4Health Dog Food Reviews | Compare dog food brands (2023)

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company information

4 Healthy Dog Foodsis a private label for thetractor delivery company. It is manufactured byDiamond Pet Foods, Inc., Ownership ofSchell and Camper, Inc.(no website available). They are a US-based pet food manufacturer with manufacturing facilities in Meta, Missouri, Lathrop, California and Gaston, South Carolina. The company is a privately run family business, which is still managed by the Schell and Kampeter family.

Diamond's headquarters are in Meta, Missouri and the company was founded in 1970. Back then, brothers-in-law Gary Schell and Richard Kampeter bought Milling Meta Co., a manufacturer of cattle and dog food. Initial distribution was limited to 100 miles from Meta, Missouri, and only about 5% of the company's production was dog food. Diamond expanded production in 1999 with facilities in San Joaquin County, California and in 2002 in Gaston, South Carolina.

tractor delivery company, with more than 1,000 locations across the United States, is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee. TSC has annual sales of more than $4 billion and was named to Fortune Magazine's 2004 list of the 100 Fastest Growing Companies.

TSC launched 4Health in early 2010 as a premium private label dog food. The food is marketed as an affordable pet food that provides dogs of all ages and sizes with nutrients for optimal health. Since launching, they've added a grain-free formula. There is also a 4Health food for cats. According to Tractor Supply Company, the forage price is up to 20% lower than similar national brands.

4Health Recovery History

4Health was part of amajor voluntary recall from Diamondbecause of salmonella in May 2012.

Product overview

As with many private labels, information on 4Health is harder to find than on national brands. However, the Tractor Supply Company makes ingredients and nutritional information available on the company's website, so you can learn more about this food than many other private label foods. They also advertise the food in their store newsletters. Because it's private label, you can only buy it at Tractor Supply Company stores.

4Health formulas include Puppy Formula, Small Bites Formula for small breeds, Performance Formula for adult dogs with active lifestyles, Large Breed Formula for large breeds, Chicken & Rice Formula and Lamb & Rice Formula. Each of these formulas has meat listed as the first ingredient, and none of the formulas use flour from poultry by-products or artificial colors or flavors, according to the company. They use no corn, wheat or soy and offer fresh chicken and real salmon. They also have a salmon and potato formula, an adult formula for dogs 7 years and older, and a healthy weight formula.

4Health also has grain-free formulas: Whitefish & Potato, Beef & Potato, Turkey & Potato, all for adult dogs. These foods have no corn, wheat, soy, or rice, and meat is the first ingredient. 4Health also has several canned formulas and some treats for dogs.

dried animal food

• (4 legs)
• (4 legs)
• (3 legs)
• Salmon and potato food for adult dogs(See full review below)
• Large breed formula for adult dogs (4 legs)
• (4 legs)
• dog formula (4 legs)
• (3 1/2 legs)
• Mature adult formula for dogs over 7 years of age (3 legs)
• performance formula (5 legs)
• Small bite formula for adult dogs (4 legs)
• Healthy weight formula for adult dogs (1 1/2 legs)

canned food

• Meat and vegetable stew dog food
• Dog food with salmon and potatoes
• Chicken and vegetable stew for dogs
• Dog food with a chicken and rice formula
• Dog food with a lamb and rice formula
• Dog food with turkey and sweet potato stew

Snacks

• biscuits for dogs
• dental cookies
• Snacks for puppy growth and development
• Adult health and wellness dog treats
• Skin and coat treats for dogs

I selected this food for review because it is on the listWebsite der Tractor Supply CompanyAs the most popular 4Health food, many people buy it. And the other day I was talking to a friend of mine and he said he feeds his two mixed breed dogs this food. He said since he started feeding him most of the skin problems have gone and they are much better now. So I was curious to see what was in the food and if it might be something to recommend to others.

Breakdown of the first 5 ingredients

First of all, you should note that the food does not contain corn, wheat or soy. The first two ingredients are meat proteins -Salmonesea ​​fish meal. The first ingredient you have to like is salmon. Not only is it a good source of protein, but it is also an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. And dogs generally love the taste of salmon.

