Small Breed Grain-Free Dog Kibble

1. 1

   chicken

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

   protein animal
2. 2

   turkey

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

   protein animal
3. 3

   ocean menhaden fish meal
4. 4

   herring meal

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

   protein animal
5. 5

   garbanzo beans

   Same as chickpeas. Part of the legume stack the FDA investigated. See why →

   legume
6. 6

   sweet potato

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

   vegetable
7. 7

   natural flavor

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

   other
8. 8

   coconut oil

   Saturated fat with medium-chain triglycerides. Mostly marketing in the doses kibble uses, but harmless.

   fat
9. 9

   pumpkin

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

   vegetable
10. 10

    flaxseed

    Plant source of omega-3. Helpful for skin and coat, though dogs absorb omega-3 from fish more efficiently.

    fat
11. 11

    kale

    Leafy green with antioxidants and fiber. Small dose in kibble, but it's not just for marketing.

    vegetable
12. 12

    carrots

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

    vegetable
13. 13

    apples

    Real fruit, some fiber and antioxidants. The amount in kibble is too small to matter much.

    fruit
14. 14

    blueberries

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

    fruit
15. 15

    sunflower oil

    Common plant oil. Useful in moderation for omega-6, though too much skews the omega ratio against the dog's favor.

    fat
16. 16

    miscanthus grass

    Perennial grass used as a fiber source. Replaces cellulose in some recipes. Functional but unremarkable.

    fiber
17. 17

    cranberries

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

    fruit
18. 18

    dried chicory root

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

    fiber
19. 19

    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

    supplement
20. 20

    salmon oil

    Pure omega-3s. The thing skin-and-coat formulas are usually built around.

    fat
21. 21

    calcium carbonate

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

    mineral
22. 22

    potassium chloride

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

    mineral
23. 23

    vitamin e supplement

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

    vitamin
24. 24

    vitamin a supplement

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

    vitamin
25. 25

    niacin supplement

    B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.

    vitamin

Showing first 25 of 48. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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