A Closer Look at River Run Pet Food Is It Right for Your Dog

River Run Dog Food Review (Dry)

River Run Dog Food Review (Dry)

By Mike Sagman

Updated: April 24, 2024

DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how

All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.

Review of River Run Dog Food

River Run Dog Food receives the Advisors lowest-tier rating of 1.5 stars.

The River Run product line includes the 5 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe below includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Product	Rating	AAFCO
River Run Professional Formula 30-20	1.5	A
River Run Hi Energy 24-20	1.5	A
River Run Hi Pro 27-15	1.5	A
River Run Adult Formula 21-10	1	M
River Run Puppy Formula 28-18	1.5	G

Recipe and Label Analysis

River Run Hi Pro 27-15 was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

River Run Hi-Pro 27-15

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Meat and bone meal, whole ground corn, wheat middlings, rice bran, animal fat (preserved with BHA), corn gluten meal, natural flavors, salt, vitamins (vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex [source of vitamin K activity], biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, sodium selenite, iron oxide), propionic acid (a preservative), choline chloride

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%

Red denotes any controversial items

Guaranteed Analysis	27%	15%	NA
Dry Matter Basis	30%	17%	45%
Calorie Weighted Basis	26%	35%	39%

Ingredient Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is meat and bone meal, a dry rendered product from mammal tissues, including bone, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents.¹

Meat and bone meal can have a lower digestibility than most other meat meals.

Scientists believe this decreased absorption may be due to the ingredients higher ash and lower essential amino acid content.²

Whats worse, this particular item is anonymous. So, the meat itself can come from any combination of cattle, pigs, sheep or goats which can make identifying specific food allergens impossible.

Even though meat and bone meals are still considered protein-rich meat concentrates, we do not consider a generic ingredient like this to be a quality item.

The second ingredient is corn. Corn is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain. And aside from its energy content, this grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

For this reason, we do not consider corn a preferred component in any dog food.

The third ingredient includes wheat middlings, commonly known as wheat mill run. Though it may sound wholesome, wheat mill run is actually an inexpensive by-product of cereal grain processing.

Unfortunately, the variations in nutrient content found in wheat middlings can be a critical issue in determining their suitability for use in any dog food or even livestock feeds.³

In reality, wheat middlings are nothing more than milling dust and floor sweepings and an ingredient more typically associated with lower quality pet foods.

The next ingredient is rice bran, a healthy by-product of milling whole grain rice. The bran is the fiber-rich outer layer of the grain containing starch, protein, fat as well as vitamins and minerals.

The fifth ingredient is animal fat. Animal fat is a generic by-product of rendering, the same high-temperature process used to make meat meals.

Since theres no mention of a specific animal, this item could come from just about anywhere: salvaged roadkill, spoiled supermarket meat even dead, diseased or dying cattle.

For this reason, we do not consider generic animal fat a quality ingredient.

Whats worse, this fat is preserved with BHA, a suspected cancer-causing agent.

The sixth ingredient is corn gluten meal. Gluten is the rubbery residue remaining once corn has had most of its starchy carbohydrate washed out of it.

Although corn gluten meal contains 60% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.

And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

After the natural flavors, we find salt (also known as sodium chloride). Salt is a common additive in many dog foods. Thats because sodium is a necessary mineral for all animals including humans.

However, since the actual amount of salt added to this recipe isnt disclosed on the list of ingredients, its impossible to judge the nutritional value of this item.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.

With 4 notable exceptions

First, iron oxide is a synthetic color additive used in industry to impart a reddish color to food and paint. In its natural form, this chemical compound is more commonly known as iron rust.

Were always disappointed to find any artificial coloring in a pet food. Thats because coloring is used to make the product more appealing to humans not your dog. After all, do you really think your dog cares what color his food is?

Next, this dog food contains menadione, a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.

Since vitamin K isnt required by AAFCO in either of its dog food nutrient profiles, we question the use of this substance in any canine formulation.

In addition, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.

And lastly, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Judging by its ingredients alone, River Run Dog Food looks like a below-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 30%, a fat level of 17% and estimated carbohydrates of about 45%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 29% and a mean fat level of 18%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 45% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 64%.

Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the corn gluten meal in this recipe, and the soybean meal contained in another recipe, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.

Is River Run a Good Dog Food?

River Run is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a moderate amount of unnamed meat and bone meal as its main source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 1.5 stars.

Not recommended.

Has River Run Dog Food Been Recalled?

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls since 2009 related to River Run.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

Get Free Recall Alerts

Get free dog food recall alerts sent to you by email. Subscribe to The Advisors recall notification list.

Compare This Dog Food

How does this brand compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?

A Final Word

The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.

However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.

For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.

How to Choose the Right Dog Food for You and Your Dog

Theres a whirlwind of information, misinformation, and even judgement about what you should feed your dog.

