Holy dog food, Batman! Wondering why I started this review with that phrase? Simple… Burt Ward, the guy who played Robin on the original Batman TV series, is the force behind this dog food and the large breed rescue of the same name – Gentle Giants.

Well, "The Boy Wonder" is the kind of pet food manufacturer I can get behind. Actor Dick Van Patten is another one – he makes Natural Balance dog food. Gentle Giants is a pet food that I would consider one of the top when it comes to pet nutrition. Read the list of ingredients. Other than the use of potassium chloride, this food is just packed with healthy nutrition and healthy supplements. They manufacture dog treats as well.

Aimed at larger breeds, Gentle Giants is a no-kill rescue. At any given time, he shares his home with a multitude of large dogs. Many of which live very long lives… and for larger breeds that’s even more impressive. Great Danes usually don’t live sixteen years – his Danes live even longer. Why? He attributes the dog’s longevity to his healthy dog food recipes – both in his dog food and treats. Currently, Gentle Giants dog food only comes in two recipes; chicken and meat- based formulas. The upside is that Gentle Giants is an all-stage all-breed food. That cuts down on cost when you’ve got multiple dogs of different ages in one home.

So there I was, looking for another small bag of decent dog food before I could get out to Costco to get our usual Kirkland (Diamond) dog food. I found myself at my local Stater Brothers grocery store – knowing I’d have to choose a garbage brand for the time being. Well, I spied this bag of dog food that stood out from the rest. Probably because it was a busy bag with lots to read on a bright white bag with letters that resembled the Walt Disney font. The bag is packed with pictures of dogs who’ve been placed with loving families and dogs up for adoption. Good for him! His undeniable work with animals is to be commended.

After reading the extensive ingredient list, I purchased a 17.5 pound bag for $18.99 and hoped for the best. I know that’s a bit pricey, but I didn’t want to waste money on the garbage dog food brands that the grocery stores usually sell. My animals deserve better than that.

Over the years I have educated myself with reading pet food labels. Most people just buy what’s cheap – after all, they’re only dogs – right? Well, that kind of thinking leads me to one conclusion; anyone who subscribes to this theory should not care for animals – ever! I mean, would you feed your children below-par fast food all the time? Certainly not. My furry children deserve better for the unconditional love that they give me. All three of my German Shepherds ate all of their food and didn’t leave any scraps for later – like they usually do. So if they like the healthier food, all the better for all of us.

INGREDIENTS:
Chicken meal, pearled barley, brown rice, oatmeal, beet pulp, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flax seeds, poultry liver flavors, fish meal, dried egg product, brewers yeast, salt, potassium chloride, dried kelp, vegetable pomace (dried carrots, dried celery, dried beets, dried parsley, dried lettuce, dried watercress, dried spinach), dried saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation soluble, dried sweet potatoes, dried peas, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, dried apples, taurine, yucca schidigera extract, glucosamine hydrochloride, dried seaweed meal, mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract, ascorbic acid, chondroitin sulfate, beta-carotene, choline chloride, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, vitamin E supplement, niacinamide, copper sulfate, sodium selenite, manganous oxide, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, biotin, thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium biodihydrolodide, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, cobalt carbonate and enterococcus faecium.

Dried Beet Pulp is like sugar to dogs. It can lead to hyperactivity and Diabetes. Brewer's Yeast (and rice) can lead to intestinal issues. Salt is not needed in a dog's diet.


GUARANTEE ANALYSIS:
Crude protein: 22% (min)
Crude fat: 9% (min)
Crude fiber: 4% (max)
Moisture: 10% (max)
Vitamin E: 250 IU/kg (min)
Vitamin C: 60mg/kg (min)
Omega-6 Fatty Acids: 1.25% (min)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: .5% (min)
Glucosamine: 600 mg/kg (min)
Chondroitin: 300 mg/kg (min)

Final Words:
My three German Shepherds were really scratching themselves because of the “bargain” brand food that my wife impulse-bought - BUT the odd thing that the scratching continued with the two males (not our female) after we started on Gentle Giants. To that end, I would suggest buying a smaller bag and seeing if your dogs are allergic to the recipe.

The bag states that your pets will live longer lives. I’m so glad that dog food manufacturers are finally realizing that people have educated themselves about the quality of their pet’s food versus their lifespan. If only the larger pet food companies would stop making such sub-par foods for our pets because it’s really poisoning them and the real reason dogs live such short lives.

Please read the food labels on pet foods and treats. You’d be amazed by what some companies try to sneak by us. Please DO NOT let price alone to be the determining factor of what brand you feed your animals.

I would definitely recommend Gentle Giants dog food to ANY dog guardian - that is if your animals aren't allergic to it. This is a top tier food though so buy accordingly. While I don’t think Gentle Giants is the definitive food out there, it is one of the best.

Try a taste test. Try offering small bowls of your current food, Gentle Giants, Taste of the Wild, Kirkland's Ultra Premium dog food and Natural Balance. See which one your dog prefers. Often, pet stores give away samples of their foods for just this very reason. If that doesn't pan out, email those companies and ask for samples. I recommend this dog food and rate it 4.75 stars due to the use of potassium chloride.  I just wish it was further down on the ingredient list.

Enjoy your pets and treat them like your children – not a burden. Cherish them and show them affection each and every day. You never know when their time on Earth is up.

* * Thanks to Ladysmom (Billie) for adding this to the EpiDatabase.


PLEASE READ MY OTHER HIGHER-QUALITY DOG FOOD REVIEWS:

Natural Balance

Taste of the Wild

Kirkland Ultra Premium

Recommended: Yes