Now Fresh is a Canadian company based in British Columbia that manufactures dry and wet food for dogs. The brand’s name is quite bold, suggesting all their products might be fresh or gently cooked. Let’s see if that holds true, as we delve into our review of Now Fresh’s kibbles for dogs.
Now Fresh Puppies
✅ Moisture Content
✅ Fat and fiber Content
❌ Carbohydrates content
❌ Protein content
❌ Ash content
Now Fresh Adult Dogs
Now Fresh Senior Dogs
Now Fresh Small Breed
Now Fresh Puppies Analysis
Let’s take a closer look at the unique puppy food recipe that defines the Now Fresh brand. This evaluation is based on the 23 criteria of the “Sheriff Score”.
| Criteria | Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrate Content | 🔴 High (32-34%) | This level of carbohydrates is higher than ideal for puppies, suggesting a potential for improvement by reducing it to align more closely with a carnivorous diet and help prevent obesity. |
| Protein Content | 🟠 Average – 28% | The protein content is decent but optimizing it towards the higher end or beyond would better support robust growth and health in puppies. |
| Protein-Calorie Ratio | 🟠 Average | The product seems to have an average protein to calorie ratio. This may be insufficient for some dogs. Especially for active dogs, those in growth, or with low caloric needs. |
| Protein-Phosphorus Ratio | ❓ Non-specified | The ratio’s specifics weren’t calculated due to missing direct data, but optimal balance is crucial for maintaining bone health and development. |
| Fat Content | 🟢 Good (19-21%) | The fat percentage supports energetic needs and cognitive development, though it’s important to balance it to prevent excessive weight gain. |
| Ash Content | 🔴🔴 To Monitor (>8%) | Ash content is higher than recommended, indicating a need to monitor mineral intake balance carefully. |
| Mineral Scoring | 🟢 Good (Combination of organic and inorganic) | The inclusion of chelated minerals suggests a thoughtful approach to mineral supplementation for optimal health benefits. |
| Fiber Content | 🟢 Good (3.4-3.7%) | The fiber content is within a desirable range, aiding in digestive health without compromising nutrient absorption. |
| Moisture Content | 🔴🔴 Very Insufficient (0-8%) | Extremely low moisture content is typical for dry dog foods; ensuring adequate water intake is crucial. |
| Calcium Content | 🟢 Good (1.3-1.4%) | This calcium level is appropriate for supporting skeletal development in puppies without exceeding safe limits. |
| Phosphorus Content | 🟢 Good (1.0-1.1%) | The phosphorus content supports bone health and is within a safe range for puppies. |
| High Glycemic Index (GI) Ingredients | 🟢🟢 Excellent (No high-GI foods in top ingredients) | The moderate-GI ingredients used support stable blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for long-term health. |
| Animal vs. Vegetable Protein Content | 🟢🟢 Excellent (>90% animal proteins) | High-quality animal protein sources ensure excellent digestibility and nutrient profile, meeting puppies’ nutritional needs effectively. |
| Quality of Animal Proteins | 🟢🟢 Excellent (High-quality, diverse sources) | The use of fresh, high-quality animal proteins like turkey, salmon, and duck supports optimal health and growth in puppies. |
| Preservatives | 🟢 Good (Natural preservatives used) | Utilizing natural preservatives like mixed tocopherols indicates a commitment to safety and health. |
| Known Manufacturing Location | 🟢 Good | Ontario (Canada) |
| Cooking Method | ❓ Non-specified | Details on the cooking method are not provided, affecting the ability to assess nutrient retention. |
| Quality and Transparency of Fats | 🟠 Average (Named high-quality sources) | Specified sources of fats such as canola oil but there is better sources for dogs. |
| Calcium/Phosphorus Ratio | 🟢 Good (Optimal ratio for bone health) | The calcium to phosphorus ratio is maintained at a level that promotes healthy bone development without risk. |
| Omega 6/Omega 3 Ratio | 🟢 Good (Optimal balance not calculated) | The inclusion of both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in appropriate amounts supports overall health, though the exact ratio was not provided. |
| Transparency | 🟠 Average (Efforts made with room for improvement) | While the ingredient list and nutritional information suggest a degree of transparency, further details on sourcing and manufacturing could improve this aspect. |
| Recipes Developed by a Veterinarian | 🟢 Good (Not specified) | It’s clear that whether a veterinarian developed the recipe. |
| Binary GMO Scoring System for Dry Dog Food | ❓ Non-specified | The product’s GMO status is not explicitly stated, impacting the ability to fully evaluate this aspect. |
| Binary Organic Scoring System for Dry Dog Food | 🔴🔴 Concerning (Not certified organic) | The absence of organic certification suggests the product may not adhere to organic standards, indicating potential room for improvement in ingredient sourcing. |
Pros
🟢 Fat Content: Good (19-21%)
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, is spot-on for supporting brain development, healthy skin, and a lustrous coat. The choice of canola oil and flaxseed is okay. The balance between omega-3 and omega-6 is good, which is important for preventing inflammation.
🟢 Fiber Content: Good (3.4-3.7%)
The fiber content here is commendable. It’s in a sweet spot that promotes healthy digestion without compromising nutrient absorption. The inclusion of pea fiber is a smart choice, contributing to gut health and stool quality. Yet, we must ask, at what cost does this come if the carbohydrate levels remain unchecked?
🟢🟢 Moisture Content: Excellent (10%)
Kibble is a dry food and is often criticized for that reason. However, the moisture content here, is actually quite good. Nonetheless, it’s important to always ensure your dog has access to bowls of fresh water.
🟢 Quality of Animal Proteins: Good
The selection of de-boned turkey, salmon, and duck as primary protein sources is exemplary. However, Mixing animal proteins of different kinds can lead to digestive issues and the development of allergies.
Cons
🔴 Carbohydrate Content: High (32-34%)
The carbohydrate content here strikes quite high for dogs. Dogs wouldn’t naturally consume such high levels of carbohydrates. While peas and potatoes are better than grains in terms of allergenic potential, but they still contribute to a carb level that could predispose dogs to obesity and diabetes (in the long term).
🟠 Protein Content: Average (27%)
For a growing puppy, protein is the bedrock of development, supporting everything from muscle growth to fur health. The inclusion of high-quality animal proteins is commendable, but the quantity? It may not enough. The protein to calorie ratio is only 74.
🔴🔴 Ash Content: To Monitor (>8%)
An ash content higher than 8% is a glaring red flag. It suggests an excess of minerals, which could potentially strain a dog’s kidneys and disrupt the balance of nutrients. This could reveal that animal protein sources are not of such good quality.
🔴 Transparency and GMO/Organic Status :
The lack of transparency regarding GMO and organic status is quite concerning. In an era where consumers are increasingly aware of and concerned about the origins of their pets’ food, this lack of clarity is a significant oversight. It’s high time brands recognized the importance of non-GMO and organic ingredients in building trust and ensuring health.
Our honest opinion
Now Fresh is very clear about the ingredients in their food. Animal-based protein sources are clearly identifiable (this is not always the case in the pet food industry). However, the amount of plant proteins and minerals is too high to expect a better evaluation. The recipes are somewhat lacking in protein for some dogs, and the carbohydrate levels are a bit high for others. Unfortunately, the cooking method is not specified, which is unfortunate because the moisture content suggests that it could be a gentle cooking process.