But this is a judgement-free zone. Were here to help you determine what feeding priorities might be important for your dog, what information you might want to focus on when evaluating diets, and how to avoid choosing nutritionally incomplete or cost-prohibitive diets.

I know what you might be thinking: This is all great, but can you just tell me which food is best and how I know that? The truth is, its not easy to look at the ingredients, calories, moisture content, etc., on a dog food label and say this food is better than that food at least not unless youre a trained veterinarian or canine nutritionist, and even then, they need to analyze the studies and dig deeper. And with so many food brands out there, it can be daunting for everyone.

There are a few essential things that you should focus on when choosing a diet for your dog:

1. Is there an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement on the packaging? There should be so you know its a complete and balanced dog diet.
2. Is the food you're currently feeding or considering feeding your dog designed for your unique dog their age, breed, activity level, potential medical or hereditary concerns, dog food sensitivities, allergies, etc.?
3. Research the company. Are they a responsible pet food company? Do they have a knowledgeable team of nutritionists, formulators, and food scientists?
4. Does your dog like the food, and does it meet your needs?

If you follow these steps and answer these questions, your dog will get the essential nutrition they need. And that means youre setting your furry family member up for a healthy and happy life.

Let's dig into the details!

Understanding Dog Food Labels

The AAFCO Statement An Absolute Must!

Lets start with the simplest part of the process. If the label on the food youre considering doesnt have an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement, dont buy it.

AAFCO is the Association of American Feed Control Officials, which guides state, federal, and international animal food regulators. For more than 110 years, theyve provided canine nutritional guidelines (as well as feline and other animals), ingredient guidelines, label standards, and more to help ensure our pets are getting nutritionally complete, balanced diets.

AAFCO statements verify that the food has either been formulated to meet the nutritional levels AAFCO recommends or has gone through a feeding test to confirm it provides complete and balanced nutrition for an indicated life stage.

Key phrase complete and balanced nutrition.

It means the specific can or bag of food has all the essential nutrients required in the correct ratios for your dog. However, your dog may benefit from supplemental nutrients, like joint support for senior dogs or probiotics for gut health. But in terms of basic minerals, protein, and other essential nutrients, those should be found in the primary dog diet.

If you see something like intermittent or supplemental on the label, you are NOT looking at a complete diet. Thats a topper, treat, or other product not meant to be fed as a meal but more as an addition to your dogs diet making up less than 10% of your dog's daily calories.

To learn more about AAFCO standards and statements, check out their website.

What Should Be on the Dog Food Label

AAFCO provides guidelines around what should be included on dog food labels. This means there is a degree of consistency from one dog food brand to the next, which is helpful when comparing diets. But that doesnt mean its easy to read pet food labels.

When youre looking at human food labels, ingredients may seem straightforward, the calories may seem reasonably clear, etc. With dog food labels, theres a lot more to it. Why? Well, your dog isnt eating a variety of foods every day.

You may consume iron and vitamin C from a lunchtime spinach salad and magnesium from legumes at dinner. ALL of the nutrients, minerals, protein, vitamins, etc., that your dog needs come from a single diet. Their wet food or kibble needs to cover all their primary nutritional needs.

So, how do we know that a food has everything our pets need? Thats where the support of the AAFCO label standards and nutritional adequacy statement can help. But well break a few important things down here.

A Typical Dog Food Label Includes

1. The brand and product name.
2. A list of ingredients, in order of weight (heaviest first) before cooking. Thats right. For dog food ingredients, higher in the list doesnt mean the final product has more of one ingredient than another. It just means the higher ingredient was heavier before cooking. For example, meat at the top of the list doesnt mean the diet is mostly meat.

   A note about protein: Protein sources are a hot topic. Pet nutritionists base the quality of a protein on whether that protein provides all of the essential amino acids that a pet needs and whether the pet can digest the protein to use the amino acids in their body. Examples of protein found in dog food include meat, chicken byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, and wheat gluten.

   Dont let the word meal worry you. That just means water was removed. Its not a pro or con just a fact. Dont let the word "gluten" concern you, either. Gluten is simply the protein found in wheat and some other grains. Its extremely rare for dogs to have gluten intolerance. And its a very digestible form of protein for dogs. A note about fillers and additives: The word filler implies an ingredient with no nutritional value. There may be misconceptions about a particular ingredients nutritional value. If you have specific questions or terms youd like for me to elaborate on, please let me know in the comments section below.
3. A guaranteed analysis. AAFCO requires that pet food labels have four basic nutritional guarantees: minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture. The term crude is in reference to the way each nutrient is measured. These nutritional guarantees help keep the pet food company accountable for accurately upholding the label claims by containing that minimum or maximum amount of the nutrient. The numbers themselves do not signify the quality of the diet.
4. The nutritional adequacy statement ensures the food meets your dogs specific life stage needs (puppy, adult, senior) and complies with AAFCO standards.
5. Feeding guidelines should be considered a starting point for how much to feed your dog, but not taken too literally. You can also use our calculator to figure out how many calories to feed your dog.

