Canidae Dog Food Overview
“Canidae® Pet Food Corporation” was launched out of a Southern California feed store in 1996. For the past twenty years Canidae® has been a independent and family owned business. John Gordon and Scott Whipple are the co-founders and co-owners of Canidae® Pet Food. Ed Cooper is the Vice President of operations.
Where are Canidae dog food products manufactured?
Canidae® headquarters is located in San Luis Obispo, California. Their products are manufactured in the United States. In 2012, the company built a new research and development centre called “Ethos Pet Nutrition” based in Brownwood, Texas, where they also manufacture most of their products. The company choose the word “Ethos” because it represents ‘character, honesty and integrity,’ which is how they want to be recognized.
Although Canidae® still owns their own dog food products, in 2005 they started outsourcing their grain free dog and cat kibble to Diamond Pet Foods’ manufacturing facility.
“Diamond Pet Foods Inc.,” which manufactures a few of the Canidae® products, was founded in 1970, and its headquarters is based in Meta, Missouri.
Canidae dog food products include:
- Canidae® dog food formulas include grain free recipes with seven to ten easily recognizable ingredients, such as fresh meat and fish, sweet potatoes, peas, lentils, or chickpeas, to name a few.
- None of their products contain any corn, wheat, or soy.
- Canidae® has “Grain Free Pure” formulas, which contain fresh meat, poultry, and fish. They also make “All Life Stages” recipes that contain nutritionally dense meat and fish meals, as well as, “Life Stages” formulas for dogs with specific needs. Their chewy treats and bakery snacks contain everything from kale, quinoa, and butternut squash to cherries, pomegranate and pumpkin.
- All their recipes are made with fresh meat and whole foods from ranches found on the plains of Wyoming. Their fish is caught in the waterways in the Pacific Northwest. Their lamb is raised in New Zealand, and their duck is from France.
Some of the Canidae® “Grain Free Pure” Dry Formulas
Canidae® ‘Grain Free Pure’ Sea Recipe
Formulated for adult dogs.
- The primary ingredients are salmon, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, sweet potatoes, peas, canola oil, suncured alfalfa, potatoes, plus natural flavour, vitamins, minerals and probiotics mix.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | MIn. 32.00 % | Vitamin E | Min. 50.00 IU/kg |
| Crude Fat | Min. 18.00 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 100 % |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 4.00 % | Lactobacillus Acidophilus* | Min. 100 million CFU/lb. |
| Moisture | Max. 10.00 % | Cellulase* | Min. 100 CMCU/kg |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | MIn. 3.70 % |
Calorie content (calculated): ME 3880 kcal/kg; ME 3.88 kcal/g; ME 1763 kcal/lb.; 496 kcal/cup
Canidae® ‘Grain Free Pure’ Foundations Fresh Chicken Recipe
Formulated for puppies.
- The primary ingredients are chicken, menhaden fish meal, lentils, peas, potatoes, dried whole egg, chicken fat, suncured alfalfa, and flaxseed plus natural flavour, vitamins, minerals and probiotics mix.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | MIn. 30.00 % | Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)* | Min. 0.12 % |
| Crude Fat | Min. 12.00 % | Vitamin E | Min. 50.00 IU/kg |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 4.00 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 0.70 % |
| Moisture | Max. 10.00 % | Lactobacillus Acidophilus* | Min. 100 million CFU/lb. |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | MIn. 3.00 % | Cellulase* | Min. 100 CMCU/kg |
Calorie content (calculated): ME 3470 kcal/kg; ME 3.47 kcal/g; ME 1573 kcal/lb.; 520 kcal/cup
Canidae® ‘Grain Free Pure’ Meadow Fresh Chicken Recipe
Formulated for senior dogs.
