Analysis
The Oven-Baked Grain-Free Chicken & Fish Formula dog food has been selected as the representative product of this series. Let's explore its formulation and nutritional analysis together.
First, the primary ingredient is chicken. While chicken is an excellent source of protein, raw chicken contains as much as 73% water. After cooking, most of this moisture evaporates, so the actual chicken content in the final product may be significantly lower than the original proportion.
Next is chicken meal, a concentrated ingredient with a protein content reaching 300% of that in fresh chicken, providing a rich source of protein.
Following this is peas, a great source of carbohydrates and rich in fiber. It's important to note that peas contain about 25% protein, which affects the evaluation of the meat content in the dog food.
The fourth ingredient is chickpeas, a fiber-rich legume with approximately 22% protein. This should also be taken into account when calculating the meat content of the dog food.
The fifth ingredient is fish, sourced from clean and fresh fish meat. Similarly, cooking causes significant moisture loss in fish, so the actual fish content may be less than it appears.
Next, we see pea fiber, extracted from the outer shell of peas. It mainly contains soluble and insoluble dietary fiber but contributes limited nutritional value to the dog.
The seventh ingredient is pea protein, the residue of peas after starch removal. This relatively low-cost plant-based product can increase the total protein content of the dog food.
Then comes canola oil, an ingredient that may raise some controversy as it might be derived from genetically modified canola. However, it is also an important source of omega-3 fatty acids, although its bioavailability is not as high as fish oil.
The ninth ingredient is flaxseed, an excellent plant source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. When ground into powder, flaxseed provides abundant soluble fiber. However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, which should also be considered when evaluating the meat content in the dog food.
Beyond these, the list includes other ingredients. However, aside from nutritional supplements, these other ingredients have a relatively small impact on the overall rating of the product.
Benefits
High Protein and High Fat: This product contains protein and fat levels above the average, which can be beneficial for many dogs, especially active or working dogs. Protein is an important nutrient in dog food, helping dogs maintain healthy muscles and tissues, while fat provides essential energy.
Low Carbohydrates: The carbohydrate content of this dog food is lower than average. This is an advantage because dogs' natural diets tend to be low in carbohydrates. Excessive carbohydrates can lead to some health issues such as obesity and diabetes.
High-Quality Meat Sources: Reviews mention that this dog food uses a large amount of named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein. This is good news since meat meals are generally high in protein and low in moisture, making them an excellent source of animal protein.
Rich in Fruits and Vegetables: The formula includes a variety of nutritious fruits and vegetables like pumpkin, spinach, apples, bananas, blueberries, broccoli, cranberries, and sweet potatoes. These ingredients provide valuable vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Contains Inulin: This dog food contains inulin, a prebiotic that helps support your pet's digestive health.
Chelated Minerals: It also contains chelated minerals, which are easier for pets to absorb, ensuring they get the nutrients they need more effectively.
Drawbacks
The protein sources in Oven Baked Grain-Free Chicken & Fish dog food partly come from plants, including peas, chickpeas, flaxseed, alfalfa, and pea protein, all used to boost protein content. Although these plants do contain protein, their protein quality is generally inferior to that of meat. Additionally, some dogs may have sensitivity reactions to plant-based proteins like pea protein.
The high fat content might not be suitable for all dogs. While a high fat level can be beneficial for some dogs, it may not be ideal for less active or obesity-prone dogs.
Fresh chicken and fish are good sources of meat, but because they have high moisture content (up to 73%), much of that moisture is lost during cooking. Therefore, the actual meat content after cooking may be significantly reduced.
Peas, chickpeas, and flaxseed have relatively high protein content, which may cause the total protein content listed on the label to be higher than the actual meat protein content.
Canola oil may be derived from genetically modified canola, which could raise concerns for some consumers. Moreover, compared to sources like fish oil, canola oil has lower bioavailability.
The source of fish meal is unclear, and since different fish contain varying types of fats, knowing the specific fish sources is important for assessing its nutritional value.
Other Factors
There are several factors to consider when choosing this dog food, such as:
Each dog's nutritional needs may vary depending on their age, size, breed, lifestyle, and health condition. Does this dog food meet your pet's specific nutritional requirements?
Does your dog like the taste and texture of this dog food? Are they willing to eat it regularly?
Considering its ingredients and nutritional value, is the price of this dog food reasonable?
Overall, the ingredient list of this dog food indicates that it is a nutrient-rich product suitable for most dogs. However, to more comprehensively evaluate its quality, additional factors need to be considered. Keep in mind that every dog's needs are unique, so it is best to consider your dog's individual requirements when selecting dog food.
Overall Review
From the ingredients alone, Oven Baked Tradition Grain Free dog food appears to be a high-quality dry food product. However, ingredient quality alone does not tell the whole story. Before finalizing the rating, we still need to estimate the product's meat content.
The dashboard shows a dry matter protein reading of 38%, a fat level of 20%, and an estimated carbohydrate content of about 34%, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 58%. Protein levels are above average, as are fat levels. Compared to typical dry dog food, the carbohydrate content is below average.
Even considering the protein-enhancing effects of peas, chickpeas, flaxseed, alfalfa, and pea protein, this looks like a formula containing a considerable amount of meat. Oven Baked Tradition Grain Free dog food is a grain-free dry kibble that uses a substantial amount of meat meal as its primary source of animal protein. For these reasons, this brand earns a 4.5-star rating.
Food Series
The OvenBaked Tradition Grain-Free recipe range includes AAFCO nutrient profiles whenever available, covering different life stages such as growth (puppies), maintenance (adult dogs), weight management (senior dogs), and all life stages.
| Product | Rating | AAFCO Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Oven-Baked Tradition Grain Free All Breeds Fish Formula | 4 | A |
| Oven-Baked Tradition Grain Free All Breeds Duck Formula | 4 | A |
| Oven-Baked Tradition Grain Free Small Breed Fish Formula | 4 | A |
| Oven-Baked Tradition Grain Free Small Breed Duck Formula | 4 | A |
Conclusion
We want to emphasize that this evaluation represents only our perspective and is intended for reference purposes only. We have thoroughly analyzed the ingredients, advantages, and disadvantages of Oven Baked's Grain-Free Chicken & Fish Formula dog food, and have included some vivid commentary to provide you with valuable information. Our goal is to help you choose the highest quality and most suitable pet food to take the best care of your beloved companions.
Our assessment goes beyond just nutritional content; we also consider factors such as market popularity, price, availability, and more. Our mission is to help every pet owner find the ideal food for their pets, so every pet can eat healthily and live happily!
So, if you are searching for a detailed, engaging, and practical pet food review, you've come to the right place! We look forward to your participation as we work together to find the food our pets will love the most!
