Dog Chow dry food – analysis of ingredients, reviews from experts and owners

Feed composition

In order to answer the question about the possibility of recommending the Dog Chow diet for the daily nutrition of dogs of various breeds, we will analyze its composition. Let's see what ingredients are included in the general composition of the food:

• A distinctive feature of Dog Chow food is that it contains cereals, which are sources of carbohydrates, in the first place. Usually the manufacturer does not specify which grains are used, but on the company’s official website the following are listed as such: brewer’s rice, corn, wheat and barley. We can say that only barley is a high-quality source of carbohydrates; brewer’s rice is worse than whole rice. But corn and wheat often provoke the development of allergies in dogs;
• in second place is protein. The source of protein in Dog Chow food is: meat and meat and bone meal, poultry by-product meal, fish by-products, corn gluten and soybean meal (allergens). Typically, the proportion of animal protein is less than the proportion of vegetable protein, which is absorbed much less well by the dog’s body. Most of the components that act as a source of protein are allergens or do not have sufficient nutritional value compared to meat;
• the source of fats and fatty acids is animal fat, which is inferior to chicken fat in terms of the content of beneficial acids;
• dry chicory root (1.1%) and sugar beet pulp act as a source of fiber;
• Dog Chow food contains a natural antioxidant – garlic, which lowers blood cholesterol levels and prevents the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases;
• mineral and vitamin supplements: biotin for skin and coat; calcium iodate for the thyroid gland; lysine for bones and calcium absorption; folic acid, copper; tocopherols to support immunity; vitamins of groups A, C, B;
• The food contains flavorings and flavoring additives: dry mixture from animal tissue, artificial flavoring and salt.

It should be noted that the manufacturer Dog Chow thought about the need to clean pets’ teeth and ensure proper jaw function. For this purpose, the food is made in the form of granules of different sizes.

Advantages and disadvantages

Why Dog Chow is better than other foods

As already noted, the granules of this dry diet have different sizes, which allows dog breeders to successfully prevent the development of tartar in pets. Most foods (Proplan, Pro balance, Acana, Calibra, Royal Canin) change the size of the granules depending on the size of the pets for whom the diet is intended, but do not use different-sized “crackers” in one package.

In addition, Dog Chow contains B vitamins, which are necessary for the normal functioning of the dog’s nervous system and the entire body as a whole. Purina Van and Natures Protection do not enrich their composition with so many vitamins from that group.

Price and where to buy

In addition to professional pet stores and supermarkets, Dog Chow food can also be purchased in online stores. Costs will vary depending on regions, product markups and individual outlets. When purchasing an imported product, the price tag will also vary depending on the dollar exchange rate.

Approximate cost of Dog Chow food:

• Packaging 800g – 200-300 rubles
• Packaging 2.5 kg – 600-800 rubles
• Packaging 14kg – 2500-2700 rubles

Dog chow food line

For puppies

Diets for the smallest (up to a year) are labeled Puppy and have a specially developed composition: increased content of vitamins D, A and C. The line of puppy food includes diets for babies of all breeds, as well as for large and small ones.

Food Do Chow for babies of all breeds with lamb

The diet can be used to feed puppies of any breed up to one year old, pregnant and lactating bitches, and adult dogs of small breeds. Contains: vitamin E for immune protection, prebiotic for digestion (chicory), omega-3 fatty acid for brain and vision development.

Dry food for large breed puppies, with turkey

Intended for feeding large breed dog puppies up to 2 years of age. The product contains an increased percentage of protein (28%) and an increased amount of vitamins to achieve optimal physical fitness during the period of intensive growth.

Food for small breed puppies, with chicken

The food allows puppies, which quickly reach their adult size, to form a strong skeleton and correct eating behavior, ensure a sufficient level of calories and oral hygiene.

For adult and senior dogs

The line of products for adult animals is quite diverse and provides options for:

• representatives of all breeds;
• dogs of large and small breeds;
• elderly animals;
• pets leading an active lifestyle (for example, doing agility);
• having health problems.

Dog Chow diet for adult dogs of all breeds, with lamb

The size of the granules allows the food to be used for dogs of almost all breeds, providing high-quality oral hygiene, and the content of B vitamins helps to obtain the energy of proteins and fats to maintain activity and health. The prebiotic relieves problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Dog Chow for adult dogs with sensitive digestion, with salmon

The product contains fish and its processed products as a source of protein, which supply the dog’s body with additional omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The amount of prebiotic (dry chicory root) has been increased to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

For active adult animals, with chicken

The diet is designed in such a way as to fully replenish the strength of the dog, which needs more nutritious and energy-intensive food. The protein component has been increased, a more diverse vitamin and mineral composition is provided to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and prevent heart diseases.

