9 out of 10 dog owners are feeding their dog the wrong food
Take the free nutrition check and find out which food is best for your dog!
Shelter manager, certified canine nutritionist, and lifelong dog lover
• Performance-focused nutrition: Black Gold delivers high protein (26-32%) and calorie-dense formulas specifically designed for active, working, and sporting dogs with functional joint support additives.
• Perfect safety record: Zero recalls in nearly three decades of operation, now manufactured by Cargill in U.S. facilities with consistent quality control and AAFCO compliance.
• Limited protein variety: All formulas contain chicken-derived ingredients, making it unsuitable for dogs with poultry allergies despite offering beef and fish-based recipes.
• Mid-premium value positioning: Costs $1.10-$2.30 per pound, delivering quality meat meals and functional ingredients at a fair price point between budget and premium brands.
• Transparency gaps: Lacks detailed ingredient sourcing information, third-party certifications, and sustainability reporting compared to newer competitors like Inception despite solid nutritional profiles.
Black Gold was founded in 1995 by John and Don Allen, building on their family’s history in local feed distribution. The brand started with a clear mission: create high-performance dog food for working and sporting dogs that needed more than standard kibble could deliver. For over two decades, Black Gold operated independently before being sold to Pro-Pet LLC in 2015, and then acquired by Cargill in 2018 when the agricultural giant bought Pro-Pet’s entire portfolio.
That ownership shift raised some eyebrows—Cargill is a massive, diversified corporation, and smaller brands under big umbrellas can sometimes lose their identity or cut corners. But Black Gold has maintained its focus on meat-first formulas and performance nutrition, with no recalls reported in its entire history. The brand still manufactures all products in the U.S. across facilities in Ohio, Minnesota, and Kansas, and every formula meets AAFCO standards for complete and balanced nutrition.
Black Gold’s core positioning is straightforward: they’re not trying to be the fanciest brand on the shelf or the cheapest. Instead, they aim for the middle ground—quality ingredients at a reasonable price, with formulas designed around real-world needs like stamina, joint support, and digestive health. The Explorer line, which includes everything from puppy recipes to senior formulas, reflects this practical approach: meat meals as the primary protein, added omega fatty acids for skin and coat, glucosamine and chondroitin for joints, and prebiotics for gut health.
The brand markets itself heavily toward active dogs and working breeds, which makes sense given its roots. If you’re looking for food that supports a high-energy lifestyle—hunting, agility, hiking, or just a naturally athletic dog—Black Gold wants to be your go-to. That said, their Life Stages line also covers puppies, large breeds, seniors, and dogs with sensitive skin, so they’re not exclusively for performance animals.
Where Black Gold falls short is transparency and communication. The website lists ingredients and guaranteed analysis, but there’s little detail on sourcing beyond “globally sourced with a preference for U.S. suppliers.” You won’t find batch traceability tools, third-party audit results, or sustainability reports. For a brand owned by a company as large as Cargill, the lack of published certifications or detailed quality control data is noticeable. They do emphasize adherence to AAFCO standards and tout their clean recall history, but compared to brands that publish full supply chain transparency or independent lab testing, Black Gold is more reserved.
The company’s customer service is solid—accessible via phone and email during business hours, with a generally helpful and responsive approach to complaints or questions. But if you’re the type of owner who wants to know exactly where every ingredient comes from and how every batch is tested, you’ll find Black Gold’s disclosures frustratingly vague.
| Price per pound | $1.10 – $2.30 |
| Primary protein | Chicken meal, Beef meal, Ocean fish meal |
| By-products | None |
| AAFCO compliance | Yes (formulated to meet standards) |
| Formula options | Explorer line (performance, large breed, puppy, senior) |
| Availability | Farm supply stores, Chewy, Amazon, pet stores |
Black Gold’s recipes revolve around named meat meals—chicken meal, beef meal, and ocean fish meal are the stars. Meat meals are concentrated protein sources with moisture removed, which means they pack more protein per pound than fresh meat. In the Original Performance 26/18, for example, chicken meal is the first ingredient, followed by brown rice and then more chicken meal further down the list. This dual inclusion of chicken meal signals a serious commitment to animal protein.
What I find impressive about this approach is that meat meal delivers consistent protein content without the water weight that fresh meat carries. A formula listing “chicken” first might sound better, but once you cook out the moisture, that chicken can drop significantly in the ingredient order. Black Gold avoids that issue by leading with meal, which keeps the protein content high and predictable.
