Pets hold a special place in our hearts, and as pet parents, we carry the responsibility of providing them with the best possible care. A crucial aspect of pet care is ensuring that our furry friends have a well-balanced and nutritious diet. This plays a vital role in maintaining their overall health and meeting their dietary requirements.
When it comes to choosing the right dog food, many well-established brands have been serving the market for years, including Gravy Train. However, it’s essential to be well-informed about the products we offer our dogs, as even minor dietary changes can have a significant impact on their well-being.
In this comprehensive Gravy Train Dog Food Review, we will evaluate the brand’s pros and cons, and conduct an in-depth analysis of its ingredients. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of whether this food is the right choice for your beloved pet. So, let’s dive in without delay
Gravy Train Products Overview
Here are some of the products that Gravy Train has on offer along with a few features:
Model | Chunks In Gravy With Beef Chunks | Beefy Classic | Beef Sticks |
---|---|---|---|
Brand | Gravy Train | Gravy Train | Gravy Train |
Weight | 0.825 pounds | 14 pounds | 0.1875 pounds |
Dimensions | 4.06 x 3.22 x 3.22 inches | 4.625 x 19.843 x 14.786 inches | 2.25 x 5.28 x 8 inches |
Does it meet AAFCO requirements? | Yes | Yes | Not mentioned |
At A Glance: Gravy Train Dog Food
Following are the highlights of Gravy Train Dog Food which we’ll be discussing later in the review:
- It is the first Dog Food Brand to introduce gravy. It can be purchased from leading offline and online stores, including Amazon and Walmart.
- Available in three categories: Wet Dog Food, Dry Food, and Dog Treats.
- Multiple products are available, ranging from Beef Sticks to Beefy Classic to Gravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Chicken Chunks.
About Gravy Train Dog Food
- Serve As Crunchy Kibble
- 100% Complete And Balanced Nutrition
- Rich Beefy Flavor
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The J.M. Smucker Company owns the American dog food brand Gravy Train. It was founded in 1959 by General Foods. Del Monte Foods and Big Heart Pet Brands have also previously owned Gravy Train.
It was the first company to introduce gravy in dog food. In this food, you can get gravy when you add warm water to the dog food, which makes it more delicious. Naturally, this sets it apart from the rest of the competition.
In the U.S., you can order Gravy Train Dog Food from Amazon and Walmart. The company sells dog food in three categories: Wet, Dry, and Dog Treats.
Who is Gravy Train Dog Food For?
It’s mainly for adult dogs. To be precise, it’s mostly for dogs older than a year. The product isn’t suitable for young puppies. If you have a dog you’re trying to train or you’re looking to reward your four-legged friend occasionally, this food could be an ideal option. It’s a fabulous pick if you are only concerned with the taste.
Five-Factor Analysis of Gravy Train Dog Food
Gravy Train has multiple product types and categories. I have evaluated some of the most popular products in this article to help you understand them better.
1. Recipes And Ingredients
The Gravy Train Dog Food recipes are designed to provide your dog with rich nutrients and make it delicious. Let’s discuss this in more detail.
Gravy Train Beefy Classic Dry Food
The beefy flavor of this product is undoubtedly its most significant advantage. Most dogs love to eat the product because of its flavor. You can serve it as kibble or add water to create a delicious gravy.
The main ingredients in this product are Corn, Soybean Meal, Meat, Bone meal, and Wheat Middlings. Among the most significant disadvantages of this product is that corn and soybean are used as protein sources.
It would have been better if animal protein had been used. Reason- animal protein is considered better for building muscle mass. The use of artificial flavors is also another disadvantage.
Gravy Train Beef Sticks
Gravy Train Beef Sticks is an excellent pick if you are searching for a Gravy Train product with more animal protein. The main ingredients include Beef, Wheat Flour, Soy Flour, Corn Syrup, and Beef By-Products.
While there will always be exceptions, most dog owners say their dog loves to eat this product. You can give this to your furry friend as a treat and part of a healthy diet.
While feeding this to your dog, the company recommends allowing your dog access to a fresh bowl of drinking water.
Gravy Train Chunks in Gravy with Chicken Chunks
What’s lovely here are the well-defined guidelines. Based on your dog’s weight, you can quickly determine how much food it should be served in a day.
However, the company recommends that dog owners adjust serving based on breed, activity level, and daily requirements. Therefore don’t take the guidelines as something that can’t be adjusted based on your dog’s needs.
The ingredients of this product include Water, Soybean Meal, Chicken Wheat Flour, and Modified Food Starch. It lists max moisture at 82%. Still, this situation could have been better handled even though it is wet dog food.
However, most dogs love to eat this product like Gravy Train products.
