In this comparison article for Bil Jac vs Under The Sun, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Bil Jac and Under The Sun, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.
Throughout this Under The Sun vs Bil Jac comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Bil Jac Review Page or Under The Sun Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Under The Sun vs. Bil Jac
According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.
All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.
Bil Jac Dog Food vs. Under The Sun Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Bil Jac
Under The Sun
Crude Protein
27.7%
27.5%
Crude Fat
17.3%
12.1%
Crude Fiber
4.6%
4.6%
Wet/Canned Dog Food
Bil Jac
Under The Sun
Crude Protein
39.6%
41.1%
Crude Fat
19.6%
24.5%
Crude Fiber
7.5%
6.1%
Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food
Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude protein content of the two brands. With regards to wet dog food, Under The Sun and Bil Jac also provide roughly the same amount of crude protein.
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.
There is a relatively large difference between the fat content of Bil Jac and Under The Sun. On average, Under The Sun dry dog food recipes contain 5.24% less fat than Bil Jac recipes. In addition, Under The Sun wet dog foods also provide more fat than Bil Jac wet foods.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Bil Jac and Under The Sun also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Bil Jac Pet Food Ingredients vs. Under The Sun Pet Food Ingredients
Bil Jac and Under The Sun both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Pea Protein
Pea Protein
Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Bil Jac.
Caramel
Caramel
Caramel is a widely used natural food colorant. The concentrated form of caramel is typically listed as caramel color and has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
Corn Meal
Corn Meal
Corn meal is another name for ground corn. Corn is a cereal grain which provides a modest amount of vitamins, minerals, and plant based protein. It also happens to be one of the most controversial ingredients in pet food.
Proponents of corn claim that corn is highly digestible and an excellent source of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
Opponents however believe that positive claims in regards to corn are either half-truths or completely false, we'll discuss a few of the opposing arguments.
In regards to digestibility, the claims of "highly digestible" are only true if corn is processed into a meal or flour and subsequently cooked. In regards to the protein contribution, we must note that corn is a plant based protein which does not contain all of the necessary amino acids required by pets to sustain life. Therefore substituting corn for meat is an unsuitable substitution and actually degrades the overall protein quality of the product.
Finally, we'll discuss the claims about vitamins and minerals in corn. Although corn does provide many vitamins and minerals, it not necessarily an exceptional ingredient in this regards. There are many other ingredients which are more complete and biologically appropriate. Therefore the usage of corn as the primary ingredient in pet food should certainly warrant further questioning.
Chicken By-Products
Chicken By-Products
By-products are defined by AAFCO as the "non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals." Thus, chicken by-products contain nearly all parts of the chicken which are typically not consumed by humans. These parts include the liver, lung, spleen, kidney, stomach, blood, intestine, bone, etc.
Like other meat by-products, chicken by-products are considered controversial, mainly because they are inexpensive ingredients which consumers have equated with slaughterhouse waste. However, manufactures and many experts claim that animal by-products are unjustly criticized. Proponents state that "named" by-products, such as chicken by-products, supply many important nutrients required by pets.
Chicken By-Product Meal
Chicken By-Product Meal
Chicken by-product meal is produced by cooking chicken by-products using a process called rendering. By-products are defined by AAFCO as the "non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals." Thus, chicken by-products contain nearly all parts of chickens which are typically not consumed by humans. These parts include the liver, lung, spleen, kidney, stomach, blood, intestine, bone, etc.
Like other meat by-products, chicken by-products are considered controversial, mainly because they are inexpensive ingredients which consumers have equated with slaughterhouse waste. However, manufactures and many experts claim that animal by-products are unjustly criticized. Proponents state that "named" by-products, such as chicken by-products, supply many important nutrients required by pets.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Under The Sun.
Canola Oil
Canola Oil
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Bil Jac.
Bha
Bha
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is an artificial preservative and possible cancer-causing agent. Studies have show that BHA can be linked to various tumors in laboratory animals.
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Under The Sun.
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfate complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Product Safety: Recall History of Bil Jac & Under The Sun?
According to our records, neither brand has issued any product recalls. Therefore, consumers have no reason to question the safety of Bil Jac or Under The Sun pet food products.
Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?
Dry Dog Food
Bil Jac
Under The Sun
Per Pound
$2.82
$1.67
Per Calorie
$0.0016
$0.0011
The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.
If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Bil Jac or Under The Sun, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.
Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Bil Jac or Under The Sun will depend on your shopping habits.
Cost Analyzer Widget
Cost of Feeding Bil Jac
Cost Per Day:
Cost Per Year:
Cost of Feeding Under The Sun
Cost Per Day:
Cost Per Year:
Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Bil Jac and Under The Sun. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.
Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!
Where To Buy Bil Jac Pet Foods
You can purchase Bil Jac pet foods from the following stores:
28 Recipes In-Stock Today
Where To Buy Under The Sun Pet Foods
You can purchase Under The Sun pet food products from these retailers:
4 Recipes In-Stock Today
4 Recipes In-Stock Today
4 Recipes In-Stock Today
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product
Bil Jac
Under The Sun
Dry Dog Food
14 Recipes
7 Recipes
Wet Dog Food
8 Recipes
8 Recipes
Dog Treats
13 Treats
None
Dry Cat Food
None
None
Wet Cat Food
None
9 Recipes
Cat Treats
None
None
Top Rated Bil Jac Recipes
Dog Food
Bil Jac Sensitive Solutions Skin & Stomach Support