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Review Summary
We give 4health Puppy Food a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
4health has several recipes of pet food available for dogs and cats. There are three dry puppy foods and one canned puppy food available from this line. Many other recipes are said to be suitable for all life stages. You can find 4health at Tractor Supply Co.
4health is a brand that offers good nutrition to dogs at an affordable price. This review will provide a detailed look at its offerings for puppies and the ingredients used in the recipes.
At a Glance: The Best 4health Puppy Food Recipes
4health Puppy Food Reviewed
The 4health puppy food offered through Amazon is limited compared to what is available from Tractor Supply Co. There are two dry food options. One is grain inclusive and one is grain free. This is a value food that is a great option for those on a budget or with multiple dogs to feed. It’s affordable and full of nutrition, although some of the ingredients could be better.
Who Makes 4health Puppy Food and Where Is It Produced?
4health puppy food is manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. The food is made in three Diamond Pet Food plants located in California, South Carolina, and Missouri. These plants produce the 4health dog food that supplies over 1,000 Tractor Supply Co. locations across the United States.
You can find this food at third-party sellers, but the price is usually higher than at Tractor Supply Co. The availability is limited outside of the store too.
Which Type of Puppy Is 4health Best Suited For?
Healthy puppies without the need for a specialized diet can do well on 4health puppy food. If you shop at Tractor Supply Co. or have one nearby, it might be a good option, especially if your pup isn’t a picky eater. While 4health has several types of food, there aren’t many specialized diets available.
Which Type of Puppy Might Do Better with a Different Brand?
Puppies with allergies or sensitive stomachs might do better with a different brand. Purina Pro Plan offers a Sensitive Skin & Stomach1 puppy food that promotes gentle digestion and has less of a risk of causing allergic reactions. 4health does not have puppy food recipes for puppies with allergies.
Always check with a vet first to see which food is right for your dog if they are suffering from any health condition.
If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)
Protein
Real meat is included in the top three ingredients in every recipe. The puppy formulas use chicken and lamb as their primary protein sources. It’s best to avoid recipes that include filler ingredients in the first three on the list, like soy or corn.
Potatoes
4health recipes include potatoes or sweet potatoes. They are full of vitamins and nutrients, and they also add a healthy source of carbohydrates to the food. However, potatoes can be allergy triggers. If your dog is allergic to potatoes, you might want to look at recipes that include brown rice for carbohydrates instead.
Peas
Peas are listed2 as a potential culprit behind dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, especially in grain-free diets. They may also cause allergic reactions. Peas are not immediately bad for your dog, and their inclusion in dog food recipes can add to the protein and carbohydrate percentages of the food.
If your dog has no problem eating or digesting peas, they can have them in their diet. That said, always talk to your vet first if you have a concern about peas or other legumes in your dog’s food.
A Quick Look at 4health Puppy Food
- Affordable price
- Manufactured in the United States
- Offers good nutrition to growing puppies
- No specialized diets
- Limited recipes
Recall History
4health pet food has been recalled several times over recent years. Here’s what we know:
- 2012: All brands of 4health pet food manufactured in Gaston, South Carolina, were recalled by Diamond. There was a possible salmonella contamination.
- 2013: This recall pertained to cat food. Diamond recalled 4health cat food, among other brands. There was a risk of low levels of thiamine. This is a B1 vitamin that is essential for cat health.
- 2017: All packaged 13.2-ounce cans of 4health dog and cat foods were recalled by the FDA due to the risk of foreign material in the food.
- 2019: The FDA included 4health in the brands that may be linked to heart disease in pets. While these investigations are ongoing, grain-free diets are believed to be linked to dilated cardiomyopathy. If you are considering feeding your dog a grain-free diet, talk to your vet first to make sure it’s right for them. Grain-inclusive recipes can offer various health benefits to dogs that aren’t allergic to grains.
Reviews of 4Health Puppy Food Recipes
1. 4Health Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food
The 4Health Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food offers nutrition for your growing puppy, starting with real lamb for protein. DHA, an omega fatty acid for the healthy development of puppies’ eyes and brains, is added in the form of salmon oil. Other omega fatty acids blend for a healthy coat and hydrated skin.
Probiotics are added to help your puppy easily digest this food. There are antioxidants included in the recipe for overall health and immune support. The food meets AAFCO standards of nutritional levels for puppies.
- Affordable
- Meets AAFCO standards
- Includes probiotics for easy digestion
- Limited flavor options
2. 4health Grain-Free Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food
4health Grain-Free Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food is made with real chicken and vegetables. Like the grain-inclusive recipe, it meets AAFCO standards and includes DHA and omega fatty acids for eye, brain, and coat health.
The exclusion of grains should be considered before making the switch to this food. Always ask your vet if a grain-free diet is right for your dog. There are claims that a grain-free diet can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, but these claims are still being investigated by the FDA. If you are considering a grain-free food for your dog, make sure it’s necessary. Unless a dog is allergic to grains, the inclusion of grains in their food can offer several health benefits.
- Made with real chicken and vegetables
- Meets AAFCO standards
- With DHA & Omega fatty acids
- May not be suitable for puppies that need grains in their diet
What Other Users Are Saying
- SmallDogPlace — “This is a quality puppy food with decent ingredients and an attractive price.”
- TopRatedDogFoods — “The 4health Original lineup is focused on providing nutrient-rich dog food to fuel our pets with energy. The product line is good for puppies, seniors, adult dogs of all breed sizes, as well as for canines with weight problems.”
- Amazon — We trust the opinions of other puppy owners when it comes to the food that they feed their dogs. You can read Amazon reviews of 4health puppy food reviews here.
Conclusion
4health puppy food is a good quality food for the price. However, there’s a distinct lack of availability of the food unless you have a Tractor Supply Co. nearby. Ordering the food online through third-party sellers can be expensive, so you might miss out on the affordability of this food.
We also wish that the line had more options for puppies, including those with health issues. Overall, though, 4health has a nutritious puppy food that is formulated to give your growing puppy everything they need to be healthy and strong.
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Featured Image Credit: Tractor Supply Co.
