Authority Puppy Food Review 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary

A new puppy can bring a lot of excitement into your life! Along with the adorable pictures and play, there are some tough questions, like what you will be feeding your new bundle of fur. If you are investigating puppy food, you may have encountered Authority dog food.

Authority is a veterinarian-recommended brand that PetSmart produces. They have various options for cats and dogs alike, including a line geared explicitly towards puppies.

If you are interested in learning about the history, the ingredients, and our favorite recipes from Authority, keep reading!

At a Glance: The Best Authority Puppy Food Recipes:

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Our Favorite		Authority Puppy Dry Dog Food: Chicken	High protein content Boosts immune system Maintains skin and coat	Check Price
		Authority Puppy Dry Dog Food: Tender Blends Chicken	Supports healthy brain development Aids digestive health Offers dental support	Check Price
		Authority Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food	Helps joint function and mobility Boosts immune system Maintains skin and coat	Check Price
		Authority Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food	Healthy ingredients Options for all ages Made in the United States	Check Price
		Authority Puppy Dry Dog Food - Beef	Options for all ages Made in the United States Affordable	Check Price

Authority Puppy Food Reviewed

Who makes Authority and where is it produced?

Authority was established in 2004 by PetSmart. It has been crafted and distributed by them ever since.  While PetSmart’s headquarters is in Phoenix, Arizona, Authority is produced all over the United States.

Which type of dog is Authority best suited for?

Authority has options for dogs of all ages and breeds of all sizes. They offer age-specific recipes and recipes for all life stages, giving pet owners plenty of options to choose from. Their recipes are also appropriate for pregnant dogs.

Which type of dog might do better with a different brand?

If your puppy has specific allergens to some ingredients or needs a limited-ingredient diet, you may be better off with another brand. The Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet - Puppy Dry Dog Food with Healthy Grains may be a good option for you and your pup. This formula provides salmon, chicken, and lamb as the main protein sources.

Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)

The primary ingredient in most Authority puppy foods is usually some form of deboned meat. This provides a healthy protein source for your puppy, giving them the fuel they need to be their lively self.

A meat meal is usually the second ingredient in puppy formulas. Some believe that meat meals are lacking in nutrition, but that is actually not the case1. Meat meals are essentially the meat with the water and fat removed. That means that meat meals contain more protein than unprocessed meat.

Brown rice is often included in Authority’s meals. It’s easy to digest and helps your puppy’s gastrointestinal tract remain healthy. Authority formulas are packed with essential vitamins and minerals and do not include artificial colors, additives, or preservatives. Unfortunately, many formulas include vegetable oil, which does not have many benefits. Vegetable oil is high in calories while not providing many healthy fatty acids for your dog.

PetSmart’s Healthy Pet Advisory Council

A great benefit to Authority is that PetSmart has a Healthy Pet Advisory Council to review their dog food.

To ensure that Authority has balanced nutrition, PetSmart has partnered with veterinarians, researchers, and pet nutritionists who guide the creation of their pet food recipes. This added feature gives pet parents a sense of assurance when purchasing Authority products, as they know pet care professionals have investigated the recipes.

Ora-Shield system

When you examine Authority’s pet food packaging, you may notice that they advertise having an Ora-Shield System. What is that?

The Ora-Shield System is a PetSmart invention that promotes dental health by combatting plaque and tartar. It provides puppies protection against dental conditions, which is an excellent added bonus.

A Quick Look at Authority Puppy Food

Recall History

Although Authority has a recall history, it is limited. Authority has not seen a recall since 2007, when the FDA issued a recall of over 100 pet food products from various brands. The reason for the recall was that there was a melamine contamination.

Other than that, there have not been any other recalls from Authority. Overall, they have a great track record and appear to be very trustworthy.

Reviews of the 3 Best Authority Puppy Food Recipes

1. Authority Puppy Dry Dog Food: Chicken

Our number one pick is the chicken recipe from the Everyday Health Puppy Dry Dog Food.

The main ingredients in this recipe are deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, corn, and corn gluten meal. With the first two ingredients being sourced from animals, the recipe is high in protein. This recipe contains DHA and EPA, two vital oils that support necessary brain development in growing puppies.

The inclusion of important vitamins and minerals lends to a boosted immune system, and the fiber and prebiotics promote good digestive health.  Plus, the omega fatty acids allow for a shiner coat and healthier skin.

Unfortunately, some pet owners complain that this formula doesn’t sit well on their puppy’s stomach. This could be because a specific ingredient does not agree with their puppy, so be sure to review the ingredients to see if there are any allergens that affect your pup.

2. Authority Puppy Dry Dog Food: Tender Blends Chicken

The Tender Blends Chicken recipe is another excellent choice that provides many of the same health benefits as the recipe discussed above. However, it has a slightly higher protein content.

The central ingredients are deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, corn, and chicken fat. The recipe is packed with protein with two animal-based products for the first two ingredients. It also bolsters your puppy’s brain development, immune system, digestion, and skin and coat health.

It is important to note that the recipe contains peas. A recent study suggests that peas may be linked to serious heart conditions in dogs, so talk to your vet before making any significant dietary decisions for your puppy.

3. Authority Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food: Chicken

Authority’s Everyday Health chicken recipe for large breeds is an excellent choice for the bigger dogs.

This recipe helps with brain development, the immune system, and the maintenance of the skin and coat, but it also supports the health of your puppy’s joints with the inclusion of glucosamine and chondroitin. The main ingredients are deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, corn, and oat groats. The deboned chicken and chicken meal provide plenty of protein for your bigger puppy.

This could be the perfect fit for you if you have a large breed puppy, but you will need to look elsewhere if your puppy is not a large breed dog.

What Other Users Are Saying

If you want to hear what others have to say about Authority, take a look at some of these reviews!

Conclusion

Authority is a great pet food for your growing pup. It contains plenty of protein to fuel your puppy’s energetic day, plus various other health benefits such as supporting brain development, digestive well-being, and dental health. Another great benefit is that if your puppy loves Authority, you can move them up to the adult formulas once they are old enough. Authority is a great brand all around, not just for puppies!

• Related Read: Can You Judge Dog Food Solely by Its First Ingredient? Facts & FAQs