Authority Dog Food Reviews: the Best Dog Food Recipes[2023]

Authority products are a good option for any dog owner that wants affordable, tasty food that their pup will like. We want to give you more information about Authority’s dog food products so you can decide if they’re the best option for you and your furry friend since we think the brand is generally a good one.

If you keep a dog as a pet, you probably never stop looking for foods that will give your puppy the nutrients it needs for healthy growth. Making a choice between the many brands available on the market can be difficult. It’s likely that you’ve heard of Authority dog food; if so, read the rest of our article to learn more.

Authority Dog Food Reviewed

Who Makes Authority and Where is It Produced?

The pet store chain PetSmart generates authority. Nothing more specific than the label’s claim that it was made in the USA is provided. Arizona’s Phoenix serves as the company’s corporate headquarters.

Which Types of Dogs is Authority Best Suited For?

All breeds and life stages are catered for by their foods, but we’ve found that their large breed formulas are among their best.

This kibble is one to think about if you have a large dog.

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

The company sells a grain-free line that is better suited for people with sensitive stomachs, but their regular kibble is laden with ingredients that could cause allergies, including corn, gluten, and eggs.

A Quick Look at Authority Dog Food: Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good amount of protein and fiber
• Fairly affordable
• Uses natural ingredients whenever possible

Cons

• Many formulas include cheap filler grains
• Uses fattening ingredients like vegetable oil
• Filled with potential allergens

The 3 Best Authority Dog Food Recipes Reviews

Despite not having as many recipes available as some other dog food brands, the Authority brand does have a few. Here’s a better look at three of the best:

Authority Chicken & Rice Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

The food here is among their best and most basic. Its 26% protein content, which is about average for most kibbles, is primarily attributable to the chicken and chicken meal that make up the majority of the food. Being rich in essential nutrients that are absent from leaner cuts of meat, we particularly enjoy the chicken meal.

One of those nutrients is glucosamine, which is crucial for maintaining healthy joints. This will be especially helpful for larger dogs, but diseases like hip dysplasia don’t discriminate, so all animals should consume as much glucosamine as they can.

The main vegetable is brown rice, which is one of a variety of vegetables. Although it is easy on the stomach and rich in B vitamins, its high calorie content makes us wary of it being listed so high on the list of ingredients.

Other ingredients like corn, corn gluten meal, dried egg product, and vegetable oil could also be problematic. All of these provide a lot of calories that aren’t needed and may also irritate people with sensitive stomachs.

Pros

• Good amount of protein inside
• Chicken meal is full of glucosamine
• Brown rice is gentle on stomachs

Cons

• Includes cheap filler grains
• Lots of potential allergens inside

Authority Chicken & Rice Formula Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

With the exception of dried chicken cartilage and a few other ingredients, this recipe is very similar to their standard kibble.

Because it contains a lot of glucosamine and chondroitin, cartilage is significant. Larger puppies put a lot of stress on their skeletons, so it’s critical to provide their joints with as much support as you can, and this formula does that.

There is a tiny bit less protein and fat in this compared to regular kibble, but not enough to notice. Additionally, there are fewer calories in each cup, so your dog can eat to his heart’s content without growing too large to fit through the pet door.

Strangely, it’s also a bit less expensive than the standard fare; special recipes typically cost more.

The use of dubious ingredients like corn, corn gluten meal, and dried egg product are our main concerns with this food. No time would be lost if any of these were to be replaced. Given everything, we believe this to be the best dog food the Authority has ever produced.

Pros

• Dried chicken cartilage for joint support
• Few calories per cup
• Cheaper than the basic kibble

Cons

• Includes cheap filler grains
• Filled with possible allergens

Authority Chicken & Rice Formula Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food

Big dogs remain puppies for a longer period of time than smaller breeds, so it’s critical to provide them with a healthy diet as long as you can. This puppy formula is effective at accomplishing that.

Since this is essentially a modified version of their adult large breed food, when the time comes, switching to that formula won’t be painful. Although it has a little bit more protein and calories per cup, your energetic little pet probably needs all of that extra energy.

Additionally, fish oil was added to this food, which is a rich source of DHA and other crucial omega fatty acids. We’re all in favor of including it in kibble because it helps your dog’s brain and eyes develop, strengthens his immune system, and gives him a shiny coat. This also contains more dried chicken cartilage.

They did, however, also add a lot more salt for some reason, and this can lead to problems later on. Neither the filler grains nor any other allergens were eliminated, but the good news is that if your dog tolerates this food well, he probably won’t experience digestive problems in the future.

Pros

• More calories and protein than adult large breed food
• Has fish oil to add omega fatty acids
• Extra chicken cartilage for joint health

Cons

• Still uses cheap filler grains and allergens
• High salt content

Ingredient Quality

Deboned chicken is the primary ingredient in the majority of the Authority line’s dog foods. A good source of protein, this meat is of the highest caliber.

Formulas also contain whole meats like lamb, beef, turkey, duck, and whitefish in addition to the fresh chicken. It’s fantastic that PetSmart chose to focus more on whole meats than meat by-products.

Additionally, chicken meal, chicken fat, and dried chicken cartilage are used in some formulas. Chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate are abundant in chicken cartilage.

Due to the fact that they increase collagen, these are particularly crucial for joint and skin health. Collagen ensures a lush coat, great skin, and joint lubrication while protecting cartilage.

There are options in the range that contain and exclude grains. Brown rice is frequently included in grain-inclusive dishes.

This is a good choice, since brown rice is one of the healthiest grains you can feed your dog. We frequently see brewers’ rice listed alongside other ingredients because it is a more expensive ingredient. Brewers rice is not the best choice because it is a grain of lower quality.

