What’s Your Dog’s Feeding Type? Cat Food Advisor NEW! Dr Mike Sagman is the creator of the Dog Food Advisor. He founded the website in 2008, after his unquestioning trust in commercial dog food led to the tragic death of his dog Penny. Karan is a senior researcher at the Dog Food Advisor, working closely with our in-house pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, to give pet parents all the information they need to find the best food for their dog. Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for Glyco Care Wellness Guidechromium support eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry. All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee. Victor Classic product range is made up of eight recipes with ratings varying from 4 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars. These nutrient-rich recipes are made with premium-quality protein and specially designed for sporting dogs and high-energy dogs of all life stages.
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified. Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis. The first ingredient in this dog food is beef meal. Beef meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh beef. The second ingredient is sorghum. Sorghum (milo) is a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn. Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient. The third ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid. Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life.
Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient. The fourth ingredient is whole grain millet, a gluten-free grain harvested from certain seed grasses. Millet is hypoallergenic and naturally rich in B-vitamins and fiber as well as other essential minerals. The fifth ingredient is blood meal. Blood meal is a by-product of slaughter and used to make high-protein (very low ash) animal feeds. Yet even though some consider it a controversial ingredient, blood meal can still be considered a quality source of animal protein. The sixth ingredient is alfalfa meal. Although alfalfa meal is high in plant protein (about 18%) and fiber (25%), this hay-family item is more commonly associated with horse feeds. The seventh ingredient is yeast culture. Although yeast culture is high in B-vitamins and protein, it can also be used as a probiotic to aid in digestion. However, the ash content of the final product is typically adjusted in the recipe to allow its mineral profile to meet AAFCO guidelines.
The next two ingredients listed are chicken meal and menhaden fish meal, yet more high protein meat concentrates. From here, Glyco Care review the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Victor product. With five notable exceptions… First, dried seaweed meal is a product made from a family of brown algae known as Fucaceae (Rockweed). Although it does contain a number of healthy nutrients, seaweed meal is primarily used as a source of inexpensive carbohydrates (about 60% dry matter). This item is only rarely used to make pet food and is more typically found in feeds for cattle, horses, hogs, hens and sheep. Next, we note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion. In addition, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle.
Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient. We view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition. Next, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods. And lastly, this product includes selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative. Based on its ingredients alone, Victor Classic Hi Pro Plus looks like an above-average dry product. As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 30.6% and a mean fat level of 18.3%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 41.2% for the overall product line. Which means this Victor product line contains… Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.