Our verdict
Is Polkadog Four-Star Chicken À La Veg a good dog food?
We score it 46/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
100% 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 all lifestages
- Doesn't list beef, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists organic chicken & turkey bones/cartilage
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish meal
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists oats
- 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.
Ingredients (41)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- carb 25.8%
- supplement 21.2%
- meat 17.7%
- veg 15.8%
- oil 5.5%
- fibre 4.9%
- additive 4.2%
- other 2.6%
- mineral 2.2%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken | Chicken | meat · medium | - | 3.2 |
| 2 | Chicken Broth | Chicken Broth | meat · medium | - | 3.2 |
| 3 | Chicken Meal | Dried chicken protein | meat · good | - | 3.1 |
| 4 | Oatmeal | Oats | carb · medium | - | 3.1 |
| 5 | Pearled Barley | Pearled Barley | carb · medium | - | 3.1 |
| 6 | Sweet Potatoes | Sweet Potatoes | carb · good | - | 3.0 |
| 7 | Brown Rice | Rice - brown / whole grain | carb · medium | - | 3.0 |
| 8 | White Rice | Rice - white | carb · medium | - | 3.0 |
| 9 | Menhaden Fish Meal | Fish Meal | meat · medium | - | 2.9 |
| 10 | Whole Oats | Oat Groats | carb · good | - | 2.9 |
| 11 | Dried Egg Product | Dried Egg | meat · medium | - | 2.8 |
| 12 | Dried Tomato Pomace | Tomato Pomace | fibre · medium | - | 2.8 |
| 13 | Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | - | 2.8 |
| 14 | Salmon Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) | Salmon Oil | oil · good | - | 2.7 |
| 15 | Whole Barley | Barley | carb · medium | - | 2.7 |
| 16 | Millet | Millet | carb · good | - | 2.6 |
| 17 | Cheese | Cheese | other · medium | - | 2.6 |
| 18 | Flaxseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 2.6 |
| 19 | Potatoes | Potatoes | carb · medium | - | 2.5 |
| 20 | Dried Yeast | Yeast | supplement · good | - | 2.5 |
| 21 | Chicken Liver | Chicken Liver | meat · good | - | 2.4 |
| 22 | Carrots | Carrots | veg · good | - | 2.4 |
| 23 | Apples | Apples | veg · good | - | 2.4 |
| 24 | Broccoli | Broccoli | veg · good | - | 2.3 |
| 25 | Celery | Celery Seeds | veg · good | - | 2.3 |
| 26 | Salt | Salt | additive · poor | - | 2.2 |
| 27 | Monosodium Phosphate | Sodium phosphate | additive · poor | - | 2.2 |
| 28 | Vitamins [Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid] | Calcium pantothenate | supplement · good | - | 2.2 |
| 29 | Chicory Root Extract | Chicory Root Extract | fibre · good | - | 2.1 |
| 30 | Chicken Cartilage | Organic Chicken & Turkey Bones/Cartilage | supplement · good | - | 2.1 |
| 31 | Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Calcium Carbonate, Ferrous Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Magnesium Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate] | Manganese proteinate | supplement · good | - | 2.0 |
| 32 | Sorbic Acid (Preservative) | Sorbic acid | additive · poor | - | 2.0 |
| 33 | Cranberries | Cranberries | veg · good | - | 2.0 |
| 34 | Yucca Schidigera Extract | Yucca Schidigera | supplement · good | - | 1.9 |
| 35 | Blueberries | Blueberries | veg · good | - | 1.9 |
| 36 | Sodium Selenite | Sodium selenite | supplement · poor | - | 1.8 |
| 37 | Taurine | Taurine | supplement · good | - | 1.8 |
| 38 | Dried Lactobacillus paracasei Fermentation Product | Lacticaseibacillus paracasei | supplement · good | - | 1.8 |
| 39 | Dried Lactobacillus reuteri Fermentation Product | Limosilactobacillus reuteri | supplement · good | - | 1.7 |
| 40 | Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product | Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product | supplement · good | - | 1.7 |
| 41 | Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product | Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product | supplement · good | - | 1.7 |
- 1. Chicken3.2% estimated
- 2. Chicken Broth3.2% estimated
- 3. Chicken Meal3.1% estimated
- 4. Oatmeal3.1% estimated
- 5. Pearled Barley3.1% estimated
- 6. Sweet Potatoes3.0% estimated
- 7. Brown Rice3.0% estimated
- 8. White Rice3.0% estimated
- 9. Menhaden Fish Meal2.9% estimated
- 10. Whole Oats2.9% estimated
- 11. Dried Egg Product2.8% estimated
- 12. Dried Tomato Pomace2.8% estimated
- 13. Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)2.8% estimated
- 14. Salmon Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols)2.7% estimated
- 15. Whole Barley2.7% estimated
- 16. Millet2.6% estimated
- 17. Cheese2.6% estimated
- 18. Flaxseed2.6% estimated
- 19. Potatoes2.5% estimated
- 20. Dried Yeast2.5% estimated
- 21. Chicken Liver2.4% estimated
- 22. Carrots2.4% estimated
- 23. Apples2.4% estimated
- 24. Broccoli2.3% estimated
- 25. Celery2.3% estimated
- 26. Salt2.2% estimated
- 27. Monosodium Phosphate2.2% estimated
- 28. Vitamins [Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid]2.2% estimated
- 29. Chicory Root Extract2.1% estimated
- 30. Chicken Cartilage2.1% estimated
- 31. Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Calcium Carbonate, Ferrous Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Magnesium Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate]2.0% estimated
- 32. Sorbic Acid (Preservative)2.0% estimated
- 33. Cranberries2.0% estimated
- 34. Yucca Schidigera Extract1.9% estimated
- 35. Blueberries1.9% estimated
- 36. Sodium Selenite1.8% estimated
- 37. Taurine1.8% estimated
- 38. Dried Lactobacillus paracasei Fermentation Product1.8% estimated
- 39. Dried Lactobacillus reuteri Fermentation Product1.7% estimated
- 40. Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product1.7% estimated
- 41. Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product1.7% estimated
Nutrition and feeding
Declared analysis (as fed)
No analysis recorded yet.
