My Dog’s Review of This Popular Grain-Free Kibble
As a dedicated dog mom, I’m always on the lookout for the best dog food to keep my furry friend healthy and happy. Recently, I came across 4health grain free dog food and decided to give it a try. As someone who considers my dog a part of the family, I wanted to share an in-depth review from a real pet parent’s perspective.
After switching my dog to 4health grain free, I definitely noticed some positive changes. Her energy levels seemed to increase, her coat looked shinier, and she seemed to really love the taste. Those are all things us dog parents love to see! But I wanted to dig deeper into the ingredients, nutritional value, and overall quality of this food before making a final verdict.
A Look at the Benefits of Grain Free Dog Food
First, let’s talk about why grain free dog food is so popular right now. Some key benefits are:
Eliminating grains can reduce allergies. Certain grains like corn or wheat are common allergens for dogs. A grain free diet avoids these problematic ingredients. For dogs with grain sensitivities, this can relieve skin issues and digestive upset.
It mirrors a dog’s natural ancestral diet. Dogs evolved as carnivores, so a meat-based, carbohydrate-limited diet matches what they’d eat in the wild.
Grain free foods often have fewer carbs. Excessive carbs from grains and fillers can cause health issues like obesity or diabetes in dogs. Limiting carbs helps keep your dog’s blood sugar stable.
There may be more easily digestible alternatives. Grain free foods replace grains with digestible carb sources like chickpeas, lentils, sweet potatoes, or peas. This makes the food gentler on your dog’s stomach.
With the benefits of grain free diets in mind, I took a deep dive into the 4health brand specifically. Here’s what I found out:
Ingredients and Nutrition Breakdown
4health grain free dog food comes in 7 different formulas:
- Beef & Potato
- Chicken & Potato
- Fish & Potato
- Lamb & Potato
- Pork & Potato
- Turkey & Potato
- Chicken & Egg
The primary protein source is always listed first. As you can see, this food uses single animal proteins, ideal for dogs with food sensitivities. The main carbohydrate/fiber is potato, which is highly digestible for dogs.
Digging into the ingredients, the formulas contain:
- Protein-rich meats as first ingredient: Deboned beef, chicken, turkey, etc.
- Digestible whole foods: Potatoes, peas, carrots, blueberries. No corn, soy, wheat, fillers.
- Natural fat sources: Chicken fat provides energy and omega fatty acids for skin/coat health.
- Vitamins & mineral blends: Added nutrients like vitamin E, B12, niacin, calcium, etc.
- Amino acids: Taurine, carnitine support heart health, digestion, metabolism.
- Antioxidants: Mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) preserve freshness.
- Prebiotics: Dried chicory root nourishes healthy gut flora.
- Natural flavorings: Contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
As far as calories, one cup of 4health grain free dog food contains approximately:
- 385 kcal for Chicken & Egg
- 415 kcal for Beef, Fish, Lamb, Pork
- 430 kcal for Chicken, Turkey varieties
These calorie counts are on par with other premium dog foods with 30% protein and 15% fat. 4health grain free meets AAFCO standards for complete, balanced daily nutrition for adult dogs.
How Does 4health Grain Free Compare?
Comparing 4health to other popular grain free dog food brands like Taste of the Wild, Blue Buffalo, or Nutro, it stacks up well:
- Single animal protein formulas. Great for dogs with food sensitivities.
- Limited ingredients. Simple, easy to digest recipes.
- Quality carbs. Nutrient-rich whole food sources like sweet potato and peas.
- Natural prebiotics. Supports healthy digestion and immunity.
- Antioxidant-rich fruits. Berries and veggies for nutrition.
- Legume-free. Excludes peas and lentils which some dogs can’t tolerate.
- Affordable price. Higher quality than grocery brands but costs less than premium brands.
The big advantage of 4health grain free is providing premium features like digestible carbs and natural ingredients at a more budget-friendly price point.
My Experience Feeding This Kibble
Now onto the most important part – my actual experience feeding 4health grain free dog food to my pup!
I transitioned slowly from my dog’s old food, mixing in increasing amounts of 4health over 2 weeks. This prevents any gastric upset from a sudden change in diet.
Taste. This food gets my pup’s seal of approval! At mealtimes, she licks her bowl clean. The kibble’s smaller size seems easily chewable for her compared to some chunkier foods.
Coat and skin. Within a few weeks, her coat took on a noticeably silkier, shinier texture. I think the omega fatty acids help give it that glisten!
Energy. My normally lazy pup started acting like a puppy again, wanting to play and go on longer walks. The protein-packed formulas seem to give her more consistent energy.
Digestion. No tummy troubles here! She has regular bowel movements and no gas or upset stomach. It’s gentle on sensitive stomachs.
Weight. With the same feeding amount, she maintains a healthy weight on 4health. The lower carb count helps keep those pounds off.
Allergies. My dog has some grain allergies that cause itchy skin and ear infections. Since going grain free, these issues have improved significantly.
Based on my first-hand experience, I would definitely recommend pet parents give 4health grain free dog food a try! It provides quality nutrition at a reasonable price point.
Where to Buy 4health Dog Food
You can purchase 4health dog food at Tractor Supply stores across the country or order online for home delivery. It comes in convenient 5 lb, 15 lb, and 30 lb bags so you can choose the right size for your pup.
On the Tractor Supply website, a 30 lb bag costs $39.99-$44.99 depending on formula. This breaks down to around $1.30-$1.50 per pound, very affordable compared to brands like Blue Buffalo that can cost $2 per pound or more.
Tractor Supply frequently runs promotions like buy 2 get 1 free or $5 off $50+ to help you save. You can also set up recurring Auto Ship deliveries to get 5% off each shipment. For the quality and price, 4health grain free dog food offers great value to dog parents on a budget.
The Verdict: Should You Feed Your Dog 4health Grain Free?
To wrap up my comprehensive review, here’s my verdict on 4health grain free dog food:
Quality nutrition. With easily digestible carbs, omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and 30% protein, this food provides complete and balanced nutrition.
Limited ingredients. Simple recipes avoid common allergens like corn, wheat, soy. Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs or skin.
Noticeable benefits. During my trial, I saw improvements in my dog’s energy, skin, coat, digestion, and allergies.
Natural flavor. Dogs seem to love the tasty kibble made with real meat as the first ingredient.
Budget friendly price. At under $1.50 per pound, 4health costs significantly less than many competing premium brands.
Reputable brand. Produced by Diamond Pet Foods, a trusted name in quality pet nutrition.
Based on all my research and first-hand experience, yes – I would recommend pet parents give 4health grain free dog food a try! It offers a great combination of quality nutrition and value. If you’re looking for an affordable grain free option, put this food at the top of your list. Your dog will thank you!
I hope this detailed review of my experience feeding 4health grain free dog food was helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions! I love talking all things dog nutrition. And please share your own experiences with this food in the comments below!