Wysong Corporation began in 1979 in Midland, Michigan. It is a family company headed by Randy Wysong, DVM. His credentials include being a teacher, author, and veterinary surgeon. He has experience in food and nutraceutical design and processing technology.
Wysong manufactures its dry foods in Wisconsin. Wysong makes dry and canned pet food. They also make a non-thermal food, supplements, and cat foods. The company uses eco-friendly packaging that’s compostable.
Wysong is also the parent company of Ketogenic Pet Foods. This is not noted on the Ketogenic Pet Food website.
For our Wysong dog food review, we’ll look at the food ingredient quality and safety of each line of food. We base our dog food reviews on these criteria.
Is Wysong A Good Dog Food?
Wysong has 5 lines. Only 2 are low-risk foods: canned and non-thermal food. The other 3 lines are ultra-processed kibble. They are high risk by our criteria for the safety and quality concerns.
This is disappointing since a veterinarian developed Wysong. There is a web page describing the features of these foods. The company claims they are unique. Most of these features are about processing. But, they don’t have any legal standing in pet food standards.
The company website notes use of organic ingredients. They’re limited to a few of the many ingredients listed across all brands. It also states Wysong uses free-range animals. This is a term often used in marketing. There isn’t third party certification apparent on the website or labels. Also, many Wysong foods contain meals. Meals can be lower-quality animal proteins that are heated and dried.
Wysong offers raw dog food preserved through a low-heat dehydration process. Still, it involves some heat that may lead to nutrient loss. Ingredient safety is another issue. Many foods contain ingredients known for high pesticide/GMO content. They also have additives like natural flavor. This is often animal digest or MSG, that has few safety studies.
Furthermore, these recipes have excessive vitamins, minerals, and plant proteins. They also have grains that contribute to higher carbohydrate content. Dogs don’t require carbohydrates . Excessive carb intake can lead to health issues like obesity and changes in gut bacteria.
Additionally, Wysong includes glam ingredients like blueberries and kale. They’re listed below salt or other low concentration ingredients. They contribute little or no nutritional value for your dog in these tiny amounts.
Wysong doesn’t disclose the omega-6:omega-3 ratio. They are not the only brand to omit this information. Omega-6 fats are inflammatory and AAFCO allows a very high ratio of 30:1.
Wysong Original Dry
Score: 3.6/10
Ingredient List For Senior Dry Recipe: Turkey, turkey meal, brown rice, oat groats, peas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseeds, dried plain beet pulp, natural flavor, dried whey protein concentrate, dried cheese, montmorillonite clay, crab meal, salt, dried bovine colostrum, taurine, calcium carbonate, dried tomato pomace, calcium propionate (a preservative), chicken cartilage, choline chloride, coconut oil, organic barley grass powder, dried blueberry powder, dried kelp, dried yogurt, yeast extract, citric acid (a preservative), dried kale, dried spinach, dried carrots, apple fiber, fish oil, mixed tocopherols (a preservative), rosemary extract, inulin, yeast culture, minerals (potassium chloride, zinc proteinate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate), vitamins (ascorbic acid [source of vitamin C], vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid), dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried lactobacillus lactis fermentation product, pepper
Wysong’s Original Dry is high risk based on our criteria. The 9 foods under this line average 33% protein and 31% carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are on the high side, especially in the vegan version which is 42%.
These recipes are ultra-processed so heating can deplete nutrients. They include rice that has the potential for arsenic contamination. There are ingredients with known pesticides in the top 5 ingredients. There are excessive vitamins and minerals. Recipes also have plant protein instead of animal protein. The type of fish oil was not named and it’s not stated whether fish is from a farmed or wild-caught source.
The vegan version has additional challenges. It includes corn, soybeans and peas, which are GMOs and high pesticide/herbicide crops. They also use natural flavor. This recipe includes amino acids to supplement the plant sources of protein. They are less complete than animal proteins.
Like many companies, Wysong doesn’t include the ratio of omega 6:3 fatty acids. AAFCO allows a very high ratio of 30:1, so this is a concern.
