Purina Beneful is a widely recognized brand in the dog food market. But is Beneful dog food good for your furry friend? This review dives deep into the ingredients, nutrient analysis, and recall history to provide an unbiased assessment.
Our Verdict
Rating:
The Purina Beneful dry dog food range consists of five recipes with ratings between 2.5 and 3.5 stars. The average rating for the entire range is 2.5 stars.
The table below outlines each recipe in the range, including its rating and the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutrient profile designation: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental, or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Beneful Healthy Puppy with Farm-Raised Chicken | 3.5 | A |
| Beneful Healthy Weight with Farm-Raised Chicken | 2.5 | M |
| Beneful Originals with Farm-Raised Beef | 2.5 | M |
| Beneful IncrediBites with Farm-Raised Beef | 2.5 | M |
| Beneful Originals with Natural Salmon | 2.5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
For a detailed analysis of the recipe and nutrient content, Beneful Originals with Farm-Raised Beef was chosen to represent the entire product line.
Beneful Originals with Farm-Raised Beef
Here’s a breakdown of the estimated dry matter nutrient content:
- Protein: 26.1%
- Fat: 13.6%
- Carbohydrates: 52.3%
The ingredient list includes: Beef, whole grain corn, barley, rice, whole grain wheat, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal, beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols, oat meal, egg and chicken flavor, calcium carbonate, mono and dicalcium phosphate, salt, natural flavor, potassium chloride, dried spinach, dried peas, dried carrots, iron oxide color, minerals [zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, calcium iodate], sodium selenite, vitamins [vitamin E supplement, niacin (vitamin B-3), vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate (vitamin B-5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B-6), vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B-1), vitamin D-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement (vitamin B-2), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (vitamin K), folic acid (vitamin B-9), biotin (vitamin B-7)], choline chloride, l-lysine monohydrochloride.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 23% | 12% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 26% | 14% | 52% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 23% | 30% | 47% |
Ingredients Analysis
Purina Beneful IncrediBites with Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodPurina Beneful IncrediBites with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food bag.
The first ingredient is beef. While beef is a quality ingredient, it contains a significant amount of water (up to 73%). This means that after cooking, the actual meat content is considerably reduced.
The second ingredient is corn, a common and affordable cereal grain. However, its nutritional value for dogs, beyond its energy content, is limited.
The third ingredient is barley, another starchy carbohydrate that provides fiber and nutrients. Similar to corn, its nutritional contribution to a dog’s diet is modest.
The next ingredient is simply listed as rice. Without further clarification (e.g., whole grain, brown, or white), it’s difficult to assess its quality and nutritional value.
Wheat is the fifth ingredient, another cereal grain that presents the same concerns as corn regarding nutritional value for dogs.
Next on the list is soybean meal, a byproduct of soybean oil production often used in animal feeds. While it boasts a 48% protein content, its biological value is considered lower than that of meat-based proteins.
Then comes corn gluten meal, derived from corn after most of its starch has been removed. Although corn gluten meal has a high protein content (60%), the biological value is lower than that of meat. Plant-based ingredients like soybean meal and corn gluten meal are frequently used to increase the overall protein levels on the label.
Beef fat, likely obtained through rendering, is a palatable and energy-rich ingredient for dogs.
Oatmeal, a whole-grain product, is a source of B-vitamins and dietary fiber.
Further down the ingredient list, there are several other items. However, ingredients listed in such small quantities typically have a minimal impact on the overall quality of the product, with a few exceptions.
Dried peas are a good source of carbohydrates and fiber. They also contain about 27% protein, contributing to the overall protein content of the food.
Iron oxide is a synthetic coloring agent used to give the food a reddish hue. The use of artificial coloring is unnecessary as it primarily appeals to humans and doesn’t benefit the dog.
This recipe lacks probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria added to aid digestion.
The minerals listed are not chelated, making them potentially harder for dogs to absorb.
Furthermore, the formula contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Selenium yeast is a more natural and preferred source of selenium.
Finally, menadione, a controversial form of vitamin K, is included despite not being required by AAFCO. Menadione has been linked to health issues such as liver toxicity.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients, Beneful Dog Food appears to be a below-average dry product.
Dry matter analysis reveals 26.1% protein, 13.6% fat, and approximately 52.2% carbohydrates.
The brand as a whole averages 28.3% protein and 14.5% fat, suggesting a carbohydrate content of 49.3% across the product line. The fat-to-protein ratio is approximately 51%.
Compared to other dry dog foods, this Purina product has:
- Above-average protein
- Near-average fat
- Near-average carbs
However, the inclusion of corn gluten meal, soybean meal, and dried peas significantly boosts the protein content, suggesting that the actual meat content is moderate.
Beneful Dog Food Recall History
It’s important to be aware of any product recalls. You can find a comprehensive list of dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Beneful Dog Food
Purina Beneful offers both grain-inclusive and grain-free dry dog foods. These formulas use a moderate amount of named meat and by-product meals as the primary source of animal protein. Consequently, Beneful receives an overall rating of 2.5 stars.
Recommended with Reservations
A Final Word
This review provides an objective analysis of Beneful dog food, focusing on ingredients, nutrient content, and potential concerns. Always consult with your veterinarian to determine the best food for your dog’s individual needs.
