Our verdict
Is Essential Foods THE JAGUAR a good dog food?
We score it 53/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with chicken, salmon and potatoes as the main ingredients.
100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon
- Your dog avoids duck: it is listed as an ingredient
- 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 40% · Fat 17%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 40% |
| Fat | 17% |
| Fibre | 3.50% |
| Ash | 9% |
| Moisture | 7% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 1.10% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 4.50% |
| Calcium | 1.50% |
| Phosphorus | 1.20% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
Always store in a cool, dry place (5-18 degrees), away from direct sunlight and in an airtight container
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 26000 IU/kg; Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 1600 IU/kg; Vitamin E 600 IU; Taurine 2000 mg; L-Carnitine 105 mg; Zinc (Zinc Chelate Acid Hydrate) 90 mg/kg; Iron (Iron (II) Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 65 mg; Manganese (Manganese Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 25 mg; Copper (Copper (II) Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 7.6 mg; Iodine (Calcium Iodate Anhydrous) / Potassium Iodide) 0.73 mg; DL-Methionine 2000 mg
Technological additives
Enterococcus faecium DSM 10663/NCIMB 10415 1000000000 cfu; natural preservative (rosemary); natural antioxidants
Ingredients (33)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- veg 49.4%
- meat 22.5%
- supplement 10.5%
- carb 7.5%
- oil 6.7%
- fibre 3.3%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freshly prepared British free-range chicken and free-run welfare assured British country duck | Chicken | meat · medium | - | 4.0 |
| 2 | dried chicken and duck | Chicken | meat · medium | - | 3.9 |
| 3 | fresh Scottish salmon and trout | Salmon | meat · good | - | 3.9 |
| 4 | potato | Potatoes | carb · medium | - | 3.8 |
| 5 | fresh whole eggs | Egg | meat · good | - | 3.8 |
| 6 | sweet potato | Sweet Potatoes | carb · good | - | 3.7 |
| 7 | peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 3.6 |
| 8 | fresh chicken liver | Chicken Liver | meat · good | - | 3.6 |
| 9 | chicken fat | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | - | 3.5 |
| 10 | flaxseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 3.5 |
| 11 | liver stock | Liver | meat · good | - | 3.4 |
| 12 | alfalfa sprouts | Alfalfa Sprouts | veg · good | - | 3.3 |
| 13 | pea fibre | Pea Fibre | fibre · medium | - | 3.3 |
| 14 | salmon oil | Salmon Oil | oil · good | - | 3.2 |
| 15 | vitamins | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 3.2 |
| 16 | minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 3.1 |
| 17 | cranberries | Cranberries | veg · good | - | 3.0 |
| 18 | acai | Acai | veg · good | - | 3.0 |
| 19 | blueberries | Blueberries | veg · good | - | 2.9 |
| 20 | mulberries | Mulberry | veg · good | - | 2.8 |
| 21 | apple | Apples | veg · good | - | 2.8 |
| 22 | tomato | Tomato | veg · good | - | 2.7 |
| 23 | orange | Orange | veg · medium | - | 2.7 |
| 24 | pear | Pears | veg · good | - | 2.6 |
| 25 | carrot | Carrots | veg · good | - | 2.5 |
| 26 | spinach | Spinach | veg · good | - | 2.5 |
| 27 | cauliflower | Cauliflower | veg · good | - | 2.4 |
| 28 | seaweed | Seaweed | veg · good | - | 2.4 |
| 29 | marigold | Calendula | veg · good | - | 2.3 |
| 30 | ginseng | Ginseng | supplement · medium | - | 2.2 |
| 31 | green tea | Green Tea | veg · good | - | 2.2 |
| 32 | ginger | Ginger | veg · good | - | 2.1 |
| 33 | probiotic supplement | Probiotic | supplement · good | - | 2.1 |
- 1. Freshly prepared British free-range chicken and free-run welfare assured British country duck4.0% estimated
- 2. dried chicken and duck3.9% estimated
- 3. fresh Scottish salmon and trout3.9% estimated
- 4. potato3.8% estimated
- 5. fresh whole eggs3.8% estimated
- 6. sweet potato3.7% estimated
- 7. peas3.6% estimated
- 8. fresh chicken liver3.6% estimated
- 9. chicken fat3.5% estimated
- 10. flaxseed3.5% estimated
- 11. liver stock3.4% estimated
- 12. alfalfa sprouts3.3% estimated
- 13. pea fibre3.3% estimated
- 14. salmon oil3.2% estimated
- 15. vitamins3.2% estimated
- 16. minerals3.1% estimated
- 17. cranberries3.0% estimated
- 18. acai3.0% estimated
- 19. blueberries2.9% estimated
- 20. mulberries2.8% estimated
- 21. apple2.8% estimated
- 22. tomato2.7% estimated
- 23. orange2.7% estimated
- 24. pear2.6% estimated
- 25. carrot2.5% estimated
- 26. spinach2.5% estimated
- 27. cauliflower2.4% estimated
- 28. seaweed2.4% estimated
- 29. marigold2.3% estimated
- 30. ginseng2.2% estimated
- 31. green tea2.2% estimated
- 32. ginger2.1% estimated
- 33. probiotic supplement2.1% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-08-22
