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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review 2023: Thrive on Something Different

Bil-Jac Dog Food review

The Bil-Jac dog food brand is marketed as a super-premium brand and, having been founded in 1947, it is one of the oldest brands of premium pet food.

According to the company website, Bil-Jac is a family brand and they believe that pets are family as well. That is why they make it their goal to produce high-quality products at an affordable price point.

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Bil-Jac offers their customers what they call the “Bil-Jac Difference” which promises a shinier coat, softer skin, brighter eyes, improved muscle tone, increased activity, and smaller/firmer stools. According to Bil-Jac, dogs are carnivores and should be fed a diet that is rich in protein – meat protein, to be specific.

Bil-Jac uses more real chicken and real chicken organs than other leading brands and they never use any grain gluten meals and grain protein concentrates. Any carbohydrates used in their products are there to provide nutritional balance and energy, not as a substitute protein.

All of these claims make Bil-Jac sound like a high-quality pet food brand but you have to dig a little deeper to determine whether or not this is actually true.

Who Makes Bil-Jac?

Bil-Jac is a family-owned company that was founded by two brothers – Bill and Jack – during the late 1940s after serving in World War II. Their first product was Bil-Jac Frozen Dog Food which was not only one of the first meat-rich dog foods, but one of the first frozen dog food products as well.

Over the years, Bil-Jac expanded their product offerings to include both dry food and wet food options, all made with real meats and other quality ingredients.

Today, Bil-Jac is still a family-owned and -operated company with its headquarters in Medina, Ohio. This is where Bil-Jac products are formulated and produced, made exclusively by the Kelly Foods Corporation.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review

Bil-Jac is marketed as a super-premium pet food brand that is also very affordable. This company makes many claims about using real chicken meat and real chicken organs in their products, but they don’t provide any specific information about where these and other ingredients come from.

Bil-Jac has only ever been subject to one minor recall in brand history, which supports the brand’s claims of producing high-quality products. A review of several Bil-Jac dog foods reveals a mixed bag of high-quality ingredients and a few ingredients that we’re not too fond of.

For the most part, however, Bil-Jac dog foods seem to offer decent nutritional value and quality, though “super-premium” may not be an accurate description.

Currently, Bil-Jac makes dry and wet dog foods plus a few varieties of dog treats and a probiotic spray.

IMAGE PRODUCT  
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 1
Bil-Jac Small Breed Adult Chicken, Oatmeal & Yams Recipe
  • Specifically catered to small canines
  • Ingredient starts with whole lots of chicken
  • Low-glycemic formula to prevent blood sugar spikes
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 2
Bil-Jac Large Breed Adult Chicken Recipe
  • Recipe is crafted for larger dogs to indulge
  • With glucosamine and chondroitin for hip and joints support
  • Uncompromising nutritional value
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 3
Bil-Jac Adult Select Chicken Recipe
  • Formulated for multi-dogs in one household
  • Enhances food absorption
  • Enriched with necessary nutrients for all adult breeds
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 4
Bil-Jac Picky No More Medium Breed Chicken Liver Recipe
  • Contains chicken liver to entice curious eaters
  • Fresh chicken is the main protein
  • Nutritionally made for medium breeds
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 5
Bil-Jac Sensitive Solutions Whitefish Recipe
  • Naturally-sourced omega-3 and 6 fatty acids
  • Contains primarily of chicken along with real whitefish
  • Gentle fiber blend is specially formulated to support healthy digestion
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 6
Bil-Jac Grain-Free Adult Chicken Recipe
  • Fuels your pet's daily activities
  • Supplies the right amount of nutrients
  • Contains no grains, gluten, fillers, wheat, or soy
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 7
Bil-Jac Pate Platters with Beef & Sweet Potatoes
  • Drool-worthy combination of beef and chicken
  • Contains sweet potato in a hearty pate formula
  • Crafted for dogs with food sensitivity
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 8
Bil-Jac Harvest Feast Turkey & Sweet Potato In Gravy
  • Made with fresh, farm raised turkey as protein source
  • Delectable chunks of meat with a savory taste
  • With turkey broth to preserve moisture content
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 9
Bil-Jac Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Training Dog Treats
  • Delightful flavor from chicken and chicken liver
  • Soft-bite treat for all adult breeds
  • Crafted in USA without any gluten meals, soy or added rendered fat
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 10
Bil-Jac Little Gooberlicious Peanut Butter Flavor
  • Real chicken liver, chicken, and natural peanut butter flavor
  • Each treat has only less than 3 calories
  • Resealable pouch keeps treats fresh
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 11
Bil-Jac YappleNanas Apple & Banana Flavor
  • Contains aromatic flavors of bananas and apples
  • Awesome treats for reinforcing positive traits
  • Provides much-needed dose of protein
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 12
Bil-Jac PBnanas Peanut Butter & Banana Flavor
  • Contains natural peanut butter and banana flavors
  • Can easily be chewed by little paw-pals
  • Great treat for rewarding positive behaviors
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 13
Bil-Jac Gooberlicious Peanut Butter Flavor
  • Tasty treat made with chicken and chicken liver
  • Chewy goodness for peanut butter-loving paw-tner
  • Little bites that easily breaks for small pooches
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 14
Bil-Jac America's VetDogs Skin & Coat Dog Treats
  • Meaty flavor, star-shaped treats
  • Supports and improves skin and coat health
  • Each purchase helps support America’s VetDogs, a non-profit organization
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 15
Bil-Jac Original Recipe with Liver Soft Dog Treats
  • Soft nuggets that starts with chicken liver
  • Irresistible flavor even for fussy eaters
  • Convenient resealable pack
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 16
Bil-Jac Little-Jacs Small Dog Chicken Liver
  • Soft little morsels made with real chicken
  • Perfect treat for rewarding good behavior
  • Resealable pouch helps keep every morsels fresh
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Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 17
Bil-Jac Dessert Jacs Pumpkin Flavored
  • Natural pumpkin flavor that dogs will go crazy over
  • Breaks apart easily for petite pooches
  • Comes in fun, pie shaped morsels
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Bil-Jac Best-Selling Products

