Freestyle Duck Recipe with Pears Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food, 8-oz bag

1. 1

   duck

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

   protein animal
2. 2

   duck necks
3. 3

   duck heart
4. 4

   duck wings
5. 5

   duck liver

   protein animal
6. 6

   pears
7. 7

   vegetable

   Unnamed vegetable. No way to know what species. Named vegetables are far more transparent.

   vegetable
8. 8

   green beans

   Real vegetable. Fiber and a small amount of vitamins. Often used in weight-management formulas because it bulks up a meal without adding calories.

9. 9

   carrots

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

   vegetable
10. 10

    blueberries

    Antioxidants, real. But the amount in any kibble is too small to do much. Mostly marketing.

    fruit
11. 11

    kale

    Leafy green with antioxidants and fiber. Small dose in kibble, but it's not just for marketing.

    vegetable
12. 12

    spinach

    Leafy green. Some iron, vitamin K, and fiber. The dose in kibble is small but it's real food.

    vegetable
13. 13

    parsley

    Real herb. Trace amount of vitamins K and C. The dose in kibble is small, mostly there for label appeal.

    supplement
14. 14

    apple cider vinegar
15. 15

    ground flaxseed

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

    fat
16. 16

    salt

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

    mineral
17. 17

    sunflower oil

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

    fat
18. 18

    salmon oil

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

    fat
19. 19

    dried kelp

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

    supplement
20. 20

    inulin

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

    fiber
21. 21

    dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product

    Probiotic strain. More heat-stable than lactobacillus, which means more of it likely survives kibble processing.

    probiotic
22. 22

    potassium chloride

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

    mineral
23. 23

    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

    mineral
24. 24

    iron proteinate

    Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

    mineral
25. 25

    mixed tocopherols

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

    preservative natural

Showing first 25 of 29. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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