Our verdict
Is Happy Dog Medium Adult (Fit & Vital) a good dog food?
We score it 51/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
77% 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
- Doesn't list beef, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists poultry
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists poultry
- Your dog avoids lamb: the label lists lamb
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish meal
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists maize / corn
- 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 24% · Fat 13%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 24% |
| Fat | 13% |
| Fibre | 2% |
| Ash | 7% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.30% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 3% |
| Calcium | 1.40% |
| Phosphorus | 0.95% |
| Sodium | 0.35% |
Energy: 371 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
See portion guide based on weight and activity (link provided on page).
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A (3a672a) 12000 IU/kg; Vitamin D3 (3a671) 1000 IU/kg; Vitamin E (3a700) 75 mg/kg; Vitamin B1 (3a821) 4 mg/kg; Vitamin B2 (3a825ii) 6 mg/kg; Vitamin B6 (3a831) 4 mg/kg; Biotin (3a880) 575 mcg/kg; Calcium D-pantothenate (3a841) 10 mg/kg; Niacin (3a314) 40 mg/kg; Vitamin B12 70 mcg/kg; Choline chloride (3a890) 60 mg/kg; Vitamin C (3a312) 20 mg/kg; Iron (as 3b103, 3b106) 105 mg/kg; Copper (as 3b405, 3b406) 10 mg/kg; Zinc (as 3b603, 3b606, 3b607) 105 mg/kg; Manganese (as 3b502, 3b504) 25 mg/kg; Iodine (as 3b202) 2 mg/kg; Selenium (as 3b801, 3b8.12) 0.15 mg/kg
Technological additives
Tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils 1b306(i)
Ingredients (33)77% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 30.4%
- veg 27.4%
- carb 14.8%
- supplement 11.0%
- fibre 6.5%
- oil 3.5%
- other 3.4%
- additive 3.0%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Animal proteins | Digest / Hydrolysed Animal Proteins | meat · poor | - | 1.5 |
| 2 | 14% poultry | Poultry | meat · medium | 14 | 14.0 |
| 3 | 4% lamb | Lamb | meat · medium | 4 | 4.0 |
| 4 | maize | Maize / Corn | carb · medium | - | 1.5 |
| 5 | maize flour | Maize Flour | carb · medium | - | 1.5 |
| 6 | rice | Rice - white | carb · medium | - | 1.5 |
| 7 | barley | Barley | carb · medium | - | 1.4 |
| 8 | oils and fats | Oils and Fats | oil · poor | - | 1.4 |
| 9 | fish meal | Fish Meal | meat · medium | - | 1.4 |
| 10 | 50% salmon meal | Salmon Protein | meat · good | 50 | 50.0 |
| 11 | haemoglobin | Hemoglobin | meat · medium | - | 1.3 |
| 12 | hydrolysed protein | Protein Hydrolysate | other · poor | - | 1.3 |
| 13 | beet pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 1.3 |
| 14 | apple pomace | Apple Fibre | fibre · medium | - | 1.3 |
| 15 | potassium chloride | Potassium Chloride | supplement · medium | - | 1.2 |
| 16 | yeasts | Yeast | supplement · good | - | 1.2 |
| 17 | sodium chloride | Salt | additive · poor | - | 1.2 |
| 18 | seaweed | Seaweed | veg · good | - | 1.1 |
| 19 | linseed (0.16%) | Linseed | veg · good | 0.16 | 0.2 |
| 20 | dried whole egg (0.12%) | Dried Whole Egg | meat · good | 0.12 | 0.1 |
| 21 | milk thistle | Milk Thistle | veg · good | - | 1.1 |
| 22 | mussel meat (0.02%) | Mussel Meat Meal | meat · medium | 0.02 | 0.02 |
| 23 | yeasts (extract) | Yeast | supplement · good | - | 1.1 |
| 24 | artichoke | Artichoke | veg · good | - | 1.1 |
| 25 | dandelion | Dandelion Root | veg · good | - | 1.0 |
| 26 | ginger (0.016%) birch leaves | Birch Leaves | veg · medium | - | 1.0 |
| 27 | stinging nettle | Nettles | veg · good | - | 1.0 |
| 28 | camomile | Chamomile | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 29 | coriander | Coriander | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 30 | rosemary | Rosemary | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 31 | sage | Sage | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 32 | liquorice root | Licorice Root | supplement · medium | - | 0.8 |
| 33 | thyme (0.16%) dried. | Thyme | veg · good | - | 0.8 |
- 1. Animal proteins1.5% estimated
- 2. 14% poultry14% declared14.0% estimated
- 3. 4% lamb4% declared4.0% estimated
- 4. maize1.5% estimated
- 5. maize flour1.5% estimated
- 6. rice1.5% estimated
- 7. barley1.4% estimated
- 8. oils and fats1.4% estimated
- 9. fish meal1.4% estimated
- 10. 50% salmon meal50% declared50.0% estimated
- 11. haemoglobin1.3% estimated
- 12. hydrolysed protein1.3% estimated
- 13. beet pulp1.3% estimated
- 14. apple pomace1.3% estimated
- 15. potassium chloride1.2% estimated
- 16. yeasts1.2% estimated
- 17. sodium chloride1.2% estimated
- 18. seaweed1.1% estimated
- 19. linseed (0.16%)0.16% declared0.2% estimated
- 20. dried whole egg (0.12%)0.12% declared0.1% estimated
- 21. milk thistle1.1% estimated
- 22. mussel meat (0.02%)0.02% declared0.02% estimated
- 23. yeasts (extract)1.1% estimated
- 24. artichoke1.1% estimated
- 25. dandelion1.0% estimated
- 26. ginger (0.016%) birch leaves1.0% estimated
- 27. stinging nettle1.0% estimated
- 28. camomile0.9% estimated
- 29. coriander0.9% estimated
- 30. rosemary0.9% estimated
- 31. sage0.9% estimated
- 32. liquorice root0.8% estimated
- 33. thyme (0.16%) dried.0.8% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-14
Brand and contact: Happy Dog
- Website
- https://www.happydoguk.com/
- [email protected]
- Phone
- (530) 267-6262
- Address
- 300 Salem Street Chico,CA 95928
- Contact page
- www.happydog.com
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-14
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.happydoguk.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.