The downside? All current Black Gold formulas contain chicken-derived protein, even the fish-based Sensitive Skin & Coat recipe. If your dog has a true chicken allergy, Black Gold isn’t a viable option. The brand doesn’t offer a single-source, chicken-free formula, which limits its appeal for dogs with poultry sensitivities.
Black Gold uses whole grains like brown rice, barley, and oats as primary carbohydrate sources. These are digestible, provide steady energy, and don’t carry the same DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) concerns that grain-free formulas with legumes and potatoes have raised in recent years. The brand made a deliberate choice to focus on grain-inclusive recipes, which aligns with current veterinary consensus favoring traditional grains over novel starches.
Brown rice appears frequently and is a solid, moderate-glycemic carb that most dogs tolerate well. Barley and oats add fiber and additional nutrients, supporting digestive health without causing spikes in blood sugar. There’s no corn, wheat, or soy in the Explorer line, which addresses common owner concerns even though those ingredients aren’t inherently bad when used properly.
Chicken fat is the primary fat source in most formulas, preserved with mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) rather than synthetic preservatives like BHA or BHT. Chicken fat is highly palatable and rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which support skin and coat health. Several recipes also include flaxseed and salmon oil for omega-3s, which help reduce inflammation, support joint health, and contribute to a shiny coat.
Beyond basic nutrition, Black Gold adds glucosamine and chondroitin to most adult and senior formulas, targeting joint health—especially important for large breeds and active dogs. The exact doses aren’t disclosed, which is frustrating. Some brands include these ingredients in therapeutic amounts, while others use minimal levels that are more marketing than medicine. Without published numbers, it’s hard to know if Black Gold’s joint supplements are truly effective or just window dressing.
The Explorer line also includes TruMune postbiotic, a branded ingredient aimed at supporting immune function and mobility. Postbiotics are a newer area of pet nutrition, and while early research is promising, the evidence base isn’t as strong as for probiotics or prebiotics. It’s a nice addition, but I wouldn’t choose Black Gold solely for TruMune.
Black Gold avoids artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which is table stakes for any mid-premium brand today. Mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) serve as the natural preservative, and the vitamin and mineral premix is standard for kibble—chelated minerals like zinc proteinate and copper proteinate appear, which are more bioavailable than inorganic forms.
One thing to note: some formulas include dried chicory root, a prebiotic fiber that supports gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria. This is a positive inclusion, especially for dogs prone to digestive issues or irregular stools.
Black Gold doesn’t include any novel or exotic proteins like venison, bison, or duck in their current lineup. For owners seeking variety or dogs with multiple protein sensitivities, the options are limited. There’s also no hydrolyzed protein formula or true limited-ingredient diet, which would be useful for dogs with severe food allergies.
The brand also doesn’t offer fresh or freeze-dried toppers, wet food, or veterinary prescription diets. If you’re looking for a one-stop brand that covers every feeding need, Black Gold isn’t it. They’re laser-focused on dry kibble, which is both a strength (they do one thing well) and a limitation (no flexibility for mixed feeding or special medical needs). If you’re interested in a brand that offers both kibble and fresh options with strong customization, you might want to check out our Dog food from Inception review for a different approach to ingredient transparency and protein variety.
Black Gold’s performance formulas deliver protein levels between 26% and 32%, with fat ranging from 12% to 21% depending on the recipe. The Original Performance 26/18, for example, sits at 26% protein and 18% fat, which is solidly above average for adult maintenance kibble. The Super Performance 32/21 pushes even higher, targeting dogs with extreme energy demands.
These numbers translate to caloric density between 340 and 457 kcal per cup, which is important for active dogs that need more calories per meal. For a 60-pound working dog, you might feed 3–4 cups per day of the Original Performance, compared to 5–6 cups of a lower-calorie food. That’s easier on the dog’s stomach and more convenient for the owner.
The fat-to-protein ratio in most Black Gold formulas hovers around 60–70%, which is appropriate for active dogs. Fat provides concentrated energy and supports absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, while protein maintains muscle mass and overall health. For less active dogs or seniors, the lower-fat options like the Large Breed Adult (23% protein, 12% fat) or Mature 7+ (27% protein, 12% fat) offer better calorie control without sacrificing protein.
