VFS Powerhound Turkey & Chicken Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 15, 2026
This is a very high-protein, energy-dense dry food for dogs that uses turkey, chicken, chicken meal, and herring meal as its main animal protein sources. It keeps dietary starch quite low and adds herring oil, flaxseed, and a vitamin–mineral mix, along with probiotics, to support overall health. It’s designed as a complete and balanced option for most puppies and adult dogs, as well as pregnant and lactating females, but not for large-breed puppies.
This is a high-quality, meat-forward kibble with an unusually high protein level and very low starch, which can work well for active dogs that do best on a higher-protein, higher-calorie diet. The combination of multiple animal proteins, omega-3–rich herring oil, and added taurine, glucosamine, and probiotics makes it nutritionally robust for most life stages. It is not appropriate for large-breed puppies, and the calorie density means portions need to be measured carefully, especially for dogs prone to weight gain or with lower activity levels.
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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 (40% as-fed) from named animal sources (turkey, chicken, chicken meal, herring meal), providing excellent amino acid support for muscles and growth.
- Ultra-low dietary starch (max 10%) with controlled sugars, which may suit dogs that do better on meat-heavy, lower-carb diets.
- Includes herring oil and flaxseed, giving a strong omega-3 and omega-6 profile, plus added taurine and glucosamine for additional joint and cardiac support potential.
- Contains probiotics (Bacillus coagulans), chicory root (a prebiotic fiber), and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, and is AAFCO-formulated as complete and balanced for all life stages except large-breed growth.
Considerations
- Not suitable for growth of large-breed puppies (dogs expected to reach 70 lb or more as adults), so it should not be used for that group.
- Calorie density is high (about 525 kcal per cup), so overfeeding is easy; portions need to be carefully controlled, especially for less active or overweight-prone dogs.
- Uses multiple common protein allergens (chicken, turkey, fish), so it’s not a good choice for dogs with known sensitivities to any of these ingredients.
- Legume- and grain-free, relying on potatoes and fiber sources instead; while this avoids peas and lentils, any unconventional or boutique-type formulations should ideally be fed under veterinary guidance in dogs with heart disease risk.
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
Turkey
Turkey is commonly used as a primary animal protein in dog and cat foods, offering highly digestible, high‑quality protein and supplying essential amino acids along with B vitamins, phosphorus and zinc to support muscle maintenance and metabolism. Its fat level varies by cut so products can be lean or richer; some pets may develop allergies to poultry, cooked bones are hazardous, raw meat carries bacterial risk, and owners should rely on balanced commercial formulations (and ensure adequate taurine for cats) if turkey is a main ingredient.
02
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.
03
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.
04
Herring
Herring is commonly used as a high-quality, palatable fish protein and oil source in dog and cat foods, supplying digestible protein along with beneficial long-chain omega-3s (EPA/DHA), vitamin D, B vitamins and trace minerals. It can support skin, coat and joint health, but may be an allergen for some pets and raw fish can contain thiaminase (typically destroyed by commercial cooking); owners should also consider fat content for pancreatitis-prone animals and look for responsibly sourced, low-contaminant products.
05
Potato
Potato is commonly used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate source and functional binder, supplying starch, fiber, and modest amounts of vitamins (B6, C) and potassium—often included as cooked or dehydrated flakes, starch, or protein concentrates. While it provides energy and helps formulate grain‑free recipes, potatoes are not a primary protein for dogs or cats (and are not nutritionally required for obligate‑carnivore cats), can contribute to excess calories or affect blood glucose in diabetic animals, and must be cooked and free of green skins or sprouts to avoid solanine toxicity; allergies are uncommon but possible.
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
SquarePet is a premium pet food brand offering veterinarian-formulated diets for dogs and cats. The brand focuses on functional nutrition with high-protein formulas, limited-ingredient diets, and solutions-based recipes, such as those for gastrointestinal and skin sensitivities. Their formulas often use cage-free meats and responsibly sourced animal proteins.
Visit SquarePetManufacturer
SquarePet partners with U.S.-based manufacturers that meet stringent food safety and quality control standards, including adherence to FDA and AAFCO regulations. The company ensures that ingredient sourcing and production processes are closely monitored for safety and nutritional integrity.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
SquarePet VFS Powerhound Turkey & Chicken Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has SquarePet ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for SquarePet. 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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