  1. Bil-Jac Small Breed Adult Chicken, Oatmeal & Yams Recipe
  2. Bil-Jac Large Breed Adult Chicken Recipe
  3. Bil-Jac Adult Select Chicken Recipe
  4. Bil-Jac Picky No More Medium Breed Chicken Liver Recipe
  5. Bil-Jac Sensitive Solutions Whitefish Recipe
  6. Bil-Jac Grain-Free Adult Chicken Recipe
  7. Bil-Jac Pate Platters with Beef & Sweet Potatoes
  8. Bil-Jac Harvest Feast Turkey & Sweet Potato In Gravy
  9. Bil-Jac Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Training Dog Treats
  10. Bil-Jac Little Gooberlicious Peanut Butter Flavor
  11. Bil-Jac YappleNanas Apple & Banana Flavor
  12. Bil-Jac PBnanas Peanut Butter & Banana Flavor
  13. Bil-Jac Gooberlicious Peanut Butter Flavor
  14. Bil-Jac America's VetDogs Skin & Coat Dog Treats
  15. Bil-Jac Original Recipe with Liver Soft Dog Treats
  16. Bil-Jac Little-Jacs Small Dog Chicken Liver
  17. Bil-Jac Dessert Jacs Pumpkin Flavored

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Small Breeds

Little dogs have little mouths that might find it hard to eat food that is meant for bigger breeds. This isn’t a problem for wet food, but kibbles are an entirely different matter. Bil-Jac addresses this by crafting a line of dog food specifically for small canines.

Bil-Jac Small Breed Adult Chicken, Oatmeal & Yams Recipe

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 18
Specifically designed for small dogs, fresh, farm-raised chicken is the main star in this dry dog food. It is lean, rich in protein and it is a common favorite among dogs due to its unambiguous flavor.

Petite pooches need particular care for them to thrive. Small kibbles made to fit inside their small mouths can help them chew better and enjoy their food more. This dry dog food for small breeds tackles this important aspect of feeding.

Fresh, farm-raised chicken is the main draw in this recipe. Chicken is an excellent first ingredient for a dog food. It’s lean, it has plenty of protein, and it’s a favorite among canines because of its rich and distinct flavor.

Supporting the fresh chicken are the chicken by-products (organs only) and chicken by-product meal. Normally, we wouldn’t consider by-products to be okay, since these can mean anything from feet to chicken necks, but the brand specifically mentioned they use the organs only. Organs are rich in B-vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, K), and minerals. The by-product meal refers to the same but in ground up form.

Carbohydrates are an essential part of any pet food, because these act as key energy sources for dogs. The corn meal in the list of ingredients provides easily digestible carbs to sustain your dog through whatever daily adventures he goes through.

Corn is also a good source of linoleic acid, which helps canines maintain healthy skins and coats, and antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin E.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 19

Corn has gotten a bad rep for being an allergen to certain dogs, but if your dog does not have any sensitivity to grains, he’ll thrive when given corn.

Yams, or sweet potatoes, are one of the main draws of the meal, along with chicken and oatmeal. Yams are full of beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin C, iron, calcium, and potassium.

They offer less carbs than white potatoes but more nutritional value. Oatmeal, meanwhile, is a good source of carbs, Omega-6 fatty acid, soluble fiber, and vitamin B.

