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Turducken Recipe
A Pup Above

Turducken Recipe

Evidence Fair
wet $13.33/lb Data verified from brand site

Graded by The Sniff System

In plain English

A Pup Above Turducken Recipe is a wet food featuring turkey, chicken heart, and chicken liver as its main protein sources.

This recipe has a strong protein profile, with turkey as the main ingredient, providing high biological value. It also includes organ meats like chicken heart and liver for diverse, highly bioavailable protein. The carbohydrate sources are of good quality and have declared fiber.

The biggest thing to note is the absence of an AAFCO statement, which means its nutritional completeness is unverified. Also, there isn't a declared source of omega-3s like fish or algae oil.

Good fit for dogs whose owners prioritize high-quality protein and organ meats. Less ideal if you require AAFCO verification for nutritional completeness.

Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.

Who this is for

In its 2022 update on diet-associated DCM, the FDA identified Golden Retrievers as the most reported breed, with 121 cases out of 1,382 total canine reports (8.8%) received between January 1, 2014, and November 1, 2022  (FDA, 2022) . Good fit for active large sporting breeds, including the Golden Retriever, navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Turkey anchors position 1, with zero pulses in the top 15, plus chicken heart at position 2 (a natural taurine precursor).

Looking at this for adult Golden Retrievers or Golden Retrievers with diet-associated DCM concerns ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.

Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.

Research informing this analysis

Methodology

The Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.

  • FDA, 2022
    cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
  • FDA, 2019
    diet composition· cited in 2 claims
  • NRC, 2006
    nutrient bioavailability

Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.

Why this score

At 59/100, this formula lands mid-pack. The lift comes from protein quality, worth 22 points to the final number: Strong protein profile with turkey as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value. The ceiling on this score is 59, set because the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement isn't disclosed on the retailer page (so our methodology can't verify the formula meets adult, growth, or all-life-stages standards). The fix path: the brand publishing the AAFCO statement. That would lift the cap and put this formula above the B-band line at 60.

What lifted the score

Strong protein profile with turkey as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.

PQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with declared fiber.

CQI

Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.

STACK
What pulled it down

Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

CAP why?

No declared omega-3 source. Fish oil, salmon oil, and algae oil all absent.

FQI

No AAFCO statement. Nutritional completeness unverified.

ACF
What sets this apart
  • Lowest fat quality in A Pup Above's lineup (4/16)
  • Top 10% for protein quality in grain-free wet foods (22/27)
  • Bottom quartile for carb quality in A Pup Above's lineup (12/16)

Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.

Similar dog foods worth considering

Three lenses on products with formulation profiles similar to this one.

Better match
Higher score, similar formulation
Wellness

Wellness Complete Health Turkey & Duck

66

Scores 7 points higher with a similar formulation profile.

Best value
Lower price, comparable score
Birdie & Louie Chicken & Turkey Flavored Canned Pate Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12
Birdie & Louie

Birdie & Louie Chicken & Turkey Flavored Canned Pate Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12

59

$3.46/lb vs your seed's $13.33/lb (74% less) at a comparable score.

Worth a look
Different brand, different protein
ZIWI Peak Chicken Recipe Canned Dog Food, 13.75-oz, case of 12
ZIWI

ZIWI Peak Chicken Recipe Canned Dog Food, 13.75-oz, case of 12

59

Chicken instead of turkey, matched score, different brand.

Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 50% ⓘ
Protein
10.5%
min (as fed)
Fat
7%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1.5%
max (as fed)
Moisture
79%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 50%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

13 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    turkey

    Real meat. Lean protein, good amino acid profile, often well-tolerated by dogs sensitive to chicken.

    Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.

  2. 2
    chicken heart

    Organ meat. Dense in taurine, B vitamins, and CoQ10. One of the best ingredients dogs can eat.

    Position 2. Named organ meat this high is a strong build choice. Concentrated source of taurine, glutamine, and B-vitamins.

  3. 3
    chicken liver

    Organ meat. Dense in protein, iron, vitamin A, and the B vitamins. Among the most nutrient-rich ingredients a dog can eat.

    Position 3. Named organ meat this high is a strong build choice. Concentrated source of taurine, glutamine, and B-vitamins.

  4. 4
    sweet potato

    Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.

    Position 4: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.

  5. 5
    green beans

    Real vegetable. Fiber and a small amount of vitamins. Often used in weight-management formulas because it bulks up a meal without adding calories.

  6. 6
    chicken bone broth

    Position 6: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.

  7. 7
    duck liver

    Position 7. Functional organ inclusion. Adds amino acids and micronutrients even at smaller weight.

  8. 8
    apples

    Real fruit, some fiber and antioxidants. The amount in kibble is too small to matter much.

    Position 8: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.

  9. 9
    cranberries

    Often added with a urinary-tract-support marketing angle. Real cranberry compounds help in concentrate form, but kibble doses are small.

    Position 9: garnish-level inclusion. Marketing-prominent but minimal nutritional impact at this position.

  10. 10
    thyme
  11. 11
    turmeric

    Spice with anti-inflammatory compounds. Real research in humans, but the dose in kibble is small. Mostly there for label appeal.

  12. 12
    parsley

    Real herb. Trace amount of vitamins K and C. The dose in kibble is small, mostly there for label appeal.

  13. 13
    apa nutrient mix

9 of 13 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.