Rating: 
Hi-Tek Naturals Dog Food gets the Advisor’s above-average rating of 4 stars.
The Hi-Tek Dog Food product line includes three kibbles. Since we could not locate AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements for these products on the Hi-Tek Rations website, we’re unable to report life stage recommendations.
The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review.
- Hi-Tek Naturals Chicken Meal and Rice Formula for Active Dogs
- Hi-Tek Naturals Lamb Meal and Rice Formula for Less Active and Large Breeds
- Hi-Tek Naturals Chicken Meal and Rice Formula for Less Active and Large Breeds (3.5 stars)
Hi-Tek Naturals Chicken Meal and Rice Formula for Less Active and Large Breeds was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Hi-Tek Naturals Chicken Meal and Rice for Less Active and Large Breeds
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Brown rice, chicken meal, pearled barley, white rice, whole milo, pork meat meals, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), flaxseed, salt, potassium chloride, natural flavors, vitamin E supplement, biotin, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, riboflavin, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, citric acid, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese oxide, selenium yeast, calcium iodate
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.3%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 23% | 12% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 26% | 13% | 53% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 23% | 29% | 48% |
The first ingredient in this dog food lists brown rice… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.
The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The third 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 fourth ingredient is white rice… a less nutritious form of rice in which the grain’s healthier outer layer has been removed.
The fifth ingredient is milo. Milo is another name for sorghum… a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.
Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, milo can be considered a quality non-meat ingredient.
The sixth ingredient includes pork meal… another high protein meat concentrate.
The seventh 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 eighth 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 ninth 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, this dog food product contains selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.
Next, we find no mention of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.
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.
Hi-Tek Naturals Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Hi-Tek Naturals 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 26%, a fat level of 13% and estimated carbohydrates of about 53%.
Due to its apparently lower meat content, we have chosen to downgrade the Lamb Meal and Rice formula.
Excluding the Lamb Meal recipe, 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.
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.
Bottom line?
Hi-Tek Naturals is a grain-based kibble using a moderate amount of chicken or lamb meals as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand 4 stars.
Highly 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
04/19/2011 Original review
04/19/2011 Last Update
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.
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