Edgard & Cooper is a young Belgian brand that’s made quite a splash in the pet food world. Founded in 2016 by two friends and their dogs (yes, Edgard and Cooper), the company set out to create more natural, ethical, and environmentally friendly dog food—free from junky fillers, mystery meats, and wasteful packaging.
Their pitch? Recipes made with lots of fresh meat, real fruits and veggies, and a short, transparent ingredient list. Add to that a strong sustainability message—recyclable bags, charitable giving, and carbon-conscious supply chains—and it’s easy to see why the brand has caught the eye of pet parents across Europe.
But as with any fast-growing brand, it’s worth taking a closer look—especially when it comes to what’s actually in the bowl.
- Taurine is included due to its known role in supporting cardiac function, especially in diets low in animal protein.
- Rigorous Quality Control
- Probiotics
- Appropriate Calcium/Phosphorus ratios
- High fresh meat content in most recipes (often 30–40%) : good for digestibility and palatability
- No high-glycemic ingredients
- Good calcium/phosphorus ratios
- Solid omega-3 levels in the fish-based recipes
- Two organic recipes
- Eco-conscious brand
- Variety of proteins (chicken, salmon, duck, lamb, turkey, even venison)
- Plant-Based Proteins: Estimated 40-50% of protein content may come from plant-based sources in some formulas.
- Moderate to High carbohydrate content: averaging 37.96% (up to 44% in some recipes)
- Moderate to low protein levels, with many recipes around 21–25%.
- Omega-3 levels vary a lot
Edgard & Cooper Dry Food Review Ratings
We will provide a detailed analysis of one recipe, followed by quick reviews of a few other recipes from the brand.
Edgard & Cooper Fresh Venison & Free‑Run Duck
64/100
Ingredients
| Criteria | Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrate Levels | 🔴 High (38.6 %) | Very high starch load limits room for animal nutrients and may spike post-meal glucose. Would be a good option to reduce sweet potato/pea to drive carbs below 30 % and swap part of sweet potato for lentils or chickpeas to lower glycaemic impact. Or, even better add more animal protein. |
| Protein Levels | 🟠 Average (25 %) | Meets AAFCO adult minimum but sits low for a premium “meat-first” diet. A good option would be to add 10–15 % of dehydrated duck or venison meal to boost crude protein toward 30 % |
| Protein-to-Calorie Ratio | 🟠 Average (67) | Indicates grams of protein per 1 000 kcal—key for lean-body maintenance. Active dogs benefit from ≥ 80. |
| Protein-to-Phosphorus Ratio | 🟠 Average (31) | Adequate for healthy adults but seniors/renal-sensitive dogs need ≥ 35 to protect kidney function. Low-bone meat meal or higher-quality protein, elevate this ratio. |
| Protein-to-Ash Ratio | 🟠 Average (3.0) | Reflects mineral “dilution” of protein; a ratio ≥ 4 signals more meat, less bone. |
| Fat Levels | 🟢 Good (15 %) | Supplies energy and fat-soluble vitamins; sits in the optimal 10–19 % window. |
| Ash Content | 🔴 To Monitor (8.4 %) | Above 8 % suggests heavy mineral content, which can tax kidneys (especially for this low level of meat). |
| Fiber Levels | 🟢 Good (3 %) | Supports gut motility and fermentation (MOS/FOS); within AAFCO ≤ 5 % guideline. |
| Moisture Levels | 🟢 Excellent (10 %) | Higher moisture aids palatability and slightly lowers energy density—no adjustment needed. |
| Calcium Levels | 🟢 Good (1.1 %) | Meets AAFCO minimum and stays under the 2 % ceiling; supports healthy bone. |
| Phosphorus Levels | 🟢 Excellent (0.8 %) | Well below 1 %—kidney-friendly and still meets AAFCO minimum. |
| Glycemic Index of Ingredients | 🟢 Excellent | No high-GI cereals; sweet potato is medium-GI and appears after the meat fraction—promotes steady glucose release. |
| Animal vs Plant Protein Ratio | 🔴 Insufficient (≈ 50 % animal) | Half the protein comes from peas/pea protein and other sources. Lowering biological value. Replacing part of pea protein with named duck or venison meal to reach 70 – 90 % animal protein would skyrocket the score of this product. |
| Quality of Animal Protein Sources | 🟢 Good | Uses 35 % fresh duck and 5 % venison—no anonymous meals. (note that fresh lose 70% of water during extrusion) |
| Type of Preservatives | 🟢 Good | Natural tocopherols assumed; no BHA/BHT/ethoxyquin. |
| Manufacturing Location Transparency | ❓ Non-specified | For the European market, the factory is located in Belgium. |
