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Paw Lickin Chicken Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Weruva

Paw Lickin Chicken Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Verified Aug 26, 2026

Dog · Dry Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a very high-protein, freeze-dried chicken dog food made with 96% boneless, skinless chicken breast as the main ingredient. It’s a complete and balanced diet for adult dogs that can be fed as the main food, or used as a high-value topper or treat, with added vitamins and minerals to round out the nutrition. The bite-sized, fully cooked cubes can be served dry or rehydrated with water, which can be helpful for dogs who enjoy softer textures or need extra moisture.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls

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Official product page
KibbleLab Score
8.4 out of 10

Strong Choice

Nutritionally, this is a very high-protein, meat-focused freeze-dried food that should suit active adult dogs who do well on chicken. The short ingredient list is straightforward, with chicken as the clear star and added vitamins and minerals to make it complete and balanced. Its calorie density and rich protein content mean it’s important to measure portions carefully, especially for smaller or less-active dogs.

Nutritional profile 8.6
Ingredient composition 8.0
Adequacy substantiation 7.0
Health considerations 10.0

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

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Very high protein level (minimum 68%) from chicken, which supports lean muscle in active adult dogs.
  • Simple, meat-heavy ingredient list with chicken and chicken fat as key ingredients, which many dogs find highly palatable.
  • Freeze-dried, fully cooked format offers the convenience of dry food with the option to add moisture by rehydrating.
  • Formulated as a complete and balanced diet for everyday feeding, while also working well as a topper or high-value treat.

Considerations

  • Chicken is a common food allergen, so this would not be appropriate for dogs with known chicken sensitivities.
  • The high protein and relatively high calorie density (about 235 kcal per cup) mean portion control is important to avoid unwanted weight gain, particularly in less-active dogs.
  • Tapioca starch is the main carbohydrate source, which offers energy but does not add much fiber; some dogs may benefit from additional fiber from other parts of the diet.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Chicken, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Tapioca Starch, Egg Shell Meal, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservatives), Fenugreek, Choline Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement.

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.
View ingredient
02
Chicken Fat
Chicken fat is used in dog and cat foods as a concentrated energy and flavor source that supplies essential fatty acids (notably linoleic acid) and aids absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins, improving palatability and supporting skin and coat health. Because it is calorie‑dense, diets must account for added fat to prevent weight gain, and quality (proper rendering and antioxidant protection to prevent rancidity) is important; although fats are less commonly allergenic than proteins, pets with poultry sensitivities may still react in some cases.
03
Mixed Tocopherol
Mixed tocopherols are a blend of natural vitamin E compounds (alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols) used in pet foods primarily as a natural antioxidant and preservative to protect fats and fat‑soluble nutrients and extend shelf life. They also supply dietary vitamin E—an essential antioxidant for immune function, skin and coat health and cellular integrity in dogs and cats—and are generally safe at typical use levels, though they are not a substitute for a complete vitamin formulation and may be less effective in animals with fat‑absorption disorders.
04
Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch is a purified carbohydrate used in pet foods mainly as a thickener, binder and easily digestible energy source, contributing virtually no protein, fat, vitamins or minerals. It is low‑allergy and gluten‑free, but because it is a high‑glycemic, low‑nutrient filler it should be limited in diets for overweight or diabetic pets and not relied on for essential nutrition.
05
Eggshell
Eggshell is used in pet foods as a natural source of calcium (primarily calcium carbonate) and trace minerals to support bone growth, maintenance and reproductive needs in dogs and cats. When cleaned, heat-treated and finely ground it can provide a bioavailable, sustainable calcium supplement, but it must be balanced with phosphorus in the diet and used cautiously in growing animals or pets with metabolic or urinary issues, and only from properly processed sources to avoid contamination or physical 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.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
68.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
11.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
1.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
8.00%
Low High
235
kcal / Cup
112
kcal / Oz
3952
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 Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Freeze Dried
Processing method Freeze Dried
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 Adult Maintenance
Substantiation Formulation
Complete & Balanced for Adult Dogs

Brand

The flagship Weruva brand offers premium wet cat and dog foods made with whole cuts of meat and fish, produced according to strict human food standards. Known for its high-moisture, protein-rich recipes, Weruva caters to pet owners seeking top-quality nutrition.

Price tier $$$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Weruva International, Inc.
Founded 2006
Headquarters Natick, Massachusetts, USA
Website weruva.com
Manufacturing type Contract Manufacturer
Manufacturing country Thailand
Manufacturing region Chonburi Province
Manufacturing oversight

Weruva pet foods are manufactured in human food facilities that meet strict standards for safety and quality, including FDA, BRC, and HACCP certifications. The company oversees manufacturing closely to ensure ingredient integrity and overall product safety.

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 Weruva Paw Lickin Chicken Freeze-Dried 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.
8.4 /10 Grade A
Paw Lickin Chicken Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Weruva · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Weruva ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Weruva. 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.