Should you include Arden Grange food in your pet's diet?

Arden Grange dog food is made in England. The manufacturing company is called Leander International Pet Foods Ltd. It was founded in 1981. Let's take a closer look at Arden Grange dog food, its composition and reviews from veterinarians, its advantages and disadvantages. This food could be included in the super premium class segment, but sometimes corn is found in the composition.

At the same time, the company is considered one of the first to begin producing luxury food. They are sold not only for dogs, but also for cats. The food is popular among foreign and domestic dog owners. It takes into account all the needs of pets, which contributes to the full development and strengthening of the immune system.

Company description

The Arden Grange company was founded by two popular dog breeders in England - Wendy and Graham Stephens. They bred German Shepherds for thirty years, and then began to develop further. At first, the organization was engaged in the distribution of goods for animals. Over time, it grew into the largest wholesale company in the south of the country.

In 1996, the Stephens family developed their Arden Grange brand. From that moment on, the production of elite food for pets began.

They claim that on any package the buyer can find a detailed list of the components that are inside. Allergy-causing products are not added: milk and derivatives, beef, wheat, soy. No GMO ingredients, salt, sugar. The organization is especially proud of the fact that it does not test its products on animals. This is proven by the logo on the packaging.

history of the company

The Arden Grange brand was released just over 20 years ago - in 1996, but its history goes back to the very beginning of the 1980s, when Graham and Wendy Stephens, famous dog breeders from England, decided to found two of their own companies. One of them was organizing hotels for pets, and the second was distributing food for them. The company did not have its own feed production - it was only a seller selling feed from third-party manufacturers to large and small wholesale buyers. By 1987, the Stephens' business had grown significantly: their company began supplying feed to the UK from the USA and became one of the largest distributors not only in their homeland, but also in Ireland. And only 9 years later, the trading company had its own production and brand, as you might guess, called Arden Grange.

Types of Arden Grange dog food

There are basically 3 lines - for puppies, adults and wet food. Dry food for babies is divided into three types:

1. Age 3-8 weeks. It is allowed to be used as a first complementary food for pets during pregnancy and lactation.
2. 2-9 months. Puppies and growing animals of medium and small breeds.
3. Babies and growing pets over 8 weeks. Designed for large breed puppies.

There are 13 types of food for adults. There is a standard division by breed, food for older pets. We took care of dogs with special needs - “Sensitive” (sensitive digestion and skin), “Light” (excess weight or a tendency to gain it).

We didn’t forget about active pets by creating food “Prestige”, “Performance” - hunting, service and others that experience increased stress. Premium nutrition is based on a high content of fats and proteins. The composition does not contain corn, which is necessary if you are prone to allergic reactions and individual intolerance.

There are four types of wet food. Three types are considered hypoallergenic and are intended for adults. Among them are the following flavors: potatoes with white fish, lamb with rice and vegetables, chicken with rice and vegetables. The fourth food is presented in liquid form in the form of canned food. It is intended for puppies of any breed or adult pets who have recently been seriously ill.

The range may not be very diverse, but the lines are accessible and functional. There are four flavors and they are enough for a complete pet’s diet.

Cellulose

The diet contains one type of fiber: beet pulp (No. 6 in the list of ingredients).

In small quantities, this component is quite acceptable and beneficial for the intestines of dogs and cats, but here beet pulp follows immediately after the first five ingredients - which means there is a lot of it in the composition, and it serves not only as a source of fiber, but also as a ballast filler.

Plant products are poorly absorbed by the body of carnivores. A large amount of fiber in the food increases the volume of the food bolus - dogs experience a deceptive feeling of fullness, but the fiber is not digested in their body and leaves it without bringing any benefit.

What does it contain?

You can consider this issue in more detail using the example of Adult Dog Large Breed. The food is intended for large breeds of pets. Main ingredients included:

• chicken flour – 27%;
• chicken meat – 5%;
• fish flour;
• rice;
• corn.

It turns out that the diet contains at least 32 percent natural meat, since flour is its dried, ground form. Rice is considered an excellent source of carbohydrates, which are especially needed by active pets. Corn contains vegetable protein and other useful substances. Further, the composition contains exclusively harmless components that will provide the dog with the necessary minerals, vitamins and other elements.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Completely grain-free. This means that there are no grains in it.
• The preservatives necessary for its preservation are exclusively natural, namely, a mixture of tocopherols that is safe for animals.
• The source of protein is fish fillet and meat.
• Food of this brand is sold in almost all pet stores and animal supply corners, and it is easy to order on the Internet.
• No pests or foreign components were noticed, and the taste of the food was preserved until the end of the shelf life.

