Dr Gary’s Best Breed Dog Food Review (Revew & Recall)

Our Recommendation

Dr. Gary’s is not a well-known company. I have to say I am always suspicious of brands with Dr. in the title because it seems like they are trying to act like because it came from a vet it is better.

This brand does get points for having at least a meat-based protein source as the first ingredient. While chicken would have been better than chicken meal, at least the first ingredient is not corn.

• Menhaden fish meal is a natural source of DHA and Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. This helps improve skin and coat. This is a good ingredient to see if you have a dog that suffers from skin allergies or sensitivities. 
• Variety of proteins is impressive. Dogs get chicken, eggs, fish meal, New Zealand Sea Mussel, and a variety of grains. 
• No corn, wheat, or soy protein.
• Glucosamine and Flax Seed Oil helps provide hip and joint support for large and giant breed dogs.
• Natural kelp provides trace minerals.
• Probiotics and balanced fiber from oatmeal, pearled barley, beet pulp, and rice encourage healthy and easy digestion so your dog gets the most out of their meals.
• While there’s no non-GMO label, the ingredients list leads me to believe that there is very little GMO content in this food compared to a lot of major brands.

Overall I think this dog food does have high-quality ingredients, but I’m not excited about the price. I don’t have a problem with rice and oatmeal for dogs but I also know how much they cost by themselves because I am a farmer too. $1.75-$2.00 per lb is a lot to pay for dog food that is not totally grain-free. 

We have reviewed plenty of dog foods at ScoutKnows that are in this price range and are just meat and veggies with some added vitamins, minerals, and supplements. See more of our recommended brand reviews here.

Ingredients

Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat
[Preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)], Egg Product,
Pearled Barley, Brewers Dried Yeast, Menhaden Fish Meal, Natural Chicken
Flavor, Lecithin, Menhaden Fish Oil, Flax Seed, Canola Oil, Calcium
Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Dl Methionine, L-Lysine, Monosodium
Phosphate, Salt, Cranberry, Alfalfa Meal, New Zealand Sea Mussel,
Ascorbic Acid, Fructo-Oligosaccharides (Fos), Glucosamine, Garlic
Powder, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product Dehydrated, Kelp
Meal, Vitamin E Supplement, Biotin, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium
Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12
Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Citric Acid,
Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Potassium Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate,
Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Copper
Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate,
Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate.

Nutritional Analysis

Pet food ingredients, nutritional values, and the way they are labeled for consumers are monitored by several organizations in the United States including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the NGO, Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Each year the AAFCO publishes two sets of nutritional minimum standards for dog food intended to help specify if a food is suitable for:

1. Dogs in the growth & reproduction phases of life
2. Adult dogs maintaining a healthy weight and activity level

Caloric Content

456 kcal/cup

Guaranteed Analysis

* – indicates not yet analyzed

Transition Instructions

Gradually transition your dog to Dr. Gary’s by replacing their current kibble with Dr. Gary’s over a 5-10 day time period depending on how sensitive your dog is.

Feeding Amounts

**For each 10 lbs of body weight over 90 lbs Puppies: May feed up to 33% more than suggested Adult levels to maintain optimum body weight. Pregnant Females: Minimal increase needed during first 6 weeks. Weeks 7 through 9 increase up to 25%. lactating females: Immediately after whelping nutritional demand increases by 50% when compared to maintenance levels. During peak lactation increase feeding up to 300% of regular intake.

Feeding Instructions

Allow puppies and lactating or pregnant females addition meal times and allow for a longer feeding time so they are making sure that they get enough to eat to maintain good body condition and development.

The Bottom Line

Dr. Gary’s offers a complete balanced diet that is easy to digest. It offers a variety of different protein sources but contains no corn, wheat or soy. I would recommend Dr. Gary’s for Large Breed Dogs with sensitive stomachs or those that simply do not care for a totally grain-free diet. It does contain some seafood that is not typically seen in a dog food so if your dog has ever seemed allergic to shellfish, this is not a food you should try them out on.