Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wholesome Grains Beef & Ancient Grains Recipe Review

Compare Prices To Find The Lowest Price

3 lbs 25 lbs

18.99 + Shipping ($4.95)

15% Off For New Customers
Use Code: AFPAWDIET

68.99 + Shipping ($4.95)

15% Off For New Customers
Use Code: AFPAWDIET

PawDiet has been helping pet owners since 2015. To fund our efforts, articles may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission.

---

Review of Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wholesome Grains Beef & Ancient Grains Recipe

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 Wholesome Grains Beef & Ancient Grains Recipe 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 Wholesome Grains Beef & Ancient Grains Recipe, we'll examine all 43 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. Beef is a high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog's muscle development and overall health.

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. Pearled barley is a wholesome, easily digestible grain that provides dogs with a source of dietary fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals that support overall health.

4. Oatmeal is a highly digestible and nutritious source of carbohydrates that provides your dog with energy, fiber, and essential nutrients for a healthy digestive system and overall well-being.

5. Brown rice is a whole grain that provides an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients for your dog. The fiber content can aid in digestion and help maintain a healthy weight, while the carbohydrates provide energy for an active lifestyle.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

9. Beef liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which support your dog's overall health and well-being. It is also a good source of high-quality protein, which helps maintain strong muscles and a healthy coat.

10. Millet is a gluten-free grain that provides essential nutrients like magnesium, copper, and phosphorus, promoting your dog's heart health and bone health.

11. Quinoa is a nutrient-dense, gluten-free grain that provides your dog with essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. It supports healthy digestion and overall well-being, making it an excellent choice for a balanced and nutritious dog food.

12. 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.

13. Calcium carbonate is a valuable source of calcium, an essential mineral for strong bones and teeth, and for supporting proper muscle function in your dog.

14. 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.

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

16. Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.

17. Sun-cured alfalfa meal is a nutrient-dense ingredient that provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog's digestive health and overall well-being.

18. 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.

19. Inulin is a natural prebiotic fiber that supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in your dog's gut, promoting digestive health and overall immune function.

20. Pumpkin is a nutritious and fiber-rich ingredient that can help support your dog's digestive health. Its high fiber content can aid in maintaining a healthy weight and promoting regular bowel movements.

21. Organic blueberries are a nutrient-dense fruit rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They can help support your dog's overall health by promoting a strong immune system, reducing inflammation, and providing essential nutrients for healthy skin and coat.

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

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

24. Thyme is an aromatic herb that not only adds flavor to your dog's food, but also provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These benefits can support your dog's immune system, digestive health, and overall well-being.

25. Sage is a natural herb that can be added to dog food for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It may also help support your dog's digestive health and overall immune system.

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

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

28. 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.

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

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

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

32. 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.

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

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

35. 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.

36. 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.

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

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

39. 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.

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

41. 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.

42. 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.

43. 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

Crude Protein (min) of 24.00%: The primary contributors to the crude protein content in this pet food are the animal-based ingredients such as beef, lamb meal, pork meal, and beef liver. These are high-quality protein sources that provide essential amino acids necessary for a dog's health. The inclusion of meals (lamb meal and pork meal) indicates that these ingredients have been rendered and ground, which concentrates the protein content.

Crude Fat (min) of 16.00%: The crude fat content is likely to come from both the animal and plant-based ingredients. Beef fat, preserved with mixed tocopherols, is explicitly listed and would be a significant contributor to the fat content. Additionally, the salmon oil would also contribute beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Other ingredients like beef and lamb meal may also have inherent fat that contributes to this value.

Crude Fiber (max) of 5.00%: Fiber in this food product comes from plant-based ingredients such as pearled barley, oatmeal, brown rice, millet, quinoa, and suncured alfalfa meal. These grains and plant materials provide the dietary fiber that helps with digestion and gut health. The maximum fiber content is kept at 5%, ensuring that while the food provides the benefits of fiber, it does not exceed a level that might be difficult for the dog to digest or could interfere with nutrient absorption.

Calories of 3770.00 per kg: The caloric content is a cumulative measure of the energy provided by the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the food. While the guaranteed analysis does not break down the caloric contribution by macronutrient, the high fat content (16%) would be a dense source of calories, given that fats provide more than double the calories per gram compared to proteins and carbohydrates. The grains included would also contribute to the caloric content, but to a lesser extent compared to fats.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wholesome Grains Beef & Ancient Grains Recipe costs approximately $2.76 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.