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Dave's Pet Food Restricted Sodium Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog Food, 13.2-oz can, 12 count
Dave's Pet Food

Restricted Sodium Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog Food, 13.2-oz can, 12 count

Evidence Fair
wet $3.64/lb

Dave's Pet Food Restricted Sodium Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog Food, 13.2-oz can, 12 count earns a Sniff Score of 36/100 (D) with Fair evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

CAP why?

Low protein quality. chicken delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.

PQI

No declared omega-3 source. Fish oil, salmon oil, and algae oil all absent.

FQI

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: 39% ⓘ
Protein
9%
min (as fed)
Fat
8%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1%
max (as fed)
Moisture
77%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 39%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

23 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
    water sufficient for processing

    The regulatory phrase for cooking water in wet food. Has no nutritional implication, just labeling formality.

  3. 3
    guar gum

    Thickener common in wet food. Emerging research on emulsifiers and the gut microbiome, but no smoking gun in dogs yet.

  4. 4
    agar-agar

    Seaweed-derived gel used as a thickener. Functional alternative to carrageenan, generally well-tolerated.

  5. 5
    zinc amino acid chelate

    Zinc bound to amino acids for better absorption. Same idea as zinc proteinate, the premium form of the mineral.

  6. 6
    iron amino acid chelate

    Iron bound to amino acids for better absorption. Premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  7. 7
    copper amino acid chelate

    Copper bound to amino acids for better absorption. Premium form versus copper sulfate.

  8. 8
    manganese amino acid chelate

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

  9. 9
    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 →

  10. 10
    cobalt amino acid chelate

    Cobalt bound to amino acids for better absorption. Trace mineral needed for B12 synthesis.

  11. 11
    potassium iodide

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

  12. 12
    vitamin e supplement

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

  13. 13
    thiamine mononitrate

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

  14. 14
    niacin supplement

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

  15. 15
    d-calcium pantothenate

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

  16. 16
    vitamin a supplement

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

  17. 17
    riboflavin supplement

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

  18. 18
    biotin

    B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.

  19. 19
    vitamin b12 supplement

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

  20. 20
    pyridoxine hydrochloride

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

  21. 21
    vitamin d3 supplement

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

  22. 22
    folic acid

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

  23. 23
    sodium carbonate

    pH buffer used in food processing. Functional, no quality signal.

23 of 23 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.