Comprehensive Eukanuba Dog Food Review: Nutrition and Quality Unveiled

The Eukanuba dog food brand is one of the more affordable options in pet store shelves and it is also a brand that offers a large variety of product choices.

Eukanuba has been producing and manufacturing products for over forty years and the company states that they follow a nutritional philosophy based on the idea that dogs are carnivores – this means that they use only high-quality animal-based proteins like chicken and lamb as their primary sources of protein.

This company believes that healthy nutrition is the key to a long, healthy, and happy life for pets and they offer a selection of formulas tailored to specific life stages, breed sizes, sensitivities, and activity levels. Eukanuba states that they “feed dogs how [they] believe nature intended them to eat”.

Is the brand as nice as they say? Read on for our comprehensive, unbiased Eukanuba dog food review below.

Manufacturer Information

The Eukanuba brand was founded in 1969 by Paul Iams who sought to create a new, high-quality brand of food that was unlike anything currently on the market. 

The name for this brand comes from the jazz term meaning “supreme” or “the tops” – Iams chose this word as the name for his new line of pet foods because it represented the ideal he hoped to embody.

The brand was manufactured and produced by Procter and Gamble until 2014 when it was sold to Mars, Inc, one of the largest pet food manufacturers in the world and the sixth largest privately held company in the U.S.

Eukanuba Dog Food Review

The brand’s website claims that its products only use high-quality ingredients in the recipes. In fact, it goes on to further boost this claim by running each bag of Eukanuba dog food through more than 120 quality tests.

We believe them. The Eukanuba brand is a quality choice for pet dogs. While there are instances of some questionable ingredients, this is not the case for most of the recipes in the brand’s line. A few of them even make it to our highly recommended list.

 

Although dry kibbles have undergone more processes than canned dog food, they still have a number of benefits to you and your pup.

Kibbles support oral health by lessening the risk of tartar build up, does not need to be refrigerated, and are generally cheaper than the wet version. A truly nutritious canine diet would be a combination of wet and dry to get the most out of each’s benefits.

Overall, the recipe provides a balanced mix of meat and grains. Its 3D DentaDefense System is also praised for reducing tartar buildup in dogs. The only suggested improvement is a higher protein content.

Active Adult

Adult Chicken Formula

This dry dog food is made for peak nutritional performance, boasting features such as reduced tartar buildup and support for strong bones, healthy skin, and a radiant coat. It contains a fiber system with natural beet pulp and prebiotic fibers for optimal nutrient absorption and digestion.

Designed for adult dogs weighing between 24 to 54 lbs, it lists fresh chicken as the primary ingredient, providing high-quality protein. Chicken by-product meal follows to supplement protein content.

Other ingredients include corn meal, ground whole grain sorghum, brewers rice, and dried beet pulp. While some ingredients like sorghum and brewers rice offer nutritional value, others like brewers rice are considered filler.

The recipe also contains synthetic supplements towards the end of the ingredient list. Despite the inclusion of by-product meal, the recipe is still recommended for its emphasis on chicken and overall nutrient profile.

The Active range is a complete line of dog food that offers recipes for all adult breeds.

Premium Performance & Sport

The range for Premium Performance & Sport are designed to meet the unique needs of working and sporting dogs. The goal is to provide these non-average canines with the right amount of protein (for lean muscles), calcium (for strong bones), and carbohydrates (for high-intensity activities) that they need to maintain peak performance.

Premium Performance 21/13 SPRINT

This dog food formulation is geared towards supporting dogs in sprinting activities with its 21% protein and 13% fat content. However, there are reservations about the recipe.

Brewer’s rice, a low-quality carbohydrate, is the primary ingredient, followed by chicken by-product meal, which can vary in quality.

While corn provides fiber and nutrients, concerns exist about its digestibility and potential allergenicity. Despite including wheat gluten, which is uncommonly problematic for dogs, the formula contains beneficial nutrients like glucosamine, chondroitin, EPA, prebiotics, fibers, DHA, and antioxidants for overall health.

Ultimately, the presence of brewer’s rice as the leading ingredient dampens the overall rating of an otherwise decently crafted recipe.

Premium is also available in these formulations:

• Premium Performance 26/16 EXERCISE
• Premium Sport Puppy Pro
• Premium Performance 30/20

Weight Control

Eukanuba’s Weight Control line was specially formulated to help canines stay in shape. The recipes in this range encourage lean muscle mass and help your pups stay active. Currently there are three recipes for the line to provide specific support for small, medium, and large breeds.

Fit Body Weight Control Large Breed

This Weight Control recipe is largely praised for its ingredients. Fresh chicken, the primary ingredient, provides high-quality protein. While chicken by-product meal follows, opinions vary on its nutritional value due to batch variability.

Corn, though controversial, provides essential nutrients. Barley and whole grain sorghum offer healthy grains. Chicken fat supplies necessary fats, while dried plain beet pulp aids digestion.

Vegetable oil's source is unspecified, presenting a minor concern. The formula includes important nutrients like L-Carnitine, glucosamine, chondroitin, and DHA, vital for large breeds' joint and bone health.

With a robust mix of vitamins and minerals, this recipe earns a highly recommended status.