Carbohydrates make up roughly 34% to 52% of the formula on a dry matter basis, depending on the recipe. The performance lines trend lower in carbs due to higher protein and fat, while the life-stage formulas with lower fat content naturally include more carbohydrate to balance the calorie profile.
Fiber sits between 3.5% and 5%, which is moderate and appropriate for most dogs. Enough to support healthy digestion and regular stools, but not so much that it interferes with nutrient absorption or causes excessive bulk. The inclusion of chicory root and whole grains contributes both soluble and insoluble fiber, which benefits gut health and stool consistency.
Black Gold meets AAFCO standards for all life stages (or specific life stages depending on the formula), which means the vitamin and mineral content is adequate to prevent deficiencies. Calcium and phosphorus ratios in the puppy and large breed formulas are carefully controlled to support healthy bone growth without over-supplementation, which can cause developmental orthopedic issues in large breeds.
The addition of DHA (from fish oil) in puppy formulas supports brain and eye development, which is a science-backed benefit. Similarly, the inclusion of L-carnitine in the senior formula helps maintain lean muscle mass and supports fat metabolism, which is useful for aging dogs that are less active.
Taurine is added to several formulas, addressing concerns about canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) that emerged in grain-free diets. While Black Gold’s grain-inclusive recipes weren’t implicated in the DCM issue, the addition of taurine is a proactive measure that shows the brand is paying attention to current veterinary research.
All Black Gold formulas are formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional profiles, but there’s no public evidence that the brand conducts AAFCO feeding trials. Feeding trials involve actually feeding the food to dogs for at least six months and monitoring their health, which is considered more rigorous than simply formulating to meet nutrient minimums.
This is a common gap in the industry—most brands rely on formulation rather than trials because trials are expensive and time-consuming. But for a brand owned by a company as large as Cargill, the absence of published feeding trial data is a missed opportunity to differentiate on quality and safety.
Black Gold is designed with active and working dogs in mind, and that’s where it truly shines. If you have a hunting dog, a herding breed, or just a high-energy pet that needs serious fuel, the performance formulas deliver the calories, protein, and joint support to keep up. Dogs that spend hours running, jumping, or working will benefit from the high fat content and caloric density, which means they can eat smaller volumes and still get the energy they need.
Large breed puppies and adults are also well-served by Black Gold’s specialized formulas. The Large Breed Puppy Recipe keeps protein and fat at appropriate levels (27% and 15%) while controlling calcium and phosphorus to support healthy growth without forcing bones to develop too quickly. The Large Breed Adult Recipe similarly focuses on joint health and controlled calories, which helps prevent obesity—a major risk factor for orthopedic issues in big dogs.
Dogs with sensitive skin or mild digestive issues may do well on the Ocean Fish Meal & Oat formula, which uses fish as an alternative protein and includes salmon oil for omega-3s. Although it still contains chicken, the emphasis on fish and oats can help dogs that struggle with other common ingredients like beef or corn.
Senior dogs benefit from the Mature 7+ formula, which offers higher protein to maintain muscle mass, lower fat to control calories, and added L-carnitine to support metabolism. The glucosamine and chondroitin in this formula are particularly relevant for aging joints, and the moderate fiber helps keep digestion regular.
If your dog has a chicken allergy or sensitivity, Black Gold is off the table. Every current formula includes chicken meal or chicken fat, which means there’s no way to avoid poultry entirely. This is a significant limitation compared to brands that offer single-source protein options like fish-only or beef-only recipes.
Dogs with severe food allergies or intolerances requiring hydrolyzed protein or strict limited-ingredient diets won’t find what they need here. Black Gold doesn’t offer veterinary prescription formulas or hypoallergenic options, so if your dog needs a therapeutic diet, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Picky eaters might also struggle with Black Gold. While many dogs love the taste, there are enough reports of refusal—especially during transitions—that I’d be cautious if your dog is already finicky. The kibble is fairly standard in size and texture, so it’s not unusually appealing or novel enough to win over a truly stubborn eater.
Low-activity or overweight dogs should avoid the performance formulas, which are simply too calorie-dense for a couch potato. The high fat content can lead to weight gain if the dog isn’t burning those calories through exercise. For less active dogs, the lower-fat options like the Large Breed Adult or Mature 7+ are better choices, but even those require careful portion control.
Palatability is one of those factors that’s impossible to predict with certainty—every dog is different—but Black Gold generally scores well in this department. The use of chicken fat and meat meals creates a savory, meaty aroma that most dogs find appealing. In reviews across Chewy, Walmart, and DogFoodAdvisor, roughly 60% of owners report their dogs “love it” or eat it enthusiastically without hesitation.