• Traces of the pesticide chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate substance used to kill harmful insects (aphids, bedbugs, etc.), were found in one of the feeds. There is a high probability that this is a simple accident, but still, you should be more careful.
• The food does not fall into the category of cheap food (compared to most similar foods).
• The amount of fat indicated on the package is less than what actually occurs.
• The value of calcium is also overestimated.
• Some Arden Grange foods contain fishmeal in appreciable quantities. This product may cause kidney and intestinal problems in particularly sensitive pets.

Expert opinion

Dusheba Vera Ivanovna

In 2010, she graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after K.I. Scriabin with honors, specializing in veterinary medicine. I regularly attend veterinary conferences, congresses, and webinars.

When choosing food, we strongly recommend visiting a veterinarian. A specialist will examine your pet, take tests if necessary, and, based on the results, select the most suitable product.

Get to know interesting cat breeds with the help of our encyclopedia: Asian Tabby, Yorkie Chocolate, Persian.

Can it be given to puppies?

Arden Grange food is made to meet the ever-growing needs of puppies. For example, the weight of a German Shepherd in the first year increases by 70-90 times. Therefore, such a pet requires food with a specially selected caloric content and fat content. The food should provide the dog with energy without the risk of gaining extra pounds.

The composition contains a balanced content of phosphorus and calcium and vitamins that are needed for growth and strong bones. Calcium ensures proper blood clotting and helps in the functioning of muscles and the nervous system. Joints become healthy due to methylsulfonylmethane, chondroitin, aminoglycans. Small and medium breeds can switch to food for adults from the age of one year, and large and giant breeds from the age of 1.5.

In the period from 3 weeks to 1.5 months, you need to soak dry food in warm water at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees. Then mash thoroughly with a fork. The consistency should be like not very thick oatmeal. To make it even easier for your pets to eat, you can add a small amount of water.

To individually determine portions, you do not need to remove the remaining food immediately after eating. It is better to wait a quarter of an hour so that the dog can return to the meal if desired. You can then clean the bowl and give the excess to the adults.

Manufacturer advises

The Arden Grang company has developed its recommendations for the use of dry food when calculating the daily intake, taking into account important factors:

The influence of weight on the amount of daily feed

If the animal has increased body weight, it is recommended to use a balanced diet or reduce feed intake per day; Dependence of the amount of daily calories on the mobility and activity of the pet; The first use of food should be carried out with caution, closely monitoring the animal’s appetite and the functioning of its intestines; The influence of the animal’s emotional state on food consumption. All recommendations depend on the age, weight and breed of the cat

The food packaging shows in detail the animal's daily feeding rate, taking into account its weight and volume.

All recommendations depend on the age, weight and breed of the cat. The food packaging details the animal's daily feeding requirements, taking into account its weight and volume.

Feeding table

The table shows the approximate amount of food that a dog requires, taking into account its weight. It is worth understanding that it is conditional and the following features of the pet should be taken into account:

1. Activity level.
2. Temperament. If your pet is prone to stress, it requires more calories.
3. Metabolism. Its speed varies, so the food needs of two representatives of the same breed are sometimes different.

When determining the amount of food, it is worth taking into account the appetite, quality of stool, and appearance of the animal. It is necessary to know the exact weight and give the portion in accordance with this factor. For dogs 15 kg and pets 80 kg it will be different.

Let's consider nutrition for older animals:

In order to facilitate the transition to a new type of feed, it is worth dividing its daily intake into two times, gradually increasing the share of Arden Grange. On days 1-2 it should be 25% (most of the previous nutrition), days 3-4 - 50%, days 5-6 - 75%, days 7 - 100%. When transferring, you need to reward the dog with a treat.

Manufacturer

In addition to breeding dogs, the couple was involved in two other areas of the pet business - wholesale supplies of food and hotels for pets. Later, having become the largest distributor of pet food in the south of Britain, the Stephenses decided to create their own diet recipe for dogs. The Arden Grange brand appeared in 1996, and quickly became popular not only in the UK, but also far beyond its borders.

