Evangers Dog Food Review
Evanger dog food formulas are produced and marketed by Evangers Dog and Cat Food Company. The pet food company has been producing various lines of dog and cat food formulas and treats since it was founded in 1935 by Fred Evanger.
Each of these dog food formulas has been tailored to meet the AAFCO nutrient standards for all life’s stages.
There has been no Evanger dog food formula which has been subjected to recall by the FDA however the company’s attention has been called on adulteration and misbranding of its Lamb and Rice Dog Food formula and Grain-free Duck Pet Food.
The primary protein component of Evanger’s dog food formulas is chicken, pheasant, or whitefish. This gives dog owners better choices when it comes to selecting the best formula for their dogs.
Chicken, pheasant and whitefish are fresh meat-based protein sources. Being raw ingredients, about 80% of their composition is made up of water that can be lost during processing and leaving only a fraction of the original weight.
Pheasant meat is often a good choice for dogs which are hypersensitive to chicken.
In Evanger’s Chicken with Brown Rice Formula, the second ingredient is brown rice. It is unmilled or partly milled rice which is considered more nutritious than white rice. Brown rice still possesses the nutrient-rich outer covering of the grain. It is loaded with B-vitamins, magnesium and iron.
To boost the total protein content of Evanger’s dog food formulas, the fresh meat protein sources are paired with a meat meal like chicken meal, duck meal, salmon meal, or venison meal.
Meat meals are meat concentrates that contain more than 300% more protein than fresh meat sources.
Aside from being a rich protein source, salmon meal contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which serve an important role in protecting body cells against harmful free radicals.
Potatoes are complex carbohydrates that also contain B-vitamis, carbohydrates, vitamin C, zinc, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium, and niacin.
Pearled barley contains soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. It is also loaded with antioxidants and other essential nutrients like selenium, thiamine, niacin, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and copper. Pearled barley is produced when the outer covering of the barley is removed and the grain is “pearled” or polished.
Chicken fat is a valuable source of linoleic acid in the diet. It is a type of healthy omega-6 fatty acids that helps protect the body cells from harmful free radicals and helps preserve the integrity of the body cells.
Flaxseed is recognized as one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids from plants. It is also a good source of dietary fiber which is easily digestible when ground into a meal.
Canola oil contains high amounts of healthy omega-3 fatty acids however there are dog owners who view it as an unhealthy fat. This stems from a misconception that Canola Oil is extracted from rapeseed, a plant which contains high levels of the toxic substance, erucic acid. However, Canola oil is extracted from the Canola plant.
Tomato pomace is a by-product which is produced when tomatoes are processed into catsup, juice, or sauce. Tomato pomace is made up chiefly of tomato skin which can contain pesticide residues. For some dog owners, tomato pomace is viewed as an inexpensive filler of pet food formulas. However, tomato pomace contains high amounts of lycopene, B-vitamins, and dietary fiber.
Brewer’s dried yeast is another controversial item present in Evanger’s dog food formulas. It is a by-product of the beer making industry. Some dog owners shy away from dog food formulas with Brewer’s dried yeast because it has been linked to incidence of allergies in dogs. However, the ingredient contains 45% protein which can help boost the total protein of the dog food formula.
Probiotics have been added as a coating for kibbles. These are mainly beneficial microorganisms that support and boost digestive and immune system functions.
Chelated minerals have also been added for better absorption and utilization of essential minerals in the diet.
Many dog owners love the fact that Evanger’s dog food formulas are tailored to meet specific needs of dogs. The absence of corn and soya, which are known dog food allergens, is another plus factor for Evanger dog formulas. However, these positive reviews are shadowed by the fact that the company’s license had been suspended by FDA and that there has been recent FDA findings of adulteration and misbranding of some formulas.
Overall, we believe that Evanger's is a quality dog food and highly recommend this brand. Evanger's contains quality ingredients, good meat content and comes at a reasonable value.
Evangers Dog Food Formulas
Evangers dog food comes in three different formulas. They include:
- Evangers Chicken with Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
- Evangers Pheasant & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
- Evangers Whitefish and Sweet Potato
Evangers Dog Food Consumer Rating