Intimidator dog food is formulated for hunters, show, and working dogs. This dog food is targeted towards “tough” breeds like pit bulls and rottweilers.
Even all the advertising surrounding this brand is very macho and “tough,” which I personally am not a big fan of necessarily. I mean, pit bulls are also sweet little babies to us dog lovers, just like any other breed, and their main goal shouldn’t just be to “intimidate.”
Although, as the brand says, it is for workers, hunters, and performers, meaning dogs that are highly active every day and need a lot of energy to get by.
Let’s see if Intimidator dog food passes with flying colors through our tried and tested method to review pet food or if it needs just a little more time at the gym to build itself up.
| Products | Type | Special Feature | Our Rating | AAFCO Nutrient Profile(Life Stage) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intimidator Dog Food Junior | Dry | For growing dogs | 2.5 | Adult Maintenance |
| Hi-Tek Rations Intimidator 28-18 | Dry | For active dogs. high-protein | 2.5 | All Life Stages |
At a Glance: Intimidator Dog Food
Here are some introductory things about Intimidator dog food that will be explained later in detail:
- Discontinued product
- Made by Sunshine Mills
- For workers, hunters, and performance dogs
- On many recall lists
- Average protein and fat
About The Brand
Intimidator Dog Food
- Balanced Nutrition Formulated
- All-American Ingredients
- Calorie Packed Diet
The Intimidator dog food brand vanished as soon as it came. This dog food brand, a product of sunshine mills, offers high-protein dog food for large breeds and physically active dogs. The products are blended to create a balanced mix of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
Who Makes Intimidator Dog Food in 2023?
Intimidator dog food is made by Sunshine Mills. Sunshine Mills was first introduced to the world in 1960, but lately, it has been under scrutiny for multiple and repetitive recalls. It owns some big names like Sportsman’s Pride, Nature Farms, Triumph, Meaty Treats, and Hunter’s Special. For quality assurance, all Sunshine Mills products go through the SQF Certification program for pet food manufacturing.
Five-Factor Analysis of Intimidator Dog Food
Here’s your favorite part of my reviews; the five-factor analysis. Let us judge the Intimidator dog food on the basis of recipes, ingredients, nutrition, price, and recalls. This is going to be fun.
1. Recipes | ★★★
The Intimidator dog food brand has launched 4 dry dog foods. For the sake of this review, let’s focus on the two following recipes.
Intimidator Dog Food Junior
- 100% complete and balanced
- Highly digestible
- Promotes healthy skin and coat
- For puppies
This recipe is made for growing puppies between 12-18 months of age. It is supposed to help with skeletal development and muscular formation.
This recipe contains chicken-by-product meals, but it is mostly grain-based. It contains corn, beet pulp, and some other ingredients that people would question.
It comes in a 40-pound bag, so you really have to commit to it once you have bought it.
Most of the heavy lifting in the puppy formula is done by supplements and added chemicals.
Hi-Tek Rations Intimidator 28-18
- Complete and balanced nutrition for athletic and working dogs of all life stages
- Enriched with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Formulated for active dogs engaged in daily exercise and conditioning
- Provides the bloom of nutritional health to dogs of every breed
This recipe has the classic 28-18 protein-to-fat ratio. This ratio is perfect for making do with all your dog’s nutritional needs but also tries not to overdo it, and frankly, that is what I like about this recipe.
2. Ingredients | ★★
Let’s get into the most important part of any dog food recipe– the ingredients. This is a list of ingredients I found to be common among all products by the Intimidator pet food brand.
Chicken by-product meal
This ingredient is like a weird amalgamation of chicken meal and chicken by-products, which is why it’s so hard to explain what it is, but let me give it a try.
Imagine all the bits and pieces that are left out in slaughterhouses because they are not fit for human consumption. Now watch all of these unnamed and unknown parts of the animal coming together to create a meal.
This ingredient can and sometimes does contain carcasses of already dead animals, animals with diseases, and slightly decomposed animals that have nowhere else to go.
It may contain beaks, bones, intestines, feet, underdeveloped eggs, and all the parts of an animal that have a higher potential to have germs on them.
So why do dog food companies regularly include this ingredient? A simple answer to that would be that it’s cheap.
If we’re trying to find a silver lining, it’s good to know that by-product meals contain 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
As I’ve mentioned again and again, the quality of protein matters much more than the quantity of it.
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a grain that is easy to digest, even for dogs. But not only that, it can even be a very good source of energy. Brown rice contains complex carbohydrates that are easier to break down in the body after they have been cooked.
White Rice
It is rare that we ever see the use of white rice in dog food because it does not contain as many carbohydrates or nutrients as its counterparts.
