Chicken Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Verified Jun 11, 2026
This is a high-protein, freeze-dried raw-style food for dogs, using chicken (including liver and heart) as its single animal protein source. It also includes small amounts of fruits, vegetables, flaxseed, fish oil, and added vitamins and minerals to make it a complete and balanced diet or a nutrient-dense topper. The recipe is designed for dogs of all ages, except large-breed puppies, who do well on a rich, meat-focused formula.
Nutritionally, this is a very dense, meat-forward freeze-dried food with an excellent protein level and a clear, limited-ingredient list centered on chicken. It’s complete and balanced for most life stages and can work either as a full diet or as a high-value topper to boost protein and palatability. The main caveats are its very high fat and calorie content and the fact that it’s not appropriate as the sole diet for large-breed puppies.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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At a Glance
What "not formulated for" means
Life stages this food isn't certified complete and balanced for, based on its AAFCO statement.KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Very high protein (minimum 51.5%) from clearly named, high-quality chicken, including nutrient-rich organ meats like liver and heart.
- Limited-ingredient formula with a single animal protein source, which can be helpful for dogs with certain food sensitivities who tolerate chicken.
- Includes beneficial extras like flaxseed and fish oil (omega fatty acids), inulin (a prebiotic fiber), and kelp, plus a full vitamin–mineral premix for complete and balanced nutrition.
- AAFCO-formulated for all life stages except large-breed puppy growth, so it can be used as a main diet or topper for most dogs when fed as directed.
Considerations
- Very high fat (minimum 29%) and calorie density (about 4467 kcal/kg and ~10 kcal per nugget) may be too rich for dogs who need strict weight control or who have a history of pancreatitis; portion control is important if used as a main diet or topper.
- Chicken is a common food allergen for dogs, so this food would not be suitable for dogs with known chicken allergies or intolerances.
- Not appropriate as the sole diet for large-breed puppies (those expected to reach 70 lb or more as adults), based on the AAFCO statement.
- Because it is a freeze-dried raw-style product, it may not be ideal for severely immunocompromised pets or households where raw-type products are a concern; careful handling and storage are important.
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
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
03
Chicken Heart
Chicken heart is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in dog and cat foods and treats as a highly palatable animal protein source, providing taurine, B vitamins (notably B12), iron, zinc and coenzyme Q10. It supports lean muscle and, for cats, provides essential taurine, but should be included as part of a balanced formulation and properly sourced/processed to reduce bacterial risk, since excessive organ intake can unbalance nutrients or be a concern for pets with specific metabolic or urate-stone issues.
04
Carrot
Carrot is used in pet foods as a vegetable ingredient providing fiber, moisture, texture and antioxidant nutrients such as beta‑carotene (a provitamin A), vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium, contributing to palatability and digestive bulk. Cooked carrots are more digestible and release more beta‑carotene, but cats cannot efficiently convert beta‑carotene to active vitamin A so carrots are more nutritionally useful for dogs than as a primary vitamin A source for cats; they should be fed in moderation due to natural sugars and should be offered in appropriately sized pieces to avoid choking.
05
Apple
Apple is used in pet foods as a fruit ingredient that supplies soluble fiber (pectin), natural flavor, moisture, and small amounts of vitamins and antioxidants. It can support digestion and add low‑calorie sweetness, but seeds and cores should be avoided because of cyanogenic compounds, apples are relatively high in natural sugars so should be used in moderation (and washed to remove pesticides), and cats—being obligate carnivores—gain less nutritional benefit than dogs.
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
PureBites is a pet treat and food brand specializing in high-quality, single-ingredient treats and freeze-dried raw foods for dogs and cats. The brand targets health-conscious pet owners seeking minimally processed, natural protein sources. Its products are marketed as pure and simple, focusing on nutritional transparency and limited ingredients.
Visit PureBitesManufacturer
Pure Treats Inc. oversees manufacturing operations in North America with strict adherence to food safety and quality assurance programs, including sourcing from USDA-inspected facilities and maintaining traceability of raw materials. Products are made under standards that meet or exceed applicable Canadian and U.S. pet food regulations.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
PureBites Chicken Freeze-Dried Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has PureBites ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for PureBites. 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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