4health Dog Food Review, Recalls & Ingredients Analysis

4Health dog food is a private-label brand of dog food owned by a large chain store, Tractor Supply Company. In this article, we will find out a bit about this company, and check out some of 4health’s most popular recipes. Plus, I’ll recommend some good online alternatives.

My List of the Best Alternatives to 4health Dog Food in 2021:

As 4health Dog Food is only available in stores, if you’re looking for a quick click-and-buy, below I have picked a few of what I believe to be great dry dog food alternatives for each 4 health product, which are available online:

This recipe is usually more expensive than 4health, but it makes a good alternative. The macronutrient balance is similar, though there is slightly more fat (14%). The main sources of protein here are from turkey or chicken rather than fish.

This formula also includes kelp as a natural source of iodine, plus there is a small amount of glucosamine to support your dog’s joints, though it lacks chondroitin. Lastly, this recipe is high in antioxidants (from a range of fruit and veg) to support your dog’s immune system over the years and ward off diseases such as cancer.

As with the first food, I think this recipe is suited to typical medium/large dogs that get an hour or less of exercise a day.

It is a grain-free formula, so it’s a good choice if your dog has a grain allergy. Since the protein in this recipe comes from beef, it’s certainly one for dogs that like the taste of red meat.

As with the first recipe in this review, it has small amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin to help support your dog’s joints, so it is a great choice for dogs who are prone to joint diseases.

While not high, the fiber content is medium-range. Alongside the generous addition of probiotics, this food will be a good choice to support your dog’s digestion.

Alternative Dog Food: Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Lamb and Lamb Meal Recipe

This dog food is specially formulated to meet the needs of toy and small breed dogs.

If your dog is active (does more than an hour of exercise a day), the fat content here is likely to be too low. In my opinion, it better suits typical toy and small breed dogs, and could even be a good choice for overweight dogs who need to shed a few pounds.

The protein comes mainly from chicken in this recipe, and there are good sources of fat (chicken fat and flaxseed.) Having said this, the omega-3 levels are fairly low, so I recommend this food for short-haired breeds.

Lastly, this recipe contains some glucosamine and chondroitin, so it is a great choice if your little dog is prone to joint problems, like Chihuahuas, for example.

Alternative Dog Food: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe for Small Breed Adult Dogs

This formula is specially developed for puppies, who need a different macronutrient balance to adult dogs.

I think it is a good choice for less active puppies, and not for those who are very high-energy and do more than 1 - 1 ½ hours’ exercise a day - for example Border Collies or Boxers - as they may need more protein and fat to sustain their energy levels.

The protein comes from lamb and ocean fish meal here, and chicken fat and salmon oil provide good sources of fat. There is also a nice handful of fruit and veg to support your puppy’s immune system.

The omega-3 levels are low, so I recommend it for short-haired puppies. If your pup suffers from skin allergies, she may need a food higher in these fatty acids to soothe her.

There is no added glucosamine or chondroitin in this recipe, so I do NOT recommend it for large or giant breed puppies, as they are more prone to developing joint problems, and so tend to do well with extra support.

Alternative Dog Food: Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison

Taste of the Wild provides a good formula for puppies here, which contains many sources of protein (mainly meat-based) as well as a few fruits and vegetables and plenty of supplements to support her immune system.

As with the above recipe, it is better for short-haired breeds due to low levels of omega-3, and, as it does not contain glucosamine or chondroitin, I don’t recommend it for large or giant breed pups.

What is the average price and how long will it last?

A bag of 4health regular (non-grain-free) dog food weighs 35 lb (15.87kg) and will cost you in the region of $35 ($1/lb.)*

A bag of 4health grain-free dog food weighs 30lb (13.6kg) and costs slightly more - about $38 ($1.26/lb.)

*all prices in this post are given approximately by looking on average at 5 of the top online retailers. The final price can vary.

Take a look at the chart below to see how long a bag of 4health food can last you, and the difference between the regular and grain-free varieties:

*For typical dogs. Active dogs may need more to meet their daily calorie intake

**Used the Salmon and Potato Formula as an example

While the recommended daily allowance for your dog can differ depending on which 4health recipe you choose, it seems to differ quite a lot if the recipe is grain-free - as you can see from the chart, the recommended intake of food is much higher if your dog is on a grain-free recipe. This is likely because the high grain content in the regular foods fill up your dog much more.

If your dog needs a grain-free food, it is still worth opting for one. If you’re more interested in the food lasting longer, however, it’s better to opt for a regular formula.