Introduction to Old Glory Dog Food
Navigating the world of dog food can be overwhelming, with countless brands vying for your attention. Old Glory Dog Food is one such brand, offering a range of dry kibble options for various life stages. However, a closer examination of its ingredients and nutritional profile reveals significant concerns. This review delves into the specifics of Old Glory Dog Food, focusing on its dry kibble formulas and providing an in-depth analysis to help pet owners make informed decisions.
Old Glory Dog Food Product Line
The Old Glory Dog Food product line includes five distinct dry kibble formulas:
- Old Glory Puppy [Growth]
- Old Glory High Energy [Growth]
- Old Glory High Protein [Growth]
- Old Glory Premium Adult [Growth]
- Old Glory Adult Maintenance [Maintenance]
For this review, Old Glory Premium Adult was chosen as a representative of the brand’s offerings due to its commonality in the market.
Ingredient Analysis of Old Glory Premium Adult
A detailed look at the ingredients of Old Glory Premium Adult reveals several components that raise red flags for dog health and nutrition.
Key Ingredients and Their Implications
The primary ingredient is meat and bone meal. This is a rendered product from mammal tissues, including bone, but it excludes blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach, and rumen contents. Compared to other meat meals, meat and bone meal has a lower digestibility due to its higher ash and lower essential amino acid content. Furthermore, the generic nature of this ingredient, without specifying the source animal, makes it difficult to assess its quality and nutritional value. While considered a protein concentrate, an anonymous ingredient like this is not typically viewed as a high-quality component in premium dog food.
The second ingredient is corn. While corn is not inherently bad and can be a source of nutrients, the type used in many pet foods can be comparable to that used for livestock feed, which can be problematic. Additionally, corn is a common allergen for dogs. For these reasons, corn is generally not considered a preferred ingredient in high-quality dog food.
Following corn, corn distillers dried grains is listed. This is a by-product of the ethanol industry and is often found in cattle feed, rarely being a component in quality pet food.
Rice bran, the fourth ingredient, is a healthy by-product of rice milling. While not as nutritionally complete as whole grain rice, rice bran is rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Poultry fat is the fifth ingredient. Obtained through rendering, it is a good source of linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid. However, this fat is preserved with BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), a suspected carcinogen, which is a significant concern.
Corn gluten feed is the sixth ingredient. This is a by-product of cornstarch and corn syrup production and contains about half the protein of corn gluten meal. As a plant-based protein, it is inferior to meat in terms of essential amino acids crucial for dogs. Corn gluten feed is typically used in cattle feed, making its presence in dog food unusual.
Soybean meal, the seventh ingredient, is another useful by-product from which oil has been extracted from soybeans. While it contains 48% protein, it is considered an inferior plant-based protein with a lower biological value compared to meat. The presence of both corn gluten feed and soybean meal means the protein content listed on the label may be misleading regarding the actual meat content.
The eighth ingredient, wheat middlings, is an inexpensive by-product of cereal grain processing, often referred to as “wheat mill run.” This can include milling dust and floor sweepings.
Poultry by-product meal is the ninth ingredient. This consists of rendered slaughterhouse waste from poultry, including parts like feet, beaks, and undeveloped eggs, after prime cuts have been removed. While by-product meals are considered meat concentrates with high protein content, they are generally viewed as slightly lower in quality than single-species by-products.
The remaining ingredients are less likely to impact the overall rating, with two notable exceptions: the absence of probiotics and the use of non-chelated minerals. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support gut health, and their omission is a drawback. Non-chelated minerals are less readily absorbed by dogs, which is often associated with lower-quality dog foods.
Nutritional Profile and Estimated Meat Content
Based on its ingredient list, Old Glory Dog Food appears to be a below-average kibble. Estimating the product’s meat content is crucial for a comprehensive rating. The dry matter nutrient content for Old Glory Premium Adult shows approximately 30% protein, 21% fat, and 42% carbohydrates.
Across the brand’s product line, the average protein content is around 28%, with an average fat level of 17%, and an estimated carbohydrate content of 47%. These figures are average when compared to typical dry dog foods. However, considering the significant presence of plant-based protein sources like corn gluten feed and soybean meal, it suggests that the kibble contains only a modest amount of actual meat.
Overall Rating and Recommendation
Old Glory Dog Food, based on its ingredient composition and estimated meat content, is rated 1 star by The Dog Food Advisor. The kibble is primarily corn-based, with limited amounts of meat and bone meal or poultry by-product meals serving as the main animal protein sources.
Recommendation: Old Glory Dog Food is not recommended for dogs due to its reliance on lower-quality ingredients, the presence of potentially harmful preservatives, and a limited amount of high-quality animal protein.
Recalls and Alerts
As of the last update, there are no specific recalls listed for Old Glory Dog Food. However, it is always advisable for pet owners to stay informed about potential recalls. You can subscribe to recall notification lists to receive alerts via email.
Conclusion
Choosing the right dog food is a vital aspect of ensuring your pet’s health and longevity. While Old Glory Dog Food offers a variety of options, its ingredient list and nutritional profile indicate a product that falls short of premium standards. The use of generic meat and bone meal, corn, corn by-products, and preservatives like BHA, coupled with a modest meat content, makes this brand a questionable choice for discerning pet owners. Prioritizing foods with high-quality, identifiable animal proteins, beneficial supplements, and transparent ingredient lists is crucial for your dog’s well-being.
