Carnilove Duck & Pheasant, 1.5 kg is a dry food for adult dogs of all breeds made with duck and pheasant. It is a grain-free and potato-free formula. The base is duck meal (30%) and pheasant meal (22%), followed by yellow peas (20%), chicken fat (8%), duck fillet (5%) and chicken liver (3%). Its energy value is 3900 kcal/kg, with 0.33% omega-3 and 2.34% omega-6. The food is positioned as holistic and contains sources of glucosamine and chondroitin, prebiotics, yucca, herbs and berries.
Ingredients
After the meat ingredients the list continues with apples (3%), tapioca starch (3%), salmon oil (2%), carrots, flaxseed and chickpeas (1% each). The fat is preserved with tocopherols. Functional additions include hydrolysed crustacean shells (a glucosamine source), cartilage extract (a chondroitin source), brewer's yeast (mannan-oligosaccharides), chicory root (fructo-oligosaccharides) and Yucca schidigera extract. Seaweed, plantain, thyme, rosemary, oregano, cranberries, blueberries and raspberries complete the recipe.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | dry food, holistic class |
| For | adult dogs of all breeds |
| Flavour | duck and pheasant |
| Meat ingredients | duck meal 30%, pheasant meal 22%, duck fillet 5%, chicken liver 3% |
| Grain and potato | none |
| Energy value | 3900 kcal/kg |
| Omega-3 / omega-6 | 0.33% / 2.34% |
| Pack size | 1.5 kg |
Pros
- Uncommon proteins. Duck and pheasant are an option for dogs tired of chicken and beef.
- Plenty of meat. 60% meat ingredients by the stated shares.
- No grain or potato.
- Joint support. Sources of glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Prebiotics and yucca. For digestion and less stool odour.
- Natural preservative. Tocopherols instead of synthetics.
Cons and what to watch
- Error in the card. The cartilage extract share is given as "16%" — the neighbouring additives are hundredths of a percent, so it is clearly a typo.
- No protein or fat analysis. Check the pack.
- Contains chicken. Chicken fat and liver are not for dogs allergic to chicken.
- 20% peas. A noticeable part of the protein is plant-based.
Which dogs it is for
The food is designed for adult dogs of all breeds with normal activity. Kibble size is not given in the card, so owners of toy dogs should look at the pack or start with a small bag. Carnilove has a separate formula for puppies, which we cover in our Carnilove Puppy review. If your dog is very active, working or sporting, follow the amount on the pack and your dog's weight.
Duck and pheasant for sensitive dogs
Food allergy in dogs is most often linked to proteins they have eaten for years — chicken, beef and dairy. That is why foods built on "novel" proteins such as duck and pheasant are often used when the diet has to change. But this recipe contains chicken fat and chicken liver, so it is not suitable for a strict elimination diet. How to choose food when you suspect an allergy is explained in hypoallergenic dog food.
How to switch your dog
Switch over 7–10 days: mix the new food with the old one, increasing the share of Carnilove every two or three days. Watch the stool and appetite — if the stool softens, stay at the current step. A detailed plan is in how to switch your pet to a new food.
How much to feed
Check the daily amount in the table on the pack and adjust it to your dog's weight and activity. At 3900 kcal/kg the energy level is average for grain-free foods of this class. Weigh the portion and check the weight every couple of weeks: the ribs should be easy to feel but not stick out. Portion calculation is covered in how much food to give a dog per day.
Water and storage
Fresh water must always be available — dogs on dry food drink noticeably more. Close an opened bag tightly and keep it in a dry, cool place: the oils in the recipe oxidise in air and heat. The 1.5 kg bag is handy because the food does not stay open for long.
Who it suits
The food suits owners of adult dogs who want a grain-free diet based on duck and pheasant with additives for joints and digestion. It does not suit dogs allergic to chicken. Similar foods are in our holistic dog food and grain-free dog food collections and in the dry dog food section.
Verdict
Carnilove Duck & Pheasant is a grain-free, potato-free food with duck and pheasant: 60% meat ingredients, 3900 kcal/kg, glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics and tocopherols. The downsides are the typo in the cartilage extract share, the missing protein and fat analysis, chicken in the recipe and 20% peas.
FAQ
Which dogs is this food for?
Adult dogs of all breeds.
What meat does it contain?
Duck meal (30%), pheasant meal (22%), duck fillet (5%) and chicken liver (3%).
Does it contain grain or potato?
No.
Is it suitable for chicken allergy?
No, it contains chicken fat and liver.
How many calories?
3900 kcal/kg.
How much cartilage extract does it contain?
The card says "16%", which is a typo; check the pack for the exact share.
Can puppies eat it?
No, the brand has a separate puppy food.
