in the recipe list, it occupies more space and bulk than the nutritious whole vegetables Purina Beneful added in.

While we certainly don’t feel that the meat by-product and modified cornstarch are quality food, the rest of the ingredients pass our scrutiny.

There are carrots, peas, barley, soy flour, and a whole gang of minerals and vitamins to ensure pets get all the necessary nutrition they need. It’s a wholesome recipe that can be used as a complete meal or as a delicious topper.

There are a lot of flavors to choose from in the Prepared Meals range aside from this one. The other choices are: Savory Rice & Lamb, Turkey Medley, Simmered Chicken Medley, Simmered Beef Entrée and Roasted Chicken.

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Baked Delights

Baked Delights are designed to make your dog be on his best behavior. These yummy treats are baked to perfection with a crunchy exterior and a soft center, making them ideal rewards for good behavior or just because you love to treat your pets to good things.

10. Baked Delights Snackers with Apples, Carrots, Peas & Peanut Butter

Thse are tasty treats packed with protein. It has a variety of flavors and textures that will be an amazing experience for any canine.

Now, treats aren’t supposed to be super healthy all the time because you dole them out occasionally and only in small quantities. So the sugar in the treats may not be that good if given constantly, but if you do it only once in a while, there shouldn’t be any problem.

Protein in this recipe comes from two meat sources: chicken by-product meal and beef. While we’re not such a big fan of chicken by-product meals, at least they’re healthy and the animal meat source is named. Meanwhile, the texture and the fun flavor accents come from apples, carrots, peanut butter flavor, vanilla flavor, and cheese powder.

Most of the ingredients are okay, except for the artificial colors and flavors. The peanut butter and vanilla flavors are from both natural and artificial sources. We would prefer that they stick to only natural instead.

We also do not like the addition of artificial colors, particularly the Yellow 5 & 6, Red 40, and Blue 1. These are completely unnecessary because dogs don’t care about the shade of food. What matters to them is taste.

While we docked points from these treats for their use of artificial flavor and dyes, we’d also have to add some to these treats for their high protein (14%) and moisture (20%) content. Many dogs also seem to love the taste of the Baked Delights.

Personally, if we found these troublesome ingredients in dog foods that are meant to be complete meals, we’d take a hard pass. However, we can overlook these in the case of treats provided that these are only given sparingly.

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Where Does Beneful Get Their Ingredients?

Beneful does not provide any specific information about their ingredients except to say that they meet or exceed federal and state requirements.

The FAQ section of the Beneful website does provide some information about AAFCO and how Beneful products meet the standards for “complete and balanced” nutritional adequacy according to AAFCO nutrient profiles.

Just because a product meets the minimum nutritional requirements set forth by AAFCO isn’t necessarily a guarantee of quality, however – you will find detailed information about the quality of Beneful products below.

Recall History

According to the FAQ section of the Beneful website, Beneful’s products are held to the gold standard for quality control and safety protocols.

Purina conducts as many as 30,000 quality checks in a typical 24 hours of production, taking steps to ensure the safety of their products. Even so, the Beneful brand has been affected by one recall in recent history – here are the details of that recall:

• In March 2016, the Purina Company issued a voluntary recall for Beneful wet dog food tubs having a “Best By” date between June 2020 and August 2020 with the first four digits of the production code ranging from 5363 to 6054 for two products: Beneful Prepared Meals (all varieties) and Beneful Chopped Blends (all varieties) because they may not contain the recommended level of vitamins and minerals.

Now you can read the full report as well as all of the complaints filed with the FDA here.

 

Compare Prices on Beneful

The Beneful brand of dog food is affordably priced, a fact that many dog owners love. You have to remember, however, that low-priced dog foods are often low-quality. Beneful’s products come in a range of flavors and recipes which vary in quality, so be sure to do your research before choosing a product.

The price for a small 3.5-pound bag of Beneful dry dog food ranges from about $6 to $8, depending on the recipe and a larger 31-pound bag ranges from $24 to $71.

You can purchase 10-ounce tubs of Beneful wet dog food in cases of 8 for $15 to $30 which gives you an average price of around $2.25 per tub.

You can also find 12-packs of Beneful wet dog food in 3-ounce cans for about $10 or 3-packs for around $4.

