Rating: 
4Health canned dog food earns the Advisor’s above-average rating of 4.5 stars.
The 4Health Dog Food product line includes two canned recipes… each claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review.
- 4Health Lamb and Rice Dog Food
- 4Health Beef and Vegetable Stew Dog Food
4Health Beef and Vegetable Stew canned dog food was selected to represent both products in the line for this review.
4Health Beef and Vegetable Stew
Canned Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Beef broth, chicken, egg, peas, beef, potatoes, carrots, dried beet pulp, guar, salt, flaxseed meal, natural flavor, caramel, potassium chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, ascorbic acid, thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), d-calcium pantothenate, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, niacin, riboflavin supplement (source of vitamin B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid), calcium sulfate, choline chloride, sodium tripolyphosphate, minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide)
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 8.3%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 5% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 44% | 28% | 20% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 34% | 51% | 15% |
The first ingredient in this dog food lists beef broth. Broths are nutritionally empty. But because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food they are a common finding in many canned products.
The second ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The third ingredient lists egg… a desirable addition. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The fourth ingredient mentions peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein… a factor that must be considered when evaluating the total protein reported in this food.
The fifth ingredient includes beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1
The sixth ingredient is potato. Assuming they’re whole, potatoes are a good source of digestible carbohydrates and other healthy nutrients.
The seventh ingredient mentions carrots. Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The eighth ingredient is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient… a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.
The ninth ingredient is guar… a gelling or thickening agent found in many wet pet foods. Refined from dehusked guar beans, guar gum can add a notable amount of dietary fiber to any product.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With two notable exceptions…
First, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Non-chelated minerals are usually associated with lower quality dog foods.
And finally, we’re always disappointed to find coloring used in any dog food. The caramel color mentioned here is probably used to make the product more appealing to you. Not your dog.
4Health Canned Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, 4Health canned dog food looks to be an above-average wet product.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44%, a fat level of 28% and estimated carbohydrates of about 20%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 43% and a mean fat level of 28%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 22% for the overall product line.
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical canned dog food.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas, this looks like the profile of a canned dog food containing a notable amount of meat.
However, it’s unfortunate the company chose to use non-chelated minerals in its recipes. Without this lower quality ingredient, we’d have been compelled to award this line our highest rating.
Bottom line?
4Health canned dog food is a meat-based grain free product using a notable amount of chicken or beef as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.
Highly recommended.
A Final Word
This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.
For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.
Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.
Notes and Updates
04/23/2011 Original review
04/23/2011 Last Update
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.