BIXBI LIBERTY GRAIN-FREE DOG FOOD

With an average score of 3.8, BIXBI’s Liberty Grain-Free line is considered a high risk food. This food averages 33% carbohydrate, which is a bit less than average for a similar kibble. Foods that are rich in carbohydrate can increase insulin levels, increase the risk of obesity and cause unwanted changes to the gut microbiome. 

This line is lower in protein than a premium kibble, averaging 27%. And it would appear that much of the protein comes from plant sources since the food is rich in high protein lentils and peas, which are the number 2 and 3 ingredients. It’s also worth noting that the first ingredient is fresh meat, which means the water weight is included. This can be used to push meat to the top of the ingredient panel when it’s not actually the highest weight ingredient once the water weight is removed. Further evidence of this is the multiple added amino acids, since plant protein is a less complete source of amino acids.

Apart from the added amino acids, BIXBI’s Liberty Grain-Free foods lose ingredient quality points because they are supplemented with more than 5 vitamins and minerals. This can indicate lower quality or incomplete ingredients. Vitamin and mineral excesses, especially vitamin D and copper can also result from added vitamin premixes, so it’s preferable that most or all vitamins and minerals come from real foods. Included in the added minerals is sodium selenite. Some research suggests that sodium selenite may be associated with potential toxicity, so selenium yeast is the preferred form of this mineral. 

Rounding out the ingredient quality side, some foods in the Liberty Grain-Free line contain seed oils such as sunflower oil. Seed oils are highly processed and have been shown to be inflammatory.   

On the ingredient safety side, this line loses significant ingredient safety points for two high pesticide/herbicide foods in the top 5 ingredients, including lentils and peas. These crops are known to be spray dried with Roundup before harvesting and are higher in this harmful herbicide than most other crops, including GMO crops. 

Like all kibbles, this line also loses ingredient safety points because it is ultra-processed. Extruded foods are heated four separate times during production, which will cause major losses in some active enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and phytonutrients. Studies shows that ultra processed foods are linked to a higher rate of all-cause mortality in humans. These foods also lose ingredient safety points for natural flavors, which are low quality ingredients with limited safety studies. 

It’s also worth noting that BIXBI doesn’t not state the omega6:omega-3 ratio in their foods. While this is true of most foods, it’s unfortunate since AAFCO allows a very inflammatory limit of 30:1. The foods also contain fish or fish oil, but it’s not state whether the food is wild caught or farmed.