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Halo Elevate Healthy Grains Red Meat Recipe Dry Dog Food, 20-lb bag
Halo

Elevate Healthy Grains Red Meat Recipe Dry Dog Food, 20-lb bag

Evidence Fair
dry $4.25/lb

Halo Elevate Healthy Grains Red Meat Recipe Dry Dog Food, 20-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 59/100 (C) with Fair evidence. Zero controversial ingredients flagged. Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

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

PQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI

Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).

FQI

Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

CAP why?

No AAFCO statement. Nutritional completeness unverified.

ACF

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: 35% ⓘ
Protein
32%
min (as fed)
Fat
18%
min (as fed)
Fiber
3.5%
max (as fed)
Moisture
9%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

37 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    beef

    Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.

  2. 2
    pork meal

    Pork cooked into a dry concentrate. Per pound, more protein than fresh pork.

  3. 3
    salmon meal

    Salmon cooked into a dry concentrate. Carries both protein and natural omega-3s in one ingredient.

  4. 4
    oats

    Whole grain. Steady energy, soluble fiber, and well-tolerated by most dogs.

  5. 5
    barley

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

  6. 6
    tapioca

    Starch from cassava root. Highly digestible energy source, but pure starch with minimal nutrition beyond that.

  7. 7
    pork

    Real meat. Dense protein and fat, though less common in dog food than chicken or beef.

  8. 8
    pork fat

    Real animal fat from a named species. Clean energy source.

  9. 9
    sunflower oil

    Common plant oil. Useful in moderation for omega-6, though too much skews the omega ratio against the dog's favor.

  10. 10
    quinoa

    Pseudo-grain with a complete amino acid profile. Rare in dog food because it's expensive.

  11. 11
    natural flavor

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

  12. 12
    salmon oil

    Pure omega-3s. The thing skin-and-coat formulas are usually built around.

  13. 13
    potassium chloride

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

  14. 14
    salt

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

  15. 15
    inulin

    Prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Same compound found in chicory root.

  16. 16
    taurine

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

  17. 17
    vitamin e supplement

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

  18. 18
    niacin supplement

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

  19. 19
    d-calcium pantothenate

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

  20. 20
    riboflavin supplement

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

  21. 21
    vitamin a supplement

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

  22. 22
    thiamine mononitrate

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

  23. 23
    pyridoxine hydrochloride

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

  24. 24
    vitamin b12 supplement

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

  25. 25
    vitamin d3 supplement

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

Showing first 25 of 37. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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