Badlands Ranch Dog Food Review: Is It Worth The Hype?

Considering switching to air-dried dog food but overwhelmed by choices? You’re not alone! Air-dried dog food is gaining popularity as a convenient and nutritious alternative to fresh or raw diets. I was intrigued by the buzz around human-grade air-dried options and decided to explore Badlands Ranch for my Alaskan Klee Kais, Skye and Copper.

As a dog owner who has navigated the world of fussy eaters, finding the right food is always a priority. In this Badlands Ranch Dog Food Review, I’ll break down the pros and cons based on my experience with Skye and Copper. I’ll give you my honest verdict, focusing on whether this human-grade, air-dried food lives up to its claims and if it’s the right choice for your canine companion. Having tested numerous dog food brands, including air-dried options like Sundays Food For Dogs, I can offer a comparative perspective. In fact, you can even check out my direct comparison: Badlands Ranch vs. Sundays Food For Dogs.

Note: This review is independent and not sponsored. Please be aware that some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

The Upsides of Badlands Ranch Dog Food

Human-Grade Ingredients: Quality You Can Trust

For me, the foundation of any good dog food is the quality of its ingredients. Human-grade dog food has been a game-changer for Skye and Copper, particularly given their sensitive stomachs. It’s reassuring to know exactly what you’re feeding your furry friend, and Badlands Ranch emphasizes this transparency.

Badlands Ranch formulates its recipes using USDA-certified meats along with fresh, wholesome produce like fruits and vegetables. Knowing that Copper and Skye were eating food made with ingredients fit for human consumption gave me significant peace of mind. This focus on natural, high-quality ingredients is a major plus for health-conscious dog owners.

Superfood Boost: Nutrition Beyond the Basics

The “Superfood Complete” recipes from Badlands Ranch immediately caught my attention. The inclusion of superfoods suggests a focus on enhanced nutrition and targeted health benefits.

Delving into their website, I discovered that Badlands Ranch designs its recipes to support vital aspects of canine health, including skin and coat health, digestive wellness, immune system strength, and sustained energy levels. While I’m not a veterinarian or canine nutritionist, I appreciate that Badlands Ranch aims to provide comprehensive support in these key areas. Dog supplements targeting skin, digestion, immunity, and energy are common, so the idea that a dog food could potentially minimize or eliminate the need for these is appealing. It would certainly be beneficial to consult with a vet to understand the extent to which Badlands Ranch could replace supplements.

The superfood aspect sets Badlands Ranch apart from many other dog food brands I’ve researched in my quest for the best diet for Copper and Skye. It signals a commitment to going beyond basic nutritional requirements.

Gentle Air-Drying: Preserving Flavor and Nutrients

Kibble, or traditional dry dog food, wasn’t a good fit for Skye, often upsetting her stomach and being met with a turned-up nose. This led me to explore alternative dog food formats.

Badlands Ranch’s gentle air-drying method was a significant draw. Air-drying is believed to preserve both the delicious flavor and the vital nutritional integrity of the ingredients, unlike high-heat cooking methods used for kibble. This gentle process aims to deliver a food that’s both palatable and packed with goodness.

Convenience Factor: Easy for Busy Dog Owners

Being a busy business owner and parent, convenience is a major factor in my dog food choices. While fresh dog food delivery services like Butternut Box and The Farmer’s Dog have been staples for Skye and Copper, air-dried dog food offers a different kind of convenience.

Air-dried food eliminates the need for freezer storage and defrosting, a significant advantage for those with limited freezer space or who prefer a simpler feeding routine. Simply open the bag, scoop out the portion, reseal, and store in the cupboard. This ease of use makes air-dried food, like Badlands Ranch, a highly appealing option for busy lifestyles.

Treat-Like Texture & High Meat Content: Appealing to Dogs

If you struggle with a picky eater, the treat-like texture of Badlands Ranch could be a game-changer. Its resemblance to jerky is likely to entice even the most discerning dogs.

Copper and Skye certainly reacted as if Badlands Ranch was a high-value treat, eagerly anticipating meal times whenever they heard the bag. Beyond palatability, Badlands Ranch boasts an impressive 87% meat content in their recipes, clearly stated on the packaging. This is notably higher than many fresh dog foods, which typically range from 40-60% meat content in my experience. (Sundays Food For Dogs, for comparison, claims an even higher 90% meat content).