| Cooking / Processing Method | 🟠 Extrusion | “Gently baked then pressed” is unquantified—heat can degrade nutrients. Seems like it’s classic extrusion. |
| Quality & Source of Fats | 🟠 Average | Fish oil is named but “duck gravy” is vague. |
| Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio | 🟢 Good (1.38 : 1) | Within the ideal 1.1-1.5 range, supporting mineral absorption—no change needed. |
| Omega-6 : Omega-3 Ratio | 🟢 Excellent (1.8 : 1) | Low ratio (< 3) helps modulate inflammation and supports coat quality. |
| Brand Transparency & Ethics | 🟠 Average | Compostable packaging and charitable initiatives are positive, but lab and digestibility data remain unpublished. Release digestibility, heavy-metal, and AAFCO feeding trial results would be great. |
| Veterinary-Formulated Recipes | ❓ Non-specified | Cites “nutrition experts” without naming credentials. |
| Non-GMO Status | 🟢 Excellent | Pledged non-GMO sourcing across all ingredients. |
| No Wheat/Gluten/Corn/Soy | 🟢 Good | Grain-free and legume-based to avoid common allergens. |
| Human-Grade Ingredients | 🟢 Yes | In Europe, pet food is derived from human food. |
| Organic Certification (bonus) | 🔴 No | Conventional formula; organic range exists rarely. |
| Scientific Research-Backed (bonus) | 🔴 Poor | No peer-reviewed trials published. |
| Added Taurine (bonus) | 🟢🟢 Excellent | 1 000 mg/kg safeguards taurine status in grain-free recipes. |
Edgar & Cooper Fresh Free-Run Chicken & Norwegian Salmon (Senior)
63/100
This senior formula sounds promising on paper: 35% fresh chicken, 5% fresh salmon, and a long list of superfoods like kale, cranberries, and nettle. It’s grain-free, loaded with prebiotics (MOS & FOS), and includes joint support from glucosamine and chondroitin—nice touch for older pups.
But here’s the thing: at 21% crude protein and a protein-to-calorie ratio of just 61, this food might struggle to maintain muscle mass in aging dogs. And with over 44% carbs, it leans more on starchy fillers than we’d like—especially for seniors, who really benefit from nutrient-dense, low-carb diets.
The omega-3 level is excellent (1.3%), and the calcium/phosphorus balance (1.25) is exactly where it should be. Still, only 40–60% of the total protein is animal-based, and we’re seeing a lot of peas and pea protein doing the heavy lifting.
👉 Decent for slow-paced seniors, but not the best pick if you’re looking to support muscle tone or keep carbs in check.
Fat content: 🟠 12%
Ash content: 7.9%
Fiber content: 🟠 5%
Moisture content: 🟢 10%
Calcium content: 🟢 1%
Phosphorus content: 🟢 0.8%
Metabolizable energy: 3469 kcal/kg
Omega-3 content: 1.3%
Omega-6 content: 1.2%
Carbohydrate content: 🔴 44.1%
Protein-to-calorie ratio: 61
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: 🟢 1.25
Animal protein content: 🔴 40–60%
High-glycemic ingredients: 🟢 None
Corn/wheat/soy content: 🟢 No
Chelated minerals: 🟠 Mix
Edgard & Cooper Fresh Atlantic Salmon & Free-Run Turkey (Puppy)
68/100
For a puppy formula, this one has a lot going for it. 28% protein, fresh meat over 30%, and no grains or high-glycemic fillers? That’s a solid start. Add in joint protectors, fish oil, and a respectable protein-to-calorie ratio of 71, and you’ve got a formula that covers a lot of bases.
The calcium/phosphorus ratio (1.36) stays within the safe zone, it’s edging close to the upper limit for fast-growing breeds. However, some of that protein (40 to 50%) clearly comes from plant sources like peas and potato protein. Animal protein is generally considered higher quality than most plant proteins because it contains all nine essential amino acids.
👉 All in all, a good everyday kibble for puppies, though it could use a bit more focus on digestible animal protein. Of course, it should ideally be alternated with a home-prepared diet or freshly prepared meals, to offer more natural, wholesome nutrition.
Fat content: 🟢 16.5%
Ash content: 7.5%
Fiber content: 🟢 2%
Moisture content: 🟢 10%
Calcium content: 🟠 1.5%
Phosphorus content: 🟢 1.1%
Metabolizable energy: 3926 kcal/kg
Omega-3 content: 1%
Omega-6 content: 4.1%
Carbohydrate content: 🟠 30.5%
Protein-to-calorie ratio: 71
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: 🟢 1.36
Animal protein content: 🔴 40–60%
High-glycemic ingredients: 🟢 None
Corn/wheat/soy content: 🟢 No
Chelated minerals: 🟠 Mix
Edgard & Cooper Fresh Norwegian Salmon
63/100
Salmon lovers, this one’s for you. With 40% fresh fish, 1.75% omega-3s, and a bunch of herbs and prebiotics, this formula ticks a lot of “clean label” boxes. It’s grain-free, has no artificial additives, and is easy to digest.
