Raw Blend Red Meat Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 22-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Stella & Chewy's Raw Blend Red Meat Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a raw blend dry food featuring beef, pork, and salmon, formulated for adult dogs.
Beef as the first ingredient gives this formula a strong protein profile with high biological value. Quality fat sources like sunflower oil and marine oil from salmon meal deliver beneficial EPA and DHA. Organ meats such as beef liver and kidney also add diverse, highly bioavailable protein.
The formula contains high legume stacking, with multiple pulse-family ingredients appearing in the top 15. This is partially mitigated by the presence of organ meat, which are natural taurine precursors.
Good fit for adult dogs of any size. Nothing serious working against it.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
The FDA's 2019 investigation update on diet-associated DCM included 13 reported cases in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, making them one of the top 15 most frequently reported breeds at that time (FDA, 2019) . Good fit for moderately active toy breeds, including the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Beef anchors position 1, with 4 pulse-family ingredients stacked in the top 15, plus beef liver at position 11 (a natural taurine precursor) and salmon meal at position 5.
Looking at this for adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniels or Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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, 2022epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 4 claims
- FDA, 2019cardiac · diet composition· cited in 3 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 If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.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 74/100, this formula lands in solid B territory. The lift comes from protein quality, worth 24 points to the final number: Strong protein profile with beef as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value. Where it lost ground: controversial-ingredient penalty, costing 2 points. Contains high legume stacking. Multiple pulse-family ingredients in top 15. Mitigated by taurine supplementation or organ meat (natural taurine precursor) in top 10. This formula sits 1.0 points below the A-tier line. The most direct lever is controversial-ingredient penalty.
Strong protein profile with beef as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.
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 high legume stacking. Multiple pulse-family ingredients in top 15. Mitigated by taurine supplementation or organ meat (natural taurine precursor) in top 10..
- Lowest carb quality in Stella & Chewy's's lineup (8/16)
- Top 4% for protein quality in Stella & Chewy's's lineup (24.2/27)
- Bottom 10% for fat quality in grain-free raw foods (13/16)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
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Scores 10 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
Stella & Chewy's SuperBlends Raw Blend Wholesome Grains Grass-Fed Beef, Beef Liver & Lamb Recipe with Superfoods Dry Dog Food, 21-lb bag
$4.00/lb vs your seed's $5.20/lb (23% less) at a comparable score.
Merrick Lil' Plates Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Real Chicken, Sweet Potatoes + Peas with Raw Bites Recipe, 10-lb bag
Chicken instead of beef, 6 points higher, different brand.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
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 animalpork meal
Pork cooked into a dry concentrate. Per pound, more protein than fresh pork.
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3legumepeas
Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →
Position 3. Pulse-family ingredient this high in the deck is a notable build choice. When stacked with other pulses in the top 10, matches the formulation pattern the FDA flagged in its diet-associated DCM investigation.
- 4legumelentils
Same concern as peas. Affordable plant protein, but when they pile up in the top 5 ingredients, it's a flag. See why →
Position 4. Within the FDA's top-5 DCM-pattern threshold. Especially notable if multiple pulses stack here.
- 5protein animalsalmon meal
Salmon cooked into a dry concentrate. Carries both protein and natural omega-3s in one ingredient. See why →
Position 5: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 6legumechickpeas
Also called garbanzo beans. Affordable plant protein source, part of the legume stack the FDA examined in its heart-disease investigation. See why →
Position 6. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.
- 7protein plantpea protein
Concentrated plant protein. Inflates the protein number on the label without matching the amino acid quality of meat.
Position 7. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.
- 8fatsunflower oil
Common plant oil. Useful in moderation for omega-6, though too much skews the omega ratio against the dog's favor.
Position 8: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 9protein animallamb
Real meat. Often used for dogs with chicken or beef sensitivities. Slightly higher fat content than chicken.
Position 9: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 10fibertomato pomace
The fiber-rich byproduct of tomato processing. Sometimes flagged unfairly. It's a real fiber source, not a filler shortcut.
Position 10: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.
- 11protein animalbeef liver
Organ meat. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients available, rich in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A.
Position 11. Small organ inclusion. Functional but not a primary contributor to the protein profile.
- 12protein animalbeef kidney
Organ meat. Dense in B vitamins, iron, and trace minerals. Among the most nutritious ingredients on any label.
Position 12. Small organ inclusion. Functional but not a primary contributor to the protein profile.
- 13protein animalvenison
Real meat, lean and gamey. Used as a novel protein for dogs with sensitivities.
Position 13: trace protein. Likely there for amino-acid diversity or label appeal more than nutritional weight.
- 14beef fat
Real animal fat, a clean energy source. Stable on the shelf without synthetic preservatives.
Position 14: trace protein. Likely there for amino-acid diversity or label appeal more than nutritional weight.
- 15natural vegetable flavor
- 16fatflaxseed
Plant source of omega-3. Helpful for skin and coat, though dogs absorb omega-3 from fish more efficiently.
- 17suncured alfalfa
- 18protein animalbeef heart
- 19beef tripe
Stomach lining. Strong-smelling but nutrient-dense, with natural digestive enzymes.
- 20fenugreek seed
Herb seed. Trace inclusion, mostly for flavor and label appeal.
- 21vegetablepumpkin
Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.
- 22coconut flour
- 23pumpkin seed
Real seed. Source of magnesium, zinc, and traditionally used as a mild dewormer (the evidence is folkloric, not clinical).
- 24fruitcranberries
Often added with a urinary-tract-support marketing angle. Real cranberry compounds help in concentrate form, but kibble doses are small.
- 25vegetablespinach
Leafy green. Some iron, vitamin K, and fiber. The dose in kibble is small but it's real food.
Showing first 25 of 60. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
21 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.