California Natural brand lists nine dry dog foods… four designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance and five for all life stages.
- California Natural Lamb Meal and Rice Adult Large Bites
- California Natural Lamb Meal and Rice Adult Small Bites
- California Natural Chicken Meal and Rice Adult
- California Natural Chicken Meal and Brown Rice Senior
- California Natural Low Fat Rice and Lamb Meal Adult
- California Natural Low Fat Rice and Chicken Meal Adult
- California Natural Herring and Sweet Potato Adult
- California Natural Lamb Meal and Rice Puppy
- California Natural Chicken Meal and Rice Puppy
California Natural Dog Food Lamb Meal and Rice Adult Small Bites was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
California Natural Lamb Meal & Rice Adult Small Bites
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Lamb meal, brown rice, rice, sunflower oil, natural flavors, potassium chloride, ascorbic acid, beta carotene, biotin, calcium carbonate, calcium iodate, choline chloride, cobalt carbonate, cobalt proteinate, copper proteinate, d-calcium pantothenate, dicalcium pantothenate, dl-methionine, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, niacin, potassium chloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin C supplement (sodium ascorbate), vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement (alpha tocopherol), zinc proteinate, taurine, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2.2%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first ingredient in this dog food lists lamb meal. Lamb meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than even fresh lamb.
The second item is brown rice. Brown rice is a quality ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.
The third ingredient mentions rice. Is this whole grain rice, brown rice or white rice? Since the word “rice” doesn’t tell us much, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this item.
The fourth ingredient lists sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is high in linoleic acid… an essential omega-6 fat needed by every dog to sustain life.
But the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in a food is nutritionally critical… and can vary significantly (depending on the quality of the source ingredient itself).
There are several different types of sunflower oil… some better than others. Without knowing more, it is impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
Lastly, we note1 this food contains chelated minerals… mineralsthat have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
California Natural Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, California Natural Dog Food looks to be an above-average kibble.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 29%, a fat level of 18% and estimated carbohydrates of about 45%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 25% and a mean fat level of 12%. Together, these figures suggest acarbohydrate content of 55% for the overall product line.
Below-average protein. Above-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
With no sign of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing only a modest amount of meat.
Bottom line?
California Natural Dog Food is a grain-based kibble using a modest amount of lamb, chicken or herring meals as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand three stars.
Recommended.
Those looking for a quality wet food from the same company may wish to visit our review of California Natural Canned Dog Food.
A Final Word
This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.
For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.
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