Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Royal Canin Veterinary Limited Ingredient Diets gets the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of three stars.

The Royal Canin Veterinary Limited Ingredient Diets product line includes six dry dog foods… each meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance.

• Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Potato and Rabbit
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Potato and Venison
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Potato and Whitefish
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Potato and Duck (2 stars)
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Potato and Duck Light (2 stars)
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Potato and Venison Large Breed

Royal Canin Veterinary Limited Ingredient Diets Potato and Venison Formula dry dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

The first ingredient in this product is dehydrated potato… a dried product made from potatoes and retaining most of the tuber’s original healthy nutrients.

The second ingredient is venison meal. Venison meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh venison.

The third ingredient is potato protein… the dry residue remaining after removing the starchy part of a potato.

Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.

This less expensive plant-based ingredient can significantly boost the total protein content reported in this dog food.

The fourth ingredient is coconut oil. Depending upon the quality of the raw material, coconut oil is rich in medium chain fatty acids.

Coconut oil has been reported to have a beneficial effect on a dog’s skin and coat, improve digestion, and reduce allergic reactions.¹

After the natural flavor, we find venison. Although it is a quality item, raw venison contains about 80% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost… reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably occupy a lower position on the list.

The seventh ingredient includes fish oil. Fish oil is naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids… and (depending on the level of its purity) should be considered a healthy addition.

The eighth item is vegetable oil… a generic oil of unknown origin. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in any oil is nutritionally critical… and can vary significantly (depending on the source).

Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of any item vaguely described as simply “vegetable oil”.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to have much of an effect on the overall rating of this product.

With two notable exceptions…

First, we find no mention of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.

And lastly, this food does contain chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Royal Canin Veterinary Limited Ingredient Diets
The Bottom Line

The veterinary product reviewed here may or may not be suitable for your particular pet. Moreover, it is not our intention to judge the capability of any dog food to treat a specific health condition.

Nevertheless…

Judging by its ingredients alone, Royal Canin Veterinary Limited Ingredient Diets appears to be an above-average kibble.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 22%, a fat level of 11% and estimated carbohydrates of about 59%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 22% and a mean fat level of 11%.

Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 59% for the overall product line.

Low protein. Low fat. And high carbohydrates… when compared to a typical dry dog food.

What’s more, when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the potato protein, this looks like the profile of a kibble with only a modest amount of meat.

Had it not been for the limited meat content of these products we’d have been inclined to award this line our next higher rating.

Bottom line?

Royal Canin Veterinary Limited Ingredient Diets is a potato-based dry food using only a modest amount of meat meal as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand three stars.

Recommended.

By the way, both duck products have been downgraded by one star due to their use of duck by-product meal in their recipes.

A Final Word

This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific health benefit for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.

Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

09/06/2010 Original review

Hartz Mountain Corporation of Secaucus, New Jersey is recalling one specific lot of their Hartz Mountain Real Beef Treats for Dogs due to the possibility that one or more bags within the lot may have been contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.

Complete details regarding this recall are available within the actual FDA News Release dated September 3, 2010.

Dog food and treat recalls involving Salmonella contamination are potentially serious matters… for both humans and pets. People who handle dry food can easily become infected with the bacteria.

According to the FDA…

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

So, take precautions… and be sure to tell everyone you know.

You can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Consumers can contact Hartz Customer Service at 800-275-1414 at any time with any questions they may have and for information on how to obtain reimbursement for purchased product.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Calorie Control dry dog food receives the Advisor’s second-lowest rating of two stars.

The Royal Canin Veterinary Calorie Control product line includes two dry kibbles… each intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.

• Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Calorie Control 26 High Fiber
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Calorie Control 32 High Protein

Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Calorie Control 26 High Fiber dry dog food was selected to represent both products in the line for this review.

The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The second ingredient is corn. Now, contrary to what you may have heard, corn isn’t necessarily a bad ingredient.

On the other hand, although there’s no way to know for sure here, the corn used in making many pet foods can be similar to the kind used to make feed for livestock.