2. Usability
Regarding usability, Gravy Train is easily one of the best dog food brands. The company will satisfy you if you buy products in the Dry Food and Dry Treats category.
Why, you ask? Because they come in resealable bags and have a long shelf life. Such qualities make a world of difference when you’re traveling. Also, if you’re buying Dry Food, you can serve it as it is or add warm water to it to create a lip-smacking gravy for your dogs.
3. Nutritional Analysis
The information below has the nutritional value of one of their most popular products, Beefy Classic.
Nutrient | Content (per serving) |
Crude Protein (Min.) | 17.00% |
Crude Fat (Min.) | 8.00% |
Crude Fiber (Max.) | 4.00% |
Moisture (Max.) | 10.00% |
Phosphorus (Min.) | 0.60% |
Potassium (Min.) | 0.60% |
Sodium (Min.) | 0.25% |
Chloride (Min.) | 0.40% |
Zinc (Min.) | 110 mg/kg |
Calcium (Min.) | 817 kcal/kg or 127 kcal/can |
While it meets the AAFCO standards for maintenance, it still lists corn and soybean as primary sources of protein. As previously mentioned, it would have been better if animal protein had been used more.
Also, corn and soybean have been known to cause allergic and digestive issues in dogs. What also deserves your attention is that this product has BHA, which has been linked to dog cancer.
While the FDA considers BHA to be safe, the state of California doesn’t. The IARC, on the other hand, considers it to be a probable carcinogen.
Now, let’s talk about nutrients that are generally found in Gravy Train products and what it means for your dog.
Beef
One of the more common nutrients in Gravy Train products is beef. Eating beef will help your dog build muscles and is suitable for its coat. It is a good source of protein for dogs and is rich in iron, zinc, and Vitamin B3, among others.
On the other hand, it is among the common food allergens for dogs. Also, it’s not suitable for dogs that are overweight.
Carbohydrates
Soya and corn are good sources of carbohydrates and are often used in Gravy Train products. The former suits dogs with digestive problems, while the latter can help with immunity.
Meat Meals
The company needs to define what they include in meat meals. Had they mentioned it, it would have been easier to comment on it. As a result, it’s hard to say how good or bad it is for dogs.
Artificial Flavor
Another controversial thing about Gravy Train is the use of artificial flavor in its products. The addition of artificial flavor is controversial in more ways than one. First of all, dogs don’t care about how their food looks.
Furthermore, artificial flavors can cause allergies and even cancer.
4. Recall History
Gravy Train products were recalled in February 2018 due to the presence of pentobarbital. It is a drug used to euthanize dogs, cats, and horses. Furthermore, it can cause drowsiness, balance issues, and even death.
5. Price
Gravy Train is among the more affordable well-known dog food brands in 2023. Couple that with the fact that products have a long shelf life and come in a resealable pack; it’s perfect in this area.
What Sets Gravy Train Apart From its Competitors?
As mentioned, Gravy Train was the first company to introduce gravy to its products. Most dogs love their products. So, the taste is what sets Gravy Train apart from its competitors. Affordability and usability are other factors that increase its value in customers’ eyes.
Should You Purchase Gravy Train Dog Food?
The Gravy Train Dog Food is an excellent pick if you have a picky eater dog. Most dogs love its taste. So, it’s a fantastic product in that regard. Furthermore, you can choose this one if you are looking for more affordable options.
However, from a nutritional value standpoint, you should avoid this one. If you are looking for a middle ground, it’s best to use its products occasionally. Alternatively, you can use this product with more nutritious dog food.
Pros
- Affordable well-known brand.
- Dogs love their taste.
- You can add gravy to it to make it more appealing for your furry friend.
Cons
- Use of artificial flavors.
- There are more nutritious products you can find in the market.
- Use of BHA.
- It Has been recalled in the past.
Our Rating
Price
A 3.5 lb Gravy Train Beefy Classic bag costs around $19.49.
FAQ’s
Who owns Gravy Train Dog Food?
The J.M. Smucker Company owns Gravy Train Dog Food.
When was the Gravy Train Established?
Gravy Train was established in 1959.
How can you create gravy in Gravy Train dog food?
You can add gravy to Gravy Train dog food by adding warm water.
Conclusion
Gravy Train is an excellent pick if you are primarily concerned about the product’s taste. It is an inexpensive dog food, which means more people can afford it. However, it could do better on the nutritional side of things. Therefore, we recommend using Gravy Train occasionally or combining it with other nutritious dog food.
Ankita is a passionate pet lover and head of content at Pet Food Brands. With her extensive knowledge and research, she provides pet owners with top-quality information on dog food and nutrition. Her dedication to improving the lives of dogs makes her a leading voice in the industry.