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Grain Free Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Health Extension

Grain Free Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food

Verified Aug 21, 2026

Dog · Dry Puppy Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a grain-free dry dog food for puppies and adults that uses venison and venison meal as the main animal proteins, supported by pork meal. Sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and lentils provide the carbohydrate base, with added salmon oil, coconut oil, and a long list of fruits, vegetables, and probiotics. It’s formulated to be complete and balanced for all life stages, including large-breed puppies, and is geared toward dogs who may need an alternative to common poultry proteins.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls

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Official product page
KibbleLab Score
8.2 out of 10

Strong Choice

This is a high-quality, grain-free dry food with venison-based protein and a thoughtful blend of fats, probiotics, and plant ingredients. The protein and fat levels are appropriate for most dogs, and it is formulated to meet AAFCO standards for all life stages, including large-breed growth. Because it relies on chickpeas and lentils as key carbohydrates, it may not be the best fit for dogs where you and your vet are trying to avoid legume-heavy, grain-free diets due to heart concerns.

Nutritional profile 9.6
Ingredient composition 8.0
Adequacy substantiation 7.0
Health considerations 8.0

Computed from 4 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

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At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
Where these benefits come from Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.
Sensitive Stomach Probiotic Support Digestive Health Skin Coat Health Immune Support Joint Care Heart Care Brain Health Endurance Support Weight Management Allergy Support Appetite Support
Suitable For
Puppy Adult All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Venison and venison meal provide identifiable animal protein as the foundation of the diet.
  • All-life-stages AAFCO formulation, including for large-breed puppies, makes it flexible for multi-dog households.
  • Includes salmon oil and plant oils that supply omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support skin and coat.
  • Contains added probiotics, prebiotic fibers, and a variety of fruits and vegetables that can support digestive and overall health.

Considerations

  • Chickpeas and lentils are major carbohydrates; legume-heavy grain-free diets have been linked to heart issues in some dogs, so discuss with your vet if you have concerns.
  • Venison and pork may not suit dogs with known sensitivities to red meats or pork.
  • The 25% protein is adequate but somewhat moderate compared with some other grain-free, meat-focused kibbles.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Deboned Venison, Venison meal, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Pork meal, Chickpeas, Lentils, Sunflower Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Brewers Dried Yeast, Salmon Oil (Source of DHA), Dried Beet Pulp, Coconut Oil, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Turmeric, Organic Black Pepper, Organic Ginger, Bovine Colostrum, Organic Blueberries, Cranberries, Organic Goji Berries, Organic Tart Cherries, Organic Pomegranate, Organic Pineapple, Organic Papaya, Organic Apple, Dried Kelp, Dried Seaweed Meal, New Zealand Green Mussel, Organic Carrots, Organic Pumpkin, Green Tea Extract, Sage Extract, Organic Parsley, Organic Spinach, Organic Kale, Sweet Basil, Thyme Extract, Organic Ashwagandha, Organic Chaga, Organic Lion's Mane, Organic Reishi, Organic Turkey Tail, Organic Shiitake, Organic Maitake, Organic Cordyceps, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Choline Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Inositol, Organic Dehydrated Kelp, Zinc Polysaccharide Complex, Iron Polysaccharide Complex, Manganese Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Polysaccharide Complex, Cobalt Polysaccharide Complex, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Pectin, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Baciollus coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Product.

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Venison
Venison is used in pet food primarily as a high-quality, novel animal protein source that is lean and rich in essential amino acids, iron and B vitamins, making it suitable for both dogs and cats and commonly included in limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic formulas. It can benefit pets with sensitivities to common proteins like beef or chicken and offer a lower-fat alternative, but owners should note that it may be too lean for growing animals, still can cause allergies in some pets, and raw or poorly sourced venison may carry parasites or contaminants (risks that are minimized in properly processed commercial diets).
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02
Venison
Venison is used in pet food primarily as a high-quality, novel animal protein source that is lean and rich in essential amino acids, iron and B vitamins, making it suitable for both dogs and cats and commonly included in limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic formulas. It can benefit pets with sensitivities to common proteins like beef or chicken and offer a lower-fat alternative, but owners should note that it may be too lean for growing animals, still can cause allergies in some pets, and raw or poorly sourced venison may carry parasites or contaminants (risks that are minimized in properly processed commercial diets).
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03
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
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04
Pork
Pork is used in pet foods primarily as a high-quality animal protein and flavor enhancer, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins (especially B12 and niacin), iron and zinc, plus fat for calorie-dense energy; it can be suitable for both dogs and cats when balanced in a complete diet. Because pork can be relatively high in fat, it may be inappropriate for pets requiring low‑fat diets or those prone to pancreatitis, some animals may have sensitivities to pork, and raw or undercooked pork can carry parasites or pathogens so it should be properly processed or cooked.
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05
Chickpea
Chickpeas are a legume commonly used in pet foods as a plant-based protein, source of digestible carbohydrates, and supply of soluble and insoluble fiber that helps with stool quality and satiety. They can be a useful ingredient for dogs but are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and may cause gas or digestive upset if underprocessed; additionally, high inclusion of legumes in some grain‑free diets has been discussed as a potential factor in canine dilated cardiomyopathy so diets should be balanced and any concerns discussed with your veterinarian.
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Nutritional Breakdown

How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
25.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
15.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
5.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
10.00%
Low High
431
kcal / Cup
3792
kcal / Kg
Moderate
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Puppy
Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Kibble
Processing method Slow Cooked
Food type Dry

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages All Life Stages, Large Breed Growth (70+ lbs)
Substantiation Formulation
Holistic Health Extension Grain Free Venison Little Bites Recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages including growth of large size dogs (70lbs. or more as an adult).

Brand

Health Extension is the flagship brand of Health Extension Pet Care, offering holistic dog and cat foods made with premium proteins and whole-food ingredients. The brand targets pet owners seeking natural, grain-inclusive, and grain-free options without artificial additives.

Price tier $$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Health Extension Pet Care
Founded 1963
Headquarters Hauppauge, New York, USA
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region New York
Manufacturing oversight

Health Extension Pet Care oversees manufacturing in facilities that comply with FDA and AAFCO standards. Each batch undergoes quality assurance and safety checks, and foods are made in the USA using high-quality ingredients sourced from trusted suppliers.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

No recall is listed for Health Extension Grain Free Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.2 /10 Grade A
Grain Free Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Health Extension · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Health Extension ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Health Extension. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.