That said, there’s a notable minority—around 8%—who report their dogs won’t eat it at all or showed initial interest and then refused after a few days. This seems to happen more often with the grain-free options (which are less commonly available now) and during transitions from other foods. If you’re switching to Black Gold, a gradual transition over 7–10 days is important, not just to avoid digestive upset, but also to give your dog time to adjust to the taste and texture.
Black Gold offers limited flavor variety compared to larger brands. The core options are chicken-based (Chicken Meal & Brown Rice), beef-based (Beef Meal & Barley), and fish-based (Ocean Fish Meal & Oat). There are no exotic proteins like venison, bison, or duck, and no rotating flavor options within the same formula line.
For dogs that thrive on variety or owners who like to rotate proteins to reduce the risk of developing sensitivities, this is a drawback. You’re essentially locked into one or two flavors unless you switch between product lines entirely, which means recalculating portions and potentially dealing with digestive adjustments each time.
The kibble is medium-sized and moderately hard, which works well for most adult dogs. Large breed formulas tend to have slightly larger pieces, which encourages chewing and slows down fast eaters. Some owners report a fair amount of “kibble dust” at the bottom of the bag, which is a minor annoyance but doesn’t affect nutrition.
The texture is standard extruded kibble—nothing particularly novel or interesting compared to air-dried, freeze-dried, or baked options. Dogs that are used to kibble will have no problem with it, but if you’re trying to entice a dog that’s been eating fresh or wet food, the texture might not be appealing enough on its own.
Black Gold sits in the mid-premium price range, typically costing between $1.10 and $2.30 per pound depending on the formula and where you buy it. The Original Performance 26/18, one of the most popular options, runs around $54.99 for a 50-pound bag on Chewy, which works out to roughly $1.10 per pound or about $2.60 per 1,000 kcal.
That’s less expensive than premium brands like Orijen, Acana, or Blue Buffalo Wilderness, but more than budget options like Pedigree or Purina Dog Chow. For the quality of ingredients—real meat meals, no corn/wheat/soy, added joint and digestive support—it’s a fair price. You’re not overpaying for flashy marketing or boutique branding, but you’re also not cutting corners on nutrition.
For a 60-pound active dog eating the Original Performance formula, you’d go through a 50-pound bag in roughly 3–4 weeks, costing about $55–$70 per month. Compare that to a premium brand at $80–$100+ per month, or a budget brand at $30–$40 per month, and Black Gold lands right in the middle.
When you stack Black Gold against similar brands—Victor, Diamond Naturals, Inception—it holds up well. Victor and Diamond are often slightly cheaper, but Black Gold includes more functional additives like TruMune postbiotic and consistently higher protein levels. Inception, which emphasizes ancient grains and 70%+ animal protein, is comparable in price but offers more transparency around ingredient sourcing.
Where Black Gold wins is consistency and availability. It’s widely stocked at farm supply stores, online retailers like Chewy and Amazon, and regional pet stores. You’re not hunting for it or waiting on backorders the way you might with smaller boutique brands.
One thing to watch is shipping costs if you’re ordering online. A 50-pound bag is heavy, and some retailers charge extra for delivery. Chewy often includes free shipping on orders over a certain amount, but smaller orders or rural addresses might incur fees that eat into the value proposition.
There’s also the question of feeding volume. Because Black Gold is calorie-dense, you feed less per meal compared to lower-calorie foods. This means the bag lasts longer, which offsets the higher per-pound cost. If you’re used to feeding 6 cups a day of a budget food, you might only need 3–4 cups of Black Gold, so the actual cost per day is closer than it first appears.
All Black Gold dog food is manufactured in the United States at facilities in Ohio, Minnesota, and Kansas. These plants are operated by Cargill (via the former Pro-Pet LLC operations), which brings the resources and oversight of a major agricultural company to the table. That’s a double-edged sword—on one hand, Cargill has the infrastructure and expertise to maintain consistent quality control. On the other hand, the scale and corporate structure can sometimes lead to less transparency and slower responses to issues.
The facilities are required to meet federal and state regulations for pet food production, and Black Gold claims adherence to AAFCO standards across all formulas. But there’s no public information about third-party certifications like HACCP, ISO 22000, BRC, or SQF, which are common among premium brands that want to demonstrate rigorous safety protocols.
