Maximizing Your Dog s Health The Role 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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River Run Dog Food Review

River run dog food is one of the best choices when it comes to providing your dog with a diet that is both nutritious and healthy. You will need to know a few things before choosing this particular type of dog food. You will need to know the ingredients and the source of the meat. You will also want to make sure you read the labels. This is important because you dont want to feed your dog something that has unknown ingredients.

Meat source

The River Run dog food line offers five dry formulas. Each of the dog food offerings has its own set of ingredients. Each recipe is designed to meet the specific needs of a particular breed of dog. For example, the Hi-Energy Formula 24-20 Dog Food is made with a mix of multiple carbohydrate sources. The Puppy Formula 28-18 Dog Food is specially formulated to meet the needs of puppies. This formula is a soy-free dog food.

The River Run dog food line is not without its flaws. Some of the products contain low quality ingredients. For instance, the adult formula 21-10 Dog Food does not contain a good amount of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The company also uses unnamed meat sources, which can be a cause for concern. Likewise, some of the ingredients are sourced from countries outside of the U.S. Lastly, some of the ingredients may be cheap and low-quality.

Meat by-products

River Run dog food is a private label brand offered by a pet food manufacturer. It offers a wide variety of products and recipes to meet the nutritional needs of different dogs at various stages of their lives.

Some of the formulas on the River Run brand may include meat by-products. While these products may be nutritious for your pet, they can also cause allergies and sensitivity. It is best to contact the company if you are concerned about these ingredients.

By-products are typically the leftovers of human food production. They contain bones, organs, and other components not used by humans. They are processed into a uniform size and used as a source of protein. They are also cooked to destroy bacteria.

Some companies, like Blue Buffalo, do not use any meat by-products in their products. Other brands, like Flint River Ranch, are made of whole grains and have no by-products.

Canine nutrition

River Run dog food has a lot of different recipes that have varying levels of nutrition. They have a recipe that is designed to give puppies energy and a healthy coat, and they have a formula that is designed to give working dogs the right amounts of nutrients to keep them strong and healthy. These ingredients are also made for different stages of a dogs life, so youll have to pick which one is best for your pet.

The first ingredient in the River Run dog food nutrition list is meat and bone meal. While this is not a great ingredient for your pet, it does mean that the food contains some quality protein. The second ingredient is whole ground corn, and the third is corn gluten meal. The fourth ingredient is animal fat, which helps provide your dog with energy and helps maintain a healthy coat.

The last ingredient is sugar, which can cause digestive problems for your dog. Although the formula is made for a working dog, the amount of sugar in it is too much for most pets. A better option would be to feed your pet a product that includes less sugar and more protein.

Ingredients

River Run dog food contains a large number of ingredients. These include high-quality protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, prebiotics and probiotics. The products are designed to meet the needs of different breeds and life stages.

River Run Adult Formula 21-10 Dog Food is a nutritionally balanced diet for puppies and adult dogs. It has an average protein level of 21%, which helps with muscle development and weight loss. It also has balanced fiber that promotes healthy digestion. Besides protein, it has vitamins and minerals that support daily strength and health. This diet is perfect for dogs that have a dry coat and a normal activity level.

River Run Puppy Food is a low-fat diet that is designed to provide protein and energy for puppies. It is soy-free and offers building blocks for healthy pups. It has large quantities of corn and grain to provide energy for growing pups.