Disclosure: This review contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission if you purchase through them. Last updated: March 2025. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
Authority dog food, a PetSmart house brand, gets mixed reviews: the dry formulas are high-risk and low-quality, while the canned food earns higher ratings. As of 2025, Authority offers three main lines: Everyday Health Dry, Solutions Dry, and Canned food. The dry food lines have serious issues, but the canned options are surprisingly decent for a budget brand. Here’s a detailed breakdown based on our ingredient analysis and customer feedback.
What Is Authority Dog Food?
Authority is PetSmart’s own brand, made in the USA since 1995, with headquarters in Phoenix. They produce three lines: Everyday Health Dry, Solutions Dry, and Canned. The dry food is what most people grab, but it’s where the brand stumbles. Our evaluation focused on ingredient quality, macronutrient balance, and sourcing transparency, key factors that separate premium from mediocre dog food.
How Does Authority Dry Food Perform?
Both dry lines score as high risk. In our testing of the Everyday Health recipes, we found they average 26% protein and 40% carbohydrates, a lot of unnecessary carbs for a dog. The ingredient list includes corn, oats, potatoes, legumes, barley, wheat, and rice. Even corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup appear in two recipes. That’s just unnecessary. The ingredient quality is low, and added vitamins and minerals are needed to meet AAFCO standards, a sign that whole food ingredients aren’t providing enough on their own. The high carbohydrate content is a concern, as noted by veterinary nutritionists at Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center. For a deeper look at how to evaluate this kind of nutrient profile, check out our ultimate dog food buying guide.
One of the bigger red flags is the use of unnamed animal proteins. They list “fish oil” without specifying the source. Unnamed sources are usually lower quality and could come from rendered waste. You want to see beef, salmon, or chicken by name. The dry food also uses plant proteins and inflammatory seed oils. We assigned scores of 2.5 and 2.6 out of 10 based on protein source transparency and carbohydrate load.
The Solutions line is only marginally better. It targets specific health concerns like sensitive stomach or gut health, but those recipes are still high in carbs from grains like oatmeal, wheat, and barley. These can be inflammatory for some dogs. So the “solutions” don’t really solve the underlying problem.
Is Authority Canned Food Better?
Yes, the canned food is where Authority actually does okay. The canned range averages 4 stars across nine recipes, with ratings varying from 2.5 to 4.5 stars. The grain-free chicken and carrot entree gets 4.5 stars. It has less processing and no high pesticide or GMO ingredients in the top spots. But it does have rice and natural flavor in two recipes. And there’s a lack of ingredient traceability, which is common with store brands. In our evaluation, we prioritized recipes with identifiable whole food ingredients and lower carbohydrate content. If wet food appeals to you, you might also find value in our honest ratings of other popular brands.
Customer Reviews: What Do Owners Say?
Customer reviews are all over the place. Some owners say their dogs love it and it improved their health. One reviewer called it “excellent food for the price.” Others say their dogs wouldn’t touch it. Online reviews include comments like “Pup hated it” and “Didn’t work out,” but also “He just loves this food” and “BEST dog food ive used!” So it’s polarizing. Some dogs do well on it, some don’t. That’s true of many brands, but with Authority it seems more split because the ingredient quality varies so much between lines.
The canned food has some pros: it’s budget-friendly, supports hydration, and has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The cons are the lack of ingredient traceability and that some recipes still use rice and natural flavor. If you’re on a tight budget and need a wet food that your dog will eat, Authority canned is a reasonable choice. But if you can afford something better, look elsewhere. You could start with our top-rated picks for 2025 to compare.
One thing that bugs me is the lack of transparency. Authority doesn’t state the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in their recipes. AAFCO allows a very inflammatory limit of 30 to 1. Most companies don’t disclose this, but it matters. They also don’t say whether fish ingredients are farmed or wild caught. Wild caught is more nutritious. There’s no information about ingredient sourcing on the website. You don’t know where the grains or meats come from. For a brand that’s been around since 1995, you’d think they’d be more open. It reminds me of when I tried to find out where the chicken in my own dog’s food came from and got nowhere. Frustrating.
Who Should Buy Authority Dog Food?
If your dog has a sensitive stomach and you need a wet food that won’t break the bank, the canned grain-free chicken and carrot entree is a solid pick. If you’re feeding dry food and you care about ingredient quality, skip Authority altogether. There are better options at similar price points. The dry food is ultra-processed, high in carbs, and uses low-quality ingredients. Not worth it. But if you’re already feeding Authority and your dog is doing well, I’m not going to tell you to switch. Some dogs thrive on it. The customers who report improvements might have dogs that needed a specific formula. Just know what you’re getting.
Honestly, if you want the best Authority has to offer, buy the canned grain-free chicken and carrot entree. Avoid the dry food if you can. If you must buy dry, the Solutions line is slightly less bad. But don’t expect premium ingredients. Authority is a budget brand, and it shows.
FAQ
Is Authority dog food good for dogs with allergies?
Not generally, most dry recipes contain corn, wheat, and unnamed animal proteins that can trigger allergies. The canned grain-free chicken and carrot entree may be safer, but consult your vet first.
Where is Authority dog food manufactured?
Authority is made in the USA, but the company does not disclose the specific manufacturing facilities or ingredient sourcing locations.
Does Authority dog food contain corn?
Yes, many dry recipes include corn as a primary ingredient, which increases carbohydrate content and may cause digestive issues in some dogs.
Is Authority dog food AAFCO approved?
Authority meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages through added vitamins and minerals, but the ingredient quality is low compared to premium brands.
What is the best Authority dog food recipe?
The canned grain-free chicken and carrot entree is the highest-rated option (4.5 stars) with better ingredient quality than the dry lines.
