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On the subject of feeding our furry companions, all of us need to make your best option doable balancing diet, high quality, and affordability. One title that has began to pop up extra usually within the budget-friendly pet food class is Ashland Farms. However how good is it actually? Is it simply one other generic label, or does it maintain its personal amongst extra in style rivals?
On this in-depth evaluate, we’ll uncover the whole lot it’s good to find out about Ashland Farms pet food from substances and diet to buyer experiences and worth. In the event you’ve been eyeing this model to your pup, learn on earlier than making your last resolution.
About Ashland Farms
Ashland Farms is a lesser-known model within the crowded pet meals market, usually related to Rural King, a farm and residential retailer with places throughout a number of U.S. states. Whereas not as widely known as family names like Purina or Blue Buffalo, Ashland Farms is quietly constructing a repute for providing reasonably priced pet food with easy substances.
The model seems to deal with delivering easy, meat-first recipes that purpose to help a canine’s each day dietary wants and not using a premium price ticket. It’s not a specialty or holistic model however relatively an choice for pet house owners in search of worth and practicality.
Product Strains and Varieties
Ashland Farms gives a modest vary of dry and moist pet food, with a deal with important life phases. Whereas the variability isn’t as in depth as premium manufacturers, they do cowl the fundamentals:
Dry Canine Meals Choices:
- Rooster & Rice Recipe
- Beef & Brown Rice Recipe
- Pet System
- Massive Breed System
- Senior System (in some markets)
Moist Canine Meals (Canned):
- Rooster Stew
- Beef Stew
- Turkey Dinner
These recipes are usually geared towards all life phases except in any other case specified. You’ll sometimes discover the baggage in sizes starting from 15 lbs to 50 lbs, with pricing beginning round $20-$30 for a 30 lb bag, relying on the variability.
Ingredient Evaluation
Let’s dig into what actually issues the substances. The Rooster & Rice recipe, one of the vital in style Ashland Farms varieties, provides us a superb baseline to evaluate high quality.
High Substances (Rooster & Rice):
- Rooster
- Rooster Meal
- Brown Rice
- Floor Barley
- Rooster Fats (preserved with combined tocopherols)
It is a robust begin for a price range pet food. Having hen and hen meal as the primary two substances ensures the protein content material is stable, and brown rice and barley are digestible carbohydrates.
Nevertheless, some recipes might embrace:
- Corn gluten meal
- Beet pulp
- Pure flavors
- Salt and added nutritional vitamins/minerals
What It Doesn’t Have:
- No synthetic preservatives (like BHA or BHT)
- No synthetic dyes
- No soy protein focus
Whereas not utterly grain-free or limited-ingredient, Ashland Farms avoids probably the most controversial components, which is commendable for a store-brand label.
Dietary Worth and AAFCO Compliance
Every Ashland Farms recipe features a assured evaluation on the packaging, and the nutrient profiles sometimes seem like this:
- Crude Protein: 22–26%
- Crude Fats: 12–15%
- Crude Fiber: 3–5%
- Moisture: 10% (dry kibble)
These numbers are according to AAFCO (Affiliation of American Feed Management Officers) requirements for grownup upkeep and pet progress. Nevertheless, we advocate at all times double-checking the label to make sure it says:
“Formulated to satisfy the dietary ranges established by the AAFCO Canine Meals Nutrient Profiles…”
Ashland Farms doesn’t provide grain-free or prescription diets, so it’s not appropriate for canine with grain allergic reactions or particular medical situations with out consulting your vet.
Palatability and Digestibility
So how do canine really reply to Ashland Farms?
Style Take a look at Stories
A majority of consumer critiques counsel that canine are pleased to eat it, even some choosy eaters. The hen and beef varieties are usually well-received. Some house owners say their canine took to it instantly, whereas others required a gradual transition.
Digestive Reactions
Digestibility appears respectable for a price range model. Most canine reportedly have regular stools and no indicators of digestive upset. Some house owners did word slight fuel or unfastened stool through the first few days, however this isn’t unusual when switching meals.
Coat situation and power ranges are reportedly in step with expectations, although don’t anticipate the identical glowing transformation you may see with higher-end manufacturers.
Professionals and Cons
✅ Professionals:
- Inexpensive: Prices considerably lower than premium manufacturers.
- Meat-First: Foremost protein sources come from actual meat and meat meals.
- No Synthetic Preservatives: Free from BHA, BHT, or synthetic dyes.
- Readily Accessible: Discovered at Rural King and choose retail places.
❌ Cons:
- Restricted Selection: Not many specialised formulation or grain-free choices.
- Decrease-High quality Components: Might comprise by-products like beet pulp and corn gluten.
- Regional Availability: Will be exhausting to search out exterior sure areas or on-line.
- Not Preferrred for Allergy symptoms: Not formulated for canine with meals sensitivities.
Actual Buyer Evaluations
Right here’s a snapshot of what actual canine house owners are saying:
“I switched from Pedigree to Ashland Farms Rooster & Rice to save cash. My canine find it irresistible, and their coats nonetheless look nice.”
– Verified purchaser from Indiana
“Tried it for a month. My lab appeared to love the style, however I did discover extra shedding. Might return to our earlier model.”
– Buyer evaluate by way of social media
“Good meals for the worth. My pit bull has a delicate abdomen, and this didn’t upset him. Shocked, actually.”
– Canine proprietor from Ohio
Whereas some customers rave in regards to the worth and high quality steadiness, others word minor trade-offs in coat well being or power in comparison with costlier manufacturers.
How It Compares to Different Manufacturers
Let’s stack Ashland Farms up in opposition to some rivals within the worth pet food area:
| Model | Value Vary | Actual Meat First? | Grain-Free Choices | AAFCO Compliant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland Farms | $$ | Sure | No | Sure |
| Pedigree | $ | Generally | No | Sure |
| Pure Stability | $$$ | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Ol’ Roy | $ | No | No | Questionable |
Ashland Farms beats many low-cost alternate options on ingredient transparency however nonetheless lags behind extra premium worth manufacturers like Pure Stability when it comes to specialty formulation and nationwide availability.
Remaining Verdict: Is Ashland Farms a Good Selection?
Ashland Farms pet food may not be the top-of-the-line choice available on the market, however it does provide stable diet for the worth. For house owners of wholesome grownup canine who aren’t coping with meals allergic reactions or specialised dietary wants, it presents a sensible selection that doesn’t compromise too closely on high quality.
In the event you’re close to a Rural King or can entry the model via native provide shops, it’s value making an attempt particularly when you’re feeding a number of canine or watching your price range. That stated, in case your canine has particular dietary necessities, otherwise you choose a grain-free or restricted ingredient weight-reduction plan, Ashland Farms might fall quick.
FAQs
Is Ashland Farms pet food grain-free?
No, most Ashland Farms recipes comprise grains like brown rice and barley.
The place can I purchase Ashland Farms pet food?
Ashland Farms is especially out there at Rural King and choose farm provide shops.
Is Ashland Farms good for canine with allergic reactions?
It’s not particularly formulated for allergic reactions. Canine with sensitivities might have limited-ingredient or grain-free choices.
Who makes Ashland Farms pet food?
Ashland Farms seems to be a non-public label model made completely for Rural King. The precise producer is just not publicly listed.
