Fromm Four Star Nutritionals (Dry)

by Mike Sagman
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Rating: ★★★★☆

Fromm Four Star Nutritionals dry dog food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4 stars.

The Fromm Four Star Nutritionals product line lists five dry dog foods, 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.

  • Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Salmon a La Veg
  • Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Chicken a La Veg
  • Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Pork and Applesauce
  • Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Whitefish and Potato
  • Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Duck and Sweet Potato

Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Duck and Sweet Potato dry dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Duck and Sweet Potato

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 27% | Fat = 17% | Carbs = 49%

Ingredients: Fresh duck, duck meal, pearled barley, fresh sweet potatoes, brown rice, oatmeal, white rice, whole dried egg, millet, dried tomato pomace, safflower oil, fresh Wisconsin cheese, flaxseed, fresh carrots, fresh broccoli, fresh cauliflower, fresh apples, fresh green beans, chicken cartilage, potassium chloride, fresh cranberries, fresh blueberries, salt, monocalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, chicory root extract, fresh alfalfa sprouts, Yucca schidigera extract, sodium selenite, folic acid, taurine, fresh parsley, vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, choline bitartrate, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganous sulfate, magnesium sulfate, copper sulfate, cobalt carbonate, calcium iodate, sorbic acid (preservative), ferrous proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, magnesium proteinate, manganese proteinate, cobalt proteinate, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium longum fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Enterococcous faecium fermentation product

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.9%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient Content
MethodProteinFatCarbs
Guaranteed Analysis24%15%NA
Dry Matter Basis27%17%49%
Calorie Weighted Basis23%35%42%

The first ingredient in this dog food lists duck. Duck is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of duck”.1

Duck is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

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

The third item is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index, barley can help support more stable blood sugar levels.

The fourth ingredient mentions sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.

The fifth ingredient includes brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The sixth ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and is also (unlike many other grains) gluten-free.

The seventh ingredient lists white rice, a less nutritious form of rice in which the grain’s healthier outer layer has been removed.

The eighth item includes whole dried egg, a dehydrated powder made from shell-free eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The ninth ingredient mentions millet, a gluten-free grain harvested from certain seed grasses. Millet is hypoallergenic and naturally rich in B-vitamins and fiber as well as other essential minerals.

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, we note the use of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added to provide enzymes to aid the animal with digestion.

Next, we find tomato pomace. Tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient, a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.

Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.

Just the same, there’s probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.

Thirdly, chicory root is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.

Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.

And lastly, this food also 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.

Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Fromm Four Star Nutritionals dry dog food looks 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 27%, a fat level of 17% and estimated carbohydrates of about 49%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 27% and a mean fat level of 16%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 49% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.

Near-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-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.

Although supplementary marketing information does not influence our ultimate ratings, we note the company claims its kibbles are all manufactured using USDA-inspected meat “ordered as needed depending on what recipe is being made that particular day”.2

Bottom line?

Fromm Four Star Nutritionals is a plant-based dry dog food using a moderate amount of named meat meals as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.

Highly recommended.

Those looking for a wet food from the same company may wish to visit our review of Fromm Four Star Nutritionals canned dog food.

Special Alert

Rice ingredients can sometimes contain arsenic. Until the US FDA establishes safe upper levels for arsenic content, pet owners may wish to limit the total amount of rice fed in a dog's daily diet.

A Final Word

The descriptions and analyses expressed in this and every article on this website represent the views and opinions of the author.

Although it's our goal to ensure all the information on this website is correct, we cannot guarantee its completeness or its accuracy; nor can we commit to ensuring all the material is kept up-to-date on a daily basis.

Each review is offered in good faith and has been 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 analyze each product, please 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 qualified veterinary professional for help.

In closing, we do not accept money, gifts or samples from pet food companies in exchange for special consideration in the preparation of our reviews or ratings.

To learn how we support the cost of operating this website, please visit our public Disclosure and Disclaimer page.

Have an opinion about this dog food? Or maybe the review itself? Please know we welcome your comments.

