Venture – Alaska Pollock Meal and Pumpkin

A Full Review of Venture – Alaska Pollock Meal and Pumpkin By Earthborn Holistic

Nutritional Analysis

The ideal nutrition for a dog is entirely dependent on its unique circumstances. However, a high proportion of protein and fat combined with a lower proportion of carbohydrates is the most appropriate nutrition profile for the vast majority of dogs.

Dogs are very capable of consuming a high proportion of carbohydrates, but a diet high in protein and fat is more appropriate and a better reflection of their natural ancestral diet.

Carbohydrate Content Analysis

Dogs use carbohydrates as a simple energy source. Dogs do not require significant carbohydrates in their diet, and they are commonly added to reduce cost and increase shelf life.

As the chart above displays, a maximum of 44% of Earthborn Holistic Venture – Alaska Pollock Meal and Pumpkin calories are derived from carbohydrates.

Please note that this is the maximum amount of carbohydrates as calculated by the guaranteed analysis. In reality, this value of carbohydrates is likely to be a lot lower. This is average for a Dry Dog Food.

The majority of this carbohydrate content appears to be sourced from a mix of vegetable ingredients such as Pumpkin and Tapioca.

These ingredients will be discussed in depth later on. This is considerably above what we would consider the ideal proportion of carbohydrates.

This proportion should be significantly reduced to better align the nutrition of this formula with a dog’s natural diet. That being said, the carbohydrates present are from a reasonably high-quality source and this percentage is an overestimate.

Protein Content Analysis

Dogs use Protein for growth, development, and maintenance. Excess protein can be burned as calories. As the chart above displays, a minimum of 26% of Earthborn Holistic Venture – Alaska Pollock Meal and Pumpkin calories are derived from protein.

Please note that this is the minimum amount of protein as calculated by the guaranteed analysis. In reality, this value of protein is likely to be higher. This is above average for a Dry Dog Food.

This will be a more than sufficient proportion of protein for the average dog but will not be adequate for those who are more active. This protein appears to be sourced from Pollock Meal present which is considered a high-quality source.

A small proportion of this protein is from the vegetable ingredients such as Pumpkin. Plant-based proteins are considered inferior to meat-based proteins. However, this proportion is very small and likely negligible.

Fat Content Analysis

Dogs use fat as a concentrated energy source. In addition, fats also play a role in development and maintenance. As the chart above displays, a minimum of 30% of Earthborn Holistic Venture – Alaska Pollock Meal and Pumpkin calories are derived from Fat.

Please note that this is the minimum amount of fat as calculated by the guaranteed analysis. In reality, this value of fat is likely to be a lot higher. This is above average for a Dry Dog Food.

The fat present in this dog food appears to be sourced from Pollock Meal present, which is a high-quality source. Fish fat such as this is a dog’s natural source of fat.

Ingredients such as Pollock Meal provide a very satisfactory quantity of the Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids which are known to provide a range of health benefits.

This formula, in particular, contains an extremely high proportion of these Omega Fatty Acids and one of the highest we have seen.

This estimate of the fat content of this formula is sufficient to fulfill the energy needs of the average dog but not those who are more active.

Disclaimer

Once again, please note that the values in this section are calculated using the product’s guaranteed analysis. The guaranteed analysis only lists the minimum and maximum values, and as a consequence, these can sometimes be an inaccurate representation.

As a rule of thumb, most dog foods will contain slightly more protein and considerably more fat than their guaranteed analysis. This will have the knock-on effect of reducing the relative amount of carbohydrates present.

However, also note that every dog food is different, and some will be considerably closer to the guaranteed analysis than others.

Guaranteed Analysis – Earthborn Holistic Venture – Alaska Pollock Meal and Pumpkin

Pet foods in the United States are legally required by the AAFCO to have a guaranteed analysis on their packaging.

A guaranteed analysis must display certain nutritional information. This is similar to how nutritional values are now commonly displayed on food for human consumption.

The information that must be displayed includes Crude Protein, Crude Fat, Crude Fiber, and Moisture. Some guaranteed analyses will contain additional information. The guaranteed analysis for this product is listed below.

Ingredient Analysis

The ingredients of pet food are disclosed on the packaging of the product as a list in descending order. Therefore the ingredients at the start of the list make up the bulk of the pet foods content.

As a consequence, the quality of these primary ingredients is the most significant factor in determining the quality of pet food.

However, ingredients listed further down the ingredient list should not be ignored, especially if they could have adverse or harmful effects on a pet.

In-Depth Meat/Fish Ingredient Review

The meat and fish ingredients of dog food are, without a doubt, the most important. They are critical as they provide the majority of the protein and fat that dogs desperately need.

Also, these ingredients would have made up the bulk of dogs’ ancestors’ diet. Therefore, the quality of a dog food formula’s meat and fish ingredients is crucial. Earthborn Holistic Venture – Alaska Pollock Meal and Pumpkin contains a single source of meat and fish.

Pollock Meal is considered a high-quality source of fish. It is a concentrated form of Fish that has already had most of its moisture removed. Fish Meal tends to be highly rich in protein which is ideal for a dog’s diet.

In-Depth None-Meat Ingredient Review

Pumpkin is a high-quality vegetable ingredient and a beneficial addition to a dog’s diet. Pumpkin contains high levels of a variety of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Potassium.

However, Pumpkin is probably best known for the Dietary Fiber it can contribute. This fiber can improve and regulate digestion.

Finally, Pumpkin does not contain significant levels of plant-based protein. This lack of protein prevents Pumpkin from being used solely to inflate protein levels like other vegetables, such as Peas, often are.

Tapioca is a starchy vegetable and a source of complex carbohydrates. Tapioca, which is also known as Cassava Root, is a staple of South America and is rarely seen in the western world.

This means it is often used as a novel ingredient for dogs with allergies or sensitivities to other ingredients such as Peas and Potatoes.

Tapioca does not contribute substantial nutrition beyond its carbohydrate content but does contain some B Vitamins such as Folate and Vitamin B6.

Sunflower Oil is one of a number of oils commonly added to pet food. Sunflower Oil contains high amounts of Omega 6 Fatty Acids.

However, it does not provide any of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids which are often considered the more beneficial of the two.

For that reason, Sunflower Oil is considered by many to be a less desirable addition than other oils, such as Salmon and Canola Oil.

Flaxseed is a beneficial ingredient that is commonplace in higher-quality dog food. Flaxseed contains high levels of the Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids, which provide a range of health benefits such as healthier skin and fur and improved cognitive function.

Also, Flaxseed contains high levels of protein for a plant-based ingredient. Finally, Flaxseed provides Lignans which can help reduce inflammation and cholesterol.

Full Ingredient List – Earthborn Holistic Venture – Alaska Pollock Meal and Pumpkin

Alaska Pollock Meal, Pumpkin, Tapioca, Sunflower Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed, Natural Flavors, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Taurine, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D_³ Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin B_¹² Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product.

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