Sea fish meal is a concentrated form of fish protein. Diamond Pet Foods, which makes 4Health for Tractor Supply Company, has said it has only used ethoxyquin-free fishmeal since 2010, and this appears to be true of foods likei like natureand other products they manufacture. I believe this food is ethoxyquin free, but this status can change with dog food so you should check this regularly. Sea fish meal is also cited as a source of fish oil and provides more omega-3 fatty acids and good oil for your dog's skin and coat. A good source of fat like this is important to your dog's health.

The next three food ingredients provide carbohydrate and fiber and some extra protein:potatoes,Peas, zcrushed pearl barley.

Potatoes are a good source of fiber, as well as vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and manganese. Many dog ​​food companies today use peas instead of grains like corn. They're high in protein and fiber, and a natural source of vitamin K. They're also very high in vitamin C. However, some dogs have trouble digesting them because of the fibrous cellulose that lines the inside of the peas. . That's why you see an ingredient like Trichoderma longibrachiatum dry fermentation extract further down the ingredients list. This is a cellulase digestive enzyme that helps break down the cellulose in dietary fiber so it's easier for your dog to digest. Again, some dogs have more or less trouble digesting this fiber in dog foods that contain ingredients like peas. The fifth ingredient here is crushed pearl barley, which is considered a good source of carbohydrates that are absorbed more slowly in the gastrointestinal tract to keep blood sugar levels stable. It is also a source of dietary fiber.

Other interesting ingredients

There are a number of other interesting ingredients in this feed.egg productappears as the next ingredient. Eggs are high in protein and very easy for dogs to digest, so they get a lot of nutrients from them.rapeseed oilis another source of fat in the diet. Vegetable fats are not as desirable as good animal fat sources, but canola oil is a very good fat source. It is considered a very healthy oil and contains the essential fatty acids linoleic acid (omega-6) and linolenic acid (omega-3) in a 2:1 ratio, making it one of the healthiest cooking oils in an even better ratio than olive oil. Of course, you're not cooking with the dog food and your dog isn't worried about cholesterol, but canola oil is also high in calories and contains vitamin E, which is used in dog food as a preservative.

we thought so tooTomato remainsHere's the fleshy part of the tomato, along with the seeds. It is used as dietary fiber in food. Some people object that tomato pulp is a cheap filler in dog food, and they might be right. But it's also high in vitamin C, lycopene, and beta-carotene, which are desirable. The food also has flaxseed. Flaxseed has advantages and disadvantages. It is often considered good for a dog's skin and coat because it is a good source of many things. It is rich in calcium, iron, thiamine, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and manganese. It's also high in calories and is good fiber. However, if you are a dog breeder, flaxseed and flaxseed oil have been linked to failure to conceive, smaller litters, and other reproductive problems.

The food also includesdried seaweedwhich is usually added for its minerals and iodine.blackberriesecranberriesare sources of antioxidants. ANDRosemary Extractit is often used in dog food as a preservative. This isn't a problem for most dogs, but if your dog has epilepsy or seizures, rosemary can cause problems. However, nowadays it is difficult to find dog food without rosemary.

Eating consumes a lotdigestive enzymesB. Pre- and probiotics such as dried chicory root, dry fermentation product of Enterococcus faecium, dry fermentation product of Lactobacillus acidophilus, dry fermentation product of Lactobacillus casei and dry fermentation product of Lactobacillus plantarum. Its purpose is to help your dog digest food better. Also note the presence of chelated minerals in the food, which will make it easier for your dog to absorb.

food has tooGlucosamineeChondroitinwhich are normally added as a joint supplement, although in most cases if your dog really needs a good joint supplement you should add some to his food to ensure he is getting what he needs.Yucca Schidigera ExtractIt's added to dog food to reduce the smell of feces, although it's also said to have some healing properties. And finally,L-Carnitineis an amino acid dietary supplement sometimes added to foods to help convert fatty acids into energy and help keep the body lean. It occurs naturally in meat and dairy products. A dog food can add it to the ingredients, as in this case when the proteins are mostly fish.

