Badlands Ranch Review 2024: Worth the Cost?

Overview

Badlands Ranch is a boutique dog food brand combining nutrition with animal welfare. Founded in 2022 by Katherine Heigl, an actress, model, and animal rights activist, Badlands Ranch is looking to make its mark in the premium pet food industry.

The brand says its unique slow-cooking and air-drying process preserves vital nutrients. It also makes contributions to support animals in need. There’s something to be said for making a positive impact, but the most important thing should be the food itself.

This is my expert, in-depth review of Badlands Ranch. I’ll be employing my experience and expertise researching pet food meal delivery to examine this service’s best and worst features. Let's dive in and uncover the truth behind the buzz surrounding Badlands Ranch dog food.

Overall, I have mixed feelings about Badlands Ranch. The service’s biggest strength is its high-quality ingredients made with sustainable proteins. However, the price and limited customer support options are among its biggest drawbacks. If you're looking for fresh, high-quality dog food with a range of recipe options, you might also want to check out The Farmer's Dog. 

Badlands Ranch’s Meals: Nutritious Food With High-Quality Ingredients

Plans & Recipes: 3 Complete Recipes & 3 Superfood Bites

There are 3 recipes available from Badlands Ranch. They are both grain-free and are formulated to be complete and balanced meals for your adult dog. These recipes are not suitable as a complete food for puppies.

Superfood Complete Beef Formula

The beef recipe is created with 34 nutritious ingredients. These include humanely-raised beef, omega-packed salmon, and plenty of healthy vegetables. It does not contain any meat meal or preservatives. It is designed to support the digestive system, keep skin healthy and provide maximum nutrition. 

Superfood Complete Chicken Formula

This is a new recipe made with free-range chicken, salmon, fruits, and vegetables. The recipe contains 35 ingredients selected for their beneficial effects including easing digestion, boosting energy levels, and keeping joints strong and supple. 

Superfood Complete Lamb & Venison Formula

This new recipe is packed with grass-fed lamb and venison along with salmon, vegetables, and fruit. The 33 superfood ingredients include flaxseed, blueberries, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. It’s designed to support digestion and gut health. 

Supplements & Treats 

There are 4 supplements available as well as a small range of treats. These are all single-ingredient recipes that are designed to supplement your dog’s diet rather than act as complete food.

There are 3 different Superfood Bites options: 

• Beef Liver Treats

• Chicken Breast Treats

• Wild Salmon Treats

Beef liver is reported to be among the best superfoods a dog can eat. It’s great to see a range of healthy treats that are free from preservatives or fillers. They are all 100% single-ingredient foods, which is good if your pup does have allergies as you know exactly what’s in them.

Ingredients: Lots of Superfoods & a Slow Cooking Technique to Preserve Nutrients

Superfood Complete undergoes a slow cooking technique to preserve valuable nutrients and prevent the formation of harmful by-products caused by high-heat cooking. The food is then preserved by air-drying to create a convenient kibble that contains all the nourishment of whole foods. 

Superfood Complete Beef Formula Ingredients: Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Heart, Salmon, Flaxseed, Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Carrots, Calcium Carbonate, Broccoli, Chia Seeds, Blueberry, Ginger, Salt, Turmeric, Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Selenium Yeast, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplements, Mixed Tocopherols.

Superfood Complete Chicken Formula Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Heart, Chicken Gizzards, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Flaxseed, Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Calcium Carbonate, Carrots, Broccoli, Chia Seeds, Blueberry, Ginger, Salt, Turmeric, Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Selenium Yeast, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplements, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative)

It’s good to see so many superfood ingredients in the recipes. Salmon features in all 3 recipes, making them a good source of beneficial omegas to support joints and skin health. You can also find lion's mane mushroom which supports cognitive function as well as the immune system. This is a unique ingredient I haven’t seen in many dog food recipes before.

I couldn’t find any details as to the source of its meat on the website. Badlands Ranch states it “only work{s} with suppliers who care about the humane treatment of animals”. It would be good to see some more information about its suppliers.

Nutrition: Plenty of Crude Protein & Recipes Meet AAFCO Standards

The nutritional information provided for each of the superfood recipes is similar. If you are looking for a lower fat or lower calorie option, then I’d recommend the Beef recipe instead of the Chicken or the Lamb & Venison.

