Archetype Quail Formula Freeze-Dried Raw Dog & Cat Food, 7.5-oz bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Wysong Archetype Quail Formula Freeze-Dried Raw Dog & Cat Food is a freeze-dried raw food with quail as its primary protein, suitable for both dogs and cats.
This formula uses quality carbohydrate sources that also provide declared fiber. It also includes premium micronutrient forms, like chelated minerals, which are more easily absorbed.
A significant concern is the absence of an AAFCO statement, which caps the overall score. Additionally, the protein quality is low, as quail provides limited bioavailable amino acids. There's also no declared source of omega-3s.
Hard to recommend for any dog or cat due to the lack of an AAFCO statement and low protein quality.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
Good fit for active large sporting breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Irish Setters navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Quail anchors position 1, with zero pulses in the top 15, plus added taurine at position 3. 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) .
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 If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
Sniff scored this formula 33/100, landing in D-tier territory. The biggest contributor was carbohydrate quality (+13 points): Quality carbohydrate sources with declared fiber. A hard cap of 59 also applied 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). Even without the cap, the base component scores sit below the next band. The structural fix would need to address protein quality as well.
Quality carbohydrate sources with declared fiber.
Premium micronutrient forms such as chelated minerals or natural vitamin E.
Low protein quality. quail delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.
No declared omega-3 source. Fish oil, salmon oil, and algae oil all absent.
- Lowest crude fiber in Wysong's lineup (0.5% DMB)
- Top 5% for DMB protein in grain-inclusive freeze-dried foods (52.1%)
- Lowest protein quality in Wysong's lineup (0.8/27)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
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Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1quail
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2othernatural flavor
Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.
- 3supplementtaurine
Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.
- 4blueberry
- 5barley grass
Position 5: supporting grain. Smaller contribution to the carb deck.
- 6chia seeds
- 7broccoli sprouts
- 8vegetablecarrots
Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.
Position 8: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 9plums
- 10whey
- 11mineralsea salt
Same as salt. Required at small doses for normal physiology.
- 12supplementdried kelp
Natural source of iodine and trace minerals. A common premium-brand inclusion.
- 13yeast extract
Yeast broken down to a paste. Strong palatant plus a real source of B vitamins.
- 14preservative naturalcitric acid
Natural antioxidant preservative. Helps keep fats from going rancid.
Natural preservative. Methodologically preferred over synthetic alternatives.
- 15preservative naturalmixed tocopherols
Natural vitamin E used to keep fats from going rancid. The good kind of preservative. See why →
Natural preservative. Methodologically preferred over synthetic alternatives.
- 16preservative naturalrosemary extract
Natural preservative. Replaces synthetic ones like BHA and BHT.
- 17yeast culture
Fermented yeast. Source of B vitamins and beta-glucans that some research suggests support immune function.
- 18mineralpotassium chloride
Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
- 19mineralzinc proteinate
Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.
- 20mineralzinc sulfate
Inorganic zinc. Effective at AAFCO doses but less well-absorbed than chelated forms like zinc proteinate.
- 21mineralferrous sulfate
Inorganic iron. Standard mineral source. Iron proteinate is the gentler, better-absorbed premium form.
- 22mineraliron proteinate
Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.
- 23mineralcopper sulfate
Inorganic copper. Standard, effective at small doses. Premium formulas tend to use copper proteinate instead.
- 24mineralcopper proteinate
Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.
- 25mineralmanganese sulfate
Inorganic manganese. Functional but less well-absorbed than the chelated proteinate form.
Showing first 25 of 38. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
18 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.