And that can sometimes be problematic.

What’s more, corn is commonly linked to canine food allergies¹.

For these reasons, we rarely consider corn a preferred component in any dog food.

The third ingredient is powdered cellulose… a non-digestible plant fiber usually made from cotton or sawdust. Cellulose is sometimes added to dilute the number of calories per serving and to give the feeling of fullness when it is eaten.

Except for the usual benefits of fiber, powdered cellulose provides no nutritional value to a dog.

The fourth ingredient includes wheat gluten… the rubbery residue remaining once wheat has had most of its starchy carbohydrate (the good stuff) washed out of it.

Compared to meat, glutens are inferior grain-based proteins low in many of the essential amino acids dogs need for life.

This less nutritious plant-based ingredient can significantly boost the total protein content reported in this dog food.

The fifth ingredient is wheat… a grain similar in nutritional value to corn and sharing many of corn’s shortcomings (previously discussed).

The sixth ingredient is pea fiber… a mix of soluble and insoluble plant fiber derived from pea hulls. It is used here to dilute the number of calories per serving and to give the feeling of fullness when it is eaten.

In addition to the usual benefits of fiber, pea fiber does add some additional protein to this food.

The seventh item lists corn gluten meal. Similar to wheat gluten, this corn item supplies nutritionally inferior (lower in biological value) plant protein to this recipe.

The eighth ingredient mentions rice hulls… a cheap by-product of the rice milling process. Rice hulls are used here to add dietary fiber to the recipe… which dilutes the total number of calories per serving.

This is clearly an example of the dieting principle known as “lowering caloric density”. Rice hull fiber also has the ability to help produce a sense of fullness to a dieting pet.

After natural flavors, we find chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient… a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.

Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.

We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to have much of an effect on the overall rating of this product.

With two notable exceptions…

First, we find no mention of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.

And lastly, this food does contain chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Calorie Control
The Bottom Line

The veterinary product reviewed here may or may not be suitable for your particular pet. Moreover, it is not our intention to judge the capability of any dog food to treat a specific health condition.

As a supplement, this product was never intended to be fed as a complete and balanced canine diet.

Because they probably lack some essential nutrients, supplements must not be fed continuously as the sole item in a dog’s diet.

Nevertheless, judging by its ingredient quality alone, Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Calorie Control appears to be a below-average dry dog food.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 31%, a fat level of 9% and estimated carbohydrates of about 53%.

The two Calorie Control foods feature an average protein content of 33% and a mean fat level of 9%. Jointly, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 50% for the overall product line.

Above-average protein. Below-average fat. And average carbs… as compared to a typical dry dog food.

So, when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the corn and wheat glutens, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing only a moderate amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Calorie Control is a plant-based dry dog food using a moderate amount of chicken meal as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand two stars.

Not recommended.

A Final Word

This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific health benefit for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.

Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

09/03/2010 Original review

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Vom Daxi Hundefutter dog food gets the Advisor’s second-highest rating of four stars.

The Vom Daxi Hundefutter product line lists two dry dog foods… one meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages and the other for growth (Junger Hundefutter).

The company sells Vom Daxi Hundefutter (German for “dog food”) for “small breeds and dogs with sensitive stomach and digestive issues” and the Junger recipe for puppies.

• Vom Daxi Hundefutter
• Vom Daxi Junger Hundefutter

Vom Daxi Hundefutter dog food was selected to represent both products in the line for this review.

The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The second ingredient is potato product… a leftover of the potato processing industry containing about 71% carbohydrates.¹ Potato product is commonly associated with cattle feeds.

Potato product is equal to corn in energy value yet contains 50% more protein.²

The third ingredient lists split peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.

The fourth ingredient is milo. Milo is another name for sorghum… a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.

Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, milo can be considered a quality non-meat ingredient.

The fifth ingredient mentions lamb meal… another high-protein meat concentrate.

The sixth ingredient lists canola oil. Most applaud canola for its favorable omega-3 content… while a vocal minority condemn it as an unhealthy fat.