Speaking of grains, the Authority’s ingredient lists occasionally include corn gluten meal.

It’s not a problem; a lot of dog products, especially cheaper ones, use corn gluten meal as a filler. Nevertheless, we discovered corn in the Authority Adult dog food for weight control.

Given that corn typically contains more calories, this might not be the best choice. It appears that a different filler would have been preferable in its place.

We like the taurine and inulin that are included in the Authority grain-free options. Healthy bacteria that support digestion and a strong immune system can be found in inulin. Including it in your furry friend’s daily nutrition is fantastic.

Grain-free products frequently include taurine as an ingredient. In dogs, dilated cardiomyopathy may be prevented by this, which is good. The FDA believed that the absence of taurine in grain-free formulas is the cause of this disease. Authority dog foods that don’t contain grains also contain taurine.

Many of the range’s options appear to be focused on heart health. Fish oil and flaxseed are two typical forms of Omega-3 fatty acid sources.

These support glowing skin, a healthy heart, and healthy skin. But it would be wise to specify the kind of fish. Salmon oil is mentioned as an Omega-3 source in a number of formulas. However, since the majority of formulas use generic fish oil, it is impossible to assess its effectiveness.

Vitamin and mineral supplements are abundant in the formulas. They guarantee comprehensive and wholesome nutrition when combined with other ingredients. We appreciate that most of these have been chelated. Minerals that have been chelated are more easily absorbed.

Authority formulas frequently contain dried plain beet pulp as well. Beet pulp is praised by many as a superior fiber source. It is excellent for a dog’s digestive system. However, some see it as a cheap filler.

Authority dog food doesn’t use artificial flavors or colors. Given that dogs may be allergic to these, it’s a wise decision. Some formulas use “natural flavor” which is better than artificial — yet, it would be great if the manufacturer specified the exact origin.

Sodium hexametaphosphate is the only component that is present in all of the samples. The Ora-Shield System in the formulations might include this component. It is well known that sodium hexametaphosphate can bind to and hold calcium in dental plaque. It can have a negative impact on your health in large doses.

Overall, these are high-quality ingredients compared to the price. The most crucial ingredients are present: whole meat as a source of protein, fish for Omega-3s, brown rice in formulas containing grains, fiber sources, and additional taurine.

Better grain substitutes could have been used in formulas without grains, but this might increase the cost. Visit this review for more information on better grain-free dog food options.

Is Authority Dog Food Made in the USA?

The USA is where Authority dog food is made, yes. They aren’t made by PetSmart though. Instead, both brands are created by Simmons Foods on PetSmart’s behalf.

Among the biggest privately held broiler-processing businesses in the USA is Simmons Foods.

The corporate headquarters of Simmons Foods are located in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. In the USA and Canada, they have a number of manufacturing facilities.

For KFC, Walmart, and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Simmons Foods processes chickens. The pet food division manages brands like Rachael Ray Nutrish and PetSmart.

Only PetSmart stores and the PetSmart website carry Authority dog food. Not on Chewy, unfortunately.

Legal Issues and Controversies

Several individual and class actions have been brought against Simmons Foods and PetSmart. According to the lawsuits, the businesses misled customers about the quality of the food.

A class-action lawsuit brought forth in 2020 against PetSmart is the most recent instance. By marketing unapproved dog hemp oil, according to the accusation, PetSmart misled customers.

The plaintiff, Astoria Sassano, purchased a bottle of PetSmart’s Only Natural Pet Hemp Seed Oil with Krill and Cod Liver. PetSmart claimed this oil was “intended to treat, mitigate, or prevent disease.” But because the FDA had not approved it, it was not regarded as being safe for dogs.

The Simply Nourish Pet Food Co. is the target of yet another class-action lawsuit. LLC and Petsmart Inc. in 2020 regarding another ad component. The principal plaintiff, Alexa Grossman, alleged that PetSmart deceived customers.

PetSmart advertised the goods as “natural.” According to the lawsuit, however, they did contain synthetic chemicals.

The allegations against PetSmart also cover their pet grooming offerings. The most recent instance took place in 2020. Because PetSmart injured her emotional support dog, Sherillyn Miller from East Bay filed a lawsuit against them.

Winter, Sherillyn’s dog, received bows after being groomed by a PetSmart professional. Winter’s ears’ blood circulation was impeded by the stylist’s rubber band wrappings.

When Miller took her dog to the vet, the rubber bands were surgically removed.

Additionally, there were legal disputes involving Simmons Foods. 2017 class-action claim is the most recent lawsuit. Participants in drug courts were allegedly exploited by CAAIR (Christian Alcoholics and Addicts in Recovery) and Simmons.

CIAAR’s rehabilitation program was the alternative the participants had chosen to going to jail. The participants were allegedly made to work in Simmons’ and CAAIR’s chicken plant for no pay. Additionally, they were required to put in extra time because Simmons Foods allegedly threatened to send them back to jail if they didn’t.

The aforementioned incident has nothing to do with PetSmart or the caliber of the dog food. However, it does concern Simmons Foods and the company that makes the food that PetSmart sells.

Conclusion

When at all possible, Authority dog food products use only natural ingredients and work to give your dog all the nutrients they require for a long and healthy life.

Although we would prefer to see some of the inexpensive ingredients they use on the list, they do use them. They are not ideal, but they are not dangerous either, so that part of their recipes could use some work. Overall, Authority is a great choice for pet owners who want to feed their dogs nutritious, healthy food without spending a fortune on it.

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