Proactive Health High Protein Chicken & Beef Dry Dog Food, 30-lb bag

1. 1

   chicken

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

   protein animal
2. 2

   chicken by-product meal

   Ground organs, bone, and tissue. Nutritionally dense, especially the liver and gizzard fractions. Named species ('chicken') is what matters. Generic 'poultry by-product meal' is the one to worry about.

   protein animal
3. 3

   ground whole grain corn

   Whole corn with the kernel intact. Decent fiber and B vitamins, though it can crowd out meat in cheaper recipes.

4. 4

   ground whole grain sorghum
5. 5

   chicken meal

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

   protein animal
6. 6

   brewers rice

   Broken rice kernels left over from milling, usually destined for human beer-making. Cheaper than whole or even white rice. Same carbs, less nutrition than the brown version.

7. 7

   beef

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

   protein animal
8. 8

   chicken fat

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

   fat
9. 9

   dried plain beet pulp

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

10. 10

    natural flavors

    Same as natural flavor. Usually hydrolyzed liver or broth, adds palatability.

    other
11. 11

    dried egg product

    Whole eggs with the water removed. Same nutritional value as fresh eggs, just shelf-stable.

12. 12

    brewers dried yeast

    Yeast left over from brewing. Rich in B vitamins and amino acids. A traditional and well-tolerated inclusion.

13. 13

    flaxseed

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

    fat
14. 14

    potassium chloride

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

    mineral
15. 15

    caramel color

    Artificial coloring made by heating sugars. Cosmetic. Some forms contain trace 4-MEI, a compound the IARC lists as possibly carcinogenic.

16. 16

    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
17. 17

    choline chloride

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

    supplement
18. 18

    fructooligosaccharides

    Prebiotic fiber, often called FOS. Feeds beneficial gut bacteria, similar in function to inulin.

    fiber
19. 19

    dl-methionine

    Essential amino acid. Often added when plant proteins dominate, since methionine is naturally lower in pulses than meat.

    supplement
20. 20

    l-lysine hydrochloride
21. 21

    mixed tocopherols

    Natural vitamin E used to keep fats from going rancid. The good kind of preservative.

    preservative natural
22. 22

    citric acid

    Natural antioxidant preservative. Helps keep fats from going rancid.

    preservative natural
23. 23

    carrots

    Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.

    vegetable
24. 24

    ferrous sulfate

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

    mineral
25. 25

    zinc oxide

    Inorganic zinc. Cheapest mineral form on the market. Functional but less bioavailable than chelated alternatives.

Showing first 25 of 32. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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