Essence Original Ocean & Freshwater Recipe For Dogs (Canned) Review

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Review of Essence Original Ocean & Freshwater Recipe For Dogs (Canned)

According to our data, this Essence recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.

Essence Original Ocean & Freshwater Recipe For Dogs (Canned) is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.

Review of Ingredients

In our review of Essence Original Ocean & Freshwater Recipe For Dogs (Canned), we'll examine all 30 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.

While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.

  1. Whitefish is a lean, easily digestible protein source that provides essential amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients for your dog. It supports muscle development, a healthy coat, and overall wellness.

  2. Catfish is an excellent source of lean protein for your dog, offering essential amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall health and well-being.

  3. Fish broth is a flavorful and nutritious addition to your dog's food, providing essential amino acids, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients support overall health, immune function, and promote a healthy skin and coat.

  4. Trout is a high-quality protein source that also provides essential omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin and coat health.

  5. Salmon is an excellent source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals that support your dog's immune system, brain function, and skin and coat health.

  6. Sardine is a high-quality fish protein source, rich in omega-3 fatty acids that support your dog's skin, coat, and heart health.

  7. Mackerel is a nutritious fish that provides a high-quality source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals for your dog. Omega-3 fatty acids can help support skin and coat health, reduce inflammation, and promote overall well-being.

  8. Olive oil is a healthy fat that can help improve your dog's skin and coat health, as well as support heart and brain function.

  9. Lentils are a high-quality, plant-based protein source that also provides essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, potassium, and magnesium. They are also rich in dietary fiber, which can support healthy digestion and help maintain a healthy weight for your dog.

  10. Tricalcium phosphate is used as a calcium supplement in dog foods, contributing to strong teeth and bones.

  11. Agar-agar is a natural, plant-based thickening agent that helps create the desired consistency in dog food, while also providing a source of fiber to support digestion.

  12. While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.

  13. Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.

  14. Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.

  15. Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.

  16. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that helps support your dog's skin, nervous system, and digestive health, as well as maintain a robust immune system.

  17. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is essential for energy production and metabolism, aiding in your dog's overall health and well-being.

  18. Riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B2, is essential for energy production, cell function, and fat metabolism in your dog's body.

  19. Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.

  20. Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.

  21. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.

  22. Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.

  23. Zinc proteinate is a highly absorbable form of zinc. It helps support a healthy immune system, skin, and coat in dogs.

  24. Iron proteinate is a chelated form of iron that is more easily absorbed by your dog's body, supporting their red blood cell production and overall health.

  25. Copper Proteinate is a chelated form of copper that's easier for dogs to absorb, aiding in red blood cell formation and iron absorption.

  26. Manganese Proteinate is a chelated form of manganese, a mineral that supports bone health, metabolism and enzymatic reactions.

  27. Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.

  28. Ethylenediamine dihydriodide is a form of iodine used in dog foods. Iodine is crucial for your dog's thyroid health, which regulates metabolism and energy.

  29. Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.

  30. Calcium carbonate is a valuable source of calcium, an essential mineral for strong bones and teeth, and for supporting proper muscle function in your dog.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

The Crude Protein minimum of 10.00% is largely contributed by the first several ingredients listed: whitefish, catfish, trout, salmon, sardines, and mackerel. These are all high-quality sources of animal protein that are essential for a dog's muscle development and overall health.

The Crude Fat minimum of 5.00% is likely to be provided by the fish ingredients, as they contain natural oils and fats. Additionally, the inclusion of olive oil contributes to the fat content. Fats are crucial for energy, cell integrity, and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

The Crude Fiber maximum of 1.00% indicates that this is a low-fiber food. The primary contributors to fiber in this recipe are likely the lentils and agar-agar. Lentils can provide a source of both protein and fiber, while agar-agar is a gelatinous substance that can aid in digestion and stool quality.

The calorie content of 1140.00 per kg provides an estimate of the energy that the food can supply. This is influenced by the levels of protein, fat, and carbohydrates present in the food. While the specific carbohydrate sources are not listed in the ingredients (aside from lentils), they are likely minimal given the focus on fish and the low fiber content, suggesting that the caloric content is primarily derived from protein and fat.

The vitamins and minerals listed are added to ensure the food meets the nutritional requirements for dogs. These are not typically significant contributors to the guaranteed analysis values of protein, fat, and fiber but are crucial for overall health. The minerals are provided in a chelated (proteinate) form for better absorption. Ingredients like tricalcium phosphate and calcium carbonate contribute to the mineral content, particularly calcium and phosphorus, which are important for bone health.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Essence Original Ocean & Freshwater Recipe For Dogs (Canned) costs approximately $5.12 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.

Adult WeightPuppyAdult
5 lbs $61.56$96.18
10 lbs $103.53$161.76
15 lbs $140.32$219.25
20 lbs $174.11$272.04
30 lbs $235.99$368.73
40 lbs $292.81$457.52
50 lbs $346.16$540.87
60 lbs $396.88$620.13
70 lbs $445.52$696.13
80 lbs $492.45$769.46
90 lbs $537.93$840.52
100 lbs $582.17$909.63

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.

Summary of Customer Reviews

Customers appreciate the high protein content and variety of fish in the Essence Original Ocean & Freshwater Recipe For Dogs, noting that each can is packed with nutritious ingredients. The dense pate form is particularly favored by some dog owners who mix it with dry kibble, providing a hearty meal for their pets.

While one customer experienced an issue with their dog refusing to eat the food despite its appealing fishy smell and quality ingredients, this seems to be an isolated case. Other dogs, including Labradors mentioned in a review, seem to love the thick pate form and the fish variety in the food.

The scent of the food is noted to be strong, which is typical for fish-based products, but this does not detract from its quality. One user even finds the odor reasonable, given the multiple types of fish included, and is satisfied with the product's value for money. The food is also used creatively by some customers, such as stuffing it in Kongs to keep their dogs entertained and well-fed.