Fueling Your Dog s Adventures Understanding the Benefits of River Run Pet Food

River Run Dog Food Review (Dry)

River Run Dog Food Review (Dry)

By Mike Sagman

Updated: April 24, 2024

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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.

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

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.

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Understanding Sustainable Pet Food: How Your Pet's Food Impacts the Environment

Sustainable pet food is more than a marketing buzzword. Concerns about the environment are more common than ever, and pet parents are doing their best to balance what's good for the environment with what's best for their pets. Sustainable ingredients in pet food, greener manufacturing and transportation practices, and eco-friendly packaging are just a few of the ways pet food brands are answering the call to make food that's good for both pets and the planet.

What Sustainable Pet Food Is and Why It Matters

National Geographic defines sustainability as "the practice of using natural resources responsibly today, so they are available for future generations tomorrow." Sustainable pet food seeks to reduce waste and environmental impact without compromising nutritional quality. As the human population is booming, so is the pet population, and environmentally conscious pet parents are concerned about their pets' impact on the environment. Many people have worked to minimize their carbon footprint by changing their consumption habits, and some are seeking ways to reduce the impact of feeding their pets, too.

Sustainable Pet Food Trends

Sustainability in pet food involves more than reduced meat consumption. Both pet parents and pet food manufacturers are also examining the impact of packaging and transporting food. Here's a look at some of the trends in sustainable pet food.

Sustainable Packaging

The United States pet food industry produces somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 million pounds of plastic each year, so it's no wonder that sustainable packaging is high on the list of priorities for eco-conscious pet parents. People are looking for recyclable, biodegradable and compostable pet food packaging, as well as packaging made out of recycled materials. And as creative pet parents look for ways to reuse food bags, manufacturers are racing to meet the demand.

Sustainable Ingredients in Pet Food

In addition to other key micro- and macronutrients, protein is critical for pet health. But meat-producing livestock is a major source of carbon emissions, and they can use a considerable amount of resources. This is why pet parents and pet food manufacturers are exploring alternative protein sources. These include:

Plant-Based Protein

Simply put, feeding your pet strictly vegan foods isn't healthy. Vegan pet food doesn't supply your cat or dog with the nutritional balance they need to thrive. However, plant-based proteins can help supplement animal-based protein in pet food, reducing the amount of meat needed to achieve your pet's protein needs.

Meat Byproducts

Byproducts are the edible parts of an animal that humans generally don't eat, such as organ meats. Despite the high nutritional value of meat byproducts, people often frown upon their use in commercial pet food, and some pet parents avoid foods with byproducts on the ingredients list. However, including meat byproducts reduces waste and saves resources by using all of the edible parts of the animal. It also minimizes animal waste in landfills, which continues to emit carbon dioxide and methane gas.

Insect-Based Protein

In recent years, there's been a growing interest in replacing meat-based protein in pet food with insects as a more sustainable solution. As an animal-based protein, insects contain all of the essential amino acids that dogs and cats require, unlike plant proteins. In August 2021, the Association of American Feed Control Officials voted to approve black soldier fly larvae for use in dog food. Considering insect farms use a fraction of the resources livestock farms use to produce the same amount of protein, insects may become a more widely accepted sustainable source of protein in pet food.

Sustainably Sourced Pet Food

Another approach gaining popularity is sourcing ingredients and materials locally whenever possible to reduce emissions caused by transporting them across large distances. More pet food manufacturers are looking to local farms and suppliers, which has the added benefit of supporting small farms and local economies. You can support this effort by shopping from local businesses or buying directly from manufacturers to reduce the number of trips your pet's food takes to get from the warehouse to your home. Sustainable pet food ingredients are also usually responsibly and ethically sourced. This may mean using cage-free chickens, grass-fed livestock sourced from small farms or wild-caught fish. For many shoppers, companies that use local or sustainable sourcing methods can be the deciding factor in which brand they choose.

Benefits of Sustainable Pet Food

Here are some of the potential benefits that can result from choosing a more sustainable food for your pet:

• Contribute to the more humane treatment of animals
• Support smaller farming operations and your local economy
• Offer your pet highly nutritious meat and protein ingredients that cost less per pound than standard cuts of meat
• Take part in a larger effort to support your pet and the planet at the same time

As sustainability continues to grow and more companies prioritize social and environmental responsibility, it's likely that sustainable pet food will become more widely available and more affordable. So cheers to the future and to you and your furry loved one.

Contributor Bio

Jean Marie Bauhaus

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a freelance writer and novelist who has been writing in the pet health and wellness space since 2014. Her coffee-fueled writing has appeared on AKC.org, BeChewy and CareCredit, among others, written under the watchful supervision of furry office managers