Black Gold describes its ingredient sourcing as “globally sourced with a preference for U.S. suppliers.” That’s a vague statement that doesn’t tell you much. It’s likely that the meat meals come from U.S. poultry, beef, and fish processors, but the grains, oils, and supplements could come from anywhere.
The lack of batch traceability or supply chain transparency tools is frustrating for owners who want to know exactly where their dog’s food comes from. Some brands offer QR codes or online tools where you can enter a lot number and see sourcing details; Black Gold doesn’t. For a brand owned by a company as large as Cargill, this feels like a missed opportunity.
Black Gold has zero recalls on record in its entire history, which is genuinely impressive. Many major brands have had at least one recall in the past decade due to contamination, mislabeling, or other issues. The fact that Black Gold has avoided this speaks to consistent quality control and careful manufacturing practices.
That said, the absence of recalls doesn’t mean the food is perfect—it just means nothing catastrophic has made it to market. Without published third-party lab testing or audit results, it’s hard to know how rigorously Black Gold tests for contaminants like mycotoxins, heavy metals, or bacterial pathogens. The brand may be doing everything right behind the scenes, but they’re not sharing that data publicly.
Black Gold’s parent company, Cargill, has corporate sustainability initiatives around carbon reduction, water use, and responsible sourcing, but there’s no brand-specific sustainability report for Black Gold. You won’t find information on the carbon footprint of their formulas, the recyclability of their packaging, or any commitments to regenerative agriculture or sustainable seafood.
The packaging itself is standard multi-layer plastic bags, which are not easily recyclable in most municipal programs. Some premium brands have moved to compostable or recyclable packaging, but Black Gold hasn’t made that shift yet. If environmental impact is a priority for you, this is a clear area where the brand lags behind more forward-thinking competitors.
There’s no published animal welfare policy specific to Black Gold. The brand doesn’t make claims about cage-free poultry, grass-fed beef, or sustainably caught fish, which are increasingly common marketing points for premium brands. That doesn’t mean the ingredients are unethical—it just means Black Gold isn’t prioritizing transparency or differentiation on this front.
For owners who care deeply about humane sourcing and want to support brands that invest in higher welfare standards, Black Gold’s silence on this issue is a drawback. Brands like The Farmer’s Dog or Ollie make a point of highlighting their sourcing ethics; Black Gold simply doesn’t engage with that conversation.
There’s no evidence of charitable giving, community engagement, or social impact programs tied to Black Gold specifically. Cargill as a corporation has various initiatives, but those aren’t necessarily reflected at the brand level. If you’re looking to support a brand that gives back to animal shelters, funds veterinary research, or supports pet adoption programs, Black Gold isn’t going to check those boxes.
I work at a local shelter, and we occasionally test different foods with our longer-term residents to see how they respond—not as a formal trial, but as a way to help us make better feeding decisions and give these dogs some variety while they wait for their forever homes. For this test, I used Black Gold Original Performance 26/18 with a dog named Maple, a three-year-old mixed breed (likely some kind of hound and cattle dog mix based on her build and energy) who came to us after her previous owner had to move and couldn’t take her along.
Maple didn’t have any major health issues, but she was a bit underweight when she arrived—not severely, but you could feel her ribs a little too easily, and her coat was dull and patchy in places. She also had inconsistent stools—sometimes firm, sometimes loose, which made it hard to predict when she’d need to go out. She’d been eating a generic grocery store brand before coming to us, and we’d transitioned her to our standard shelter kibble, which is a decent mid-range food but nothing special.
I started Maple on Black Gold by mixing it gradually with her current food over about a week. She didn’t seem to notice the switch at first—she ate her meals with the same steady, methodical approach she always had. Maple isn’t a picky eater or an enthusiastic one; she’s just consistent. By the end of the transition, she was eating 100% Black Gold, and her stool quality improved noticeably within the first few days. Instead of the unpredictable loose stools, she was producing firm, well-formed stools consistently, which made cleanup easier and suggested better digestion.
Maple ate the Black Gold without hesitation. She didn’t suddenly become more excited about mealtime, but she also never left food in her bowl, which is a good sign. Some dogs at the shelter are clearly more enthusiastic about certain foods—ears up, tail wagging, practically inhaling their meals—but Maple has always been more matter-of-fact about eating. Black Gold didn’t change that, which I took as a neutral result: it wasn’t off-putting, but it also wasn’t particularly thrilling for her.
