Beyond Dog Food Review
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Beyond Dog Food is another one of the many brands made by Purina. Beyond is a more “natural” dog food. The recipes contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and they don’t use corn, wheat, or soy.
Beyond dog foods are available with and without grain, in kibble and wet formulas, in limited ingredient diets, without peas or lentils, and in other recipes.
These are adult maintenance formulas. Wondering if Beyond would be a good choice for your dog? We can answer that question with our unbiased review.
Beyond Dog Food: The Top 5 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Protein (as fed) | kcal/Cup/Can/Tray |
| Purina Beyond Beef, Potato & Green Bean Recipe Ground Entrée Grain-Free Canned Dog Food | Wet | 8% | 434 kcal/13 ounce can |
| Purina Beyond Simply 9 White Meat Chicken & Whole Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food | Dry | 26% | 400 kcal/cup |
| Purina Beyond Superfood Blend Salmon, Egg & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food | Dry | 26% | 415 kcal/cup |
| Purina Beyond Wild Prey-Inspired Grain-Free High Protein Turkey, Liver & Duck Pate Recipe Canned Dog Food | Wet | 9% | 431 kcal/13 ounce can |
| Purina Beyond Alaskan Cod, Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Canned Dog Food | Wet | 9% | 390 kcal/13-ounce can |
About Beyond Dog Food
Beyond dog food was introduced in 2011 as a grain-free dog food called Purina ONE Beyond. Today, the brand has evolved and includes other recipes. The name is now Purina Beyond or Beyond. With Beyond, Purina seeks to appeal to dog lovers who want good nutrition for their dogs but prefer ingredients that seem to be more natural or holistic, like comparable premium dog foods.
Beyond Dog Food is manufactured in the United States. Most formulas are suitable for adult dogs of all sizes. The brand has both wet and dry recipes, foods with and without grains, several formulas that are limited ingredient diets, a formula that is especially made for small dogs, and other formulas.
None of the Beyond Dog food recipes contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and they do not use corn, wheat, or soy.
Recipes feature real chicken, beef, turkey, fish, and other named meat proteins as the first ingredient.
You can see a complete list of Purina Beyond dog foods on this page.
Sourcing And Manufacturing
Beyond Dog Food is manufactured by Nestle Purina at their own facilities. Purina has tried to be more transparent about Beyond’s sourcing and manufacturing than they have been with some of their other brands. This is probably because they are trying to appeal to owners who particularly value this kind of information.
On this page you can see where Beyond Dog Food is made (Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, and Georgia) and where some of the primary ingredients are sourced. The map doesn’t include the source of every ingredient in every recipe so some ingredients may come from other countries. (We note that lamb is shown as coming from New Zealand, though this is not uncommon for many dog food companies.).
You can see more information about some of the ingredients used on this page.
You can request coupons for Beyond here.
Nestle Purina PetCare, part of Nestle S.A. in Switzerland, has headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.
Recall History
We found one voluntary recall affecting Purina ONE Beyond from August 2013. This was due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria.
The food involved was Purina One Beyond White Meat Chicken and Whole Barley Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food. Food from a single production run was shipped to retail customers in the United States and one bag of the product was found to be contaminated. No illnesses were reported.
Overall, Purina has a good safety record and runs countless checks and tests on the pet food they produce before it is shipped out.
What Kinds of Dog Food Does Beyond Offer?
Beyond Dog Food began as a line of grain-free foods but today the brand has several recipes that include healthy grains such as barley. Most of the grain-free formulas manage to avoid using large amounts of peas and lentils in the first few ingredients.
You can choose from kibbles or a large selection of wet foods: high-protein diets, limited-ingredient diets, non-GMO foods, or foods for small dogs. Recipes are available with a wide range of meat, poultry, and fish proteins.
Unlike some other brands, Beyond’s wet formulas appear to be more popular than their kibbles.
Beyond Dog Food: Top Five Recipes Reviewed
We’re looking at five of the top-selling Beyond dog foods as found on Chewy.com so you can have an idea of what some of the different formulas are like.
