This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn more about how we are supported here.

Essence Air & Gamefowl Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Essence Air & Gamefowl Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Company info
Company HQ
Valencia, California
Parent company
Pets Global, Inc.
Product info
Age Range: Adult
Food Form Dry Dog Food
Cost per day: $0.15
Primary proteins
  • Guinea Fowl
  • Duck
  • Turkey
  • Chicken

Ingredients

Guinea Fowl, Duck, Turkey, Chicken, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Red Lentils, Garbanzo Beans, Navy Beans, Coconut Flour, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavors, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Salt, Pumpkin, Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Selenium Yeast, Calcium Iodate), Chia Seed Oil.

Breed sizes

size-1 Toy
size-2 Small
size-3 Medium
size-4 Large
size-5 Giant

Overall Score

73%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 64%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 80%
? We scan the FDA’s database and rate each brand by the number of recalls in its history. Brands with fewer recalls receive higher ratings. Recall History 100%
? By comparing the prices of foods in our database, we determine if a food is above or below market average price. Lower-priced foods receive higher ratings. Price 41%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 69%
? Our rating system evaluates each food’s manufacturing method, assigning higher ratings to manufacturing processes that promote higher nutritional value. Manufacturing Method 40%
? Based on the variety of sizes available. Size Variety 100%

Estimated Nutrient Content

To understand the nutrient content of pet food, we visualize its macronutrient composition in three ways. In the charts below, you’ll see a guaranteed analysis on an as-fed basis, a dry matter analysis, and a breakdown of the food’s macronutrients on a calorie-weighted basis.

Remember that all of these values are estimates based on the guaranteed analysis published by the company, and the food’s actual nutrient values may be slightly different.

Guaranteed Analysis

Protein: 38%

Fat: 18%

Fiber: 6%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 28%

Dry Matter Analysis

Protein: 42.22%

Fat: 20%

Fiber: 6.67%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 31.11%

Calorie Weighted Basis

Protein: 34.64%

Fat: 39.84%

Carb: 25.52%

Our Review

Pros
  • To our knowledge, Essence has never had a product recall
  • Supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption
  • Doesn’t contain fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
  • Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
  • Affordable
Cons
  • High in carbohydrates
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains a small amount of plant-based proteins

Recall History

The following list (if present) shows all dog food recalls related to Essence since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.

Since 2011 Essence has never been recalled.

Ingredient Review

Our review of Essence Air & Gamefowl Grain-Free Dry Dog Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Guinea Fowl. Guinea fowl is meat from birds in the Numididae family. Although it’s fairly uncommon to find guinea fowl in pet food, this protein-rich ingredient is also a source of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Guinea fowl can be a source of novel protein for pets with allergies.

The second ingredient is Duck. Duck is meat from any member of the Anatidae waterfowl. In pet food, duck can serve as a primary protein source as well as a source of animal fat, minerals, and amino acids. It is sometimes used as a novel protein, and is often an ingredient in diets formulated specifically for pets with allergies.

The third ingredient is Turkey. Turkey is an easily digested meat that’s relatively low in fat. In pet food, turkey might be the primary protein source or it may be part of a blend made with different proteins.

The fourth ingredient is Chicken. Chicken is meat from the domesticated bird of the same name. In pet food, chicken is used as a primary protein source.

The fifth ingredient is Duck Meal. Duck meal is cooked, dried, finely ground meat from any member of the Anatidae waterfowl. In pet food, duck meal can serve as a protein source as well as a source of animal fat, minerals, and amino acids. It is sometimes used as a novel protein and is often an ingredient in diets formulated specifically for pets with allergies.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Essence Air & Gamefowl Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per lb

Product Price

$4.52

Market Price avg.

$3.56

% From the Avg

+27%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.26

Market Price avg.

$0.23

% From the Avg

+13%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.15

Market Price avg.

$0.14

% From the Avg

+10%

Essence Air & Gamefowl Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is priced above the average market price for dry dog food.

Nutritional Analysis

Large breed dogs can certainly have a couple of nutritional needs unique to them. Orthopedic disease is chief among them. These can include hip and elbow dysplasia and earlier onset of arthritis. For this reason, somelarge dog breed foods may contain joint health ingredients like glucosamine and omega fatty acids. The risk of bloat is also much higher for large breed dogs, and this risk can be reduced with large kibble size and foods with a lower fat content.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Essence Air & Gamefowl Grain-Free Dry Dog Food to the other 1525 dry dog food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

42.22%

All Products avg.

30.04%

% From the Avg

+41%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

20%

All Products avg.

16.01%

% From the Avg

+25%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

6.67%

All Products avg.

5.36%

% From the Avg

+24%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

31.11%

All Products avg.

47.71%

% From the Avg

-35%

Analysis Overview

Overall, this is a meat based food that’s high in protein with high fat and low carbohydrate content relative to other dry dog foods.

Disclaimer and Disclosure

At Pet Food Sherpa, our primary goal is to provide pet owners like you with accurate, relevant, and unbiased information about pet nutrition. As such, we do not accept gifts or incentives as motivation to include certain products in our reviews.

We do, however, participate in affiliate marketing programs and we partner with select brands to fund our site. We choose the products we review carefully and review them thoroughly before publishing a review or accepting any form of payment.

Proceeds from this program and our partners enable us to continue providing high-quality content to our readers. Read more about how we’re funded here.

Leave a Review