Other spellings: Fromms

Notes and Updates

02/27/2010 Original review
09/30/2010 Review updated
06/25/2012 Review updated
06/25/2012 Last Update

  1. Adapted by the Dog Food Advisor from the official definition for chicken published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2008 Edition ↩
  2. Fromm, 2/27/2020 ↩
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  • lindaaparks1

    I also agree rice to be less value than I like and right now full of arsenic!! I use the duck recipe with sweet potatoes.–many folks think rice is good, it is easier to digest , true but arsenic is bad—– and yams/sweet potatoes are far more healthy and full of fiber !!!!

  • lindaaparks1

    Hello , I have been researching pet foods for about 15 years for Bulldogs as you know are the most sensitive to ingredients ,than any other breed !!! and like you do NOT have any association to any pet foods, or get any gifts rebates, or monetary gains at all.

    <>>> I agree with you on this, Fromm uses rice , and they do list liver in 2 of their recipes too. BUT DO state that they only use Muscle meats–and not bi products(which organ meat is –) that’s why they label the liver in the 2 recipes—but FROMM is only muscle meat in the meat portion, the meal portion is including some cartladge only–no bones/bi products of course.

    also they do have a pork recipe–and Pork is the ONLY meat NOT requiring a COOL LABEL .——-hog food –a majority of ingredients come from CHINA !!!!!-that does include MELAMINE!!!—there for I do not use pork

    however Fromm is 1 of 2 companies to guarantee the probiotics in the food included in the guaranteed food analysis in writing.!! it is from a live culture as well.

    the other just recalled some food so I won’t recommend them.

  • liz

    save your receipt and if your dog does not like it fromm’s will refund your money. its guaranteed

  • monkey

    Fromm has 4 grain free formulas as well. With white potatos instead of rice, maybe you used to feed those?

  • sylvia

    so far I like the ingredients, but not white rice, or tomatoes, I don:ever give my precious pet white rice or tomatoes whem I”m cooking for her, I do”t think white rice or tomato is healthy for pets, Thanks, I just started giving her fromm but could white rice or tomato not be added. I will consult with my vet.SS

  • Shawna

    I agree with Beaglemom and Pattyvaughn.. It would actually be illegal for him to tell you that humans could eat the food — irregardless of whether they would get sick or not.
    Unless a food is manufactured in a facility that produces human food it can not legally be called human grade. So for him to make a statement that humans could eat it would likely get him, and Fromm, in real hot water..

    A better question to ask in my opinion is —- Do the meats in your food PASS USDA inspection. Foods can be inspected without passing. But if they pass inspection then they could technically be consumed by humans. At least before they are taken to the kibble manufacturer.

  • Pattyvaughn

    He answered your question as best as any human can. He would have to be God to know if something that would not make him sick would or would not make you sick. Your question was not reasonable, nor does the answer to it answer the question you really wanted to know. You should have asked if the ingredients are fit for human consumption, if that is what you wanted to know. Which has little or nothing to do with whether or not something will make you sick.

  • beaglemom

    My interpretation is that they test to be sure their products are free of contaminants (bacterial, whatever) prior to release but there’s no way to guarantee ANY food isn’t going to make someone sick somewhere since everyone’s system is different. He didnt dodge the question, just answered in a drawn out response to cover his bases.

