Carnilove Reindeer, 1.5 kg is a dry food for adult dogs of all breeds made with venison. It is a grain-free and potato-free formula. It is based on venison meal (28%) and wild boar meal (22%), with duck meat (6%) and chicken liver (3%) added. The energy value is 3900 kcal/kg, with 0.34% omega-3 and 2.1% omega-6. The recipe also includes sources of glucosamine and chondroitin, prebiotics, yucca extract, herbs and forest berries.
Ingredients
After the meat the list continues with yellow peas (20%), chicken fat preserved with tocopherols (9%), apples (3%), tapioca starch (3%), salmon oil (2%), carrots, flaxseed and chickpeas (1% each). The functional additions are hydrolysed crustacean shells (glucosamine), cartilage extract (chondroitin), brewer's yeast (mannan-oligosaccharides), chicory root (fructo-oligosaccharides) and Yucca schidigera extract. At the end come seaweed, plantain, thyme, rosemary, oregano, cranberries, blueberries and raspberries.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | dry food, holistic class |
| For | adult dogs of all breeds |
| Flavour | venison and wild boar |
| Meat ingredients | venison meal 28%, wild boar meal 22%, duck meat 6%, chicken liver 3% |
| Grain and potato | none |
| Energy value | 3900 kcal/kg |
| Omega-3 / omega-6 | 0.34% / 2.1% |
| Pack size | 1.5 kg |
Pros
- Game-based. Venison and wild boar are rare proteins for dogs.
- 59% meat. By the stated shares of meat ingredients.
- No grain or potato.
- Joints. Sources of glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Prebiotics and yucca. For the gut and less stool odour.
- Tocopherols. Natural protection of the fat against oxidation.
Cons and what to watch
- Not only game. It contains duck, chicken fat and chicken liver, so it does not suit a strict allergy diet.
- No analysis. Protein, fat, fibre and ash are not listed in the card.
- 20% peas. A noticeable share of plant protein.
- Name versus flavour. The name says Reindeer, but both game ingredients are listed — venison and boar; go by the ingredient list.
Why game is interesting
Venison and boar are not common in pet foods, so many dogs eat them with interest. For owners it is a way to vary the diet without leaving dry food. It is important to understand that game alone does not cure allergies. It helps only if the dog has not eaten these proteins before and the food contains none of its "problem" ingredients. How to make sense of an ingredient list is explained in how to read a pet food label.
How it differs from other Carnilove adult formulas
Structurally the recipe is almost the same as Carnilove Duck & Pheasant: the same 3900 kcal/kg, the same peas and set of additives. The difference is the protein: venison and boar instead of duck and pheasant. That makes the two foods easy to rotate if your dog quickly gets bored of one flavour, but it is still better to change them gradually.
How to switch your dog
Introduce the new food over 7–10 days, mixing it with the old one. Start with a quarter of the portion, then half, three quarters and a full switch. If the stool becomes softer, stay at that step for a couple of days. Details are in how to switch your pet to a new food.
How much to feed
The daily amount is on the pack and depends on weight and activity. The food has average energy density, but extra kibble poured by eye quickly turns into extra weight, so measure the portion with scales or a measuring cup. If your dog gets treats, reduce the main ration. How to calculate a portion is explained in how much food to give a dog per day.
Water and storage
Keep the water bowl full at all times. After opening, close the bag tightly and store it in a dry, cool place — the fats and salmon oil are sensitive to heat. If you use a container, put the food in it together with the original bag.
Dry food or raw
Some owners want to feed game "for real", as raw meat. A ready-made food with venison and boar is simpler: it is already balanced for vitamins and minerals and needs no calculations. The pros and cons of both approaches are discussed in home-made or dry food for a dog.
Who it suits
The food suits adult dogs of any breed that need a grain-free diet with unusual proteins. It does not suit dogs allergic to chicken or duck. Similar options are in our grain-free dog food collection and the dry dog food section.
Verdict
Carnilove Reindeer is a grain-free, potato-free food with venison and wild boar: 59% meat ingredients, 3900 kcal/kg, glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics and tocopherols. The downsides are the duck and chicken in the recipe, the missing protein and fat analysis and the 20% share of peas.
FAQ
What meat is in the food?
Venison meal (28%), wild boar meal (22%), duck meat (6%) and chicken liver (3%).
Which dogs is it for?
Adult dogs of all breeds.
Does it contain grain?
No, it is grain-free and potato-free.
Is it suitable for chicken allergy?
No, it contains chicken fat and liver.
How many calories?
3900 kcal/kg.
How does it differ from Duck & Pheasant?
In the protein sources: venison and boar instead of duck and pheasant.
What pack size is it?
1.5 kg.
