Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Entree Dog Food Nibs 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 Raw Beef Entree Dog Food Nibs

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 Raw Beef Entree Dog Food Nibs 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 Raw Beef Entree Dog Food Nibs, we'll examine all 14 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. Beef is a high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog's muscle development and overall health.

  2. Beef liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which support your dog's overall health and well-being. It is also a good source of high-quality protein, which helps maintain strong muscles and a healthy coat.

  3. Beef heart is a highly nutritious organ meat, providing your dog with essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support their overall well-being.

  4. Beef lung is a protein-rich organ meat that provides a variety of essential vitamins and minerals to support your dog's overall health.

  5. Beef kidney is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides a concentrated source of essential vitamins and minerals, supporting your dog's immune system, cognitive function, and overall health.

  6. Beef fat is a high-quality source of energy and essential fatty acids that support your dog's skin, coat, and overall health.

  7. Beef tripe is a nutrient-rich ingredient that provides high-quality protein and essential amino acids for your dog. It also contains beneficial probiotics that can aid in digestion and support a healthy gut microbiome.

  8. 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.

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

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

  11. Zinc amino acid complex is a more digestible form of zinc that can support your dog's immune system, skin health, and coat quality.

  12. Iron amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable source of iron for dogs, which supports red blood cell production and oxygen transport throughout the body. It helps maintain overall health and vitality for your furry friend.

  13. Copper amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable source of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and promotes red blood cell production.

  14. Manganese amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable form of manganese, an essential trace mineral that supports healthy bones, joints, and metabolism. This ingredient ensures that your dog receives the proper amount of manganese for optimal health.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

The Crude Protein minimum of 40.00% is quite high, indicating that this dog food is rich in proteins. The primary contributors to this protein content are the beef, beef liver, beef heart, beef lung, and beef kidney. These are all muscle meats and organ meats, which are excellent sources of high-quality protein that are essential for a dog's muscle development and overall health.

The Crude Fat minimum of 32.00% suggests a significant amount of fats in the diet. The ingredients contributing to this fat content include beef fat and herring oil. Beef fat is a natural source of energy for dogs and also provides essential fatty acids. Herring oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for a dog's skin, coat, and joint health. The combination of these fats supports the high-energy needs of dogs and contributes to a healthy, shiny coat.

With a maximum Crude Fiber of 8.00%, the fiber content in this food is relatively moderate. None of the listed ingredients are known for being high-fiber sources since the product is predominantly made up of animal-based components. However, the connective tissues and possibly some of the beef tripe could contain some level of fiber. Fiber is important for digestive health, but in a freeze-dried raw food, the focus is typically on protein and fat rather than fiber.

The calorie content of 4364.00 per kg is a reflection of the high protein and fat levels in the food. This high caloric density is typical of freeze-dried raw diets, which are often used for active dogs or those needing a calorie-rich diet. The beef and beef fat are likely the major contributors to the caloric content, providing the energy necessary for active dogs.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Entree Dog Food Nibs costs approximately $40.99 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.

Adult WeightPuppyAdult
5 lbs $116.92$182.69
10 lbs $196.63$307.24
15 lbs $266.52$416.44
20 lbs $330.70$516.72
30 lbs $448.23$700.36
40 lbs $556.17$869.01
50 lbs $657.49$1027.32
60 lbs $753.83$1177.86
70 lbs $846.22$1322.22
80 lbs $935.36$1461.49
90 lbs $1021.74$1596.47
100 lbs $1105.76$1727.75

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.