Vigor & Sage Dry Dog Food is a pet food line with a 3-star rating — around 31% 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 fine, and it might be great to give your pets some extra meaty food or treats.
What We like
Use Organic Minerals to Improve Absorption
No Potential Allergens like Corn, Soy, Gluten, and Dairy products
What We Concern
More than 37% Carbs
Include Plant Protein in Top 5 ingredients
Numberous Controversial Ingredients
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
Ginseng Sporting Dog Active Adult Dog
1️⃣Chicken🍚Carbs：35%
4
Goji Berry Well-being Puppy
1️⃣Chicken🍚Carbs：37%
3.5
Lily Root Beauty Adult
1️⃣Salmon🍚Carbs：44%
3.5
Astragalus Well-being Senior
1️⃣Turkey🍚Carbs：46%
3
Ginseng Well-being Adult
1️⃣Chicken🍚Carbs：46%
3
Lotus Leaf Weight Control Adult
1️⃣Turkey🍚Carbs：49%
3
Tips
Recipes have different ratings. This means they might be designed a bit differently.
Recipe to review
To rate Vigor & Sage Dry Dog Food, we will take one representative recipe to evaluate the nutrition, ingredients and meat content of this product line.
We have chosen Ginseng Well-being Adult.
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 Ginseng Well-being Adult
Protein
24%
Fat
14%
Fiber
5.5%
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
26%
Fat
15% or more
15%
Carbs
Less than 28%
46%
Fiber
Less than 5%
6%
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26 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
3 units
⁉ Uncertain
2 units
Organic Minerals Seems to Include
Probiotics Seems Not Included
Prefer
Concerned
Notice
Neutral
Click an ingredient to see the detail
Fresh Boneless Chicken Meat
Animal Protein
The dominant animal protein source in pet foods. Other than protein, it is also high in iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins.
PreferA high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Dried Potato
Carbs
Contains mainly carbs, often used as an alternative filler for grain-free pet foods.
ConcernedAn inexpensive filler without gluten, with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/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.
NeutralAn acceptable filler with higher nutrition value compared to rice, corn, and wheat.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestLegume contains oligosaccharides, which is a 3 - 5 carbon short-chain sugar that are indigestible by dogs / cats.
⁉
UncertainN/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.
PreferA high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Dried Beet Pulp
Carbs
The leftover pulp after sugar is extracted from sugar beets, contains higher fiber and less sugar compared to whole beets.
ConcernedControversial - Some say it is a good dietary fiber source, some believe it is just an inexpensive filler.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Dried Sweet Potato
Carbs
An alternative high carbs filler with an excellent amount of vitamin A, C, B6.
NeutralAn acceptable filler with higher nutrition value compared to rice, corn, and wheat.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/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.
PreferA high-quality animal fat with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Salmon Oil
Fat
The oil extracted from salmon, an excellent source of fat and omega 3s, which is important to reduce inflammation in the body.
PreferA high-quality animal fat with high digestibility and biological value.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Cellulose
Carbs
🌋⁉
The substance provides strength and rigidity to plants, which are mostly made of insoluble fiber. It is commonly added to pet foods to reduce the calorie content for the "weight management" type.
NoticeUnspecified plant products made of unknown sources. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestDogs and cats lack the enzymes capable of digesting cellulose. A high level of fiber could interfere with the digestion of protein and other minerals.
⁉
UncertainCould be made up of cheap and unwanted fiber by-products. However, from our research, most cellulose used in pet food is made up of pine trees.
Brewer's 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.
ConcernedA 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.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Lecithin
Fat
A fat essential in body cells, it could be extracted from different food like soybean. It acts as an emulsifier that helps fats mixing with other ingredients.
NeutralAn acceptable source of fat from plants.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Inulin
Carbs
A prebiotic that promote friendly bacteria in the gut and support better digestion.
NeutralA harmless ingredient with potential health benefits.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Seaweed
Carbs
An excellent source of various minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium. Rich in rare mineral iodine essential for healthy thyroid function.
NeutralAn acceptable ingredient as a source of vitamins and minerals.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Choline Chloride
Supplement
Vital molecule for various functions in the body, lack of choline can result in weight loss, vomiting, and fatty liver.
NeutralA safe supplement for potential health benefits.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/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.
NeutralA harmless plant with potential health benefits.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Poria
Carbs
A type of mushroom often used to make medicine and various herbal combination products to treat diarrhea.
NeutralA harmless ingredient with potential health benefits.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Dried Wild Chrysanthemum
Carbs
⁉
A flower used to make Chinese herbal tea, it is believed to have a "cooling" effect to fight inflammation of the body.
ConcernedA controversial and unnecessary ingredient that can pose potential health problems.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainAccording to ASPCA, it contains sesquiterpene, lactones, pyrethrins, and other potential irritants that are toxic to both cats and dogs.
Linseed Oil
Fat
The oil extracted from pressing the ground flaxseed (another name for linseed). It is one of the richest sources of plant-based omega 3s, well known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
NeutralAn acceptable source of fat from plants.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Dried 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).
NeutralVegetables are fair source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Mango
Carbs
A relatively high sugary fruit, it is a good source of vitamin A, C, potassium, and magnesium.
NeutralFruit is an acceptable source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Dried Tomato
Carbs
Packed with vitamins A, C, K, potassium, and manganese.
NeutralVegetables are fair source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Dried Lemon
Carbs
🌋
A type of citrus fruit, a good source of vitamin C, is seldom seen in pet foods as the bitter taste is not favorable.
ConcernedA controversial vegetable that might cause health issues, unnecessary for the risk.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestExcessive citric acid can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
⁉
UncertainN/A
Dried Apple
Carbs
Contains mainly carbs and sugar with multiple antioxidants to prevent radical damages by oxidative stress.
NeutralFruit is an acceptable source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Yucca
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.
NeutralA harmless ingredient with specific benefits.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Glucosamine
Supplement
The most common joint supplement for reducing the level of pain and inflammation.
NeutralA safe supplement for potential health benefits.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Chondroitin Sulphate
Supplement
Derived from animal parts containing cartilage, as a supplement to support joint health.
NeutralA safe supplement for potential health benefits.
♨
AllergenN/A
🌋
Related to DigestN/A
⁉
UncertainN/A
Tips
We find 5 Concerned and 1 Notice ingredients from Ginseng Well-being Adult. Check from the above list to view the details.
Concerned
Dried Potato
Dried Beet Pulp
Brewer's Yeast
Dried Wild Chrysanthemum
Dried Lemon
Notice
Cellulose
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
26%
in dry matter
By 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.
Vigor & Sage 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 6 recipes, the group has an average of 29% protein, 15% fat and 43% carbohydrate.
（Protein and Fat: Prefer Higher丨Carbs: Prefer Lower）
Protein is -1 (%) less than ideal
Fat is 0 (%) less than ideal
Carbs is 15 (%) higher than ideal
What does it mean?
Overall,Vigor & Sage 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:
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 Vigor & Sage Dry Dog Food is a pet food line with a 3 star rating.
Do we recommend Vigor & Sage 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.
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!"
「Chief of Food」Fat Hill
