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Our Verdict
Canidae Pure Grain Free canned product range is made up of five recipes with ratings varying from 3 to 4.5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4 stars.
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Canidae Pure Grain Free, Salmon and Sweet Potato | 4 | A |
| Canidae Pure Grain Free Puppy Chicken | 4.5 | G |
| Canidae Pure Grain Free, Lamb, Turkey and Chicken | 3 | A |
| Canidae Pure Grain Free Lamb | 3 | A |
| Canidae Pure Grain Free Duck and Turkey | 4 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Canidae Pure Grain Free Salmon and Sweet Potato was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Canidae Pure Grain Free Salmon and Sweet Potato
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon, fish broth, water sufficient for processing, sweet potatoes, sunflower oil, guar gum, salt, cassia gum, carrageenan, choline chloride, potassium chloride, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, niacin supplement, vitamin E supplement, copper proteinate, sodium selenite, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 9% | 6% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 41% | 27% | 24% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 31% | 51% | 18% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is fish broth which are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common component in many canned products.
The third ingredient is water, which adds nothing but moisture to this food. Water is a routine finding in most wet cat foods.
The fourth ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a cat food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The fifth ingredient lists sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3’s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.
Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.
There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
The sixth ingredient is guar gum, a gelling or thickening agent found in many wet pet foods. Refined from dehusked guar beans, guar gum can add a notable amount of dietary fiber to any product.
The seventh ingredient is salt (also known as sodium chloride). Salt is a common additive in many cat foods. That’s because sodium is a necessary mineral for all animals – including humans. Salt can often be found in cat foods to promote cats to drink more water too. This is a means of increasing their hydration and diluting their urine which helps to reduce the liklihood of urinary stones forming.
However, since the actual amount of salt added to this recipe isn’t disclosed on the list of ingredients, it’s impossible to judge the nutritional value of this item.
The eighth ingredient is cassia gum. This description doesn’t tell us what kind of gum is used in this food. Gums are a plant extract likely used here as a gelling agent and providing no nutritional value to this food. Some gums contribute fibre to the food. Without knowing what kind of gum this is, we can’t give more details.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other ingredients.
But realistically, items located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Canidae product.
With three notable exceptions…
First, this food 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.
Next, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.
And lastly, this recipe includes sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Canidae Pure Grain Free canned dog food looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 41%, a fat level of 27% and estimated carbohydrates of about 24%.
As a group, the brand features near-average protein content of 39% and an above-average fat level of 25%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 27% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 66%.
This means this Canidae product line contains…
Near-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to other wet dog foods.
Canidae Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Canidae through September 2024.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Canidae Pure Grain Free Dog Food
Canidae Pure Grain Free is a limited ingredient wet dog food using at least a moderate amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein, thus receiving 4 stars.
Compare Canidae Pure Dog Food
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A Final Word
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