Original Dry Benefits
- No added amino acids except in Vegan
- Includes Probiotics
Original Dry Concerns
- Ultra processed
- Contains plant proteins
- Excessive added vitamins and minerals
- GMOs in top 5 ingredients
- High pesticide/herbicide foods in top 5 ingredients
- Contains natural flavor
- Includes rice
- Glam ingredients
- Unnamed fish oil
- Contains coconut oil
- Does not provide omega-6:3 ratio
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Wysong’s Optimal Performance Dry
Score: 3.7/10
Ingredient List For Optimal Performance Dry Recipe: Chicken meal, organic chicken, turkey meal, potato protein, peas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseeds, dried plain beet pulp, natural flavor, dried whey protein concentrate, dried cheese, montmorillonite clay, crab meal, coconut oil, chia seeds, salt, calcium carbonate, taurine, calcium propionate (a preservative), dried tomato pomace, choline chloride, yeast extract, organic barley grass powder, dried blueberry powder, dried kelp, dried yogurt, apple fiber, citric acid (a preservative), dried kale, dried spinach, dried carrots, fish oil, inulin, mixed tocopherols (a preservative), rosemary extract, yeast culture, minerals (potassium chloride, zinc proteinate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate), vitamins (ascorbic acid [source of vitamin C], vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid), dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried lactobacillus lactis fermentation product, pepper.
Wysong’s Optimal Performance Dry is a high risk dog food by our criteria. There are 3 recipes that average 44% protein and 19% carbohydrates. It loses points for having high carbs and for being ultra-processed. One of the top 5 ingredients is a known GMO. Other ingredients in the top 5 contain higher pesticide/herbicide residue. These foods have added vitamins and minerals, but there are no added amino acids. There are plant proteins. The type of fish oil was not named and it’s not stated whether fish is from a farmed or wild-caught source. Like many companies, Wysong doesn’t include the ratio of omega 6:3 fatty acids. AAFCO allows a very high ratio of 30:1, so this is a concern.
Optimal Dry Benefits
- No added amino acids
- Includes Probiotics
- Organic chicken
- Grain-free
Optimal Dry Concerns
- Ultra processed
- GMOs in top 5 ingredients
- High pesticide/herbicide foods in top 5 ingredients
- Glam ingredients
- Ingredient splitting
- Natural flavor
- Unnamed fish oil
- Does not provide omega-6:3 ratio
- Includes coconut oil
- Includes plant protein
- Excessive added vitamins
- Excessive added minerals
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Wysong’s True Non-thermal Freeze-dried Raw
Score: 8.3/10
Ingredient List For Archetype Burger Freeze-Dried Recipe: Beef, beef organs, chicken, beef bone, beef fat, beef blood, natural flavor, dried carrots, dried celery, dried parsley, dried lettuce, dried watercress, dried spinach, broccoli sprouts, flaxseeds, organic barley grass, organic wheat grass, algae, apple, blueberry, cranberry, plums, lecithin, seaweed-derived calcium, grape seed extract, calcium lactate, coral calcium, sage extract, rosemary extract, choline bitartrate, minerals (potassium chloride, zinc proteinate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate), calcium carbonate, vitamins (ascorbic acid [source of vitamin C], vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid), dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried lactobacillus lactis fermentation product.
Wysong’s True Non-thermal Freeze-dried Raw is a low-risk dog food by our criteria. It averages 47% protein across the 4 foods in this line. The average carb content is 13% but rabbit has 19.5% carbs so it loses a point.
The company’s claim of a “non-thermal” process might not be entirely raw. It seems to involve low-heat dehydration that’s treated below 118°F in a vacuum. This new method exposes the food to less heat, reducing nutrient loss. But any heat can still result in some nutrient loss.
These recipes have excessive vitamins and minerals added. It’s preferred nutrients come from the ingredients. Wysong uses organic blueberries, wheat grass and barley grass. This avoids pesticide use. The Archetype burger recipe includes an extensive list of fruits and vegetables. However, there is a GMO ingredient. Spinach, celery and apples are ingredients known to contain higher pesticide/herbicide residues.
The food has added probiotics but Wysong doesn’t guarantee the amount of CFU. These are colony forming units. This is the unit of active probiotics. Like many companies, Wysong doesn’t include the ratio of omega 6:3 fatty acids. AAFCO allows a very high ratio of 30:1, so this is a concern.
