McAdams Small Breed Free Range Chicken & Salmon
Dry Baked · completeHigh meatClear label
Our verdict
Is McAdams Small Breed Free Range Chicken & Salmon a good dog food?
We score it 66/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete baked dry food for adult dogs, with chicken, sweet potatoes and salmon as the main ingredients.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at small dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon
- 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 21% · Fat 15%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 21% |
| Fat | 15% |
| Fibre | 3% |
| Ash | 8.50% |
| Moisture | 8% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.90% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 2.90% |
| Calcium | 1.10% |
| Phosphorus | 1% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
Dog Weight: 3kg — 50-65g; 5kg — 75-100g; 7kg — 95-125g; 10kg — 120-165g per day
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 14423 IU; Vitamin D3 2000 IU; Vitamin E 96 IU; Zinc (Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate) 48 mg; Iron (Iron (II) Sulphate Monohydrate) 48 mg; Manganese (Manganous Sulphate Monohydrate) 34 mg; Copper(Copper (II) Sulphate Pentahydrate) 14 mg; Iodine (Calcium Iodate Anhydrous) 0.96 mg; Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.29 mg
Ingredients (27)25% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 51.5%
- carb 28.5%
- veg 9.3%
- supplement 6.1%
- oil 3.1%
- fibre 1.4%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole British Free Range Chicken (40%) | Chicken | meat · medium | 40 | 40.0 |
| 2 | Sweet Potato (25%) | Sweet Potatoes | carb · good | 25 | 25.0 |
| 3 | Sustainably Sourced Scottish Salmon (10%) | Salmon | meat · good | 10 | 10.0 |
| 4 | Tapioca | Tapioca | carb · medium | - | 1.8 |
| 5 | Pea Protein | Pea protein | carb · medium | - | 1.7 |
| 6 | Chicken Fat | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | - | 1.7 |
| 7 | Yeast | Yeast | supplement · good | - | 1.6 |
| 8 | Lentils | Lentils | veg · medium | - | 1.6 |
| 9 | Chicken Gravy | Chicken | meat · medium | - | 1.5 |
| 10 | Vitamins and Minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 1.5 |
| 11 | Salmon Oil | Salmon Oil | oil · good | - | 1.4 |
| 12 | Vegetable Fibre | Vegetable fibre | fibre · medium | - | 1.4 |
| 13 | Prebiotics | Prebiotics | supplement · good | - | 1.3 |
| 14 | FOS (0.23%) | Fructo-oligosaccharides | supplement · good | 0.23 | 0.2 |
| 15 | MOS (0.15%) | Mannanoligosaccharides | supplement · good | 0.15 | 0.1 |
| 16 | Dried Orange | Orange | veg · medium | - | 1.3 |
| 17 | Yucca Extract | Yucca Schidigera | supplement · good | - | 1.2 |
| 18 | Hand Cut Irish Seaweed (0.03%) | Seaweed | veg · good | 0.03 | 0.03 |
| 19 | Marigold | Calendula | veg · good | - | 1.2 |
| 20 | New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel (0.01%) | Green-Lipped Mussel | supplement · good | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| 21 | Carrots (0.01%) | Carrots | veg · good | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| 22 | Tomatoes | Tomato | veg · good | - | 1.1 |
| 23 | Camomile | Chamomile | veg · good | - | 1.1 |
| 24 | Cranberries (0.01%) | Cranberries | veg · good | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| 25 | Spinach | Spinach | veg · good | - | 1.0 |
| 26 | Rosemary | Rosemary | veg · good | - | 1.0 |
| 27 | Lavender | Lavender | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
- 1. Whole British Free Range Chicken (40%)40% declared40.0% estimated
- 2. Sweet Potato (25%)25% declared25.0% estimated
- 3. Sustainably Sourced Scottish Salmon (10%)10% declared10.0% estimated
- 4. Tapioca1.8% estimated
- 5. Pea Protein1.7% estimated
- 6. Chicken Fat1.7% estimated
- 7. Yeast1.6% estimated
- 8. Lentils1.6% estimated
- 9. Chicken Gravy1.5% estimated
- 10. Vitamins and Minerals1.5% estimated
- 11. Salmon Oil1.4% estimated
- 12. Vegetable Fibre1.4% estimated
- 13. Prebiotics1.3% estimated
- 14. FOS (0.23%)0.23% declared0.2% estimated
- 15. MOS (0.15%)0.15% declared0.1% estimated
- 16. Dried Orange1.3% estimated
- 17. Yucca Extract1.2% estimated
- 18. Hand Cut Irish Seaweed (0.03%)0.03% declared0.03% estimated
- 19. Marigold1.2% estimated
- 20. New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel (0.01%)0.01% declared0.01% estimated
- 21. Carrots (0.01%)0.01% declared0.01% estimated
- 22. Tomatoes1.1% estimated
- 23. Camomile1.1% estimated
- 24. Cranberries (0.01%)0.01% declared0.01% estimated
- 25. Spinach1.0% estimated
- 26. Rosemary1.0% estimated
- 27. Lavender0.9% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-08-22
Brand and contact: McAdams
- [email protected]
- Phone
- +44(0) 1494 932 150
- Address
- McAdams Pet Foods Symply Pet Foods Ltd Thomas Road Wooburn Green Buckinghamshire HP10 0PE
- Contact page
- mcadamspetfoods.com
