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Eukanuba Dog Food Review 2024: Pros, Cons & Recalls

Written by: Keri-Beth Clur

Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by Dogster Team

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give Eukanuba Dog food a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Giving your dog all the nutrients that they need for a healthy and active life is the number-one goal of any dog owner. There are countless dog food brands on the market, making finding the right food for your dog a bit challenging. So, we did the work for you and deep-dived into Eukanuba to discover all that it has to offer.

Eukanuba has been in business for more than 50 years and offers recipes with high-quality ingredients and complete and balanced nutrition that is AAFCO approved. It has food specifically designed for the various needs of dogs with its various product lines, which include Active Range, Premium Range, FIT BODY Weight Control Range, and Puppy Range.

Eukanuba has recipes for small, medium, and large breeds with wet and dry options. It also has formulas specifically targeting certain health issues, such as weight control or poor digestion. The company’s ideology is that dogs are carnivores and require animal proteins, which is why many of its recipes include lamb or chicken. Also, for such a long-standing company, it hasn’t had many recalls.

Eukanuba may not be faultless, but if you’re looking for excellent quality and natural ingredients in your dog’s food and aren’t too worried about higher costs, it may be the brand for you.

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At a Glance: The Best Eukanuba Dog Food Recipes

Rating Image Product Details
Winner
Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Dog Food Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Dog Food
  • High-quality chicken is first ingredient
  • Above-average protein for lean muscles and active lifestyle
  • Supports joints
  • Second place
    Eukanuba Adult Small Bites Dog Food Eukanuba Adult Small Bites Dog Food
  • Kibble size appropriate for small breeds
  • 3D DentaDefense breaks down tartar buildup
  • High in protein, with chicken as first ingredient
  • Third place
    Eukanuba Puppy Medium Dog Food Eukanuba Puppy Medium Dog Food
  • Good amount of protein for growing pups
  • First ingredient is chicken
  • Specifically formulated for puppies' needs
  • Eukanuba Senior Large Breed Dog Food Eukanuba Senior Large Breed Dog Food
  • Optimal levels of fats and carbohydrates
  • Supports lean muscles
  • Balanced nutrition for senior dogs
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    Eukanuba Dog Food Reviewed

    Eukanuba aims to fuel a dog’s potential by providing complete and balanced nutrition with high-quality, organic ingredients. It is dedicated to learning and improving to produce the best recipes for canines around the world. All Eukanuba dog food meets AAFCO and manufacturing standards.

    Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

    Who Makes Eukanuba and Where Is It Produced?

    Although previously owned by Procter & Gamble, Eukanuba is now owned and manufactured by Mars Corporation in the United States. Mars is a massive pet food company with close to 50 different pet brands under it. The factory where most of the Eukanuba dog food products are made is in Ohio.

    Eukanuba dog food can be purchased throughout the United States at pet stores and certain retail stores. You can also purchase its products online from its website and on Amazon, Chewy, Petco, and PetSmart.

    Which Types of Dogs Is Eukanuba Best Suited For?

    Eukanuba dog food is best suited for canines with active lifestyles, as the brand focuses on fueling dogs to enhance their performance. It caters to small, medium, and large breeds and has formulas for dogs with certain health issues. The food is expensive and, therefore, targets customers with higher budgets.

    Most of Eukanuba’s recipes include grain and typically bounce between chicken and lamb as the animal protein source. Therefore, Eukanuba is best suited for dogs without sensitivities to grain and poultry.

    brown dog eating its food
    Image By: cottonbro, Pexels

    Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better with a Different Brand?

    Active dogs that require high levels of protein but have sensitivities to grain and poultry might do better with American Journey. It’s a similar dog food but has many more recipe flavors.

    So, as an alternative to Eukanuba, you can try American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dog Food. The first ingredient is deboned salmon, and it’s free from grain, corn, and wheat. It has a crude protein content of 32% and a crude fat content of 14%. It’s also available at a much more affordable price compared to Eukanuba.

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    Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)

    Whatever ingredient is listed first on the back of the packaging is the heaviest ingredient, with the last ingredient weighing the least. It’s important that ingredients with the most nutrients are high on the list, with the animal protein being listed first.