Over the course of about three weeks, I noticed a few changes in Maple. Her coat started to look better—less dull, more even, and the patchy areas where her fur had been thin started to fill in. It wasn’t a dramatic transformation, but it was noticeable enough that one of the other volunteers commented on it. Her energy level also seemed to improve slightly. Maple had always been an active dog—she loved running in the play yard and could go for hours—but she seemed a bit more alert and engaged during downtime, less likely to just flop down and zone out.
Her weight improved steadily, which was the goal. We adjusted her portions as she filled out, and by the end of the three weeks, she was at a healthy body condition—ribs still palpable but not visible, good muscle tone, and a visible waist. The high protein and fat content in the Original Performance formula seemed like a good match for her energy level and activity needs.
From a practical standpoint, feeding Black Gold was easy. The kibble didn’t smell particularly strong, which is nice in a shelter environment where you’re dealing with multiple dogs and odors can add up quickly. The smaller, firmer stools made cleanup more manageable, and the consistency meant I could predict when Maple needed to go out, which helped with her routine and reduced accidents.
The only minor downside was a bit of kibble dust at the bottom of the bag, which is common with extruded kibble but still a little annoying. It didn’t affect Maple’s acceptance of the food, but it did make the last few scoops slightly messier.
Overall, Maple did well on Black Gold. It wasn’t a miraculous turnaround, but it supported her health, improved her coat and stools, and helped her gain weight at a healthy pace. For a dog with no major issues, it was a solid, dependable food that did exactly what it was supposed to do.
Looking at reviews across major platforms—Chewy, Walmart, DogFoodAdvisor, and independent forums—Black Gold’s customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating around 4.5 to 4.6 out of 5 stars. The most common praise centers on visible improvements in energy, coat quality, and digestion, particularly among owners of active or working dogs.
One recurring theme is coat shine and reduced shedding. Multiple reviewers mention that their dogs’ coats became noticeably softer and shinier within a few weeks, and some report less shedding overall. One owner of two Labradors wrote, “I’ve been using it for my labs for about three months now, and they both have sensitive stomachs. This stuff seems to agree with them—no more random bouts of upset tummies. Plus, their coats look fantastic.”
Energy and stamina improvements are also frequently mentioned, especially for hunting dogs and working breeds. A Beagle owner commented, “I feed this to my beagles, and it keeps them in excellent condition. The kibble is small and easy to digest. The dogs really enjoy it.” Another reviewer noted, “His coat is shinier than ever, and his energy levels have skyrocketed. The high protein content worried me at first, but it seems just perfect for him.”
Digestive health and stool quality come up often as well. Many owners report firmer, smaller stools and fewer digestive issues after switching to Black Gold. One user said, “Our recent rescue loves his new food. Seems satisfied after eating and has gained a few pounds since arriving.” The combination of meat meals, whole grains, and prebiotics seems to support digestive health for a wide range of dogs.
The most common complaint is palatability issues. While the majority of dogs eat Black Gold enthusiastically, a small but vocal minority refuse it. One frustrated owner wrote, “All four dogs won’t touch it and start whining when I put the bowl in front of them. This has never happened with any other dog food before.” Another said, “Loved it at first, then suddenly refused to eat it after a week.”
Packaging problems are another recurring issue. Several reviewers mention bags arriving with torn corners or kibble spilling out during shipping. “Almost every bag I have ordered is open on all corners,” one Chewy customer noted. “The manufacturer needs to seal the bags better. There is always dog food pieces left in the shipping box.” This seems to be more of a handling or shipping issue than a manufacturing defect, but it’s frustrating for customers.
A few owners report digestive upset during the transition, particularly if they switched too quickly. “Seems like good food at a decent price, but my dog isn’t eating much of it. Might be allergic,” one reviewer wrote. This highlights the importance of a gradual transition, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Price complaints appear occasionally, with some owners feeling the food is “too expensive for the quality” or that “price increases haven’t been matched by improvements.” However, these complaints are in the minority, and most reviewers feel the price is fair for what you get.
Black Gold’s customer service gets high marks in reviews. The company responds to roughly 40% of negative reviews, often offering refunds, replacements, or helpful advice. One customer wrote, “I contacted customer service about a torn bag, and they sent a replacement within a few days—no hassle.” This proactive approach helps maintain trust even when issues arise.