PURINA BEYOND BEEF, POTATO & GREEN BEAN RECIPE GROUND ENTRÉE GRAIN-FREE CANNED DOG FOOD
Product Info
- Protein: 8% Min
- Fat: 6% Min
- Fiber: 1.5% Max
- Moisture: 78% Max
- Caloric Content: 1,179 kcal/kg, 434 kcal/can
Ingredients:
Purina Beyond Beef, Potato & Green Bean Recipe Ground Entrée Grain-Free Canned Dog Food is the bestselling Beyond dog food on Chewy.com. This is a grain free formula. Beef is the first ingredient and the food contains no corn, wheat, or soy; no poultry by-product meal; and has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.Here’s a look at the main ingredients in this food:
Beef, Chicken, Beef Broth, Liver, Potatoes, Green Beans, Guar Gum, Salt, Carrageenan, Minerals [Potassium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenite], Choline Chloride, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin D-3 Supplement].
The only really questionable ingredient we see is carrageenan. Carrageenan is a common ingredient found in many wet/canned dog foods (and many human foods). It comes from sea weed or kelp and has been used for hundreds of years as a thickener and natural meat preservative. It’s approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Some critics suggest that it causes stomach distress, though that hasn’t been completely proven. It can be hard to find wet dog foods that don’t use carrageenan.
Beyond has a wide selection of grain free ground entrées.
According to the dry matter basis (DMB), this food has 36.4 percent protein, 27.3 percent fat, and 6.8 percent fiber. This formula has an estimated 15.9 percent carbohydrates. It has 434 kcal per 13 ounce can.
Our rating for this food is 4 out of 5 stars.
PURINA BEYOND SIMPLY 9 WHITE MEAT CHICKEN & WHOLE BARLEY RECIPE DRY DOG FOOD
Product Info
- Protein: 26% Min
- Fat: 16% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Moisture: 12% Max
- Caloric Content: New
- Original: 3582 kcal/kg, 400 kcal/cup
Ingredients:
Purina Beyond Simply 9 White Meat Chicken & Whole Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food is the bestselling Beyond kibble on Chewy.com and one of the highest-rated, with the most reviews. This limited ingredient diet formula has chicken as the first ingredient and it contains no corn, wheat, or soy. It contains no poultry by-product meal; and it has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Chicken is the only source of animal protein but it does contain beef fat.Here are the ingredients:
Chicken, Rice, Whole Barley, Canola Meal, Chicken Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Whole Oat Meal, Beef Fat Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols, Natural Liver Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Sunflower Oil, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin D-3 Supplement], Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Choline Chloride.
This is a grain-inclusive food, containing rice, whole barley, and whole oat meal. It also contains canola meal which is a plant source of protein. Canola meal is a by-product of canola oil processing. Canola meal is high in crude protein and has been tried in feeding trials with cows to take the place of soybean meal. There may be a lack of studies about feeding canola meal to dogs. (You can read about canola oil – not canola meal – here.) According to one source we found, canola meal is included in dog foods at a maximum of 5 percent. There are also issues with canola meal because it is generally unpalatable to dogs. Most animal nutritionists appear to approve of the use of canola meal in dog foods; bloggers, not so much. The presence of canola meal will increase the protein percentage of this food, especially since it’s the fourth ingredient listed.
This food has 29.5 percent protein and 18.2 percent fat, according to the dry matter basis (DMB). It has 4.5 percent fiber. Our estimate of the carbohydrates in the food came out to 39.8 percent, DMB. It contains 400 kcal per cup.
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars. We lowered the rating for this food because canola meal was in the first five ingredients.
PURINA BEYOND SUPERFOOD BLEND SALMON, EGG & PUMPKIN RECIPE DRY DOG FOOD
Product Info
- Protein: 26% Min
- Fat: 16% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Moisture: 12% Max
- Caloric Content: New
- Original: 3,716 kcal/kg, 415 kcal/cup
Ingredients:
Purina Beyond Superfood Blend Salmon, Egg & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food features salmon as the first ingredient. This formula contains no corn, wheat, or soy; no poultry by-product meal; and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.You can take a look at the ingredients:
Salmon, Rice, Whole Barley, Chicken Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Whole Oat Meal, Beef Fat Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols, Canola Meal, Dried Egg Product, Pea Protein, Dried Yeast, Natural Liver Flavor, Pumpkin, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil, Mono and Dicalcium Phosphate, Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin D-3 Supplement], L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Choline Chloride.
