4health Chicken And Rice

Figuring Out the Best Dog Food for Your Furry Friend

Hey everyone! I’m back again with another dog food review. As a proud pup parent to the most adorable beagle ever, it’s so important to me that I’m feeding my dog top quality food that will keep him healthy and happy. Today I’m sharing my full breakdown on 4health Chicken and Rice dog food – including ingredients, reviews, recalls, prices and more!

I don’t know about you, but I used to find dog food shopping so overwhelming. There are just SO many options on the shelves, all claiming to be the best. How’s an owner supposed to know which one will really provide the nutrition our pups need? That’s why I started researching the top brands, and now I’m on a mission to share everything I’ve learned to help other pet parents make the right choice. Keep reading for the full scoop on 4health Chicken and Rice!

An Overview of 4health Dog Food

First things first, let’s get familiar with the 4health brand. 4health is a dog food line produced and sold exclusively by Tractor Supply Company, a popular farm and ranch retailer with stores across the US. They market 4health as a high quality but affordable pet food option.

The 4health line includes dog and cat foods with different recipes and formulas. For today’s review, I’ll be focusing specifically on the Chicken and Rice recipe for dogs. This seems to be one of their most popular varieties.

Now let’s dive into the details! Here’s what you really want to know about 4health Chicken and Rice dog food:

Ingredients Breakdown

As we all know, the ingredients are what really count when selecting any pet food. You want to make sure the first few ingredients are high quality proteins and that there’s nothing questionable.

Here are the first several ingredients for 4health Chicken and Rice:

• Chicken: This is a premium lean protein source that supplies amino acids to build strong muscles. Great to see it listed first.
• Ground rice: Rice is an easily digestible grain that serves as a good carb source. Some dogs have sensitivities to grains, but overall rice is a quality ingredient.
• Chicken meal: Chicken meal has had most of the moisture removed, concentrating the protein. It’s a more affordable protein booster.
• Dried egg product: Eggs are an excellent source of protein and healthy fats.
• Flaxseed: This provides omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.

Further down the list you’ll also find chicken fat, natural flavor, ocean fish meal, sunflower oil, dried beet pulp and more. There are no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

Overall, the ingredients look quality to me, with real chicken and rice as the top constituents. It meets my personal standards for premium nutrition.

Nutritional Analysis

Now let’s talk numbers! Here are some key nutritional facts about 4health Chicken and Rice:

• Protein: 25% minimum. This satisfies most dogs’ needs. Active or growing pups may require slightly higher protein.
• Fat: 15% minimum. Helps maintain energy levels and provides the “wow” flavor dogs love. It’s a nice blend of animal-based and plant oils.
• Fiber: 3-4%. Beneficial for digestion without excess fillers.
• Moisture: 10% maximum. The lower moisture content allows for a smaller serving size.
• Calories: 3,745 kcal/kg or 370 kcal per 8 oz cup.

This calorie count may vary slightly between bag sizes. But in general, 4health Chicken and Rice provides hearty but not excessive calorie density to help keep your dog satisfied.

Is 4health Chicken and Rice Good for Dogs?

Based on the ingredients and nutrition analysis, I would recommend 4health Chicken and Rice, especially for healthy adult dogs. The chicken and rice recipe offers complete and balanced nutrition in an appealing taste dogs love.

Owners of puppies, large breed dogs, or dogs with food sensitivities may want to look for a formula catered to their needs. But overall, 4health Chicken and Rice contains quality ingredients in optimal proportions for most dogs.

Many reviewers say they’ve had great results after switching their pups to this food. Their dogs seem to really enjoy the flavor too. It’s affordable but doesn’t compromise on ingredients or nutrition like cheaper brands.

Where to Buy 4health Dog Food

4health is sold exclusively at Tractor Supply Co. stores, both in-person and online. So if you have a Tractor Supply near you, you can pick it up locally.

You can also order it for delivery directly from TractorSupply.com to have it shipped to your door. Their online selection includes all recipes and sizes.

One bag of 4health Chicken and Rice starts at around $10 for a 4 lb bag, making it very reasonably priced for the quality. Larger bags up to 31.5 lbs range from $25-$50. Tractor Supply often runs sales and coupons too!

You get the same wholesale-direct pricing whether you buy online or in stores. The exclusivity can be a pro or con, depending how close your nearest Tractor Supply is. But overall, the direct pricing helps make this food so affordable.

Recall History

Before buying any pet food, it’s always important to check on any past recalls. I want to know my dog’s food is coming from a company I can trust!

Fortunately, I found no recalls to date for 4health dog foods. The brand is manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods, who have had some past issues at certain plants. However, 4health itself has built a good reputation for safety and quality control.

As with anything, there’s always a potential for future recalls. But the clean history for 4health itself is reassuring to me as a pet parent! I’ll keep feeding my pup their Chicken and Rice formula with confidence.

How Does 4health Chicken and Rice Compare to Other Brands?

