NutrientBoost Salmon & Vegetable Sensitive Stomach Gut Health Grain-Free Dry Dog Food for Medium & Large Dogs, 22-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

   ocean fish meal

   protein animal
3. 3

   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
4. 4

   sweet potato

   Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.

   vegetable
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 fat

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

   fat
7. 7

   tapioca

   Starch from cassava root. Highly digestible energy source, but pure starch with minimal nutrition beyond that.

8. 8

   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
9. 9

   ground flaxseed

   Cracked flaxseed for better digestibility. Same plant omega-3s as whole flaxseed, just easier for the dog to extract.

   fat
10. 10

    animal plasma
11. 11

    salmon meal

    Salmon cooked into a dry concentrate. Carries both protein and natural omega-3s in one ingredient.

    protein animal
12. 12

    pea fiber

    Insoluble fiber from peas. Doesn't carry the protein-inflation concern of pea protein. Mostly there for stool quality.

    fiber
13. 13

    natural flavor

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

    other
14. 14

    spray dried animal blood cells
15. 15

    dicalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.

    mineral
16. 16

    salt

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

    mineral
17. 17

    carrots

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

    vegetable
18. 18

    l-threonine

    Essential amino acid. Sometimes added when plant proteins dominate, since threonine is naturally lower in plants than meat.

19. 19

    potassium chloride

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

    mineral
20. 20

    pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

    vegetable
21. 21

    blueberries

    Antioxidants, real. But the amount in any kibble is too small to do much. Mostly marketing.

    fruit
22. 22

    cranberries

    Often added with a urinary-tract-support marketing angle. Real cranberry compounds help in concentrate form, but kibble doses are small.

    fruit
23. 23

    dl-methionine

    Essential amino acid. Often added when plant proteins dominate, since methionine is naturally lower in pulses than meat.

    supplement
24. 24

    zinc sulfate

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

    mineral
25. 25

    ferrous sulfate

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

    mineral

Showing first 25 of 38. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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