Rating: 
Canidae canned dog food gets the Advisor’s second-highest rating of four stars.
Currently, the Canidae product line lists five canned dog foods… one meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles for maintenance (Platinum for adult weight loss and seniors) and four for all life stages.
- Canidae Platinum (3 stars)
- Canidae Chicken and Rice
- Canidae Lamb and Rice
- Canidae All Life Stages
- Canidae Beef and Fish
Canidae Beef and Fish canned dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Canidae Beef and Fish Formula
Canned Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Beef, beef broth, beef liver, ocean fish, oatmeal, peas, pearled barley, brown rice, carrageenan, guar gum, locust bean gum, flaxseed oil (source of omega-3 fatty acid), dicalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, salt, potassium chloride, suncured alfalfa meal, sunflower oil (source of omega-6 fatty acid), lecithin, beta-carotene, sage extract, rosemary extract, cranberries, Yucca schidigera extract, choline chloride, betaine, taurine, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, copper proteinate, sodium selenite, manganese proteinate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 6.8%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first item in this dog food is 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
Beef is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient lists beef broth. Broths are nutritionally worthless. But because they add moisture to a dog food they are a common finding in many canned products.
The third ingredient is beef liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal. So long as it’s not over-weighted in a dog food, beef liver is a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient lists ocean fish. Like beef, fish can also be considered a protein-rich meat addition.
Unfortunately, this particular ingredient is anonymous. The phrase “ocean fish” does little to adequately describe this item. We always prefer to see a named fish species.
The fifth ingredient is oatmeal… a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, fiber and is (unlike many other grains) mostly gluten-free.
The sixth item lists peas. Peas are considered a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus they’re rich in natural fiber.
The seventh ingredient is 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 eighth item is brown rice. Brown rice is a quality ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.
The ninth item lists carrageenan… a gelatin-like thickening agent extracted from seaweed.
The tenth ingredient is guar gum… another thickening substance 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 have much of an effect on the overall rating of this product.
With three notable exceptions…
First, we mark the inclusion of flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil is one of nature’s best non-fish sources of essential omega-3 fatty acids.
Sunflower oil is high in linoleic acid… an essential omega-6 fatty acid needed by every dog to sustain life.
But the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in a food is nutritionally critical… and can vary significantly (depending on the quality of the source ingredient itself).
There are several different types of sunflower oil… some better than others. Without knowing more, it is impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
And finally…
We are also pleased to report this food contains 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.
Canidae Canned Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Canidae canned dog food appears to be a quality 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 41%, a fat level of 27% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 24%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 37% and an average fat level of 25%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate portion size of 30% for the overall product line.
Average protein. Average fat. And average carbohydrates… when compared to a typical canned dog food.
With no evidence of any plant-based protein concentrates, this is the profile of a wet food containing a moderate amount of meat.
In addition, we note the absence of any critical Red Flag items.
Bottom line?
Canidae canned dog food is primarily a meat-based wet product using a moderate amount of chicken, lamb or beef as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand four stars.
Highly recommended.
Those looking for a comparable kibble made by the same company may wish to check out our review of Canidae dry dog food.
A Final Word
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
12/07/2009 Original review
07/18/2010 Review updated
- Association of American Feed Control Officials ↩
