Rating
Type
Hot Extruded / Dry
Grain
Grain Inclusive
Origin
United States
Recipes
3
Is Cesar Dry Dog Food Good?
Cesar Dry Dog Food is a pet food line with a 2 stars rating — accounts for 5% of all the pet food we review.
They seem to have a certain level of carbs, and contain ingredients we concern. We do not recommend this pet food.
What We like
- No Plant Protein in Top Ingredients
- Use Organic Minerals to Improve Absorption
What We Concern
- More than 37% Carbs
- Majority of Ingredients lead to our Concern
- Seems No Probiotics to Aid Digestion
- Contain Potential Allergens like Corn, Soy, Gluten, and Dairy products
- 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
Filet Mignon Flavor & Spring Vegetables
1️⃣Beef 🍚Carbs：42% 2
Porterhouse Flavor & Spring Vegetables
1️⃣Beef 🍚Carbs：43% 2
Rotisserie Chicken Flavor & Spring Vegetables
1️⃣Chicken 🍚Carbs：42% 2
Tips
Recipes have similar ratings. This means they are quite similar.
Recipe to review
To rate Cesar Dry Dog Food, we will take one representative recipe to evaluate the nutrition, ingredients and meat content of this product line.
We have chosen Rotisserie Chicken Flavor & Spring Vegetables.
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 Rotisserie Chicken Flavor & Spring Vegetables
Protein
26%
Fat
12.5%
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 | 30% | |
| Fat | 15% or more | 14% | |
| Carbs | Less than 28% | 42% | |
| Fiber | Less than 5% | 5.1% |
Ingredients Overview
45 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
4 units
🌋 Indigest
5 units
⁉ Uncertain
9 units
Organic Minerals Seems to Include
Probiotics Seems Not Included
Prefer
Concerned
Notice
Neutral
Click an ingredient to see the detail
Chicken
Animal Protein The dominant animal protein source in pet foods. Other than protein, it is also high in iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins.
Prefer A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Whole Grain Corn
Carbs ♨🌋
A grain that is often referred as "cheap filler" in pet foods, mainly due to its high carbs content and low to moderate nutrition profile.
Concerned A controversial filler with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
♨
Allergen One of the most reported ingredients to be the likely cause of allergies. This could be due to the undiscovered contaminants within corns. Contrary to the real situation, studies show that the chance of getting corn allergy is 14% and only accounts for 3% of allergies.
🌋
Related to Digest It is high in cellulose, which is an insoluble fiber that is hard to digest.
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Ground Wheat
Carbs ♨🌋
The most common inexpensive filler in lower-grade pet foods. Other than carbs and fiber, it does not contain important nutrients for dogs / cats.
Notice An inexpensive filler with gluten, with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
♨
Allergen Contains gluten, which is one of the most common allergens that can cause skin rashes, itchiness, and irritation.
🌋
Related to Digest Gluten intolerances can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract, may result in diarrhea and discomfort stomach.
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Meat Meal
Animal Protein ⁉
The dehydrated form of meat from unnamed animals, contains up to 400% more protein than the fresh form.
Notice Unspecified animal products from unknown sources. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain Could be made from any animals, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter). Contaminated meats can lead to severe illnesses.
Bone Meal
Animal Protein ⁉
Dehydrated form of bone from unknown animal sources, usually added to boost up calcium and phosphorous content of pet foods.
Notice Unspecified animal products from unknown sources. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain Could be made from any animals, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter). Contaminated meats can lead to severe illnesses.
Brewers Rice
Carbs Small milled fragments (5/164 of an inch) of rice kernels that have been separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. “Dust” and “floor sweepings” from rice.
Notice An inexpensive filler without gluten, with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Chicken By-product Meal
Animal Protein ⁉
A meat meal made of chicken parts leftover after muscle meat is removed in the slaughterhouse. It could include anything from necks, undeveloped eggs, feet, and internal organs.
Notice An inexpensive, low-quality animal protein source with low digestibility compared to normal muscle meats. By-products are often seen in inferior grade pet foods.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain Could be made from any animals, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter). Contaminated meats can lead to severe illnesses.
Animal Fat
Fat ⁉
Leftover fat during the production of unknown animal meat meal.
