Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wide Open Prairie Recipe With Cage-Free Chicken Review

Review of Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wide Open Prairie Recipe With Cage-Free Chicken

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

Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wide Open Prairie Recipe With Cage-Free Chicken 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 Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wide Open Prairie Recipe With Cage-Free Chicken, we'll examine all 35 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. Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.

2. Chicken meal is a highly concentrated source of protein made from dehydrated and ground chicken. It provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development, tissue repair, and overall growth, making it a valuable ingredient for maintaining your dog's health and well-being.

3. Peas are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can contribute to your dog's overall health and provide necessary nutrients.

4. 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.

5. Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a source of essential fatty acids like omega-6 which help to maintain a healthy skin and coat. The tocopherols act as natural preservatives.

6. Chicken liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides your dog with protein, fat, and vitamin A. It's also a great source of iron, copper, niacin, zinc, and phosphorus.

7. Natural chicken flavor is a dog food ingredient used to enhance the taste and aroma of the product, making it more appealing to your pet. It is derived from real chicken and does not contain any artificial additives or chemicals. This natural flavoring helps encourage your dog to eat and enjoy their meals.

8. Tomato pomace is a fiber-rich ingredient that can help support healthy digestion and maintain a healthy weight in dogs.

9. Chickpea is a nutrient-dense legume that provides a valuable source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential minerals to support your dog's overall wellbeing.

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

11. Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients, which can support your dog's skin, coat, and digestive health.

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. 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.

14. Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.

15. Salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin, coat, joints, and brain function. Mixed tocopherols, a natural form of vitamin E, help preserve the oil, ensuring its freshness and nutritional value for your dog.

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

17. Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.

18. Dried kelp is a natural source of essential minerals and trace elements, which help support your dog's thyroid function and overall health.

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

20. 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.

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

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

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

24. Calcium iodate is a source of iodine, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolism. It helps maintain proper hormone production and is crucial for overall health and well-being.

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

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

27. Niacin supplement is an important source of vitamin B3, which plays a crucial role in supporting your dog's energy metabolism, nervous system function, and overall health. It also aids in maintaining healthy skin and coat, as well as promoting proper digestion.

28. D-Calcium Pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid, a B-vitamin that helps in energy metabolism and the synthesis of important compounds in the body.

29. Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.

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

31. Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.

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

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. Rosemary extract is a natural antioxidant that can help protect your dog's body from the harmful effects of free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can support your dog's overall health and well-being, particularly in regard to joint health.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min) of 30.00%: The high protein content in this pet food is primarily contributed by the first two ingredients: cage-free chicken and chicken meal. Chicken is a high-quality source of protein that supports muscle development and overall health in pets. Chicken meal is a concentrated form of chicken, where the chicken has been rendered to remove moisture, resulting in a protein-rich powder. Chicken liver also adds to the protein content, along with providing vitamins and minerals.

Crude Fat (min) of 15.00%: The crude fat content is largely provided by the chicken fat and salmon oil listed in the ingredients. Chicken fat is a high-energy source and also carries fat-soluble vitamins. It is preserved with mixed tocopherols, which are forms of vitamin E that act as natural preservatives. Salmon oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for skin and coat health, as well as cognitive function.

Crude Fiber (max) of 5.00%: The fiber content is likely derived from the plant-based ingredients such as peas, lentils, tomato pomace, chickpeas, and flaxseed. These ingredients not only contribute to the overall fiber content, which aids in digestion, but also provide various nutrients and carbohydrates for energy. Tomato pomace, in particular, is a common source of fiber in pet foods and is made from the skin, pulp, and seeds of tomatoes.

Calories of 3770.00 per kg: The caloric content is a measure of the energy provided by the food. It is influenced by the proportions of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. In this recipe, the calories are derived from a combination of the protein sources (chicken and chicken meal), the fat sources (chicken fat and salmon oil), and the carbohydrate sources (peas, lentils, chickpeas). The higher the fat content, the more calorie-dense the food typically is, since fats contain more than twice the calories per gram compared to proteins and carbohydrates.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Stella and Chewy's Stella's Essentials Wide Open Prairie Recipe With Cage-Free Chicken costs approximately $2.76 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.