Victor Realtree Dog Food Review (Dry)

Victor Realtree dry product range is made up of two recipes with ratings varying from 4 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4.5 stars.

These two formulas are tailored for adult working and hunting dogs, offering increased levels of essential nutrients for energy and stamina. Rich in high-quality protein and supplemented with glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health in your active dogs.

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.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Victor Realtree MAX-5 PRO was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is beef meal. Beef meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh beef.

The second ingredient is sorghum. Sorghum (milo) is a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.

Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient.

The third 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.

After natural flavor we have whole grain 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 sixth ingredient is menhaden fish meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.

Menhaden are small ocean fish related to herring. They’re rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. What’s more, in their mid-depth habitat, menhaden are not exposed to mercury contamination as can be typical with deepwater species.

This item is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.¹

The seventh ingredient is alfalfa meal. Although alfalfa meal is high in plant protein (about 18%) and fiber (25%), it can be less common to find it in a dog food recipe. 

The eighth ingredient is duck meal. Duck meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh duck.

The ninth ingredient is potassium chloride, a nutritional supplement sometimes used as a replacement for the sodium found in table salt.

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 seven notable exceptions.

First, flaxseed meal, one of the best plant-based sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Flax meal is particularly rich in soluble fiber.

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

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.

Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.

Also, glucosamine is included within dog food as a joint support. Glucosamine regulates the synthesis of collagen in cartilage and may provide mild anti-inflammatory effects, it may also contribute to the creating cartilage building blocks (glycoaminoglycans and proteoglycans). However, despite some evidence that a combination of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulphate nutraceuticals improves symptoms associated with joint disease in dogs and cats,strong clinical evidence of efficacy is lacking, and these compounds are understudied (Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine, 2010). 

In summary, although further research is needed to confirm the effect of glucosamine in dog foods, we see the addition of glucosamine in this product as a positive addition.

Next, 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.

We note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.

This food also contains chelated minerals,  that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Lastly, we note the inclusion of inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and typically sourced from chicory root. 

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

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Victor Realtree MAX-5 PRO looks like an above-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 32.9%, a fat level of 22.6% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 34.7%.

As a group, the brand features a protein content of 32% and a mean fat level of 23.8%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 34.5% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 74%.

This means this Victor Realtree dry product line contains near-average protein, below-average carbohydrate, and above-average fat, when compared to typical dry dog food.

Victor Dog Food Recall History

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

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

Our Rating of Victor Realtree Dog Food

The lower rating of the edge energy recipe is due to the high fat-to-protein ratio. With lower fat content, both of these recipes would have been 5 stars. We highly recommend the Edge Energy recipe for working or highly active dogs. If you give this particular formula to pets and less active dogs, we recommend you monitor their weight regularly to ensure they remain their ideal size.

Highly Recommended

About

Mid America Pet Food was established in 2007 and manufactures in its own facility. It provides super premium pet food and is best known for its Victor brand.

They source their ingredients from local, trusted partners and proudly produce every bag of food in their own Texas-based facility.

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