We give Gravy Train dog food a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.
The best way to a dog’s heart is through their stomach, and feeding them nutritional and tasty food is a sure-fire way to make you their favorite person. Finding a brand that you and your dog likes can be a challenge, though.
Gravy Train is a familiar sight in the pet section of your local supermarket. It’s affordable and includes an instant gravy mix to give plain-old kibble a unique flair that your dog will find irresistible. Made in the U.S.A. by the J.M. Smucker Company, the gravy-filled formula suits dogs that prefer a kibble-only diet but struggle to stay hydrated or eat food that’s too dry.
While it has a few questionable ingredients, Gravy Train’s products are suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds and won’t break the bank. Alongside the dry food range, Gravy Train also offers canned food and several dog treats.
If you’ve found Gravy Train at your local supermarket and want to give it a try, here’s our review of the brand to help you make your decision.
At a Glance: The Best Gravy Train Dog Food Recipes
Gravy Train Dog Food Reviewed
Introduced in 1959 and trademarked in 1960, Gravy Train has a unique approach to dog food. Instead of the ordinary, boring kibble that other brands rely on, Gravy Train’s products are designed with a built-in gravy mix. With a splash of warm water, your dog’s kibble makes its own gravy. This helps entice picky dogs to eat and gives them plenty of moisture in their diet, even if they only eat dry food.
Who Makes Gravy Train and Where Is It Produced?
An American dog food brand, Gravy Train was originally developed by General Foods until 2015, when the J.M. Smucker Company bought out Big Heart Pet Brands. Since then, Gravy Train has been manufactured by the J.M. Smucker Company.
Founded in 1897, the J.M. Smucker Company is headquartered in Ohio and operates several manufacturing facilities and offices across the U.S.A.
Which Type of Dog Is Gravy Train Best Suited For?
Overall, Gravy Train suits a variety of dogs. It’s formulated for adult dogs in mind and meets their nutritional needs the best but isn’t limited by breed. Pet owners who need more affordable dog food will also benefit from Gravy Train’s recipes due to the low cost of most of the formulas.
Which Type of Dog Might Do Better With a Different Brand?
Gravy Train is a great way to afford to feed your dog when you’re on a budget. However, it doesn’t have much variety in its formulas when it comes to the breed or age of your dog. Puppies, seniors, or breeds with specific health concerns might benefit from another brand. Dogs with allergies to beef will also do better with a brand that has a different protein source, like the American Journey Active Life Formula Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)
While Gravy Train has its benefits, many dog owners dislike the ingredients used in many of the formulas. That doesn’t mean the recipes don’t have good aspects, though. Here’s a rundown of a few of the ingredients used in Gravy Train’s formulas.
Beef
Many of the products offered by Gravy Train focus on having a rich, beefy flavor. Beef is listed as the first ingredient for many of the dog treats that the brand makes. This can be an issue if your dog is sensitive to beef protein. But for picky dogs, it does provide a deep, rich flavor to the unique make-your-own-gravy formula of the dry food.
Artificial Colors
Unlike humans, dogs don’t usually care what color their food is. This is why many people dislike the use of artificial coloring in dog food, as it’s more for our benefit than that of our dogs. Gravy Train uses artificial colors in all of its recipes to make the formulas look more appetizing.
Image Credit By: Dmytro Zinkevych, Shutterstock
BHA
Also known as butylated hydroxyanisole, BHA is commonly used as a preservative in many human and dog foods. It’s also known to cause cancer in rodents, which is why some dog owners dislike dog food that contains this ingredient. But it’s generally recognized as safe by the FDA, and the BHA content in Gravy Train’s dog food is well below the acceptable limits.
Meat Meals
The final questionable ingredient is the “meat meals” listed in many of Gravy Train’s ingredient lists. Most of the meat meal sources aren’t disclosed, which can be problematic for dogs with allergies.
