Calibra Life Junior Large Fresh Beef

Dry Extruded · completeClear labelFull label

Life Junior Large Fresh Beef
Average
our rating

Our verdict

Is Calibra Life Junior Large Fresh Beef a good dog food?

We score it 65/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.

Complete extruded dry food for puppies, with beef, rice and beef fat as the main ingredients.

How we score

Declared analysis sits below the FEDIAF minimum for phosphorus, sodium.

Why you might choose it

  • Prints ingredient percentages on the label.
  • Prints a percentage for nearly every ingredient, so the recipe is fully auditable.
  • High in protein: 31% protein on a dry-matter basis.

Why you might not

  • Its additive load costs about 3 points in the rating.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
  • Doesn't list chicken, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids beef: the label lists beef
  • Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon oil
  • Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - white
  • You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein

These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Find foods that fit your dog.

Nutrition and feedingProtein 28% · Fat 14%

Typical analysis (as fed)

NutrientAs fed
Protein28%
Fat14%
Fibre2.50%
Ash5.60%
Moisture9%
Omega-3 fatty acids0.30%
Omega-6 fatty acids1.60%
Calcium1.10%
Phosphorus0.80%
Sodium0.20%

Energy: 380 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Feeding and storage

Storage

Keep in a dry and cool place, avoid direct sunlight. Recommended use before the date shown on the package.

Feeding guide

Follow the recommended daily dose. Adjust the dose according to the dog's age, activity and environment, monitor optimal physical condition and avoid overfeeding. Serve dry or moistened with water or broth. Always provide plenty of fresh water.

Additives declared on the label

Nutritional additives

vitamin A (3a672a) 17,000 IU/kg; vitamin D3 (3a671) 1,250 IU/kg; vitamin E (3a700) 300 mg/kg; vitamin C (3a312) 250 mg/kg; vitamin B1 (3a820) 4.8 mg/kg; vitamin B2 (3a825i) 6 mg/kg; niacinamide (3a315) 23 mg/kg; calcium pantothenate (3a841) 12 mg/kg; vitamin B6 (3a831) 4.8 mg/kg; folic acid (3a316) 0.6 mg/kg; vitamin B12 0.05 mg/kg; biotin (3a880) 0.65 mg/kg; choline chloride (3a890) 480 mg/kg; organic zinc (3b606) 90 mg/kg; organic iron (3b106) 75 mg/kg; organic manganese (3b504) 30 mg/kg; organic copper (3b406) 14 mg/kg; iodine (3b201) 0.7 mg/kg; organic selenium (3b810) 0.2 mg/kg

Technological additives

tocopherol extracts from vegetable oil (1b306(i)); ascorbyl palmitate (1b304); rosemary extract

