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”.

We only use quality, human-grade meats in our pouches, and absolutely no meat meals or meat derivatives. Unfortunately, this particular item is anonymous. Because various fish contain different types of fats, we would have preferred to have known the source species. Based on its ingredients alone, Mossy Oak Nature’s Menu Dog Food looks like an average dry product. Although soybean meal contains 48% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat. The next ingredient is soybean meal, a by-product of soybean oil production more commonly found in farm animal feeds.The full range of Natures Menu wet dog food is approved by veterinarians as being species-appropriate and ideal for your canine. Natures Menu wet dog food provides complete, balanced nutrition for adult dogs, in a range of flavours that your dog will enjoy eating. The ninth ingredient is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing. Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.

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. Just because an ingredient is controversial, doesn’t mean it’s bad. Soybean meal appears in the dry food recipes and is a by-product of soybean oil production. The ingredient is generally found in farm animal feeds, but it boosts the protein levels in food. However, it has a lower biological value than meat protein.

Pricing

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. We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable. The ultimate selection of our bestselling complete and balanced natural canned meals for adult dogs and puppies over 20 weeks of age. 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. For this reason we've calculated the approximate 'as fed' percentages for the main ingredient categories in the finished product.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product. 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.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. After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product. 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

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. 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. Carb-rich ingredients: includes all ingredients derived from grains, pseudo-grains, potatoes and other starchy root vegetables, sweet potato and legumes (except whole peas which are categorised under fruit and veg) except for isolated protein and extracted oils. Also includes fibre supplements. Another controversial ingredient worth noting is corn, which is inexpensive and is rumored to be nothing more than a filler. However, that isn’t exactly true. Corn has a modest nutritional value, and because it’s less expensive to produce, it keeps costs low for pet owners. It may have developed its bad reputation because commercial dog food manufacturers advertise it as having more nutritional benefits than it really does.Next, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.