Rating: 
Fromm Family Classics dog food earns the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of three stars.
The Fromm Family Classics product line includes just two dry dog foods… one meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages and the other for adult maintenance only (Mature Adult).
- Fromm Family Classics Mature Adult
- Fromm Family Classics Adult
Fromm Family Classics Adult dog food was selected to represent both products in the line for this review.
Fromm Family Classics Adult
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, ground pearled barley, oatmeal, white rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), fish meal, whole egg, beet pulp, cheese, flaxseed, brewers dried yeast, lecithin, monocalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, salt, dl-methionine, chicory root extract, Yucca schidigera extract, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcous faecium, vitamin A, D3, E, B12 supplements, choline chloride, niacin, pantothenic acid, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, biotin, zinc sulfate, iron carbonate, manganous oxide, copper oxide, cobalt carbonate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.4%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first item 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 includes brown rice. Brown rice is a quality ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.
The fourth 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 fifth item includes oatmeal… a whole-grain product naturally rich in fiber and B-vitamins. Unlike so many other cereal grains, oatmeal is mostly gluten-free.
The sixth item is white rice… a less nutritious form of brown rice in which the grain’s healthier outer layer has been removed.
The seventh 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. Though it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is a quality ingredient.
The next item is fish meal… another protein-rich meat concentrate.
Unfortunately, this particular item is anonymous. The generic term “fish” does little to adequately describe this ingredient.
Fish meal is commonly made from the by-products of commercial fish operations.
We are pleased to note that, unlike many fish meals, this particular item appears1 to be ethoxyquin-free.
The ninth ingredient is whole egg… a desirable addition. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The tenth ingredient lists 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.
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 three notable exceptions…
First, we note the inclusion of brewers dried yeast. Brewers yeast can be a controversial item. Although it’s a by-product of the beer making process, this ingredient contains about 45% protein… and is rich in other healthy nutrients.
Many also believe yeast repels fleas and supports a dog’s 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, we feel yeast should be considered a nutritious addition.
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.
And finally, 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.
Fromm Family Classics Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Fromm Family Classics appears to be a good dog food.
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 26%, a fat level of 17% and estimated carbohydrates of about 50%.
The two products feature an average protein content of 24% and a mean fat level of 14%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 53% for the overall product line.
Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbohydrates… when compared to a typical dry dog food.
With no sign of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing only a modest amount of meat.
What’s more, to reduce calories, Fromm appears to have cut the meat content of the Mature Adult product. This is evidenced by a notable drop in protein to about 23%.
Bottom line?
Fromm Family Classics is mostly a grain-based dry dog food using a modest amount of chicken meal as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand three stars.
Recommended.
Those looking for a better kibble from the same company may wish to visit our review of Fromm Four Star Nutritionals or Fromm Gold Nutritionals dry dog foods.
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.
Other spellings: Fromms
Notes and Updates
03/01/2010 Original review
10/02/2010 Review updated
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.