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Chicken Soup for the Soul Small Bites Mature & Senior Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 13.5-lb bag
Chicken Soup for the Soul

Small Bites Mature & Senior Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 13.5-lb bag

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
dry $2.44/lb

Chicken Soup for the Soul Small Bites Mature & Senior Chicken, Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 13.5-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 64/100 (B) with Fair evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Score capped at 64 due to DCM-pulse trigger.

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.

PQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI

Named fresh meat paired with same-species meal, a strong extrusion architecture.

STACK

Score capped at 64 due to DCM-pulse trigger.

CAP why?

Contains high legume stacking. Three or more pulse-family ingredients in top 10. Split-ingredient evidence of pea/lentil/chickpea reliance..

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: 26% ⓘ
Protein
23%
min (as fed)
Fat
12%
min (as fed)
Fiber
5%
max (as fed)
Moisture
10%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

62 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    chicken

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

  2. 2
    turkey

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

  3. 3
    chicken meal

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

  4. 4
    turkey meal

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

  5. 5
    cracked pearled barley

    Pre-cracked pearled barley for better digestibility. Same whole-grain story.

  6. 6
    brown rice

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

  7. 7
    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 →

  8. 8
    oatmeal

    Gentle on the stomach. Slow-release carbs and soluble fiber that supports stool quality.

  9. 9
    white rice

    Refined grain with the bran stripped off. Easy to digest, but not as nutrient-dense as brown rice.

  10. 10
    faba beans
  11. 11
    millet

    Gluten-free whole grain. Fine for most dogs, often used as an alternative to rice.

  12. 12
    pea starch

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

  13. 13
    chicken fat

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

  14. 14
    ground flaxseed

    Cracked flaxseed for better digestibility. Same plant omega-3s as whole flaxseed, just easier for the dog to extract.

  15. 15
    natural flavor

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

  16. 16
    tomato pomace

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

  17. 17
    duck

    Real meat. Often used as a novel protein for dogs with sensitivities to chicken or beef.

  18. 18
    salmon

    Real fish meat. Natural source of omega-3s, which kibble usually has to add back from oil.

  19. 19
    salt

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

  20. 20
    calcium carbonate

    Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.

  21. 21
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  22. 22
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  23. 23
    glucosamine hydrochloride

    Joint-support compound. Most useful in larger doses for older dogs. The kibble dose is real but modest.

  24. 24
    dried chicory root

    Natural prebiotic. Feeds beneficial gut bacteria. The same compound (inulin) used in human gut-health products.

  25. 25
    dried kelp

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

Showing first 25 of 62. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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