Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Entrees Salmon Mini Patties Review

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Review of Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Entrees Salmon 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 Entrees Salmon 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 Entrees Salmon Mini Patties, we'll examine all 7 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. 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.

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

  3. 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.

  4. Iron amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of iron that supports red blood cell production, oxygen transport, and overall health in dogs.

  5. Zinc amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of zinc that supports your dog's immune system, skin, and coat health. This ingredient also plays a crucial role in wound healing and maintaining a healthy metabolism.

  6. Manganese amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of manganese, a trace mineral that supports bone health and metabolic function.

  7. Copper amino acid chelate is an easily absorbed form of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's connective tissue formation, metabolism, and overall health.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

The Crude Protein minimum of 53.00% is a very high protein content, and this is primarily due to the first ingredient listed: salmon. Salmon is a rich source of high-quality protein which supports muscle development and overall health in pets. The fact that salmon is the first ingredient and presumably the most abundant in the food contributes significantly to this high protein percentage.

Crude Fat minimum of 36.00% indicates a high level of fats in the diet, which is also consistent with the use of salmon as the main ingredient. Salmon is not only high in protein but also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are healthy fats that contribute to skin and coat health, as well as cognitive function in pets. The fats in salmon are likely the main contributors to this guaranteed analysis value.

Crude Fiber maximum of 1.00% suggests that the food is very low in fiber. This is expected given the ingredient list, which does not include typical fiber sources like fruits, vegetables, or grains. The low fiber content is likely a result of the food being almost entirely composed of salmon, which does not contain a significant amount of fiber.

The Calories of 5010.00 per kg are a measure of the energy provided by the food. This high caloric content is a direct result of the high protein and fat levels in the food, both of which are calorie-dense nutrients. Salmon, being the main ingredient, is a high-calorie food due to its fat content, and therefore it is the primary contributor to the overall caloric value of the pet food.

Mixed tocopherols and d-alpha tocopherol are forms of Vitamin E and are used as preservatives in this food. While they contribute some nutritional value, they are not significant contributors to the protein, fat, or fiber content. The various amino acid chelates listed are mineral supplements intended to ensure the food meets the pet's dietary requirements for minerals like iron, zinc, manganese, and copper, but they also do not significantly affect the guaranteed analysis values for protein, fat, or fiber.