  • DebbieM

    One thing to take thought in, is what grades of meat are they adding to their food? Dog foods have been known to use sick animals, roadkill, and parts that are not fit for human consumptionin thier foods.
    I wrote to Fromm and asked then if their food were fed to a human, would the human get sick. The man responding really dodged my question twice.
    Let me see if the mail fits in here.
    Letter 1:
    Debbie,
    Our foods are cooked and the cooking process is actually a validated sterilization step. Thus even if we did take in meats with a high bacterial population, once cooked it is null and void. We also take an extra step here and that is all foods we make are placed on HOLD and tested before being released into the market. All of our meats, vegetables and fruits are USDA inspected and that contributes to the quality of the nutrients we are looking for as well as the safety. In 64 years we have never had or been involved in a recall. That track record proved to all we know what we are doing. Your questions ask if our ingredients could be eaten by humans and not make them sick. Well, today I question if that could be said for any food you and I consume. What I can promise you is that your pets will not get sick from eating our foods that is directly related to a bacterial contaminate in the food. If you have additional questions just e-mail me back.
    Thanks
    —
    That was answer #1.He Dodged the bullet. Here comes my second response after telling him he did not answer the question I asked.
    —
    In all fairness I cannot answer the question concerning whether or not you would get sick from consuming our dog foods. Mother Nature simply does not work that way in that some foods you eat may not agree with my body. I taste our foods everyday and it does not make me sick. But there is no way I can answer for you concerning that. Our meats and vegetables could be consumed by humans. Again telling you no one would get sick is hard to do. The news reports many cases of foods being consumed everyday that make people sick. Any time you present the body with a challenge it can’t handle it could produce problems. It is not that the food is bad, just that the food may not agree with that body. I have a set of paternal twin boys. The one resembling his mother, who eats hot sauce on everything, also eats hot sauce and has no problems. The son resembling me and myself cannot eat hot sauce without problems. There is nothing wrong with the hot sauce, except for me and my twin as we call him, we simply can’t eat it.
    We go through hundreds of steps to make sure the ingredients we use are safe. We even test every single batch of food made to make sure of that. Legally in a court of law I can provide proof of that. After this many things come into play in which I cannot control. One of these becomes what happens to the food once it reaches the home. If the food is not properly stored, problems could arise. If the food is introduced to a contaminate, that could cause problems. If the food becomes infested with closet mites, moths, or other bugs, this could become a problem. So all I can do is tell you that when the food is made, it is safe and free from any adulterant. Since it is normally not part of your everyday diet, I have no idea if your body would except it or not. Again, this has nothing to do with the products safeness.
    In 64 years we have never had to issue or been involved in a recall. While we do get complaints to where pet parents often blame the food, 99.5% of the time, science leads to the cause being something other than our food causing the problem. So I hope this helps you understand that your question simply can’t be ask this way. Please let me know if you need any additional information that would help ease your concerns. Our products are really good and safe. I have enclosed a picture of our vegetables and maybe this will help.
    Thanks
    On Thu, Mar 14, 2013 at 9:53 PM, Debbie wrote:
    Hi and thank you for responding. My question was not answered. If I ate Fromm dog food, would I get sick? The quality of the ingredients are my interest. some foods have been known to use sick or diseased meats, or parts that a human would not safely eat. I would like to be assured that this is not the case with FROMM food and that my dogs are eating healthy. So my question would be, “If I ate FROMM dog food, would I get sick?” Are your meats and vegtables safe for human consumption?
    Thank you,
    Debbie

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  • Pattyvaughn

    Puppy foods are formulated with more protein and a more careful balance of nutrients. Food that is formulated for puppies may be marked for growth or all life stages. I feed all my dogs ALS foods. They really are good for All Life Stages, puppy through senior.

  • Frankiesmom

    feed not teen :)

  • frankiesmom

    Is the four star product recommended to teen puppies? Their website says for all life cycles.

  • Sammie

    My little old Silky girl had lots of tummy upsets, but very few since I started Sweet Potato and Duck. I also feed it to my rescued foster dogs with good results for them, too.

  • Hunting with British labs

    Fromm may be more expensive but is well worth the money especially for people with hunting dogs it keeps there energy up and will help strengthen the dogs joints so when you’re in the field you’re dog will perform and be healthy and strong

  • Erika

    I bought the Salmon A La Veg for my dog and she disliked it so much that when I mixed it in with her normal food she ate around it! So, I gave the bag to my friend for her four dogs and they love it. She said she has never seen them love a food so much. Just goes to show that what works for one dog may not work for another.

  • Hound Dog Mom

    Try it and see. All dogs have different taste preferences, just like people.

  • Moey

    Do small dogs like the taste of the duck and potato? I have a 9month old ShihTzu

  • Marie

    That is an interesting site. I disagree with some of their analysis, but still okay overall.