What Kind of Dog Food Does Beneful Offer?

Beneful currently offers a wide variety of different product choices including dry dog food, wet dog food, and dog treats. The original lineup of Beneful products was released in 2001 and the Beneful Healthy Harvest product line was added in June of 2005 – it was the first of Beneful’s products to feature soy as the primary source of protein, rather than meat.

Beneful’s line of Prepared Meals was released in March of 2006 featuring eight flavors of resealable foods. The newest line of Beneful products features real beef or chicken as the number-1 ingredient with the exception of the salmon recipe.

Dry Products

The Beneful brand currently offers five product lines of dry dog foods made with three primary ingredients – beef, chicken, or salmon. The Originals line of dry food features simple recipes made with chicken, salmon or beef as the first ingredient.

The Healthy Weight line of products features reduced-calorie formulas and the Playful Life product line is accented with whole grains and fresh vegetables.

The Incredibites line of products features smaller kibble sizes and stay-fresh packaging and the Healthy Puppy line is supplemented with nutrients puppies need to grow up strong and healthy.

Here is a list of the dry food recipes Beneful has to offer:

Dry Recipes:

• Originals with Real Beef
• Originals with Real Chicken
• Originals with Real Salmon
• Healthy Weight with Real Chicken
• Healthy Puppy with Real Chicken
• Playful Life with Real Beef & Egg
• Incredibites with Real Beef
• Incredibites with Real Chicken

Canned Products

In addition to an assortment of dry food products, Beneful also offers a wide variety of wet food options. Beneful’s wet dog food products are divided amongst four product lines – Incredibites, Chopped Blends, Medleys, and Prepared Meals.

All of Beneful’s wet food products are made with chicken, beef, or salmon as the primary proteins and supplemented with whole grains and fresh veggies.

The Chopped Blends and Prepared Meals lines of products come in 10-ounce tubs rather than cans while the Incredibites and Medleys lines come in 3-ounce cans. Here is a list of the wet food recipes Beneful has to offer:

Incredibites Wet Food Recipes:

• With Beef, Tomatoes, Carrots and Wild Rice
• With Chicken, Tomatoes, Carrots and Wild Rice
• With Salmon, Tomatoes, Carrots and Wild Rice

Chopped Blends Wet Food Recipes:

• With Beef, Carrots, Peas and Barley
• With Chicken, Carrots, Peas and Wild Rice
• With Turkey, Sweet Potatoes, Brown Rice and Spinach
• With Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, Brown Rice and Spinach
• With Chicken, Liver, Peas, Brown Rice and Sweet Potatoes
• With Lamb, Brown Rice, Carrots, Tomatoes and Spinach

Medleys Wet Food Recipes:

• Tuscan Style Medley with Beef, Carrots, Rice and Spinach
• Romana Style Medley with Chicken, Carrots, Pasta and Spinach
• Mediterranean Style Medley with Lamb, Tomatoes, Brown Rice and Spinach

Prepared Meals Wet Food Recipes:

• Beef Stew with Peas, Carrots, Rice and Barley
• Chicken Stew with Rice, Carrots, Peas and Barley
• Simmered Beef Entrée with Carrots, Barley, Wild Rice and Spinach
• Simmered Chicken Medley with Green Beans, Carrots and Wild Rice
• Beef & Chicken Medley with Green Beans, Carrots and Wild Rice
• Roasted Chicken Recipe with Pasta, Carrots and Spinach
• Roasted Turkey Medley with Corn, Wild Rice, Peas and Barley
• Savory Rice & Lamb Stew with Peas and Carrots

In a nutshell

This brand offers a range of products that cater to different dietary needs and preferences, including grain-free and high-protein options. The brand is widely available and affordable, making it a popular choice among pet owners.

Beneful includes ingredients like real meat and vegetables, which provide essential nutrients for dogs. However, some of its formulas contain by-products, artificial colors, and grains, which may not appeal to all pet owners, especially those seeking more natural or premium ingredients.

Overall, this brand can be a suitable option for dogs without specific dietary restrictions, but those looking for higher-quality, more natural ingredients might prefer other brands. It’s important to consult with a veterinarian to ensure that any dog food meets the nutritional needs of your pet.