Natural SmartBlend Small Bites Beef & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, 31.1-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

   rice

   Generic rice. Could be white or brown, the label doesn't say. Brown rice would be specified if it were.

   grain
3. 3

   corn protein meal

   Concentrated corn protein. Similar in role to corn gluten meal, pads the protein number on the label without matching meat amino acids.

4. 4

   whole grain corn

   Whole corn with the kernel intact. Decent fiber and B vitamins, though it can crowd out meat in cheaper recipes.

   grain
5. 5

   chicken by-product meal

   Ground organs, bone, and tissue. Nutritionally dense, especially the liver and gizzard fractions. Named species ('chicken') is what matters. Generic 'poultry by-product meal' is the one to worry about.

   protein animal
6. 6

   beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols

   Real animal fat from a named species, with natural vitamin E doing the preservation. The clean version.

7. 7

   soybean meal

   Concentrated soy protein. Cheap plant protein that pads the label number, common in budget formulas.

   protein plant
8. 8

   oat meal

   Alternate spelling of oatmeal. Gentle whole grain, steady carb energy, soluble fiber.

9. 9

   wheat

   Whole wheat. Fine for most dogs, though a portion are sensitive. Not a quality concern, just a fit-for-your-dog question.

   grain
10. 10

    natural flavor

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

    other
11. 11

    glycerin

    Humectant used in soft-moist foods to keep them chewy. Safe in moderation but a signal of a processed semi-moist product.

12. 12

    calcium carbonate

    Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.

    mineral
13. 13

    mono and dicalcium phosphate

    Source of calcium and phosphorus. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

14. 14

    dried chicory root

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

    fiber
15. 15

    salt

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

    mineral
16. 16

    potassium chloride

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

    mineral
17. 17

    soybean oil

    Plant oil. High in omega-6, which is required but commonly oversupplied. Fine in moderation.

18. 18

    vegetable juice
19. 19

    dried 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 →

20. 20

    carrots

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

    vegetable
21. 21

    zinc sulfate

    Inorganic zinc. Effective at AAFCO doses but less well-absorbed than chelated forms like zinc proteinate.

    mineral
22. 22

    ferrous sulfate

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

    mineral
23. 23

    manganese sulfate

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

    mineral
24. 24

    copper sulfate

    Inorganic copper. Standard, effective at small doses. Premium formulas tend to use copper proteinate instead.

    mineral
25. 25

    calcium iodate

    Source of iodine for thyroid function. Functional, required in complete formulas.

    mineral

Showing first 25 of 29. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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