Guaranteed Analysis Beef:

• Crude Protein 30% (min)

• Crude Fat 14% (min)

• Crude Fiber 5% (max)

• Moisture 15% (max)

• 3392 kcal/kg or 326 kcal/cup

Guaranteed Analysis Chicken:

• Crude Protein 38% (min)

• Crude Fat 22% (min)

• Crude Fiber 5% (max)

• Moisture 15% (max)

• 4230 kcal/kg or 370 kcal/cup

Guaranteed Analysis Lamb & Venison:

• Crude Protein 30% (min) 

• Crude Fat 30% (min) 

• Crude Fiber 5% (max) 

• Moisture 15% (max)

• 4090 kcal/kg or 425 kcal/cup

I had to contact customer support for further information that wasn’t on the website. Although I couldn’t find any details on the website, the recipes meet AAFCO food profiles for adult dogs. I was also informed they are formulated by a team that includes veterinarians and pet nutritionists.

What Makes Badlands Ranch Different

Badlands Ranch works in partnership with the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation. The foundation works to combat cruelty towards dogs, ensuring they receive the vital medical care they deserve and facilitating the safe transition of vulnerable dogs from high-kill shelters to loving forever homes. 

As part of this commitment, Badlands Ranch contributes $100k annually to support animal rescue efforts and makes monthly donations of food to help dogs in need. With every purchase of Badlands Ranch products, you're not just nourishing your own beloved companion, but joining the mission to improve the lives of dogs across the board.

Unboxing: The Box Is Recyclable, but the Food Bags Aren’t

Your Badlands Ranch order will arrive in a fully recyclable cardboard box. The food itself is shelf-stable. You simply need to measure the recommended serving size according to your dog's weight and pour it into their bowl. Plus, it stays fresh for up to 3 months, so can be stored safely after resealing.

Food should always be served alongside fresh water and you can add some to the food to rehydrate it if your pup prefers a softer texture. Badlands Ranch recommends grinding the food for dogs who have trouble chewing. 

I was disappointed to learn that the food bags can’t be recycled. I couldn’t find any information on the website regarding the company’s eco policies, so I reached out to customer services. The agent confirmed that although the delivery boxes can be recycled, unfortunately, the bags are not currently recyclable. 

Prices: Badlands Ranch Is Very Expensive, Especially for Larger Dogs

These prices are quite expensive and not realistic for many pet owners. Plus the Lamb & Venison recipe is a premium option and costs $69.95 per bag. I recommend creating an account, so you can take advantage of the VIP prices. If you order 6 bags of food, they work out at $33.95 per bag.

If you plan to feed Badlands Ranch recipes exclusively, you can expect to pay a hefty amount. To give you an idea, a 5 lb Chihuahua will need approximately 1 bag of food per week, which works out at $33.95 per bag, or around $135.80 per month (based on the free VIP account price).

Owners of larger breeds, prepare yourself as prices skyrocket here. A Golden Retriever weighing 70 lb will chomp through 1 bag of food every 2 days. So you are looking at a monthly cost of over $407.40. If you are on a budget, you could consider feeding Superfood Complete as a topper and adjust the amount of your regular kibble accordingly.

Shipping & Delivery: International + US & Puerto Rico

Badlands Ranch ships throughout the US and Puerto Rico as well as internationally. It also ships to the UK, Denmark, Mexico, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Domestic shipping within the US takes between 2 and 7 business days. International orders take between 14 and 28 days to arrive. You can either choose a 1-time purchase or subscribe to a repeated delivery once a month.

How Badlands Ranch Works (Step by Step Guide)

Ordering from Badlands Ranch is as simple as ordering from other online stores. If you select a 1-time order, simply add your address, payment details and await your delivery. Alternatively you can subscribe for a monthly repeated delivery. The steps to do this are outlined below.

How to Sign Up (4 Easy Steps)

1. Create a free account – enter your email to make your Badlands Ranch account. This gives you access to exclusive offers, discounts, and the ability to manage your orders and subscriptions.

2. Add items to your cart – choose which products you want and how many you’d like in each order. You can order up to 6 bags of food in a single order.

