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

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Review of Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wholesome Grains Chicken & 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 Chicken & 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 Chicken & Ancient Grains Recipe, we'll examine all 44 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. Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.

2. Chicken meal is a highly concentrated source of protein made from dehydrated and ground chicken. It provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development, tissue repair, and overall growth, making it a valuable ingredient for maintaining your dog's health and well-being.

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. Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a source of essential fatty acids like omega-6 which help to maintain a healthy skin and coat. The tocopherols act as natural preservatives.

6. 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.

7. Natural chicken flavor is a dog food ingredient used to enhance the taste and aroma of the product, making it more appealing to your pet. It is derived from real chicken and does not contain any artificial additives or chemicals. This natural flavoring helps encourage your dog to eat and enjoy their meals.

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

9. 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.

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. Chicken liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides your dog with protein, fat, and vitamin A. It's also a great source of iron, copper, niacin, zinc, and phosphorus.

12. 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.

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. Dicalcium phosphate is a calcium and phosphorus supplement that helps to support the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth in dogs.

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

16. 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.

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

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

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

29. 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.

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

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

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

33. 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.

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

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

36. 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.

37. 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.

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

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

40. 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.

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

42. 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.

43. 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.

44. 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 minimum of 25.00% is likely provided mainly by the cage-free chicken and chicken meal listed as the first two ingredients. Chicken is a high-quality source of protein that contributes significantly to the overall protein content of the food. Chicken meal, which is rendered from chicken, is a concentrated source of protein because it contains less water than whole chicken. The inclusion of chicken liver further adds to the protein content, although to a lesser extent.

The Crude Fat minimum of 15.00% is primarily derived from the chicken fat, which is a common source of animal fat in pet food and is rich in essential fatty acids. The fat is preserved with mixed tocopherols, which are forms of vitamin E that act as natural preservatives. The salmon oil, also preserved with mixed tocopherols, would contribute both to the fat content and provide omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for a pet's coat and skin health.

The Crude Fiber maximum of 5.00% can be attributed to the inclusion of fibrous ingredients such as pearled barley, oatmeal, brown rice, tomato pomace, flaxseed, millet, and suncured alfalfa meal. These grains and plant-based ingredients not only provide fiber but also contribute to the overall carbohydrate content of the food. Fiber is important for digestive health, and these ingredients help ensure the product does not exceed the maximum fiber content.

Lastly, the calorie content of 3750.00 per kg is a measure of the energy provided by the food and is influenced by the combined macronutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrates. The chicken and chicken meal provide calories from protein, the chicken fat and salmon oil provide calories from fat, and the grains like pearled barley, oatmeal, and brown rice contribute calories from carbohydrates. The overall caloric density is important for determining feeding amounts to maintain a pet's healthy weight.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wholesome Grains Chicken & 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.