Do you want to feed your dog the best diet for its nutritional needs? Are you looking at Kibble and Bits, specifically, wondering if it is the best choice? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here is everything you are going to want to know and consider about this particular brand and its range of products.
So, is Kibble and Bits good for dogs? Kibble and Bits can be served to dogs to meet their basic nutrition requirements but does not have an ingredient list that supports peak health for most dogs. The presence of corn, unclear animal ingredients, and artificial colors prevents Kibble and Bits from being a top choice dog food.
For the most part, while it is certainly affordable and widely available, you could make the case for there being better options on the market.
Recommended Dog Food
I recommend you purchase Sundays for dogs over Kibble and Bits
Sundays use human-grade, minimal clean ingredients.
It’s air-dried ensuring maximum nutrition, tasting like treats, perfect for picky eaters.
Packed with benefits: aids sensitive stomachs, rich in antioxidants, supports joint health, and promotes shiny coats.
It contains no anti-nutrients, common allergens, or sketchy elements.
It’s free from artificial and synthetic components.
Conveniently, no refrigeration or prep is needed, plus you can subscribe for monthly deliveries.
Nevertheless, let us take a closer look at the Kibble ‘N Bits products specifically to see why it just doesn’t quite cut it in terms of optimal food.
Is Kibble And Bits A Good Dog Food?
When it comes to your pet’s nutrition, Kibble and Bits is not considered to be the best choice of dog food. It is commonly seen on big-box store shelves and often catches owners’ eyes due to its low price point, but the ingredients used are not considered to be the most nutritious for dogs.
The best source of protein for dogs is real meat, but Kibble and Bits is actually a corn-based dog food which can make it hard for a lot of dogs to digest.
It also has added food coloring, a high grain content, and lower than average healthy fat and protein percentage than many other higher-quality foods.
All dog foods must meet certain nutritional requirements to be safely sold in stores.
However, how they mix ingredients and process their food to meet those requirements can vary greatly by brand.
Kibble and Bits uses heat extrusion to cook and form its kibble, which can lower the nutrient quality of some ingredients.
Kibble and Bits is a dog food that can help someone on a budget feed their dog and meet their basic nutritional needs.
Being able to find Kibble and Bits at most major retailers adds a layer of convenience for those who feed it.
Convenience aside, Kibble and Bits would need an ingredient overhaul to fall into the category of top tier or even truly good dog foods.
What Is Kibble and Bits Made Of?
The number one ingredient in Kibble and Bits is corn. Corn is often found as a main ingredient in economy brand dog foods because it is fairly cheap and easy to work with.
Corn
Corn’s main purpose in dog foods is as a filler, bulking up the dog food, and as a source of nutrition and energy.
Dog foods that feature corn as their main ingredient often rank below dog foods that have a meat-based protein source for their main ingredient.
A major problem with corn is that it has proven to be hard on dogs’ digestive systems.
When a dog’s stomach and intestines must work hard to break down a food’s main ingredient, it can cause upset stomachs and other unwanted symptoms.
Soybean Meal
The second ingredient in Kibble and Bits is soybean meal.
Preferably if meat is not a dog food’s first ingredient, it would be the second.
In Kibble and Bits, soybean meal is second on the list, and while it does provide protein, it is not of the same nutritional value as protein from meat.
Meat
The meat in Kibble and Bits is mostly from beef and bone meal.
This meat protein is rendered from various unnamed parts of an animal, often what is left over after all human consumable parts have been used.
This can even include the blood, hooves, horns, or hair from a beef animal.
Beef and bone meal is high in protein which gives it some value in dry dog foods, but it also is high in ash and is overall not a desired dog food ingredient for quality nutrition.
Additives
Other ingredients of Kibble and Bits include artificial dyes such as red dye 40, caramel coloring, and animal fat preserved with BHA.
Each of these ingredients increases the appearance and structure of the dog food but has a collection of known and speculated negative side effects for dogs.
In the short term, the ingredients in Kibble and Bits aren’t likely to cause your dog immediate harm.
The corn and soy may give some dogs an upset stomach or allergy struggles, but other side effects may only be noticeable if this food is fed frequently over a long period of time.
The ingredients all work together to make a food that does meet the basic nutrition needs of dogs but isn’t up to par with higher quality ingredients found in other brands.
Is Kibble And Bits Harmful For Dogs?
