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Review Summary
We give Solid Gold Dog Food a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
The Solid Gold dog food brand came to be in 1974 and during the early years, most of their foods contain more natural ingredients that were based on a holistic diet. The company was founded by Sissy Harrington McGill who was a dog breeder that wanted to create more natural foods that were healthier for her dogs. Currently, the brand is based in El Cajon, California and has about nine different drive-through formulas available and about 6 wet food options.
At a Glance: The Best Solid Gold Puppy Food Recipes
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Our Favorite
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Solid Gold Wolf Cub Bison and Oatmeal |
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Solid Gold Love At First Bark Grain-Free |
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Solid Gold Mighty Mini Gut Health |
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Solid Gold Love At First Bark Canned |
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Solid Gold Love At First Bark Beef |
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Solid Gold Puppy Food Reviewed
The brand also has a variety of different supplements and treats. Solid Gold also creates dry and wet food options for cats as well as different supplements. The wet and dry food options contain real meat which comes from a variety of different proteins and many also contain brown rice and vegetables such as peas, green beans, spinach, and sweet potatoes. One of the great things about the brand is its price point given the nutritional content of its meals.
Where Is Solid Gold Dog Food Produced?
The meals are moderately priced considering that they are made in the USA and contain ingredients that are of good quality. According to their website, all of their dog food dry products are made right here in the USA and this brand has also been recommended by various dog nutrition experts.
With this brand, you’ll find dog food that’s free of additives, chemical preservatives, and by-products that are commonly seen in many lower-quality brands. The grand aims to create dog foods that are allergy free, so you won’t find any recipes that contain corn, wheat, or soy. So if you’re looking for a dog food brand that has great quality but not the highest cost associated with such quality, here is one to consider.
What Type of Dog Is Solid Gold Puppy Food Best Suited For?
The Solid Gold brand makes food dogs of different breeds and ages. And these meals can be especially helpful for dogs that are recovering or suffering from health conditions such as heart-related issues, obesity, and gut-related problems. They also make meals, especially for puppies, small breeds, large breeds, and dogs that have gut-related issues (which include prebiotics and probiotics).
Solid Gold Puppy Food Pricing
The price for this particular brand of puppy food is actually pretty fair considering the quality. The pricing seems to be within the median of dog food pricing, which makes it a pretty good offer.
Solid Gold Puppy Food Primary Ingredients
The brand uses a wide variety of high-density proteins for its meals. These proteins include beef, chicken, turkey, pork, fish, venison, duck, and a number of other options. Lean protein is needed to help the dogs develop strong healthy muscles and sustained energy throughout the day.
The meals also include several key ingredients such as whole foods, Omega fatty acids, and living probiotics. Other things such as chicory root, fish meal, bone broth, flax seeds, eggs, and taurine are also included in many of the meals, making for pretty nutritious recipes.
Image Credit: Tienuskin, Shutterstock
Solid Gold Recall History
The brand doesn’t have a long list of recalls, which speaks to the quality assurance processes in their manufacturing plants and the overall quality of their ingredients. There was one recall in May of 2012 for a batch of two different dry foods, the Solid Gold Wolf King Large Breed Adult Food and the Solid Gold. The recalls were initiated by the company, and they are listed on the FDA’s site.
Reviews of the 5 Solid Gold Puppy Food Recipes
1. Solid Gold Wolf Cub Bison & Oatmeal Puppy Formula Dry Dog
This recipe is for large breed puppies and includes probiotic support to help with gut issues. It’s also made with whole superfoods including blueberries, broccoli, pumpkin, almond oil, lentils, and cranberries.
Like all of their products, it contains no soy, wheat, or corn, which helps if you have a dog with allergy issues. If you are looking for a nutrient-rich formula that has calcium, protein, and all the vitamins and minerals that your pup needs for growth and development, here is one to consider.
- Made with real meat
- Free of preservatives & artificial flavors
- Full of nutrients and minerals
- Pricey
- Few flavors
2. Solid Gold Puppy Chicken, Potato & Apple Dry Dog Food
Here is another formula to consider if you have a small puppy. It’s gluten and grain-free, which makes it ideal for puppies that are suffering from yeast problems, and that may have gut-related issues.
The meal also has a good balance of omega-3 fatty acids and nutrients to support healthy skin and a shiny coat. The size of the kibbles is small, which helps puppies digest them rather easily. The blend of unique superfoods, vitamins, omega fatty acids, probiotics, and minerals make this formula one of the best options that you can get at this price range.
- Has omega fatty acids
- Small kibbles for easy digestion
- Contains superfoods
- Supports skin & coat
- Could use more options
- More expensive than other brands
3. Solid Gold Gut Health Small & Toy Breed Dog Food
The formula is made specifically for dogs that have sensitive stomachs. It contains 20 nutrient-rich superfoods including cranberries, blueberries, lentils, and carrots. The meal is grain and gluten-free and contains probiotics to help support a well-balanced gut microbiome.
It’s made with real chicken and it’s a hearty recipe that’s easy for dogs to digest. The formula is fairly well-balanced and it’s a good option if you are looking to help your dog recover from stomach or digestion-related issues.
- Supports gut health
- Contains superfoods
- Made with real chicken
- Only a few flavor options
4. Solid Gold Chicken Puppy Grain-Free Canned Dog
This puppy food is made with high-protein chicken and also contains chicken liver for the ultimate muscle-building recipe. It’s for adult dogs but it’s also great for puppies. It helps support a strong immune system and bone growth, and includes superfoods such as blueberries, cranberries, spinach, and pumpkin.
