Blackwood Pet Food Lamb Meal & Chicken Meal with Ancient Grains Recipe

Dry Extruded complete

Lamb Meal & Chicken Meal with Ancient Grains Recipe
Average
our rating

Is Blackwood Pet Food Lamb Meal & Chicken Meal with Ancient Grains Recipe a good dog food?

We score it 50/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.

How we score

Why this score?

This recipe achieves an overall rating of 50 out of 100. The inclusion of ingredients without printed percentages contributed -10.6 points, and the processing format adjusted the score by -6.7. Conversely, the overall quality of the ingredient list added +6.6 points, while being labelled nutritionally complete contributed +2.3 points to the final evaluation.

Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.

100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.

The Recipe score measures how attractive and transparent the declared ingredient list is. It is not, by itself, proof that the food is nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The Nutritional and Evidence scores measure what we can verify towards that stronger claim.

Why you might choose it

  • Declares energy content, which most labels omit.
  • Nutritionally complete: formulated to be fed as the whole diet.

Why you might not

  • Meat makes up an estimated 6% of the dry matter; carbohydrates dominate.
  • 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.

View the source page

Estimated composition

supplement56.1%
carb11.6%
mineral7.0%
meat6.0%
oil5.5%
fibre5.3%
additive5.0%
veg2.1%
unknown1.6%

Typical analysis (as fed)

Protein
24%
Fat
14%
Fibre
4%
Moisture
10%
Omega-3 fatty acids
0.30%
Omega-6 fatty acids
2.20%

Energy: 394.6 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Technological additives

mixed tocopherols (a preservative)

Feeding guide

These are quantity suggestions. The actual amount you feed your pet may vary, depending greatly upon the breed, activity level, metabolism and your preferences. Fresh, clean water should be kept available to the dog at all times. Pregnant and nursing females’ consumption may vary during gestation, especially during the last 3 weeks of pregnancy and may double during lactation. Blackwood recommends free-choice feeding to pregnant and nursing females to maintain optimal body condition.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
  • Doesn't list beef, turkey, venison, pork, duck as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists dried chicken protein
  • Your dog avoids lamb: the label lists lamb
  • Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish oil
  • Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - brown / whole grain
  • 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. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.

Ingredients (44)

#As declaredMatchedCategoryTierDeclared %Est. %
1Lamb mealLambmeatmedium-3.0
2chicken mealDried chicken proteinmeatgood-3.0
3brown riceRice - brown / whole graincarbmedium-2.9
4oatOatscarbmedium-2.9
5milletMilletcarbgood-2.9
6sorghumSorghumcarbmedium-2.8
7chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)Chicken Oil and Fatoilmedium-2.8
8dried beet pulpBeet Pulpfibremedium-2.8
9brewers dried yeastYeastsupplementgood-2.7
10menhaden fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols)Fish Oiloilgood-2.7
11monosodium phosphateSodium phosphateadditivepoor-2.7
12potassium chloridePotassium Chloridesupplementmedium-2.6
13saltSaltadditivemedium-2.6
14L-threonineThreoninesupplementmedium-2.6
15inulinInulinfibregood-2.5
16choline chlorideCholinesupplementgood-2.5
17L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C)L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphatesupplementgood-2.5
18DL-methionineMethioninesupplementgood-2.4
19L-lysineLysinesupplementmedium-2.4
20mixed tocopherols (a preservative)Tocopherolsadditivegood-2.4
21yucca schidigera extractYucca Schidigerasupplementgood-2.3
22calcium carbonateCalcium Carbonatesupplementmedium-2.3
23vitamin E supplementVitamin Esupplementgood-2.3
24zinc amino acid complexZinc Oxidesupplementgood-2.2
25iron amino acid complexIronmineralgood-2.2
26manganese amino acid complexManganesesupplementgood-2.2
27copper amino acid complexCoppermineralgood-2.1
28niacin supplementNiacinsupplementgood-2.1
29dried kelpKelpveggood-2.1
30D-calcium pantothenateCalcium pantothenatesupplementgood-2.0
31riboflavin supplementRiboflavinsupplementgood-2.0
32vitamin B12 supplementVitamin B12supplementgood-1.9
33thiamine mononitrateThiamine mononitratesupplementgood-1.9
34vitamin A acetateVitamin Asupplementgood-1.9
35pyridoxine hydrochloridePyridoxine hydrochloridesupplementgood-1.8
36vitamin D3 supplementVitamin D3 supplementsupplementgood-1.8
37biotinBiotinsupplementgood-1.8
38folic acidFolic acidsupplementgood-1.7
39sodium seleniteSodium selenitesupplementpoor-1.7
40calcium iodateCalcium iodatesupplementmedium-1.7
41dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation productLactobacillus caseisupplementgood-1.6
42dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation productDried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Productsupplementgood-1.6
43dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation productunmatched---1.6
44dried Lactobacillus reuteri fermentation productLimosilactobacillus reuterisupplementgood-1.5

