Complete Essentials Adult Shredded Blend Salmon & Rice High Protein Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food, 33-lb bag

1. 1

   salmon

   Real fish meat. Natural source of omega-3s, which kibble usually has to add back from oil.

   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

   wheat

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

   grain
4. 4

   poultry by-product meal

   Unnamed poultry. The mix can include any combination of chicken, turkey, or other birds, with no traceability. Named by-product meals are fine. This one isn't.

   protein animal
5. 5

   whole grain corn

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

   grain
6. 6

   soybean meal

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

   protein plant
7. 7

   beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols

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

8. 8

   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.

9. 9

   fish meal

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

   protein animal
10. 10

    natural flavor

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

    other
11. 11

    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
12. 12

    dried egg product

    Whole eggs with the water removed. Same nutritional value as fresh eggs, just shelf-stable.

13. 13

    glycerin

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

14. 14

    mono and dicalcium phosphate

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

15. 15

    wheat bran
16. 16

    calcium carbonate

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

    mineral
17. 17

    soybean oil

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

18. 18

    salt

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

    mineral
19. 19

    potassium chloride

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

    mineral
20. 20

    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
21. 21

    ferrous sulfate

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

    mineral
22. 22

    manganese proteinate

    Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.

    mineral
23. 23

    copper proteinate

    Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.

    mineral
24. 24

    calcium iodate

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

    mineral
25. 25

    sodium selenite Flagged

    Inorganic selenium. Effective at AAFCO levels, no documented safety concern in dogs despite what some pet food blogs claim. Selenium yeast is a marginal upgrade, not a necessity. See why →

    mineral

Showing first 25 of 30. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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