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
- mcadamspetfoods.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?
The score for this food comes in at 66 out of 100. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +6.8 points, and the meat content added a further +3.9 points. The processing format took -6.7 off the total, while the carbohydrate content reduced the score by -2.7 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 | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.78 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 40.4% | 0.096 | +3.87 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 23.7% | -0.115 | -2.73 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 8.9% | -0.092 | -0.82 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 6.9% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 16.2% | -0.012 | -0.20 |
| Undeclared quantities | 24.6% | -0.106 | -2.59 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.78 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 40.4% | 0.096 | +3.87 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 23.7% | -0.115 | -2.73 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 8.9% | -0.092 | -0.82 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 6.9% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 16.2% | -0.012 | -0.20 |
| 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 | 24.6% | -0.106 | -2.59 |
| 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) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| 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 | 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 | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| 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
- +1 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 65.6
- Final score
- 66/100
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 | 21 | 22.8 (band 18 to 40%) | 83.2 |
| Fat | 15 | 16.3 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 3 | 3.3 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.1 | 1.2 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 90.9 |
| Phosphorus | 1 | 1.1 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.1 | 1.1 (band 1 to 2%) | 76 |
| 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: 9 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A 14423 IU
- Vitamin D3 2000 IU
- Vitamin E 96 IU
- Zinc (Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate) 48 mg
- Iron (Iron (II) Sulphate Monohydrate) 48 mg
- Manganese (Manganous Sulphate Monohydrate) 34 mg
- Copper(Copper (II) Sulphate Pentahydrate) 14 mg
- Iodine (Calcium Iodate Anhydrous) 0.96 mg
- Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.29 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 (75.4% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 15.1/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) | 15/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| 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 (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.
100/100 · moderate — 1 checkable claim: 1 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "Free from grain and meat/fish meals" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| gently baked and highly digestible (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Perfect for dogs with digestive issues, allergies and fussy eaters (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Salmon is rich in vitamins A, B and D as well as omega-3 fatty acids to help your dog’s immune system, ensure coat health, whilst also fighting against skin irritations (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Salmon helps improve your dog’s brain functions and can reduce inflammation thanks to the high amounts of omega-3 essential fatty acids found in fresh salmon (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Full of natural fibre, vitamins and minerals to ensure your pets immune system is thriving (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| All McAdams foods are 100% fresh meat, we never use any powdered meat meals (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Free from grain and meat/fish meals (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Made with meat sourced exclusively from RSPCA Assured Farms (on page) | provenance | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| made with smaller crunchy biscuits for little mouths (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Grain-free and meat meal free complete diet, made with fresh sustainably sourced ingredients (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 Small Breed Free Range Chicken & Salmon
Similar on ingredients, protein, format or nutrition, using the same stored data.
Community0 comments
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share how this went down with your dog.