Dr. Harvey’s Garden Veggies DOG FOOD Review

Dr. Harvey’s Garden Veggies foods are considered low risk with a score of 7.5 points. This line offers 4 recipes with average protein of 24% and average carbohydrate of 38%. While these are minimally processed, freeze-dried foods, they still have high levels of carbohydrates causing a loss of points.

Dogs have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrates. Foods that are high in carbohydrates can raise insulin and cause obesity. Some studies also show that dogs fed a high carbohydrate content have changes to their gut bacteria and subsequently diminish the immune system. As much as 90% of a dog’s immune system is found in the gut. 

The ingredient quality of these foods also suffers because there are added vitamins and amino acids instead of relying on the ingredients to obtain necessary nutrients. When vitamins come from whole food sources, they include the full spectrum of cofactors, which makes them safe and bioavailable. While a couple of added vitamins are acceptable, five or more implies the food is of poor nutritional value. However, there are no added minerals.

Ingredients subjected to high herbicide/pesticide use are a safety concern.Oats, barley, beets, and spinach are known to be heavily sprayed. Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers pose a significant health risk to plants, animals and soils. 

These foods also have added probiotics but it would be helpful to include a guarantee of the colony forming units (CFUs) as well. It’s also good to see that selenium yeast is listed. Dogs need selenium, and it’s usually added in very small amounts. Selenium yeast is the preferred form of this mineral, as included here, and not sodium selenium that might be associated with potential toxicity. 

Dr. Harvey’s does not provide the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. This is important to know since diets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation and disease, and AAFCO allows a very high ratio of 30:1.