This is a grain-inclusive formula that contains rice, whole barley, and whole oat meal. Canola meal is discussed fully above, with Purina Beyond Simply 9 White Meat Chicken & Whole Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food. Here, canola meal is the 7th ingredient so it won’t contribute as much protein to the formula. Pea protein is the 9th ingredient so it’s unlikely to be a problem or most dogs. This formula does include eggs (dried egg product). Eggs are a good source of animal protein for dogs.
According to the dry matter analysis for this food, it has 29.5 percent protein, 18.2 percent fat, 4.5 percent fiber, 39.8 percent carbohydrates, and 415 kcal per cup.
Our rating for this food is 4 out of 5 stars.
PURINA BEYOND WILD PREY-INSPIRED GRAIN-FREE HIGH PROTEIN TURKEY, LIVER & DUCK PATE RECIPE CANNED DOG FOOD
Product Info
- Protein: 9% Min
- Fat: 7% Min
- Fiber: 1.5% Max
- Moisture: 78% Max
- Caloric Content: 1169 kcal/kg, 431 kcal/can
Ingredients:
Purina Beyond Wild Prey-Inspired Grain-Free High Protein Turkey, Liver & Duck Pate Recipe Canned Dog Food has real turkey as the first ingredient. It also includes nutrient-rich organ meats which dogs love. Beyond Wild is a grain free formula and is higher in protein than most of the other Beyond recipes. This food has no corn, wheat, or soy; no poultry by-product meal; and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.You can take a look at the ingredients:
Turkey, turkey broth, chicken, liver, duck, chicken liver, ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS AND OTHER INGREDIENTS: Minerals (potassium chloride, salt, calcium carbonate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, potassium iodide, sodium selenite), chicken heart, guar gum, carrageenan, Vitamins (choline, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-3, Vitamin B-1, Vitamin B-5, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-2, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin A, folic acid, Vitamin D-3).
According to the dry matter analysis for this food, it has 41 percent protein, 31.8 percent fat, 6.8 percent fiber, 6.8 percent carbohydrates, and 431 kcal per 13 ounce can.
Our rating for this food is 4 out of 5 stars.
PURINA BEYOND ALASKAN COD, SALMON & SWEET POTATO GRAIN-FREE CANNED DOG FOOD
Product Info
- Protein: 8% Min
- Fat: 5% Min
- Fiber: 1.5% Max
- Moisture: 78% Max
- Caloric Content: 1,058 kcal/kg, 390 kcal/can
Ingredients:
Purina Beyond Grain-Free Alaskan Cod Recipe Canned Dog Food is a high protein formula. The first ingredient is wild-caught Alaskan cod sustainably sourced from an MSC-certified fishery. This food contains no corn, wheat, or soy; no poultry by-product meal; and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.Here are the ingredients:
Cod, Chicken, Liver, Fish Broth, Essential Nutrients And Other Ingredients: Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Salt, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenite), Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Vitamins (Choline, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-3, Vitamin B-1, Vitamin B-5, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-2, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin A, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3).
This is a high protein, grain free formula with four primary ingredients.
According to the dry matter analysis for this food, it has 41 percent protein, 27.3 percent fat, 5.7 percent fiber, 12.5 percent carbohydrates, and 390 kcal per 13 ounce can.
Our rating for this food is 5 out of 5 stars.
How Much Does Beyond Dog Food Cost?
Purina Beyond dog food is moderately priced.
What Do Customers Think Of Beyond Dog Food?
Customers give Beyond dog food high ratings and most people would recommend the food to others, according to reviews on Chewy.com.
Overall, Is Beyond Dog Food A Good Choice?
We were pleasantly surprised by most of the Beyond dog foods, both wet foods and kibbles. Most of the wet foods do contain carrageenan, if this is an issue for you. Many of the kibbles contain canola meal and Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), which is synthetic Vitamin K.
This is a controversial issue for some dog food bloggers but your dog would have to consume enormous quantities of this substance to feel any ill effects. It is approved by the FDA in pet foods. Purina uses it in most of their foods.
Beyond dog food does have a few foods that include large quantities of lentils and we do not recommend them at this time with the FDA investigation into nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy continuing. Otherwise, we think Beyond looks like a very good brand.
Where Is Beyond Dog Food Sold?
You can buy Beyond dog food from Chewy.com and other online retailers as well as some pet food stores and supermarkets.
