Pulsar Chicken Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 9, 2026
This is a grain-free dry dog food for all life stages that uses chicken meal and fresh chicken as its main animal protein sources. Red lentils and peas provide the bulk of the carbohydrates and fiber, with added flaxseed, egg, fruits, vegetables, and probiotics for additional nutrients. It’s formulated to meet AAFCO standards for everything from puppies, including large breeds, to adult and senior dogs.
Nutritionally, this is a high-protein, moderate-fat, grain-free kibble that should suit many healthy dogs, including large-breed puppies, as it meets AAFCO profiles for all life stages including large-breed growth. It offers a good mix of animal protein from chicken and egg, plus added taurine, omega fatty acids, and probiotics. The main caveat is that it relies heavily on lentils and peas, so for breeds with potential heart concerns or dogs already on a legume-heavy diet, I would be a bit more cautious and discuss it with your vet.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Solid protein level at 28% from chicken meal, fresh chicken, and egg product, which together provide a good amino acid profile for growth and maintenance.
- Formulated to AAFCO standards for all life stages, including growth of large-breed dogs, with an appropriate calcium-to-phosphorus ratio for those puppies.
- Includes added taurine, omega-3 from flaxseed, and multiple probiotic strains, which can support heart, skin/coat, and digestive health.
- Contains a variety of fruits and vegetables (carrots, apples, broccoli, cabbage, blueberries) that contribute natural antioxidants and micronutrients.
Considerations
- This is a grain-free formula that uses red lentils, peas, and pea starch as primary carbohydrates; legume-heavy, grain-free diets have been associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in some dogs, so caution is warranted, especially in at-risk breeds.
- Chicken and egg are common food allergens for dogs, so this diet would not be suitable for dogs with known sensitivities to those ingredients.
- At 408 kcal per cup, this is a relatively calorie-dense food, so portion control is important to prevent unwanted weight gain, particularly in less active dogs.
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
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Lentil
Lentils are a plant-based source of protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber and micronutrients (notably folate and iron) commonly used in pet foods to add bulk, promote satiety and help moderate post-meal blood sugar. They can be a useful ingredient for dogs when properly processed and balanced with animal-derived amino acids, but lentil protein is less digestible and incomplete for obligate carnivores like cats; high legume inclusion can also increase gas or digestive upset and has been discussed in the context of diet-associated heart concerns in dogs, so lentils should be used in nutritionally complete, vetted formulations.
03
Pea
Pea is a plant-based ingredient used in pet foods as a source of protein, soluble and insoluble fiber, and micronutrients (often included as whole peas, pea flour, or pea protein concentrate) to boost protein content and improve texture. While peas can provide digestible carbohydrates, fiber, and some plant protein useful especially for dogs, they are not a complete protein for obligate carnivores like cats and — when overused, particularly in concentrated forms or as a major component of grain‑free diets — have been scrutinized for a possible association with canine dilated cardiomyopathy and can contribute to nutrient imbalances or excess calories, so balanced formulation and compliance with AAFCO nutritional profiles are important.
04
Pea Starch
Pea starch is used in pet foods primarily as a carbohydrate binder, thickener and texture agent to help form kibble and provide readily digestible energy, rather than as a protein or fiber source. It is a gluten‑free, highly digestible starch that can increase calorie density and glycemic load (important for overweight or diabetic pets) and, like other pea/legume ingredients used in high amounts in some grain‑free diets, should be part of a balanced formulation chosen with veterinary guidance for pets with special health concerns.
05
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
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
Pulsar features single-protein, limited-ingredient recipes with pulses (lentils and peas) as sustainable carbohydrate sources, offering affordability while maintaining Horizon’s Canadian quality standards.
Visit PulsarManufacturer
All products are manufactured in Horizon’s own human-grade production facility in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. The company maintains strict quality control, source traceability, and adheres to Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) standards, AAFCO nutritional guidelines, and HACCP-based food safety practices.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Pulsar Pulsar Chicken Grain-Free Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Pulsar ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Pulsar. 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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