Bil-Jac Dog Food Review 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary

Bil-Jac is named after its founders, Bill and Jack Kelly. The two brothers formed the company in 1947 after serving in WWII. While in boot camp, Bill created dog food recipes for bomb-sniffing service dogs. The company started with one recipe: their flagship frozen food.

As consumer tastes changed, Bil-Jac added dry dog food to its line-up in the 1970s. The Kelly family still owns and operates Bil-Jac. The company is known for its Nutri-Lock cooking process, an alternative to traditional rendering.

At a Glance: The Best Bil-Jac Dog Food Recipes

While Bil-Jac has expanded its line of dog food recipes over the years, we think these five stand out.

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Bil-Jac Frozen Dog Food	Made in the U.S. May appeal to picky eaters Nourishes Skin & Coat	Check Price
		Bil-Jac Adult Select Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food	Made in the U.S. Good for multi-dog households Fresh, farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient	Check Price
Good for Allergies		Bil-Jac Pate Platters with Duck & Pumpkin Canned Dog Food	Unique duck and pumpkin flavor Pate texture may appeal to picky eaters Grain-free	Check Price
		Bil-Jac Reduced Fat Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food	Fresh, farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient Complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs Made in the USA	Check Price
		Bil-Jac Puppy Select Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food	25 pounds of chicken is used to make a 30-pound bag Never contains any fillers For strong immune support	Check Price

Bil-Jac Dog Food Reviewed

Below, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about the pet food company.

Who makes Bil-Jac dog food, and where is it produced?

The company’s headquarters and frozen food facilities are in Medina, OH. Their dry dog food facility is in Maryland. According to Chewy, their canned recipes are made in Thailand.

Which type of dog is Bil-Jac best suited for?

Bil-Jac has a recipe suited for every canine life stage. The brand will appeal to owners who want high-quality frozen or dry dog food produced in the United States.

Which type of dog might do better with a different brand?

Bil-Jac’s dry and frozen formulas are all chicken-based. These recipes aren’t suitable for dogs with a poultry aversion or allergy. Bil-Jac makes beef- and duck-based canned food, but the recipes also contain chicken. A suitable chicken-free alternative is Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food.

Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)

Bil-Jac steers clear of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. We like that the company is transparent and identifies all its meat sources, and you won’t find “meat meal” in the ingredient list.

You should consult with your veterinarian before you feed your dog any of Bil-Jac’s grain-free recipes. Most dogs tolerate grains, which are an important source of nutrients and carbohydrates. There is also research that a grain-free diet may lead to heart problems.¹

A Quick Look at Bil-Jac Dog Food

Recall History

Bil-Jac has a voluntary recall of one of its dry recipes back in 2012. The company pulled 6-pound bags of the Adult Select Formula over concerns of possible mold contamination.

Reviews of the 3 Best Bil-Jac Food Recipes

Let’s take a closer look at three of Bil-Jac’s dog food recipes.

1. Bil-Jac Frozen Dog Food

Judging by customer reviews, Bil-Jac’s original frozen formula has a small but loyal fan base. The company’s frozen dog food recipe is difficult to find online, but Amazon carries it. The main ingredients in the formula are chicken, wheat flour, beef tripe, chicken meal, and beef liver.

Some consumers reported that the food thawed during the shipping process. You’ll want to keep that in mind when ordering large quantities during hot weather. Bil-Jac states that their frozen food can be held in the refrigerator for up to 10 days before serving.

2. Bil-Jac Adult Select Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

Bil-Jac Adult Select Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food is suitable for all adult dogs, making it a good choice if you have more than one pup to feed. The downside is that it only comes in the chicken flavor. Also, it has a higher caloric content than many other dog food brands, at 411 kcal/cup. You can speak to your vet about how many calories your dog needs daily so you don’t overfeed them.

3. Bil-Jac Pate Platters with Duck & Pumpkin Canned Dog Food

You may have difficulty finding canned food if your dog has special dietary needs. Check out Bil-Jac Pate Platters with Duck & Pumpkin Canned Dog Food if your veterinarian has recommended grain-free food and your pup likes the taste of duck and pumpkin. Chicken is the second ingredient, which may not be appropriate for dogs requiring novel proteins.

This is not the cheapest canned food on the market, but most dogs don’t need grain-free food. According to Chewy, this recipe “is made in Thailand, and the ingredients are not sourced from China.” While Bil-Jac is transparent about the ingredients in the dry and frozen foods, we’d like to see more information about the “natural flavor” in this recipe.

What Other Users Are Saying

It helps to know what other dog owners think of Bil-Jac. We’ve pulled what we believe are some of the most helpful customer reviews on the internet.

• Amazon - As fellow dog owners, we like to read through Amazon reviews before we buy something. You can see some of Bil-Jac’s reviews by clicking here and here.
• Chewy - “We have been feeding Bil-JAC to our Jack Russell Buddy since we brought him home from the breeder. He recommended the food, and Buddy just loves it! No upset stomach, nice firm poops, no issues at all. Buddy is 13 and still plays like a puppy. We love Bil-JAC!” (By BuddysDaddy on Mar 28, 2021)
• Chewy - “Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs! Combined with the dry food, Bil-Jac canned food mixed with their dry food, cleared up my dog's diarrhea within one day.” (By PennyLayne on Apr 29, 2019)

Conclusion

Bil-Jac is a family-run company that two brothers founded after WWII. Based on customer reviews, Bil-Jac has a small but loyal consumer base. The brand’s only recall was in 2012. Bil-Jac voluntarily pulled one of the formulas due to possible mold contamination. Although it’s a healthy option for dogs, most Bil-Jac recipes are chicken-flavored or contain chicken.

Featured Image By: Chewy