As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 30% and a mean fat level of 16%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 47% for the overall product line. In addition, iron oxide is a synthetic color additive used in industry to impart a reddish color to food — and paint. In its natural form, this chemical compound is more commonly known as “iron rust”. And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label — a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food. We only use quality, human-grade meats in our pouches, and absolutely no meat meals or meat derivatives.

Brown rice is in both dry food recipes and is a common ingredient found in dog food. It’s considered superior to white rice because of its micronutrients and additional fiber. It’s also a cost-effective option and provides a good carbohydrate base. The ultimate selection of our bestselling complete and balanced natural canned meals for adult dogs and puppies over 20 weeks of age.The full range of Natures Menu wet dog food is approved by veterinarians as being species-appropriate and ideal for your canine. After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product. The ninth ingredient is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing. Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the soybean and corn gluten meals, dried peas and alfalfa, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat. Our Rating of Mossy Oak Nature’s Menu While this recipe uses plenty of grains, it also includes dried peas—a common ingredient in grain-free diets that may be linked to heart disease. It’s still unknown whether the peas have any direct involvement in this connection, so we don’t typically prefer them in our dog’s food.

Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations. 1 Potatoes are listed as the fourth ingredient. This veggie gives your dog some healthy vitamins, but they also contain lots of carbs. We wish that sweet potatoes or another grain had been used in its place. Turkey, 4% Cranberry, 3.5% Pears, 3% Pumpkin Seed, 3% Butternut Squash, 3% Broccoli, Cod liver Oil (1.5%), Kelp (0.7%), Spinach (0.7%), Green Tea Extract (0.6%). Analytical constituentsHigh in real meat, our canned food meals for dogs are filled with quality ingredients, then gently steam cooked to preserve goodness. First, we note the use of dried alfalfa. Although alfalfa is high in protein (18%) and fiber, it’s uncommon to see it used in dog food. This hay-family ingredient is more commonly associated with horse feeds. The recipes of these four flavours are made by expert nutritionists and veterinarians according to the guidelines delivered by FEDIAF for dog foods. This fact makes these Nature Menu dog foods reliable and sustainable. The seventh ingredient is corn gluten meal. Gluten is the rubbery residue remaining once corn has had most of its starchy carbohydrate washed out of it.

However, dried peas contain about 27% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food. Although corn gluten meal contains 60% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat. Based on its ingredients alone, Mossy Oak Nature’s Menu Dog Food looks like an average dry product. While the 'mixing bowl' composition is useful for knowing what went into the food, it doesn't always reflect what your dog is actually eating. This is because the processes that turn the ingredients into the finished pet food can significantly alter the relative weights of the ingredients.

References

The third ingredient is ground rice, another name for rice flour. Ground rice is made from either white or brown rice and is considered a gluten-free substitute for wheat flour.