autarky salmon dog food review
Autarky Dog FoodReviews
Disappointed with Recent Changes in Autarky Dog Food
Ive been a loyal customer of Autarky dog food for years, but recently, Ive noticed some concerning changes that have left me thoroughly disappointed.Firstly, theres a noticeable difference in the smell of the food, and its not a pleasant one. Its concerning when something youve trusted suddenly has an off-putting odor.Secondly, it appears that the biscuit size has been reduced, which is problematic for larger dogs or those who eat quickly.Most importantly, my dogs, who have always enjoyed Autarky, have had adverse reactions to the new formula. My eldest dog outright refused it, and the others experienced upset stomachs, which I initially attributed to a bug but now suspect is due to the altered composition of the food.Its disheartening to see a product Ive relied on for so long deteriorate in quality. After reading similar experiences from other customers, Im inclined to believe that this is not an isolated issue.In conclusion, the recent changes to Autarky dog food have left me with no choice but to seek alternative options for my pets. Its a shame to see a once-reliable brand deliver such disappointing results!!
Date of experience: 28 March 2024
Autarky Adult Dry Succulent Salmon Review
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This food is suitable for the following breed sizes:
Private label(or
white label) pet foods are pre-formulated recipes that companies can order from certain factories, add their own label or packaging and retail to the public as their own brand. They are therefore available from numerous suppliers.
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Mixing bowl composition
This is the ingredients list as printed on the packaging or manufacturer's website.
Think of the 'mixing bowl' composition like a recipe - all the ingredients you would need to put in a 'mixing bowl' in order to make the food.
Ingredients have to be listed in descending order of their weight so the higher it appears, the more there is.
Highlighted ingredients
Ingredients that we believe to be controversial or inferior are highlighted in yellow with particularly low grade, highly contentious or excessively vague ingredients in red.
As fed composition
While the 'mixing bowl' composition is useful for knowing what went into the food, it doesn't always reflect what your dog is actually eating. This is because the processes that turn the ingredients into the finished pet food can significantly alter the relative weights of the ingredients.
For this reason we've calculated the approximate 'as fed' percentages for the main ingredient categories in the finished product.
Please note that these figures are very approximate. They are estimates based on the information provided by the manufacturer in the ingredients list so the clearer the terminology and the more percentages they provide, the more accurate our estimates will be. Wherever information is lacking, we always assume the worst.
Ingredient categories
Meat ingredients: includes all meat and fish ingredients except isolated fats/oils.
Added oils and fats: includes all isolated oil and fat ingredients.
Carb-rich ingredients: includes all ingredients derived from grains, pseudo-grains, potatoes and other starchy root vegetables, sweet potato and legumes (except whole peas which are categorised under fruit and veg) except for isolated protein and extracted oils. Also includes fibre supplements.
Fruit and veg: includes all whole vegetables and fruits.
Other: all other ingredients. Mostly made up by nutritional supplements and additives.
For more information on any ingredient, please take a look at our Dog Food Ingredient Glossary
The dry matter level of a nutrient is the percentage there would be in the food if all of the water was removed.
With water taken out of the equation, these figures allow the nutrient levels of foods of different types (like wet and dry) to be compared on an even playing field.
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The
price per dayof feeding this food based on feeding the manufacturer's recommended daily amount from 12kg bags bought at their rrp to a dog of:
Note:All suggested feeding amounts and costs are only approximate and may vary considerably from dog to dog. Be sure to contact the manufacturer if in any doubt.
65 out of 100-Good
Our unique product ratings are calculated based on a number of characteristics including the quality and quantity of the stated ingredients, certain nutritional and technological additives and the processing methods used to create the food. They are designed to indicate how beneficial we think a food is likely to be for the majority of dogs when fed on a daily basis for an extended period. Click here for more information
Country of origin: United Kingdom
A technological additive is any substance added to a pet food "for a technological purpose and which favourably affects the characteristics of feed".
The most common categories of technological additives include preservatives and antioxidants, gelling agents and thickeners and probiotics.
While the primary effects of technoloical additives are certainly 'favourable' (increased shelf life in the case of preservatives & antioxidants, better food texture and consistency in the case of gelling agents and thickeners etc.) some have been linked to health problems in pets and should be treated with caution.
Unfortunately, many technological additives do not have to be declared by the manufacturer so just because they do not appear on the label does not necessarily mean they are not in the food. If in doubt, ask the manufacturer directly exactly what technological additives their foods contain.
Autarky Dog Food Review
Autarky prides itself on using high-quality ingredients at an affordable price. Continue reading to learn more about this popular dog food!
Autarky produces a range of dry dog food which has been developed with input from a canine nutritionist to offer high-quality at a low cost.
With options for dogs at every stage of their life, as well as more active working dogs, theres a formula to suit all needs.
Autarky also recognize the dilemma that many owners face with a dog who has a sensitive stomach. Thats why they have included hypoallergenic and grain-free recipes, as well as dog food which is gluten-free too.