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The rest of the recipe is made up of whole fruits and veggies such as apples, blueberries, cranberries, flaxseed, and beets as well as added supplements to keep the food as nutritious as possible.

As a whole, this recipe is complete. We like how much key nutrients the brand mixed in, particularly the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, lysine, and arginine.

If you like this recipe, but own a small breed senior or puppy instead, the brand also crafted formulations especially for them. Check out the small breed puppy recipe here and the senior formula here.

Large Breeds

Large dogs have large appetites and large nutrition requirements. While there are dog foods that are made for all breed sizes, a more targeted one will address the crucial needs of big doggies.

Since they tend to be bigger, they require food that supports the growth of healthy bones. Large breeds are also prone to joint issues, so feeding them a high-quality pet food that can keep their joints mobile is important.

Bil-Jac Large Breed Adult Chicken Recipe

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 20
This is not your average chicken kibble because each 30-lb. bag is promised to contain 25 lbs. of fresh chicken. Augmented with chicken by-products – chicken organ parts which are nutrient-dense.

Your gentle giant will appreciate this yummy dog food formula. Real chicken is the first ingredient, and it’s not your average chicken content. Each 30-lb. bag is promised to contain 25 lbs. of fresh chicken, giving your dog enough meat and protein to satisfy big cravings and nutrition needs.

The fresh chicken is supplemented with chicken by-products, but only the organ parts which are fully nutritious. Organ meats are not kindly looked upon by some, but this would be a mistake.

Organs are highly prized for their nutrient content, which includes vitamin B12, copper, folate, riboflavin, iron, and plenty more. The animal protein in organs provides the essential amino acids canine bodies need.

Because big dogs weigh a lot, the weight can cause some stress on their bones and joints. To address this, the brand also mixed in chicken by-product meal, which is an excellent source of chondroitin and glucosamine.

Chondroitin promotes elasticity for cartilages and helps reduce joint pains. Glucosamine, meanwhile, supports the repair of damaged cartilage and alleviates pain.

To make sure that the digestive system is properly functioning, oatmeal and dried beet pulp are included. Both provide fiber that can enhance a dog’s ability to absorb ingredients, maintain intestinal health, and bulk up stools to make it easy for waste to be eliminated speedily.

No meal is complete without carbohydrates. The corn meal provides that much-needed nutrient that converts into an energy source for dogs.

Not just carbs, corn meal also contains linoleic acid (Omega-6) and protein. The linoleic acid keeps a canine’s hair beautiful, shiny, and healthy while protein is responsible for building lean muscle mass.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 21

Brewer’s yeast also supports a healthy coat like corn meal, but it also reduces stress, calms nerves, and relieves dry, itchy skin.

The rest of the ingredients are either added supplementary vitamins and minerals or natural preservatives. There are no fillers, sprayed-on rendered fat, gluten meals, soy, wheat, or protein concentrates.

The caloric content is just right for big dogs at 402 kcal per cup. We do wish, however, that the protein can be much higher than 23%. Other than that, we find that this recipe a good deal overall.

If you have a large breed puppy instead, there’s a puppy equivalent for this recipe called the Bil-Jac Large Breed Puppy Chicken Recipe.

bil jac dog food

All Breeds

Some pet owners have more than one or two dogs of varying breeds. For multiple pet households such as this, it can be hard to keep track of the food they eat if each one has his own specific dog food.

This is where dog foods made for all breeds come in. The recipes are usually crafted to include most of the crucial ingredients that small to large breed canines need.

Bil-Jac Adult Select Chicken Recipe

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 22
A protein rich formula which includes high levels natural healthy fats to help nourish Fido's coat and skin. This is also fortified with the essential nutrients that your pet may need on a daily basis.

This Bil-Jac Adult Select Formula is said to provide “vital nutrition for everyday health”. It is a protein-rich formula made with 25 pounds of real chicken in each 30-pound bag, plus it is slow-cooked in small batches using the Nutri-Lock process to ensure outstanding nutrition and taste.

In addition to being rich in quality protein, this formula provides a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to nourish your dog’s healthy skin and coat. It also has plenty antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog’s immune system. All in all, this recipe is a good example of the Bil-Jac Difference.

As promised, the first ingredient in this recipe is chicken. While chicken is a great ingredient to start with, you should be aware that fresh meats like chicken contain up to 80% moisture by volume.

This means that once the completed product is cooked to a moisture level of just 10%, the volume of that chicken will end up being much lower. The good thing about this recipe is that it contains several supplementary proteins to prevent the total volume of protein from dropping too low.

The problem is that these supplementary proteins come from chicken by-products and chicken by-product meal. These are not necessarily harmful ingredients but they do offer much lower quality than fresh chicken or chicken meal.

