Quick Review
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Nutrition - 8/10
8/10
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Ingredients - 8/10
8/10
Review Summary
Taste of the Wild’s Ancient Stream Canine Recipe is a high-quality dry dog food. It has significantly above-average protein and fat content and below-average carbohydrate content. While not quite perfect, the nutrient profile of this dry dog food is very satisfactory.
The recipe contains a small number of high quality and nutritious ingredients, including Salmon and Salmon Meal. The recipe makes use of grains such as Sorghum, Millet, and Barley. These grains provide carbohydrates and fiber. Tomato Pomace is also present to provide additional soluble fiber.
The smaller range of fish ingredients in this recipe may make this food suitable for some dogs with dietary sensitivities or allergies. But for those without specific needs, Ancient Stream Canine Recipe is a very satisfactory dry food.
Overall
8/10User Review
( votes)Pros
High-Quality Fish Ingredients
Satisfactory Nutrition
Cons
Some Dog Owners Disagree With The Use of Grains
A Full review of Ancient Stream Canine Recipe By Taste of the Wild
Nutritional Analysis
The ideal nutrition for a dog is entirely dependant on their 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. Dog’s 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 37% of Taste of the Wild’s Ancient Stream Canine Recipe 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 below average for a Dry Dog Food.
This carbohydrate content appears to be from a mix of grain ingredients, including Sorghum, Millet, and Barley. While grain ingredients such as these are often controversial, they are a reliable sources of carbohydrates. Grains such as these do not inflate the protein content of a dog food with plant-based protein as legumes do. This level of carbohydrates is higher than we would consider optimal.
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 30% of Taste of the Wild’s Ancient Stream Canine Recipe 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 significantly above average for a Dry Dog Food.
A range of fish ingredients contributes the majority of this protein content with plant-based ingredients adding a very minor proportion. Fish such as Salmon and Salmon Meal are great sources of protein for a dog’s diet and contain a complete amino acid profile. This protein proportion is slightly below what we believe is optimal, and as a consequence, this may not be sufficient protein for dogs with very high activity levels.
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 33% of Taste of the Wild’s Ancient Stream Canine Recipe 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 significantly above average for a Dry Dog Food.
The high level of fat present is from a range of poultry ingredients such as Salmon and Salmon Meal. Fat from fish ingredients such as this is considered a high-quality and easily digestible source. A high level of fat should not be a concern as fat is the preferred energy source for a dog. This should be a sufficient level of fat for the majority of dogs with a range of activity levels.
Calorie Density
Overall, Taste of the Wild’s Ancient Stream Canine Recipe contains an average of 3,640 kcal/kg or 392 kcal/cup.
Disclaimer
Once again, please note that the values in this section are calculated using the products 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 – Taste of the Wild – Ancient Stream Canine Recipe
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 analysis will contain additional information. The guaranteed analysis for this product is listed below.
- Crude Protein (Min) – 30.00%
- Crude Fat (Min) – 15.00%
- Crude Fiber (Max) – 3.00%
- Moisture (Max) – 10.00%
- Omega 6 Fatty Acids (Min) – 2.8%
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Min) – 0.6%
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.
High-Quality Ingredients
- Salmon
- Salmon Meal
- Smoked Salmon
Low-Quality Ingredients
- N/A
Dangerous / Harmful Ingredients
- N/A
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 formulas meat and fish ingredients is crucial. Taste of the Wild’s Ancient Stream Canine Recipe contains four sources of meat or fish.
The primary fish source present is Salmon. Salmon is considered a high-quality source of protein. Salmon’s most abundant minerals are Vitamin B12 and Selenium. Just like other fish, Salmon contains a large quantity of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Unfortunately, just as with meat, Salmon contains a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Salmon. However, given that Salmon is the first listed ingredient, its quantity after cooking is likely to still be relatively high.
Another fish source present is Salmon Meal. Salmon Meal is considered a high-quality source of protein. Fish Meal is a concentrated form of fish that has already had the majority of its moisture removed. This means that gram for gram it is much richer in protein and other nutrients. Salmon Meal will contain the same vitamins and minerals as Whitefish but in higher concentrations. This includes Vitamin B12 and Selenium.
Ocean Fish Meal is considered an average quality source of fish. It is a concentrated form of fish that has already had most of its moisture removed. Ocean Fish Meal is likely to have a relatively high protein content, which is ideal for a dog’s diet. Unfortunately, Ocean Fish is a vague description. For this reason, it’s difficult to gauge exactly what fish the meal is made of. In addition, this makes it difficult to gauge the quantities of fish oils such as Omega 3 and Omega 6.
In-Depth None-Meat Ingredient Review
Sorghum is a grain ingredient and is a relatively uncommon addition to dog food and grows in a similar fashion to Corn. It contains around 10% protein and minor levels of some vitamins and minerals. Learn more about Sorghum in our article Sorghum In Dog Food.
Millet is a cereal grain that is high in carbohydrates and plant-based proteins. It is considered a viable alternative to legumes in dog food by many. Grains such as Millet are seeing increasing use by a number of brands. Sadly, Millet has little nutritional value past its carbohydrate and protein content. Read more about Millet in our article Millet In Dog Food.
Barley is a grain containing gluten and can be considered a low-quality ingredient in dog food by some. It is very high in carbohydrates and can be difficult to digest. The fact that it is challenging to digest could lead to constipation or other symptoms. However, Barley does contain high levels of selenium and manganese. Learn more about Barley in our article Barley In Dog Food.
A noteworthy ingredient present in this formula is Tomato Pomace. Tomato Pomace is made up of tomato skin, seeds, and pulp. Its most beneficial feature is that it contains very high levels of soluble fiber, which can aid and regulate digestion. Those high levels of fiber are the primary motivation behind this ingredient’s inclusion in most formulas as Tomato Pomace has little nutritional value.
Salt, when added in moderation, is considered a beneficial ingredient. It enhances flavor, helps preserve the food, and is important for maintaining healthy blood pressure and other bodily functions. However, some dogs, particularly those with cardiovascular problems, may need to limit their consumption of Salt to avoid aggravating their health problems.
Dried Chicory Root or Chicory Root Extract is an additive or supplement to dog food. It can provide a range of health benefits, including soluble fiber, to enable regular passage of stool, probiotics to aid and promote digestion, as well as potentially eliminate or prevent intestinal worms. While these benefits are not fully proven, there is strong evidence behind them. The proportion of Chicory Root used in most dog food recipes is tiny and does not contribute meaningful nutrition. Find out more in Dried Chicory Root In Dog Food.
Full Ingredient List – Taste of the Wild – Ancient Stream Canine Recipe
Salmon, salmon meal, ocean fish meal, grain sorghum, millet, cracked pearled barley, dried yeast, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), brown rice, smoked salmon, natural flavor, tomato pomace, salmon oil (a source of DHA), quinoa, chia seed, salt, potassium chloride, DL-Methionine, choline chloride, taurine, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, L-Carnitine, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.