Considerations for Your Dogs Unique Needs

While dog food with the complete and balanced diet language on the label means it is nutritionally complete, there may be formulations better suited for certain dogs based on other characteristics like your dogs age and/or health concerns. Lets look at some of the different factors to consider.

Age and Life Stage

Most dog food is labeled as appropriate for puppies ("growth"), adult maintenance, gestation/lactation, or all life stages. Its important to feed your dog a diet made for their life stage.

Puppies need more calories than spayed or neutered adult dogs and have special mineral and digestive needs. Adult dogs arent burning calories at such a high level, so they need a diet formulated with fewer calories than they did as puppies to avoid becoming overweight. Adult dogs may also benefit from certain types of fiber in their food.

For senior dogs, nutrients like fiber that help them feel full and maintain a healthy body weight, dental support, and omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA/DHA, as anti-inflammatory nutrients can be important.

Selecting a food matching your dogs age and life stage ensures they get targeted nutritional support.

AAFCO Life stage labeling

Look for these descriptors in the AAFCO statement.

For puppies or for growth: This label is necessary for the food you're feeding a puppy.

For growth of large-size dogs (70 lbs or more as an adult): This label is essential if you have a large-breed puppy, as they require different nutrients than other puppies.

For growth/all life stages: This label is appropriate for puppies, adults, and gestation/lactation.

For (adult) maintenance: This indicates a food appropriate for adult dogs.

Note: There are no AAFCO definitions or guidelines for senior pets.

Breed and Size

Yes, there are reasons to feed your Pug differently than your Great Dane. Here are some considerations based on breed and size:

• Kibble size and shape. Feeding a small dog very large kibble can be a choking hazard, as can feeding very small kibble to a big dog who scarfs down their food. The structure of the jaw and the way they chew changes based on their size, breed, and sometimes their unique behavior.
• Chewing versus swallowing whole. You do want your dog to chew their food. Not only is this beneficial to help them feel full, but some dry kibble is coated with specific nutrients that are best released and absorbed through chewing.
• Breed-specific needs. Some foods are designed to meet the needs of specific breeds. This is based on proactively addressing common breed-specific health needs. For example, larger breeds are prone to joint issues as they get older. They benefit from a diet that offers nutritional joint support. Beagles, Labs, and Bulldogs, for example, are prone to weight gain and benefit from a diet that balances calories with feeling full. For smaller dogs who poop indoors on potty pads the smell of their poop could be more of a factor than it is for dogs who eliminate outside. Highly digestible proteins and certain ingredients, yucca can help with stool odor.

Activity Level and Lifestyle

Lets face it. No one feels good admitting their dog is sedentary. We all want to feel like our dogs are active and energetic.In actuality, all of our dogs are probably less active than we think they are. Remember, this is a no judgement zone.

So, lets start by trying to understand more about identifying activity levels. Then, you can pick the appropriate diet and better gauge the amount of food to feed.

• Highly active. Not many dogs fall into this category. Even if your weekends may be full of hiking with your dog, you go for walks a couple of times a day, but the rest of the day, your dog is pretty mellow theyre probably not in this category. Highly active dogs are up and moving for most of the day. Think of working dogs like hunting, herding, or police dogs.
• Mid-level active. This is where many of our dogs land. If your dog is up and moving about 1 hour a day, with some Weekend Warrior activities (like hiking, dock diving, or daycare), they probably fall into the average activity zone. (I know an hour a day sounds like very little activity. But keep in mind your dog is probably lazing around much of the time youre not home. Then they get all wiggly and active when you return, making them seem higher energy than they are).
• Sedentary. These dogs arent doing much shorter walks once or twice a day, maybe 15 minutes of play, and relaxing the rest of the day. Senior dogs and giant breeds often fall into this category, as well as dogs who dont have full-time access to the outdoors or daily doggy daycare playdates. Again, no judgement, but this is where a lot of dogs land on the activity scale.

Pro Tip: An activity monitor can help you see how much time your dog is up and moving during the day. This is a great way to better identify their activity level so you can adjust their food intake if needed.

Keeping track of your dog's weight is another good way to monitor if they're getting enough food or not. Compare them to a body condition chart (featured below).

Whats the best way to determine if your dog is active enough, compared to the calories theyre consuming? Their body condition score.

Take a look at your dog from the side and look down from above. Then, match the shape of their body to the illustrations on the chart. The shape of their midsection and the dip in front of the hind legs are great indicators of whether they need to gain or lose weight. You can use this information and your veterinarians input to help determine what diet is best for your dog and how much to feed.

