Rating: 
Mulligan Stew dry dog food receives the Advisor’s second-highest rating of four stars.
The Mulligan Stew product line lists three dry dog foods… each meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
- Mulligan Stew Fish Recipe
- Mulligan Stew Lamb Recipe
- Mulligan Stew Chicken Recipe
Mulligan Stew Fish Recipe dry dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Mulligan Stew Fish Recipe
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Salmon, brown rice, oats, salmon meal, whitefish meal, whitefish, trout, dehydrated alfalfa meal, flaxseed, eggs, herring oil, rice bran, dried cane molasses, dehydrated cabbage, natural fish flavor, inulin (from chicory root), l-methionine, l-cysteine, dried kelp, salt, beta-carotene, zinc sulfate, vitamin E supplement, selenium yeast, dehydrated horseradish, mixed tocopherols (natural preservative), potassium iodide, vitamin D3 supplement, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 8.9%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first item in this dog food lists salmon. Although it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, raw salmon 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 brown rice…. the second and (more likely) the dominant ingredient in this dog food.
Brown rice is a quality grain… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.
The third item lists oats. Oats are rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals and can be considered another quality grain ingredient.
The next two items list salmon meal and whitefish meal. Fish meals are considered meat concentrates and contain nearly 300% more protein than fresh fish.
We are pleased to note that, unlike many fish meals, this particular item appears1 to be ethoxyquin-free.
Following these meals we find two more quality fish ingredients… whitefish and trout. However, (like the salmon) these two raw meats contain a notable amount of water. So, after cooking, both should also occupy a lower position on the list.
The eighth ingredient lists dehydrated alfalfa meal. Alfalfa meal is fairly high in plant protein (about 18%), fiber and other healthy nutrients.
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.
The tenth ingredient includes eggs… a desirable addition. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
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, although molasses can be rich in mineral nutrients, it is also a less-refined form of sugar with a glycemic index similar to maple syrup. Like table sugar (and in larger amounts), molasses can have an unfavorable effect on a dog’s blood sugar.
Next, we find no mention of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.
And lastly, based upon the information provided on the company’s website, we are unable to confirm the presence or absence of any chelated minerals in this product. Chelated minerals are usually associated with better quality dog foods.
Mulligan Stew Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Mulligan Stew Dog Food appears 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 29%, a fat level of 11% and estimated carbohydrates of about 52%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 29% and a mean fat level of 11%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 52% for the overall product line.
Average protein. Low fat. And slightly above-average carbs 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 a moderate amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Mulligan Stew is a grain-based dry dog food using a moderate amount of chicken, lamb or salmon as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand four stars.
Highly recommended.
Those looking for a nice wet product from the same company may wish to visit our review of Mulligan Stew 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 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
04/04/2010 Original review
11/04/2010 Review updated
- Mulligan Stew Pet Food website, 4/3/2010 ↩
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.
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