- The primary ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, peas, suncured alfalfa, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), plus natural flavour, vitamins, minerals and probiotics mix.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | MIn. 28.00 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 0.20 % |
| Crude Fat | Min. 10.00 % | Glucosamine | 300 mg/kg |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 5.00 % | Chondroitin | 150 mg/kg |
| Moisture | Max. 10.00 % | Lactobacillus
Acidophilus* |
Min. 100 million CFU/lb. |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | MIn. 2.00 % | Cellulase* | Min. 100 CMCU/kg |
| Vitamin E | Min. 50.00 IU/kg |
Calorie content (calculated): ME 3300 kcal/kg; ME 3.3 kcal/g; ME 1496 kcal/lb.; 409 kcal/cup
Canidae® ‘Grain Free Pure Petite™’ Bison Recipe
Formulated for small and toy breed adult dogs.
- The primary ingredients are bison, peas, lentils, dried whole egg, canola oil, plus minerals, flaxseed, natural flavour, vitamins and probiotics mix.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | MIn. 23.00 % | Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | MIn. 3.00 % |
| Crude Fat | Min. 12.00 % | Vitamin E | Min. 50.00 IU/kg |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 5.00 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 0.40 % |
| Moisture | Max. 10.00 % | Lactobacillus
Acidophilus* |
Min. 100 million CFU/lb. |
Calorie content (calculated): ME 3500 kcal/kg; ME 3.50 kcal/g; ME 1587 kcal/lb.; 448 kcal/cup
Canidae® ‘Grain Free Pure’ Resolve Weight Management Fresh Chicken Recipe
Formulated for dogs in need of weight management.
- The primary ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, peas, chickpeas, potatoes, suncured alfalfa, chicken fat, 9preserved with mixed tocopherols), plus natural flavour, vitamins, minerals and probiotics mix.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | MIn. 28.00 % | Vitamin E | Min. 50.00 IU/kg |
| Crude Fat | Min. 9.00 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 0.20 % |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 5.00 % | Lactobacillus
Acidophilus* |
Min. 100 million CFU/lb. |
| Moisture | Max. 10.00 % | Cellulase* | Min. 100 CMCU/kg |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | MIn. 2.00 % |
Calorie content (calculated): ME 3300 kcal/kg; ME 3.3 kcal/g; ME 1496 kcal/lb.; 409 kcal/cup
Some of the Canidae® “All Life Stages” Dry Formulas
Canidae® ‘All Life Stages’ Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals Recipe
Formulated for dogs of all ages, breeds and sizes.
- The primary ingredients are chicken meal, turkey meal, lamb meal, brown rice, white rice, rice bran, peas, potatoes, oatmeal, cracked pearled barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), millet, tomato pomace, natural flavour, flaxseed meal, ocean fish meal, choline chloride, suncured alfalfa meal, inulin (from chicory root), lecithin, sage extract, cranberries.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | MIn. 24.00 % | Vitamin E | Min. 200.00 IU/kg |
| Crude Fat | Min. 14.50 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 0.50 % |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 4.00 % | Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)* | Min. 50.00 MG/KG |
| Moisture | Max. 10.00 % | Lactobacillus
Acidophilus* |
Min. 100 million CFU/lb. |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | MIn. 3.70 % | Cellulase* | Min. 100 CMCU/kg |
Calorie content (calculated): ME 3600 kcal/kg; ME 3.6 kcal/g; ME 1636 kcal/lb.; 468 kcal/cup
Canidae® ‘All Life Stages’ Platinium Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals Recipe
Formulated for senior and overweight dogs.
- The primary ingredients are chicken meal, brown rice, white rice, rice bran, peas, potatoes, oatmeal, cracked pearled barley, millet, turkey meal, lamb meal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), tomato pomace, natural flavour, flaxseed meal, ocean fish meal, choline chloride, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, psyllium seed husks, suncured alfalfa meal, inulin (from chicory root), lecithin, sage extract, cranberries.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | MIn. 20.00 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 0.50 % |
| Crude Fat | Min. 8.50 % | Glucosamine HCL* | Min. 750.00 mg/kg |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 4.00 % | Chondroitin Sulfate* | Min. 250.00 mg/kg |
| Moisture | Max. 10.00 % | Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)* | Min. 50.00 MG/KG |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | MIn. 2.60 % | Lactobacillus
Acidophilus* |
Min. 100 million CFU/lb. |
| Vitamin E | Min. 200.00 IU/kg | Cellulase* | Min. 100 CMCU/kg |
Calorie content (calculated): ME 3300 kcal/kg; ME 3.3 kcal/g; ME 1500 kcal/lb.; 342 kcal/cup
Some of the Canidae® “Life Stages” Dry Formulas
Canidae® ‘Life Stages’ Duck Meal, Brown Rice & Lentils Recipe
Formulated for large breed adult dogs.
