Rating: 
Country Vet Dog Fuel gets the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of 3 stars.
The Country Vet Dog Fuel product line includes four kibbles, each meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
- Country Vet Dog Fuel Large Breed Adult
- Country Vet Dog Fuel Large Breed Active
- Country Vet Dog Fuel Large Breed Senior
- Country Vet Dog Fuel Large Breed Puppy
Country Vet Dog Fuel Large Breed Puppy was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Dog Fuel Large Breed Puppy
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken meal, oat meal, brown rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherois), beet pulp, fish meal, rice bran, poultry liver digest, dried eggs, flax seeds, canola seeds, dried brewers yeast, fish oil, salt, calcium sodium aluminosillcate, potassium chloride, yucca schidigera estract, Enterococcus faecium, choline chloride, calcium propionate, chicory root, dried lecithin, sodium bentonite, ferrous sulfate, calcium carbonate, zinc methionine complex, zinc oxide, vitamin E supplement, niacinamide, copper lysine complex, copper sulfate, sodium selenite, manganese methionine comples, manganous oxide, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothonate, biotin, thiamine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfate complex (source of vitamin K activity), ethylenediamine dihydriodide, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, cobalt glucoheptonate and cobalt carbonate
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 0.6%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The second ingredient is oatmeal… a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, fiber and is also (unlike many other grains) gluten-free.
The third item is brown rice. Brown rice is a quality ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.
The fourth ingredient is 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 fifth ingredient 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.
Fish meal is yet another high-protein meat concentrate.
Unfortunately, this particular item is anonymous. Because various fish contain different types of fats, we would have preferred to have known the source species.
Fish meal is commonly made from the by-products of commercial fish operations.
What’s more, the controversial chemical ethoxyquin is frequently used as a preservative in fish meals.
But because it’s usually added to the raw fish before processing, the chemical does not have to be reported to consumers.
We find no public assurances from the company this product is ethoxyquin-free.
Without knowing more, and based upon this fish meal’s location on the list of ingredients, we would expect to find at least a trace of ethoxyquin in this product.
The seventh item is rice bran… a healthy by-product of rice milling. Though not as nutritionally complete as whole grain rice, brans are still unusually rich in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.
The eighth item is poultry liver digest… which is made from the enzymatic breakdown of poultry liver. Digests are commonly used by pet food manufacturers as flavor enhancers.
The ninth ingredient mentions dried eggs… a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary greatly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries… from eggs that have failed to hatch.
In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The tenth ingredient is flaxseed… one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
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 four notable exceptions…
First, brewers dried yeast can be a controversial item. Although a by-product of the beer making process, this ingredient contains about 45% protein… and is rich in other healthy nutrients.
Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.
Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself.
What’s more, a vocal minority insist yeast can increase the risk of developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. However, this is something we’ve not been able to scientifically verify.
In any case, unless your dog is specifically allergic to it, yeast can be considered a nutritious additive.
Next, the manufacturer appears to have applied friendly bacteria to the surface of the kibble after cooking. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.
Thirdly, this food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to amino acids. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are generally found in better dog foods.
And lastly, this Country Vet recipe also includes menadione… a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.
Country Vet Dog Fuel
The Bottom Line
Compared to either Country Vet Premium and Country Vet Choice, Country Vet Dog Fuel appears to be a better 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 31%, a fat level of 18% and estimated carbohydrates of about 43%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 30% and a mean fat level of 17%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 45% for the overall product line.
Near-average protein. Near-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.
However, it’s unfortunate the company chose to include menadione in its recipes. Without this controversial supplement, we would have been compelled to award this brand a higher rating.
Bottom line?
Country Vet Dog Fuel is a grain-based dry food using a moderate amount of chicken meal as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand 3 stars.
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
05/12/2010 Original review
12/11/2010 Review updated
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.