98% Beef Grain-Free Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12
Graded by The Sniff System
Hound & Gatos 98% Beef Grain-Free Canned Dog Food is a wet food featuring beef as its main protein.
This food includes quality fat sources like sunflower oil and salmon oil. Salmon oil is a good source of EPA and DHA, which are beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
The biggest thing to note is the absence of an AAFCO statement, which means its nutritional completeness is unverified. Also, the protein quality from beef alone is considered low, providing limited bioavailable amino acids.
Good fit for adult dogs who need a wet food with quality fats. Less ideal if you want verified nutritional completeness or higher protein quality.
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 salmon oil at position 6.
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 If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.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 50/100, this formula lands mid-pack. The lift comes from fat quality, worth 12 points to the final number: Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source). 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 cap isn't the binding constraint here. Protein quality would also need to improve to reach the next band.
Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).
Low protein quality. beef delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.
No AAFCO statement. Nutritional completeness unverified.
- Bottom 4% for protein quality in grain-free wet foods (5.7/27)
- Top 10% for DMB fat in grain-free wet foods (36.4%)
- Bottom quartile for carb quality in grain-free wet foods (9/16)
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.
Hound & Gatos 98% Gamebird Poultry Grain-Free Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12
Scores 9 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
Purina Beyond Wild Prey-Inspired Grain-Free High Protein Beef, Liver & Lamb Pate Recipe Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12
$3.21/lb vs your seed's $6.14/lb (48% less) at a comparable score.
Canada Fresh Chicken Canned Dog Food, 13-oz, case of 12
Chicken instead of beef, 2 points lower, different brand.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 45%, 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.
- 2beef broth
Real broth. Adds flavor and moisture, signals the recipe leans on real meat.
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3agar-agar
Seaweed-derived gel used as a thickener. Functional alternative to carrageenan, generally well-tolerated.
- 4fatsunflower oil
Common plant oil. Useful in moderation for omega-6, though too much skews the omega ratio against the dog's favor.
Position 4: secondary fat. Often where marine oils sit when present alongside a primary land-animal fat.
- 5mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 6fatsalmon oil
Pure omega-3s. The thing skin-and-coat formulas are usually built around.
Position 6. Moderate marine-oil inclusion. Supplements EPA/DHA without being the primary fat.
- 7supplementcholine chloride
Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 8mineralpotassium chloride
Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
- 9magnesium chloride
- 10mineralzinc proteinate
Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.
- 11mineraliron proteinate
Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.
- 12mineralcopper proteinate
Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.
- 13mineralmanganese proteinate
Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.
- 14mineralsodium selenite Flagged
Inorganic selenium. Effective at AAFCO levels, no documented safety concern in dogs despite what some pet food blogs claim. Selenium yeast is a marginal upgrade, not a necessity. See why →
- 15ethylenediamine dihydroiodide
- 16mineralcalcium carbonate
Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.
- 17vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 18vitaminthiamine mononitrate
B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.
- 19vitaminniacin supplement
B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.
- 20vitamincalcium pantothenate
Same as d-calcium pantothenate. Vitamin B5 in standardized form.
- 21vitaminbiotin
B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.
- 22vitaminvitamin a supplement
Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.
- 23vitaminriboflavin supplement
B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.
- 24vitaminvitamin b12 supplement
Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.
- 25vitaminpyridoxine hydrochloride
B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.
Showing first 25 of 27. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
23 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.