Rating: 
Halo dry dog food receives the Advisor’s second-tier rating of 4 stars.
The Halo Dog Food Spot’s Stew product line includes 6 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.
- Halo Spot’s Stew Wholesome Lamb Recipe
- 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 Wholesome Chicken Small Breed Recipe
Halo Spot’s Stew Wholesome Chicken Adult Recipe was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Halo Spot's Stew Wholesome Chicken Adult
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken, eggs, pea protein, oats, vegetable broth, pearled barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), whole peas, chicken liver, salmon, flax seed, 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, vitamins (folic acid, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement ,choline bitartrate, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, ascorbic acid, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin), minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, cobalt proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, magnesium proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium longum fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 7.2%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 28% | 16% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 31% | 18% | 43% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 27% | 37% | 37% |
The first ingredient in this dog 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 account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.
The second ingredient lists eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The third ingredient is pea protein, what remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable.
Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label — a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The fourth ingredient is oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient is vegetable stock, a broth made from various vegetables simmered in water. Stocks are nutritionally empty. Yet because they add moisture to a dog food they are a common finding in canned and wet products.
The sixth ingredient 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 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. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The eighth ingredient mentions peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, like pea protein previously discussed, peas are high in protein (about 25%), a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The ninth ingredient is dried chicken liver, a dehydrated product made from whole chicken livers. Because it contains about 62% protein and 20% fat, this item makes a favorable addition to this dog food.
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 two notable exceptions…
First, 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.
And lastly, the company 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.
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 31%, a fat level of 18% and estimated carbohydrates of about 43%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 32% and a mean fat level of 19%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 41% for the overall product line.
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbohydrates when compared to a typical dry dog food.
When you consider the notable protein-boosting effect of the peas and pea protein, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing only a moderate amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Halo dry dog food is a plant-based kibble containing a moderate amount of chicken, salmon or lamb as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 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
02/20/2012 Review updated (added 2 new recipes)
02/20/2012 Last Update
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.