Brand and contact: Essential Foods
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-08-22
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- essentialfoods.com
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?
This recipe achieves an overall score of 53 out of 100 based on several key factors. The inclusion of ingredients without printed percentages contributed -10.6 points, while the overall quality of the ingredient list added +7.2 points. Additionally, the processing format adjusted the score by -6.7, and being labelled nutritionally complete contributed +2.3 points.
Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.8 | 9.191 | +7.15 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 4.4% | -0.115 | -0.51 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 15.6% | -0.092 | -1.44 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 31.3% | -0.005 | -0.16 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 22.7% | -0.012 | -0.28 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.8 | 9.191 | +7.15 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 4.4% | -0.115 | -0.51 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 15.6% | -0.092 | -1.44 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 31.3% | -0.005 | -0.16 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 22.7% | -0.012 | -0.28 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 0.0% | -0.065 | +0.00 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 0 | -0.876 | +0.00 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 0.0% | 0.060 | +0.00 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | 0.00 | 0.222 | +0.00 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 52.7
- Final score
- 53/100
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.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. 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.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 40 | 43 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 17 | 18.3 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 3.5 | 3.8 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.5 | 1.6 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 1.2 | 1.3 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.3 | 1.3 (band 1 to 2%) | 85 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.
Declared fortification: 11 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A 26000 IU/kg
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 1600 IU/kg
- Vitamin E 600 IU
- Taurine 2000 mg
- L-Carnitine 105 mg
- Zinc (Zinc Chelate Acid Hydrate) 90 mg/kg
- Iron (Iron (II) Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 65 mg
- Manganese (Manganese Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 25 mg
- Copper (Copper (II) Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 7.6 mg
- Iodine (Calcium Iodate Anhydrous) / Potassium Iodide) 0.73 mg
- DL-Methionine 2000 mg
Medium confidence: the full five-part analysis is on file; where moisture was not declared it was estimated from the food type.
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.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file | 0/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) | 15/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) | 5/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Feeding guidance given).
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.
100/100 · moderate — 2 checkable claims: 2 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "grain-free" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
- "no grain, no fillers" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
6 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Moderate: every checkable claim is consistent with the declared label.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A grain-free diet helps sensitive digestion (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| keep your dog's blood sugar stable (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Naturally rich in omega 3 essential fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory properties (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| support healthy skin, a shiny coat, and overall heart and joint health (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Source of omega 3 (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| grain-free (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| no grain, no fillers (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Made with at least 95% free-range British free-run country duck, free-range British chicken, Scottish salmon, trout and whole egg (on page) | provenance | not checkable | Manufacturer 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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