In this article
We give 4Health dog food a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
If you don’t have a Tractor Supply Co. in your area, you might not have heard of their private label dog food brand, 4Health. The brand offers limited ingredient foods that include real meat and veggies in both grain-free and wholesome grain options. Though it’s a bit limited where you can find the brand as it’s a private label, the food should be suitable for most pups. However, including peas and legumes in nearly every recipe is a bit of a concern, as these ingredients may impact the health of a dog’s heart.
Overall, though, the dog food brand has good ingredients and several options, which is why we’ve given it 4.0 out of 5 stars. See below to find out more about 4Health dog food and whether this food brand would be the right one for your pup!
At a Glance: The Best 4Health Dog Food Recipes:
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4health Salmon & Potato Formula |
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4health Tractor Supply Company |
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4health Tractor Supply Company Grain Free |
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4health Healthy Weight Formula |
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4health Tractor Supply Company, Small Bites Formula |
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4Health Dog Food Reviewed
4Health dog food has a focus on limited ingredients and recipes that are grain-free (though they have a wholesome grains line as well), so if your dog has allergies or sensitivities, this dog food could be an excellent fit.
However, they do seem to use peas and legumes in most, if not all, of their recipes which could be cause for concern. Peas and legumes have been linked to heart disease in dogs, though this link requires more research to determine the validity.1 Still, it’s something to be aware of.
Who Makes 4Health Dog Food, and Where Is It Produced?
4Health Dog Food is a private-label brand owned by Tractor Supply Co, a rural lifestyle store selling various products, including pet food. They have approximately 1,600 stores in all but one of the U.S. states and have been around since 1938.
Though 4Health is a Tractor Supply Co. brand, it is manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods Inc. This company is a family-owned and operated one in the U.S. that makes several different brands of dog food. They have plants in South Carolina, California, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri.
The 4Health brand was created in 2010.
Which Type of Dog Is 4Health Dog Food Best Suited For?
4Health dog food has about an equal amount of grain-free food and food with grains, making it suitable for most dogs. If your pet requires a grain-free diet, this dog food brand makes for a budget-friendly option. Not all dogs need to avoid grains, though, so if yours doesn’t, you can go with their Wholesome Grains line. And if your pet has food allergies or sensitivities to common proteins, the 4Health Untamed line features meats such as lamb, venison, and buffalo, making it a good pick.
Which Type of Dog Might Do Better with a Different Brand?
If your pup doesn’t need a grain-free diet and doesn’t like the 4Health Wholesome Grain recipes or is just a picky eater, you might want to try a food that’s been dog-approved such as Purina Pro Plan Adult Shredded Blend Beef & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food. And if your pet’s food allergies or sensitivities don’t clear up on 4Health dog food, we’d recommend a food like Wellness Simple Natural Limited-Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.
Every dog is unique in their nutritional needs, so we recommend reaching out to your vet for advice.
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Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)
You should always know what’s in your dog’s food, especially since some dog foods use ingredients that aren’t that great. Here’s a quick look at the ingredients in 4Health dog food—the good and the bad.
Protein Sources
As far as the quality of the protein in 4Health dog food goes, most recipes have real meat listed as the first couple of ingredients, which is excellent. Real meat tends to be the number one ingredient, while meat meals seem to be added for an extra boost of protein. That means your pup will be getting quality protein that will help keep them healthy and strong.
Grain-Free vs Wholesome Grains
4Health dog food has a lot of grain-free recipes, which is excellent for dogs who require grain-free diets due to food allergies or sensitivities. However, not all our four-legged friends need a diet free of grains, so the fact that they have a nearly equal number of recipes in their Wholesome Grains line is wonderful. That means no matter which way your dog’s diet needs to go, you have plenty of options.
When it comes to the Wholesome Grains line, the whole grains seem mainly to be brown rice, so there isn’t much variety.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed seems to be used in the majority of 4Health dog food recipes, and while it’s a fabulous source of omega fatty acids that keep your pet’s coat and skin healthy, this ingredient doesn’t always agree with dogs. If your pup has a sensitive digestive system, it might not do well with this brand. If they can stomach it, though, they’ll get a boost of healthy omega fatty acids and amino acids.
Peas & Legumes
Possibly the biggest negative to the 4Health brand of dog food is the fact they use peas and legumes in almost every recipe. And in recipes such as the one for dogs with sensitive skin, peas and pea flour replace meat and meat meals as the first ingredients. Why is this a negative? Because there may be a link between dog foods with peas and legumes and heart disease in dogs. This has only been mildly researched thus far, so more needs to be known, but if it’s a concern for you, then the 4Health brand isn’t for you and your pet.
