Our verdict
Is Pala Recipe #1 - Original a good dog food?
We score it 73/100 (Good). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for dogs of all life stages, with chicken, beef and salmon as the main ingredients.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids beef: the label lists beef
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
- You are limiting fat: 45.5% on a dry-matter basis is in the high band
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 35% · Fat 40%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 35% |
| Fat | 40% |
| Fibre | 3% |
| Ash | 8% |
| Moisture | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 2% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 1.89% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 5.13% |
| Calcium | 1.15% |
| Phosphorus | 0.91% |
Energy: 469 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place. Keep bag closed after opening and consume within 2 weeks. Not for human consumption.
Feeding guide
5kg 65g; 10kg 110g; 15kg 149g; 20kg 184g; 25kg 218g; 35kg 281g; 40kg 311g
Additives declared on the label
Technological additives
natural tocopherols with rosemary extract
Ingredients (20)13% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 87.0%
- veg 9.1%
- additive 1.5%
- carb 0.9%
- oil 0.8%
- fibre 0.8%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken (48%) | Chicken | meat · medium | 48 | 48.0 |
| 2 | Beef (25%) | Beef | meat · medium | 25 | 25.0 |
| 3 | Salmon (14%) | Salmon | meat · good | 14 | 14.0 |
| 4 | Beetroot | Beetroot | veg · good | - | 1.0 |
| 5 | Carrot | Carrots | veg · good | - | 1.0 |
| 6 | Cabbage | Cabbage | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 7 | Spinach | Spinach | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 8 | Raspberry | Raspberries | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 9 | Wheatgrass | Wheatgrass | carb · good | - | 0.9 |
| 10 | Flaxseed Oil | Linseed oil | oil · good | - | 0.8 |
| 11 | Psyllium Husk | Psyllium fibre | fibre · good | - | 0.8 |
| 12 | Apple Cider Vinegar | Apple Cider Vinegar | additive · medium | - | 0.8 |
| 13 | Kelp | Kelp | veg · good | - | 0.7 |
| 14 | Natural Tocopherols with Rosemary Extract | Tocopherols | additive · good | - | 0.7 |
| 15 | Cranberry | Cranberries | veg · good | - | 0.7 |
| 16 | Oregano | Oregano | veg · good | - | 0.6 |
| 17 | Thyme | Thyme | veg · good | - | 0.6 |
| 18 | Turmeric | Turmeric | veg · good | - | 0.6 |
| 19 | Blueberry | Blueberries | veg · good | - | 0.6 |
| 20 | Sea Buckthorn & Black Pepper | Sea Buckthorn | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
- 1. Chicken (48%)48% declared48.0% estimated
- 2. Beef (25%)25% declared25.0% estimated
- 3. Salmon (14%)14% declared14.0% estimated
- 4. Beetroot1.0% estimated
- 5. Carrot1.0% estimated
- 6. Cabbage0.9% estimated
- 7. Spinach0.9% estimated
- 8. Raspberry0.9% estimated
- 9. Wheatgrass0.9% estimated
- 10. Flaxseed Oil0.8% estimated
- 11. Psyllium Husk0.8% estimated
- 12. Apple Cider Vinegar0.8% estimated
- 13. Kelp0.7% estimated
- 14. Natural Tocopherols with Rosemary Extract0.7% estimated
- 15. Cranberry0.7% estimated
- 16. Oregano0.6% estimated
- 17. Thyme0.6% estimated
- 18. Turmeric0.6% estimated
- 19. Blueberry0.6% estimated
- 20. Sea Buckthorn & Black Pepper0.5% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-10-07
Brand and contact: Pala
- Website
- https://palapets.com/
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-10-07
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- palapets.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 scores 73 out of 100. The meat content contributed +7.7 points. The processing format reduced the score by -6.7. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +5.9 points, 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 | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.95 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 80.4% | 0.096 | +7.71 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.5% | -0.115 | -0.28 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 2.7% | -0.092 | -0.25 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.8% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 4.4% | 0.163 | +0.71 |
| Undeclared quantities | 13.0% | -0.106 | -1.37 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Additive penalty | -1.76 | 0.222 | -0.39 |
| 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 | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.95 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 80.4% | 0.096 | +7.71 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.5% | -0.115 | -0.28 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 2.7% | -0.092 | -0.25 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.8% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 4.4% | 0.163 | +0.71 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.012 | +0.00 |
| 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 | 13.0% | -0.106 | -1.37 |
| 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 | -1.76 | 0.222 | -0.39 |
| 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
- +1 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 73.4
- Final score
- 73/100
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 | 35 | 39.8 (band 23.982954545454547 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 40 | 45.5 (band 7.328125000000001 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 3 | 3.4 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.15 | 1.3 (band 0.6661931818181819 to 2.5%) | 91 |
| Phosphorus | 0.91 | 1 (band 0.5329545454545456 to 1.6%) | 98.2 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.3 | 1.3 (band 1 to 2%) | 85.8 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 469 | 533 | 50 |
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 8 declared nutrients (combined weight 100); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.
Portion-control flag: 469 kcal/100g as fed with fat at 45.5% dry matter, above the reference band. High-energy foods need smaller portions.
No nutritional additives section declared on the label.
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.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (87% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 17.4/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) | 15/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| 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) - 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
- "Complete raw dog food" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our signature recipe - raw dog food for all life stages (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Complete raw dog food (on page) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| No synthetic additives, supplements, flavours or preservatives (on pack) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| supports a healthy gut microbiome (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| supports muscle development and maintenance (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| supports stronger joints and ligaments (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| supports healthy skin and coat (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| supports a well-functioning immune system (on page) | Functional | 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 Recipe #1 - Original
Similar on ingredients, protein, format or nutrition, using the same stored data.
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