Butcher's Favorites™, Free-Run Poultry & Liver Recipe

1. 1

   chicken

   Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

   protein animal
2. 2

   chicken meal

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

   protein animal
3. 3

   herring meal

   Concentrated herring with the water removed. Carries protein and omega-3s in one ingredient.

   protein animal
4. 4

   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
5. 5

   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
6. 6

   chicken liver

   Organ meat. Dense in protein, iron, vitamin A, and the B vitamins. Among the most nutrient-rich ingredients a dog can eat.

   protein animal
7. 7

   red lentils

   Same concern as other lentils. Affordable plant protein, part of the legume stack the FDA examined. See why →

   legume
8. 8

   chicken fat

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

   fat
9. 9

   dried chicken

   Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

10. 10

    turkey

    Real meat. Lean protein, good amino acid profile, often well-tolerated by dogs sensitive to chicken.

    protein animal
11. 11

    eggs

    Whole eggs. The highest-quality protein on any ingredient label by amino acid score.

12. 12

    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

    other
13. 13

    ground whole flaxseed
14. 14

    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
15. 15

    pea starch

    Refined starch from peas, mostly carbs after the protein is removed. Counts toward the legume stack the FDA examined.

16. 16

    fish oil

    Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.

    fat
17. 17

    chicken heart

    Organ meat. Dense in taurine, B vitamins, and CoQ10. One of the best ingredients dogs can eat.

    protein animal
18. 18

    salt

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

    mineral
19. 19

    vitamin e supplement

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

    vitamin
20. 20

    dried kelp

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

    supplement
21. 21

    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
22. 22

    mixed tocopherols

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

    preservative natural
23. 23

    vitamin a supplement

    Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.

    vitamin
24. 24

    vitamin d3 supplement

    The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.

    vitamin
25. 25

    dried chicory root

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

    fiber

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

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