A Quick Look at 4Health Dog Food
- Limited ingredient
- Most recipes have real meat and meat meal as the first ingredients
- Grain-free recipes for those who need them
- Wide variety
- Budget-friendly
- Contains peas and legumes
- Has flaxseed, which may not be suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Few targeted recipes, such as for those with sensitive skin, etc.
4Health Dog Food Recall History
4Health itself hasn’t had many recalls.
There was one in May 2012 when all of their dry food recipes were recalled for possible salmonella contamination.
The next came in 2013 when their All Life Stages Cat Formula was recalled for low levels of thiamine.
There was also a voluntary 4Health dog food recall in 2017 of canned pet foods due to the possibility of a foreign material.
However, Diamond Pet Foods, Inc. (the manufacturer of the brand) has had several recalls throughout its history, as they have had issues with both contamination and quality control.
Get Free Dog Food Recall Alerts! Stay in the know. Get instant updates on dog food recalls here
Reviews of the 3 Best 4Health Dog Food Recipes
Here’s an opportunity to take a closer look at the three best 4Health dog food recipes so you can see what their food is all about!
1. 4Health Wholesome Grains Adult Dog Food
This Wholesome Grains product is designed to meet the nutritional needs of most adult dogs and features salmon as the main ingredient, rather than the more common chicken or beef (which could be good for dogs with food allergies). Besides that, this dog food recipe is stuffed with good-for-your-dog things, including taurine for healthy hearts, probiotics for a healthy digestive system, glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints, omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, and a special antioxidant blend that includes vitamin E and zinc.
However, this product also contains peas and pea flour, so be wary of that.
- Salmon as the first ingredient
- Plenty of good-for-your-dog things
- Contains peas and pea flour
2. 4Health Wholesome Grains Puppy Formula
Puppies need food made to meet their specific nutritional needs, and that’s what this recipe does with its balanced ratio of protein and fat. It also includes plenty of extras that will help your pup grow up healthy and strong, such as DHA to help keep the brain and eyes in good health, taurine for heart health, probiotics for healthy digestion, omega fatty acids for shiny coats and skin that isn’t dry, and an antioxidant blend to support the immune system.
Plus, this one has no peas or legumes, so you don’t have to be concerned about potential heart health implications!
- No peas or legumes
- DHA for healthy brain and eyes
- Well-balanced
- Flaxseed could potentially cause stomach upset in puppies with sensitive digestive systems
3. 4Health Grain-Free Puppy Formula
If your puppy requires a grain-free diet, then 4Health’s Grain-Free Puppy Formula might be just the thing! It has the same balanced nutrition and extras to keep your little one growing up healthy and strong, just without the grains. Real chicken is the main ingredient and chicken meal the second, so your pet will get all the quality protein they need to maintain lean muscle mass. And the live, active cultures found within will help aid in keeping the digestive system working smoothly.
This recipe does contain garbanzo beans, peas, and pea flour, though, so if you’re wary of the potential heart health implications, this may not be your best bet.
- Formulated to meet puppy’s nutritional needs
- Grain-free
- Real chicken as the first ingredient
- Plenty of good-for-your-puppy extras
- Contains garbanzo beans, peas, and pea flour
- Related Read: 4health Puppy Food Review: Pros, Cons & Recalls
What Other Users Are Saying
You should have a relatively decent idea of what 4Health dog food is all about by now, but there’s no better way to find out how much dogs actually like it than by reading reviews from other pet parents. Here are some things people have said about this brand.
- Tractor Supply Co. – “All of our dogs love this food. We have 4 bullies, 2 Cocker spaniels, and a husky. It is hard to find dog food fitting for all dogs. My husky is very picky and I had trouble with her eating a whole bowl. Now with 4Health her coat looks better and there are days where she does through two bowls. I have bought dog food well over the standard price for this bag and I do not feel like they compare. We are pleased with all aspects of this food.”
- Pet Sense – “4Health salmon and potato kibble is the ultimate best food I’ve given my dogs. They love it so much that my westie Kenzie yells and jumps up & down like a jumping bean because I’m not quick enough to get her meals to her. They both gobble up their meals very quickly.”
- Amazon – Amazon is always an excellent place to check what people say about a brand. You can read some of what they’re saying about 4Health here.
Conclusion
4Health dog food is a fairly decent brand. The use of limited ingredients and real meat or meat meals as the first ingredients is a plus, as is the price. And the addition of several grain-free recipes is wonderful for those pups who need a diet free of grains. However, the use of peas and legumes in nearly every recipe isn’t as great, considering the potential heart health implications. The use of flaxseed may also be iffy, depending on the sensitivity of your pet’s stomach.
Overall, though, 4Health should be suitable for most dogs (if peas and legumes are not a concern), whether you go with the Wholesome Grains line or the Grain-Free line of recipes.