Victor is another performance-focused brand with a similar target audience—active dogs, working breeds, and owners who prioritize protein and calories. Victor’s formulas tend to have slightly higher protein levels (30–33% in many recipes) and comparable fat content, but at a slightly lower price point. Victor also offers more variety in protein sources, including beef, chicken, and multi-protein blends.
Where Black Gold has an edge is in functional additives like TruMune postbiotic and consistent inclusion of glucosamine and chondroitin across formulas. Victor includes some joint support, but not as universally. Both brands have clean recall histories and solid reputations, so the choice often comes down to price (Victor wins) versus functional supplements (Black Gold wins).
Diamond Naturals is a popular mid-range brand with a broader product line and lower price per pound. Diamond’s formulas are generally lower in protein and fat (around 23–28% protein, 12–18% fat), which makes them suitable for less active dogs but not ideal for working breeds or high-energy pets.
Black Gold’s performance formulas deliver more calories and protein per cup, which means you feed less and the bag lasts longer. Diamond Naturals has had recalls in the past (though not recently), whereas Black Gold has a spotless safety record. If you have a couch potato, Diamond Naturals might be fine. If you have an active dog, Black Gold is the better choice.
Inception is a newer brand (launched in 2019) that emphasizes ancient grains, high animal protein content (70%+), and clean labels. Inception offers both dry and wet formulas, and the brand is transparent about ingredient sourcing—more so than Black Gold. Inception’s recipes exclude corn, wheat, soy, legumes, and potatoes, focusing instead on millet, oats, and milo.
Inception’s protein levels are comparable to Black Gold (28–30%), but fat is slightly lower (15–17%), which makes it a bit less calorie-dense. Inception also has a perfect recall record and higher customer ratings (4.5–4.8 stars). The trade-off is that Inception’s product range is narrower—only four dry recipes and no specialized formulas for large breeds or seniors. If you’re looking for a broader range of options, check out our The Farmer’s Dog review to see how fresh, human-grade options compare to traditional kibble like Black Gold.
Price-wise, Inception is slightly more expensive per pound ($1.75–$2.50 vs. $1.10–$2.30 for Black Gold), but the ingredient transparency and ancient grain positioning appeal to health-conscious owners. If you want maximum transparency and are okay with fewer options, Inception is worth considering. If you want more variety and slightly lower cost, Black Gold is the better bet.
Black Gold is best suited for active, working, or sporting dogs that need high energy and robust nutrition. If your dog is a hunting companion, a herding breed, or just a naturally athletic pet that spends hours running and playing, the performance formulas provide the calories, protein, and joint support to keep up. The Original Performance 26/18 and Super Performance 32/21 are ideal for these high-energy needs.
Large breed puppies and adults benefit from Black Gold’s specialized formulas that control calcium and phosphorus ratios, support joint health, and provide appropriate calorie levels. The Large Breed Puppy Recipe and Large Breed Adult Recipe are thoughtfully designed to prevent developmental issues and manage weight, which are common concerns for big dogs.
Senior dogs that need to maintain muscle mass while controlling calories can do well on the Mature 7+ formula, which offers higher protein, lower fat, and added L-carnitine and joint support. This formula addresses the specific needs of aging dogs without overloading them with unnecessary calories.
Dogs with mild digestive sensitivities or skin issues may benefit from the Ocean Fish Meal & Oat formula, which uses alternative proteins and includes omega-3s for skin health. However, it still contains chicken, so it’s not suitable for dogs with poultry allergies.
Black Gold is not suitable for dogs with chicken allergies, as all formulas contain chicken-derived ingredients. It’s also not ideal for picky eaters, dogs requiring veterinary prescription diets, or low-activity pets that need calorie-restricted formulas. For those situations, you’ll need to look at other brands or consult your vet for specialized options.
Black Gold is a solid, dependable dog food that delivers on its core promise: high-quality, meat-first nutrition for active dogs at a fair price. The use of named meat meals as primary proteins, the inclusion of functional additives like glucosamine and TruMune postbiotic, and the focus on whole grains over controversial fillers make it a strong choice for owners who want more than budget kibble but don’t want to pay premium prices.
The brand’s spotless recall history and consistent quality control give me confidence in its safety, even if the transparency around sourcing and testing could be better. The nutritional profiles are appropriate for the target audience—performance formulas for active dogs, life-stage options for puppies and seniors, and specialized recipes for large breeds—and the calorie density means you feed less, which stretches the value.
