Yumwoof Review

Yumwoof! was founded in November 2020, and is based in Las Vegas. Jaron Lukas is CEO,  Yo Sub Kwon is COO and Raymond Bailey is chief product officer. Bailey, along with pet nutritionists created 16 recipes to use in their dog foods. 

The company produces air dried dog food and a mixer. There is no information about whether the company has its own processing plant or whether it uses a third-party manufacturer.

IS YUMWOOF! A GOOD DOG FOOD?

With a score of 7/10, Yumwoof! dog foods are considered moderate risk. The company produces a line of air-dried dog food that is moderately processed. There are 2 recipes that average 23% protein, which is lower than we expect to see in an air-dried dog food. Average carbohydrates are 27% as calculated. 

The company also provides “net carbs.” which can be calculated for any dog food by using the Guaranteed Analysis and deducting fiber from the calculated carbohydrates. 

The company states it offers low-carb dog food, however, the average carbohydrate level is quite high for an air-dried dog food, and more than twice the amount found in competing air-dried brands that average 11-13% carbohydrates and higher protein of 39% protein. Higher carbohydrates result from ingredients like oats, starchy vegetables such as pumpkin and carrots, and blueberries and cranberries that provide some sugar content. However, the whole food ingredients provide added benefits like antioxidants and micronutrients. 

That said, it’s concerning that recipes include a list of added vitamins and minerals in an air-dried food made with whole food ingredients. When vitamins come from whole food sources, they include the full spectrum of cofactors, which makes them safe and bioavailable. While a couple of added vitamins are acceptable, five or more implies the food is of poor nutritional value. Vitamin and mineral excesses, especially vitamin D and copper, can also result from vitamin premixes added to balance the food.

It’s also worth noting that the line contains sodium selenite as a source of selenium. Dogs need selenium, and it’s usually added in very small amounts. However some research suggests that sodium selenite may be associated with potential toxicity, so selenium yeast is the preferred form of this mineral. 

These recipes also include coconut glycerin which can be used as sugar, a preservative or to maintain moisture. While it’s “generally recognized as safe” by the FDA, it’s made by a chemical process and is high in calories. Coconut glycerin is also the fourth ingredient listed, ahead of whole food ingredients such as produce and beef liver. 

Regarding ingredient safety, this is an air-dried food that loses a point for moderate processing. The ingredients are described as gently air dried at low temperatures – however, those temperatures aren’t disclosed. Heat used during processing causes losses in some nutrients. 

Yumwoof! ingredients are GMO-free, but that doesn’t always mean they are pesticide-free. The company states they avoid soy, gluten, wheat, rice, potato and canola, however, they include oats which is a crop known for high pesticide/herbicide residues. Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers pose a significant health risk to plants, animals and soils. Foods with the largest reported amount of residue will be penalized, including crops that are known to be spray-dried with glyphosate. Yumwoof! would improve the ingredient safety rating by using organic ingredients, which offer reduced pesticide/herbicide exposure as well as being non-GMO.

Lastly, these recipes also include natural flavor. Natural flavors are often animal digest or MSG, both low quality ingredients with limited safety studies.

Yumwoof! states that they include coconut oil to reduce plaque and gingivitis. Coconut oil does have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, however, coconut oil is high in saturated fats.  Yumwoof!’s website cites research showing the health benefits of coconut oil, including several studies showing MCT oil can help reduce seizures. It’s worth noting coconut oil is not a true MCT oil because it contains lauric acid, which acts like a long chain fatty acid in the body.  Some studies show coconut oil can increase gut inflammation and permeability. The use of coconut oil doesn’t cost points but it’s a concern to be aware of.

Yumwoof! doesn’t provide the omega-6:omega-3 ratio in their foods. They are certainly not the only brand omitting this information, but it’s our hope that more brands will pay more attention to these fats since omega-6 fats are inflammatory and AAFCO allows a very high ratio of 30:1.

Before its inception, the company studied data analytics to choose its ingredients. It also used NIH research, and offers 250 clinical studies on its website to support its choice of ingredients. However, these foods missed scoring higher because of a few quality and safety concerns. Their recipes are certainly based on whole foods which is preferable, but we’d prefer there were no added vitamins and minerals.