Picky Eater Approved: Success with Fussy Klee Kais

The ultimate test: did Copper and Skye enjoy Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete? The answer is a resounding yes!

Given their positive reaction to Sundays For Dogs, which has a similar texture, I was optimistic. For picky eaters, I particularly recommend the beef recipe, which was a clear favorite with my Alaskan Klee Kais. Skye, my notoriously fussy eater, consistently finished her Badlands Ranch meals with little to no encouragement – a definite win in my book.

The Downsides of Badlands Ranch Dog Food

Premium Price Point: A Cost Consideration

It’s crucial to be aware that Badlands Ranch, like other premium air-dried dog foods, comes at a higher cost than conventional kibble found in most pet stores. This is a common factor with fresh dog food services as well, and it’s important to factor this into your budget.

Pricier Than Some Air-Dried Competitors: Comparing Costs

For a month’s supply of Badlands Ranch for Copper and Skye, I paid $170.85. While this is within the typical range for dog food delivery services offering premium quality, it’s worth noting the comparison to Sundays Food For Dogs.

My monthly cost for Sundays for my Klee Kais is $139.98, representing a monthly saving of nearly $31 and an annual saving of approximately $372. This price difference is a significant factor to consider when weighing your options within the air-dried dog food category.

Smaller Bag Size: More Frequent Ordering

Badlands Ranch packages its food in smaller bags, each weighing approximately 24oz / 680g. This means you’ll need to order more bags to maintain your supply.

While a minor detail, I also found the bag design somewhat flimsy, making it difficult for the bags to stand upright. This necessitated laying them flat in the cupboard, which took up more storage space than anticipated.

Limited Customization: Less Personalization

Unlike some pet food companies, Badlands Ranch doesn’t offer extensive personalization options based on your dog’s specific details during the sign-up process. This lack of customization might not be a concern for all dog owners, particularly those who prefer a straightforward and quick sign-up experience. However, those accustomed to fresh dog food services with tailored meal plans may find this aspect lacking.

My Recommendation: Is Badlands Ranch a Good Choice?

If you’re exploring the world of air-dried dog food, Badlands Ranch is definitely a brand worth considering. It hits many of the key criteria I look for in a high-quality dog food, including human-grade ingredients, gentle cooking methods, and a high meat content.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that Badlands Ranch offers less customization compared to some other dry dog food brands I’ve tested. This is something to keep in mind depending on your priorities. From a palatability standpoint, Copper and Skye enjoyed Badlands Ranch, and even my picky eater, Skye, ate her meals consistently. I also found it convenient to use Badlands Ranch pieces as training treats or on-the-go rewards.

While Badlands Ranch is a solid option, I believe Sundays Food For Dogs presents a more versatile air-dried dog food overall. Sundays edges out Badlands Ranch with greater customization options, a more budget-friendly price point, and was an even bigger hit with my dogs. You can delve deeper into the comparison between Badlands Ranch and Sundays in my dedicated article.

In conclusion, Badlands Ranch is a good entry point into air-dried dog food, particularly if you prioritize human-grade ingredients and a treat-like palatability.

Where to Purchase Badlands Ranch Dog Food

To try Badlands Ranch air-dried dog food for yourself, you can order directly from their website.

New subscribers can often take advantage of significant savings, potentially up to 60% off their first order by clicking the link below.

CLICK HERE TO SAVE UP TO 60% on BADLANDS RANCH

Final Verdict

We’ve reached the end of this Badlands Ranch dog food review. I’ve shared my detailed pros and cons based on firsthand experience testing Badlands Ranch with my picky Alaskan Klee Kai dogs.

Drawing on my seven years of experience reviewing dog food and as a passionate dog owner, my overall assessment is that Badlands Ranch is a worthwhile dry dog food choice. I am confident that most dog owners will have a positive experience introducing their air-dried recipes to their canine companions. While I lean slightly towards other options as being superior, Badlands Ranch remains a commendable brand in the air-dried dog food market.