The dog food industry is bigger and more diverse than ever. The days of cheap old-school kibble being your only option are long gone. In recent years, many newer brands prioritizing healthy ingredients and nutritious formulas have hit the scene.
One of the newest is Badlands Ranch. This company doesn't do standard dry kibble. Its main product is air-dry food.
Air-dried dog food doesn't go through a unique manufacturing process. Instead of cooking ingredients and destroying some of the nutrients, air-drying preserves the nutritional quality.
Many experts say that air-dried and freeze-dried foods are closer to what wild canines eat, giving your dog a nutritionally balanced meal to help your furry friend thrive.
But is Badlands Ranch dog food as high-quality as its marketing would leave you to believe? With this Badlands Ranch dog food review, you'll learn more about the brand and its product line to decide if it's worth trying.
About the Badlands Ranch Brand
Badlands Ranch is the new kid on the block. It's a newcomer to the industry, launching in 2022.
One thing that makes this brand unique is the brainchild of actress and activist Katherin Heigl. Heigl is known for her work in projects like Grey's Anatomy and 27 Dresses. But she's also a seasoned activist with years of work addressing animal welfare issues.
She launched the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation in 2008, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending animal abuse.
In 2022, Heigl launched Badlands Ranch, naming the brand after her family's ranch in Utah. The dog food brand supports her foundation, furthering an important cause.
For animal lovers, the history of Badlands Ranch is appealing. You can rest assured that your purchase contributes to animal welfare while getting a high-quality dog food your pup will love.
The Badlands Ranch Lineup
This brand isn't as well-known as some heavy hitters in the dog food industry, and its young age results in a sparse product line. But that hasn't stopped Badlands Ranch from gaining tons of attention from dog owners.
Here's a quick breakdown of what Badlands Ranch offers.
The Superfood Complete Formulas
The main product from Badlands Ranch is the Superfoods Complete air-dried dog food. Initially, the brand had a single flavor. But as of 2023, there are two options: A beef formula and a chicken formula.
Both contain protein sourced from humanely raised animals and a slew of high-quality plant-based superfoods.
The beef recipe has a crude protein analysis of 30 percent, surpassing the minimums set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). There's about 14 percent fat and 5 percent fiber. The first ingredients on the list are beef, beef liver and beef heart.
Your pup is also getting premium ingredients like blueberries, pumpkin, carrots, lion's mane mushrooms and more.
The chicken recipe has a higher protein analysis at 38 percent. Its fat and fiber content are 22 and 5 percent, respectively. Like the beef formula, animal meat is at the top of the ingredients list.
In addition to chicken, it has chicken gizzards, heart and liver. Salmon, flaxseed, broccoli, blueberries, and many other wholesome ingredients also comprise the recipe.
Both formulas use health boosters that purportedly support digestion, immune health and more. Of course, the ingredients are also ethically sourced and healthy.
The cool thing about the Superfoods Complete air-dried dog foods is that they're unlike typical kibble. As mentioned earlier, they have minimal processing to preserve the nutritional content. Because they're not superheated, the texture is more like jerky than kibble.
The food is also ultra-aromatic. Opening the bag is enough to get any dog excited about dinnertime!
Badlands Ranch Treats
Badlands Ranch recently expanded the collection beyond air-dried dog food. It's undoubtedly just the beginning for this brand. In addition to the dog food, you can pick up Superfood Bites treats.
These treats are available in three flavors: 100 percent liver, 100 percent chicken breast and 100 percent wild salmon.
While the dog food is air-dried, the treats are freeze-dried. They, too, are minimally processed in a way that preserves the nutrients. However, you get the shelf stability and convenience of standard treats.
What's unique about the Superfood Bites is that they contain a single ingredient. There are no unnecessary fillers, additives or artificial junk. It's all-natural and has a single protein source.
It's like feeding your dog raw meat!
Badlands Ranch Supplements
Last but not least, we have the Badlands Ranch supplements. The supplement product, called Super20, is in a powder form that you can sprinkle over your dog's daily meals.
It contains a blend of ingredients to support your pup from head to tail. These include organic ashwagandha, mushrooms, Omega 3s, Green-lipped mussels and more.
The ingredients work together to support joint health, keep the skin supple, improve heart health and provide antioxidant support.
Badlands Ranch Dog Food: The Good
It's not hard to see why Badlands Ranch garners so much attention in the dog food scene. The brand offers compelling products that break the mold of traditional dog food.
The things we like most are the manufacturing process and high-quality ingredients. Many brands advertise premium protein sources, but Badlands Ranch promises ethically sourced ingredients. That's a big deal for many people.
Not only are you getting ingredients from healthy and reliable sources, but you can feel good about where all that meat comes from. After all, the brand supports animal welfare!
Secondly, the air-drying process is something you don't see too often in the mass market. More companies are offering freeze-dried and air-dried products. But it's still a rarity.
Badlands Ranch is one of the few brands that use this manufacturing process to ensure your dog gets as many nutrients and vitamins as possible. The minimal processing is a game-changer that can support your dog's health in many ways.
Here's another thing we appreciate about Badlands Ranch: you get a money-back guarantee. Like several newer dog food companies, Badlands Ranch offers its products with an optional subscription system. You can also buy multiple bags at once to save.
But if you don't like the food, or it's not meeting your expectations, Badlands Ranch has a 90-day money-back guarantee. That guarantee gives you peace of mind, allowing you to try the food out without much risk.
Badlands Ranch Dog Food: The Bad
Badlands Ranch is great, but it's not perfect.
As a younger brand, the lack of options could be a drawback for many dog owners. Currently, you have two dog food formulas to choose from. That's it.
No specialty formulas or recipes catering to different life stages exist. Badlands Ranch may expand its lineup in the future. But for now, your dog may have difficulty benefiting from the formulas if they have allergies or sensitivities.
Another big hurdle is the price. There's no way to get around it: Badlands Ranch dog food costs considerably more than other options.
The base price of a single 24-ounce bag of air-dried food is $59.95. You can save with a subscription and multi-bag purchases, but that's still a lot for less than two pounds of dog food!
It's a tradeoff. The unique manufacturing process and premium ingredients make the price understandable. But it's still a big pill to swallow!
The Final Verdict
So, what do we think of Badlands Ranch dog food?
Ultimately, there's no denying that the air-dried dog food is top-of-the-line. It's an impressive product that checks off all the boxes. You're getting premium ingredients, nutritionally-dense meals and simple formulas that mimic a wild dog's diet. What more could you want?
Badlands Ranch is pricey, but if it fits your budget, you should consider trying it. The high-protein dog food is full of healthy ingredients and has a taste that any dog will drool over!
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