- The primary ingredients are duck meal (source of glucosamine, chondroitin slfate, and L-carnitine), brown rice, oats, peas, barley, white rice, rice bran, chicken meal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), suncured alfalfa meal, lentils, flaxseed, natural flavour, potassium chloride, choline chloride, inulin (from chicory root), lecithin, sage extract, cranberries.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | MIn. 21.00 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 0.50 % |
| Crude Fat | Min. 12.00 % | Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)* | Min. 50.00 mg/kg |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 4.00 % | Glucosamine* | Min. 750.00 mg/kg |
| Moisture | Max. 10.00 % | Chondroitin Sulfate* | Min. 250.00 mg/kg |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | MIn. 3.00 % | L-Carnitine* | Mn. 25.00 mg/kg |
| Calcium | Min. 1.25 % | Lactobacillus
Acidophilus* |
Min. 100 million CFU/lb. |
| Phosphorus | Min. 1.00 % | Cellulase* | Min. 100 CMCU/kg |
| Vitamin E | Min. 200.00 IU/kg |
Calorie content (calculated): ME 3880 kcal/kg; 407 kcal/cup
Canidae® ‘Life Stages’ Duck Meal, Brown Rice & Lentils Recipe
Formulated for large breed puppies.
- The primary ingredients are duck meal (source of L-carnitine), brown rice, oats, peas, ocean fish meal, barley, white rice, rice bran, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), lentils, suncured alfalfa meal, flaxseed, natural flavour, potassium chloride, choline chloride, inulin (from chicory root), lecithin, sage extract, cranberries.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | Min. 22.00 % | Vitamin E | Min. 200.00 IU/kg |
| Crude Fat | Min. 13.00 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 0.80 % |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 4.00 % | Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)* | Min. 50.00 mg/kg |
| Moisture | Max. 10.00 % | Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)* | Min. 0.14 % |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | Max. 2.80 % | L-Carnitine* | Min. 25.00 mg/kg |
| Calcium | Min. 1.00 % | Lactobacillus Acidophilus* | Min. 100 million CFU/lb. |
| Phosphorus | Min. 0.80 % | Cellulase* | Min. 100 CMCU/kg |
Calorie content (calculated): ME 3910 kcal/kg; 410 kcal/cup
Some of the Canidae® “Grain Free Pure” Wet Formulas
Canidae® ‘Grain Free Pure’ Land Lamb Recipe
Formulated for adult dogs.
- The primary ingredients are salmon, salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, sweet potatoes, peas, canola oil, suncured alfalfa, potatoes, plus natural flavour, vitamins, minerals and probiotics mix.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | MIn. 32.00 % | Vitamin E | Min. 50.00 IU/kg |
| Crude Fat | Min. 18.00 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 100 % |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 4.00 % | Lactobacillus Acidophilus* | Min. 100 million CFU/lb. |
| Moisture | Max. 10.00 % | Cellulase* | Min. 100 CMCU/kg |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | MIn. 3.70 % |
Calorie content (calculated): ME 3880 kcal/kg; ME 3.88 kcal/g; ME 1763 kcal/lb.; 496 kcal/cup
Canidae® ‘Grain Free Pure’ Foundations Chicken Recipe
Formulated for puppies.
- The primary ingredients are chicken, chicken liver, peas, sweet potatoes, suncured alfalfa meal, salmon meal.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | Min. 9.50 % | Crude Fiber | Max. 1.00 % |
| Crude Fat | Min. 6.50 % | Moisture | Max. 78.00 % |
Calorie content (calculated): ME 1109 kcal/kg; ME 408 kcal/per 13 oz. can
Some of the Canidae® “All Life Stages” Wet Formulas
Canidae® ‘All Life Stages’ Chicken, Lamb & Fish Recipe
Formulated for all ages, breeds and sizes.