The main principles of production were high-quality raw materials, only natural meat, and the absence of any chemical impurities (dyes, flavor enhancers, attractants, etc.). It is especially emphasized that the company is categorically against any experiments and experiments on animals, and therefore does not test its products on living organisms.

Arden Grange offers its own feeding scheme based on a number of important factors. When determining a cat’s daily food requirement, it is necessary to take it into account:

1. Weight. The lower your body weight, the fewer calories you consume. If the animal is overweight, then you need to purchase specialized dietary food or reduce the daily ration.
2. Degree of activity. Playful pets who love to walk and run around need more calories.
3. Metabolism. This is an individual indicator for each animal. You can consult a veterinarian about this or make independent observations based on your pet's appetite, stool and general appearance.
4. Mood. A stressed cat burns more calories.

The manufacturer also suggests focusing on the age, overall size and breed of the cat. More detailed recommendations and a table of daily values ​​in grams for animals of different weights are presented on the packages.

Price

The best price in the “Old Farm” online store. Also available at Four Paws and Happy Pet.

Price of dry food Arden Grange for puppies and adults:

• up to 2 kg – from 900 rubles;
• 6 kg – from 1990 rubles;
• 12 kg – from 3600 rubles.

Canned food sells for 196-320 per piece.

Prices are similar to super premium meals. However, they cannot compete in all cases. As a representative of its class, it is worthy of attention. Costs vary depending on the specific store.

Reviews from veterinarians

Maria, St. Petersburg

I have a dog kennel. The breeds are varied: from pugs to English bulldogs. I used to buy Pronature, but then they had problem stools. I bought Arden Grunge Sensitive. There are no complaints at all - no allergic reactions or other pathologies. The only drawback is that food is not easy to find. I buy from the official distributor. Nurseries receive big discounts.

Elena, Moscow

Arden Grange is truly quality food. It lacks the grain filling that many feeds have. It is very poorly absorbed in dogs. There is no chicken added to the lamb diet. It is perfect for animals prone to allergies. Don't be alarmed if your pet is reluctant to eat at first. The food does not contain flavor enhancers, so it does not immediately seem as appetizing.

Alina, Nizhny Novgorod

I am a veterinarian and often recommend Arden Grange to breeders. His dogs love him very much. It does not cause allergies, only in rare cases of individual intolerance. If your pet has stomach problems, excess weight or a tendency to gain weight, you should choose the dietary version of this food.

Video: Arden Grange dog food: composition, reviews

Hazardous Ingredients

The food contains 19 main ingredients, including vitamin and mineral supplements (indicated in general terms: “minerals, vitamins”). It also contains natural preservatives - a mixture of tocopherols and rosemary extract.

The diet includes yeast extract, but the composition of the raw material is unclear from the name. The ingredient was probably added to the feed as a source of B vitamins, but since this ingredient is listed without specification, it is impossible to evaluate its quality highly.

Prebiotics FOS (fructooligosaccharides) and MOS (mannanooligosaccharides) promote gut health and normalize the balance of good and bad gut bacteria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytadvertise

In any case, the exact amount of these substances is not indicated - most likely, this is just a publicity stunt.

MSM (methylsulfanylmethane) is a useful supplement and a source of sulfur. It helps to better absorb glucosamine and chondroitin, promotes healthy joints, skin and fur of the animal, and also strengthens its immunity. The exact amount of MSM in the composition is not specified, however.

Nucleotides are short-chain proteins. The addition of this rare component to the diet is believed to have a beneficial effect on animals under metabolic stress, which can occur at any age.

The Arden Grange line of food for cats with sensitive stomachs also includes a variety of vitamin and mineral supplements. They are needed there partly due to the lack of minerals and vitamins in the raw materials, partly due to the peculiarities of the technological process for the production of dry food (this is the industry norm, and therefore is not a direct indicator of high or low quality of the diet).

Taurine, an amino acid vital for cats, is separately added to the food. However, adding it to the diet as a separate component is an indicator of the low quality of the protein components of the diet or their insufficient quantity. Since they cannot provide the cat’s body with the necessary amount of taurine, the manufacturer has to add it additionally.

Malt extract is an extract from malt, a flavor enhancer and a sweetener. The ingredient is hazardous to animal health.