Hero’s Salute

1. 1

   fish meal

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

   protein animal
2. 2

   chicken meal

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

   protein animal
3. 3

   grain sorghum

   Same as sorghum. Whole grain with a low glycemic index. Gluten-free, well-tolerated.

4. 4

   chicken fat

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

   fat
5. 5

   brown rice

   Whole grain that's easy to digest. Steady carb energy plus a little fiber.

   grain
6. 6

   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
7. 7

   blood meal
8. 8

   dried beet pulp

   Soluble fiber from sugar-beet processing. Sometimes treated as a filler, but it's actually one of the better fiber sources in kibble.

   fiber
9. 9

   dehydrated alfalfa meal

   Dried alfalfa. Fiber and trace minerals. Not exciting but it's a real plant ingredient.

10. 10

    flaxseed

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

    fat
11. 11

    yeast culture

    Fermented yeast. Source of B vitamins and beta-glucans that some research suggests support immune function.

12. 12

    natural flavors

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

    other
13. 13

    potassium chloride

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

    mineral
14. 14

    dried kelp

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

    supplement
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

    dried chicory root

    Natural prebiotic. Feeds beneficial gut bacteria. The same compound (inulin) used in human gut-health products.

    fiber
18. 18

    taurine

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

    supplement
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-carnitine

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

    supplement
21. 21

    glucosamine hydrochloride

    Joint-support compound. Most useful in larger doses for older dogs. The kibble dose is real but modest.

    supplement
22. 22

    chondroitin sulfate

    supplement
23. 23

    zine sulfate
24. 24

    ferrous sulfate

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

    mineral
25. 25

    manganese sulfate

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

    mineral

Showing first 25 of 39. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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