Sojos Complete (Dry)

by Mike Sagman
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Rating: ★★★½☆

Sojos Complete Dog Food receives the Advisor’s above-average rating of 3.5 stars.

The Sojos Complete Dog Food product line lists two dry recipes… each claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.1

  • Sojos Complete Beef Recipe
  • Sojos Complete Turkey Recipe

Sojos Complete Turkey Recipe grain-free dog food was selected to represent both products in the line for this review.

Sojos Complete Turkey Recipe

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 25% | Fat = 9% | Carbs = 58%

Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, USDA turkey, whole egg, broccoli, celery, apples, flax meal, pecans, tricalcium phosphate, pumpkin, cranberries, basil, dried alfalfa, ginger root, dried kelp, zinc sulfate, vitamin E acetate, vitamin D2

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5.8%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient Content
MethodProteinFatCarbs
Guaranteed Analysis22%8%NA
Dry Matter Basis25%9%58%
Calorie Weighted Basis24%21%55%

The first ingredient in this dog food includes sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a good source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in fiber, beta carotene and other healthy nutrients.

The second ingredient includes turkey. Turkey is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

According to the company, this ingredient is freeze-dried without heat prior to processing in the manufacture of this product.

The third ingredient lists whole eggs… a desirable addition. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The fourth ingredient includes broccoli. Broccoli is a healthy green vegetable and a member of the kale family. It is especially rich in vitamin C and fiber and numerous other nutrients. Broccoli is known to provide potent anti-cancer benefits.

The fifth ingredient is celery. Although raw celery can be very high in water, it can still contribute a notable amount of dietary fiber as well as other healthy nutrients.

The sixth ingredient is apples… a nutrient-rich, high-fiber fruit.

The seventh ingredient mentions flaxseed meal… one of the best plant-based sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Flax meal is particularly 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 one exception…

The listed vitamins and minerals do not appear to be complete. So, it’s impossible for us to judge their quality. We would hope these essential nutrients are provided by the food ingredients in the recipe.

Sojos Complete Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Sojos Complete Dog Food looks to be an above-average product.

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 25%, a fat level of 9% and estimated carbohydrates of about 58%.

As a pair, the two recipes features an average protein content of 25% and a mean fat level of 9%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 59% for the overall product line.

The company claims the actual carbohydrate content of these products averages about 17%.1

Below-average protein. Low fat. And low carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Even without any plant-based protein boosters, this still looks like the profile of a dry dog food containing only a moderate amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Sojos Complete is a grain-free potato-based dry dog food using only a moderate amount of dehydrated beef or turkey as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 3.5 stars.

Recommended.

Sojos Complete is a dehydrated pre-mix that requires the addition of water before serving.

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

02/27/2011 Original review
02/27/2011 Last Update

  1. Per Sojos in DFA comment dated 7/5/2011 ↩
  2. Per Sojos in DFA comment dated 7/5/2011 ↩
Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


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  • Anna

    Bjohnson: I just opened our 1st bag of Sojos Turkey Complete. Got it for some variety….but it will prob. be the last simply because of the ingredients from China…no need to get it from there. For the last 4 yrs. our dogs have been eating The Honest Kitchen (all varieties), Dr. Harveys and homemade once in awhile time permitting. They have been doing great on these. I do add extra protein to Honest Kitchen (and greek yogurt) most of the time but if I don’t have time I still feel good about feeding it. You have to add the protein w/Dr. Harveys as it is not complete. Kudos to you for doing this on your own! Switching off dry food will be a BIG bonus for your dog!

  • Kat

    My three dogs have been on a Sojos diet for almost two months now. We rotate between turkey and beef, adding some Sojos fruit & veggie mix, plus whatever veggies (organic) we have on hand, like broccoli, carrots, salad greens, etc. my three LOVE it! My puppy was a picky eater, now he’s the first one done and cleans up what scraps are left from the others. Stool is healthy and firm. My oldest is maintaining a healthy weight and is acting like a pup, we struggled keeping her at a healthy weight while on kibble. I see more meat than potatoe or anything else. I only wish I would’ve started this diet years ago. I recommend Sojos and going grain free to everyone I know.

  • melissa

    Don-

    Are you feeding the Sojos COMPLETE? If so, you should be feeding a dog up to 12 lbs 1/2 cup of the DRY MIX per day. This means, measure it DRY, put the half cup of dry mix in her bowl and THEN ADD THE PROPER AMOUNT OF WATER.Where you got two teaspoons from has left me scratching my head, but at that amount, you are seriously underfeeding her.

    Watch her weight, and do not allow her to loose too quickly. You may think 5lbs, but at her size, that is about 1/3 of her body weight and she probably does not need to loose that much-

    If you are feeding the Sojo original or the other kind, then the directions are for the dry powder portion first, and THEN it appears you add two teaspoons of MEAT to that powder mix, then add your water.

