4 Health Kibble by Tractor Supply

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I never knew that Tractor Supply had their own brand of food. Prices are lower because it only gets distributed to TS so there are less hands involved. Is manufactured by Diamond Foods. I am no expert so I am asking those who know to respond - thanks!!

This is the ingredient list for the  Grain Free Beef and Potato

4health™ Grain Free Dog Foods provide lots of energy and nutrition for active and working adult dogs. Dogs actually eat less grain free food because it satisfies their appetites faster and sticks with them. It is also a good choice for pregnant or lactating dogs, providing vital nutrition for both moms and nursing pups. If your dog suffers from bloating or other forms of stomach distress, that could be a sign of grain intolerance; 4health™ Grain Free Dog Foods could help solve such digestive problems. The Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids in grain free food can also promote shinier coats and healthier skin.

• No Grain, No Wheat, No Corn, No Soy
• Beef is the #1 Ingredient.
• A Blend of Omega-6 & Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Skin and Coat
• Enriched with Vitamins and Minerals.
• Contains Glucosamine and Chondroitin.
• Antioxidant Formulation.

Ingredients: 
Beef, Beef Meal, Pea Protein, Whole Potato, Dried Peas, Tapioca, Sunflower Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Whole Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Beef Tallow (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Choline Chloride, Manganese Proteinate, L-Carnitine, Copper Proteinate, Niacin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of Vitamin B6), Folic Acid.

Guaranteed Analysis: 
Crude Protein (min) 28.0%, Crude Fat (min) 15.0%, Crude Fiber (max) 4.0%, Moisture (max) 10.0%, Zinc (min) 200 mg/kg, Selenium (min ) 0.4 mg/kg, Vitamin E (min) 300 IU/kg, *Omega-6 (min) 2.5%, *Omega-3 (min) 0.4%, *Glucosamine (Naturally occurring) (min) 300 mg/kg, *Chondroitin Sulfate (Naturally occurring) (min) 100 mg/kg

*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profile.

Caloric Content: 
3,580 kilocalories per kilogram (kcal/kg, calculated) of Metabolizable Energy (ME) on an as fed basis

[F, Calla & Luca]

Not being a food maven I would say it seems like a lot of carbs but the protein content is good It has beet pulp which I think Karen will not be happy about. I am sure she will give us the straight poop. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Right, F. Beet pulp is a controversial source of fiber in dog food, and it's not used in the better brands. Tomato pomace is the fiber source of choice in premium dog food. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We've discussed this food many times here in TFG. It is not recommended. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's one reply I gave back in May:

Reply by Karen & Jackdoodle on May 5, 2013 at 1:25pmDelete

Lots of discussions on this food going back 3 or 4 years. Here are the results of a search I just did her in our discussions: 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topic/search?g...

They have had a ton of recalls, the most recent one just a month or two ago. The biggest problem with this food is that is owned and made by Diamond, the king of the recalls. Sourcing of ingredients is an issue as well as the manufacturing process which keeps running into contamination problems.

As far as the price, you have to look at the feeding guidelines and the calories. You cannot go by the price on the bag. If food A costs $10 more than food B but you go through 4 bags of B in the same amount of time as 3 bags of food A, then the one with the higher price per bag may be less expensive. 

At any rate, I don't recommend this brand of food.

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/came-ac...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, the company's advertising blurb posted above is extremely misleading. Despite their claims about Omega  3 & 6 fatty acid benefits, the only Omega 3 fatty acid in this food is from flax seed, which dogs can't utilize, and the Omega 6:3 ratio is more than 6 to 1, which is not good.  One reason I don't read the company's sales pitches and don't include them in reviews.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I thought as much but since I am not the ingredient maven I wanted to make sure. Thanks!