The FIT Body range of Eukanuba dog foods is also available for small to medium breed dogs:

• Fit Body Medium Breed
• Fit Body Small Breed

 

Wet dog foods provide pups with much moisture to keep them from getting dehydrated. And because wet dog foods contain significantly less preservatives and are less processed than dry food, a combination of wet and dry dog food diet will be more beneficial to your pups.

Eukanuba’s wet food line is divided into adult and puppy categories.

Adult

Because adult canines have unique nutrition needs, a line made for grown-up doggies caters to their very specific dietary requirements.

Adult Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef Dinner in Gravy

This Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef Dinner in gravy is formulated to support peak nutritional performance for dogs. It features high-quality, animal-based proteins to promote strong, lean muscles and optimal body condition.

With a balanced mix of fats, proteins, carbs, and nutrients, it aids in maintaining a healthy body weight and supports healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.

Additionally, it is rich in antioxidants to boost the immune system. The recipe includes chicken broth, fresh chicken, beef liver, and fresh beef as top ingredients, providing essential nutrients and palatability.

Wheat flour, though controversial, is considered healthy for dogs without gluten sensitivity. Pork plasma, a less common ingredient, adds essential amino acids and texture to the food.

Other ingredients include vegetables, natural flavor, and supplemental vitamins for overall balance. Overall, this recipe is highly recommended food for your dog and for owners seeking high-quality nutrition for their pets.

Eukanuba’s wet dog foods for adults are also available in these flavors:

• Beef & Vegetable Stew
• Chicken & Vegetable Stew
• Lamb & Rice
• Chicken, Rice & Vegetables Dinner

Puppy

Little dogs need formulations that focus on supporting growing bones, young and sensitive stomachs, and developing mind and muscles. The growing phase is an especially crucial part for dogs, and the right recipe during this stage will ensure a healthy and happy pup.

Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula

This puppy food features chicken as its primary ingredient, followed by water, which ensures moisture without compromising protein content.

While it offers a good amount of animal protein from sources like pork lung, pork liver, chicken liver, and lamb, the expected lamb content is lower than anticipated. 

Brown rice and rice flour provide healthy grains, while vegetables like carrots, tomato, and spinach add nutritional value. Fish oil is included for heart health and coat maintenance.

However, the presence of carrageenan, a controversial thickening agent derived from seaweed, lowers the recipe's rating.

While food-grade carrageenan's safety is debated, its potential to degrade in the digestive system raises concerns. Therefore, the inclusion of carrageenan warrants a low not recommended rating.

Eukanuba Puppy wet food is also available in this flavor:

• Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef Dinner in Gravy

Made in the USA?

The manufacturing plant of the Eukanuba brand is situated in Leipsic, Ohio, where the majority of its products are produced.

During its ownership by P&G, this facility served as the company's largest dog food manufacturing plant. While their website lacks specific details regarding product production and manufacturing, it emphasizes the utmost importance of reliability and safety in its products.

The company states that their quality assurance practices “go further to make sure all of [their] nutrition is healthy and safe for your pet”. They also offer a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee.

Ingredient Sourcing

Their website does not offer precise details about the sourcing of their ingredients. However, they affirm their commitment to using solely high-quality ingredients and assure that all animal protein originates from animals approved for human consumption.

Additionally, the website mentions that the primary ingredients in their food are sourced from Europe, New Zealand, and the United States. The brand emphasizes the careful selection of suppliers and the regular inspection of their facilities by independent experts.

Pet Food Recalls

Eukanuba has changed hands several times over the past decade, though the company states that they are still committed to high standards for safety and quality. Even so, Eukanuba has been affected by at least one recall in their history. Here are the details for that recall:

• In July 2010, the Proctor and Gamble Company (P&G) issued a voluntary recall of several Iams Veterinary and Eukanuba dog food products due to potential salmonella contamination. The products affected by this recall included Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas, Eukanuba Naturally Wild, Eukanuba Pure, and Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin – all sizes and varieties.

Price Comparison

This brand of dog food is very affordable – some might even say that it is cheap.

The price for a 30-pound bag of Eukanuba dry dog food ranges from about $35 to $85, depending on the recipe – the breed-specific formulas tend to be a little more expensive than the life stages formulas.

You can purchase 13.2-ounce cans of Eukanuba wet dog food in cases of 12 for $17 to $30 which gives you an average price of around $2.00 per can.

Final Say

It's essential to consider various factors, including customer reviews, comparative analysis with other brands, and its position within the pet food industry.

This brand is often regarded favorably by many dog owners, who attest to its positive impact on their pets' health and well-being. These testimonials frequently highlight improvements in coat condition, energy levels, and overall vitality, suggesting that for some dogs, Eukanuba may indeed be a suitable choice.

However, it's crucial to acknowledge that preferences for dog food can vary significantly among individual dogs, based on factors such as breed, age, and specific dietary needs. What works well for one dog may not necessarily be the best option for another. Additionally, while customer reviews offer valuable insights, they may not always provide a complete picture, as experiences can be subjective and influenced by various factors.

In comparing it with other dog food brands, it's evident that the pet food industry offers a wide range of options, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some owners may find that their dogs thrive on this one, while others may prefer different dog foods based on factors such as ingredient quality, price, or availability.

Ultimately, the determination of the “best” dog food is a subjective one, influenced by factors unique to each dog and owner. While Eukanuba may be a better food choice for some dogs, it's essential for pet owners to carefully consider their pets' individual needs and consult with veterinarians to make informed decisions about their diet.