4health dog food falls into the mid-range price-wise but competes with premium brands in terms of ingredients and quality. When compared to top-selling brands, here’s how it stacks up:

• More affordable than premium-priced foods like Blue Buffalo, Wellness Core or Orijen.
• Higher quality than ultra-budget brands like Pedigree or Purina Dog Chow.
• Similar price and quality level to other mid-range foods like Diamond Naturals or Fromm Gold.
• Made in company-owned US facilities vs. many competitors that outsource production.

So all in all, 4health hits a nice sweet spot between budget-friendly and premium quality. You avoid questionable ingredients sometimes used in ultra-cheap foods. But you’ll pay notably less than the most expensive boutique brands.

For pet parents looking for a quality but affordable option, 4health should definitely be on your radar!

My Dog is a Puppy – Can He Eat 4health Chicken and Rice?

4health does produce a separate puppy formula. However, their standard Chicken and Rice recipe is still a good option for many growing pups.

Here are some factors to consider:

• It contains minimum 25% protein. Higher protein is ideal for puppies, but this should suffice in many cases.
• Calories are right mid-range – enough for fueling growth but not excessive.
• Rice is gentler on developing digestive systems than some other grains.
• DHA supplement supports brain development.

I’d estimate the standard Chicken and Rice recipe could work for puppies over 2 months old. But for newborn and small breed pups, the 4health Puppy formula may be a better fit with 30% protein and tailored calories.

As always, consult your vet on what food they recommend for your individual pup and their needs! Let your puppy’s health and growth be your guide.

Making the Switch to 4health Chicken and Rice

When switching your dog from one food to another, it’s important to do so gradually. This helps avoid digestive upset!

Here are some tips to transition smoothly:

• Start by mixing 25% of the new 4health food and 75% old food.
• Gradually increase the 4health ratio over 5-7 days until you reach 100%.
• Keep an eye out for any diarrhea or constipation. Slow the transition if needed.
• Try to time it with finishing up a bag of their old food, so there’s no waste.
• Consider mixing wet and dry food for extra appeal. You can top dry 4health kibble with a bit of canned 4health stew.
• Make sure your pup is drinking enough water, too. The lower moisture in dry kibble requires more hydration.

Follow these steps and you should have a smooth transition to 4health Chicken and Rice for happy digestion! Just take it slowly and let your dog’s tummy be your guide.

What If My Dog Has Food Allergies or Sensitivities?

If your dog has diagnosed food allergies or sensitivities, you’ll want to avoid certain ingredients. Chicken and rice are two of the best options for pups with sensitive stomachs.

But 4health Chicken and Rice isn’t specifically designed for food sensitivities. It contains other common triggers like egg and flaxseed. So in some cases, a limited ingredient or hydrolyzed protein recipe may be better.

Some options tailored for allergies include:

• 4health Special Diet Limited Ingredient: Features novel proteins like salmon or lamb.
• Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets: Hydrolyzed formulas with highly digestible proteins.
• Hill’s Prescription Diet: Formulas designed for dietary sensitivities.

Of course, I always recommend consulting your vet about which food is right if your dog has specific health needs. They can guide you on the best diet.

A food trial is also helpful to identify triggers. Work with your vet to find the optimal food for your pup!

Why I Recommend 4health Chicken and Rice

For most healthy dogs, I think 4health Chicken and Rice is an excellent choice that ticks all the boxes:

✔️ Quality ingredients including real chicken as the first ingredient

✔️ Provides complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs

✔️ Minimally processed with no unnecessary additives

✔️ Made in the USA with rigorous quality control

✔️ Affordably priced for most pet budgets

✔️ Sold at Tractor Supply for easy purchase

✔️ No history of recalls or safety issues

✔️ Positive reviews from owners reporting health improvements

✔️ Dogs seem to love the taste (very important!)

For all these reasons and more, 4health Chicken and Rice earns my recommendation as a great budget-friendly option. Their recipes like the Chicken and Rice provide quality nutrition that even finicky pups devour.

The Bottom Line: An Affordable but Quality Dog Food

Let’s recap my top takeaways regarding 4health Chicken and Rice:

• Made byTractor Supply Company, 4health offers complete nutrition comparable to premium brands.
• Real chicken is the first ingredient, supplemented by wholesome grains, veggies and supplements.
• I recommend it for healthy adult dogs, especially if you’re on a budget. It’s suitable for some puppies but the Puppy formula may be a better fit.
• Buy it at Tractor Supply stores or order online for delivery to your door. Price ranges from $10-$50 for 4-31.5 lb bags.
• There are no recalls for 4health to date, though their manufacturer Diamond has had isolated issues.
• Chicken and rice are ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs. But dogs with diagnosed food allergies may require a limited ingredient diet.
• Most dogs seem to find it very tasty and digest it well!

So there you have it, my complete 4health Chicken and Rice buying guide! I hope this review gave you all the details you need to choose if it’s the right formula for your pup. Let me know if you have any other questions!