A Quick Look at Gravy Train Dog Food
Affordable
Add warm water to make gravy
Dogs love the beefy flavor
Has been recalled in the past
No puppy or senior formulas
Recall History
Gravy Train canned dog food was recalled in February 2018 along with Kibbles ‘N Bits, Skippy, and Ol’ Roy. The J.M. Smucker Company recalled the products voluntarily due to the presence of pentobarbital — a drug used for euthanasia — in the formulas.
Less recently, in March 2007, Gravy Train Beef Sticks Dog Snacks were recalled due to the presence of melamine.
Reviews of the 3 Best Gravy Train Dog Food Recipes
Although Gravy Train does offer canned dog food and various treats, it’s best known for its kibble and the unique way that it includes gravy in all of its dry food recipes. Here are our reviews of three of Gravy Train’s most popular recipes.
1. Gravy Train Beefy Classic Dry Dog Food
Nutritionally balanced for adult dogs, the Gravy Train Beefy Classic Dry Dog Food can be served as plain kibble or as a soft dish with gravy. The moist gravy created after you add warm water and the rich, beefy flavor appeal to dogs and makes this food a favorite even among picky eaters.
It does contain artificial colors and the meat meal listed as the third ingredient isn’t identified, which might make some owners — especially owners of dogs with allergies — wary about this dog food. Despite the affordability of this product and the multi-pack options, it’s only available in small bags, which might not be enough for large breeds.
Serve as kibble or with gravy
Nutritionally balanced for adult dogs
Beefy flavor
Contains artificial colors
Unidentified meat meal
Only available in small bags
2. Gravy Train Beef Dog Food
Big dogs have big appetites, which is where the Gravy Train Beef Dog Food wins. While the small 3.5-pound bags are more affordable for dog owners on a budget, this 35-pound bag enables you to cater to large breeds. It also lasts longer in households with several dogs. Like the small bags, it contains its own gravy mix, so you can add warm water to make a savory treat for your dog.
Along with being more expensive than smaller formulas by Gravy Train, this recipe also contains BHA as a preservative. It meets the acceptable levels set by the FDA, but many dog owners prefer to avoid the ingredient.
35-pound bag suits large breeds
Includes its own gravy mix
Can be served dry or wet
3. Gravy Train Beefy Classic Small Bites Dry Dog Food
If you have a small breed dog or one that struggles with the large kibble in Gravy Train’s other formulas, the Beefy Classic Small Bites Dry Dog Food is the same recipe but is designed for small mouths. Adding warm water also creates a rich gravy for dogs that struggle with dry food.
It does contain a few artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, but it does meet AAFCO standards for canine nutrition. This option is best for beef-loving dogs because it’s only available in one flavor.
Formulated for small dog breeds
Small kibble size
Nutritionally balanced for adult dogs
Contains its own gravy mix
Contains artificial additives
Only available in one flavor
What Other Users Are Saying
Influenster — “My dogs love to eat this brand of dog food.”
Amazon — Dog owners all want the best for their dogs, and their reviews can tell you much about how a brand measures up. To see what Gravy Train customers are saying on Amazon, check out the reviews here.
Conclusion
Gravy Train isn’t one of the healthiest dog foods available, but it has a unique approach to feeding dogs with the included gravy in all its dry dog food formulas. Just add warm water to create a moist, savory meal for dogs, or serve it dry as a crunchy kibble dish.
This unique approach to dog food means your dog can benefit from the soft, moist content of canned food and the lengthy shelf-life of dry kibble.
As one of the more affordable and readily accessible dog foods, you don’t have to worry about going out of your way to find where it’s stocked, unlike some other brands. It does have a few questionable ingredients, including BHA, and has been recalled twice in the past. Overall, though, it meets AAFCO standards for adult dog nutrition, and the BHA content is well below the acceptable levels set by the FDA.
For dog owners on a budget who prefer dry food over cans, Gravy Train offers the best of both worlds.
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