Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
pawTree dry dog food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.
Pros
- Notable amount of named meat
- Developed by veterinarians
- Highly digestible
Cons
- Includes plant-based proteins
- Sodium selenite
This pawTree product line includes five dry foods listed below.
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available… Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| pawTree Real Chicken and Oatmeal | 5 | A |
| pawTree Real Chicken and Brown Rice | 4.5 | A |
| pawTree Real Turkey and Brown Rice | 4 | A |
| pawTree Real Whitefish and Brown Rice (Poultry Free) | 4.5 | A |
| pawTree Real Trout and Barley (Poultry Free) | 4 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
pawTree Real Whitefish and Brown Rice (Poultry Free) was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
PawTree Real Whitefish and Brown Rice Poultry Free
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Whitefish, menhaden fish meal, brown rice, oatmeal, pearled barley, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural flavor, millet, tomato pomace, flaxseed, potato protein, sea salt, potassium chloride, fructooligosaccharides, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid), minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, iron amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, cobalt carbonate, ethylenediamine dihydriodide), choline chloride, coconut oil, dried carrots, dried spinach, dried apples, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, dried pumpkin, dried sweet potato, dried broccoli, dried parsley, Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Asperigillus niger fermentation extract, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, mixed tocopherols, taurine, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 24% | 12% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 27% | 14% | 51% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 25% | 30% | 46% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is whitefish, a marine or freshwater species native to Canada and the California coast. This item is typically sourced from clean, undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations. 1 Although it is a quality item, raw fish contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
The second 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 deep water species. Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations. 2
The third ingredient is 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 next ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.
The fifth item is barley, a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The sixth ingredient is canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. That’s because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed. Others cite the fact that canola oil can be a significant source of essential omega-3 fatty acids. In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a dog than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.
After the natural flavor, we find millet, a gluten-free grain harvested from certain seed grasses. Millet is hypoallergenic and naturally rich in B-vitamins and fiber as well as other essential minerals.
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.
However, there are six notable exceptions…
First, we find flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber. Flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
Next, potato protein is the dry residue remaining after removing the starchy part of a potato. Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat. Less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label — a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
In addition, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
Next, we note the inclusion of coconut oil, a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.
Medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to improve cognitive function in older dogs. 3
Because of its proven safety 4 as well as its potential to help in the treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and chronic skin disorders, MCT can be considered a positive addition to this recipe.
We also find 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.
And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, pawTree dry dog food looks like an above-average product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 27%, a fat level of 14% and estimated carbohydrates of about 51%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 27% and a mean fat level of 14%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 51% for the overall product line. And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Which means this pawTree product line contains…above-average protein, below-average fat, and above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the flaxseed and potato protein, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a notable amount of meat.
pawTree Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to pawTree through November 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of pawTree Dog Food
PawTree is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a notable amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus receiving 4.5 stars.
Highly recommended.
Please note certain recipes are sometimes given a higher or lower rating based upon our estimate of their total meat content and (when appropriate) their fat-to-protein ratios.
About
pawTree was founded by Roger Morgan in 2012. After nearly a decade as a CEO in the pet industry, Roger decided to set up his own premium pet food brand, partnering with a team of expert veterinarians and nutritionist to ensure the quality of all the products.
Compare pawTree Dog Food
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