- The primary ingredients are chicken, chicken broth, lamb, chicken liver, ocean whitefish, brown rice, eggs, guar gum, sunflower oil (source of Omega-6 fatty Acids), Suncured alfalfa meal.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | Min. 9.00 % | Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | Min. 1.00 % |
| Crude Fat | Min. 6.00 % | Vitamin E | Min. 50.00 IU/kg |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 1.50 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 0.20 % |
| Moisture | Max. 78.00 % |
- Calorie content (calculated): ME 1240 kcal/kg; ME 450 kcal/per 13 oz. can; ME 195 kcal/per 5.5 oz. can
Canidae® ‘All Life Stages’ Lamb and Rice Recipe
Formulated for all ages, breeds and sizes.
- The primary ingredients are lamb, lamb broth, lamb liver, ocean whitefish, brown rice, guar gum, sunflower oil (source of Omega-6 fatty Acids), eggs, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, flaxseed oil ( source of Omega-3 fatty acids).
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | Min. 9.00 % | Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | Min. 1.00 % |
| Crude Fat | Min. 6.00 % | Vitamin E | Min. 50.00 IU/kg |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 1.50 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 0.20 % |
| Moisture | Max. 78.00 % |
- Calorie content (calculated): ME 1150 kcal/kg; ME 419 kcal/per 13 oz. can; ME 180 kcal/per 5.5 oz. can
Some of the Canidae® “Life Stages” Wet Formulas
Canidae® ‘Life Stages’ Chicken, Duck and Lentils Recipe
Formulated for large breed adult dogs.
- The primary ingredients are chicken, duck broth, duck, dried egg whites, brown rice, pea flour, tricalcium phosphate, lentils, cassia gum, carrageenan, potassium chloride, guar gum, salt.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | Min. 9.50 % | Vitamin E | Min. 40.00 IU/kg |
| Crude Fat | Min. 7.00 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 0.10 % |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | Min. 1.70 % |
- Calorie content (calculated): ME 1147 kcal/kg; ME 423 kcal/per 13 oz. can
Canidae® ‘Life Stages’ Chicken, Duck and Lentils Recipe
Formulated for large breed adult puppies.
- The primary ingredients are chicken, duck broth, duck, dried egg whites, brown rice, pea flour, lentils, potassium chloride, guar gum, salt.
Guaranteed Analysis: * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile.
| Crude Protein | Min. 9.50 % | Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | Min. 1.70 % |
| Crude Fat | Min. 7.50 % | Vitamin E | Min. 40.00 IU/kg |
| Crude Fiber | Max. 0.50 % | Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)* | Min. 0.10 % |
| Moisture | Max. 78.00 % |
- Calorie content (calculated): ME 1165 kcal/kg; ME 429 kcal/per 13 oz. can
Canidae Dog Food Recalls
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) listings, there was one voluntary recall of Canidae® Pet Foods on May 5, 2012. The company recalled four of their dry dog food formulas manufactured between December 9, 2011, and January 31, 2012, after being notified by Diamond Pet Foods regarding the presence of Salmonella at its facility in Gaston, South Carolina.
Although the Canidae® dog food products had not tested positive for Salmonella, they voluntarily initiated a recall out of caution to ensure the health and safety of consumers and their pets.
Although the inspection at Diamond’s Gaston facility did not trace any salmonella in the Canidae® products, there was Salmonella detected in a bag of dry dog food produced by Diamond Pet Foods.
Summary
Canidae® is still a family owned and operated business, however it is unknown at this point whether, or not, they are still outsourcing some of their products to the Diamond Pet Foods manufacturing facility.
As of 2012, there was proof that they were still using Diamond’s facility because of the recall, but so far there has not been any updated information.
Hopefully, they presently are, or will soon start using their own new facility to manufacture all of their products, as they never had a recall before they started outsourcing some of their products to Diamond.
Overall, Canidae® dog food appears to be a nutritious choice. The formulas are holistic and packed full of healthy ingredients.
Some words of advice:
Keep a watchful eye on all Diamond Pet Foods Inc. recalls, in case any Canidae® products are included on the list.
