FreeStyle High Protein Small Breed Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food, 6-lb bag

1. 1

   beef

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

   protein animal
2. 2

   turkey meal

   Turkey with the water cooked out. Per pound, packs more protein than fresh turkey.

   protein animal
3. 3

   fish meal

   Concentrated fish protein, usually whitefish, herring, or mackerel. Strong amino acid profile.

   protein animal
4. 4

   sweet potato

   Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.

   vegetable
5. 5

   lentils

   Same concern as peas. Affordable plant protein, but when they pile up in the top 5 ingredients, it's a flag. See why →

   legume
6. 6

   chickpeas

   Also called garbanzo beans. Affordable plant protein source, part of the legume stack the FDA examined in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

   legume
7. 7

   chicken fat

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

   fat
8. 8

   ground flaxseed

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

   fat
9. 9

   lamb

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

   protein animal
10. 10

    ground miscanthus grass

    Same as miscanthus grass. A plant fiber source, mostly there for 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

    salmon meal

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

    protein animal
13. 13

    dried tomatoes

    Real fruit. Lycopene and trace antioxidants. Different from tomato pomace, which is the fiber byproduct.

14. 14

    potassium chloride

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

    mineral
15. 15

    salt

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

    mineral
16. 16

    choline chloride

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

    supplement
17. 17

    dl-methionine

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

    supplement
18. 18

    dried apples

    Real fruit, some fiber and antioxidants. The amount in kibble is too small to matter much.

19. 19

    blueberries

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

    fruit
20. 20

    carrots

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

    vegetable
21. 21

    inulin

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

    fiber
22. 22

    taurine

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

    supplement
23. 23

    l-carnitine

    Amino acid derivative that helps the body convert fat into energy. Common in weight-management formulas.

    supplement
24. 24

    vitamin e supplement

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

    vitamin
25. 25

    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

Showing first 25 of 48. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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