River Run Dog Food has received the Dog Food Advisor’s lowest rating of 1.5 stars, indicating significant concerns regarding its quality and suitability for canine consumption. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the River Run product line, focusing on its dry food offerings, to help pet owners make informed decisions about their dogs’ nutrition.
River Run Product Line Overview
The River Run brand encompasses five distinct dry dog food formulas. Each recipe is evaluated for its AAFCO nutrient profile, which indicates whether it’s suitable for Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, or is Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product Name | Rating | AAFCO Profile |
|---|---|---|
| River Run Professional Formula 30-20 | 1.5 stars | A |
| River Run Hi Energy 24-20 | 1.5 stars | A |
| River Run Hi Pro 27-15 | 1.5 stars | A |
| River Run Adult Formula 21-10 | 1 star | M |
| River Run Puppy Formula 28-18 | 1.5 stars | G |
Detailed Ingredient and Nutrient Analysis of River Run Hi-Pro 27-15
To thoroughly assess the River Run brand, the Hi-Pro 27-15 formula was selected for a detailed examination of its ingredients and nutrient content, calculated on a dry matter basis.
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content:
- Protein: 30%
- Fat: 16.7%
- Carbohydrates: 45.3%
Primary Ingredients: Meat and bone meal, whole ground corn, wheat middlings, rice bran, animal fat (preserved with BHA), corn gluten meal, natural flavors, salt, vitamins, minerals, propionic acid (preservative), choline chloride.
Ingredient Breakdown and Concerns
- Meat and Bone Meal: This is the first ingredient, a rendered product from mammal tissues that can include bone. While a source of protein, its digestibility can be lower than other meat meals, and its anonymous nature (origin not specified) makes it difficult to identify potential allergens.
- Corn: An inexpensive cereal grain, corn is considered controversial in dog food due to its moderate nutritional value and potential for causing allergies in some dogs.
- Wheat Middlings: This ingredient is a by-product of wheat processing, often described as “milling dust” or “floor sweepings.” Its variable nutrient content can be a concern for consistent quality.
- Rice Bran: A healthier by-product of rice milling, providing fiber, starch, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.
- Animal Fat: This generic ingredient’s origin is unspecified, raising concerns about its quality and safety, especially as it is preserved with BHA, a suspected carcinogen.
- Corn Gluten Meal: While high in protein, this plant-based ingredient has a lower biological value compared to meat and can artificially inflate the overall protein percentage on the label, potentially masking lower meat content.
- Salt: A necessary mineral, but the undisclosed amount added makes it difficult to assess its nutritional impact.
- Iron Oxide: Used as a synthetic color additive, this ingredient is essentially “iron rust” and is unnecessary in pet food, as dogs do not require their food to be visually appealing.
- Menadione: This controversial form of vitamin K has been linked to adverse health effects, including liver toxicity and allergies. Its inclusion is questionable as vitamin K is not a required nutrient by AAFCO for dog food.
- Minerals: The minerals listed do not appear to be chelated, which could reduce their bioavailability and absorption by the dog. Chelated minerals are typically found in higher-quality dog foods.
Nutrient Profile Assessment
On a dry matter basis, River Run Hi-Pro 27-15 exhibits approximately 30% protein, 17% fat, and 45% carbohydrates. When compared to the brand’s average nutrient content (around 29% protein, 18% fat, and 45% carbohydrates), these figures suggest a kibble that contains a moderate amount of meat, especially when considering the protein-boosting effect of ingredients like corn gluten meal. The fat-to-protein ratio is approximately 64%. While the protein and fat levels are considered above average for dry dog food, the overall ingredient quality significantly impacts the food’s final rating.
Conclusion: Is River Run Dog Food a Good Choice?
River Run Dog Food, particularly its dry formulas, is rated as Not Recommended. The use of unnamed meat and bone meal as the primary animal protein source, combined with other questionable ingredients like corn, wheat middlings, and animal fat preserved with BHA, along with the inclusion of menadione and artificial coloring, leads to its low 1.5-star rating. Pet owners seeking high-quality nutrition for their dogs should consider brands with transparent ingredient sourcing, named meat sources, and a commitment to using beneficial, easily digestible ingredients.
For those concerned about dog food recalls, River Run has not had any recalls reported since 2009. However, the ongoing assessment of ingredient quality remains a critical factor in evaluating a dog food’s overall suitability.