A Note About Reduced-Calorie Diets

If your dog needs to lose a little weight, a reduced-calorie diet may be recommended. Keep in mind the term reduced calorie is relative to the brand, not the general daily recommended calories for a dog. Its a version of that brands original food formulated with fewer calories. So, switching from one brands original diet to another brands reduced-calorie diet doesnt necessarily mean your dog is getting fewer calories. Check your dogs current food label for the calorie amount so you know where you are starting and for a better comparison.

Preference and Taste

Its not all about ingredients and protein sources. Preference matters. And not just your dogs preference, but yours too. Here are some things to consider:

• Does your dog like the food? Dog food quality is irrelevant if youre in a constant struggle to get your dog to eat the food.
• Does your dog have any issues that make wet or dry food a better choice? If they need more moisture, have dental discomfort, or need to lose weight, wet food might be preferred. If they like to chew on things and have teeth that need that cleaning crunch, dry food might be best.
• Are you able to easily find the food and move it into your home? A quality diet thats never in stock or only comes in giant bags you cant get up the stairs may not be the diet for you.
• Do you board or take your dog to a pet sitter? Sometimes, kibble or shelf-stable food over frozen diets are easier if you have someone else taking care of your dog and they don't have the freezer space for days/weeks' worth of food.
• Is the cost feasible? First off, more expensive doesnt necessarily mean better quality. But even if it does, you have to find a diet that works for you financially. A fresh food diet may be your dream. But if youve got a big dog who eats a lot of food, maybe you need to do a combo of fresh and dry.
• Does your dog get bored with food easily? You hear us talk a lot about being careful when changing your dogs diet. And thats still true. But there are some dogs who like variety or freshness. This can impact the kind of food you buy.
• Do you prefer to shop local, or are you comfortable buying the big brands? Either option is great. But your answer will influence your decision on what diet to buy.

Storage Tip: If you store your dogs dry food in a container, dont forget to wash it regularly. Kibble is usually coated with fat to make it taste yummy. Fat oxidizes over time when exposed to oxygen and goes bad, leaving a nasty residue behind. In fact, if your dog seems to get tired of their food quickly, it could be less about food boredom and more about that residue. Regular washing will help. Better yet, instead of dumping the food from the bag into the container, put the whole bag in the container. You can cut or roll down the top of the bag so the lid still fits securely (keeping your dog safe from a potential suffocation hazard if they were to get into the bag). And the fatty residue will be tossed away along with the bag when it's empty.

Dry, Canned, Fresh, Freeze-dried. Which Food is Best for Your Dog?

Youre probably seeing a lot of marketing around fresh food being the best or the most appropriate option for your dog. Dont get too caught up in it. Each type has its pros and less than pros. Dry food is often better for dental care than canned and can be bought in bulk, saving you money. But its lacking moisture.

Canned has more moisture, which can help dogs feel full longer. But it often costs more. Fresh dog food may have less processing (another bad word that really isnt as bad as it sounds), but they can be cost-prohibitive, especially for large dogs or multi-dog households. These foods have different storage needs that may take up a lot of room in a refrigerator or freezer. These foods do not necessarily have different nutrients compared to other forms of food, but they can be very palatable for picky eaters.

What About Toppers, Gravies, and Treats?

Remember, unless the label says complete and balanced, it does not provide all the nutrients a healthy dog needs, but it may be a good bonus treat. Things like bone broth and toppers are not meant to replace a nutritionally complete diet. A good rule of thumb is to keep these kinds of fun treats and toppers less than 10% of your dogs daily calories. You can use our treat calculator to help you figure out how many treats or spoons of topper you can add to their meals.

Especially if offering people food, check the ingredients, too. Even something as seemingly simple as a bone broth or powder may have other ingredients you should be aware of, like onions and garlic, that are highly toxic to dogs.

How to Transition Your Dog to a New Diet

While some dogs may have the stomach for an immediate switch to new food, we dont recommend it.

A gradual transition over 5 to 7 days will help limit the chance of an upset belly, unpleasant changes in stool, and your dog being uncomfortable.

Its not that the new food is a bad or unhealthy diet. Its just that its formulated differently. Your dogs microbiome is used to getting the same things in the same way every day. Then, suddenly, things change, and it can take those microbes a little time to adjust.

Check out our article for more on transitioning to a new diet. We also have the breed-specific timelines if you have a puppy and are wondering when to switch them to adult food.

Consult with Your Veterinarian About Your Dog's Diet

In the end, you don't have to figure this all out on your own. Your veterinarian plays a huge role in regularly assessing your dog for things like changes in weight, nutritional deficiencies, and areas where they may need new forms of nutritional support as they age. Whether its a veterinary-recommended dog food or something off the grocery store shelf, discuss it with your vet. Bring the packaging with you or take a photo of the food label. They'll help you determine if it's the right diet for your dog's life stage and health needs.