After chicken and chicken by-products comes a problematic ingredient – corn meal. The use of this ingredient detracts significantly from the overall quality of this product. Not only is corn a common food allergen for dogs, but it is also difficult to digest and offers little in the way of quality nutrition.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 23

This recipe does contain one quality carbohydrate – oatmeal – but it is used in a lesser quality than the corn meal because it falls further down on the list.

Corn provides some supplementary protein, but it is much less biologically valuable than any animal protein. In fact, because this ingredient comes third on the list it may contribute significantly to the 27% crude protein content of this formula. It is difficult to tell.

The remaining ingredients in this kibble consist primarily of supplementary fibers, flavors, and supplements. Dried beet pulp is a source of dietary fiber and flaxseed contains both fiber and fat.

Like the corn meal, however flaxseed is a plant-based fat so it is less biologically valuable than an animal-based fat. It is a problem that this recipe doesn’t contain a significant source of animal fat.

It is also a problem that there are so many synthetic supplements instead of natural sources for those nutrients (like fresh fruits and vegetables). There are a few chelated minerals which is a good thing, but overall there are too many synthetic supplements.

Overall, this has a its pros and cons. The recipe starts off strong with fresh chicken as the main ingredient, but it quickly goes downhill with the inclusion of multiple by-products and corn meal.

As a whole, the crude protein content of this recipe is very good but it is hard to tell how much of it comes from by-products and plant-based ingredients.

This recipe is also lacking in healthy animal-based fats. Though there are a few chelated minerals, synthetic supplements are way over-used and this recipe could benefit from the use of probiotics.

There are also Bil-Jac puppy and senior recipes designed for all breed sizes that you may want to look into for your pet household.

bil jac dog food

Picky No More

Some pooches are generally picky eaters who will turn their noses up at any ordinary fare. To get these persnickety dogs to eat, the aroma (along with taste) must simply be irresistible to capture their attention. Bil-Jac’s Picky No More line is especially crafted to trigger a healthy appetite in the fussiest of dogs.

Bil-Jac Picky No More Medium Breed Persnickety Recipe with Chicken Liver

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 24
Especially made for picky eaters, this recipe is made from chicken and chicken liver. This is a premium formula which is slow cooked to bring out the mouthwatering aroma and trigger the appetite even in the fussiest eater.

Designed for medium breeds who are too fussy about food, the Picky No More range will bring out the voracious eater in your dog. It contains chicken liver — an ingredient that is very attractive to canines — which is why some pet owners mix a bit into their picky dog’s meals to induce them to eat.

Chicken livers are excellent food for doggies and not just because of the robust taste and aroma, but also because these are a rich source of folate and protein. They’re also loaded with iron (good for anemia), B vitamins, and vitamin A.

However, chicken livers do not make up the bulk of this recipe. There’s enough in there to entice the pickiest canine, but that distinction goes to fresh chicken.

The white meat comes from farm-raised poultry to ensure your dog only gets premium ingredients. It’s lean, contains lots of protein, and has a flavor that most canines go for.

To support the fresh chicken’s protein content, Bil-Jac added chicken by-product meal and chicken by-products (also contains arginine and leucine). The combination of the three chicken ingredients take up the crude protein level of the dog food to 27%.

By the way, arginine is an amino acid that helps blood vessels relax and improves blood circulation while leucine helps prevent muscle loss.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 25

This particular formulation also contains corn meal (an easily digestible carbohydrate), dried beet pulp (a source of fiber), brewer’s dried yeast (an essential amino acids and protein source), oatmeal (an alternative carb source to wheat or grains), and flaxseed (an immune system booster and source of omega fatty acids).

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One that stands out in this recipe is methionine. Not a food ingredient, but an amino acid that plays a role in the prevention of urinary stones, healing of wounds, and treatment of liver disorders. It’s a potent antioxidant that assists in a canine’s body detoxification process.

Although we’re not that convinced about the by-product content, — sounds vague and we’re not all too sure exactly what is included — we’re satisfied that medium breed dogs will find their complete nutrition requirements met in this formula.

For fussy small breed dogs, there’s also the Bil-Jac Picky No More Small Breed Persnickety Recipe and for big canines, the Bil-Jac Picky No More Large Breed Persnickety Recipe.

Sensitive Solutions

Some dogs just happen to be unlucky and born with sensitive tummies, while some develop the condition later in life. Symptoms of upset stomachs include nausea, excessive gas, vomiting, and diarrhea.

And the condition can also spark irritated skin. One of the ways to help dogs through this is by switching them to food that is gentle on their stomach. This is what the Bil-Jac Sensitive Solutions line is for.

