Rating: 
Precise Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4 stars.
The Precise product line includes nine dry dog foods, five claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages, two for adult maintenance (Senior and Light) and two for growth (Puppy).
The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review:
- Precise Endurance Formula
- Precise Competition Formula
- Precise Light Formula (3 stars)
- Precise Senior Formula (3 stars)
- Precise Chicken Meal and Rice Adult
- Precise Lamb Meal and Rice Sensicare
- Precise Large and Giant Breed Puppy
- Precise Small and Medium Breed Puppy
- Precise Chicken Meal and Rice Foundation
Precise Dog Food Chicken Meal and Rice Adult Formula was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Precise Canine Chicken Meal and Rice Formula
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken meal, ground brown rice, rice bran, ground oats, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and ascorbyl palmitate), flaxseed, chicken cartilage (source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), beet pulp, lecithin, natural chicken flavor, dried kelp, fish oil, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, salt, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product and dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Yucca schidigera extract, dl-methionine, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium ascorbate (source of vitamin C), choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, cobalt amino acid chelate, riboflavin supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese amino acid chelate, folic acid, biotin, thiamine mononitrate (B1), pyridoxine hydrochloride (B6), sodium selenite, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, calcium iodate
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.9%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 25% | 15% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 28% | 17% | 48% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 24% | 35% | 41% |
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The second item is 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 third ingredient lists rice bran, a healthy by-product of milling whole grain rice. The bran is the fiber-rich outer layer of the grain containing starch, protein, fat as well as vitamins and minerals.
The fourth ingredient is ground oats. Oats are naturally rich in dietary fiber, B-vitamins and low in gluten.
The fifth 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 sixth ingredient lists 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.
Chicken cartilage is a source of both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate — natural substances believed to support joint health.
Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.
Lecithin is a waxy substance obtained from soybeans. Although it is commonly used to make fats more blendable, lecithin is believed to improve a dog’s skin and coat.
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 inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added to provide enzymes to aid the animal with digestion.
Next, fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Third, this recipe also contains selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.
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.
Precise Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by the ingredients alone, Precise 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 reports a dry matter protein reading of 28%, a fat level of 17% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 48%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 28% and a mean fat level of 16%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 48% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
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?
Precise Dog Food is a grain-based dry kibble using a moderate amount of a named meat meal as its main source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
Highly recommended.
Those looking for a higher-grade kibble from the same company may want to check out our review of Precise Plus 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.
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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.
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Notes and Updates
03/03/2010 Original review
05/29/2010 Review updated (added probiotics and menadione-free recipe, upgraded from 3 to 4 stars)
10/06/2010 Review updated
07/01/2012 Last Update
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