Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Nature’s Protection Superior Care Red Dogs product range is made up of five recipes with ratings varying from 4 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4 stars.
This range is specially formulated to reduce brown tear stains for dogs with red fur and coats while promoting skin and coat health. It includes recipes suitable for dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds.
Pros
- Formulated with no artificial flavors or preservatives
- High-quality ingredients
- Contains omega fatty acids to improve coat condition
Cons
- No AAFCO profile on the brand site
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.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Nature’s Protection Superior Care Red Coat Grain-Free Dry Dog Food For Junior Small And Mini Breeds Red Coated Dogs, Salmon was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Nature's Protection Superior Care Red Coat Grain-Free Dry Dog Food For Junior Small And Mini Breeds Red Coated Dogs, Salmon
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon meal, dried potato, sweet potato, poultry fat, krill meal, peas, dried plain beet pulp, salmon oil, monocalcium phosphate, flaxseed, fructooligosaccharide, sodium aluminosilicate, yucca schidigera extract, dried cranberries, pot marigold, vitamins [vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, folic acid (source of vitamin B), biotin (source of vitamin B)], minerals (iron sulfate, calcium iodate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, zinc sulfate, sodium selenite), l-tyrosine, l-cysteine, l-tryptophan, mixed tocopherols (a preservative), rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.8%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 27% | 16% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 30% | 18% | 45% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 25% | 37% | 38% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is salmon meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.1
The second ingredient is dried potato, a dehydrated item usually made from the by-products of potato processing. In most cases, dried potato can contain about 10% dry matter protein which can have a slight affect on our estimate of the total meat content of this recipe.
The third ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The fourth ingredient is poultry fat. Poultry fat is obtained from rendering, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Poultry fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life.
However, poultry fat is a relatively generic ingredient and can be considered lower in quality than a similar item from a named source animal (like chicken fat).
The fifth ingredient is krill meal. Krill are small crustaceans closely related to shrimp. Krill meal is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids.
Because it’s considered a meat concentrate, krill meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh krill itself.
The sixth ingredient is peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
The seventh ingredient is 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.
The eighth ingredient is salmon oil. 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.
The ninth ingredient is monocalcium phosphate, likely used in this recipe as a calcium and/or phosphorus dietary supplement.
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 three notable exceptions.
First, 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.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
Next, fructooligosaccharides are included here as a prebiotic. Prebiotics support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine and deliver digestive health benefits.
Also, 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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Nature’s Protection Superior Care Red Coat Grain-Free Dry Dog Food For Junior Small And Mini Breeds Red Coated Dogs, Salmon looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 29.7%, a fat level of 17.6% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 44.7%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 27% and a mean fat level of 14.9%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 50% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 55%.
This means this product line contains near-average protein, near-average carbohydrate, and near-average fat when compared to typical dry dog food.
Superior Care Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Superior Care through January 2025.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Nature's Protection Superior Care Red Dogs Dog Food
This product range features high-quality protein and raw materials that deliver efficient, digestible, and palatable nutrients. The recipes utilize carefully selected ingredients and balanced formulas to help maintain the clarity of tears and saliva, which assists in removing brown stains around the eyes, mouth, and paws.
About
Superior Care Pet is a family business with 35 years of experience in dog breeding. Janita established the company in Lithuania in 1991 and it has now grown internationally.
In 2021, Nature’s Protection and Tauro Pro Line products were introduced to the US market, marking the establishment of Superior Care Pet.
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A Final Word
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