Light & Fit Recipe

1. 1

   chicken

   Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

   protein animal
2. 2

   turkey

   Real meat. Lean protein, good amino acid profile, often well-tolerated by dogs sensitive to chicken.

   protein animal
3. 3

   chicken meal

   Chicken with the water cooked out. Per pound, packs more protein than fresh chicken.

   protein animal
4. 4

   turkey meal

   Turkey with the water cooked out. Per pound, packs more protein than fresh turkey.

   protein animal
5. 5

   red lentils

   Same concern as other lentils. Affordable plant protein, part of the legume stack the FDA examined. See why →

   legume
6. 6

   green peas

   Same as peas. Useful in small amounts. The concern is when pulses dominate the top of the ingredient list. See why →

   legume
7. 7

   lentil fiber
8. 8

   peas

   Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

   legume
9. 9

   flounder
10. 10

    chicken broth

    Real broth, adds flavor and moisture. Negligible nutrition on its own but tells you the recipe leans on real meat.

11. 11

    dehydrated pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

12. 12

    lentils

    Same concern as peas. Affordable plant protein, but when they pile up in the top 5 ingredients, it's a flag. See why →

    legume
13. 13

    pinto beans

    legume
14. 14

    chickpeas

    Also called garbanzo beans. Affordable plant protein source, part of the legume stack the FDA examined in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

    legume
15. 15

    herring meal

    Concentrated herring with the water removed. Carries protein and omega-3s in one ingredient.

    protein animal
16. 16

    fish oil

    Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.

    fat
17. 17

    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

    other
18. 18

    dehydrated egg

    Whole eggs. The highest-quality protein on any ingredient label, by amino acid score.

19. 19

    chicken liver

    Organ meat. Dense in protein, iron, vitamin A, and the B vitamins. Among the most nutrient-rich ingredients a dog can eat.

    protein animal
20. 20

    pea starch

    Refined starch from peas, mostly carbs after the protein is removed. Counts toward the legume stack the FDA examined.

21. 21

    chicken fat

    Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid.

    fat
22. 22

    chicken heart

    Organ meat. Dense in taurine, B vitamins, and CoQ10. One of the best ingredients dogs can eat.

    protein animal
23. 23

    vitamin e supplement

    Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.

    vitamin
24. 24

    dried kelp

    Natural source of iodine and trace minerals. A common premium-brand inclusion.

    supplement
25. 25

    mixed tocopherols

    Natural vitamin E used to keep fats from going rancid. The good kind of preservative.

    preservative natural

Showing first 25 of 46. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

22 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.