Rating
Type
Hot Extruded / Dry
Grain
Grain Free
Origin
United Kingdom
Recipes
9
Is Essential Foods Dry Dog Food Good?
Essential Foods Dry Dog Food is a "nearly best" pet food line with a 4.5-star rating — around 7% of all the pet food we review fall in this tier.
They seem to be higher in protein and less in carbs, contain mainly named animal products as main ingredients, and a significant amount of meat. We recommend this!
What We like
- Consists Mostly Good Quality Ingredients
- No Plant Protein in Top Ingredients
- No Potential Allergens like Corn, Soy, Gluten, and Dairy products
What We Concern
- More than 34% Carbs
- Seems No Organic Minerals
- Seems No Probiotics to Aid 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
Stamina (Dark Green)
1️⃣Chicken 🍚Carbs：26% 4.5
The Beginning (Red)
1️⃣Chicken 🍚Carbs：26% 4.5
Contour (Yellow)
1️⃣Chicken 🍚Carbs：36% 3.5
Highland Living (Pink)
1️⃣Turkey 🍚Carbs：37% 3.5
Older (Brown)
1️⃣Chicken 🍚Carbs：36% 3.5
Superior Living (Green)
1️⃣Chicken 🍚Carbs：36% 3.5
Estate Living (Purple)
1️⃣Lamb 🍚Carbs：37% 3
Nautical Living (Blue)
1️⃣Salmon 🍚Carbs：40% 3
Balance (Brown)
1️⃣Turkey 🍚Carbs：55% 1.5
Tips
Recipes have different ratings. This means they might be designed a bit differently.
Recipe to review
To rate Essential Foods Dry Dog Food, we will take one representative recipe to evaluate the nutrition, ingredients and meat content of this product line.
We have chosen The Beginning (Red).
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 The Beginning (Red)
Protein
35%
Fat
21%
Fiber
3.5%
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 | 38% | |
| Fat | 15% or more | 23% | |
| Carbs | Less than 28% | 26% | |
| Fiber | Less than 5% | 3.8% |
Ingredients Overview
37 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
2 units
⁉ Uncertain
1 units
Organic Minerals Seems Not Included
Probiotics Seems Not Included
Prefer
Concerned
Notice
Neutral
Click an ingredient to see the detail
Freshly Prepared 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
Fresh Duck
Animal Protein A novel animal protein source in pet foods. Other than protein, it is also rich in vitamin B3, B2, selenium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and copper.
Prefer A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Duck
Animal Protein A novel animal protein source in pet foods. Other than protein, it is also rich in vitamin B3, B2, selenium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and copper.
Prefer A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Dried Chicken
Animal Protein 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
Dried Duck
Animal Protein A dehydrated form of ducks. it is a meat concentrate that contains up to 4 times more protein than fresh ducks 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
Sweet Potato
Carbs An alternative high carbs filler with an excellent amount of vitamin A, C, B6.
Neutral An acceptable filler with higher nutrition value compared to rice, corn, and wheat.
♨
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
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
Freshly Prepared Salmon
Animal Protein One of the most nutrient-dense fish, high in protein, packed with omega 3s, B vitamins, and it is a good source of potassium selenium, and antioxidants.
Prefer A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Freshly Prepared Trout
Animal Protein Belongs to the salmon family, it is high in protein, packed with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and vitamin D.
Prefer A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Whole Egg
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
Linseed
Fat Also known as flaxseed, one of the richest sources of plant-based omega 3s, well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It contains around 41% of fat, 57% of the total fatty acids is omega 3s.
Neutral A harmless seed with potential health benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Potato
Carbs Contains mainly carbs, often used as an alternative filler for grain-free pet foods.
Concerned An inexpensive filler without gluten, with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Animal Liver
Animal Protein ⁉
Livers from a mixture of unknown animals.
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.
Lucerne
Carbs, Plant Protein Also known as alfalfa, typically used in horse feed, high in fiber, and contains around 20% plant protein.
Neutral A harmless plant with potential health benefits, along with some plant-based protein.