Current thinking (ours included) finds the negative stories about canola oil more the stuff of urban legend than actual science.³

The seventh ingredient includes carrots. Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.

The next few ingredients list a number of healthy vegetables…

• Celery
• Beets
• Parsley
• Lettuce
• Watercress
• Spinach

Fish meal is yet one more meat concentrate.

Unfortunately, this particular item is anonymous. The term “fish” does little to properly describe this ingredient.

Fish meal is commonly made from the by-products of commercial fish operations.

We are pleased to note that, unlike many fish meals, this particular item⁴ appears to be ethoxyquin-free.

The next ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to have much of an effect on the overall rating of this product.

With three notable exceptions…

First, the manufacturer appears to have applied friendly bacteria to the surface of the kibble after cooking. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.

Next, this dog food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

And finally, Vom Daxi Hundefutter also contains menadione… a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.

Vom Daxi Hundefutter Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Vom Daxi Hundefutter appears to be an above-average dry dog food.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 33%, a fat level of 18% and estimated carbohydrates of about 41%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 32% and a mean fat level of 18%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 42% for the overall product line.

Above-average protein. Average fat. And below-average carbs… as compared to a typical dry dog food.

With no evidence of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a dry dog food containing an above-average amount of meat.

However, it’s unfortunate the company chose to include menadione in its recipes. The presence of this controversial supplement almost prevented us from awarding the product its current rating.

Bottom line?

Vom Daxi Hundefutter is primarily a vegetable-based dry dog food using a notable amount of chicken meal as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand four stars.

Highly recommended.

A Final Word

This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific health benefit for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.

Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

09/01/2010 Original review

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Infinia Dog Food receives the Advisor’s highest rating of five stars.

The Infinia product line includes four dry dog foods… two meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages (Chicken and Turkey) and two for adult maintenance (Bison and Salmon).

• Infinia Bison and Potato
• Infinia Chicken and Brown Rice
• Infinia Turkey and Sweet Potato
• Infinia Zenfood Salmon and Sweet Potato (4 stars)

Infinia Turkey and Sweet Potato dog food was chosen to represent the others in the line for this review.

The first two ingredients in this dog food are turkey and chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw poultry contains about 80% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost… reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, these two items would probably occupy a lower position on the list.

Which brings us to turkey and chicken meals… the second, third and (more likely) the dominant meat ingredients in this dog food.

Turkey and chicken meals are both considered meat concentrates and contain nearly 300% more protein than fresh poultry.

The fifth ingredient includes sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a good source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in fiber, beta carotene and other healthy nutrients.

The sixth item includes potato. Assuming they’re whole, potatoes are a good source of digestible carbohydrates and other healthy nutrients.

The seventh ingredient includes peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.

The eighth ingredient lists egg product… a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries… from eggs that have failed to hatch.

In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The ninth ingredient includes canola oil. Most applaud canola for its favorable omega-3 content… while a vocal minority condemn it as an unhealthy fat.

Current thinking (ours included) finds the negative stories about canola oil more the stuff of urban legend than actual science.¹

Tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient… a by-product left after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.

Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content… while others scorn it as a cheap pet food filler laden with pesticides found on the skin of the tomato before processing.

Just the same, there’s probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.

After the natural flavor, we find salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids… essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to have much of an effect on the overall rating of this product.

With two notable exceptions…

First, the manufacturer appears to have applied friendly bacteria to the surface of the kibble after cooking. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.

And lastly, this dog food contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Infinia Dog Food… the Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Infinia appears to be an above-average dry dog food.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

Since its first four ingredients all detail meat items, we should see some fairly good numbers here.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 36%, a fat level of 18% and estimated carbohydrates of about 39%.

With its modest protein and fat numbers implying a reduced meat content, we’ve placed Zenfood Salmon in a lower category.

So, excluding that product, the brand features an average protein content of 34% and a mean fat level of 17%.

Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 41% for the overall product line.

Above-average protein. Average fat. And below-average carbs… when compared to a typical dry dog food.