    Due to the popularity of the Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food, we’ll be discussing its ingredients.

    • Chicken: Chicken is lean meat that provides your dog with energy and lean muscles. It also contains omega-6 fatty acids, which contribute to a healthy coat and skin.
    • Corn: Corn is a cheap and controversial ingredient. However, it has nutritional value and contains vitamins and minerals.
    • Chicken by-product meal: This is made up of all the cut-offs of the chicken, such as the brain, kidneys, and lungs. However, it’s packed with nutrients that are beneficial to your dog, such as vitamins and minerals. It’s also a high source of protein.
    • Wheat: Wheat is a carbohydrate that gives your dog energy and aids in digestion. It also provides your dog with omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and potassium. However, many dogs can be sensitive to wheat.
    • Sorghum: Sorghum is a cereal grain that is gluten-free and high in antioxidants.
    • Chicken fat: Chicken fat is a quality ingredient that is high in omega-6 fatty acids and aids in energy, organ function, immune health, and healthy skin.
    • Natural flavors: This enhances the dog’s food and is extracted from natural ingredients. However, there is a great deal of mystery surrounding this “ingredient,” which puts a question mark on it.
    • Dried plain beet pulp: This is another form of fiber that aids in good digestion and more solid stools.
    • Egg product: Eggs contain vitamins A and B12. They also have iron, protein, riboflavin, selenium, folic acid, and fatty acids. However, “egg product” doesn’t clearly inform us what part of the egg is included.

    Eukanuba’s Animal Protein Options

    Eukanuba has been providing dogs with food for many years, and throughout that time, it’s only ever used chicken or lamb in its recipes. As wholesome and beneficial as these two animal proteins are, they do limit dogs to only two options and disqualify those with intolerance to either. That said, its recipes are high in protein and provide canines with the nutrients that they need.

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    A Quick Look at Eukanuba Dog Food

    Pros
    • Animal protein is always the first ingredient.
    • The recipes are high in protein.
    • The company has been in business for a long time.
    • Eukanuba is dedicated to fueling your dog to bring out their best performance.
    • The company is dedicated to learning and improving.
    • It has a large variety of formulas suitable to specific needs, breeds, and performance.
    • The products are easy to access, as they’re widely available.
    Cons
    • It’s expensive.
    • Only grain-inclusive options are available, which doesn’t suit dogs with sensitivities.
    • The flavors are limited.
    • Some of the ingredients are questionable and could be avoided.

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    Recall History

    As with many brands, Eukanuba has had a few dog food products recalled in the past. Unfortunately, recalls can result in financial losses for the company and the trust of customers. It’s necessary for a company to stay on top of its quality control and avoid any situations that may result in its products being recalled.

    Fortunately, Eukanuba’s last product recall was in August 2013, when 20 different dog foods were recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination. This recall was necessary because these bacteria can cause problems within the intestinal tract of both humans and dogs. The signs can include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramping.

    Eukanuba dog food products were recalled previously in 2010 for the same concern: potential Salmonella contamination. 2007 was the company’s first experience with a product recall, as far as we know, and the cause for the recall was a potential melamine-related compound in the food.

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    Reviews of the 3 Best Eukanuba Dog Food Recipes

    There’s a good reason that so many dog owners are loyal customers of Eukanuba dog food. Its ingredients are high quality and organic, and its recipes are complete and well-balanced. Here are three of our favorite picks.

    1. Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

    Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

    The Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food is one of the most popular recipes for dogs weighing 55 pounds or more. High-quality chicken is the first ingredient in this recipe, which supports lean muscles and provides energy. The omega-6 fatty acids found in chicken give a dog’s coat the shine that it needs, as well as healthy skin. The crude protein content is 23% and the crude fat content is 13%.

    The next five ingredients are corn, chicken by-product meal, wheat, ground grain sorghum, and chicken fat. Many people are skeptical of grain-inclusive recipes; however, grain is a high-quality carbohydrate and aids in digestion. If your vet has advised against grain-inclusive recipes due to your dog being sensitive to it, you should avoid ingredients with wheat.