Ingredients (22)1% of the recipe is estimated

Estimated composition

  • meat 53.0%
  • carb 25.1%
  • additive 11.0%
  • fibre 7.0%
  • oil 2.2%
  • supplement 1.5%
  • veg 0.3%
  • herb 0.1%
#As declaredMatchedLabel readingDeclared %Est. %
1beef protein (27%)Beefmeat · medium2727.0
2fresh beef (26%)Beefmeat · medium2626.0
3rice (25%)Rice - whitecarb · medium2525.0
4beef fatBeef Fatoil · medium-0.08
59% preserved with tocopherolsTocopherolsadditive · good99.0
6dried apple pulp (7%)Apple Fibrefibre · medium77.0
7hydrolysed yeasts (2%)Hydrolysed Yeastadditive · medium22.0
8salmon oil (2%)Salmon Oiloil · good22.0
9egg shellsCrushed Eggshellssupplement · good-0.08
101% a source of calciumCalcium Carbonatesupplement · medium11.0
11pea flourPea flourcarb · medium-0.07
12algae oilAlgae Oiloil · good-0.07
13Schizochytrium limacinumSchizochytrium Algaesupplement · good-0.07
14dried blackcurrant (0.2%)Blackcurrantveg · good0.20.2
15glucosamineGlucosaminesupplement · good-0.06
16chondroitine sulphateChondroitinsupplement · good-0.06
17mannan-oligosaccharidesMannanoligosaccharidessupplement · good-0.06
18dried rosemaryRosemary Leavesherb · good-0.06
19dried thymeDried Thymus Vulgarisveg · medium-0.05
20Mojave yuccaYucca Schidigerasupplement · good-0.05
21fructo-oligosaccharidesFructo-oligosaccharidessupplement · good-0.05
22Lactobacillus helveticus HA – 122Inactivated Lactobacillus helveticussupplement · good-0.04
  1. 1. beef protein (27%)27% declared27.0% estimated
    Beef · meat · medium
  2. 2. fresh beef (26%)26% declared26.0% estimated
    Beef · meat · medium
  3. 3. rice (25%)25% declared25.0% estimated
    Rice - white · carb · medium
  4. 4. beef fat0.08% estimated
    Beef Fat · oil · medium
  5. 5. 9% preserved with tocopherols9% declared9.0% estimated
    Tocopherols · additive · good
  6. 6. dried apple pulp (7%)7% declared7.0% estimated
    Apple Fibre · fibre · medium
  7. 7. hydrolysed yeasts (2%)2% declared2.0% estimated
    Hydrolysed Yeast · additive · medium
  8. 8. salmon oil (2%)2% declared2.0% estimated
    Salmon Oil · oil · good
  9. 9. egg shells0.08% estimated
    Crushed Eggshells · supplement · good
  10. 10. 1% a source of calcium1% declared1.0% estimated
    Calcium Carbonate · supplement · medium
  11. 11. pea flour0.07% estimated
    Pea flour · carb · medium
  12. 12. algae oil0.07% estimated
    Algae Oil · oil · good
  13. 13. Schizochytrium limacinum0.07% estimated
    Schizochytrium Algae · supplement · good
  14. 14. dried blackcurrant (0.2%)0.2% declared0.2% estimated
    Blackcurrant · veg · good
  15. 15. glucosamine0.06% estimated
    Glucosamine · supplement · good
  16. 16. chondroitine sulphate0.06% estimated
    Chondroitin · supplement · good
  17. 17. mannan-oligosaccharides0.06% estimated
    Mannanoligosaccharides · supplement · good
  18. 18. dried rosemary0.06% estimated
    Rosemary Leaves · herb · good
  19. 19. dried thyme0.05% estimated
    Dried Thymus Vulgaris · veg · medium
  20. 20. Mojave yucca0.05% estimated
    Yucca Schidigera · supplement · good
  21. 21. fructo-oligosaccharides0.05% estimated
    Fructo-oligosaccharides · supplement · good
  22. 22. Lactobacillus helveticus HA – 1220.04% estimated

Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-10-21

Brand and contact: Calibra

Trust and provenance

Recall history
No recalls recorded in our database
Label data last checked
2026-10-21
Scored with
Model v3 (methodology)
Product page
calibrastore.co.uk

Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.

Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.

Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence

Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated

Why this score?

The overall score is 65 out of 100. The processing format contributed -6.7 points, while the overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +5.6. The carbohydrate content contributed -4.5, and the additive load contributed -2.9.

Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.

ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.69.191+5.57
Meat share of dry matter26.1%0.096+2.51
Carb share of dry matter38.8%-0.115-4.47
Oil share of dry matter3.7%-0.092-0.34
Additive share of dry matter17.4%0.163+2.84
Supplement share of dry matter2.4%-0.012-0.03
Undeclared quantities0.8%-0.106-0.08
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Additive penalty-13.200.222-2.93
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Show all 40 components
ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.69.191+5.57
Meat share of dry matter26.1%0.096+2.51
Carb share of dry matter38.8%-0.115-4.47
Oil share of dry matter3.7%-0.092-0.34
Vegetable share of dry matter0.4%-0.005-0.00
Additive share of dry matter17.4%0.163+2.84
Supplement share of dry matter2.4%-0.012-0.03
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor0.0%-0.065+0.00
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients0-0.876+0.00
Largest single poor ingredient0.0%0.060+0.00
Undeclared quantities0.8%-0.106-0.08
Prints ingredient percentagesno0.000+0.00
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Frozen or chilled freshno0.000+0.00
High meat (30%+ of dry matter)no0.707+0.00
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)no-3.158+0.00
High carb and low meatno-1.180+0.00
Meat share × printed percentages0.00.000+0.00
Meat share × fresh0.00.000+0.00
Fresh × high meat0.011.084+0.00
Additive penalty-13.200.222-2.93
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Rawno-0.054+0.00
Processing: Fresh Chilledno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Frozenno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Refrigeratedno0.000+0.00
Processing: Fresh Shelfno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Dry Freeze Driedno6.629+0.00
Processing: Dry Air Driedno6.331+0.00
Processing: Dry Cold Pressedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Bakedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Processing: Dry Semi Moistno-6.174+0.00
Processing: Dry Mueslino-10.146+0.00
Processing: Wet Pateno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Wet Chunksno-0.672+0.00
Processing-type offset
+0.02
Additives declared on label
+2 transparency bonus
Subtotal
64.7
Final score
65/100

Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.

Score history across model versions

The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up on the methodology page.

ModelScore
v365/100current
v269/100
v163/100
v1.965/100
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges

How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for puppies and growth. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.

Scored against FEDIAF growth minima; puppy scoring is under review.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein2830.8100
Fat1415.4100
Calcium1.11.2100
Phosphorus0.80.965.5
Sodium0.20.2 (band 0.22967032967032974+%)67
Calcium:phosphorus ratio1.41.4100
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3)--100
Energy (kcal/100g)380417.6100

Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100, omega-3 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.

Scored over 8 declared nutrients (combined weight 95); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.

Declared fortification: 19 nutritional additives on the label
  • vitamin A (3a672a) 17,000 IU/kg
  • vitamin D3 (3a671) 1,250 IU/kg
  • vitamin E (3a700) 300 mg/kg
  • vitamin C (3a312) 250 mg/kg
  • vitamin B1 (3a820) 4.8 mg/kg
  • vitamin B2 (3a825i) 6 mg/kg
  • niacinamide (3a315) 23 mg/kg
  • calcium pantothenate (3a841) 12 mg/kg
  • vitamin B6 (3a831) 4.8 mg/kg
  • folic acid (3a316) 0.6 mg/kg
  • vitamin B12 0.05 mg/kg
  • biotin (3a880) 0.65 mg/kg
  • choline chloride (3a890) 480 mg/kg
  • organic zinc (3b606) 90 mg/kg
  • organic iron (3b106) 75 mg/kg
  • organic manganese (3b504) 30 mg/kg
  • organic copper (3b406) 14 mg/kg
  • iodine (3b201) 0.7 mg/kg
  • organic selenium (3b810) 0.2 mg/kg

High confidence: full analysis plus minerals or omegas and declared energy.

This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.

Transparency: what the label discloses

How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.

ItemPoints
✓ Ingredient list on the label (mandatory)10/10
✓ Printed percentages on the label (99.2% of the recipe mass) (voluntary)19.8/20
✓ Analytical constituents declared (mandatory)15/15
✓ Additives declared (mandatory)10/10
✓ Energy value declared (voluntary)5/5
✓ Complete/complementary designation (mandatory)5/5
✓ Feeding guidance given (mandatory)10/10
✓ Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory)5/10
✓ Country of manufacture stated (voluntary)10/10
✓ Batch and date labelling (mandatory)5/5
Safety: recall history

Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.

No recalls recorded in our database.

See all current recalls we track.

Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it

The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.

50/100 · limited — 4 checkable claims: 2 consistent, 2 contradicted.

Contradicted by the label

  • "Monoprotein recipe" — the declared label says otherwise on single protein.
  • "Free from wheat, gluten and chicken" — the declared label says otherwise on grain-free.

Consistent with the label

  • "Complete & balanced dry dog food" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
  • "85% animal protein" — supported by the declared high protein data.

5 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.

Limited: at least one claim contradicts the declared label, or a recent upheld ASA ruling applies.

ClaimTypeCheckSubstantiation
Complete & balanced dry dog food (on page)ContentconsistentManufacturer assertion
Suitable for junior large breed dogs (over 30kg, 4-30 months). (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Monoprotein recipe (on page)ContentcontradictedManufacturer assertion
Built around fresh beef (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
85% animal protein (on page)NutrientconsistentManufacturer assertion
Free from wheat, gluten and chicken (on page)Free-fromcontradictedManufacturer assertion
Support joint development and cartilage health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Support skin, coat condition and overall development (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Support growth and overall health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion

The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.

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