Food scores are based on ingredient quality and safety. For more information, view our evaluation criteria.
Even with its high protein average of 62% and average carbs of 2.5%, Epigen is considered high risk with a rating of 4.5. It loses ingredient safety points for being ultra-processed, and using natural flavors. These recipes contain ingredients known to contain higher pesticide/herbicide residues including dried plain beet pulp, dried tomato pomace, dried apple fiber, dried kale, and dried spinach.
These foods have excessive vitamins and minerals added. Five or more added minerals indicate a lower quality food that’s lacking naturally occurring minerals from whole food sources. Unspecified animal and fish sources are used, which are usually less expensive sources. You want to see beef, salmon or chicken, not animal, fish or poultry. Unnamed protein sources are of much lower quality, especially meals, which are typically from rendered waste. Whether fish is farmed or wild-caught should be listed. Wild-caught fish has a healthier fatty acid balance. The ratio of omega 6:3 fatty acids has not been provided. Omega-6 fats are inflammatory and AAFCO allows a very high ratio of 30:1.
Glam ingredients including fish oil, kelp, barley grass, blueberry powder, and dried apple fiber, kale, spinach and carrots are found in the chicken recipe. This is when expensive or desirable ingredients like blueberries or kale are added to appeal to consumers but may be in minuscule amounts. If these foods are below salt or other low concentration ingredients, they contribute little or no nutritional value to your dog. Coconut oil is also used, which is a concern as It’s been found to be harmful to gut health.
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