♨
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
Mos
Prebiotics Known as MOS, a sugar extracted from yeast, added as a prebiotic. It is well known for its ability to bind pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, preventing them from growing in the intestine.
Neutral A safe supplement for prebiotics, which may improve digestive health.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Fos
Prebiotics Known as FOS, a type of fiber derived from chicory roots, beets, or cane. It is added as prebiotics for good bacteria growth in the colon, which aids digestion.
Neutral A safe supplement for probiotics, which may improve digestive health.
♨
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
Cranberry
Carbs High in vitamin C and antioxidants, it is also best known for fighting Urinary Tract Infections. While it could be true for humans, the effect on pets is yet to be confirmed by further research.
Neutral Fruit is an acceptable source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Acai
Carbs Nutrient-Dense purple berries from the Amazon rainforest, with an incredibly high amount of antioxidants almost 3 times more than blueberries.
Neutral Fruit is an acceptable source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Blueberry
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
Mulberry
Carbs The bubble-like berries, rich in antioxidants and various vitamins / minerals, especially vitamin C and iron.
Neutral Fruit is an acceptable source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Apple
Carbs Contains mainly carbs and sugar with multiple antioxidants to prevent radical damages by oxidative stress.
Neutral Fruit is an acceptable source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Tomato
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
Orange
Carbs Type of citrus fruit, moderate in sugar content, packed with vitamin C and potassium.
Neutral Fruit is an acceptable source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Pear
Carbs A sugary fruit, a good source of vitamin C, folate, copper and potassium, along with polyphenol antioxidant.
Neutral Fruit is an acceptable source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Carrot
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
Spinach
Carbs Nutrient-dense leafy greens, an excellent source of vitamin A, C, K1, B9, iron, and calcium.
Neutral Vegetables are fair source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Cauliflower
Carbs 🌋
Type of cruciferous vegetables, rich in vitamins K, C, calcium, potassium, and folate.
Neutral Vegetables are fair source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest Contains raffinose, which is indigestible by dogs / cats enzymes and passes to the colon. A small amount is completely safe while a higher dose could cause bloating.
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Seaweed
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
Marigold
Carbs Known as calendula, a flowering plant often used to make tea or herbal medicine. It is packed with antioxidants, and research shows that it reduces oxidative stress from the consumption of MSG (flavor enhancer found in many pet foods).
Neutral A harmless herb with potential health benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Ginseng
Carbs A popular root plant with many health benefits, usually found in medicine and dishes in China and Korea. It is quite an expensive ingredient and is often added for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Neutral A harmless plant with potential health benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Green Tea
Others One of the most healthy tea in the world. It contains catechins, which are natural antioxidants that help prevent radical damages to the body and offer many health benefits.
Neutral A harmless ingredient with potential health benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Ginger
Carbs Knowns for its digestive properties, especially its aid in digesting fats.
Neutral A harmless plant with potential health benefits.
♨
Allergen N/A
🌋
Related to Digest N/A
⁉
Uncertain N/A
Tips
I quite like the overall ingredients from this recipe.
There are 1 Concerned and 1 Notice ingredients from The Beginning (Red). Check from the above list to view the details.
Concerned
- Potato
Notice
- Animal Liver
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
38%
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 High !
It looks like it is made of primarily animal ingredients, and most protein should come from animal sources. Your furbabies will love it just like me!
Essential Foods 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 9 recipes, the group has an average of 33% protein, 17% fat and 37% carbohydrate.
（Protein and Fat: Prefer Higher丨Carbs: Prefer Lower）
- Protein is 3 (%) higher than ideal
- Fat is 2 (%) higher than ideal
- Carbs is 9 (%) higher than ideal
What does it mean?
Overall,Essential Foods 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:
- Higher Protein and lower carbs
- Major ingredients from animals
- High level of meat content
Based on these, we can conclude Essential Foods Dry Dog Food is a pet food line with a 4.5 star rating.
Do we recommend Essential Foods Dry Dog Food ?
It is a good quality above average pet food that we recommend.
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!"