But nutrition-wise? It’s a bit of a letdown. 24% protein is fine, but the protein-to-calorie ratio is just 61, which makes it less suitable for active adult dogs. And again, we’re staring down nearly 40% carbohydrates. That’s not ideal when you’re aiming for lean muscle and sustained energy.
👉 Nice ingredients, great for skin and coat, but if your dog is highly active, this formula might not pack enough of a punch.
Fat content: 🟢 17%
Ash content: 7.1%
Fiber content: 🟢 2.5%
Moisture content: 🟢 10%
Calcium content: 🟢 0.95%
Phosphorus content: 🟢 0.75%
Metabolizable energy: 3916 kcal/kg
Omega-3 content: 1.75%
Omega-6 content: 1.5%
Carbohydrate content: 🔴 39.4%
Protein-to-calorie ratio: 61
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: 🟢 1.27
Animal protein content: 🔴 40–60%
High-glycemic ingredients: 🟢 None
Corn/wheat/soy content: 🟢 No
Chelated minerals: 🟠 Mix
Edgard & Cooper Fresh Grass-Fed Lamb
64/100
Fat content: 🟢 15%
Ash content: 7.3%
Fiber content: 🟢 2.5%
Moisture content: 🟢 10%
Calcium content: 🟢 1%
Phosphorus content: 🟢 0.7%
Metabolizable energy: 3861 kcal/kg
Omega-3 content: 0.6%
Omega-6 content: 1.7%
Carbohydrate content: 🔴 40.2%
Protein-to-calorie ratio: 65
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: 🟢 1.43
Animal protein content: 🔴 40–60%
High-glycemic ingredients: 🟢 None
Corn/wheat/soy content: 🟢 No
Chelated minerals: 🟠 Mix
This lamb recipe is gentle on digestion and pretty appealing from an ingredient standpoint—40% fresh lamb, no grains, and a protein level sitting at 25%. It even nails the protein-to-phosphorus ratio (36), which is great for adult maintenance.
That said, there’s a familiar issue here: carbs are high (40.2%), and omega-3s are low (0.6%), which drags down its skin and inflammation support. And while the ingredients look premium, pea protein and potato are still doing some of the protein lifting.
👉 A good fit for moderately active dogs with sensitive stomachs, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark for optimal performance or coat health.
Edgard & Cooper Fresh Free-Run Duck & Chicken (Puppy)
74/100
Now this is more like it. With 28% protein, fresh duck and chicken making up over 30% of the formula, and a tight protein-to-calorie ratio (72), this recipe brings real structure to puppy nutrition.
It’s well-balanced in terms of Ca/P (1.5), energy (3906 kcal/kg), and includes joint care, omega-rich fish oil, and digestive boosters like chicory and MOS. Carbs are present but stay under control (36.6%), and the fiber level is just right.
Sure, some protein still comes from peas and plant matter, but the overall nutrient density and formulation are on point. Puppies get the building blocks they need—without fluff.
👉 A good pick for growing dogs, especially if you want a clean, meat-forward formula without overcomplicating things.
Fat content: 🟢 16%
Ash content: 7.4%
Fiber content: 🟢 2%
Moisture content: 🟢 10%
Calcium content: 🟢 1.2%
Phosphorus content: 🟢 0.8%
Metabolizable energy: 3906 kcal/kg
Omega-3 content: 0.55%
Omega-6 content: 1.7%
Carbohydrate content: 🔴 36.6%
Protein-to-calorie ratio: 72
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: 🟢 1.5
Animal protein content: 🔴 40–60%
High-glycemic ingredients: 🟢 None
Corn/wheat/soy content: 🟢 No
Chelated minerals: 🟠 Mix
Our Opinion
Across its puppy, adult and senior ranges, Edgard & Cooper consistently delivers AAFCO-compliant kibbles centered on 35–40 % named fresh meats, a grain-free, non-GMO ethos, and natural tocopherol preservation—packaged in eco-minded bags. Each recipe boasts spot-on micronutrient ratios (sub-1 % phosphorus, ideal Ca : P and omega-6 : omega-3), but leans on 40–50 % plant starches and pea protein, yielding moderate 21–28 % crude protein and a 61–73 g/1 000 kcal protein density, with ash often over 8 %. Edgard & Cooper sits firmly in the mid-premium lane: wholesome, transparent, and nutritionally sound for everyday maintenance, yet just shy of the ultra-premium, carnivore-focused recipes that push protein higher and carbs lower as you can see in our best dry food for dogs.