The Real Meat Company Boosters Dog Food Review (Air-Dried)

Karan French

By

Karan French
Karan French

Karan French

Senior Researcher

Karan is a senior researcher at the Dog Food Advisor, working closely with our in-house pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, to give pet parents all the information they need to find the best food for their dog.

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Updated: October 2, 2025

Verified by Laura Ward

Laura Ward

Laura Ward

Pet Nutritionist

Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.

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Laura Ward

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Our Verdict

Rating:
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The Real Meat Company Boosters product range is made up of eight recipes with ratings varying from 3.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4.5 stars.

This food offers very good diet options to support either your pup’s joints or skin and coat.

Pros
  • No fillers, coloring or artificial preservatives
  • Rich in animal protein
  • Minimally processed
Cons
  • Not budget-friendly

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
The Real Meat Company Boosters Joint Support Beef and Mussels 4 A
The Real Meat Company Boosters Skin and Coat Beef and Salmon 4 A
The Real Meat Company Boosters Skin and Coat Lamb and Salmon 3.5 A
The Real Meat Company Boosters Joint Support Lamb, Fish and Mussel 5 A
The Real Meat Company Boosters Joint Support Chicken and Mussel 5 A
The Real Meat Company Boosters Skin and Coat Chicken and Salmon 5 A
The Real Meat Company Boosters Skin and Coat Venison and Salmon 5 A
The Real Meat Company Boosters Joint Support Venison and Mussel 5 A

Recipe and Label Analysis

The Real Meat Company Boosters Joint Support Venison and Mussel was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

The Real Meat Company Boosters Joint Support Venison and Mussel

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

44.3%

Protein

21.8%

Fat

24%

CarbsCarbohydrates

Venison, venison lung, venison liver, venison kidney, green lipped mussel, blue mussels, vegetable glycerin, pumpkin powder, organic coconut oil, parsley powder, inulin(from chicory root), rosemary powder, mixed tocopherols (used as a preservative), dried apple, ground venison bone, marine microalgae oil, potassium chloride, taurine, choline chloride, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, vitamin E supplement, selenium yeast, biotin, l-tyrosine, copper proteinate, niacin supplement, manganese proteinate, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement(vitamin B2), vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate(vitamin B1), pyridoxine hydrochloride(vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, calcium iodate, folic acid


Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%

Red denotes any controversial items

Estimated Nutrient Content
Method Protein Fat Carbs
Guaranteed Analysis 37% 18% NA
Dry Matter Basis 45% 22% 26%
Calorie Weighted Basis 36% 43% 21%

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is venison. Venison is considered “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered venison” and associated with skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1

Venison is naturally rich in all 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The second ingredient is venison lung. Venison lung is a protein-rich organ meat that’s also low in fat.

The third ingredient is venison liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

The fourth ingredient is venison kidney, an organ meat low in fat and rich in protein and essential minerals.

The next two ingredients are green-lipped mussel and blue mussel. Mussels are clam-like animals notably rich in glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients proven to support long-term joint health.

The seventh ingredient is vegetable glycerine. Glycerine is used in the food industry as a natural sweetener and as a humectant to help preserve the moisture content of a product.

The eighth ingredient is pumpkin powder. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber. 

The ninth ingredient is organic coconut oil, a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.

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 the product.

This recipe has five notable exceptions.

First, chicory root. Chicory is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.

Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also a  used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.

Next, taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

We view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.

We also find marine microalgae oil. Marine Microalgae oil is usually included as a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acid DHA. Studies have found DHA to be beneficial for many areas of the body, through reducing inflammation, as well as supporting brain and eye health. 

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.

Lastly, chelated minerals, which have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, The Real Meat Company Boosters Joint Support Venison and Mussel looks like an above-average air-dried product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44.3%, a fat level of 21.8% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 24%.

As a group, the brand features a protein content of 42.5% and a mean fat level of 27.6%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 20% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 66%.

This means The Real Meat Company product line contains near-average protein,  near-average carbohydrate, and near-average fat, when compared to typical air-dried dog food.

The Real Meat Company Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to The Real Meat Company through December 2025.

No recalls noted.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

Our Rating of The Real Meat Company Boosters Dog Food

This range of food is based on authentic meat recipes that are rich in meat. The raw ingredients undergo a low-temperature air-drying process that preserves the nutrients, making it deserving of the 4.5 stars it has earned in our review.

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Highly Recommended

About

The Real Meat Company is a small, independent, family-owned business that was established in 2003 by Glen Gorham and is located in California. The pet food is crafted with a focus on high-quality ingredients. The meat products come from animals that are raised humanely without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics.

Sources

1: Adapted by the Dog Food Advisor and based upon the official definition for beef published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2008 Edition

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