Accordinglylive strong, “Meat contains a significant amount of L-carnitine, with beef and pork containing the highest amounts. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that 3 ounces of beef contains between 80 and 81 mg of L-carnitine, while a 3 ounce serving of pork contains between 20 and 24 mg. Fish and chicken also don't compare, with fish only containing 5 mg in a 3-ounce serving and chicken containing 3 mg in a 3-ounce serving.

quality of the ingredients

The quality of the ingredients seems to be very good. Salmon and sea fish meals are good animal proteins, especially if your dog has a problem with chicken or lamb, and they're the first two ingredients. Fishmeal is also considered ethoxyquin-free. No corn, wheat, or soy if your dog has trouble with these common ingredients. The food appears to use natural preservatives. The chelated minerals make it easier for your dog to absorb and use. Nothing is too bad here. Some dogs may have trouble digesting the peas, but overall the ingredients appear to be of good quality.

special concerns

Nothing stands out. I think peas used for protein/fiber are a potential problem for some dogs, but many dogs don't seem to have a problem eating foods that use peas in this way. However, I think more research needs to be done on peas in a dog's diet.

Guaranteed analysis

• Rohprotein.....25,0 % (min.)
• Coarse fat.....14,0 % (min.)
• Rohfaser …..3,0 % (max.)
• Humidity …..10,0 % (max.)
• Zink…..150 mg/kg (Min.)
• Selenium…..0,4 mg/kg (Min.)
• Vitamin E…..150 UI/kg (min.)
• Omega-6 fatty acids* …..2,5 % (Min.)
• Omega-3 fatty acids* …..0,5 % (Min.)
• Glucosamine* …..300 mg/kg (min.)
• Chondroitinsulfat* …..100 mg/kg (min.)

*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Nutritional Profile for Dog Food.

Metabolizable Energy (ME) Calorie Content:3,500 kcal/kg (327 kcal/cup) Calculated Metabolizable Energy

The Tractor Supply Company states the following in their description of this and other 4Health foods: "4health Salmon & Potato Adult Dog Formula is specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of your adult dog." However, this is NOT the same as an AAFCO Statement of nutritional adequacy and I could not find one listed for food on the TSC website. This raises concerns about the nutritional adequacy of this food.

4health Salmon & Potato Formula for Adult Dogs provides 25 percent crude protein (minimum), which is well above government recommendations (18 percent for adult dogs) and a normal percentage for a premium food. The 14 percent fat in 4health's Salmon and Potato Adult Dog Formula is on the high end of government recommendations (9 to 15 percent for an adult dog), but quality fat is good for your dog, and the fat in this food is good comes from oceanic fishmeal and canola oil. The 3 percent dietary fiber is a bit low. Government recommendations are 4 to 4.5 percent. You must ensure that your dog does not have a constipation problem. Make sure his stool is normal and he has regular bowel movements each day while you feed him.

Company reputation and quality control issues

Tractor Supply Company has a solid reputation and has been in business since 1938. 4Health pet food gets good reviews online and it's hard to find anyone who has anything negative to say about it. All of the customer reviews on the company's website are positive for 4health Salmon & Potato Formula for Adult Dogs, and many of the reviews for their other feeds are positive (though not all). Diamond makes the food and that will make some people nervous but seems to be a very good food line.

Diploma

4health Salmon & Potato Formula for Adult Dog sounds like a pretty good food and there's little not to like about it (peas, flaxseed, where's the AAFCO statement, grumble grumble). It seems to be exactly what they say: quality nutrition at a good price. No, it's not organic and they don't say the salmon comes from the crystal clear waters of the north, yada yada. But it seems that food provides good nutrition. Recommended.

4Health Salmon & Potato Formula has earned our 4 paw rating.

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