Bil-Jac Sensitive Solutions with Real Whitefish

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 26
Made from real whitefish for a protein source that is gentle on the tummy plus it also has a unique blend of natural fibers and prebiotics to support gut health.

Chicken plays the starring role in this recipe, which can be confusing to some pet parents because whitefish is boldly headlined in the recipe name. But don’t worry, because this particular poultry meat is one of the best when it comes to stomachs that are easily upset.

Chicken is easy to digest and contains no fiber — a nutrient that may be risky for doggies who have digestive issues such as IBS.

Chicken contains lots of protein for building lean muscles. The fresh chicken is further supported by chicken by-products (organs only) and chicken by-product meal to boost the protein levels further (reaching 26%).

Corn can be a little difficult to digest, but corn meal (corn that has been ground to a fine or coarse consistency) is easier on the tummy because of the grinding process it has undergone. So why include corn meal?

Unlike how many perceive it, corn is not a filler. It’s a good source of carbs, antioxidants, protein, and linoleic acid. Plenty of premium pet food brands add it to their recipes, and as long as your dog is not allergic to corn, he will likely thrive on this recipe.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 27

The oatmeal in the mixture is a well-known easy-to-digest food. It has calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorous. There’s also dried beet pulp (a by-product with all the sugar removed and a good source of carbohydrate-based calories) and dried brewer’s yeast (contains loads of B vitamins, proteins, and essential amino acids).

Now whitefish is a special mention because its addition to this recipe brings in plenty of niacin, selenium, phosporous, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and Omega fatty acids. Unlike salmon, whitefish are not oily. It also rarely triggers allergies and is low in saturated fat.

We like how each of the ingredients were carefully chosen to ease the symptoms of dogs with sensitive tummies, aside from bringing them sumptuous fare. There isn’t anything unnecessary in the gentle formula and all work together to ensure that the risk of an upset stomach happening is greatly reduced.

There is also plenty of vitamins and minerals as well as enough calories to make sure your dog gets the complete nutrition he needs.

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Grain-Free

Some dogs cannot process grains very well, while some may be sensitive to them. Bil-Jac’s Grain-Free range offers the perfect solution to both. It offers simple but complete nutrition without using grains, gluten, fillers, wheat, soy, protein concentrate, or sprayed-on rendered fat.

Bil-Jac Grain-Free Adult Formula

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 28
A dry dog food that is free from grains, glutens, fillers or any rendered fats and it is packed with all the minerals, nutrients and omegas making it a nutrient-filled formula suited for pets suffering from allergies.

As with many of Bil-Jac’s recipes, this one stars chicken too. It’s the very first in this limited ingredient recipe. The farm-raised chicken (there’s 20 pounds of chicken used for each 24-pound bag of this recipe) provides most of the protein content in this meal and is supported by the menhaden fish meal to bring the total to 30%.

Next to the chicken is pea starch. Normally, we wouldn’t want a second ingredient to be pea starch, but since this is a limited ingredient recipe and the chicken makes up a huge bulk of the kibbles, this is alright. Pea starch is non-GMO, gluten-free, and non-allergenic plus it provides nutrition similar to sweet potatoes and potatoes.

Bill Jac Wet Food

Pea flour ranks third in the list. It’s a functional food ingredient that comprises 25-27% soluble and insoluble dietary fiber as well as high-quality protein. Next to it is dried beet pulp, which is a helpful food for getting dogs to maintain intestinal health.

It has moderately fermentable fiber that supplies the cells lining the intestine with energy and provides bulk to stools to move them quickly. And because the sugars have been removed from the beet, it makes it even more healthy.

The last three key ingredients in this dog food is brewers dried yeast, pea fiber, and menhaden fish meal. The brewers dried yeast has amino acids that help develop and maintain a dog’s bones, immune system, blood, coat, and nails. Pea fiber supplies the food recipe with lots of crude fiber, while the menhaden fish meal gives the meal its bounty of Omega fatty acids.

We like how this recipe names its fish meal source. While fish meal sounds vague and can pertain to any species of fish, menhaden fish meal is a more reliable source of fish protein because it’s named and traceable. Aside from Omega acids, menhaden fish meal also contains protein and fat.

Because the purpose of this formulation is to make a viable food for grain-sensitive pups, it instead utilizes alternative ingredients to supply them with the energy they need. It’s an overall balanced food product that will provide all the daily requirements of adult dogs.

Bill Jac Wet Food

Bil-Jac Wet Dog Food

Some dogs prefer wet food because of texture preference or because some find it hard to chew hard dry kibbles (particularly senior dogs). The Pate Platters offers adult canines of all breed sizes the complete nutrition that they need with lots of moisture to boot.

