Is Carna4 a Good Pet Food Brand?
Carna4 is a medium-quality human-grade dog food line designed in Canada, meets all AAFCO requirements and ha s a clean recall history.
Carna4 is a little different from regular kibble as it contains a high level of bioavailable nutrients, antioxidants, fats, and naturally occurring enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics.
It struck a balance between raw and cooked food as it uses fresh raw meats, whole food, veggies, and organic sprouted-seed (Flora4) that are quick-baked, and air-dried for higher shelf life.
With less food processing, the organic vitamins, probiotics, enzymes, and phytonutrients are better preserved.
Also, there are no additives, meat or vegetable meals, by-products, synthetic antibiotics, sprayed-on fats etc.
The result is a raw-like nutrition for your pets, easy-to-feed kibbles, and a long shelf life without being refrigerated.
Are Carna4 Ingredients Safe for Dogs?
Animal protein sources are chicken, lamb, duck, goat, and venison.
Carbohydrate sources are whole vegetables such as sweet potato, carrots, sprouted barley seed, flaxseed, lentils, and peas.
The nutrient compositions of most Carna4 recipes show roughly 29% crude protein, 15% crude fat, 4% crude fibre, 10% max moisture, and specified levels for omega-3/omega-6 and added probiotics.
While the protein lines will vary in different recipes, fat and omega ratios will also vary depending on the meat source.
Generally, Carna4 Dog foods have metabolizable energy around 4400 kcal/kg (~500 kcal/cup).
Is Carna4 suitable for different sizes, life stages, and breeds?
Most of Carna4 products are suitable for all life stages, and perhaps, all breeds.
Suitability depends greatly on portion control and individual dog nutrition needs, and health.
Small dog breeds and puppies, need more calories per pound and should be fed 3 times daily.
On the other hand, weight control is paramount in feeding large dogs. Also, the risk of certain health issues should be prevented.
How long does Carna4 stay fresh and how should you store it?
After the first use, you should keep the bag sealed, and store it in a cool, dry place, and it won’t lose taste for a couple of months.
It has been heated for preservation, so you don’t need to keep it in a refrigerator, but you can if you want to.
Whether it’s refrigerated or not, it’s ideal to use it within 3 months after the first use, and of course, you can finish it within 2 weeks.
Do veterinarians recommend Carna4?
Yes, Carna4 Dog foods are FDA-approved and also certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials for ingredient quality, digestibility, and the novelty of sprouted seed nutrition.
If you don’t want to give a raw meal, it’s a good alternative with higher-quality kibble.
It improves coat condition, appetite, and stool consistency.
Since it contains no rendered meals and synthetic ingredients, dogs with sensitivities can take it without any issues, and often recommended by vets.
How much Carna4 to feed a dog?
I always recommend that you start small as a mix or topper whenever you want to try a new food product.
A rule of thumb is to feed a dog 2% to 4% of its weight. If your dog is between 40 to 50kg, then 1kg of food which can be 2 serving cups is ok, and you can serve it twice daily.
You can use the manufacturer’s feeding guide according to your dog’s age, size and weight.
For pregnant or nursing pets, or if your dogs have health issues, discuss this with your vet to match the dog’s specific needs, but you can hardly get it wrong with whole-food nutrient sources and raw meals.
Conclusion
If you prefer a kibble that leans on whole foods, and not artificials, then Carna4 is more organic than conventional kibbles.
Carna4 is shelf-stable and handled like kibble but retains natural nutrients found in the ingredients with the processing method – short baking and air-drying.