With no evidence of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a notable amount of meat.

What’s more, with the exception of the Chicken and Brown Rice recipe, the line is (otherwise) grain-free.

Bottom line?

Infinia is primarily a vegetable-based dry dog food using a notable amount of assorted meat meals as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand five stars.

Enthusiastically recommended.

A Final Word

This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific health benefit for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.

Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

08/30/2010 Original review

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Nutrience Dog Food receives the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of three stars.

The Nutrience product line lists 15 dry dog foods… three designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth (puppy foods) and the rest for adult maintenance.

• Nutrience Puppy Small Breed
• Nutrience Puppy Medium Breed
• Nutrience Puppy Large Breed
• Nutrience Adult Small Breed Supreme
• Nutrience Adult Medium Breed Supreme
• Nutrience Adult Large Breed Supreme
• Nutrience Adult Small Breed Original
• Nutrience Adult Medium Breed Original
• Nutrience Adult Large Breed Original
• Nutrience Adult Small Breed Light
• Nutrience Adult Medium and Large Breed Light
• Nutrience Adult Small Breed Lamb Meal and Rice
• Nutrience Adult Small Breed Older and Less Active
• Nutrience Adult Medium and Large Breed Lamb Meal and Rice
• Nutrience Adult Medium and Large Breed Older and Less Active

Nutrience Adult Medium Breed Original dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The second ingredient lists corn. Now, contrary to what you may have heard, corn isn’t necessarily a bad ingredient.

On the other hand, although there’s no way to know for sure here, the corn used in making many pet foods can be similar to the kind used to make feed for livestock.

And that can sometimes be problematic.

What’s more, corn is commonly linked to canine food allergies¹.

For these reasons, we rarely consider corn a preferred component in any dog food.

The third ingredient includes oat groats… a whole grain, minimally processed form of oats. So long as they are adequately cooked, groats are unusually high in nutritional value.

The fourth ingredient lists barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index (like rice), barley can help support stable blood sugar levels in dogs.

The fifth ingredient lists chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The sixth item is brown rice. Brown rice is a quality ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.

The seventh ingredient is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient… a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.

Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.

We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.

Tomato pomace is another controversial ingredient… a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.

Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content… while others scorn it as a cheap pet food filler laden with pesticides found on the skin of the tomato before processing.

Just the same, there’s probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to have much of an effect on the overall rating of this product.

With two notable exceptions…

First, we find no mention of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.

And lastly, this food does contain chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Nutrience Dog Food… the Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Nutrience Dog Food appears to be an average kibble.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 27%, a fat level of 16% and estimated carbohydrates of about 50%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 27% and a mean fat level of 16%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 50% for the overall product line.

Average protein. Average fat. And average carbohydrates… when compared to a typical dry dog food.

With no evidence of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing an average amount of meat.

However, it’s unfortunate the company chose to include corn and brewers rice (a by-product) in its recipes.

Had these these less-favorable grains not been included, we’d have been more inclined to award Nutrience our next higher rating.

Bottom line?

Nutrience is a grain-based dry dog food using a moderate amount of chicken or lamb meals as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand three stars.

Recommended.

A Final Word

This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific health benefit for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.

Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

08/27/2010 Original review

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Great Life canned dog food receives the Advisor’s highest rating of five stars.

The Great Life product line includes six canned dog foods. We found no AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements for these dog foods on the Great Life website.

• Great Life Essentials Peking Duck
• Great Life Essentials Baby Back Ribs
• Great Life Essentials Beef Wellington
• Great Life Essentials Irish Lamb Stew
• Great Life Essentials Chicken Parmigiana
• Great Life Essentials Alaskan Wild Salmon

Great Life Essentials Beef Wellington canned dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

The first ingredient in this food lists beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.¹

Beef is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The second ingredient includes beef broth. Broths are nutritionally empty. But because they add moisture to a dog food they are a common finding in many canned products.

The third ingredient lists beef liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal. So long as it’s not over-weighted in a dog food, beef liver is a beneficial component.

