In this article
We give Good Friends a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
When it comes to our dog’s nutrition, more and more research is developing. We now know that many of the trusted food sources we’ve picked throughout the years might not be the healthiest after all. The industry is changing and pet foods are starting to reflect that.
So, when you’re ready to make a switch, researching is a must! If you have seen Good Friends dog food, you likely want to know what it’s all about. In this article, we will explore our favorite recipe and talk a little about the brand itself. Let’s jump in!
Good Friends Dog Food Reviewed
About Good Friends Products
Good Friends is exclusively available at Rural King. It is considered a house brand and you can find it at any Rural King retailer.
Who Makes Good Friends Dog Food and Where Is It Produced?
Good Friends started production through Rural King in August of 2017. Rural King actually owns a company called Fromm Family Pet Food who manufactures dog food in Wisconsin.
Which Types of Dog Is Good Friends Best Suited For?
Most healthy adults with no known sensitivities could eat Good Friends dog food. However, you might find that it doesn’t quite deliver the nutritional content you’re looking for. But, you can always add a broth, wet canned food, or fresh topper to enhance the meal.
Which Types of Dog Might Do Better With a Different Brand?
Even though Good Friends can be fine for basic nutrition, there are plenty of other foods that are comparable in price but better for overall health, especially if your dog has any dietary sensitivities and health conditions. While this dog food can work on a budget, it isn’t the most health-conscious option.
If you’re looking for a price-friendly option for your pup, try Diamond Naturals or American Journey.
Recall History
To date, we could find no recall history on Good Friends dog food.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and bad)
Naturally, there will be both good and bad ingredients in any commercial dog food. However, when it comes to a standard, average recipe like this, you’re going to find nutritious ingredients as well as less-than-quality sources.
Meat and Bone Meal
Meat and bone meal is a cost-effective protein added to standard dog food brands. As a main protein source, it is pretty generic and isn’t as sufficient as other brands that include one or more specific whole proteins in their recipes.
The overall healthfulness of the meal depends on the source, but it is unclear exactly what type of meat and bone meal is in this recipe. These sorts of ambiguous proteins can be hard for sensitive pups to digest since you don’t know what they are.
Corn Gluten Meal and Ground Corn
Corn gluten meal is inexpensive and readily available. It is used in many pet foods to add calories and provide plant-based protein. While not a common allergy, some dogs can be sensitive to corn products in recipes.
Ground corn is often used as a base for many dog foods. It provides a carbohydrate source and gives the food form and substance.
Poultry Fat
Poultry fat is an excellent source of natural fat and linoleic acid, which boosts immunity and aids in coat health. But it may not be suitable for dogs that have a chicken allergy.
Brewer’s Rice
Brewer’s rice is the product of processing, which is then used as a filler in dog foods. It is made of rice bran, rice germ, and broken rice.
Dried Plain Beet Pulp
Dried plain beet pulp is an incredibly common ingredient found on many dog food bags. It is an excellent source of fiber, regulating your pup’s digestive tract.
Rice Bran
Rice bran is a perfectly safe fiber source in many commercial dog foods. It provides a great source for digestive health and it’s affordable.
- For all life stages
- Contains necessary ingredients
- For energetic breeds
- Ambiguous protein source
- Not for dogs with sensitive stomach
Availability
The Good Friends dog food brand is available at Rural King both in store and online. It is not sold at common online shops, like Amazon or Chewy. Because of the limited availability, it might reduce the number of customers especially if you don’t have a Rural King in your area. But if you do, it can be a good food choice in a pinch.
Price
Good Friends dog food is very middle-of-the-road in terms of price. It is affordable on most budgets, so you can absolutely fit it in your monthly bills without much issue.
Remember, price reflects quality in almost all cases, so you get what you pay for.
Nutrition
The particular recipe that we reviewed is designed for high energy grades. It can also nourish lactating or pregnant mothers, as it has the calorie and mineral quantities to nourish their systems.
While it might not be top-of-the-line dog food, it definitely covers all bases of standard nutrition.
Lack of Transparency
Good Friends is very hard to find information about. Because they are owned by Rural King, they don’t have a website of their own, making it very difficult to track down information.
We love our dog food brands to be completely transparent and very obvious when it comes to the ingredients list. The lack of transparency is something that might change over time if the food should get more popular.
Good Friends Dog Food Review
Good Friends Hi Energy Performance Blend Dog Food
For our actual review, we’ll be taking a look at Good Friends Hi Energy Performance Blend Dog Food. It is designed to boost calories and provide needed nutrients. This particular recipe contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and proteins.
Most of the time, we love to see a whole protein as the first ingredient. In this recipe however, meat and bone meal takes the number one spot. We aren’t really sure what this meat and bone meal consists of by the ingredients list alone, so we could ask for more transparency.
Even though this recipe is designed for high energy dogs, it still only has 30% crude protein, which is at the higher end, but still not quite nearly as high as some of the other high-protein and high-energy dog foods on the market.
We know that this particular dog food has quite a few filler ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy. This is certainly not the kind of dog food that you would want to buy a dog with a sensitive belly.
This particular recipe is for all-life stages, meaning you can feed your dog this food from puppyhood to senior years. While we absolutely love this component of it, it can sometimes not cater to the individual needs of a particular breed.
Always make sure to check with your veterinarian before ever making a diet switch!
If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's our online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Ingredients Analysis
- Crude Protein: 30.0%
- Crude Fat: 20.0%
- Crude Fiber: 3.5%
- Carbohydrates: 384 kcal/cup
- Moisture: 10.0%
- Vitamin E: 100 IU/kg
- Calories per cup breakdown:
- ½ cup: 192 calories
- 1 cup: 384 calories
- 2 cup: 468 calories
What Other Users Are Saying
If you hop on the Rural King website, you can get real-life accounts from customers who buy this particular dog food. Because it is exclusive to Rural King, there isn’t much information outside of the website.
We highly recommend looking at what other customers have to say. But it seems that the majority of people who use this particular dog food seem pretty happy with it.
There is an occasional person who found that it didn’t work for them, and that’s okay! Certain types of food won’t be for every dog.
Conclusion
Now, you’ve gotten to know Good Friends dog food a little better. We think it could certainly work if you are looking for a budget-friendly, basic recipe for your dog—but it isn’t premium, the ingredients are ambiguous, and information about the company is hard to sniff out.
Ultimately, if you can afford a better recipe for your pooch, we recommend it. However, we understand that everyone has a different budget that can impact certain choices we make for our pets, and this food will provide the basic nutrition for your dog provided they are healthy and don’t have any dietary sensitivities. If you have any questions or concerns after reading this article, consult your vet for advice.
