performatrin ultra limited dog food sweet potato and salmon

Performatrin Ultra Dog Food Review (Dry)

The Performatrin Ultra product line includes the 12 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is turkey. Although it is a quality item, raw turkey contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

The second ingredient is salmon meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.

Fish meal is typically obtained from the clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations.¹

The third ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.

The next ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The next item is chicken meal, another protein-rich meat concentrate.

The sixth ingredient is 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 seventh ingredient is rye, a cereal grain nutritionally similar to barley.

The eighth 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 doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The ninth ingredient is dried egg product, a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries from eggs that have failed to hatch.

In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The tenth ingredient is quinoa. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is not a true cereal grain but a plant prized for its gluten-free seeds.

Compared to most other grain-type ingredients, it is high in protein (about 12-18%), dietary fiber and other healthy nutrients.

From here, 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 Performatrin product.

With 8 notable exceptions

First, we find tomato pomace. Tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient, a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.

Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.

Just the same, theres probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.

Next, although alfalfa meal is high in plant protein (about 18%) and fiber (25%), this hay-family item is more commonly associated with horse feeds.

In addition, this recipe includes flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

Next, dried yeast can be a controversial item. Dried yeast contains about 45% protein and is rich in other healthy nutrients.

Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.

Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself.

Whats more, a vocal minority insist yeast can increase the risk of developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. However, this is something weve not been able to scientifically verify.

In any case, unless your dog is specifically allergic to it, we feel yeast should be considered a nutritious addition.

We also 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.

Additionally, selenium yeast is used in this food. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.

Next, we find garlic which can also be a controversial item. Although many favor the ingredient for its claimed health benefits, garlic has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs.²

So, one must weigh the potential benefits of feeding garlic against its proven tendency to cause subclinical damage to the red blood cells of the animal.

And lastly, this food includes 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.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Performatrin Ultra Dog Food looks like an above-average dry kibble.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 31%, a fat level of 16% and estimated carbohydrates of about 45%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 29% and a mean fat level of 14%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 49% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 49%.

Which means this product line contains

Above-average protein. Below-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to other kibbles.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the flaxseed, alfalfa meal, and dried yeast, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a notable amount of meat.

Performatrin Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give Performatrin Dog Food a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Performatrin is a Canadian brand of pet food that is manufactured by the Pet Valu pet store franchise. Pet Valu has approximately 600 stores, is the leading pet food retailer across Canada, and has been in business for over 40 years.

Performatrin Dog Food covers all life stages with a large number of recipes for different needs. Its a high-quality food with three lines, all with a great variety of flavors. If youre interested in learning more about Performatrin, heres extra information so youll know if this premium dog food will be suitable for your dog.

At a Glance: Performatrin Dog Food Recipes

Performatrin Dog Food Reviewed

Performatrin has three product lines that include wet and dry food and treats. It also carries cat food, but here, we just look at the three food lines for dogs.

The first is Performatrin, which has 18 dry food and 14 wet food recipes. Then theres Performatrin Ultra, which is the most popular line in the Performatrin product range. There are about 50 recipes for dry food and 19 canned food recipes in the Ultra line. It additionally has a variety of different stews. Finally, theres the Performatrin Naturals line, which has eight recipes for dry food and four canned food recipes.

Performatrin offers almost every kind of food for any kind of dog and with multiple options in flavors. It has puppy, adult, and senior food. There are limited-ingredient options for dogs with food allergies and grain-free options in addition to wholesome grains. There are also recipes for dogs that need to maintain a healthy weight.

Performatrin is high-quality food, and considering the vast number of recipes available, it should suit almost every dog at all activity levels and life stages. Each recipe has whole meat as the first and main ingredient, is nutritionally balanced, and doesnt have any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Who Makes Performatrin and Where Is It Produced?

Performatrin is manufactured by Pet Valu, which is based in Canada. The recipes are formulated by an in-house animal nutritionist. However, there isnt any information on the website regarding where the dog food is manufactured or how and where the ingredients are sourced.

