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Vital Essentials Duck Mini Nibs Entree Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

Vital Essentials Duck Mini Nibs Entree Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Company info
Company HQ
Green Bay, Wisconsin us-flag
Parent company
Carnivore Meat Company
Product info
Age Range: Adult
Food Form Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Cost per day: $1.37
Primary proteins
  • Duck
  • Duck Gizzard
  • Duck Heart
  • Duck Liver

Ingredients

Duck, Duck Gizzard, Duck Heart, Duck Liver, Herring Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex.

Breed sizes

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

Overall Score

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62%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 67%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 100%
? 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 25%
? 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 36%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 90%
? Our rating system evaluates each food’s manufacturing method, assigning higher ratings to manufacturing processes that promote higher nutritional value. Manufacturing Method %

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

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Protein: 40%

Fat: 28%

Fiber: 6%

Moisture: 8%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 18%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 43.48%

Fat: 30.43%

Fiber: 6.52%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 19.57%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 31.75%

Fat: 53.97%

Carb: 14.29%

Our Review

Pros
  • Low carbohydrate content
  • Freeze-dried food retains the nutritional value of raw meat
  • Doesn’t contain fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
  • Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
Cons
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains a small amount of plant-based proteins
  • Freeze dried dog food requires rehydration, which is time-consuming
  • The brand has had multiple recalls over recent years
  • Some dogs may be allergic to fish

Recall History

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

Vital Essentials - Pet Foods (07/08/2015) -+
Date:07/08/2015
Company Name:Carnivore Meat Company, LLC
Product Description:Pet Foods
Recall Reason:Listeria monocytogenes
Vital Essentials - Frozen Chicken Patties Entree for Dogs (01/15/2016) -+
Date:01/15/2016
Company Name:Carnivore Meat Company, LLC
Product Description:Frozen Chicken Patties Entree for Dogs
Recall Reason:Potential for salmonella
Vital Essentials - Freeze-dried beef nibblets for dogs (02/23/2018) -+
Date:02/23/2018
Company Name:Carnivore Meat Company, LLC
Product Description:Freeze-dried beef nibblets for dogs
Recall Reason:Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Vital Essentials - Dog/pet food Freeze-Dried Beef Toppers and Frozen Beef Chub (04/15/2018) -+
Date:04/15/2018
Company Name:Carnivore Meat Company, LLC
Product Description:Dog/pet food Freeze-Dried Beef Toppers and Frozen Beef Chub
Recall Reason:Salmonella

Ingredient Review

Our review of Vital Essentials Duck Mini Nibs Entree Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first 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 second ingredient is Duck Gizzard. Duck gizzard is an internal organ from any breed of duck. While this might not sound appealing to most of us, it is rich in a number of essential nutrients including iron and zinc. Added to pet food, duck gizzard is also a source of protein and amino acids.

The third ingredient is Duck Heart. Duck heart is meat from the muscles that form a duck’s heart. In pet food, duck heart can be a good source of protein, iron, and other important nutrients. It is sometimes used as a novel protein, and is often an ingredient in diets formulated specifically for pets with allergies.

The fourth ingredient is Duck Liver. Duck liver is one of a few organ meats that come from a duck. In pet food, duck liver serves as a source of protein, iron, and amino acids. It can be a source of novel protein in recipes formulated for pets with allergies.

The fifth ingredient is Herring Oil. Herring oil is derived from the boiled fatty tissue of herring fish. In pet food, herring oil is added as a source of Omega-3 essential fatty acids.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Vital Essentials Duck Mini Nibs Entree Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per oz

Product Price

$2.86

Market Price avg.

$2.64

% From the Avg

+8%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$2.28

Market Price avg.

$1.85

% From the Avg

+23%

Price per day

Product Price

$1.37

Market Price avg.

$1.11

% From the Avg

+23%

Vital Essentials Duck Mini Nibs Entree Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food is priced above the average market price for freeze-dried dog food.

Nutritional Analysis

Your adult dog needs a balance of macro and micronutrients to thrive. A food formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages is made to meet these needs. While there can be a lot of variation in actual calorie density, adult dog foods are generally intended to provide for basic calorie needs of the average active dog. In addition to satisfying their energy needs, these foods provide the protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, and other nutrients your adult dog needs to survive. Again, not all adult foods are the same, so you may have to search around for the right fit for your dog.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Vital Essentials Duck Mini Nibs Entree Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food to the other 239 freeze-dried dog food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

43.48%

All Products avg.

44.14%

% From the Avg

-1%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

30.43%

All Products avg.

26.21%

% From the Avg

+16%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

6.52%

All Products avg.

4.66%

% From the Avg

+40%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

19.57%

All Products avg.

24.71%

% From the Avg

-21%

Analysis Overview

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

Disclaimer and Disclosure

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