Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Canidae Goodness is made up of five dry recipes with ratings varying from 4 to 4.5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4.5 stars.
These dry food recipes provide complete and balanced nutrition for whole body health and have real, antibiotic-free meat or fish as the first ingredient.
Pros
- Contains probiotics
- Committed to sustainability
- No fillers
Cons
- Expensive
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Canidae Goodness Real Turkey and Barley | 4.5 | M |
| Canidae Goodness Real Salmon and Brown Rice | 4 | M |
| Canidae Goodness Real Chicken and Barley | 4.5 | M |
| Canidae Goodness Puppy Real Turkey and Brown Rice | 4.5 | G |
| Canidae Goodness Real Beef and Oatmeal | 4.5 | G |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Canidae Goodness Real Turkey and Barley was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Canidae Goodness Real Turkey and Barley
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Turkey, turkey meal, barley, whole grain sorghum, rice bran, oatmeal, chicken meal, millet, chicken fat, flaxseed, suncured alfalfa meal, natural flavor, choline chloride, taurine, mixed tocopherols, zinc sulfate, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, niacin, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, vitamin A supplement, sodium selenite, biotin, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, zinc proteinate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin D3 supplement, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, folic acid, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 24% | 15% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 27% | 17% | 49% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 23% | 35% | 42% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is turkey. Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”.1
Turkey is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is turkey meal. Turkey meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh turkey.
The next ingredient is barley. Barley is 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 fourth ingredient is sorghum. Sorghum (milo) is a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.
Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient.
The fifth ingredient is rice bran, a healthy by-product of milling whole-grain rice. The bran is the fiber-rich outer layer of the grain containing starch, protein, fat as well as vitamins and minerals.
The sixth 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 seventh ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The eighth ingredient is 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.
The ninth ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
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 the product.
This recipe has four notable exceptions.
First 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.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
In addition, 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.
We note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
Lastly 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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Canidae Goodness Real Turkey and Barley looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 26.7%, a fat level of 16.7% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 48.7%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 26.9% and a mean fat level of 16.9%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 48.2% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 63%.
This means Canidae Goodness contains near-average protein, near-average carbohydrate, and near-average fat when compared to typical dry dog food.
Canidae Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Canidae through December 2024.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Canidae Goodness Grain Inclusive Dog Food
Canidae Goodness range is a quality product range. They are made from premium and sustainable ingredients and are vet-formulated.
About
Canidae was founded in 1996 by Scott Whipple and John Gordon, who met while working at a local pet store.
In 2012, Canidae acquired a manufacturing facility in Brownwood, Texas. Called Ethos, it’s one of the smallest pet food plants in the US, the company controls every step of manufacturing. It’s also a research and development center equipped with a lab that tests all incoming ingredients and outgoing products.
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