Protein runs lower than the average kibble we review (27.6% vs 30.1% on a dry matter basis).
Starch is higher than average, at 41% of the food as fed.
100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).
14% of recipes are grain-free.
this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,089 foods we review
Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out
Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.
These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.
MOST PROTEIN
Blackwood Puppy & Performance Growing / Working Dogs Chicken Meal with Ancient Grains Recipe Dry Dog Food
33.3% dry matter
LEAST STARCH
Blackwood Complete and Balanced Diet Chicken Meal with Ancient Grains & Corn Recipe Dry Dog Food
36% as fed
FEWEST CALORIES
Blackwood Lean Senior Adult Dog Chicken Meal Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
360 kcal per cup
Blackwood is a super-premium dog and cat food brand owned by BrightPet Nutrition Group of Lisbon, Ohio, which also owns the Adirondack and By Nature brands. The company says its kibble is slow cooked in small batches at lower temperatures to retain nutrition and improve digestibility. 1, 2
Blackwood says its food is made in the USA at its family-operated facilities, with main operations in Lisbon, Ohio. Its parent BrightPet runs its own manufacturing plants and also makes pet food for other companies as a contract manufacturer, with plants reported in Lisbon, Ohio, Sherburne, New York, and Kiel, Wisconsin. 3, 1, 4
The Golladay family started making pet food at a small feed mill in Rogers, Ohio, then founded Ohio Pet Foods in Lisbon in 1978. Ohio Pet Foods made Blackwood for years before buying the brand around 2010. In 2016 the family's businesses joined with Graham Partners to form BrightPet Nutrition Group, and A&M Capital Partners bought a majority stake in 2020, with the Golladay family keeping a minority share. 1, 4, 5, 6
In March 2024, BrightPet relaunched Blackwood with new packaging, the tagline "good things take time," and reformulated kibble that includes Zinpro ProPath trace minerals. A 2026 Dogster review reported that Blackwood has had no recalls. 2, 7
Researched from the sources above. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Our log holds FDA dog food recall notices from 2012 on, so this is not a guarantee that Blackwood has never had one. See the recall log
BrightPet announced new packaging and a new tagline for Blackwood, plus reformulated dry kibble with Zinpro ProPath Performance Minerals. It also said meal toppers, freeze-dried treats and granola were planned for 2024. PR Newswire (BrightPet Nutrition Group)
Trade coverage of the Blackwood relaunch, which included modernized packaging, enhanced formulas and new products shown at Global Pet Expo 2024 in Orlando. Pet Insight
Ten everyday foods. Safe, In Moderation or Never. No googling, no second guesses. Then share your score with your friends, however embarrassing it turns out to be.
115 foods in the deck. Grapes are in there. So is cheese.
Ten foods, one at a time. Call each one Safe, In Moderation or Never, then flip the card to see if you had it right. The ones you miss are listed at the end.
Keys: 1 Safe 2 Moderation 3 Never Enter Next
Copied. Paste it anywhere your friends will see it.
Want the reason behind every answer? The 80-page e-book, $7.99
Now, is your dog's food any good?
Look it up: estimated starch, calories per cup and every ingredient, for 3,091 foods.
