Tender & True Freeze Dried DOG FOOD Review

With a score of 8/10, Tender & True Freeze Dried dog food is considered a low risk dog food. There is 1 recipe that averages 38% protein and 5% carbohydrate, as calculated. This recipe also scored 10/10 for ingredient safety.

This recipe is a certified organic dog food. It has a very low carbohydrate content, which is what we expect to see in a freeze dried line. It is also minimally processed without heat so there is a minimal loss of nutrients. 

With these positive points, it’s concerning to see an excessive amount of vitamins and minerals added to an organic recipe that is attempting to offer a quality dog food. Synthetic ingredients aren’t as bioavailable as those that are naturally obtained. 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.

It’s also worth noting that the line contains sodium selenite as a source of selenium. Dogs need selenium, and it’s usually added in very small amounts. However some research suggests that sodium selenite may be associated with potential toxicity, so selenium yeast is the preferred form of this mineral. 

This recipe includes inositol as a sweetener. Sugar is a low quality ingredient that dogs don’t need. It can cause unwanted gut changes, obesity and insulin spikes. 

Tender & True also uses fish oil that is an unnamed animal protein that is often a less expensive ingredient that can be made from rendered waste of many proteins. The company uses wild-caught fish in its other recipes but doesn’t note whether the fish in the fish oil is from wild or farmed sources. Wild-caught fish has higher nutritional value and a better fatty acid balance than farmed. 

Since this recipe is made with organic ingredients, there’s no concern about pesticide/herbicde residues or GMOs. The poultry in this recipe has been certified by the Global Animal Partnership (GAP), which places importance on animal welfare.  

Tender & True doesn’t state the omega-6:omega-3 ratio in their recipes. While this is true of most companies, it’s a concern since AAFCO allows a very inflammatory limit of 30:1.