Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Dog Food Chicken Mini Patties Review

PawDiet has been helping pet owners since 2015. To fund our efforts, articles may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission.


Review of Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Dog Food Chicken Mini Patties

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

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Dog Food Chicken Mini Patties 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 Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Dog Food Chicken Mini Patties, we'll examine all 6 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 Heart is rich in taurine and other essential nutrients that support your dog's heart health.

  3. 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.

  4. Herring oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which promote a healthy skin and coat, support brain function, and contribute to overall heart health in your dog.

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

  6. D-alpha tocopherol is a natural form of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect your dog's cells from damaging free radicals.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min) of 55.00%: This high level of protein is primarily derived from the first three ingredients: chicken, chicken heart, and chicken liver. These are all high-quality sources of animal protein that are rich in essential amino acids necessary for a dog's health. Chicken muscle meat, along with the heart and liver (which are considered organ meats), are particularly dense in protein, which is why they contribute significantly to the high crude protein content of the dog food.

Crude Fat (min) of 27.00%: The crude fat content is likely to come from both the chicken and the added herring oil. Chicken, especially the darker parts and skin, contains a good amount of fat, which is essential for energy, cell function, and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Herring oil is a concentrated source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are healthy fats beneficial for a dog's skin, coat, and overall health. The fat content is an important source of energy and also contributes to the taste and palatability of the food.

Crude Fiber (max) of 1.50%: The crude fiber content in this dog food is relatively low, which is typical for a meat-based diet. The low fiber percentage reflects the absence of plant-based ingredients such as grains, vegetables, or legumes that are common sources of fiber in pet food. Since the product is almost exclusively composed of animal-based ingredients, which are low in fiber, the crude fiber guarantee aligns with the ingredient list.

Calories of 4440.00 per kg: The calorie content is a measure of the energy provided by the food. The high calorie count is influenced by the high protein and fat content of the product. Both protein and fat are calorie-dense nutrients, with fat being particularly high in calories. The chicken, chicken heart, chicken liver, and herring oil all contribute to the overall caloric value of the dog food. The energy density of this food makes it suitable for active dogs or those that require a high-energy diet.