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Our Verdict
Spot and Tango Fresh Dog Food product range is made up of three recipes which each receive the Dog Food Advisor’s rating, 4 stars.
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Spot and Tango's Turkey & Quinoa | 4 | A |
| Spot and Tango's Beef & Brown Rice | 4 | A |
| Spot and Tango's Lamb & Sweet Potato | 4 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Spot and Tango Beef and Brown Rice was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Spot and Tango Beef and Millet
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Beef, beef livers, butternut squash, spinach, carrots, brown rice, potatoes, safflower oil, apples, salt, salmon oil, dicalcium phosphorus, calcium carbonate, fish oil, potassium chloride, kelp, magnesium oxide, choline chloride, zinc proteinate, selenium yeast, manganese proteinate, vitamin E supplement, copper proteinate, vitamin B12 supplement, iron, folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, potassium iodide, mixed tocopherols
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 11% | 7% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 34% | 22% | 36% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 28% | 43% | 29% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1
Beef is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is beef liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The third ingredient is butternut squash. Squash is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fourth ingredient is spinach. Due to its exceptional vitamin and mineral content, spinach exhibits a remarkably high nutrient Completeness Score2 of 91.
The fifth ingredient includes carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The sixth 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 seventh ingredient is potatoes. Potatoes can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. Yet with the exception of perhaps their caloric content, potatoes are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The eighth ingredient is safflower oil. Safflower oil is nutritionally similar to sunflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.
Safflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.
The ninth ingredient is apple, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
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 of this product.
With one notable exceptions…
First, we find fish oil. Fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Spot and Tango Beef and Brown Rice dog food looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 34.4%, a fat level of 21.9% and estimated carbohydrates of about 35.8%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 33.7% and a mean fat level of 21.7%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 36.6% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 65%.
Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical moist dog food.
Spot & Tango Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Spot & Tango through December 2024.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Spot and Tango Fresh Grain-Inclusive Dog Food
Spot and Tango is a fresh-cooked, grain-inclusive wet dog food. Every recipe lists a named quality meat as the top ingredient and main protein source. thus earning the brand 4 stars.
Compare Spot and Tango Fresh Dog Food
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A Final Word
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