With an average score of 7.8, Pet Tao’s freeze-dried dog food line is considered low risk. The foods are formulated based on Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) theories of food energetics, with warming (Blaze), cooling (Chill) and neutral (Harmony) recipes. 

This line is formulated to meet AAFCO standards for maintenance. Pet Tao’s website suggests some possible therapeutic benefits of each food. Technically this type of claim is not allowed under FDA regulations for a non-prescription diet. While Pet Tao foods were formulated by two certified TCVM veterinarians, no prescription or veterinary authorization is required to buy the foods.  

The freeze-dried line is lightly processed and doesn’t contain any added vitamins or minerals, which usually indicates higher quality ingredients that supply needed nutrients without the need for fortification.

The line loses ingredient quality points for a calculated level of 30% carbohydrate on average, which is surprisingly high for a freeze dried food.  The recipes contain several starchy ingredients, like oats, sweet potato, peas, barley and rice. Large amounts of starch can increase insulin levels, cause obesity and negatively impact gut balance. It would be nice to see a lower level of carbohydrate in a freeze-dried food.

On the ingredient safety side, Pet Tao’s freeze-dried dog foods lose points for several ingredients that are known to have high pesticide/herbicide residues, such as peas, oats and barley in the top 5 ingredients, as well as spinach and celery lower on the ingredient list. Pesticides and herbicides pose a significant health risk to plants, animals and soils. Foods with the largest reported amount of residue will be penalized, including crops (like legumes and oats) that are known to e spray-dried with glyphosate  

The Harmony recipe also loses a point for containing rice. Arsenic contamination is a significant concern with ride since it naturally absorbs arsenic which is a common contaminant in the water rice is grown in Arsenic is linked to chronic health issues.

Finally, another concern is that the label doesn’t provide the omega-6:omega-3 ratio, which is a concern since AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1.