Proactive Health Minichunks Adult Lamb & Rice Dry Dog Food, 38.5-lb bag

1. 1

   lamb

   Real meat. Often used for dogs with chicken or beef sensitivities. Slightly higher fat content than chicken.

   protein animal
2. 2

   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.

3. 3

   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
4. 4

   ground whole grain barley
5. 5

   ground whole grain corn

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

6. 6

   ground whole grain sorghum
7. 7

   corn gluten meal

   Concentrated corn protein. Inflates the protein percent on the label without matching meat-quality amino acids.

   protein plant
8. 8

   chicken fat

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

   fat
9. 9

   chicken meal

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

   protein animal
10. 10

    dried plain beet pulp

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

11. 11

    natural flavor

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

    other
12. 12

    brewers yeast
13. 13

    dried egg product

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

14. 14

    flaxseed

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

    fat
15. 15

    potassium chloride

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

    mineral
16. 16

    caramel color

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

17. 17

    carrots

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

    vegetable
18. 18

    fructooligosaccharides

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

    fiber
19. 19

    choline chloride

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

    supplement
20. 20

    ferrous sulfate

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

    mineral
21. 21

    zinc oxide

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

22. 22

    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 →

    mineral
23. 23

    manganese sulfate

    Inorganic manganese. Functional but less well-absorbed than the chelated proteinate form.

    mineral
24. 24

    manganous oxide

    Inorganic manganese. Functional, cheaper than chelated forms, less efficiently absorbed.

25. 25

    potassium iodide

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

    mineral

Showing first 25 of 28. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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