  • Moey

    Thanks Marie, I Just found a very good site that lists what the ingredients really are and then rates their nutritional value: http://www.naturalnews.com/Report_pet_food_ingredients_6.html

    Chicken Cartilage- (natural source of glucosamine) (3 stars) found in 1% of pet food products analyzed
    Gimmicky, not enough is present for therapeutic response.

    Chicken by-product (1 stars) found in 5% of pet food products analyzed
    Ground up carcasses, diseased internal organs, beaks and feet.

    chicken by-product meal (1 stars) found in 23% of pet food products analyzed
    Ground up carcasses, internal organs, beaks, feet. Concentrated.

  • Marie

    I would imagine the difference is that Fromm’s knows exactly what they’re putting in their food because they listed chicken cartilage specifically vs Iams that just puts ‘by-product meal’ which could really mean anything that isn’t meat (sure, cartilage included, but also feathers, claws or whatever)

  • Moey

    What Is the difference between Fromm’s Chicken Cartilage and Iams- chicken by-product meal (a dry rendered product of slaughterhouse waste. It’s made from what’s left of a slaughtered chicken after all the prime cuts have been removed.)

  • S York

    Oops, forgot to add that you want to avoid any poultry source and all grains. Corn and wheat are huge allergy sources. I would stay away from white rice just because it is not good for people, so surely it is not good for dogs

  • S York

    Elena, I have the same allergy issues with my German Shepherd. Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Bison has worked for him for years. He is also able to eat limited ingredient treats with Elk or Salamon. Try Healthy Bones brand. He has been on Limited Ingredient Diet for 8 years. He is now 10 and doing great.

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  • Elena Rodgen

    Have four standard Poodles in the house allergic to foul get gooshie ears -allergies-three like fromm dry pork &apple sauce with party animal wet one will not eat the pork and applesauce all i would like is to WANT TO GIVE DRY AND WET: Tried raw Intrinsict with EVO beef now they have the runs-on my white carpets GRRRRRRRRR ALL had to get kopectate. I just want to get them on a no grain, starch, soy natural food dry with wet consistancy. There are too many to go over on the grid, very confusing… need advise.
    Thanks…

  • Daves

    Your best bet is to use a lower ash food. Ash in foods in largely minerals. Try to avoid high protein foods that have high ash. It is not the protein but the ash that goes along with it. Dr. Tim’s makes the lowest ash foods I have seen. Crystals after a UTI are common and generally don’t mean stones will form. Some breeds are predisposed and all breeds as they age. Change the water often, use multiple bowls and use large bowls. You might even try putting the water in a jug and shaking it to aerate the water.  I know some people that using cat fountains for toy breeds.

  • InkedMarie

    Yes, I had a dog that had them. I honestly can’t answer about the food; my vet knew better than to tell me to use a script food. The key to crystals and keeping them at bay is to make sure your dog gets alot of liquid. He needs to urinate! For me, what worked best was kibble mixed with canned and water to make a nice stew. I did one meal of that and did the other meal of The Honest Kitchen, which is dehydrated, you add water to it. My vet prescribed one 500mg Vitamin C for my dog and I used a cranberry pill as well. Don’t do that without asking your vet. 

  • Tracy

    Does anyone have experiece with Struvite Crystals?  My dog, almost 12, is experiencing his first UTI and the vet wanted to put him on a prescription diet, which I have refused for the time being to see if a stronger antibiotic can knock this thing out. My question is, I switched to Fromm Pork about 5 months ago, could this be the reason? I have loved this food so far because he has extremely bad allergies (been through testing, shots, steriods, pills, you name it), ever since I moved to the south 7 years ago.  This food has cut down his allergies by about 90%, it has been amazing food for his allergies and I really don’t want to switch because of that.  Thanks

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/DNKHJO4727JTNRXWMSWT6ACO7Q Issac

    my dog also has skin problem. what flavor of fromm did you switch to?
    thanks!!

  • Jose

    Try MVPK9 Supplements you can find on ebay. Is the best supplement on the market and natural!!! Here the link on ebay for the Alpha Meal Program (Weight Gainer, Muscle Builder and Multivitamin) http://www.ebay.com/itm/MVPk9-…

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