The next five ingredients include nutrient-rich organic fruits and vegetables…

• Organic blueberries
• Organic tomatoes
• Organic pumpkin
• Organic yams
• Organic chia

And lastly, we note this food contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to proteins. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are generally associated with better dog foods.

Great Life Canned Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Since Great Life contains a number of quality organic ingredients, we feel compelled to accord this line favored status as we consider its final rating.

That’s because organic ingredients are produced under remarkably strict government standards… standards which greatly restrict the use of any synthetic pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, hormones or antibiotics.

So, judging by its ingredients alone, Great Life appears to be an exceptional canned dog food.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 46%, a fat level of 27% and estimated carbohydrates of about 19%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 42% and a mean fat level of 26%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 24% for the overall product line.

Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbohydrates… when compared to a typical canned dog food.

With no evidence of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a wet dog food containing a significant amount of meat.

What’s more, it’s important to acknowledge the absence here of any critical Red Flag items.

Bottom line?

Great Life is a grain-free canned dog food containing a significant amount of assorted meats as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand five stars.

Enthusiastically recommended.

A Final Word

This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific health benefit for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.

Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

08/25/2010 Original review

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

iVet Dog Food receives the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of three stars.

The iVet product line includes seven dry dog foods. Although two of the products appear to be designed for puppies and the rest for adults, we found no AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements for these dog foods on the iVet website.

• iVet Canine Energy
• iVet Canine Maintenance
• iVet Healthy Gourmet Senior Diet
• iVet Healthy Gourmet Canine Adult
• iVet Healthy Gourmet Small Breed Puppy
• iVet Healthy Gourmet Large Breed Puppy
• iVet Healthy Gourmet Canine Reduced Fat (2 stars)

iVet Healthy Gourmet Canine Adult dry dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The second ingredient is brewers rice. Brewers rice represents the small grain fragments left over after milling whole rice.

This is an inexpensive cereal grain by-product and not considered a quality ingredient.

The third ingredient is oatmeal… a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, fiber and is (unlike many other grains) mostly gluten-free.

The fourth ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index (like rice), barley can help support stable blood sugar levels in dogs.

The fifth ingredient lists chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The sixth item lists dried beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient… a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.

Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.

We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.

The seventh ingredient is flaxseed… one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Flax seeds are rich in soluble fiber.

However, we find it unusual to see flaxseed here in its whole seed form. Whole flax seeds are almost impossible to digest (at least for us humans) unless they are first ground to a usable powder before they are consumed.

The eighth ingredient mentions fish meal… another high-protein meat concentrate.

Unfortunately, this particular item is anonymous. The term “fish” does little to properly describe this ingredient.

Fish meal is commonly made from the by-products of commercial fish operations.

What’s more, the controversial chemical ethoxyquin is frequently used as a preservative in fish meals.

But because it’s usually added to the raw fish before processing, the chemical does not have to be reported to consumers.

We find no public assurances from the company this product is ethoxyquin-free.

Without knowing more, and based upon this fish meal’s location on the list of ingredients, we would expect to find at least a trace of ethoxyquin in this product.

After the natural flavor, we find egg product… a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries… from eggs that have failed to hatch.

In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to have much of an effect on the overall rating of this product.

With three notable exceptions…

First, we find no mention of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.

Secondly, this food does contain chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

And lastly, this iVet dog food product also contains menadione… a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.

iVet Dog Food… the Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, iVet Dog Food appears to be an average kibble.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 26%, a fat level of 14% and estimated carbohydrates of about 52%.

With its probable lower meat content, the Reduced Fat product merits a downgrade of its rating.

Excluding the low fat food from the group, the brand features an average protein content of 28% and a mean fat level of 16%.

Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 48% for the overall product line.

Average protein. Average fat. And average carbohydrates… when compared to a typical dry dog food.

With no evidence of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.

However, it’s unfortunate the company chose to include menadione in its formulas. Without this controversial supplement, we would have been compelled to award this brand our next higher rating.

