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
pawTree Freeze-Dried Raw dog food receives the Dog Food Advisor second highest rating, 4.5-stars.
This range uses premium human-grade ingredients which have been USDA-inspected. Each recipe is gently dried at low temperatures to preserve the nutritional value of the ingredients.
Pros
- USDA certified
- Non GMO ingredients
- No filler or by-products
Cons
- Contains sodium selenite
The pawTree freeze-dried raw range is made up of three recipes. Each recipe is listed below, alongside its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| pawTree Real Chicken | 4.5 | A |
| pawTree Real Turkey | 4.5 | A |
| pawTree Real Beef | 4 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
pawTree Real Turkey was selected to represent the other freeze-dried raw products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
pawTree Real Turkey
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Turkey, turkey liver, turkey hearts, garbanzo beans, dried sweet potatoes, turkey bone broth, kale, apples, pumpkin, carrots, eggs, flaxseed, dicalcium phosphate, apple cider vinegar, potassium chloride, salmon oil, choline chloride, sea salt, dried chicory root, magnesium sulfate, taurine, glucosamine hydrochloride, mixed tocopherols, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, folic acid, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 42% | 32% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 45% | 34% | 13% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 32% | 59% | 10% |
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 liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The third ingredient is turkey hearts. It’s naturally rich in quality protein, minerals and complex B vitamins, too.
The fourth ingredient is garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas. Like peas, beans and lentils, the chickpea is a nutritious member of the fiber-rich legume (pulse) family of vegetables. Garbanzos contain about 22% protein, something which must be considered when evaluating the total protein reported in this food.
The fifth ingredient is dried sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The sixth ingredient is turkey bone broth. Although they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, bone broths are a common component in many wet products. However, since broths consist almost entirely of water, the trace nutrients they contain account for only a fraction of the overall finished dog food.
The seventh 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.
The eighth ingredient is apples, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
The ninth ingredient is pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary 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 the product.
This recipe has five notable exceptions.
Taurine, an essential amino acid for dogs associated with the healthy function of heart muscle and eye sight, and is crucial for maintaining good health in dogs. We view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
Next, salmon oil which 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.
We note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
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.
And finally 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, pawTree Real Turkey looks like an above-average freeze-dried raw product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44.7%, a fat level of 34% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 13.3%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 42.9% and a mean fat level of 34.8%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 14.3% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 81%.
This means pawTree freeze-dried raw range contains above-average protein, below-average carbohydrate, above-average fat, when compared to typical freeze-dried raw dog food.
pawTree Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to pawTree through December 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of pawTree Dog Food
This pawTree product range uses high-quality, fresh, whole ingredients, with single-source animal protein and wholesome fruits and vegetables.
About
pawTree was founded by Roger Morgan. After nearly a decade as a CEO in the pet industry, Roger decided to set up his own premium pet food brand in 2012, partnering with a team of expert veterinarians and nutritionist to ensure the quality of all the products.
Compare pawTree Dog Food
How does pawTree compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
Sources
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.
