Rating: 
Halo dry dog food receives the Advisor’s second-highest rating of four stars.
The Halo Dog Food Spot’s Stew product line includes four kibbles. two meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth and two more for adult maintenance.
- Halo Spot’s Stew Adult Wild Salmon Recipe
- Halo Spot’s Stew Puppy Wild Salmon Recipe
- Halo Spot’s Stew Adult Wholesome Chicken Recipe
- Halo Spot’s Stew Puppy Wholesome Chicken Recipe
Halo Spot’s Stew Puppy Wholesome Chicken Recipe was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Halo Spot's Stew Puppy Wholesome Chicken
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken, whole dried eggs, pea protein, oats, vegetable broth, pearled barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), pea flour, chicken liver, salmon, flaxseed, salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), pea fiber, sweet potatoes, apples, blueberries, green beans, carrots, cranberries, zucchini, alfalfa, inulin, calcium sulfate, potassium chloride, taurine, salt, folic acid, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, cobalt proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, choline bitartrate, niacin, pantothenic acid, ascorbic acid, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcous faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum, calcium iodate, biotin, sodium selenite
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 7.2%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first ingredient in this food is 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.
The second item includes whole dried eggs… a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. 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 third ingredient is pea protein… what remains after removing the starchy part of peas.
Compared to meat, pea protein is an inferior source of dog-specific amino acids. Yet it is still capable of raising the reported protein content of this food.
The fourth item lists oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient lists vegetable broth. Although they can add flavor to a food, broths are (for the most part) nutritionally empty.
The sixth ingredient lists barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying more fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index (like rice), barley can help maintain stable blood sugar levels in dogs.
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 eighth ingredient is pea flour… a powder made from roasted yellow peas. Pea flour makes a healthy substitute for wheat and supports more stable blood sugar levels.
The ninth ingredient includes chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal. So long as it’s not over-weighted in a dog food, chicken liver is a beneficial component.
The tenth item mentions salmon. Like the first ingredient (chicken), raw salmon is inclusive of water and subject to the same drying effects of cooking.
Because of its lighter after-cooking mass, this item would also be positioned lower on the list.
The next 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 three notable exceptions…
First, the salmon oil listed here is naturally rich in omega 3 fatty acids… essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life. And a welcome 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 lastly, this dog food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to proteins. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are generally found in better dog foods.
Halo Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, this Halo line appears to be an above-average dry 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 33%, a fat level of 22% and estimated carbohydrates of about 37%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 32% and a mean fat level of 20%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 40% for the overall product line.
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbohydrates… when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Halo surely specs out like an above-average product. Yet when you consider the notable protein-boosting effect of the pea protein, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Halo dry dog food is a plant-based kibble containing a moderate amount of chicken and egg as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand four stars.
Highly recommended.
Those looking for a quality wet food from the same company may wish to visit our review of Halo canned dog food.
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
02/22/2010 Original review
09/26/2010 Review updated
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.
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