What is known that is their products are produced in Canada, and domestic and imported ingredients are used. Additionally, the recipes are formulated to meet the AAFCO requirements for dogs of all life stages.

Which Types of Dogs Is Performatrin Best Suited For?

There are no limitations in what dogs Performatrin is best for. The company has recipes for small and large breeds and a large variety of flavors for different health issues. Just be sure to check with your vet before you switch your dog to a new food.

Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better with a Different Brand?

Dogs on a specialized diet, particularly a prescription diet, should not eat this food until the vet has okayed it. Any dog with a medical issue should not be given new food without a vet consultation.

Discussion of the Primary Ingredients

Since there are approximately 76 dry food and 37 canned food recipes from Performatrin, we will just do an overall general review of the ingredients.

The first ingredient in many of the recipes is whole meat, sometimes followed by a meal, which is essentially a meat concentrate. This makes it much higher in protein than even whole meat. Some recipes have healthy, whole grains, such as oatmeal, barley, or brown rice.

Overall, the ingredients are all-natural, with added vitamins and minerals, but no artificial ingredients.

A Quick Look at Performatrin Dog Food

• High-quality ingredients
• Huge variety of recipes
• Meant for all kinds of dogs of all ages and sizes
• Real meat is the main ingredient in most recipes
• Limited-ingredient recipes available

• Expensive
• Some recipes have questionable ingredients
• No transparency in the sourcing of ingredients

Recall History

As of writing, there have not been any known recalls for any of the Performatrin lines of pet food.

Reviews of the Performatrin Dog Food Recipes

Lets take a closer look at three recipes of Performatrin Dog Food.

1. Performatrin Ultra Chicken & Brown Rice Adult Recipe

Performatrin Ultra Chicken & Brown Rice Adult Recipe has whole chicken as the main ingredient. It is followed by brown rice, an excellent dietary fiber source. It has added omega-3 and -6 to maintain a healthy coat and skin, as well as prebiotics and probiotics for a healthy digestive system. There are also other nutritious ingredients, including sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cranberries, and blueberries.

• Whole chicken is the primary ingredient
• Added prebiotics and probiotics
• Full of nutritious fruits and vegetables
• Excellent source of omega 3 and 6

• Contains peas and a small amount of garlic

2. Performatrin Ultra Wholesome Grains Salmon Adult Recipe

Performatrin Ultra Wholesome Grains Salmon Adult Recipe can work quite well for dogs that need to maintain a healthy weight. It uses salmon and salmon meal as the main ingredients, which make for a high protein level, and has the added benefit of increasing the omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for strong muscles and a healthy heart. It contains L-leucine and L-carnitine, which support energy and metabolism for a healthy weight.

• Salmon and salmon meal for high protein and omegas
• Contains L-leucine and L-carnitine to support a healthy weight
• Healthy grains but without wheat or soy
• Includes prebiotics, probiotics, and antioxidants for gut and overall health

3. Performatrin Ultra Limited Potato & Salmon Recipe Dry Food

If your dog has a food allergy or sensitivity or needs to be put on a Performatrin Ultra Limited Potato & Salmon Recipe Dry Food, this food is a great option (with your vets permission, of course). It contains one source of protein (salmon) and limited carbohydrate sources. Its also grain, gluten, and chicken-free and contains omega-3 and 6 and coconut oil.

• Limited protein and carbohydrates
• Good option for dogs with food allergies/sensitivities
• Contains omega-3 and 6 and coconut oil
• Grain, gluten, and chicken free

What Other Users Are Saying

• Dog Food Advisor Rated Performatrin Ultra as highly recommended and a score of 4.5 stars.
• Pet Supermarket The provided links are for the Canadian Pet Valu website, but for the US, you can find Petformatrins pet food at Pet Supermarket. You can also read reviews for the food there.

Conclusion

Performatrin has so many options available that almost everyone can probably find a recipe suitable for their dog. It contains high-quality ingredients and no artificial flavors, colors, or fillers. Just remember to speak to your vet before you switch your dogs food. This is particularly important if your dog has any medical conditions.

Featured Image Credit: Performatrin