Rating
Type
Hot Extruded / Dry
Grain
Grain Free for Specific Recipes
Origin
Australia
Recipes
4
Is BlackHawk Puppy Dry Dog Food Good?
BlackHawk Puppy Dry Dog Food is a pet food line with a 3.5-star rating — around 20% of all the pet food we review fall in this tier.
They seem to have nutrition ratio similar to a common pet food and contain mainly named ingredents. We think they are quite fine, and it might be great to give your pets some extra meaty food or treats.
What We like
- Lower in Carbs — Less than 34%
- No Potential Allergens like Corn, Soy, Gluten, and Dairy products
What We Concern
- Numberous Controversial Ingredients
- Seems No Organic Minerals
- Seems No Probiotics to Aid Digestion
- Include Ingredients that might be Related to Poor Digestion
- Contain Ingredients that might be Uncertain
「Chief of Food」Fat Hill
Recipes Rating
Recipes could have different ingredients in the same product line. We rate each recipe and list them from higest to lowest ratings.
Higher protein and lower carbs recipes are rated higher
Recipe and 1st Ingredient
Rating
Grain Free
Grain Free Puppy Ocean Fish
1️⃣Fish Meal 🍚Carbs：35% 3.5
Original Puppy Chicken & Rice
1️⃣Chicken Meal 🍚Carbs：32% 3.5
Original Puppy Lamb & Rice
1️⃣Lamb Meal 🍚Carbs：32% 3.5
Original Puppy for Large Breed Puppies Chicken & Rice
1️⃣Chicken Meal 🍚Carbs：36% 3.5
Tips
Recipes have similar ratings. This means they are quite similar.
Recipe to review
To rate BlackHawk Puppy Dry Dog Food, we will take one representative recipe to evaluate the nutrition, ingredients and meat content of this product line.
We have chosen Original Puppy Chicken & Rice.
Nutrition Label
Pet food show guaranteed analysis on their labels. It includes moisture and does not reflect the level of carbs — which we prefer lower for dogs and as low as possible for cats.
From the label of Original Puppy Chicken & Rice
Protein
30%
Fat
17%
Fiber
4.5%
Carbs
?%
Calculate the dry value (no moisture) on a dry matter basis will help us to estimate the carbs level and other nutrition without water — so we can get a better idea about the ratio.
(We think the ideal nutrition profile would be Protein > Fat > Carbs)
| Nutrition | Our Ideal | Dry Value | Like? |
| Protein | 30% or more | 33% | |
| Fat | 15% or more | 19% | |
| Carbs | Less than 28% | 32% | |
| Fiber | Less than 5% | 5% |
Ingredients Overview
30 ingredients are listed on the label. We research their quality to pet and use our best judgement to group them in the proportion of Prefer, Concerned, and Notice ingredients in the bar chart.
♨ Allergen
0 units
🌋 Indigest
4 units
⁉ Uncertain
2 units
Organic Minerals Seems Not Included
Probiotics Seems Not Included
Prefer
Concerned
Notice
Neutral
Click an ingredient to see the detail
Chicken Meal
Animal Protein A dehydrated form of chicken, it is a meat concentrate that contains up to 4 times more protein than fresh chicken on dry matter basis.
Prefer A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Ground Rice
Carbs Without its bran and germ (the main source of nutrients), white rice is considered as "empty carbs".
Notice An inexpensive filler without gluten, with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Ground Oats
Carbs A whole grain that has higher protein and fats compared to other types. It is rich in B-vitamins and dietary fiber.
Concerned An inexpensive filler without gluten, with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Chicken Fat
Fat The fatty layer separated during the cooking process, with a high level of omega 6, It is more preferable by dogs and cats over other types of fats.
Prefer A high-quality animal fat with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Citric Acid
Food Additive 🌋
A common additive used for fat preservation. It is commonly found in citrus fruit like lemons and limes.
