Protein & Grains Large Breed Puppy Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe Dry Dog Food, 28-lb bag

1. 1

   deboned chicken

   Real meat with the bones removed before grinding. The cleanest version of chicken on an ingredient label.

   protein animal
2. 2

   chicken meal

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

   protein animal
3. 3

   brown rice

   Whole grain that's easy to digest. Steady carb energy plus a little fiber.

   grain
4. 4

   rice

   Generic rice. Could be white or brown, the label doesn't say. Brown rice would be specified if it were.

   grain
5. 5

   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
6. 6

   barley

   Whole grain with a low glycemic profile and some soluble fiber. Easy on blood sugar.

   grain
7. 7

   natural flavor

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

   other
8. 8

   chicken fat

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

   fat
9. 9

   flaxseed

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

   fat
10. 10

    suncured alfalfa meal

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

11. 11

    fish oil

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

    fat
12. 12

    dried plain beet pulp

    Beet fiber, with the sugar removed. Long unfairly maligned. It's a real soluble fiber that supports stool quality.

13. 13

    dried tomato pomace

    The fiber-rich byproduct of tomato processing. Sometimes flagged unfairly. It's a real fiber source, not a filler shortcut.

14. 14

    dicalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.

    mineral
15. 15

    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

    mineral
16. 16

    vitamin e supplement

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

    vitamin
17. 17

    niacin supplement

    B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.

    vitamin
18. 18

    d-calcium pantothenate

    B vitamin (B5). Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

    vitamin
19. 19

    riboflavin supplement

    B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.

    vitamin
20. 20

    vitamin a supplement

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

    vitamin
21. 21

    thiamine mononitrate

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

    vitamin
22. 22

    pyridoxine hydrochloride

    B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.

    vitamin
23. 23

    vitamin b12 supplement

    Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.

    vitamin
24. 24

    vitamin d3 supplement

    The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.

    vitamin
25. 25

    folic acid

    B vitamin (B9), essential for cell function. Standard in complete dog foods.

    vitamin

Showing first 25 of 50. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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