Dog Chow food for dogs over 9 years old, with lamb

Senior dogs of all breeds need a nutritious diet that will keep them full and prevent obesity, support their skeleton and prevent heart disease - this is the special product of this brand.

All prices are current as of May 2022. The exact cost can be found at the links above.

Reviews of Dog Chow food for dogs

Arina: I saw reviews from dog owners and decided to buy this food for my own. I can't say anything bad, but nothing good either. If given additionally with other foods, then it is a good option. Although I would not recommend it for puppies, because there are few vitamins, but they may be allergic to grains and offal. And I wouldn’t say that this is premium food. There are better options in economy.

Valya: But we are quite happy, because our Courtney eats with pleasure, although we additionally give meat and vitamins. If you choose food according to the breed and age, and always put water nearby, your pet will be happy. There is no allergy to grains, but I have enough energy and strength until the night. For this price it's a good option.

Oleg: We thought for a long time whether it was worth buying Dog Chow food, because the reviews were different and ambiguous everywhere. But since we have a healthy and adult dog, we decided to take a risk. We decided to choose a universal food for large breeds. They didn’t give us anything extra, but three meals a day was enough. While Tony didn’t always eat other foods, he ate this one with pleasure. I would recommend.

Daily feeding rate

On each package, the manufacturer indicated the recommended consumption rate of the product. It is a guide; each owner, through experience, comes to the “norm” necessary for the animal.

Reviews from veterinarians

Ksenia K.

I do not recommend this brand of food for feeding patients. The composition is poor, the meat component is of unknown origin. True, many dogs really love Dog Chow kibble. This can most likely be explained by the presence of flavorings. Pellets can be used as a reward in the training process.

Alexander O.

In my practice, I am of the opinion that the dog chooses the food itself. If there is no allergy or other negative reaction of the body, the dog eats the granules with appetite - then this is his option. I recommend mixing the brand’s wet products with dry food for greater satiety. In addition, we select additional complexes of vitamins and minerals. Many owners choose food because of its affordable price, which is understandable.

Conclusions about food

In accordance with its price category and as a representative of the economy class, Dog Chow food has mostly neutral and good reviews, it is not dangerous for the pet and is often not dangerous in terms of allergic reactions, unlike other foods in this segment . But it is still not recommended by veterinarians as the basis of a dog’s diet. The composition does not reach a complete nutritional level; it lacks meat and animal protein.

It is recommended to mix the food with wet products of this brand, making the diet more nutritious, and also supplement it with various vitamin and mineral complexes.

Host reviews

Olga S.

Now we are looking for new food for St. Bernard. The dog is big and needs a lot of food. Before this we used Royal Canin. After two years of use, the eyes began to run, hair began to fall out, and scratching began to appear. We tried several other types, the dog himself settled on Dog Chow. Allergy symptoms disappeared. I am happy with the cost of the food, the composition is not surprising at this price. We chose an additional complex of vitamins.

Irina K.

Our pug has a very sensitive stomach. We ate Pedigri drying and have had constant diarrhea lately. I had to look for a better quality diet. We settled on Dog Chow because of the manufacturer - it inspires confidence. The dog liked it, now there are no problems. I heard the opinion that this food is economy class. But I’m happy with the price, it’s always in the store, and the dog is happy.

Owner reviews

Nina: “Our Basenji has a sensitive stomach, so frequent feeding of dry food is contraindicated. But as a periodic measure it is sometimes necessary. Before that, I had a bad experience with Pedigree, but then we decided to try Dog Chow. The dog liked the food, there was no diarrhea or vomiting, everything was fine with digestion. Another advantage is the affordable price. The composition, of course, is not ideal, but it contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Now we only buy “Dog Chow” from dry food and don’t plan to change it for anything.”

Tamara: “I’ve been giving my terrier food from the Dog Chow line his entire life, which is almost 4 years now. He eats very well, there have never been any problems with the stomach, fur or various allergies. In terms of cost, the food turns out to be very economical, and the consumption suits me - two 14 kg bags are enough for 10 months (I chose chicken and lamb according to tastes), this is with a dog weighing about 7 kg.”

Maria: “We are currently looking for new food for our St. Bernard. The dog is big, so it requires a lot of food. Before this, they used Royal Canin, but after a couple of years, the dog’s hair began to fall off, his eyes started to run, and scratches appeared on his skin. They began to try other types of food, and the pet himself chose “Dog Chow”. Allergic reactions have passed. The price of the food suits us, but the composition is not surprising for the money. We selected the appropriate vitamin complex.”