Concerned A food additive that might cause health issues.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest Research suggests that dogs consumed dry foods containing citric acid as a preservative have a 200% increased risk for gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloating). However, more research is required to make a solid conclusion.
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Rosemary Extract
Carbs A common herb used for cooking, it is rich in antioxidants to fight off radical damages in the body.
Neutral A harmless herb with potential health benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Field Peas
Carbs, Plant Protein 🌋
A type of legume that is added to boost up the protein content and acts as an alternative carb. It contains around 22% protein.
Neutral An acceptable filler with higher nutrition value compared to rice, corn, and wheat.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest Legume contains oligosaccharides, which is a 3 - 5 carbon short-chain sugar that are indigestible by dogs / cats.
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Beet Pulp
Carbs The leftover pulp after sugar is extracted from sugar beets, contains higher fiber and less sugar compared to whole beets.
Concerned Controversial - Some say it is a good dietary fiber source, some believe it is just an inexpensive filler.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Fish Meal
Animal Protein ⁉
A dehydrated form of unnamed fish. It is a meat concentrate that contains up to 4 times more protein than fresh fish on dry matter basis.
Notice It does not state what kind of fish is used to make the ingredient. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain Unnamed fish products could source from sick, deadly animal bodies. It is a potential risk for severe illness.
Eggs
Animal Protein It contains almost every nutrient the body needs. It also has the highest biological value (protein absorption) among other animal proteins.
Prefer A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Canola Oil
Fat 🌋
Oil extracted from canola seed, high in omega 6 fats and contains a small amount of trans-fats which is not optimal for health.
Concerned A controversial, less optimal choice of fat.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest High amount of plant-based fat is not easily digested by dogs / cats, can cause obstruction and gastrointestinal upset.
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Dicalcium Phosphate
Supplement 🌋⁉
A supplement for calcium and phosphorus. It is mainly used to improve the texture of pet foods. It is also found in some toothpaste as a polishing agent.
Notice A risky supplement that can cause health issues, backed by research studies.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest It does not absorb any water, almost insoluble, and becomes very hard in digesting.
⁉
Uncertain Studies show that it can cause the formulation of kidney stones.
Brewers Yeast
Plant Protein Concentrate Made from fungus and often used to make beer, a rich source of minerals such as selenium. B-complex vitamins, and chromium. It contains around 40% protein.
Concerned A controversial ingredient, some believe it can support the immune system, while others say it can be linked to allergies and bloating. However, no scientific research can provide a concrete conclusion.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Potassium Chloride
Supplement An inorganic form of potassium, which offers 5 - 15% less absorption rate to the body. It is essential for important functions like nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and carbon dioxide / oxygen transport.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional vitamins.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Kelp
Carbs An excellent source of various minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium. Rich in rare mineral iodine essential for healthy thyroid function.
Neutral An acceptable ingredient as a source of vitamins and minerals.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Salt
Others Mainly added to enhance the flavor, might cause kidney and blood pressure issues in a larger dose. High-quality pet foods should get a sufficient amount from raw meat, additional salt is not necessary.
Concerned A controversial ingredient that might cause health issues, unnecessary for the risk.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Choline Chloride
Supplement Vital molecule for various functions in the body, lack of choline can result in weight loss, vomiting, and fatty liver.
Neutral A safe supplement for potential health benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Vitamins
Supplement A mixture of vitamins supplements to ensure the complete nutrition profile of pet food.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional vitamins.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Mineral
Supplement A mixture of mineral supplement to ensure the complete nutrition profile of pet food.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional minerals.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Nature Antioxidant
Supplement Helps protect the body from damage caused by free radicals caused by oxidative stress.
Neutral A safe food supplement for additional antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Emu Oil
Fat The oil extracted from emu, a flightless bird origins from Australia. This special oil is made of smaller particles that can be absorbed deeper into the skin to reduce inflammation. When consumed, it is rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.
Prefer A high-quality animal fat with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Yucca Schidigera Extract
Carbs Yucca schidigera is a desert plant found in the arid southwestern US and Mexico. It has been shown to reduce fecal aroma (poop's smell) without any harmful effect.