Kibble and Bits is not immediately harmful to dogs. It meets baseline requirements for being sold as a complete dog food on store shelves. With that in mind, some of the ingredients may cause dogs with sensitive digestion to feel unwell, and in the long-term, this food could prevent dogs from reaching peak nutritional health.
Corn as a main ingredient is one part of Kibble and Bits that may make certain dogs feel unwell.
It is not easy for a dog’s digestive system to break down and convert corn into usable energy.
Over a period of time, this can be hard on a dog’s stomach and intestines.
Some dogs are also sensitive to corn and may present with allergies after eating corn-based foods.
Things to watch out for include sudden, persistent scratching, red, swollen paws, vomiting, or diarrhea.
If you notice these things, call your vet and make sure they know what food you are feeding your dog.
As with many factory-made dog foods, Kibble and Bits doesn’t tell us exactly where its animal meat products come from.
For dogs who have food allergies, this can be problematic.
Many dogs will eat these animal products without issue but could receive better protein intake from eating higher quality meats.
Dog owners who are tight on finances and want to feed their dog a food that will help keep their dog full and basic needs met, Kibble and Bits will work.
For owners who want the safest and most nutritional food for long-term feeding, there are other options to consider.
Can Dogs Eat Kibble and Bits Everyday?
Owners who choose Kibble and Bits should feed it to their dogs every day. The size and number of servings is dependent on your dog’s age, weight, general body size (small – medium- or large), and their level of exercise. Bags of Kibble and Bits should each have a feeding table guideline listed on the package.
It is usually best to feed your dog over 2-3 meals during the day. Overloading your dog with one giant meal can increase digestive problems.
If you feed Kibble and Bits, it is best to stick with the same food for each feeding.
Frequent and rapid changes in dog foods can cause a dog to have an upset stomach.
If you have decided to change from Kibble and Bits to a different food, do the process slowly over time, adding in more and more of your new food as you lessen the amount of Kibble and Bits served.
Alternatives To Kibble and Bits
There are a good amount of dog food brands that you may want to consider instead of Kibble and Bits. One food in particular that uses real, wholesome ingredients, is air-dried instead of heat extruded, is Sundays For Dogs.
A veterinarian was on the search for the healthiest food possible for her own sweet dog when she began to work with her engineering husband to not just buy – but completely design – the best food possible.
She knew that many people made their own wet dog food, but that took extended time each day, and she knew a convenient dry kibble option was needed.
That food would become Sundays For Dogs.
The ingredient list on Sundays For Dogs doesn’t include artificial dyes, caramel coloring, or unidentifiable meat sources.
Sundays For Dogs has USDA beef, beef liver, and beef bone, all certified to be high enough quality for a human to safely eat.
It is easy on dogs’ stomachs because it doesn’t contain corn or other complex grains.
Instead, a mix of whole fruits and vegetables that are packed with nutrients and easy on dogs’ stomachs is carefully baked and air-dried to gently get dogs the nutrition they need.
The simplicity of Sundays For Dogs makes it a great choice for dogs who struggle with allergies or sensitive digestion.
With two recipes available – chicken and beef – there is also some flexibility in making sure your dog finds a flavor they love.
Those on a tight budget may notice that the price of Sundays For Dogs is above Kibble and Bits.
But when you think about it, the extra cost is worth it if it saves you on expensive medical bills down the line – something that is common with dogs fed an inferior diet for extended periods of time.
Not to mention your dog will be happier, more energetic, and more vibrant while they are with you.
Even so, your dog can experience a much higher quality diet for only the price of one daily beverage stop.
Those who have chosen Sundays For Dogs agree the peace of mind that comes from high-quality food is worth the difference in cost.
Money can be saved by signing up for a subscription that automatically sends you a new box of Sundays For Dogs on a set schedule.
Finding out how much to feed your dog and the size of box is effortless, and this will prevent under/over nutrition and also waste!
Finally
Choosing the best food for your dog can be time-consuming and confusing. There are so many options it’s easy to get confused as to what you should buy.
Kibble and Bits may be what you are looking for if you need to get by in a pinch, but it isn’t a great long-term food choice in most cases.
Just remember, by offering foods with high-quality ingredients and maximum nutrition, you’ll be setting up a dog for much better health, fewer medical issues (and consequently bills), and hopefully, longer longevity.
Contemplating other food brands? Then my other guides may be of interest:
- Is Pedigree Good For Dogs?
- Is IAMS Good For Dogs?
- Is Blue Delights Good For Dogs?
- Is Purina Pro Plan A Good Dog Food

I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.