1. Bil-Jac Pate Platters with Beef & Sweet Potatoes

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 29
A top grade wet food that is comprised of chicken, beef and sweet potatoes in a hearty pate formula. This is also has zero grains and gluten making it very ideal for sensitive pets.

Because in wet dog food the meats are usually closer to their natural state, wet food typically has a shorter list of ingredients than dry kibbles. Wet foods also come in airtight and sealed containers, making them use less or no synthetic preservatives. This is why not only senior dogs benefit a lot from wet food, but also canines with food sensitivities.

Chicken broth comes in first for its moisture content, but real beef and chicken lead the list in this sumptuous recipe. The combo of white and red meat here works. The beef lends the dish a rich and savory taste, while the chicken gives a softer and more tender texture than beef. The two both supply the meal with a good amount of protein (pegged at 8% minimum).

After the meat content comes tapioca (or cassava) starch. It’s a high-carb food that is often used in many grain-free pet foods as an alternative to rice and other grains.

Since it’s also not considered a potential allergen, it’s an ingredient that’s especially helpful in foods designed for sensitive pets. By the way, tapioca can also provide a specific texture to wet food, which can help determine palatability.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 30

Supporting the digestive system are the sweet potatoes. Not only are these root vegetables low in fat, they’re also high in fiber and vitamins C, A, and B6. They also contain potassium, fiber, and magnesium, in addition to antioxidants and phytochemicals.

There is no grain, gluten, soy, corn, or wheat in this formulation, but there are plenty of naturally-sourced omega fatty acids for your canine’s coat and skin. You can use this food as either a complete meal, topper, or as treats for good behavior.

Bil-Jac Pate Platters are also available in Chicken & Cheese, Duck & Pumpkin, and Chicken & Vegetables flavors.

2. Bil-Jac Harvest Feast Turkey & Sweet Potato In Gravy

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 31
Leading the ingredient list is turkey broth with a hearty chunks of chicken meat plus eggs making it such a savory meal. This is considered as a premium product that is also both grain and gluten free.

This Bil-Jac Harvest Feast Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe is described as “hearty chunks of meat and a savory taste”. It is one of only four wet food recipes that Bil-Jac has to offer and one of two that are gluten- and grain-free.

This formula is complete and balanced for adult maintenance and it contains a number of high-quality ingredients. It is important to note, however, that there are also some low-quality or at least questionable ingredients.

At the top of the list for this wet food is turkey broth. This is a quality ingredient because it helps to preserve the moisture content of the recipe and it provides some natural flavor as well.

Next comes turkey, chicken, and egg product – all high-quality sources of animal-based protein with some fat content as well. Though these three proteins are all excellent ingredients, there is another source of protein that is not high-quality – pea protein.

Pea protein is a plant-based protein which makes it less biologically valuable than any animal-based protein. It is hard to tell how much this ingredient contributes to the total protein content.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 32

In terms of carbohydrate, this recipe relies on gluten-free and grain-free ingredients like sweet potatoes and carrots. In addition to carbohydrate energy, these ingredients act as supplementary sources of fiber and as natural sources for key vitamins and minerals.

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There are also some other supplementary fibers like modified tapioca starch, potato starch, and guar gum. The remaining ingredients in this recipe consist primarily of flavors and supplements. Unfortunately, none of those supplements are chelated minerals or probiotics.

Overall, this wet food is much higher in nutritional quality than most of Bil-Jac’s dry food products. Not only does this recipe contain two quality meat proteins (turkey and chicken), but it is also gluten-free and grain-free.

With grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and carrots, this formula is highly digestible and a good source of energy. Where this recipe goes downhill is in the use of pea protein and the absence of a high-quality source of animal-based fat.

As a whole, this formula is a little bit too high in dietary fiber and a little low in healthy fat. There are also no chelated minerals or probiotic supplements.

Bill Jac Treats

Bil-Jac Treats

Good doggies need good rewards. A treat works to enforce good behavior or for a job well done. You can also give them out just because. Bil-Jac has designed several lines of treats for small to big dogs and for training, rewarding, and to treat the skin. There are enough ranges — and flavors! — to choose from to ensure your pooch will find something he likes.

1. Bil-Jac Grain-Free Soft Training Treats Chicken & Sweet Potato Formula

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 33
These soft treats is so meaty and rich in protein as it made with 3 animal source: chicken liver, chicken and chicken meal which is crucial in the development of lean muscles.

Chicken and sweet potato go well together for a savory, protein-rich and grain-free dish. These soft treats make use of three animal-based ingredients to keep the protein content to a high 24%.

