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“Tractor Supply Company at Credit Suisse Group Small and Mid Cap Conference.” FD (Fair Disclosure) Wire. Sept. 14, 2010.
De Lombaerde, Geert. “Tractor Supply Plans Private-Label Push; President Tells Conference In-House Brands Will Be Big Margin Driver.” Nashville Post. June 17, 2011.
Meyersohn, Nathaniel. “What Tractor Supply Co. Can Teach Other Retailers.” CNN. Jan. 24, 2019. https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/24/business/tractor-supply-company-retail/index.html.
“4health Original Original Salmon & Potato Formula Adult Dog Food, 45 lb. Bag.” Tractor Supply. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/4health-original-salmon-potato-formula-adult-dog-food-45-lb-bag.
“FDA Enforcement Report: 4health Chicken & Rice Formula for Dogs, Net Wt. 13.2 oz., Distributed by Tractor Supply Company, 200 Powell Place Brentwood, TN 37027, UPC 7-49394-01849-8.” U.S. Official News/Plus Media Solutions. May 31, 2017.
“FDA Enforcement Report: 4health Lamb and Rice Formula, Net Wt. 13.2 oz., Distributed by Tractor Supply Company, 200 Powell Place Brentwood, TN 37027, UPC 0-49394-01850-4.” U.S. Official News/Plus Media Solutions. May 31, 2017.
“FDA Enforcement Report: 4health Turkey & Salmon Dinner for Cats, Net Wt. 13.2 oz., Distributed by Tractor Supply Company, 200 Powell Place Brentwood, TN 37027, UPC 7-49394-04303-2.” U.S. Official News/Plus Media Solutions. May 31, 2017.
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Which 4health Dog Food Sub-Brand Is Right for You?
Here are 4health Dog Food’s 3 most popular sub-brands. Below, we’ll share what makes each one different. So you can choose the food that best suits your dog.
Is 4health a Good Dog Food?
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
We give 4health dog food 4 stars, the third-highest rating.
4health dog food product line consists of wet, dry, grain-inclusive, and grain-free varieties. There are also options for specific life stages and special needs. For easy reference, we are including the options currently available on Amazon along with their Amazon rating. This enables you to easily check prices and package sizes.
We have selected the 4health Salmon & Potato Formula for Adult Dogs to represent the 4health brand. This is a grain-inclusive dry dog food formula. We will now analyze and discuss the first ten ingredients as well as other important ingredients in this formula.
The first ingredient listed is salmon, a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3s are said to support a healthy immune system, may help with inflammation, and will keep your dog’s coat shiny and skin healthy. An excellent source of protein, especially if your dog is allergic to other common proteins such as chicken.
The second ingredient is ocean fish meal. Typically ocean fish meal consists of small marine fish that have been deemed unsuitable for human consumption due to their high bone content and are very oily. A small portion of ocean fish meal is made from bones and offal left over after fish processing for human consumption. Typically these fish are pollard, pilchard, menhaden fish, mackerel, and more. Water is removed from these fish parts, then concentrated. Crude protein in ocean fish meal can be up to 60 to 70%. The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in this ingredient are great for your dog’s skin and coat. Additionally, they help prevent blood clots among many other health benefits.
The third ingredient is potatoes. Potatoes are a great source of energy that is easily digestible. Every dog is different, however, and some may have an issue digesting potatoes. It is best to start with a small number of potatoes to make sure it agrees with your dog. Some advantages of potatoes as an ingredient are that they are gluten-free carbs and contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron.
Peas are the fourth ingredient. These lentils may be great for fiber and carbs, but they may affect your dog’s kidneys. Purines, a chemical compound found in peas, produce uric acid. This acid is filtered through the kidneys and can lead to kidney stones if too much is consumed. Therefore, peas are ok to feed your dog, but in small doses. Dogs don’t need fruits and vegetables like us humans do.
The fifth ingredient is cracked pearled barley. Barley is low in cholesterol and high in fiber. It is a carbohydrate, but should not be a big staple in your dog’s diet. As long as your dog is largely fed a meat-based protein in the meal, barley is ok on occasion. Since salmon is the first ingredient on this list, eating pearled barley isn’t a problem.
The sixth ingredient is pea flour, which is produced when roasted peas are milled into a powder. Pea flour can be a good ingredient in dog food since it is high in calcium, iron, and fiber. It is also high in protein and is often used as a protein supplement.