Where Black Gold falls short is in variety and flexibility. The lack of chicken-free options limits its appeal for dogs with poultry sensitivities, and the absence of wet food, toppers, or veterinary diets means it’s not a one-stop brand. The ingredient transparency is also lacking compared to newer brands like Inception that publish detailed sourcing information and emphasize ancient grains or novel proteins.
That said, for the right dog—an active, healthy adult or working breed without specific allergies—I’d recommend Black Gold without hesitation. It’s a practical, well-formulated food that supports energy, coat health, digestion, and joint function. If I had a high-energy dog that needed performance nutrition, I’d feel good about feeding Black Gold. It’s not flashy, it’s not trendy, but it works, and that’s what matters.
For less active dogs, picky eaters, or dogs with complex health needs, I’d look elsewhere. But if you’re in the target demographic—an owner of a working or sporting dog who wants quality ingredients, proven results, and a reasonable price—Black Gold is worth a shot. It’s not going to revolutionize your dog’s health, but it will support it consistently and reliably, which is exactly what good dog food should do.
No, Black Gold has maintained a perfect recall record throughout its entire history since 1995. This is genuinely impressive in an industry where most major brands have had at least one recall in the past decade. The brand’s consistent quality control and manufacturing practices have helped maintain this spotless safety record.
Unfortunately, no. All current Black Gold formulas contain chicken-derived ingredients, either chicken meal or chicken fat, even in their fish-based recipes. If your dog has a true chicken allergy or sensitivity, Black Gold is not a viable option. The brand doesn’t offer any single-source, chicken-free formulas.
All Black Gold dog food is manufactured in the United States at facilities in Ohio, Minnesota, and Kansas. These plants are operated by Cargill and must meet federal and state regulations for pet food production. All formulas are made to meet AAFCO standards for complete and balanced nutrition.
Black Gold typically costs between $1.10 and $2.30 per pound depending on the formula and retailer. For example, the popular Original Performance 26/18 runs around $54.99 for a 50-pound bag, which works out to roughly $1.10 per pound. This places it squarely in the mid-premium price range—less expensive than brands like Orijen or Acana, but more than budget options.
Black Gold’s performance formulas deliver protein levels between 26% and 32%, with the Original Performance at 26% protein and the Super Performance at 32% protein. Their life-stage formulas range from 23% to 30% protein depending on the specific recipe. All formulas use named meat meals as primary protein sources.
Yes, Black Gold offers specialized puppy formulas including a Large Breed Puppy Recipe that controls calcium and phosphorus ratios to support healthy bone development. The puppy formulas include DHA for brain and eye development and are formulated to meet AAFCO standards for growth and reproduction.
Black Gold has moved away from grain-free formulas and now focuses on grain-inclusive recipes using whole grains like brown rice, barley, and oats. This aligns with current veterinary consensus favoring traditional grains over novel starches that have been linked to DCM concerns in grain-free diets.
Black Gold differentiates itself through consistent use of meat meals as primary proteins, functional additives like TruMune postbiotic and glucosamine in most formulas, and a focus on working and sporting dogs. The brand emphasizes practical nutrition over trendy ingredients, with formulas designed around real-world needs like stamina and joint health.
The performance formulas are too calorie-dense for low-activity dogs, but Black Gold offers lower-fat options like the Large Breed Adult (23% protein, 12% fat) and Mature 7+ (27% protein, 12% fat) that provide better calorie control. The senior formula includes L-carnitine for muscle maintenance and joint support ingredients.
Like any food change, transition gradually over 7-10 days by mixing increasing amounts of Black Gold with decreasing amounts of the current food. Start with 25% Black Gold and 75% old food for 2-3 days, then 50/50, then 75% Black Gold, and finally 100%. This gradual approach helps prevent digestive upset and allows your dog time to adjust to the new taste and texture.
No, Black Gold avoids artificial preservatives like BHA or BHT. Instead, they use mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) as natural preservatives. The brand also avoids artificial colors and flavors, which is standard for mid-premium dog foods today.
Many owners report improved digestion and firmer stools when switching to Black Gold, likely due to the combination of meat meals, whole grains, and prebiotics like dried chicory root. The Ocean Fish Meal & Oat formula may be particularly helpful for dogs with mild sensitivities, though it still contains chicken ingredients.
9 out of 10 dog owners are feeding their dog the wrong food.
Take the free nutrition check and find out which food is best for your dog!
2,847+ dog owners already did
