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Sniff
Canidae

Under the Sun Dry Dog Food: Grain Free Lamb Recipe

Evidence Good
dry Data verified from brand site

Canidae Under the Sun Dry Dog Food: Grain Free Lamb Recipe earns a Sniff Score of 50/100 (C) with Good evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Primary concern: low protein quality. lamb meal delivers limited bioavailable amino acids..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Premium micronutrient forms such as chelated minerals or natural vitamin E.

MNI

Good evidence with extensive transparency and verification.

EV

Low protein quality. lamb meal delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.

PQI

Contains high legume stacking. Multiple pulse-family ingredients in top 15. Mitigated by taurine supplementation or organ meat (natural taurine precursor) in top 10..

CIP

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • sodium selenite
    Synthetic selenium source. Selenium is essential, but sodium selenite has a narrower safety margin than organic alternatives like selenium yeast. Better-formulated foods use the organic form.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 29% ⓘ
Protein
26%
min (as fed)
Fat
11%
min (as fed)
Fiber
5.5%
max (as fed)
Moisture
10%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

51 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    lamb meal

    Lamb cooked down to a dry concentrate. Per pound, more protein than fresh lamb.

  2. 2
    green peas

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

  3. 3
    garbanzo beans

    Same as chickpeas. Part of the legume stack the FDA investigated. See why →

  4. 4
    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 →

  5. 5
    canola oil

    Plant oil. Some omega-3 from the parent plant, though dogs absorb it less efficiently than fish-derived omega-3. Fine in moderation.

  6. 6
    suncured alfalfa meal

    Sun-dried alfalfa, preserving more of the natural vitamins than heat-dried versions.

  7. 7
    lamb

    Real meat. Often used for dogs with chicken or beef sensitivities. Slightly higher fat content than chicken.

  8. 8
    flaxseed

    Plant source of omega-3. Helpful for skin and coat, though dogs absorb omega-3 from fish more efficiently.

  9. 9
    natural flavor

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

  10. 10
    taurine

    Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.

  11. 11
    iron proteinate

    Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  12. 12
    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

  13. 13
    copper proteinate

    Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.

  14. 14
    ferrous sulfate

    Inorganic iron. Standard mineral source. Iron proteinate is the gentler, better-absorbed premium form.

  15. 15
    zinc sulfate

    Inorganic zinc. Effective at AAFCO doses but less well-absorbed than chelated forms like zinc proteinate.

  16. 16
    copper sulfate

    Inorganic copper. Standard, effective at small doses. Premium formulas tend to use copper proteinate instead.

  17. 17
    potassium iodide

    Source of iodine, an essential trace mineral for thyroid function. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.

  18. 18
    manganese proteinate

    Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.

  19. 19
    manganous oxide

    Inorganic manganese. Functional, cheaper than chelated forms, less efficiently absorbed.

  20. 20
    manganese sulfate

    Inorganic manganese. Functional but less well-absorbed than the chelated proteinate form.

  21. 21
    sodium selenite Flagged

    Inorganic selenium. Effective at AAFCO levels, no documented safety concern in dogs despite what some pet food blogs claim. Selenium yeast is a marginal upgrade, not a necessity. See why →

  22. 22
    vitamin e supplement

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

  23. 23
    thiamine mononitrate

    B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.

  24. 24
    ascorbic acid

    Vitamin C. Pulls double duty as a natural antioxidant preservative.

  25. 25
    vitamin a supplement

    Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.

Showing first 25 of 51. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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

AAFCO statement

CANIDAE Under the Sun Dry Dog Food: Grain Free Lamb Recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.