The seventh ingredient is egg product. It is unspecified if this shell-free egg product is wet or dry. Keep in mind that the quality of these eggs can vary; some lower quality egg products can come from eggs that failed to hatch. Regardless, for dogs, eggs are easily digestible and can cure an upset stomach. They are also a good source of proteins, essential amino acids, and fatty acids.
Eighth is canola oil. As you may be aware, canola oil is not the healthiest oil for humans. This is also true when it comes to man’s best friends. Though FDA claimed that canola oil was “heart-healthy” in 2006, research indicates otherwise. Studies have shown that canola oil is not healthy for dogs’ cardiovascular systems. It has been associated with fibrotic lesions in the heart. It can also cause vitamin E deficiency, may shorten life-span, and can retard growth. This ingredient was probably added due to its affordability over other more healthy oils for dogs, such as coconut, olive, or fish oils.
The ninth ingredient is tomato pomace, made from a ripe tomato’s skin, pulp, and seeds. Tomato pomace contains amino acids that are great for your dog. Additionally, it contains Lycopene, an antioxidant that is great for vision and may also help prevent cancer.
The tenth ingredient is natural flavor. What exactly is “natural flavor”? It is an additive such as an essential oil, distillate, or extract that contains the flavor of a natural food product. Natural flavors are added solely to enhance the flavor of the product. They are not necessarily healthier than artificial flavors and have no nutritional value. In human food, natural flavors tend to make food taste better and thus more addictive, resulting in unhealthy cravings and diets. We can’t say for sure if this is the same case for dogs.
Flaxseed is next on the list. It is an anti-inflammatory that can ease arthritis, improve kidney function, and lower blood pressure. Another great source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Other helpful ingredients further down the list include taurine, chicory root, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Taurine is helpful for eyes, reproduction, bile production, and heart health. Dried chicory root contains inulin, which is a natural source of fiber. Inulin is also prebiotic which enables healthy bacteria to grow in the digestive tract. Glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate are important for dogs’ joint health, especially large breeds. Choline chloride is a vitamin that helps treat and prevent “doggy dementia,” contributing to your pet’s long-term wellness.
Tons of vitamins and minerals are included in the form of kelp, carrots, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, cranberries. Iron, zinc, copper, and manganese proteinates are other contributing minerals on the ingredients list.
Several probiotics included in the list promote good bacteria to form in the gut, enabling healthy digestion. Probiotics may also improve mood, fur, and skin, and help reduce bad breath.
4health Salmon & Potato Formula Adult Dog Food contributes to a grain-inclusive and well-balanced diet for your dog. We like that real salmon is the #1 ingredient on the list, which is a great protein for dogs. Ocean fish meal and egg products are also quality ingredients that contribute to the protein content.
There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives added to this formula. We like that there is no corn, wheat, or soy in this; most of the carbohydrates come in the potato ingredient content. This makes it a good choice for those doggos with allergies and sensitive stomachs. If your dog has previously had an upset stomach and vomiting, this can help them keep their food down.
There are tons of fruits and vegetables providing nutrient-rich vitamins and minerals for your dog’s health. Some pet owners may prefer more animal protein sources rather than plant-based, however.
If your dog has itchy, flaky skin, this formula can help improve its condition. The omega fatty acids present in the kibble will contribute to healthy skin and a shiny coat. They will stop scratching and the fur will grow thick and healthy when eating this food regularly.
Here are the nutrients listed on this product’s guaranteed analysis:
Crude Fat 14.0% minimum
Crude Fiber 3.0% maximum
Moisture 10.0% maximum
Zinc 150 mg/kg minimum
Selenium 0.35 mg/kg minimum
Vitamin E 150 IU/kg minimum
Taurine* 0.12% minimum
Omega-6 Fatty Acids* 2.5% minimum
Omega-3 Fatty Acids* 0.5% minimum
Glucosamine* 300 mg/kg minimum
Chondroitin Sulfate* 100 mg/kg minimum
AAFCO requires at least 18% crude protein, of which this product passes the threshold. Typical crude fat is between 8 and 18%, making this product above average at 14%. Healthy amounts of fiber are between 1.4 to 3.5%, of which this product’s fiber is above average.
FAQ
What dog food is on recall right now 2022?
July 6, 2022 — Primal Pet Foods is recalling a single lot of Raw Frozen Primal Patties for Dogs Beef Formula due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
Does 4Health cause heart disease?
We also want to alert readers to the fact that, in late June 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified 4health as one of 16 pet food brands that may be linked to heart disease in dogs and cats.
How many stars does 4Health dog food have?
4Health Dog Food earns the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.