Notice Unspecified animal products from unknown sources. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain Could be made from any animals, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter). Contaminated meats can lead to severe illnesses.
Soybean Meal
Plant Protein Concentrate ♨🌋
Made by milling soybeans, it contains around 45% protein, is a relatively inexpensive source to boost up the protein level of pet foods.
Notice High level of plant-based protein is not easy to digest and offers less biological value. Good quality pet foods should obtain sufficient protein from animal sources.
♨
Allergen Soy is one of the most reported allergens, causing itchy skin, hair loss, and excessive scratching.
🌋
Related to Digest Legume contains oligosaccharides, which is a 3 - 5 carbon short-chain sugar that are indigestible by dogs / cats.
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Corn Gluten Meal
Plant Protein Concentrate ♨🌋
Produced during wet milling of corn by separating protein from the starch. It contains 60% of protein, a relatively inexpensive source to boost up the protein level of pet foods.
Notice High level of plant-based protein is not easy to digest and offers less biological value. Good quality pet foods should obtain sufficient protein from animal sources.
♨
Allergen Made with corn, which is one of the most reported ingredients to be the likely cause of allergies. This could be due to the undiscovered contaminants within corns. Contrary to the real situation, studies show that the chance of getting corn allergy is 14% and only accounts for 3% of allergies.
🌋
Related to Digest A high dose of plant-based protein is hard for digestion and offers much less biological value (less absorbed by the body) to pets compared to animal protein.
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Natural Flavor
Food Additive Made of extracts from plant or animal sources to improve the taste of food.
Concerned Contrary to its name, natural flavors are highly processed and contain many chemical additives.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Dried Plain 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
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
Glycerin
Food Additive ⁉
The synthetic form of glycerin, a food additive for sweetening and binding free water. It improves the taste and prevents mold growth of pet foods.
Notice A food additive that might cause health issues.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain It might be sourced from the processing of biofuel, where residual methanol and sodium-methanol are found. They are flammable and toxic liquid used to make formaldehyde.
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
Water
Others It is added in the pet food as a blending / thinning agent.
Neutral A harmless ingredient with potential health benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Sugar
Carbs It is added to improve texture and enhance flavor of pet food.
Concerned A controversial ingredient that might cause health issues, unnecessary for the risk.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Potassium Sorbate
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
Phosphoric Acid
Food Additive A colorless liquid used to acidify food and improve the taste. It is a harmless but unnecessary ingredient often used in lower quality pet foods.
Neutral A harmless food additive.
♨
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
Natural Rotisserie Chicken Flavor
Food Additive The flavor made of chicken parts, it is used to make pet food more tasty and palatable.
Neutral A safe flavor enhancer to improve the taste.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Dried 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
Calcium Carbonate
Supplement An inorganic form of calcium, it is essential in the formation of bones / teeth and different cellular functions. Compare to organic form, it has 5 - 15% less absorption rate to the body.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional minerals.
♨
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
Dl-methionine
Supplement Added to balance the amino acids profile of pet foods with limited amounts of meat protein. Meat / fish naturally contains methionine, which does not require extra supplements. It is sometimes used to help support urine acidification.
Concerned A safe supplement to improve the completeness of essential amino acids profile (the building block of protein). However, it could imply the lack of meat protein - usually in lower quality pet foods.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Vitamin E Supplement
Supplement Supplement for vitamin E, which is an important antioxidant that protects oxidative damages on cellular membranes by free radicals. A deficiency will result in symptoms like anorexia, depression, and dermatitis.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional vitamins.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Zinc Sulfate
Supplement An inorganic form of zinc, which is vital in skin function and wound healing, cell replication, the structure and function of biological membranes. Compare to organic form, it has 5 - 15% less absorption rate to the body.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional minerals.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Dried 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
L-tryptophan
Supplement An essential amino acid (building blocks of protein) required for normal growth.
Neutral A safe supplement to improve the completeness of essential amino acids profile (the building block of protein).
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Yellow 6
Food Additive ⁉
An artificial food dye that is added to "decorate" the pet foods. It offers no nutrition value.
