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Our Verdict
Sport Dog Food K-9 Series product range is made up of two recipes which each receive the Dog Food Advisor’s rating, 4.5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sport Dog Food K-9 Series Multiple Protein Formula | 4.5 | U |
| Sport Dog Food K-9 Series Chicken and Fish Formula | 4.5 | U |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Sport Dog Food K-9 Series Multiple Protein Formula was selected to represent both products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Sport Dog Food K-9 Series Multiple Protein Formula
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken meal, whole ground sorghum, chicken fat, whole grain millet, oceanfish meal, oatmeal, pork meal, yeast cultures, salmon oil, glucosamine, chondroitin, salt, natural flavor, choline, potassium chloride, zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acids complex, chicory root, vitamin E, pumpkin, carrot, blueberry, cranberry, manganese amino acids complex, copper amino acid complex, selenium yeast, thiamine, niacin, l-carnitine, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine, riboflavin, vitamin A, biotin, vitamin D3, vitamin B12, green tea extract, folic acid, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, rosemary extract, kelp meal, calcium propionate, lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation, lactobacillus casei fermentation, enterococcus faecium fermentation, bifido bacterium bifidium fermentation, yucca schidigera extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.9%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 31% | 22% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 34% | 24% | 34% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 27% | 46% | 27% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The second 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 next ingredient is chicken fat. This item 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 fourth 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 fifth ingredient is ocean fish meal, another protein-rich meat concentrate.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations.1
Unfortunately, the phrase “ocean fish” is vague and does little to adequately describe this ingredient. Since some fish are higher in omega-3 fats than others, it’s impossible for us to judge the quality of this item.
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 next ingredient is pork meal, yet another high protein meat concentrate.
The eighth ingredient is yeast culture. Although yeast culture is high in B-vitamins and protein, it can also be used as a probiotic to aid in digestion.
The ninth 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.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other ingredients.
But realistically, items located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With three notable exceptions…
First, chicory root 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.
Next, this food contains 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.
And lastly, this recipe includes selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Sport Dog Food K-9 Series Multiple Protein Formula looks like an above-average dry dog food.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 34%, a fat level of 24% and estimated carbohydrates of about 34%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 31% and a mean fat level of 23%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 38% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 72%.
Which means this Sport Dog Food product line contains…
Above-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 kibble containing a significant amount of meat.
However, with 46% of the total calories in our example coming from fat versus just 27% from protein, some recipes may not be suitable for pets on a low-fat diet.
Sport Dog Food Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Sport Dog Food through November 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Sport Dog Food K-9 Series Dog Food
Sport Dog Food K-9 Series is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a significant amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.
Compare Sport Dog Food K-9 Series Dog Food
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A Final Word
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