Chicken liver is the first ingredient, followed closely by fresh chicken, and chicken meal. The sweet potatoes act as a carb source for continuous energy.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 34

Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein 24%
Crude Fat 10%
Crude Fiber 3%
Moisture 30%

2. Bil-Jac Little Gooberlicious Soft Treats Peanut Butter Flavor

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 35
This treat has a yummy taste of peanut butter mixed with fresh chicken liver and chicken meat. It may look unappetizing to us humans but dogs do go gaga about this unique combination.

Most dogs love the yummy taste of peanut butter. With this recipe, Bil-Jac used that canine’s favorite food and mixed it with fresh chicken liver and chicken meat. While humans may find that off-putting, dogs do go crazy about the unusual blend.

The peanut butter can be a healthy source of protein, although much of the nutrient comes from the first three ingredients of the recipe: chicken liver, chicken, and chicken meal.

Careful, though, that you feed this treat to a gluten-sensitive dog. It contains wheat flour, which while very nutritious, can also trigger allergies in some pooches.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 36

Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein 24%
Crude Fat 10%
Crude Fiber 2%
Moisture 30%

3. Bil-Jac Yapple Nanas Soft Treats

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 37
For dogs who loves fruits, this soft, chewy treats has the yummy taste of bananas and apples. Even though it carries a fruity taste, it is still made up mostly of chicken liver, chicken and chicken meal.

For dogs who love the taste of fruit, Bil-Jac crafted these healthy and chewy treats to have the yummy taste of apples and bananas. Although they carry a fruity taste, these are only natural flavors.

The treats are actually made up mostly of chicken, chicken liver, and chicken meal, so even when your dog is happily munching on what he thinks are fruit, he is getting a much-needed dose of protein.

Careful with giving your pet more than a few of these. The caloric content is triple that of other Bil-Jac treats.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 38

Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein 25%
Crude Fat 10%
Crude Fiber 2%
Moisture 30%

4. Bil-Jac PBnanas Soft Treats Peanut Butter & Banana Flavor

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 39
Soft and chewy morsels laced with tasty peanut butter and banana flavor that serve as natural flavoring. Just know that these treats are made up of chicken meal, chicken, chicken liver and wheat flour.

Just like how some humans go mad for this traditional combo, dogs will go bananas over them too. The soft and chewy morsels are laced with a scrumptious peanut butter and banana flavor.

But these are just natural flavorings. The bulk of the meal is made up of chicken, chicken liver, chicken meal, and wheat flour. All four ingredients offer loads of protein content.

The wheat flour is certainly more nutritious than plain white flour. However, make sure that your pet is free from allergies or is not gluten-sensitive. Wheat may trigger his allergies.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 40

Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein 25%
Crude Fat 10%
Crude Fiber 2%
Moisture 30%

5. Bil-Jac Gooberlicious Soft Treats for Dogs Peanut Butter Flavor

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 41
Made with succulent fresh chicken liver and chicken but it somehow ended up tasting like real peanut butter! The lip-smacking texture, aroma and flavor will truly entice any pet.

Is your dog a purist? If he doesn’t want any other taste interfering with the flavor of his yummy peanut butter treat, then this recipe might just be what he needs. The soft and chewy treats taste overwhelmingly of peanut butter (added as a natural flavor), although these are made up of chicken liver, chicken, chicken meal, and wheat flour.

At 13.6 kcal each, you might want to think about how many you reward your dog with. Just a few should be fine, but not much more. Other Bil-Jac treats contain only 2.7 kcal per treat. These are 5 times that.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 42

Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein 24%
Crude Fat 10%
Crude Fiber 2%
Moisture 30%

6. Bil-Jac America’s VetDogs Soft & Moist Dog Treats Skin & Coat Formula

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 43
Now, this chicken treats have a noble purpose: for each purchase of this product Bil-Jac supports America’s VetDogs — a non-profit organization that trains and provides FREE assistant dogs to military veterans and those in active duty but with disabilities.

Not all dogs prefer their treats to taste like dessert. Some crave a meaty flavor as a sort of extension of their usual meals. For this particular recipe, Bil-Jac chose to showcase chicken, in fresh and dried (chicken meal) form.

The star-shaped morsels are crafted with naturally-sourced linoleic acid, a nutrient that supports shiny coats and healthy skins. It’s made soft and chewy to appeal to dogs of all sizes.

If you’re curious about the name of the formulation, it’s named VetDogs because every purchase of the treats helps support a non-profit organization (America’s VetDogs) that trains and provides assistance canines to retired and active duty military personnel with disabilities.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 44

Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein 20%
Crude Fat 10%
Crude Fiber 3%
Moisture 30%

7. Bil-Jac Original Recipe Dog Treats with Fresh Chicken Liver

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 45
Made with fresh chicken liver that any pet cannot resist even the finicky ones! With irresistible taste and aroma that is free from gluten meals, soy and rendered fats.