Notice A food additive that might cause health issues.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Niacin Supplement
Supplement Known as vitamin B3, essential to maintain healthy GI tracts, skin/coat, and nervous system.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional vitamins.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
D-calcium Pantothenate
Supplement An organic form of calcium, it is essential in the formation of bones / teeth and different cellular functions. Compare to inorganic form, it has 5 - 15% more absorption rate to the body.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional minerals.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Red 40
Food Additive ⁉
An artificial food dye that is added to "decorate" the pet foods. It offers no nutrition value.
Notice A food additive that might cause health issues.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Copper Sulfate
Supplement An inorganic form of copper, which is important for the production of blood cells, hair coat color pigmentation, and maintaining the nervous system. Compare to organic form, it has 5 - 15% less absorption rate to the body.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional minerals.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Yellow 5
Food Additive ⁉
An artificial food dye that is added to "decorate" the pet foods. It offers no nutrition value.
Notice A food additive that might cause health issues.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Sodium Selenite
Food Additive An inorganic selenium supplement. It remains controversial as the long term effect of consuming it is not known, and there is a much safer organic alternative available.
Concerned A food additive that is likely to be safe but unnecessary.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Potassium Iodide
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
Vitamin A Supplement
Supplement Supplement of vitamin A, it is essential for healthy skin, normal vision, and immune function.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional vitamins.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Blue 2
Food Additive ⁉
An artificial food dye that is added to "decorate" the pet foods. It offers no nutrition value.
Notice A food additive that might cause health issues.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Riboflavin Supplement
Supplement A synthetic supplement for vitamin B2. which is vital for the body's metabolism and health.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional vitamins.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Vitamin B12 Supplement
Supplement Supplement for vitamin B12, which is vital for carbon transfer and propionate metabolism. A deficiency will result in symptoms similar to gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhea and weight loss.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional vitamins.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Thiamine Mononitrate
Supplement An organic form of thiamine, has 5 - 15% more absorption rate than the inorganic form. It is important for energy production and glucose metabolism.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional minerals.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Vitamin D3 Supplement
Supplement Supplement for vitamin D3 (animal-derived), which is essential for calcium homeostasis - to maintain a constant concentration of calcium. A deficiency will result in osteopenia (lower bone mass).
Neutral A safe supplement for additional vitamins.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
Supplement A synthetical supplement of vitamin B6, which is an essential element for nearly every part of metabolism.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional vitamins.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Folic Acid
Supplement A synthetic form of folate, which is also known as vitamin B9. It plays an important role to support the body's functions, such as cell growth.
Neutral A safe supplement for additional vitamins.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Tips
We find 7 Concerned and 13 Notice ingredients from Rotisserie Chicken Flavor & Spring Vegetables. Check from the above list to view the details.Concerned
- Whole Grain Corn
- Natural Flavor
- Dried Plain Beet Pulp
- Salt
- Sugar
- Dl-methionine
- Sodium Selenite
Notice
- Ground Wheat
- Meat Meal
- Bone Meal
- Brewers Rice
- Chicken By-product Meal
- Animal Fat
- Soybean Meal
- Corn Gluten Meal
- Glycerin
- Yellow 6
- Red 40
- Yellow 5
- Blue 2
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
0 / 7 (0%)
in top 7 ingredients Protein Level
30%
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.
Cesar 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 3 recipes, the group has an average of 30% protein, 14% fat and 42% carbohydrate.
（Protein and Fat: Prefer Higher丨Carbs: Prefer Lower）
- Protein is -1 (%) less than ideal
- Fat is -1 (%) less than ideal
- Carbs is 14 (%) higher than ideal
What does it mean?
Overall,Cesar Dry Dog Food has an carbs level higher than our preferred level.
Conclusion
Throughout the review, we have 3 major opinons about this pet food line:
- Nutrition ratio, mainly the level of carbs raises our attention
- Ingredients might be worth to take a second look
- Medium level of meat content
Based on these, we can conclude Cesar Dry Dog Food is a pet food line with a 2 star rating.
Do we recommend Cesar Dry Dog Food ?
There are several things make us concerned, so we do not recommend it. If there is a very strong reason for you to choose it, try to mix with other pet food with higher meat to enrich the diet.
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!"
