What's actually in Authority?
We analyzed Authority Adult Chicken & Rice, the brand's core formula sold exclusively at PetSmart. The first five ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, ground rice, and oatmeal.
Whole chicken at #1 is a strong visual lead, but there's an important caveat: whole chicken is about 70% water. Once that water is removed during cooking, the actual protein contribution drops significantly — meaning chicken meal at #2 is likely doing more of the protein work. That said, having both whole chicken and chicken meal means animal protein genuinely dominates the formula. Brown rice at #3 is a quality grain, ground rice at #4 is less nutritious but clean, and oatmeal at #5 adds fiber and digestibility. Shop on Amazon →
The good stuff
The double chicken protein is the foundation that makes this work. Even accounting for moisture loss in the whole chicken, the combination of chicken + chicken meal ensures animal protein is the primary macronutrient — not grains, not plant proteins, not fillers. This is the same approach used by premium brands like Wellness Complete Health (B/82).
Fish oil is the ingredient that elevates Authority above typical house brands. It provides EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids — the marine-sourced forms that are directly bioavailable for skin, coat, joint, and brain health. Most store-brand dog foods skip fish oil entirely because it's expensive and shortens shelf life. The fact that Authority includes it shows PetSmart invested in the formula, not just the packaging.
Flaxseed adds a second omega source (plant-based ALA) plus soluble fiber. Chicken fat preserved with mixed tocopherols is naturally preserved — no BHA, no BHT. Dried beet pulp is a clean fiber source that supports consistent digestion. Added taurine is a responsible heart-health inclusion. The ingredient list is short, clean, and free of corn, wheat, soy, by-products, and artificial anything.
The not-so-good stuff
The double rice issue is the biggest concern. Brown rice at #3 and ground rice at #4 are both rice — just processed differently. Combined, rice likely outweighs any single ingredient in the formula. This is the same ingredient-splitting pattern that brands use with peas: showing two smaller rice entries instead of one large one makes the grains appear less dominant than they actually are.
Protein diversity is limited. Chicken is the only named animal protein source (whole chicken, chicken meal, chicken fat). Dogs benefit from varied protein sources, and at this price point, a fish meal or lamb meal inclusion would strengthen the amino acid profile. Kirkland Signature (B/78) includes both chicken meal and fish meal for the same kind of money.
There are no fruits, vegetables, probiotics, or superfoods in the formula. No blueberries, no pumpkin, no chicory root — just the core protein-and-grain base with basic supplements. Authority is functional and clean, but it's not going above and beyond. Diamond Naturals (B/78) includes probiotics, superfoods, and chelated minerals at a lower price.
How it compares
Authority's B/78 ties it with Blue Buffalo, Diamond Naturals, Taste of the Wild, and Kirkland Signature — impressive company for a house brand. It's meaningfully better than standard Purina Pro Plan (C/62) and Hill's Science Diet (C/61).
The most relevant comparison is Wholehearted (B/77), Petco's house brand. Authority scores one point higher and its fish oil inclusion and grain-inclusive formula may be preferable for owners concerned about the DCM discussion around grain-free diets. Both are strong house-brand options from competing retailers.
Against PetSmart's other offerings, Authority significantly outperforms the premium-priced brands many customers walk in looking for. It beats Royal Canin (C/58) by 28 points at a fraction of the cost — a reality that PetSmart's own staff may not realize.
Read the full breakdown in our Authority vs Blue Buffalo head-to-head comparison.
The bottom line
Authority Adult Chicken & Rice earns a B grade (78/100) from KibbleIQ. The double chicken protein base, fish oil omega-3s, and clean grain foundation make it one of the best house-brand dog foods available. The double rice splitting, limited protein diversity, and absence of superfood extras are the only real knocks. If you're shopping at PetSmart and want good nutrition without premium-brand markup, Authority is the move — just know that the rice content is higher than the label suggests. Shop on Amazon →