Freshly Crafted Ranch Raised Beef Recipe Grain-Free Adult Frozen Dog Food, 4-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Full Moon Freshly Crafted Ranch Raised Beef Recipe Grain-Free Adult Frozen Dog Food is a wet food featuring beef, turkey, and beef liver.
This recipe offers good protein quality, with beef providing solid amino acid coverage. It also includes quality fat sources, like marine oil, which is a good source of EPA and DHA. The beef liver adds diverse, high-bioavailability protein.
The formula contains carrageenan, a seaweed-derived thickener. Some studies link it to gastrointestinal inflammation, and this is a particular concern for dogs with IBD.
Good fit for adult dogs of any size. Less ideal if your dog has IBD or a sensitive stomach.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
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 like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Irish Setters navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Beef anchors position 1, with zero pulses in the top 15, plus beef liver at position 3 (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
MethodologyThe Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.
- FDA, 2022cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
- FDA, 2019diet composition· cited in 2 claims
- NRC, 2006nutrient bioavailability
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
At 61/100, this formula lands in solid B territory. The lift comes from protein quality, worth 18.5 points to the final number: Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage. Where it lost ground: controversial-ingredient penalty, costing 5 points. Contains carrageenan. Plausible rodent colitis mechanism, no direct canine clinical evidence at food-grade levels. Concern elevated for dogs with IBD.
Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage.
Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).
Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.
Contains carrageenan. Plausible rodent colitis mechanism, no direct canine clinical evidence at food-grade levels. Concern elevated for dogs with IBD..
- Top quartile for DMB fat in grain-free wet foods (29.6%)
- Bottom quartile for DMB protein in grain-free wet foods (37.0%)
- Top quartile for crude fiber in grain-free wet foods (11.1% DMB)
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.
Instinct FreshRaw Patties Grass-Fed Beef Recipe Dog Food, 6-lb bag
Scores 9 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
Blue Buffalo Love Made Fresh Fully Cooked Natural Beef Meatball Fresh Dog Food, 4-lb pouch, case of 3
$5.25/lb vs your seed's $9.68/lb (46% less) at a comparable score.
Instinct FreshRaw Bites Grass-Fed Lamb Recipe Dog Food, 5.4-lb bag
Lamb instead of beef, 7 points higher, different brand.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Controversial ingredients · 1
- carrageenanSeaweed-derived thickener; some studies link it to gastrointestinal inflammation. Most common in wet foods but appears in some kibble gravies.
Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →
Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 37%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1protein animalbeef
Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2protein animalturkey
Real meat. Lean protein, good amino acid profile, often well-tolerated by dogs sensitive to chicken.
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3protein animalbeef liver
Organ meat. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients available, rich in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A.
Position 3. Named organ meat this high is a strong build choice. Concentrated source of taurine, glutamine, and B-vitamins.
- 4beef bone broth
Real bone broth. Adds flavor, moisture, and a small amount of collagen. Pleasant inclusion.
Position 4: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 5vegetablespinach
Leafy green. Some iron, vitamin K, and fiber. The dose in kibble is small but it's real food.
Position 5: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 6vegetablebroccoli
Real vegetable. Adds fiber and some antioxidants. Fine in the small amounts used in kibble.
Position 6: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 7vegetablevegetable
Unnamed vegetable. No way to know what species. Named vegetables are far more transparent.
Position 7: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 8blueberry
- 9cassava
- 10othercarrageenan Flagged
Seaweed-derived thickener. Some lab studies suggest gut inflammation, but the evidence in pets is mixed. See why →
- 11vinegar
Mild acid used for flavor or pH adjustment. Safe at typical inclusion.
- 12mineralcalcium carbonate
Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.
- 13mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 14preservative naturalrosemary extract
Natural preservative. Replaces synthetic ones like BHA and BHT.
Natural preservative. Methodologically preferred over synthetic alternatives.
- 15mineraldicalcium phosphate
Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.
- 16mineralzinc proteinate
Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.
- 17mineralcopper proteinate
Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.
- 18vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 19mineralmanganese proteinate
Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.
- 20vitaminvitamin d3 supplement
The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.
- 21mineralpotassium iodide
Source of iodine, an essential trace mineral for thyroid function. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.
- 22fatfish oil
Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.
20 of 22 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.