Sometimes plain is best. Chicken liver has a succulent taste that most doggies can’t resist — yes, even the picky eaters! Bil-Jac lets the chicken liver taste shine through in the Original Recipe to give it that irresistible taste and aroma that never fails to entice.

The list of main ingredients in this recipe is relatively short: chicken liver, chicken, chicken meal, and wheat flour. Though there are no soy, rendered fats, or gluten meals, the formulation still has wheat flour which can be problematic for some dogs.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 46

Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein 25%
Crude Fat 10%
Crude Fiber 2%
Moisture 30%

8. Bil-Jac Little Jacs Small Dog Training Treats With Fresh Liver & Chicken

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 47
Specifically made for little dogs who crave for a meaty and scrumptious taste. It has perfectly-sized morsels that are best for little mouths. Senior dogs won’t have a problem chewing up these tasty treats as well.

Breaking off big pieces of treats work, but why do that when you can have a perfectly-sized one that’s best for little-sized mouths? The Bil-Jac Small Dog Training Treats are specially crafted for little dogs who crave a meaty and scrumptious taste. It’s led by chicken liver and followed by chicken, chicken meal, and wheat flour.

Because they’re soft, these morsels will be perfect for young to senior dogs. Old dogs won’t have a problem chewing up these tasty treats. They’re also low-cal treats, so you can give your darling pooch as much reward as they need.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 48

Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein 25%
Crude Fat 10%
Crude Fiber 2%
Moisture 30%

9. Bil-Jac Dessert Jacs Pumpkin Flavored Treats

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 49
For pets who are sweet tooth and would love the sweet, delightful flavor of pumpkins. Contains the least amount of calories so no worries there. A sweet reward is good for your dog every now and then.

Treats don’t have to be too healthy. As long as you limit giving them out, it’s okay for your dog to get a sweet reward every now and then. The Bil-Jac Dessert Jacs are flavored treats that have that sweet and delightful flavor of pumpkins.

Although they contain that mouth-watering pumpkin taste down to a T, these morsels contain chicken mostly. (The pumpkin is a natural flavoring only.)

If calories are your worry because of the sweet flavor, don’t. These contain the least amount of calories among all theBil-Jac treats we’ve reviewed here. So go ahead and allow your fur baby to enjoy. There’s no guilt attached.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 50

Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein 24%
Crude Fat 10%
Crude Fiber 2%
Moisture 30%

Is Bil-Jac Made in the United States?

The Bil-Jac pet food brand is headquartered in Medina, OH and that is where their main production facility is located as well.

Bil-Jac products are made exclusively by Kelly Foods Corporation, a U.S.-based company, and they are designed to “give your best friend the nutrition he needs to keep his body working the way nature intended”. That is part of the “Bil-Jac Difference”.

Where Does Bil-Jac Get Their Ingredients?

The Bil-Jac brand is based in the United States but they do not provide specific information about where their ingredients come from. Bil-Jac does say that they use real chicken and real chicken organs as their primary sources of proteins because they believe that “your dog’s nutrition is optimized when fed a diet where the protein is derived primarily from fresh ingredients”.

Bil-Jac also says that they use plenty of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in their products as well as digestible carbohydrates. Part of the “Bil-Jac Difference” is that the brand takes “extra care in sourcing, handling and processing” their ingredients, but they don’t say exactly where their ingredients come from.

Bil-Jac Dog Food Recall History List:

The Bil-Jac dog food brand is marketed as a super-premium pet food and it is their goal to “make the best dog food possible for one of the most important members of your family” – your dog. Not only is Bil-Jac a U.S.-based company, but it is family-owned and -operated with all operations occurring in the United States.

According to the Bil-Jac website, the company doesn’t waste money advertising and promoting their products – they put their funds into the manufacturing process to ensure the quality and safety of their dog foods. Assuming that this is true, you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that Bil-Jac has only been affected by a single recall in the history of the brand. Here are the details for that recall:

  • In August 2012, the FDA issued a recall for certain bags of Bil-Jac Adult Select Formula Dog Food due to potential for mold contamination.
Bil-Jac Dog Food Review [year]: Thrive on Something Different 51

Is Bil-Jac Dog Food Expensive?

The Bil-Jac brand of dog food is surprisingly affordable for being marketed as a super-premium pet food brand. Bil-Jac dry dog foods come in 6-pound, 15-pound, and 30-pound bags (depending on the recipe) with a 30-pound bag of Adult Select Formula costing around $55.

Bil-Jac’s grain-free dry foods come in 4-pound and 24-pound bags, the larger of which costs about $60. For wet food, Bil-Jac recipes come in 3.5-ounce cans which are sold in cases of 12 for around $18 – this gives you an average price of around $1.50 per can.

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