Grain Free Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 7, 2026
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.
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.
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At a Glance
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.
Full Ingredient List
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.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.
Visit Health ExtensionManufacturer
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
Health Extension Grain Free Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Health Extension ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Health Extension. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
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.
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 database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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