Which 4Health Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?
4Health canned dog food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.
The 4Health product line includes the 8 canned dog foods listed below.
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available… Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| 4Health Lamb and Rice Adult | 4.5 | U |
| 4Health Chicken and Rice Adult | 4.5 | U |
| 4Health Salmon and Potato Adult | 4 | U |
| 4Health Chicken and Vegetable Stew Adult | 4.5 | U |
| 4Health Puppy Formula | 4 | A |
| 4Health Beef and Vegetable Stew Adult | 5 | U |
| 4Health Mature Adult 7+ | 3.5 | U |
| 4Health Beef and Rice Adult | 4.5 | U |
4Health Chicken and Rice Adult was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient ContentProtein =
Ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, brown rice, barley, egg product, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, guar gum, carrageenan, cassia gum, salt, kelp, rosemary extract, cranberry powder, lecithin, Yucca schidigera extract, ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, copper sulfate, sodium selenite, manganese sulfate, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, biotin supplement, folic acid supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 9% | 6% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 41% | 27% | 24% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 31% | 51% | 18% |
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.
Chicken is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common addition component in many canned products.
The third ingredient is chicken liver, an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The next ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The sixth item is egg product, an unspecified (wet or dry?) form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries — from eggs that have failed to hatch.
In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The seventh ingredient is dicalcium phosphate, likely used here as a dietary calcium supplement.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Tractor Supply product.
With 3 notable exceptions…
First, carrageenan is a gelatin-like thickening agent extracted from seaweed. Although carrageenan has been used as a food additive for hundreds of years, there appears to be some recent controversy regarding its long term biological safety.
The article, The Carrageenan Controversy, published in Scientific American, does a good job of addressing this topic.
Next, the the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods.
And lastly, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
Based on its ingredients alone, 4Health canned dog food looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 41%, a fat level of 27% and estimated carbohydrates of about 24%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 40% and a mean fat level of 26%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 27% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 64%.
Which means this 4Health product line contains…
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical wet dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a canned dog food containing a notable amount of meat.
Which 4Health Grain Free Canned Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?
4Health Grain Free canned dog food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.
The 4Health Grain Free product line includes the 4 canned dog foods listed below.
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available… Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| 4Health Grain Free Chicken | 2.5 | U |
| 4Health Grain Free Beef and Vegetable Stew | 4.5 | U |
| 4Health Grain Free Beef and Chicken | 2.5 | U |
| 4Health Grain Free Turkey and Sweet Potato Stew | 4.5 | U |
4Health Grain Free Beef and Vegetable Stew was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient ContentProtein =
Ingredients: Beef broth, chicken, beef, carrots, dried egg whites, potato starch, dried egg product, peas, guar gum, salt, added color, tricalcium phosphate, dried potatoes, sodium phosphate, beet pulp, ground flaxseed, potassium chloride, natural flavor, ferrous sulfate, xanthan gum, choline chloride, zinc oxide, vitamin E supplement, copper proteinate, sodium selenite, manganese sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, potassium iodide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 8.3%
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 5% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 44% | 25% | 23% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 35% | 48% | 18% |
The first ingredient in this dog food is beef broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common addition component in many canned products.
The second ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.
The third ingredient is beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.
Both chicken and beef are naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The fourth ingredient includes carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient lists dried egg whites. Eggs are highly digestible and an excellent source of usable protein.
The sixth ingredient is potato starch. Potato starch is a gluten-free carbohydrate used more for its thickening properties than its nutritional value.
The seventh ingredient is dried egg product, a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries — from eggs that have failed to hatch.
In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The eighth ingredient includes peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
The ninth ingredient is guar gum, a gelling or thickening agent found in many wet pet foods. Refined from dehusked guar beans, guar gum can add a notable amount of dietary fiber to any product.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this 4Health product.
With 5 notable exceptions…
First, we’re always disappointed to find artificial coloring in any pet food. That’s because coloring is used to make the product more appealing to humans — not your dog. After all, do you really think your dog cares what color his food is?
Next, beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.
In addition, we find flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
Next, with the exception of copper, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods.
And lastly, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
Based on its ingredients alone, 4Health Grain Free canned dog food looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44%, a fat level of 25% and estimated carbohydrates of about 23%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 43% and a mean fat level of 34%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 16% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 80%.
Which means this 4Health product line contains…
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical wet dog food.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas and flaxseed, this looks like the profile of a wet dog food containing a significant amount of meat.
I wish I would have just stuck with Bil Jac and feeding them a raw diet. I was trying to save money and it cost my Beloved Boxer of 13 years his life. I will not even go back to Tractor Supply after learning they are part owners of the 4health and Diamond brand dog foods. Makes me sick to think I fed my dog this poison. Ill stick with Bil Jac and raw diet from now on.
Been with 4 health for a long time. Recently my 6 year old rottie started to not eat it. So we had to put grated cheese on it, somewhat helpful. So I personally did a taste test with Blue Buffalo. 1st was Blue Buffalo in my mouth that had the same taste threw out the chew from the beginning. I spit it out. 2nd 4 health put in my mouth and it had a pungent more of taste but when I bit it and spit it out instantly it was nasty chemical taste [I mean nasty]. If you dont believe me try it. I have called Diamond Pet Food and have told them my experience. Rottie wolfed down the buffalo food like he was starving to death. I personally will never give the food to my dogs again.
I purchased 4 Health canned food after talking to someone that worked at TS. Our little dachshund puppy loves it but has now started with horrible diarrhea. She’s already housebroken but she can’t make it outside with how bad this is. She has finished 1 1/2 can but you better believe there will be no more. She’s slept more today and wants to be carried and that’s not her personality. A couple of our other dogs have ate it out of bowl and they now have diarrhea. I’ve thrown the rest in the garbage and will never purchase this again.
Bought this at TS and thought this grain free food would be good for our three dogs. Boy, was I wrong!!! All three usually active dogs are just laying around, have diarrhea and are throwing up. We even have to carry them outside to go potty (if they make it that far). Would never ever buy this stuff again. Pet owners stay away from 4Health dog food!!!
We have sister hounds and thought this brand was the way to go. Early this summer, we noticed both of the girls were not eating typically, their normally firm stools were straight diarrhea. Several times, they had vomiting (white foam included) and explosive diarrhea on more than several of occasions. We changed everything else except their food brand/line (this 4health food). After going round and round with the vets, at LEAST hundreds in vet bills, several rug cleaners, innumerable phone calls, and even tears, in desperation, we changed their food brand/line. THANKFULLY now they are BOTH MUCH better. We will NEVER go back to this line again….EVER. STAY AWAY FROM THIS LINE OF FOOD!
FAQ
Who makes 4health canned dog food?
Is 4 Life a good dog food?
- Canidae All Life Stages Canned Dog Food.
- Merrick Classic Canned Dog Food.
- Ollie Fresh Dog Food.
- Weruva Wet Dog Food.
- Wellness Stews Canned Dog Food.
- The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food.
- Instinct Original Wet Dog Food.
- Whole Earth Farms Canned Dog Food.