Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Entree Dog Food Mini Nibs Review

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Review of Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Entree Dog Food Mini Nibs

According to our data, this Vital Essentials recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Entree Dog Food Mini Nibs 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 Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Entree Dog Food Mini Nibs, we'll examine all 10 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 Heart is rich in taurine and other essential nutrients that support your dog's heart health.

3. 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.

4. Herring oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which promote a healthy skin and coat, support brain function, and contribute to overall heart health in your dog.

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

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

7. Zinc amino acid complex is a more digestible form of zinc that can support your dog's immune system, skin health, and coat quality.

8. Iron amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable source of iron for dogs, which supports red blood cell production and oxygen transport throughout the body. It helps maintain overall health and vitality for your furry friend.

9. Copper amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable source of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and promotes red blood cell production.

10. Manganese amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable form of manganese, an essential trace mineral that supports healthy bones, joints, and metabolism. This ingredient ensures that your dog receives the proper amount of manganese for optimal health.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min) of 50.00%: The high crude protein content in this pet food is primarily due to the chicken, chicken heart, and chicken liver listed as the first ingredients. These are all high-quality sources of protein that are essential for a dog's muscle development and overall health. Chicken is a lean meat that is especially rich in protein, while the heart and liver are nutrient-dense organs that provide a wide array of vitamins, minerals, and also contribute to the high protein content.

Crude Fat (min) of 21.00%: The crude fat content is likely coming from the chicken, as it naturally contains fat, especially if the skin is included. Additionally, herring oil is a significant contributor to the fat content. Herring oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for a dog's skin, coat, and overall health. The fat content is crucial for providing energy as well as aiding in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Crude Fiber (max) of 5.00%: The crude fiber content is relatively low, which is typical for a meat-based diet. The fiber in this food may come from small amounts of connective tissue associated with the meat or any incidental plant material that might be present. However, since the ingredient list does not include traditional fiber sources like vegetables or grains, the fiber content is likely a byproduct of the processing of the main ingredients rather than a specific added fiber source.

Calories of 4105.00 per kg: The caloric content is a measure of the energy provided by the food. The high calorie count is a result of the combined protein and fat levels. Chicken, being the main ingredient, contributes substantially to the calorie content along with the fat from the chicken itself and the added herring oil. Since fats provide more calories per gram than proteins or carbohydrates, the inclusion of herring oil significantly boosts the calorie density of the food.

Overall, the ingredients listed for Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Entree Dog Food Mini Nibs are focused on providing high-quality animal-based nutrients, with the majority of the guaranteed analysis values being directly tied to the chicken and herring oil content. The use of whole chicken and organs ensures a high protein content, while herring oil boosts the fat content, and both contribute to the calorie density of the product. The lack of plant-based ingredients keeps the fiber content low, aligning with a carnivorous diet for dogs.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Entree Dog Food Mini Nibs costs approximately $34.99 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.