Freshpet® Vital™Balanced NutritionTurkey Adult Dog Food

by FreshPet
Overall Score: 85/100
Ingredients
- Turkey (protein)
- Carrots (other)
- Turkey Broth (protein)
- Eggs (protein)
- Brown Rice (carbohydrate)
- Spinach (other)
- Rice Bran (other)
- Pumpkin (other)
- Carrageenan (additive)
- Minerals (Dicalcium Phosphate (other)
- Calcium Carbonate (mineral)
- Zinc Proteinate (mineral)
- Iron Proteinate (mineral)
- Copper Proteinate (mineral)
- Manganese Proteinate (mineral)
- Sodium Selenite (mineral)
- Calcium Iodate) (other)
- Natural Flavors (additive)
- Fish Oil (protein)
- Celery Powder (other)
- Choline Chloride (vitamin)
- Peas (carbohydrate)
- Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement (other)
- Vitamin A Supplement (vitamin)
- Riboflavin (vitamin)
- Thiamine Mononitrate (vitamin)
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (other)
- Vitamin D3 Supplement (vitamin)
- Vitamin B12 Supplement (vitamin)
- Folic Acid) (other)
Ingredient concerns
- Carrageenan (high concern): Research has shown that both degraded carrageenan (poligeenan) and food-grade carrageenan can promote intestinal inflammation in animal models. Studies have linked carrageenan exposure to intestinal lesions, ulcerations, and colitis-like symptoms in laboratory animals. While the FDA considers food-grade carrageenan safe, concerns remain about degradation during processing and digestion. The Cornucopia Institute petitioned the USDA to remove carrageenan from organic food standards.
- Sodium Selenite (low concern): Sodium selenite is an inorganic form of selenium with a narrower safety margin than organic forms (such as selenium yeast). It has lower bioavailability and higher potential for toxicity at elevated levels compared to organic selenium sources. Some premium pet foods use selenium yeast instead as a safer alternative.
- Peas (low concern): Peas and other legumes have been associated with the FDA investigation into a potential link between grain-free diets high in legumes and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. While a definitive causal relationship has not been established, the FDA continues to investigate. Peas are frequently used in grain-free formulations as a primary carbohydrate and protein source.
Guaranteed analysis (dry-matter basis)
On a dry-matter basis (water removed for a fair wet-vs-dry comparison): protein 39.6%, fat 33.3%, fiber 6.2%, ash 29.2%, carbohydrate 0%. By calories: 32.9% from protein, 67.1% from fat, 0% from carbohydrate.
AAFCO compliance
This food meets the AAFCO adult dog nutrient minimums we can verify — protein 39.6% vs 18% minimum, fat 33.3% vs 5.5% minimum.
Fresh food, with grains, for the adult life stage.
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