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Grain Free Turkey & Vegetable Recipe Mini Dog Treats
Darford

Grain Free Turkey & Vegetable Recipe Mini Dog Treats

Verified Jun 10, 2026

Dog · Treat All Breed Sizes

These are crunchy, oven-baked grain-free treats for dogs, using turkey as the main animal protein along with sweet potatoes, potatoes, and peas as the primary carbohydrates. They also include fruits, vegetables, and herbs like carrots, apples, berries, sage, and rosemary, which add some natural antioxidants and flavor. At about 7 calories per mini treat, they work well as small training rewards or occasional snacks alongside a complete and balanced dog food.

Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls
Official product page
KibbleLab Score
7.6 out of 10

This is a nicely formulated grain-free treat with a named meat (turkey) as the first ingredient and moderate calories per piece, making it suitable for most dogs as a reward. The inclusion of fruits, vegetables, and omega-rich fats is a plus, and the calorie content is clearly stated per kilogram and per treat, which helps with portion control. Like all treats, it should be fed in moderation alongside a complete diet, and the grain-free, legume-containing recipe may not be ideal as a primary calorie source for dogs with heart concerns or breeds at higher risk for heart disease.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Ingredient composition Quality, beneficial additions, absence of artificial colors/flavors
Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber evaluated for stated life stage and food type
AAFCO compliance Complete and balanced certification; feeding trials valued higher
Health considerations Sensitivity profile, DCM risk, processing method
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 Not Recommended

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.


At a Glance

Health Benefits
Heart Care
Suitable For
All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Turkey as the first ingredient provides a clear, named animal protein source.
  • Relatively low calories per mini treat (about 7 kcal) make it easier to use for training without adding excessive daily calories.
  • Includes a variety of fruits and vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, berries) that contribute natural antioxidants and flavor.
  • No artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors, and fat is preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural vitamin E source.

Considerations

  • This is not a complete and balanced food, so it should only be used as a supplement to a nutritionally complete diet and kept within 10% or less of daily caloric intake.
  • The recipe is grain-free and uses peas as one of the main carbohydrates; for dogs with existing heart disease or breeds at higher risk, some cardiologists prefer avoiding legume-heavy, grain-free formulas as a significant calorie source.
  • Contains chicken fat, which may be a concern for dogs with known chicken sensitivities, even though it does not contain chicken meat or protein.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Turkey, sweet potatoes, potatoes, yellow peas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), cane molasses, organic carrots, organic apples, cranberries, blueberries, sage, rosemary extract, sunflower oil, sunflower lecithin.

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
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.
03
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.
04
Yellow Pea
Yellow pea is a common plant-based ingredient in dog and cat foods used as a source of digestible protein, starch and both soluble and insoluble fiber, and it also contributes B vitamins and minerals. It can help increase protein and fiber content and replace grains, but formulators must balance essential amino acids and process peas to reduce anti-nutrients, and pet owners should know that very high inclusion of pulses in some grain‑free diets has been scrutinized for possible links to canine DCM, so feeding complete, balanced diets and veterinary monitoring is recommended.
05
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.

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)
15.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
7.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
5.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
10.00%
Low High
3650
kcal / Kg
7
kcal / Treat
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.

Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Crunchy
Processing method Baked
Food type Treat

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 No
This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.

Brand

Darford

Darford is a premium brand of all-natural, oven-baked dog treats crafted from North American ingredients. The brand targets pet owners seeking healthy, natural, and preservative-free treats for their dogs, with product lines that include Grain Free, Zero/G, and Organic varieties.

Visit Darford
Price tier $$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Darford International Inc.
Founded 1987
Headquarters Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country Canada
Manufacturing region British Columbia
Manufacturing oversight

Darford maintains its own production facilities in British Columbia, Canada, and conducts all baking and quality control in-house. The company adheres to stringent food safety standards and follows guidelines similar to those for human-grade food manufacturing.

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

Darford Grain Free Turkey & Vegetable Recipe Mini Dog Treats has no recalls since 2014.

Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily

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KibbleLab food report
SOLID PICK.
7.6 /10 Grade B
Grain Free Turkey & Vegetable Recipe Mini Dog Treats
Darford · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Darford ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Darford. 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.

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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 database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.