Additives & feeding info
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Choline Chloride; Potassium Chloride; Vitamin E Supplement; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium Carbonate; Riboflavin Supplement; Niacin Supplement; Calcium Pantothenate; Vitamin A Supplement; Vitamin D3 Supplement; Biotin; Vitamin B12 Supplement; Thiamine Mononitrate; Folic Acid; Zinc Sulfate; Manganese Sulfate; Ferrous Sulfate; Magnesium Sulfate; Zinc Proteinate; Ferrous Proteinate; Manganese Proteinate; Copper Sulfate; Magnesium Proteinate; Copper Proteinate; Calcium Iodate; Sodium Selenite; Taurine; Dried Lactobacillus paracasei Fermentation Product; Dried Lactobacillus reuteri Fermentation Product; Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product; Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product
Technological additives
Mixed tocopherols (preservative for chicken fat and salmon oil); Sorbic Acid (Preservative)
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-14
Brand and contact: Polkadog
- Website
- https://www.polkadog.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.polkadog.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.
Trustpilot: 0.0/5 · 0 reviews
289 reviews on this product · 4.9/5
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 46 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list added +5.9 points. However, ingredients without printed percentages reduced the score by -10.6. Additionally, the processing format deducted -6.7 and the carbohydrate content contributed -3.2.
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 | +5.93 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 27.5% | -0.115 | -3.16 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 7.7% | -0.092 | -0.71 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 6.1% | -0.005 | -0.03 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 5.5% | 0.163 | +0.89 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 27.8% | -0.012 | -0.34 |
| Other share of dry matter | 1.9% | -0.375 | -0.69 |
| Recipe graded poor | 6.1% | -0.065 | -0.40 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.876 | -2.63 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 2.2% | 0.060 | +0.13 |
| 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 | -5.14 | 0.222 | -1.14 |
| 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 | +5.93 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 27.5% | -0.115 | -3.16 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 7.7% | -0.092 | -0.71 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 6.1% | -0.005 | -0.03 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 5.5% | 0.163 | +0.89 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 27.8% | -0.012 | -0.34 |
| Other share of dry matter | 1.9% | -0.375 | -0.69 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 6.1% | -0.065 | -0.40 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.876 | -2.63 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 2.2% | 0.060 | +0.13 |
| 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 | -5.14 | 0.222 | -1.14 |
| 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
- 45.8
- Final score
- 46/100
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
Analytical constituents not declared
Declared fortification: 31 nutritional additives on the label
- Choline Chloride
- Potassium Chloride
- Vitamin E Supplement
- Ascorbic Acid
- Calcium Carbonate
- Riboflavin Supplement
- Niacin Supplement
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Vitamin A Supplement
- Vitamin D3 Supplement
- Biotin
- Vitamin B12 Supplement
- Thiamine Mononitrate
- Folic Acid
- Zinc Sulfate
- Manganese Sulfate
- Ferrous Sulfate
- Magnesium Sulfate
- Zinc Proteinate
- Ferrous Proteinate
- Manganese Proteinate
- Copper Sulfate
- Magnesium Proteinate
- Copper Proteinate
- Calcium Iodate
- Sodium Selenite
- Taurine
- Dried Lactobacillus paracasei Fermentation Product
- Dried Lactobacillus reuteri Fermentation Product
- Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product
- Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product
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) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| 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, Feeding guidance given, 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.
Claims on file; none we can check against the label
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAMILY OWNED-AND-OPERATED: Produced, prepared, and packaged at Fromm's Wisconsin-based facilities (on page) | provenance | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| can be alternated with other Fromm Four-Star recipes (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High nutrient digestibility and utilization (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Third party pathogenic bacteria testing on all production batches (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all ages (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Includes Fromm's specially developed blend of probiotics (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| chicken, chicken broth, sweet potatoes, and an assortment of fruits and vegetables (on page) | Content | 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 Four-Star Chicken À La Veg
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