What this means is that no matter what your dog needs from their diet, youll be able to find an Autarky food they can enjoy.
The emphasis is firmly on high nutritional value with no nasty additives or chemicals, but at an affordable price-point.
Top-quality dog food which is inexpensive: sounds too good to be true? Check out our Autarky dog food review to see if it delivers on its promises.
Range of Autarky Dog Foods
As mentioned above, Autarky are proud of the fact that they offer solid nutritional content with options to meet the needs of any dog.
Whether youve got a young pup, a senior or a dog thats got digestive issues, theres an Autarky feed that will tick every box.
There isnt a huge amount of flavors compared to some of its competitors so if you like to give your canine plenty of variety, you might be a bit disappointed. The Autarky range offers:
- Puppy/Junior Delicious Chicken
- Adult Delicious Chicken
- Adult Succulent Salmon
- Mature Lite Delicious Chicken
- Mature Lite Succulent Salmon
- Adult Grain-Free White Fish and Potato
- Adult Grain-Free Tantalizing Turkey and Potato
Every formula has been created to offer a complete nutritional feed so theres no need to top Autarky up with any additional dog food.
If you prefer, you can add water or gravy to any of the kibbles, but ensure that it isnt at boiling temperature, This prevents the vitamins and minerals from being damaged.
Recommended: Unlike other brands in the market, Crave dog food provides higher protein content in their feed.
Healthy Ingredients and Benefits
Before we look at whats in Autarky, its worth mentioning what isnt. You wont find any artificial flavorings, colors or preservatives in any of the formulas.
Autarky have a strict philosophy of developing their recipes only using high-quality raw food. Theres nothing added apart from natural antioxidants.
If youre trying to avoid any particular ingredient, you can just check the packaging. Autarky are open and transparent about everything that goes into each type of dog food so even the smallest ingredient is listed on the label.
This may sound obvious but not all ingredients are included in the labelling of pet food so its a clear advantage for picky eaters or dogs with allergies.
Protein is essential for energy and overall canine health and this ranges from 17% (for the Lite foods) to a whopping 27%. This comes from meat and fish rather than cheaper derivatives, making it easier for your dog to metabolize and digest.
Recommended: Did Autarky make our list of the top hypoallergenic foods for dogs?
Some of the formulas are protective of joint health, including green-lipped mussel, glucosamine, olive extract, and marine algae. This is especially important for older dogs or breeds more prone to joint degeneration. The Autarky Grain Free Tantalizing Turkey and Potato is one recipe that contains this.
Carbohydrates are provided by slow-release ingredients such as potato and sweet potato, providing a steady supply of energy and preventing unwanted spikes.
Vitamin B and zinc help to keep the skin in good condition and the coat shiny and glossy.
Even if you dont opt for the grain-free food, digestive health gets a boost from prebiotics, plus the antioxidants support the immune system.
Its not just about the benefits for the dog though. Yucca is also included which helps to cut back on unpleasant fecal odors by as much as 26%. Theres not a dog owner around who wouldnt appreciate that!
Is Autarky Dog Food Good Value for Money?
Autarky prides itself on the quality of its ingredients and goes the extra mile to include plant and herb extracts to compliment the protein.
Its therefore quite surprising to discover that its also excellent value for money.
Compared to other similar feeds the price is either on par or cheaper than most other brands.
The Autarky grain-free dog food works out more expensive more day than the other recipes. However, once again, in comparison to other grain-free dog food brands on the market, its either similar or cheaper than most.
Are there any Drawbacks to Choosing Autarky?
Autarky is a premium kibble with recipes that are carefully balanced and researched, with a commitment to using the best raw and natural ingredients.
There are lots of benefits and many Autarky dog food reviews demonstrate that owners and pooches! are very happy with the brand.
The lack of variety is one small drawback, especially if your dog is somewhat picky.
The other problem with the limited range is that three out of seven available recipes contain chicken. Unfortunately, this is a known allergen for many dogs.
Therefore, while Autarky scores highly for offering hypoallergenic formulas and avoiding gluten and wheat, your dog may still struggle to tolerate it.
Of course, Autarky Salmon is an alternative and this may suit your dog instead.
The other small issue is that they use maize as a bulking agent. This is tolerated fairly well compared to other possible ingredients but may still be difficult to digest for some dogs.
Recommended: Looking for affordable yet high-quality dog food? Check out CSJ here!
Our Thoughts
Overall, Autarky is a brand which achieves the near-impossible: combining high quality with great value.
They have a clear dedication to only using natural ingredients, and dont add any artificial fillers to fluff out the food.
Good alternatives to Autarky could include Eukanuba, but this is pricier. Another option is CSJ but there is controversy about the nutritional content, with opinion divided.
For other grain-free brands, you could take a look at Dr John Grain-Free or Wainwrights Grain-Free but both are more expensive.
If you dont mind the lack of variety and are looking for a good balance of value and nutrition, Autarky is one dog food brand that genuinely scores well.
