Highly Recommended
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Our Verdict
Kismet freeze-dried product range is made up of two recipes which each receive the Dog Food Advisor’s rating, 4 stars.
This freeze-dried product range boasts a meat-first ingredient list and is packed with superfoods and pre and probiotics.
Pros
- Contains antioxidant superfoods
- No artificial colors, flavor or preservatives
- Developed with Board Certified Vet Nutritionists
Cons
- Limited range
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Kismet Chicken and Barley Nugs | 4 | A |
| Kismet Salmon and Brown Rice Nugs | 4 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Kismet Chicken and Barley Nugs was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Kismet Chicken and Barley Nugs
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, pearled barley, brewers rice, turkey meal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural flavor, dried plain beet pulp, sweet potatoes, potassium chloride, dried carrots, dried kale, dried apples, dried cranberries, salmon oil, salt, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate), choline chloride, dried chicory root, mixed tocopherols (preservative), citric acid (preservative), yeast culture, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 25% | 14% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 28% | 16% | 49% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 24% | 33% | 43% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
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 fourth ingredient is cracked pearled barley. Cracked Pearled Barley is produced when the seed hull and bran is removed from barley grain. Fiber is distributed throughout the barley grain, rather than being contained within the hull meaning that Cracked Pearled Barley is still a source of fiber. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The fifth ingredient is brewers rice. Brewers rice is a cereal grain by-product consisting of the small fragments left over after milling whole rice. Aside from the caloric energy it contains, this item is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The sixth ingredient is turkey meal. Turkey meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh turkey.
The seventh 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.
The eighth ingredient is natural flavors, this doesn’t give us much information about the particular ingredients included in this dog food for flavoring purposes.
We’re pleased that the flavorings used are natural, but more details are required to give any further information about these natural flavoring ingredients. Flavorings are used to make the foods more appealing and tasty for our dogs.
The ninth ingredient is dried plain beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.
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 six notable exceptions.
First, salmon 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, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Next, 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.
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.
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.
In addition, this food includes chicory root. Chicory is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers. Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
Lastly, we note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Kismet Chicken and Barley Nugs looks like an above-average freeze-dried product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 28%, a fat level of 16% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 49%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 28% and a mean fat level of 16%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 49% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%.
This means the Kismet freeze-dried range contains near-average protein, near-average carbohydrate, and near-average fat when compared to typical freeze-dried dog food.
Kismet Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Kismet through November 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Kismet Dog Food
Kismet is a new dog food brand on the market. Our review indicates that it is a great choice for any pet parent to try for their dogs.
Our one concern is the lack of transparency regarding the sourced ingredients.
About
Kismet is the first joint business venture from celebrity couple John Legend and Chrissy Teigen.
Kismet has collaborated with board-certified vet nutritionists and a team of expert formulators to create quality dry food that is both convenient and affordable.
Compare Kismet Dog Food
How does Kismet compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
