Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Spot and Tango UnKibble product range is made up of four recipes with ratings varying from 3.5 to 4.5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 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 UnKibble Cod and Salmon | 4.5 | A |
| Spot and Tango UnKibble Beef and Barley | 3.5 | A |
| Spot and Tango UnKibble Chicken and Brown Rice | 4 | A |
| Spot & Tango’s UnKibble Turkey and Sweet Potato | 4 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Spot and Tango’s UnKibble Chicken and Brown Rice was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Spot and Tango's Unkibble Chicken and Brown Rice
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, carrots, chicken livers, chicken gizzards, apples, kale, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, fish oil, choline chloride, potassium chloride, l-tryptophan, l-threonine, zinc proteinate, iron amino acid chelate, selenium yeast, vitamin E supplement, copper amino acid chelate, riboflavin, calcium pantothenate, beets, blueberries, broccoli, cherries, cranberries, oranges, pumpkin, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D supplement, folic acid, sunflower seeds, ginger, salt, dried kelp, mixed tocopherols
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 25% | 16% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 26% | 17% | 49% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 22% | 35% | 43% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains up to 73% water. After dehydrating, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.
The second 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 third ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The fourth ingredient includes carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient is chicken liver, an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The sixth ingredient is chicken gizzard. The gizzard is a low-fat, meaty organ found in the digestive tract of birds and assists in grinding up a consumed food. This item is considered a canine dietary delicacy.
The seventh ingredient is apple, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
The eighth ingredient is kale. Kale is a type of cabbage in which the central leaves do not form a head. This dark green vegetable is especially rich in beta-carotene, vitamins C, vitamin K and calcium.
And like broccoli, kale contains sulforaphane, a natural chemical believed to possess potent anti-cancer properties.
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 four notable exceptions…
First, we note the inclusion of 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.
In addition, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.
Next, this recipe contains selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.
And lastly, this food includes 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, Spot and Tango UnKibble Chicken & Brown Rice looks like an above-average dry dog food.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 26%, a fat level of 16.7% and estimated carbohydrates of about 49.3%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 26.9% and a mean fat level of 19.2%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 45.9% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 71%.
Near-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a dry dog food containing a notable amount of meat.
Spot & Tango Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Spot & Tango through November 2024.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Spot and Tango UnKibble Dry Dog Food
Spot and Tango UnKibble is a dry dog food using a notable amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
It is worth noting that the lower rating of the beef recipe is due to the high fat to protein ratio. With lower fat content all of these recipes would have been 4 to 4.5 stars. We highly recommend the beef recipe for working or highly active dogs. If you give this particular formula to pets and less active dogs, we recommend you monitor their weight regularly to ensure they remain their ideal size.
Compare Spot and Tango UnKibble Dog Food
How does Spot and Tango UnKibble compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
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