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Small Breed Shredded Chicken & Broth Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
Now Fresh

Small Breed Shredded Chicken & Broth Grain-Free Wet Dog Food

Verified Aug 12, 2026

Dog · Wet Puppy Adult Senior Small

This is a grain-free, shredded wet dog food for small-breed dogs at any life stage, using deboned chicken as the primary protein source. The high moisture content helps with hydration, while flaxseed and marine microalgae oil provide beneficial fats, including omega-3s. It’s designed as a complete and balanced diet, not just a topper, and includes added taurine and a full vitamin-mineral blend.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited No recalls

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Official product page
KibbleLab Score
8.4 out of 10

Strong Choice

Nutritionally, this is a well-balanced, chicken-based wet food that’s appropriate for puppies, adults, and seniors, including large-breed puppies, despite being marketed for small breeds. I like that it uses clearly named ingredients, healthy fat sources, and includes added taurine and omega-3s. It’s a good option for small dogs who do well on chicken and for owners who prefer a grain-free, high-moisture, complete diet rather than just a pouch topper.

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.


At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
Where these benefits come from Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.
Skin Coat Health Digestive Health Hydration Support Breath Support
Suitable For
Puppy Adult Senior Small
Does this food work for your pet?
We'll check every ingredient against your pet's sensitivities and avoidance list.

Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Deboned chicken as the first ingredient provides a clear, high-quality animal protein source.
  • Complete and balanced for all life stages, including large-breed growth, which is a stricter nutritional standard.
  • High moisture and shredded texture can be helpful for hydration and easy chewing, especially for tiny mouths or older small-breed dogs.
  • Includes flaxseed and marine microalgae oil as sources of omega-3 fatty acids, plus added taurine for heart and overall health support.

Considerations

  • Chicken is a common food allergen for dogs, so this diet would not be suitable for dogs with known chicken sensitivities.
  • This is a grain-free formula that relies on tapioca as a carbohydrate source; while tapioca itself is not a concern, some owners may prefer diets that include traditional grains for added fiber variety.
  • Fat level is on the modest side for a wet food, which is fine for many dogs but may not fully meet the needs of very high-energy or underweight dogs without larger portions.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

de-boned chicken, chicken broth, sunflower oil, tapioca, calcium sulfate, sodium hexametaphosphate, marine microalgae oil, flaxseed, choline chloride, minerals (...zinc proteinate, ferrous fumarate, sodium selenite, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, potassium iodide), salt, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin, vitamin A supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid), potassium chloride, magnesium sulfate, parsley, taurine

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
Deboned Chicken
Deboned chicken is a common primary animal protein in pet foods, providing highly digestible essential amino acids and nutrients such as B vitamins and iron that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health in both dogs and cats. It is generally palatable and relatively lean, but can be a common food allergen for some animals and its nutritional and fat content varies with inclusion of skin or fat—ensure proper sourcing and handling to reduce contamination risk and consult a veterinarian if you suspect a food sensitivity.
02
Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is commonly used in pet foods and toppers as a flavorful liquid base or gravy to improve palatability and add moisture, providing modest amounts of soluble protein, electrolytes and minerals. It can help encourage eating and increase hydration, but owners should choose low‑sodium, onion‑ and garlic‑free formulations (or make homemade broth), since commercial broths may contain excessive salt, seasonings or additives that are unsafe or unsuitable for dogs and cats.
03
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is used in pet foods as a concentrated fat source to increase energy density, palatability and supply linoleic acid (an essential omega‑6) that helps maintain healthy skin and coat. It is beneficial for dogs and cats but is high in omega‑6 and low in omega‑3—so formulas should balance fatty acids to avoid an inflammatory imbalance; it is calorie‑dense (important for weight control and pancreatitis-prone animals) and may require antioxidants or high‑oleic formulations for better shelf stability.
04
Tapioca
Tapioca is a processed starch from the cassava root commonly used in pet foods and treats as a gluten-free carbohydrate, binder and thickening agent, providing easily digestible calories but very little protein, fat, vitamins or minerals. While useful in hypoallergenic or grain-free formulations, it has limited nutritional value and a high glycemic index, so it should be used in moderation—especially for overweight or diabetic dogs and cats—and only in properly processed form to avoid cassava-related toxins.
View ingredient
05
Calcium Sulfate
Calcium sulfate is an inorganic mineral used in pet foods primarily as a calcium supplement and as a firming or dough‑conditioning agent in treats and canned formulations. It supplies dietary calcium important for bone and muscle health in dogs and cats but must be balanced with phosphorus to avoid excess intake—especially in growing large‑breed puppies—and is generally regarded as safe when included at appropriate levels.

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)
11.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
3.50%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
1.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
82.00%
Low High
848
kcal / Kg
67
kcal / 79 g pouch
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 Puppy
Lifestage Adult
Lifestage Senior
Breed size Small
Texture Shredded
Food type Wet

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 All Life Stages, Large Breed Growth (70+ lbs)
Substantiation Formulation
Now Fresh Grain Free Small Breed Shredded Chicken + Broth Blend for Dogs is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages including growth of large size dogs (70lbs or more as an adult).

Brand

Now Fresh is a super-premium pet food brand from Petcurean offering recipes made with 100% fresh meat, fish, and poultry with no rendered meals. It targets pet owners seeking natural, minimally processed diets for their pets.

Price tier $$$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Petcurean Pet Nutrition Inc.
Founded 1999
Headquarters Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
Manufacturing type Contract Manufacturer
Manufacturing country Canada
Manufacturing region British Columbia
Manufacturing oversight

Petcurean oversees its manufacturing through trusted, approved partners in Canada and the United States that operate under strict quality control protocols. Facilities adhere to rigid food safety and quality assurance standards, including HACCP compliance and regular third-party audits.

Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited business seal
Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited

PSC is a nonprofit that Accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. Petcurean Pet Nutrition Inc. is a PSC Accredited business. View profile

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 Now Fresh Small Breed Shredded Chicken & Broth Grain-Free Wet Dog Food.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Sep 1, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.4 /10 Grade A
Small Breed Shredded Chicken & Broth Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
Now Fresh · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Now Fresh ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Now Fresh. 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.