Bottom line?

iVet Dog Food is primarily a grain-based dry kibble using a moderate amount of chicken meal as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand three stars.

Recommended.

A Final Word

This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific health benefit for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.

Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

08/23/2010 Original review

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Freshpet Select Homestyle dog food receives the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of three stars.

The Freshpet Select Homestyle product line includes two canned dog foods… both designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.

• Freshpet Select Homestyle Chicken, Vegetable and Rice Recipe
• Freshpet Select Homestyle Lamb, Vegetable and Barley Recipe

Freshpet Select Homestyle Chicken, Vegetable and Rice Recipe was selected to represent both products for this review.

The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken broth. Broths are nutritionally empty. But because they add moisture to a dog food they are a common finding in many canned products.

The second item includes chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.¹

Chicken is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The third ingredient includes eggs… a desirable addition. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The fourth ingredient mentions carrots. Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.

The fifth ingredient lists oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

The sixth item lists is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal. So long as it’s not over-weighted in a dog food, chicken liver is a beneficial component.

The seventh item is brown rice. Brown rice is a quality ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.

The eighth ingredient includes peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.

Guar gum is a gelling (or thickening) agent found in many wet pet foods. Refined from dehusked guar beans, guar gum can add a notable amount of dietary fiber to any product.

And lastly, this food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Freshpet Select Homestyle Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Although we label it a canned dog food, Freshpet Select Homestyle is actually a stew-like recipe sold in refrigerated tubs.

And judging by its ingredients alone, this product appears to be an above-average wet food.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 27%, a fat level of 18% and estimated carbohydrates of about 47%.

Both products report the same nutrient percentages as our chicken example.

Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbohydrates… when compared to a typical canned dog food.

With no evidence of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a wet dog food containing only a modest amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Freshpet Select Homestyle is primarily a grain-based canned dog food using only a modest amount of chicken or lamb as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand three stars.

Recommended.

A Final Word

This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific health benefit for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.

Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

08/20/2010 Original review

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

VeRUS dry dog food receives the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of three stars.

The VeRUS product line lists five dry dog foods… three designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance and two for all life stages (Puppy and Life Advantage Adult).

• VeRUS Adult Maintenance
• VeRUS Advanced Opticoat
• VeRUS Weight Management
• VeRUS Life Advantage Adult
• VeRUS Puppy Advantage (4 stars)

VeRUS Adult Maintenance dry dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

The first ingredient in this dog food is lamb meal. Lamb meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh lamb.

The second ingredient is whole oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

The third item is brown rice. Brown rice is a quality ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.

The fourth ingredient lists rice bran… a healthy by-product of rice milling. Though not as nutritionally complete as whole grain rice, brans are still unusually rich in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.

The fifth ingredient is flaxseed meal… one of the best plant-based sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Flax meal is particularly rich in soluble fiber.

The sixth ingredient is sorghum. Sorghum is a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.

Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered a decent non-meat ingredient.

The seventh ingredient lists chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to have much of an effect on the overall rating of this product.

With two notable exceptions…

First, we find no mention of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.

And lastly, this food does contain chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

VeRUS Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line

If all you do is look at the ingredients, VeRUS looks like an above-average dry dog food.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 25%, a fat level of 11% and estimated carbohydrates of about 56%.

Because of the VeRUS Puppy’s 30% protein and 18% fat (implying a higher meat content), we feel compelled to award that product a higher rating than the other products in the line.

So, if we exclude the Puppy recipe, the brand features an average protein content of just 24% and a mean fat level of 12%.

Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 56% for the overall product line.

Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbohydrates… when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Even with no evidence of any plant-based protein boosters, this still looks like the profile of a dry dog food containing only a modest amount of meat.

Just the same, we feel it’s important to acknowledge the absence here of any critical Red Flag items.

Bottom line?

VeRUS dry dog food is primarily a grain-based kibble using only a moderate amount of assorted meat meals as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand three stars.

Recommended.

A Final Word

This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific health benefit for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.

Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

08/18/2010 Original review