4Health Dog Food (Dry)

by Mike Sagman
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Rating: ★★★★☆

4Health Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest rating of four stars.

The 4Health product line lists six dry dog foods…. five designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance and one for all life stages (Puppy).

  • 4Health Dog Food Lamb and Rice Formula for Adults (3 stars)
  • 4Health Dog Food Chicken and Rice Formula for Adults
  • 4Health Dog Food Performance Formula for Adults
  • 4Health Dog Food Large Breed Formula for Adults
  • 4Health Dog Food Small Bites Formula for Adults
  • 4Health Puppy Formula

The 4Health Dog Food Chicken and Rice Formula was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

4Health Chicken and Rice Formula for Adults

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 29% | Fat = 17% | Carbs = 46%

Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley, millet, brewers rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), beet pulp, natural chicken flavor, flaxseed, fish meal, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, dried chicory root, glucosamine hydrochloride, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, Yucca schidigera extract, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, chondroitin sulfate, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.4%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

The first ingredient in this dog food lists chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains about 80% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost… reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably occupy a lower position on the list.

Which brings us to chicken meal… the second and (more likely) the dominant meat ingredient in this dog food.

Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The third ingredient lists barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index (like rice), barley can help support stable blood sugar levels in dogs.

The fourth ingredient is millet… gluten-free grains harvested from certain seed grasses. Millet is hypoallergenic and naturally rich in B-vitamins and fiber… as well as other essential minerals.

The fifth ingredient is brewers rice. Brewers rice represents the small grain fragments left over after milling whole rice.

This is an inexpensive cereal grain by-product and not considered a quality ingredient.

The sixth ingredient lists chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The seventh item includes 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.

After the natural chicken flavor, we find flaxseed… one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Flax seeds are rich in soluble fiber.

However, we find it unusual to see flaxseed here in its whole seed form. Whole flax seeds are almost impossible to digest (at least for us humans) unless they are first ground to a usable powder before they are consumed.

The tenth ingredient is fish meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.

Unfortunately, this particular item is anonymous. The term “fish” does little to properly describe this ingredient. What species? What parts?

Fish meal is commonly made from the by-products of commercial fish operations.

However, we are pleased to report that, unlike many other fish meals, this particular item1 appears to be ethoxyquin-free.

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 have much of an effect on the overall rating of this product.

With two notable exceptions…

First, we find no mention of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.

And lastly, this food does contain chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

4Health Dog Food… the Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, 4Health Dog Food appears to be an above-average kibble.

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 29%, a fat level of 17% and estimated carbohydrates of about 46%.

With its implied (23% protein) lower meat content, we’re compelled to downgrade the Lamb and Rice to the next lower category.

So, if we exclude the lamb and rice recipe, the brand features an average protein content of 30% and a mean fat level of 16%.

Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 46% for the overall product line.

Above-average protein. Average fat. And below-average carbs… as compared to a typical dry dog food.

With no evidence of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a dry dog food containing a moderate amount of meat.

In addition, it’s important to acknowledge this product’s absence of any critical Red Flag items.

Bottom line?

4Health Dog Food is primarily a grain-based kibble using a notable amount of lamb or chicken meals as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand four 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 a specific health benefit 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

01/16/2010 Original review
08/19/2010 Review updated

  1. Diamond Pet Customer Service email, 07/17/2010 ↩
Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


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  • Donnie

    Mike, I don’t see anything on the website as well. I just bought it yesterday.. Maybe it will be on the site soon. I will keep checking. Thanks

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com/ Mike Sagman

    Hi Eustisfiham,

    I don’t see this product on the Tractor Supply website. Please post a link to a company web page.

    Thanks for the tip.

  • Eustisflham

    Our you going to review the new 4health salmon and potato?

  • http://www.goldenretrieverkingdom.com/ golden retriever puppies

    I have also one nice puppy. This post give a batter idea for pet animal foods. It is really helpful to get a good advices to batter care of my nice puppy.

  • Kandicetucker82

    44health is made by Diamond specifically for TSC. I work there.

  • suesandefur

    whenever I get a new dogfood Ilike to check where it  is made not distrubed  .does anyone know

  • JoBoxer

    would you recommend this brand for boxer’s since it contains fish meal?

  • arthur nemeth

    Trying to select best adult food for our new lahsa apso. “best” of course is quality for price. 4Health was near top of my short list until I stumbled onto “german shepards.com” and read about experience with ‘bloating”. The person posting the experience attributed the problem to extreme expansion of 4Health in their dogs’ stomachs. They reported comparing expansion of several foods in exposed bowls. One earlier comment in this forum  mentioned reducing the amount fed as solving their problem. If this is a potential problem, we should all know. So we don’t misunderstand, the only dog that I love more than yours is mine.

  • Lynn

    if u r buying 4health, you r in tractor supply. go to the farm animals dept & get 3# of probiotic for horses (i think) less than $20.

  • Bob K

    Regina – Good for you,  You need a new vet.    What were you feeding him previously that caused problems?  Which specific formula are you currently using?  Have you ever tried a grain free food or seafood based diet?  

  • Regina

    I’m impressed with 4Health.  My 11 yr old Boxer has had skin problems for years.  He has always scratched, but last year, he (and my house) started to stink like a dead cow, and his under belly hair started to come out.  Vet said he had YEAST INFECTION, and the only treatment (not cure) would be to shampoo twice weekly….for life. Time and weather does not allow for that. I did some online research, which pointed to the possibility of food additives causing problems in the digestive tract.  I couldn’t afford the expensive and extensive treatment suggested. It was on a whim at Tractor Supply that I purchased 4Health. Within weeks, his coat looked better than it ever had.  It has taken months for the yeast infection (and smell) to subside, but slowly it is working.  I have taken him off all canned food and mix the dry food with table scraps. (Yeah, I do.) In addition, I buy large cartons of cheap yogurt and cheap probiotics at Wal-Mart, and give him those daily.  Hope this helps someone…..

  • http://www.waterfallaussie.com/ Waterfallaussie

    I recently switched my 6 dogs to this food. I have 6. They are all doing very well on it and maintaining weight. I recently took my one girl to the vet so she could fly and he asked what I was feeding since she looked so good!  I gotta say so far I like it the best compared to similar priced food!
    I am currently raising my first litter on it too and they have really full coats and are fat little beasties!

  • Teresa McGregor

    Thanks for your replies. As I mentioned I have six dogs, none are the same breed, so I feel that it’s the food and not the dog if I am having issues with all of them. One point was brought up as to the variety, this is a good point… I went from Nutro Lamb and Rice to 4Health Chicken. The reason… 6 dogs are expensive to feed!! I have a Saint Bernard, a Great Pyrenees, a Golden Retriever, etc. I go through about 20 cups of food a day. I will try the 4Heath Lamb and Rice before writing this food off. Thanks again!

  • Jan_Mom2Cavs

    Sounds like 4Health might not be the right food for your dogs, but sometimes it takes as long as 3 months to tell if a food is going to work.  However, if they were exhibiting the symptoms you stated all during the transition period, then I’d say it really isn’t for your dogs.  All dogs are different, of course.

  • Jan_Mom2Cavs

    I actually feel 4Health is on the same level as Diamond Naturals and Costco ratings-wise, but you’re right in that the food has to work for the dog.

  • Jan_Mom2Cavs

    And…if you have questions concerning the food, I would contact Tractor Supply.  You could try Diamond, but I would contact TSC first, since it’s their private label brand.

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