  • Don Bartels

    We have a 10 yr old female spaded ”Shitzoo”, (thank you) she is wonderful everything as far as the owners & neighbors are concerned.
    She is a daily traveller with me (male) to  professional offices and is accepted immediately. A social wonder! Never a slobber, urine, or feces problelm. – We love her! (you can tell!)
    She, is not overly active as a 10 year old but plays a lot and loves attention. She is 14 lbs and a small frame. My estimate, she could drop 5 lbs and look like a “teenager” We are not concerner about the “teenager look” we are concerned about the solid entra 5 lbs that could be a drain on her entire system.
    I have read – re-read your mixining directions and feeding amounts and CAN NOT  for the like of me understand the portioins I should be feeding her.  Presently feeding her 2x per day. (two teaspoons per meal) She continues to desire more food.  From the directions on your packages I feel awful feeding her such a small amount. I am a slow learner so please advise if I have mis-read the directions for our family dog. (Sojos grain free w/ turkey).  14 lbs looking for 10 lbs!
    Thank you so much for your concerns for her comfort!
    djb

  • Jane

    I cook for my dogs too, but right now my dad is sick and it is one of the things I dont have time to do all the time. I did some research, and decided to try this for the first time today, and my dogs gobbled it up. So, as long as it doesnt bother their systems, we are sticking with it.

  • http://www.dfwpugs.com/ sandy
  • Alexandra

    Bjohnson,

    This food is very carb heavy. Potato chunks not surprising as it is the first ingredient in this food.

    Being in a similar situation, where my vet wasn’t much help, I have a German Shepherd that has a Candida yeast infection.

    My dog has about a 95% improvement from Brothers Complete dog food. Info available on this site or you can go to http://brotherscomplete.com

    I would look for a higher protein and lower carbs.

    Has the dog been medicated for anything? If so what was he given?
    How is his stool?
    Missing hair?
    Frequent itching?

  • Bjohnson

    Can someone help answer some questions I have about this Sojos.  I tried the Turkey variety.  My dog seems to really like it, but omg, he is pooping more than twice as much as before.  Does this mean he’s not digesting it properly and thus not getting the nutrients he shoud be getting?  It does seem low on meat.  In fact, the second bag I bought hardly had any turkey and mostly broccoli.  The other bag had mostly sweet potatoes chunks.  I bought this because my dog has been tested for food allergies (while he was eating dry kibble).  Tests show he was allergic to potatoes and peas and to some extent certain grains  + chicken. Like another poster said so many of the supposedly “good” kibble has peas and potatoes – actually almost all kibble has one or the other.  I’m at a loss as to what to do/what to feed him.  It’s winter, and he’s breaking out in hives and itching like crazy, so it can’t be pollen.  The vet has been of little help.  I’m at wits end here.  Another big concern I have is that I just read on another board that the veggies for this stuff are imported from CHINA !  How can they say made in the USA/Minnesota when the stuff is coming from China? Coming from China, who knows, this could be next to poison. 

  • Kimijo7558

    I LOVE this type of food.  I have two rescue poodles, both had to have their rotted teeth removed and this type of food is wonderful.  Not only is it easy for them to eat, their health & energy levels have increased tremendously.  Their feces are minimal and normal.  The 12 year old poodle went from 14 lbs. to 9 lbs. in a few months!  The 3 year old poodle has maintained her weight at 6 lbs.  I am so glad we found this palatable and nutricious food! 

  • monkey

    I don’t think any of us have a problem with peas and broccoli. I just prefer to feed a meat based diet, not a sweet potato one. As you can see the, the “robot” reviewing the food still recommends it.

    It’s awesome that you cook for your dogs, really!

  • Herbivoraciously yours

    I totally agree.  Sojos is one of the best foods on the market.  I personally cook for my four dogs but when I can’t, or when I travel, they get Sojos because it is the closest thing to my home-cooked food that I can buy commercially and that is easy to prepare.  I feel like a robot or computer is reviewing dog foods on this site – broccoli and peas have a ton of protein in them – higher quality protein than animal protein.  I add a glug of Udo’s oil to the mix as well (and I take a swig myself).  Sometimes I also add some quick-cooking oatmeal in the mix for fiber and even more protein, but my dogs can handle grains.  Why I have found is that what they cannot handle is too much animal protein, it gives them loose stools and a bad coat.  At 27 the world’s oldest dog is vegan, so that pretty much proves that giving dogs more animal protein does not necessarily mean they will be healthier!

  • Marie

    Pea and potatoes, when used appropriately, are not ‘cheap filler’ in higher quality foods, they are necessary as a starch source to bind the dough together that makes kibble. Also, many animals that are allergic to specific cooked meats are not always allergic to them if fed raw. I’m glad Sojos works for your corgi (I love corgis, by the way!) though!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Wendy,

    Sorry you disagree with my findings.

    However, the facts speak for themselves. The average protein content (on a dry matter basis) for the more than 2,000 thousand kibbles in our database is 28%.

    And the average dry matter fat content is 17%.

    The figures reported on Sojos own government regulated label are 25% protein (dry matter) and only 9% fat – significantly below average for all the dry dog foods in our database.

    These percentages provide the basis for my current rating of 3.5 stars.

    Sojos is still one of our recommended dog foods. However, based upon the company’s own label data, this suggests a below-average meat content in these recipes.

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