Like many other meals by the brand, it contains all the essential minerals and vitamins that a K-9 needs for daily growth and development. It also has a substantial amount of omega fatty acids for cognitive function, inflammation reduction, and skin/coat health. Of course, it’s free of preservatives, contains no wheat or corn, and is highly digestible.
- Unique blend of superfoods
- Perfect for all breeds and ages
- High in protein
- Full of essential minerals & vitamins
- Few options
5. Solid Gold Beef Puppy Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
If your dog prefers beef-based recipes, here is one to consider. This puppy food is a high-protein option that contains beef and liver as the top ingredients. This wet dog food option comes in a tasty gravy and includes a ton of superfoods including spinach, pumpkin, cranberries, and blueberries.
It also has omega fatty acids to help support healthy skin and coat and is easy on your puppy’s digestive system. This meal is great for both young and older dogs and is the perfect option for puppies that are weaning away from puppy food. It doesn’t contain any preservatives, or artificial colors, and is free of corn and wheat, and soy.
- Great for weaning pups
- Full of essential nutrients
- Has omega fatty acids
- Supports daily nutritional requirements
- Few flavors
What Other Users Are Saying About Solid Gold Puppy Food
Overall, the feedback from users about the brand seems to be really good. Many pet owners love the fact that the meals contain superfoods such as spinach, blueberries, pumpkin, and Omega fatty acids. They also appreciate the allergy, gluten, and grain-free options that the brand provides.
Another point that was mentioned was the amazing price point, given the quality of the meals, something noted by many pet owners in the online reviews that we came across. Here are a few of the most notable reviews that we found:
“Perfect for my dog as gluten free. I have bought this product since I have adopted Trooper as has been only food that agrees with his food issues”
“Our boys absolutely love this food.
We’ve been buying this for our dogs as they are kind of picky eaters and have sensitive stomachs. But they love this food. Just wish Petco would stock more of this food at all their locations so that we don’t have to drive across town to get it all the time.”
“Holy Grail for Picky Dog w/ Allergies
It took me an entire year to finally find a food that my picky dog will eat. She turned her nose up at every single food brand we tried to give her – except for this one. She would literally not eat for days because she would just sniff the bowl and walk away with other dog foods. But with this stuff, she RUNS to her food bowl, and it disappears in 30 seconds. The small kibble size makes it easier for her to eat and it’s wonderful for her sensitive stomach and skin allergies. I HIGHLY recommend this product.”
What To Look for In Puppy Food
Before deciding on the best dog food for your puppy, it’s best to have some type of criteria for measuring brand quality. So here are a few things to consider before buying your next batch of dog food.
Look at Ingredient Lists
Yes, dog food that’s of substantial quality will likely cost you more than lower-quality food. This is because it contains higher-quality ingredients that are more expensive to procure. In many cases, the manufacturing process for the recipe also requires a higher level of quality assurance, which can up the final cost that you pay out of pocket.
However, the most expensive food does not always mean the best. Nor does it necessarily correlate with the food’s quality. Because some companies spend a lot on advertising and marketing, there are many low-quality foods available that can be sold at good food prices.
The best thing for you to do to discern the difference between the two is to simply look at the ingredient list. Is the food made from real beef or chicken coming or from a substitute? What are protein and fat percentages? Does the recipe contain whole Foods and essential nutrients, or is it full of additives and by-products? These are things that will let you know the quality of the recipe.
Verify the Guaranteed Analysis for the Protein & Fat Percentages
The “guaranteed analysis” (GA) section of the label lists the minimum amounts of protein and fat that’s guaranteed to be in the specific recipe. If your dog is on a strict diet, is essential to know how much protein it’s getting every day. Also, recipes that are high in fat will typically be lower quality.
Check the “Best Before” Date
Expiration date matters in any type of food, and it’s no different with dog food recipes. If you come across a batch of dog food at the local pet food store, be sure to check the expiration dates.
Batches with a ton of old expiration dates mean that the units are selling or that the store is improperly rotating the packages when they do. The last thing you want is to buy a bulk of wet or dry food only to find that you only have a few weeks to use it.
Read Customer Reviews
Sites such as Yelp, Amazon, Petco, and Chewy are great places to read customer reviews from other pet owners. If you see a common occurrence with the quality of the food, chances are that the issue is real, and you may want to reconsider that specific recipe.
And if you’re worried about fake pee reviews, it helps to check a number of different sites for a better look at the feedback that the brand receives as a whole. Lastly, it helps to check the FDA recall site as well as the BBB (Better Business Bureau) to see if there have been recipe recalls or issues with customer complaints.
Conclusion
It appears that for the last 40-plus years the Solid Gold brand of dog food has been offering pet owners an affordable option for high-quality dog food recipes. They include real protein and superfoods in all of their meals, and many meals are inclusive of omega-3 fatty acids and other essential nutrients for daily health. These meals are especially beneficial for dogs suffering from allergy issues, as they are all free from corn, wheat, and soy.
They may also help dogs that are recovering from digestive orders. According to pet owners, dogs seem to like the taste of both the wet and dry food options and we find that overall, this brand seems to be a bit above average when it comes to quality. And given the pricing of these recipes, we believe Solid Gold is a pretty good brand to consider.