    Due to the chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine found in the by-products, this recipe supports the joints of your large dog for an active lifestyle.

    Pros
    • High-quality chicken is the first ingredient
    • Above-average protein for lean muscles and an active lifestyle
    • Supports joints
    • Good amount of omega-6 fatty acids for shiny and healthy skin and coat
    Cons
    • Not suitable for dogs with sensitivities toward poultry and grain

    2. Eukanuba Adult Small Bites Dry Dog Food

    Eukanuba Adult Small Bites Dog Food

    For dogs weighing less than 54 pounds, Eukanuba Adult Small Bites Dry Dog Food is a great option. The kibble can easily be eaten and enjoyed by small breeds with small mouths, and the S-shaped design breaks down tartar buildup for healthier gums and teeth.

    This recipe has a crude protein content of 25% and a crude fat content of 16%, which is great for active dogs. The first ingredient is chicken, which aids in building lean muscles. This recipe has beneficial amounts of fiber for good digestion. It also includes calcium, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate for strong bones and joints. Unfortunately, customers have complained of bad batches that have had mold or a lack of freshness. This product is also pricey in comparison to similar formulas.

    Pros
    • Kibble size appropriate for small breeds
    • 3D DentaDefense breaks down tartar buildup
    • High in protein, with chicken as first ingredient
    • Includes calcium, glucosamine, and chondroitin for healthy and strong joints and bones
    Cons
    • Customer complaints of bad batches
    • Expensive in comparison to competition

    3. Eukanuba Puppy Medium Breed Dry Dog Food

    Eukanuba Puppy Medium Breed Dry Dog Food

    For a recipe specially formulated for puppies, check out Eukanuba Puppy Medium Breed Dry Dog Food. This recipe is ideal for puppies that will grow into medium-sized dogs weighing between 24 and 54 pounds. Of course, puppies need plenty of protein and fat for their developing and energetic bodies, and this recipe provides them with that, with a crude protein content of 29% and a crude fat content of 18%.

    The first five ingredients are chicken, chicken by-product meal, corn meal, ground whole grain sorghum, and brewers rice. It also includes DHA and vitamin E to maintain healthy brain function and fiber and prebiotics for a healthy gut. This meal has been made with complete and balanced nutrition so your pup can get everything they need out of their food.

    Pros
    • Good amount of protein for growing pups
    • First ingredient is chicken
    • Specifically formulated for puppies’ needs
    • Full of nutrition
    • Vitamin E for strong immune support
    Cons
    • Three of the five main ingredients are cheap carbohydrates
    • Not gluten-free

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    What Other Users Are Saying

    Eukanuba dog food appeals to dogs and their owners around the world. We checked many customer reviews from various sites and summarized the general feedback. That said, go ahead and read through the reviews yourself for a more personal experience and peace of mind.

    • Amazon: Amazon is accessible to millions of people, and its  customers give the best, most detailed reviews that you can trust. Many of Eukanuba’s recipes are rated 5 stars and have thousands of reviews to sift through. If you’d like to read through what they have to say about this dog food, click here.
    • Chewy: Many of the customers on Chewy have reported that they’ve seen an increase in their dog’s energy levels, a shinier and slicker coat, and solid stools since transitioning their pups to Eukanuba recipes. Many have also seen their previously unenthusiastic dogs show a new eagerness around mealtimes once they started on this food.
    • Customer Affairs: Many happy customers spoke highly of their experience with Eukanuba dog food, listing that they appreciate the high-quality, nutritious ingredients used in each recipe to keep their dogs looking and feeling healthy.

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    Conclusion

    Eukanuba dog food is nutritious and offers a well-balanced meal to dogs. Its recipes use organic ingredients and provide canines with plenty of protein to fuel them to perform to the best of their abilities. It has many food ranges that accommodate small, medium, and large breeds. However, it doesn’t have a variety of grain-free recipes, and its proteins are limited to lamb and chicken, which could pose a problem to dogs with food sensitivities.

    Eukanuba is an expensive brand, but many customers are happy to pay the price, as they’ve seen improvements in their dog’s energy and coat since starting this food.

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