Skin & Coat Duck Meatball Treats
Verified Jun 11, 2026
These baked duck meatball treats are designed to support your dog’s skin and coat while providing a high-value snack. Duck is the main animal ingredient, with flaxseed meal and flaxseed oil supplying additional omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, plus added zinc, vitamin E, and biotin for extra nutritional support. They’re best used as a supplement to a complete diet, not as a main food source.
Nutritionally, this is a well-thought-out functional treat for dogs whose owners want to support skin and coat health while still offering something very palatable. The combination of duck, flax ingredients, and added omega fatty acids, zinc, vitamin E, and biotin is appropriate for that purpose. It’s still a calorie-dense treat, so portion control is important, especially for smaller or less active dogs.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Duck as the primary animal ingredient provides a flavorful protein source that can be useful for dogs that don’t do as well with more common proteins like chicken or beef.
- Includes flaxseed meal and flaxseed oil, contributing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are helpful nutrients for skin and coat support.
- Fortified with zinc, vitamin E, and biotin, all of which play roles in maintaining healthy skin and hair coat.
- Clear calorie information per treat (about 19 kcal each) makes it easier to factor these into your dog’s daily calorie allowance.
Considerations
- Contains dairy (dried cultured skim milk), which may be an issue for dogs with dairy sensitivities or allergies.
- At roughly 19 kcal per meatball and with a minimum of 14% fat, these are relatively energy-dense, so overfeeding could contribute to weight gain if not balanced against the dog’s regular diet.
- Pea flour is a main carbohydrate source; while fine in a treat, owners of breeds with known heart concerns may want to keep overall legume intake in the total diet in mind.
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
Duck
Duck is used in pet food primarily as a flavorful animal protein and fat source, commonly included in limited-ingredient or novel-protein formulas for dogs and cats. It supplies high-quality amino acids and energy and can help pets with sensitivities to common proteins, but it is relatively rich in fat (so may be unsuitable for low‑fat or pancreatitis-prone animals), can still trigger allergies in some pets, and requires proper cooking/processing and handling to avoid bacterial contamination.
02
Pea Flour
Pea flour is a finely milled powder from whole peas used in pet foods as a plant-based source of protein, starch and fiber to add bulk, improve texture and boost overall protein content. It provides digestible protein, fiber and some micronutrients, but plant proteins are lower in certain essential amino acids (important for cats in particular) and high inclusion of legumes can create formulation imbalances, so manufacturers typically supplement limiting amino acids and process pea flour to reduce anti-nutritional factors; pet owners should note rare allergies and rely on complete, balanced diets rather than single-ingredient comparisons.
03
Vegetable Glycerin
Vegetable glycerin is a plant-derived humectant and sweet-tasting solvent commonly used in pet foods and treats to retain moisture, improve texture, dissolve flavorings or vitamins, and enhance palatability. It provides usable calories, is generally regarded as safe for dogs and cats in typical amounts, but excessive intake can cause digestive upset and may be a consideration for diabetic pets or those needing calorie-restricted diets.
04
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.
05
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is used in pet foods as a plant-based source of alpha‑linolenic acid (ALA) omega‑3, soluble and insoluble fiber, and modest protein, often added to support skin and coat condition, digestive health, and kibble texture; ground seed or flaxseed oil is more digestible than whole seed. Dogs can partially convert ALA to long‑chain EPA/DHA but cats convert ALA poorly and therefore still need marine sources for essential DHA/EPA; flax is calorie‑dense, prone to oxidation if not stabilized, and contains lignans (phytoestrogens) and trace cyanogenic compounds, so it should be processed and used in moderation.
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
Brand
The Dogswell brand specializes in functional, meat-first treats and dog foods tailored to support specific health areas, such as hip and joint, skin and coat, and immunity. The brand appeals to pet owners seeking nutritious, natural options that promote overall wellness.
Visit DogswellManufacturer
Dogswell oversees product quality through internal standards for ingredient sourcing and safety testing. Their products are made in the United States with suppliers meeting FDA and USDA standards, and they maintain safety through third-party audits and compliance with AAFCO nutritional standards.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Dogswell Skin & Coat Duck Meatball Treats has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Dogswell ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Dogswell. 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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