Brand and retailer reviews
External platform ratings are not scores for this individual recipe.
416 reviews on this product · 4.8/5
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 a final score of 51 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list added +3.8 points. However, ingredients without printed percentages reduced the score by -8.1. Additionally, the processing format deducted -6.7 and the carbohydrate content contributed -2.6.
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 | 0.4 | 9.191 | +3.85 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 16.9% | 0.096 | +1.63 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 22.7% | -0.115 | -2.61 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 6.0% | -0.092 | -0.55 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 11.2% | -0.005 | -0.06 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 4.7% | 0.163 | +0.76 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 17.6% | -0.012 | -0.21 |
| Other share of dry matter | 2.9% | -0.375 | -1.09 |
| Recipe graded poor | 9.8% | -0.065 | -0.64 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.876 | -2.63 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 3.5% | 0.060 | +0.21 |
| Undeclared quantities | 76.5% | -0.106 | -8.08 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Additive penalty | -3.64 | 0.222 | -0.81 |
| 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 | 0.4 | 9.191 | +3.85 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 16.9% | 0.096 | +1.63 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 22.7% | -0.115 | -2.61 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 6.0% | -0.092 | -0.55 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 11.2% | -0.005 | -0.06 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 4.7% | 0.163 | +0.76 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 17.6% | -0.012 | -0.21 |
| Other share of dry matter | 2.9% | -0.375 | -1.09 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 9.8% | -0.065 | -0.64 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.876 | -2.63 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 3.5% | 0.060 | +0.21 |
| Undeclared quantities | 76.5% | -0.106 | -8.08 |
| 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) | no | -3.158 | +0.00 |
| 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 | -3.64 | 0.222 | -0.81 |
| 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
- 51.4
- Final score
- 51/100
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.
Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 24 | 26.5 (band 18.447513812154696 to 40%) | 92.5 |
| Fat | 13 | 14.4 (band 5.636740331491714 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 2 | 2.2 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 92.8 |
| Calcium | 1.4 | 1.5 (band 0.5124309392265194 to 2.5%) | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 0.95 | 1 (band 0.40994475138121556 to 1.6%) | 100 |
| Sodium | 0.35 | 0.4 (band 0.10248618784530389+%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.5 | 1.5 (band 1 to 2%) | 98.4 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 371 | 409.9 | 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 9 declared nutrients (combined weight 105); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
Declared fortification: 18 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A (3a672a) 12000 IU/kg
- Vitamin D3 (3a671) 1000 IU/kg
- Vitamin E (3a700) 75 mg/kg
- Vitamin B1 (3a821) 4 mg/kg
- Vitamin B2 (3a825ii) 6 mg/kg
- Vitamin B6 (3a831) 4 mg/kg
- Biotin (3a880) 575 mcg/kg
- Calcium D-pantothenate (3a841) 10 mg/kg
- Niacin (3a314) 40 mg/kg
- Vitamin B12 70 mcg/kg
- Choline chloride (3a890) 60 mg/kg
- Vitamin C (3a312) 20 mg/kg
- Iron (as 3b103, 3b106) 105 mg/kg
- Copper (as 3b405, 3b406) 10 mg/kg
- Zinc (as 3b603, 3b606, 3b607) 105 mg/kg
- Manganese (as 3b502, 3b504) 25 mg/kg
- Iodine (as 3b202) 2 mg/kg
- Selenium (as 3b801, 3b8.12) 0.15 mg/kg
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 (23.5% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 4.7/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| 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) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Batch and date labelling).
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.
0/100 · limited — 1 checkable claim: 0 consistent, 1 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "Wheat-free" — the declared label says otherwise on grain-free.
7 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.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five animal proteins: salmon, sea fish, egg, poultry, lamb (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Wheat-free (on page) | Free-from | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| Balanced for adult dogs with normal activity (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| combines five premium proteins and omega oils for healthy skin, coat, and immunity (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| gently cooked in Bavaria using our Thermostufenmix® process, helping to preserve essential nutrients (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| With Bavarian herbs for digestion (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| 30-Day Taste Guarantee (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| No added sugar (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
Alternatives to Medium Adult (Fit & Vital)
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