Is Carnos Complete Chicken a good dog food?
We score it 63/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Why this score?
The overall score for this recipe is 63 out of 100. It gained +8 points for the overall quality of the ingredient list and +2.3 points for being labelled nutritionally complete. It lost -10.6 points for ingredients without printed percentages and -1.3 points for the oil and fat content.
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.
- Recipe63
- Nutritionallow96
- Transparency50
- Safety100
- Evidencelimited75
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
- Scores 63, in the top quarter of raw foods we track.
- Doesn't list grain ingredients.
- Declares energy content, which most labels omit.
Why you might not
- 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.
- Needs freezer space and defrosting before serving.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (as fed)
- Protein
- 14.65%
- Fat
- 8.35%
- Fibre
- 0.44%
- Moisture
- 72.79%
- Calcium
- 0.47%
- Phosphorus
- 0.38%
Energy: 141 kcal/100g
Dry matter basis
- Protein
- 53.85%
- Fat
- 30.69%
- Fibre
- 1.62%
Additives & feeding info
Nutritional additives
Vitamin E; Zinc Picolinate; Iron Bisglycinate Chelate; Copper Gluconate; Manganese Gluconate
Storage
Ready-to-serve; defrost, portion, and serve (previously frozen raw meal)
Feeding guide
Feed as a complete meal with no extras added. For most dogs, feed 2% to 3% of body weight daily. Serving depends on age, weight, and activity level. Suitable for adult dogs, puppies, senior dogs, small dogs, high-activity dogs, and pregnant dogs.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
- 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 leg
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists seafood
- 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 (24)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken Leg Quarter | Chicken Leg | meat | good | - | 5.5 |
| 2 | Chicken Heart | Chicken Heart | meat | good | - | 5.4 |
| 3 | Chicken Gizzard | Chicken Gizzard | meat | good | - | 5.3 |
| 4 | Chicken Breast | Chicken Breast | meat | good | - | 5.1 |
| 5 | Chicken Frame | Chicken | meat | medium | - | 5.0 |
| 6 | Chicken Liver | Chicken Liver | meat | good | - | 4.9 |
| 7 | Green Bean | Green Beans | veg | good | - | 4.8 |
| 8 | Zucchini | Courgette | veg | good | - | 4.7 |
| 9 | Celery | Celery Seeds | veg | good | - | 4.6 |
| 10 | Apple | Apples | veg | good | - | 4.5 |
| 11 | Cranberry | Cranberries | veg | good | - | 4.3 |
| 12 | Flaxseed | Linseed | veg | good | - | 4.2 |
| 13 | Cod Liver Oil | Cod Liver Oil | oil | good | - | 4.1 |
| 14 | Dicalcium Phosphate | Dicalcium phosphate | supplement | medium | - | 4.0 |
| 15 | Salt | Salt | additive | medium | - | 3.9 |
| 16 | Kelp | Kelp | veg | good | - | 3.8 |
| 17 | Potassium Citrate | Potassium Citrate | mineral | good | - | 3.7 |
| 18 | Fish Oil | Fish Oil | oil | good | - | 3.5 |
| 19 | Vitamin E | Vitamin E | supplement | good | - | 3.4 |
| 20 | Zinc Picolinate | Zinc Oxide | supplement | good | - | 3.3 |
| 21 | Iron Bisglycinate Chelate | Iron | mineral | good | - | 3.2 |
| 22 | Copper Gluconate | Copper | mineral | good | - | 3.1 |
| 23 | Manganese Gluconate | Manganese | supplement | good | - | 3.0 |
| 24 | Fish. | Seafood | meat | medium | - | 2.9 |
Brand
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-21
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.carnos.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.
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.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.9 | 9.191 | +8.02 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 14.2% | -0.092 | -1.31 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 19.9% | -0.005 | -0.10 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 6.6% | 0.163 | +1.07 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 23.7% | -0.012 | -0.29 |
| 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 |
| Additive penalty | -4.74 | 0.222 | -1.05 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.12 | 33.786 | +37.84 |
| Processing: Raw | yes | -0.054 | -0.05 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.9 | 9.191 | +8.02 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.115 | +0.00 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 14.2% | -0.092 | -1.31 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 19.9% | -0.005 | -0.10 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 6.6% | 0.163 | +1.07 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 23.7% | -0.012 | -0.29 |
| 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 | -4.74 | 0.222 | -1.05 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.12 | 33.786 | +37.84 |
| Processing: Raw | yes | -0.054 | -0.05 |
| 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 | 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
- -1.74
- Additives declared on label
- +1 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 62.9
- Final score
- 63/100
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.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 14.65 | 47.6 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 8.35 | 27.1 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 0.44 | 1.4 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 82.4 |
| Calcium | 0.469 | 1.5 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 0.38 | 1.2 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.2 | 1.2 (band 1 to 2%) | 84.1 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 141 | 457.8 | 100 |
Scored over 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 69.2% 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.
| 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) - not on file | 0/15 |
| 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 (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.
75/100 · limited — 4 checkable claims: 3 consistent, 1 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "Antibiotic-free, steroid-free, and hormone-free chicken" — the declared label says otherwise on chicken.
Consistent with the label
- "Nutritionally complete meal, ready-to-serve" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
- "Balanced to exceed AAFCO & NRC nutritional guidelines" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
- "Complete & Balanced single-protein raw meals formulated to meet and exceed AAFCO and NRC nutritional guidelines for dogs of all life stages" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Canine Nutritionist formulated (on pack) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| No HPP (on pack) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Nutritionally complete meal, ready-to-serve (on pack) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Balanced to exceed AAFCO & NRC nutritional guidelines (on pack) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Antibiotic-free, steroid-free, and hormone-free chicken (on pack) | Free-from | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| Minimally processed in our FDA-approved facility (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| No 3D/4D or rendered meat (on pack) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| No fillers or preservatives (on pack) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Complete & Balanced single-protein raw meals formulated to meet and exceed AAFCO and NRC nutritional guidelines for dogs of all life stages (on pack) | Content | consistent | 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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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.
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