Freeze-Dried Raw Benefits
- Minimal processing
- Low carbs
- Some organic ingredients
- Includes probiotics
Freeze-Dried Raw Concerns
- GMOs
- High pesticide/herbicide foods
- Excessive vitamins added
- Excessive minerals added
- Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Wysong Epigen Dry
Score: 4.5/10
Ingredient List For Epigen High Protein Dry Recipe: Organic Chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, potato protein, meat protein isolate, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), gelatin, dried plain beet pulp, natural flavor, coconut oil, chia seeds, salt, minerals (potassium chloride, zinc proteinate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate), taurine, calcium carbonate, dried tomato pomace, calcium propionate (a preservative), vitamins (ascorbic acid [source of vitamin C], vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid), choline chloride, fish oil, yeast extract, dried kelp, organic barley grass powder, dried blueberry powder, dried yogurt, dried apple fiber, citric acid (a preservative), dried kale, dried spinach, dried carrots, inulin, mixed tocopherols (a preservative), rosemary extract, yeast culture, dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried lactobacillus lactis fermentation product, pepper.
Epigen is a high risk dog food by our criteria. This is in spite of its high protein average of 62% and average carbs of only 2.5%. It’s an ultra processed food. This involves several stages of heat that depletes nutrients. There are 2 recipes. They contain a known GMO in the top 5 ingredients. There are also ingredients containing higher pesticide/herbicide residues. These 2 recipes have excessive vitamins and minerals added. They contain natural flavor. They also have unspecified animal and fish proteins. They are usually less expensive sources. It’s not stated whether fish is farmed or wild-caught. Wild-caught fish has a healthier fatty acid balance. Like many companies, Wysong doesn’t include the ratio of omega 6:3 fatty acids. AAFCO allows a very high ratio of 30:1, so this is a concern.
Epigen Benefits
- High in protein
- Minimal carbs
- Starch-free
- No added amino acids
- Added probiotics (but no guaranteed CFU)
Epigen Concerns
- Ultra processed
- GMOs in top 5 ingredients
- High pesticide/herbicide foods in top 5 ingredients
- Excessive added vitamins
- Excessive added minerals
- Natural flavor
- Unnamed animal ingredients (fish oil, meat protein)
- Does not provide omega-6:3 ratio
- Contains coconut oil
- Glam ingredients
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Wysong Canned
Score: 6.3/10
Ingredient List For Epigen Salmon Canned Recipe: Salmon, water sufficient for processing, natural flavor, organic guar gum, mixed tocopherols
Wysong has 2 canned foods that are moderate risk by our criteria. They have average protein of 36%. Average carbohydrates are a moderate 22%. This is higher than expected in a canned dog food but better than many. Other quality concerns are the use of excessive vitamins and minerals. They also use hemicellulose extract, a low quality fiber. These foods are highly processed, which involves heating. This can diminish nutrients. These recipes lose safety points for using natural flavor and rice. Like many companies, Wysong doesn’t include the ratio of omega 6:3 fatty acids. AAFCO allows a very high ratio of 30:1, so this is a concern.
Canned Benefits
- Contains organic chicken and turkey
- No added amino acids
- Contains some organic produce
Canned Concerns
- Highly processed
- Moderate carbohydrate content
- Natural flavour in top 5 ingredients
- Low quality fibre
- Excessive vitamins and minerals added
- Contains rice
- Does not provide omega-6:3 ratio
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
WYSONG DOG FOOD RECALLS
October 2009: Voluntary recall when above acceptable moisture levels were discovered that can lead to mold.
October 2009: Voluntary recall after finding mold contamination.
Evaluation Criteria
We evaluate and score dog foods based on two criteria:
Are the Ingredients High Quality?
Here are some common low-quality ingredients or markers we look for:
- Is there excessive carbohydrate content, which can cause gut imbalances?
- Does the food contain unnamed proteins, which are low quality?
- Does the food use cellulose (wood pulp) as a source of fiber instead of real food?
- Are there excessive vitamins and minerals added in place of real food nutrition?
- Are there excessive added amino acids or plant proteins instead of expensive meat protein?
- Does the food contain inflammatory processed seed oils?
How Safe Are the Ingredients?
Many ingredients come from unhealthy, inflammatory sources or are full of pesticides so we look for:
- How processed is the food?
- Does the food contain known genetically modified foods?
- Does the food contain ingredients known to be high in pesticides?
- Does the food contain natural flavor, which are often MSG or animal digest?
- Does the food contain rice, which is high in arsenic?
Each food is objectively evaluated by these criteria and a score is assigned using the average of ingredient quality and safety. This is NOT a paid list and there are no affiliate links. Dogs Naturally has partnered with DogFoodReviews.com to make sure dog owners have unbiased, objective criteria to help them choose the best dog food on the market. You can view the full Evaluation Criteria at DogFoodReviews.com.