Poultry fat
As the fourth ingredient, poultry fat is a good addition. It contains linoleic acid, which helps with the dog’s fur and general overall health. It especially boosts immunity. Poultry fat is extracted after boiling the meat and collecting all the surfaced substances.
Poultry fat can be considered a low-quality ingredient because poultry is very non-specific and does not give you the name of its original source(named animal)
Wheat
Wheat is on the same level as corn when it comes to controversies. It is considered inexpensive and controversial. It does not contain any significant nutritional value.
Beet Pulp
Beet pulp falls under the category of controversial, but I believe beet pulp can be really beneficial for dogs. Dogs who suffer from diabetes can benefit from this ingredient. Beet pulp helps control blood sugar.
Soybean Hulls
Soybean hulls are another inexpensive ingredient that is collected after processing soybeans in oil. It has little to no nutritional value to a dog.
Brewer’s yeast
Some are for it, and some are against this ingredient. This product is also a by-product that is left after beer making. Nutritionally, it contains minerals and essential nutrients.
A lot of people believe that brewer’s yeast can help keep flies away from your dog. Nay-says argue that it can cause allergies. Both of these claims require more research.
Fish meal
Fish meal contains a lot of good fatty acids like omega 3 and 6, which are essential for the general upkeep and functioning of the body.
However, we have no idea what kind of fish has been used in this fish meal, and it’s mostly left to speculate what this fish can provide in terms of nutrients.
One thing to note here is that this particular fish is ethoxyquin-free.
3. Nutritional Analysis | ★★★
Let’s see what all the ingredients amount to when it comes to the actual nutritional values of this dog food brand.
| Nutrient | Content (per serving) |
| Protein | 26% |
| Fat | 20% |
| Fiber | 4.4% |
| Moisture | NA |
| Carbohydrates | 34% |
This dog food provides you with slightly higher than moderate protein and a moderate amount of fat.
When we consider this in terms of highly active and working dogs, this diet falls short of the appropriate amount of nutrition they should be given.
It is disappointing to see that so little fiber is present in all the products. Digestibility is a real and big issue that all dogs face.
The carbohydrate content is on par with any average dry dog food.
4. Price | ★★★★
Intimidator adult dog food can be sold at as low as 40 Lbs for 43 dollars. The price point is great at first sight, but you should know that any cheap dog food comes with cost cuttings on several fronts. We have already seen that Intimidator dog food has used a lot of inexpensive fillers in its recipes that do very little for your dog in terms of nutrition.
5. Recall History | ★★
As recently as 2021, Sunshine Mills Issued a voluntary recall on one of Intimidator dog food’s products and several others on the pretext of possible salmonella contamination.
Sunshine Mills itself has been at the center of many dog food controversies and health violations. Keeping all this in mind, it really does not look like a manufacturer that you can trust.
How Does Intimidator Dog Food Compare to The Competition?
Intimidator dog food can beat its competitors in terms of price but not in nutritional value. A lot of corners have been cut to make this affordable dog food, and it is obvious by the looks of the ingredients.
Should You Buy Intimidator Dog Food?
I wouldn’t judge you for it. For some pet owners, their first priority is keeping their little companions feeling full. If this dog food falls within your budget and you think it’s right, I’d say go for it. However, suppose you can spare some extra bucks and are willing to do some research. In that case, there are many options out there that can beat Intimidator dog food as a kibble that is specially made for active dogs.
Pros
- Options in protein-to-fat ratios
- Affordable price
- Balanced meal for dogs
Cons
- Below-average nutritional values
- No real meat
- Many controversial ingredients
- Cost cutting
- In many recalls, the manufacturer
Our Rating
FAQ’s
Where can I buy Intimidator dog food?
Intimidator dog food can be bought locally in the USA and also on e-commerce sites like Amazon.com and Chewy.
Is Intimidator dog food grain free?
Unfortunately, Intimidator dog food has no grain-free options.
Is Intimidator dog food suitable for lactating dogs?
No, for lactating dogs or new mother dogs, you should always opt for a real-meat first dog food option.
Before You Go
It was a tolerable attempt to make nutritious dog food for active dogs, but in that same vein, you cannot compromise on protein when it comes to the upkeep of the active, working, and hunter dogs.
Sunshine Mills has been under investigation by the FDA for a long time because of recall after recall. And that is why it is necessary to know where all your dog food is produced, where it is sourced from, and how it is presented to you.
Don’t fall victim to false advertising, and learn how to tell a bad dog food brand from a good one with me here on petfoodbrands.net. Signing out.
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.
