Bil-Jac Dog Food Review

You might have seen Bil-Jac dog food on Chewy.com or pet store shelves. With more than 70 years in business, this popular manufacturer is one of the oldest dog food brands in the United States. Its relative affordability makes it a common choice for pet owners on a budget. But is Bil-Jac dog food healthy for your pup?

Quality Of Ingredients

The first ingredient in Bil-Jac food is always chicken. In fact, the company claims that 25 lbs of every 30 lb bag of Adult Select dry food is chicken. The meat is sourced while fresh, not frozen, and then slow cooked in small batches. Finally, the company adds a precise blend of vitamins and minerals to supplement your dog’s diet with essential amino acids, antioxidants, and other important nutrients.

However, one of the main ingredients in many Bil-Jac dog foods is corn. Whether or not corn is healthy for dogs is debated, but it is certainly known to be a source of sensitivity for some canines. Use caution and monitor your dog for signs of adverse health effects if you decide to purchase a dog food that contains corn.

Full Ingredients And Analysis

Analyzing the first 10 ingredients in a dog food is a great way to understand the overall nutrient content of the dog food because AAFCO requires all dog food ingredients to be listed in order of predominance by their weight. Here’s a closer look at what’s inside Bil-Jac Adult Select Chicken Recipe:

Ingredients You May Wonder About:

Chicken By-Products: The term “by-product” is relatively vague, but Bil-Jac specifies that it only refers to organs. These are used for their high arginine content, an essential amino acid. ^Reference

Corn Meal: This plant-based filler does contain nutrients that are good for your dog, but use caution as corn can sometimes cause sensitivities. ^Reference

Dried Beet Pulp: The fiber found in beet pulp promotes better digestion and absorption of nutrients.  ^Reference

Oatmeal: Oatmeal is high in both fiber and linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. ^Reference

Brewers Dried Yeast: This brewing by-product is high in protein and amino acid and is also extremely tasty to dogs. ^Reference

Flaxseed: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, flax is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. ^Reference

Menhaden Fish Meal: Made from small ocean fish, this ingredient contains both amino acids and fatty acids. ^Reference

Choline Chloride: This supplement is added for vitamin B4.

Calcium Carbonate: Calcium carbonate is an essential mineral with a range of purposes, such as strengthening teeth and bones, preventing blood clots, and maintaining good vision.

L-Lysine: Lysine is an amino acid that is important for dogs.

Biotin: Biotin is known to improve skin and coat health in canines. ^Reference

Sodium Selenite: This mineral is a major source of antioxidants. 

Bil-Jac Dog Food Product Line

Bil-Jac offers more than just kibble as part of its product line. You’ll also find a range of exciting wet foods, treats, and supplements to help keep your pup happy and healthy.

Dry Food

Select Formula

The Select Formula is designed to be high in nutrients. It’s made from slow-cooked chicken and added vitamins and minerals. The formula is available for three different life phases: puppy, adult, and senior.

Picky No More^TM

If your pup turns his nose up at most kibbles, he’ll be sure to love this enticing formula. Picky No More^TM is made with chicken liver, which smells and tastes great to dogs. You’ll find recipes made specifically for small, medium, and large breeds.

Reduced Fat Formula

For dogs who have been put on a diet, the Reduced Fat Formula contains 30% less fat than the Select Formula. Slow-cooked real chicken as the first ingredient means it doesn’t sacrifice any taste and will still taste appealing despite the lower fat content.

Sensitive Solutions

Food sensitivities are a common concern among pet owners whose pups suffer from skin problems, digestive issues, and other symptoms that cause discomfort. This formula includes gentle, easy-to-digest fiber sources and supplemental nutrients that support digestion like antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and E, and linoleic acid. However, it does contain corn, so avoid this formula if your dog has a known or suspected corn sensitivity.

Grain Free

Instead of corn, the Grain Free formula gets its fiber and carbohydrates from peas, a grain-free legume. This is a great option for dogs with trouble digesting grains like corn and oats. Just be aware of the canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) cases linked to other brands of grain-free dog food.

Wet Food

Pâté Platters

This ground wet food can be used on its own or as an enticing dry food topper. It’s available in four flavors, each with a main protein and vegetable. All flavors are both grain and gluten free.

Stews

Unlike Pâté Platters, Bil-Jac stews are not ground but instead contain chunks of meat and veggies. This wet food also comes in four flavors, three of which are free from grains and gluten.

Treats

With ten different types of treats, Bil-Jac has plenty of tasty snacks to keep your furry friend happy. Some of the formulas include training treats, soft chews, and even a grain-free flavor. Just make sure not to overdo it to keep your pup at a healthy weight.

Health Enhancers

BreakThru Biotics®

If your dog suffers from digestive or immune system troubles, a probiotic supplement may be the answer. This convenient spray contains 12 active probiotic strands and can be added discreetly to any type of food.

BreakThru® Joint Health Formula

As dogs get older, they sometimes suffer from joint pain and arthritis. This supplement contains calcium, vitamin D, and proteins that help support healthy joints. It comes in a powder form and should be mixed with water and given with food.

About Bil-Jac Dog Food

Bil-Jac is short for Bill and Jack Kelly, two men who fought together in World War II and took responsibility for making sure the military’s service dogs were well-fed. Upon returning, they developed a fresh dog food formula and founded Bil-Jac Dog Food in 1947. In the 1980s, they began producing dry kibble to make their food more widely available and easier to store. Today, the brand is widely available from retailers across the United States.

Where To Buy

While Bil-Jac doesn’t directly sell their dog food to consumers, you’ll find that their website makes it easy to find and sort products by type, breed, and age. Once you find the product you want, Bil-Jac will take you to a retailer that sells it. Many of the products can be found online from Chewy, both online and in store through PetSmart, and at various other local pet shops.