Brand

Blackwood Pet Food logo
Phone
1.888.843.1738; 330.424.9700

Trust and provenance

Recall history
No recalls recorded in our database
Label data last checked
2026-09-14
Scored with
Model v3 (methodology)

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.

Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated

Scored with model v3 on 2026-09-26. 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 quality0.79.191+6.64
Carb share of dry matter11.1%-0.115-1.28
Oil share of dry matter6.0%-0.092-0.55
Vegetable share of dry matter2.0%-0.005-0.01
Additive share of dry matter4.9%0.163+0.80
Supplement share of dry matter56.6%-0.012-0.69
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.9%-0.027-0.02
Recipe graded poor1.7%-0.065-0.11
Number of poor ingredients1-0.876-0.88
Largest single poor ingredient1.7%0.060+0.10
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
Additive penalty-6.000.222-1.33
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 quality0.79.191+6.64
Meat share of dry matter0.0%0.096+0.00
Carb share of dry matter11.1%-0.115-1.28
Oil share of dry matter6.0%-0.092-0.55
Vegetable share of dry matter2.0%-0.005-0.01
Additive share of dry matter4.9%0.163+0.80
Supplement share of dry matter56.6%-0.012-0.69
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.9%-0.027-0.02
Recipe graded poor1.7%-0.065-0.11
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients1-0.876-0.88
Largest single poor ingredient1.7%0.060+0.10
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
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)yes-3.158-3.16
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-6.000.222-1.33
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
+1 transparency bonus
Subtotal
49.6
Final score
50/100

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.

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.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein2426.5 (band 18 to 40%)93.2
Fat1415.5 (band 5.5 to 20%)100
Fibre44.4 (band 0.5 to 5%)100
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3)--100
Energy (kcal/100g)394.6436100

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 5 declared nutrients (combined weight 70); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.

Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture 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.

ItemPoints
✓ Ingredient list on the label (mandatory)10/10
✗ Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file0/20
✗ Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file0/15
✓ 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 file0/5

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.

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

  • "No Wheat" — the declared label says otherwise on grain-free.

11 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
with the natural goodness of lamb meal, chicken meal, Menhaden fish oil, and dried plain beet pulp (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Grain Inclusive (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
All Life Stages (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
We add prebiotics and probiotics to promote healthy digestion and happy tummies (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Zinpro® ProPath® Minerals zinc, manganese, iron and copper to nourish joint health, brain health, immunity, and promote hair growth (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
No Wheat (on page)Free-fromcontradictedManufacturer assertion
Slow cooked and handcrafted (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Everyday Diet (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Complete & Balanced Diet (on page)Nutrientnot checkableManufacturer assertion
No Corn (on page)Free-fromnot checkableManufacturer assertion
No Soy (on page)Free-fromnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Completed and balanced for dogs of all life stages except growth of large size dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult) (on page)Nutrientnot checkableManufacturer assertion

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

Other products from Blackwood Pet Food

See all products from Blackwood Pet Food

Alternatives to Lamb Meal & Chicken Meal with Ancient Grains Recipe

Foods in our database that are similar on ingredients, protein, format or price. Scores and figures are from the same deterministic model used everywhere on the site.

See all alternatives

Community

Owners' verdict
0 votes

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share how this went down with your dog.

Comments are reviewed before they appear.