3. Check and confirm the contents of your cart – then click on Checkout to enter your details.

4. Enter payment details – this section will be auto-completed if you have edited your profile on your account page.

Editing your address and payment details is easy to do in your online account page. This makes it easier to place future orders. Plus, you can access any current VIP deals to make extra savings. 

Managing Your Subscription

To make changes to your Subscribe & Save orders, you must contact customer services. You can either call 1-888-872-4522 or email at [email protected]. 

Subscribe & Save orders are shipped automatically each month, and you can only make changes before each order ships. If you want to cancel your subscription, make sure you do it before your next order is processed to avoid extra fees.

Customer Service: Helpful Agents, but a Minimal FAQ

You can contact customer support via email, phone, or using the live chat. Customer support is available Monday through Friday between 6 am and 5 pm PST, as well as weekends between 6 am and 4 pm PST. The email address is [email protected], and the phone number is 888-872-4522.

I decided to contact an agent using the live chat feature about ingredients. I had a response immediately but had to wait a few minutes while they confirmed what I wanted to know.

Customer support confirmed the ingredients aren’t human-grade. The majority of dog food delivery services put this sort of information in the FAQ section. 

Unfortunately, the FAQ section is almost non-existent. The Badlands Ranch site only has an FAQ section dealing with delivery updates due to Covid. I’d expect a more in-depth section covering a range of topics for a premium brand. 

I do like the 90-day money-back guarantee offered by Badlands Ranch. You can try the food for a full 90 days after purchase, and if you aren’t happy, you can contact customer services for a full refund of your purchase price. 

Badlands Ranch Recalls: There Have Been No Recalls So Far

As of June 2023, Badlands Ranch has not had any recalls.

How Badlands Ranch Compares to Other Pet Food Services

• Badlands Ranch vs. The Farmer’s Dog: The Farmer's Dog stands out with its emphasis on human-grade ingredients and customized meal plans tailored to each dog's specific needs. It prioritizes high-quality ingredients from trusted sources and provides transparency regarding its sourcing and production processes.
• Badlands Ranch vs. Ollie: Ollie offers the flexibility of both fresh and dry food options , while Badlands Ranch only offers air-dried dog food. You also have the option to mix fresh and dry food, providing a more affordable alternative. This helps to reduce costs without compromising on the quality and nutrition your dog receives.

The Bottom Line: Is Badlands Ranch Worth It?

It's important to note that Badlands Ranch is on the expensive side when compared to other dog food options on the market. However, it can still be a viable choice for budget-conscious pet owners if used as a topper rather than the primary food source. 

It's also worth considering that Badlands Ranch does not claim to be human-grade, which may be a drawback for those seeking premium-quality ingredients. I also would have liked to see more information about where the ingredients are sourced, as that is a huge concern for most pet owners.

If these aspects do concern you, there are alternative dog food delivery services. If you prefer high-quality human-grade ingredients, I recommend The Farmer’s Dog, which offers customized plans and transparency regarding ingredient sourcing. 

FAQ

What is Badlands Ranch?

Badlands Ranch is a dog food brand founded by Katherine Heigl, an actress and animal rights activist. It aims to provide high-quality, nutritious dog food options while also supporting animal welfare causes. Badlands Ranch offers a range of products, including the Superfood Complete line, which is slow-cooked and air-dried to preserve essential nutrients. 

Is Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete dog food healthy?

Badlands Ranch dog food is designed to provide nutritious options for dogs. The brand emphasizes the use of high-quality ingredients and follows a slow-cooking and air-drying process to preserve the valuable nutrients in their Superfood Complete line.

Is Badlands Ranch grain-free?

Yes, all of the offerings from Badlands Ranch dog food are grain-free. By being grain-free, Badlands Ranch caters to dogs with specific dietary needs or sensitivities.

Is Badlands Ranch expensive?

Yes, Badlands Ranch is considered to be on the expensive side compared to other dog food brands on the market. The premium superfood ingredients and unique preparation methods contribute to the higher price point. Some pet owners find it worth the investment due to the potential benefits it offers in terms of nutrition and support for animal welfare.

Is Badlands Ranch good for puppies?

No, Badlands Ranch dog food is not suitable for puppies. The Superfood Complete recipes are formulated for the maintenance of adult dogs only. This means it can’t be used as a complete food for your puppy.