Neutral A harmless ingredient with specific benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Glucosamine
Supplement The most common joint supplement for reducing the level of pain and inflammation.
Neutral A safe supplement for potential health benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Chondroitin
Supplement Derived from animal parts containing cartilage, as a supplement to support joint health.
Neutral A safe supplement for potential health benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Tomato Powder
Carbs Packed with vitamins A, C, K, potassium, and manganese.
Neutral Vegetables are fair source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Carrots
Carbs Well known for its alpha and beta-carotene content, also rich in potassium and vitamin B6. Most pet foods use it as a minor ingredient (include 0.1% to 3% of the total composition).
Neutral Vegetables are fair source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Dried Blueberries
Carbs Superfood packed with antioxidants, a good source of vitamin C, K, and manganese.
Neutral Fruit is an acceptable source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Dandelion
Carbs A plant with yellow flowers that is high in vitamins A, C, and K. It also contains inulin, which serves as a prebiotic in pet foods.
Neutral Vegetables are fair source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Peppermint
Carbs An aromatic herb used in food and teas, well known for its minty scent from menthol. Aside from its cleansing smell, it is also believed to help to treat indigestion and fight bacterial infections.
Neutral A harmless herb with potential health benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Rosemary
Carbs A common herb used for cooking, it is rich in antioxidants to fight off radical damages in the body.
Neutral A harmless herb with potential health benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Tips
We find 6 Concerned and 3 Notice ingredients from Original Puppy Chicken & Rice. Check from the above list to view the details.Concerned
- Ground Oats
- Citric Acid
- Beet Pulp
- Canola Oil
- Brewers Yeast
- Salt
Notice
- Ground Rice
- Fish Meal
- Dicalcium Phosphate
Estimated Meat Content
Some pet food uses high plant protein ingredients to boost up the overall protein level — to make it looks like it includes a lot of meat, which is more appealing for customers.
Therefore, protein level itself cannot tell the quality and how much animal ingredients (more digestible than plants) is in the pet food.
Check if protein is overrated by plant protein boost up
Count of Plant Protein
1 / 7 (14%)
in top 7 ingredients Protein Level
33%
in dry matterBy looking at the plant protein in top ingredients and compare with the total protein level, we will try to estimate how much animal ingredients is used in the pet food as Meat Content.
Meat Content
Based on my "godly" guess, the meat content might be Medium !
It looks like it contains a moderate amount of meat. Your furbabies should still be fine with it.
BlackHawk Puppy Dry Dog Food Product Line Review
To make a conclusion about the whole product line, we will consider all recipes and their average nutrition ratio.
Recipes Average Compares to Ideal Level
In the total of 4 recipes, the group has an average of 31% protein, 19% fat and 34% carbohydrate.
（Protein and Fat: Prefer Higher丨Carbs: Prefer Lower）
- Protein is 1 (%) higher than ideal
- Fat is 4 (%) higher than ideal
- Carbs is 6 (%) higher than ideal
What does it mean?
Overall,BlackHawk Puppy Dry Dog Food has an carbs level that is higher than our preferred level.
Conclusion
Throughout the review, we have 3 major opinons about this pet food line:
- Similar nutrition ratio as a common pet food
- Clear, named animal products as main ingredient
- Medium level of meat content
Based on these, we can conclude BlackHawk Puppy Dry Dog Food is a pet food line with a 3.5 star rating.
Do we recommend BlackHawk Puppy Dry Dog Food ?
It is a fine pet food, and it might be great to give your pets some extra meaty food or treats.
The review is entirely our own view and opinon. It is for informational reference only and not a purchase advice.
「Chief of Food」Fat Hill
Has an unusual obsession with the taste and ingredients of food, over 5+ years experience in professional eating. As the Chief of Food, he will tell you the truth about food.
"Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish, and Stay Hungry again!"
