What's Really In The Bag: FROMM Adult Gold

This is in no way, shape, or form meant to bash any brand. This is simply empowering you with the information you need to make the best decision for you and your pets! While a fresh food diet is always favorable, it is understandable that not everyone can feed 100% raw. But by knowing what you are feeding and continuously doing better, you are taking steps in the right direction.

The food that is going under analysis is going to be the FROMM Adult Gold. The first 5 ingredients on the label will be highlighted. This was chosen as it is one of the most popular flavors.

Ingredients

“Chicken, chicken meal, chicken broth, oat groats, pearled barley, brown rice, chicken fat, menhaden fish meal, dried tomato pomace, dried egg product, whole oats, white rice, chicken liver, whole barley, potatoes, cheese, flaxseed, salmon oil, brewers dried yeast, duck, lamb, carrots, sweet potatoes, celery, alfalfa meal, salt, monocalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, chicory root extract, vitamins, minerals, Yucca schidigera extract, sorbic acid (preservative), l-tryptophan, taurine, dl-methionine, sodium selenite, probiotics.”

[1] Chicken

Ingredients shown on the ingredient label are based on water weight. Since chicken is around 73% water weight, it will most likely fall as the 6th or 7th ingredient rather than the first.

[2] Chicken Meal

This is the true first ingredient due to water weight. The protein in meals is much more concentrated than fresh chicken after it is processed. Make sure to avoid foods with "meat (unspecific protein) meal" listed as it is unknown what type and quality of meat are added.

[3] Chicken Broth

This will fall down the ingredient list. As it is processed, the broth evaporates and becomes more of a fragrance/flavoring.

[4] Oat Groats

Oat groats are the husk removed from the oat kernel. This is not the whole grain that the word “oat” alludes to.

[5] Pearled Barley

Pearled barley is the outer hull of the grain. Pearl barley is not considered a whole grain.

Before the salt divider, which means that it makes up less than 1% of the formula, good ingredients such as duck, lamb, and carrots make up a minuscule amount.

FROMM falls short for its heavy use of carbohydrates, and synthetic vitamins & minerals, showing distinction from the hundreds of other brands. The use of chicken as the main protein may cause sensitivities/allergies. This is due to chicken being the #1 protein allergy due to low-quality sourcing and high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids.

A constant pattern is seen in kibble companies, conventional veterinarians, and more promotion of the “health and safety” of kibble because the dog will eat it. If pets refused to consume kibble, the industry would crash.

Canines are facultative carnivores. Although they are designed to consume meat primarily, they are opportunistic scavengers. If dogs had the choice between meat and corn, they’d choose meat. But if they were only offered corn, the animal had no choice but to eat it.

This is the big dilemma faced today. Processed foods are the only option that many dogs are offered. Because they’ll eat it does not mean it is beneficial and appropriate to feed. For example, eggs have a biological value of 100. They are one of the complete protein sources on the planet.

In contrast, zein (corn) scored a 0-1 on the digestibility scale. Yet many companies claim that corn has "beneficial to their health." While plants boost protein content, they are not a complete source of protein. Canines require complete proteins and whole foods to thrive.

If you have to feed kibble, feed as high-quality as possible and add Kibble Boosters. I hope you learn something new today & Always Keep Exploring!