Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wild Mountain Meadow Recipe With Grass-Fed Lamb Review

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Review of Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wild Mountain Meadow Recipe With Grass-Fed Lamb

According to our data, this Stella and Chewy's recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.

Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wild Mountain Meadow Recipe With Grass-Fed Lamb is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.

Review of Ingredients

In our review of Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wild Mountain Meadow Recipe With Grass-Fed Lamb, we'll examine all 35 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.

While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.

  1. Lamb is a high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids necessary for your dog's muscle growth, tissue repair, and overall health. It's also a good option for dogs with sensitivities to other protein sources, such as chicken or beef.

  2. Lamb meal is a concentrated protein source, providing essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support muscle development and overall health in dogs.

  3. Lentils are a high-quality, plant-based protein source that also provides essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, potassium, and magnesium. They are also rich in dietary fiber, which can support healthy digestion and help maintain a healthy weight for your dog.

  4. Peas are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can contribute to your dog's overall health and provide necessary nutrients.

  5. Chickpea is a nutrient-dense legume that provides a valuable source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential minerals to support your dog's overall wellbeing.

  6. Beef Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a source of energy and fat-soluble vitamins, and tocopherols help keep the fat fresh and rancid-free.

  7. Pork meal is a concentrated source of animal protein, essential for maintaining muscle mass in dogs. It can provide essential nutrients including amino acids and essential fatty acids.

  8. Lamb Liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat that provides high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals.

  9. Natural vegetable flavor is used to enhance the taste of dog food without adding artificial ingredients.

  10. Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients, which can support your dog's skin, coat, and digestive health.

  11. Tomato pomace is a fiber-rich ingredient that can help support healthy digestion and maintain a healthy weight in dogs.

  12. Sunflower oil is rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that promotes a healthy coat and skin.

  13. While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.

  14. Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.

  15. Salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin, coat, joints, and brain function. Mixed tocopherols, a natural form of vitamin E, help preserve the oil, ensuring its freshness and nutritional value for your dog.

  16. Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.

  17. Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.

  18. Dried kelp is a natural source of essential minerals and trace elements, which help support your dog's thyroid function and overall health.

  19. Zinc proteinate is a highly absorbable form of zinc. It helps support a healthy immune system, skin, and coat in dogs.

  20. Iron proteinate is a chelated form of iron that is more easily absorbed by your dog's body, supporting their red blood cell production and overall health.

  21. Copper Proteinate is a chelated form of copper that's easier for dogs to absorb, aiding in red blood cell formation and iron absorption.

  22. Manganese Proteinate is a chelated form of manganese, a mineral that supports bone health, metabolism and enzymatic reactions.

  23. Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.

  24. Calcium iodate is a source of iodine, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolism. It helps maintain proper hormone production and is crucial for overall health and well-being.

  25. Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.

  26. Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.

  27. Niacin supplement is an important source of vitamin B3, which plays a crucial role in supporting your dog's energy metabolism, nervous system function, and overall health. It also aids in maintaining healthy skin and coat, as well as promoting proper digestion.

  28. D-Calcium Pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid, a B-vitamin that helps in energy metabolism and the synthesis of important compounds in the body.

  29. Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.

  30. Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.

  31. Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.

  32. Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.

  33. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.

  34. Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.

  35. Rosemary extract is a natural antioxidant that can help protect your dog's body from the harmful effects of free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can support your dog's overall health and well-being, particularly in regard to joint health.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

The Crude Protein content of at least 28.00% in this pet food is primarily derived from the grass-fed lamb, lamb meal, pork meal, and lamb liver. These are all high-quality sources of animal protein that provide essential amino acids for the pet's muscle development and overall health. Lamb meal, being a concentrated form of lamb, would particularly contribute significantly to the protein content.

Crude Fat at a minimum of 17.00% is likely to come from the beef fat, which is a concentrated source of energy, and to a lesser extent from the grass-fed lamb, pork meal, and lamb liver. The sunflower oil and salmon oil also contribute to the fat content, while providing essential fatty acids that are beneficial for the pet's skin and coat health.

The Crude Fiber content, which is a maximum of 5.00%, is relatively low, suggesting that this food is designed for good digestibility. The fiber comes from plant-based ingredients such as lentils, peas, chickpeas, flaxseed, and tomato pomace. These ingredients provide the necessary fiber to support digestive health without being excessively high, which could interfere with nutrient absorption.

The caloric content of 3860.00 kcal/kg is a measure of the energy provided by the food. This is influenced by the combined macronutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrates. The high caloric content indicates that the food is energy-dense, which is typical for a food containing a good amount of fats (such as beef fat and oils) and proteins.

Additional ingredients like the various vitamins and minerals are included to ensure a balanced diet and support overall health, but they do not significantly contribute to the guaranteed analysis values of protein, fat, and fiber. Ingredients like mixed tocopherols serve as preservatives and taurine is an important amino acid for heart and eye health, particularly in cats.