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Please be aware that Hill’s is voluntarily recalling some canned dog food due to potentially elevated levels of Vitamin D. More information here.
Castor & Pollux Organix - Organic Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe is a high-priced dog food with exceptional quality. This product has zero controversial ingredients, including no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. However, it has a somewhat high amount of carbs, compared to its protein and fat, but the meat and fat quality in the food is excellent. Castor & Pollux also has a below-average number of recalls in their recent company history and was extremely transparent when answering our questions. Watchdog Labs highly recommends this product.
Read the Full Review BelowLearn what makes a great dog food and get expert advice on how to choose the best food for your dog.
Learn MoreThis dog food review was created by experts who love dogs. Find out more about our team and mission.
About Watchdog LabsThis food has a fair amount of protein fat but is somewhat high in carbs, which is lowering the fat content slightly and making it less nutritionally balanced compared to other dog foods we evaluated. Carbohydrates are cheap so they keep the food’s cost low. They are nutritionally useful to dogs in the right amounts, however, high amounts of carbs can reduce the much-needed meat-based protein and fat content.
To evaluate dog foods, we first calculate out the moisture. This is called the “dry matter basis” and shows you only the solid ingredients in the food. These estimated “dry matter” numbers are different from the food label, but a better way to understand the real nutritional value of the food. We also calculate the carbs. Find out more
Min. Protein 29.21%
Min. Fat 17.98%
Min. Carbs 44.94%
Max. Fiber 5.62%
Max. Ash 7.87%
Max. Moisture 0.00%
Min. Protein: 26.0%
Min Fat: 16.0%
Min Carbs: N/A
Max Fiber: 5.0%
Max Ash: N/A
Max. Moisture: 11.0%
371 Calories per Cup
This product has an average amount of calories. It’s important to understand how many calories you are feeding to prevent under or overfeeding. Average calorie foods like this are typically best for fairly active dogs who need a moderate amount of daily calories. Based on your dog's current weight and activity level you may want to feed more or less than the recommended amount. It's helpful to know that weight loss foods often have fewer than 340 calories per cup, weight maintenance foods typically range from 340-380 calories, and high-activity dog foods are usually over 400 calories.
Grain-Free Dog Foods
This is a grain-free dog food. The FDA is investigating a potential connection between grain-free diets and canine heart disease. There is not enough evidence yet to affect our ratings but we've created an article for you explaining the topic.
Learn MoreOrganic Chicken, Organic Chicken Meal, Organic Oatmeal, Organic Barley, Organic Chickpeas, Organic Peas, Organic Pea Protein, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Organic Sunflower Seed Meal, Organic Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Organic Chicken Liver, Organic Blueberries, Organic Alfalfa Meal, Salt, Organic Sunflower Oil, Salmon Oil, Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Choline Chloride, , Potassium Chloride, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product.
The average dog food we reviewed has 39 total ingredients, with 1 controversial ingredient. This product has 0 controversial ingredients. That’s what you want to see in a food.
Top 5 Ingredients
Dog food ingredients are listed in descending order of weight. So when looking at a dog food label, take a close look at the first 5 ingredients. They make up about 80% of the total weight.
Controversial Ingredients
Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe has no controversial ingredients.
Country of Origin
This food is made in the USA. that’s good because high quality and food safety standards need to be followed.
Meat & Fat Quality
This food contains a variety of clearly labeled meat and fat sources. What makes all of them great is that they are organic (some dog owners will find this preferable), but more importantly, they clearly show you which animals and plants they come from. Very transparent, very good. Here they are: Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Meal, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Organic Chicken Liver, Organic Sunflower Oil, and Salmon Oil. Well done, Castor & Pollux!
Artificial Preservatives
Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe contains 0 controversial artificial preservatives. It’s good to know that not all artificial preservatives are bad. That’s because they serve an important purpose, which is to prevent food from spoiling. However, we consider 11 artificial preservatives controversial because of their potential link to cancer and other serious health conditions.
Artificial Colors
No artificial colors, either. Absolutely excellent!
Artificial Flavors
Last but not least, this product manages to shine by also not using any artificial flavors. No artificial preservatives, colors or flavors is exactly what you want to look for in dog food. Well done!
This brand has a below average number of recalls.
We love dog food brands that are committed to transparent business practices. If you make quality dog food you should be willing to openly talk about how it’s sourced and produced. That’s why we reached out to pet food companies, asking questions about all their brands and products. Each company had three weeks to reply to our messages.
How Easy Was it to Reach the Company?
Castor & Pollux responded within 1 day with complete answers. Unfortunately, they have an aggressive disclaimer in their email that prohibits us from sharing the answers they provided.
Does Castor & Pollux have a veterinary nutritionist on staff? If so, who are they?
The company answered this question in detail but did not allow us to share the answer publicly.
Who formulates your recipes, and what are their credentials?
The company answered this question in detail but did not allow us to share the answer publicly.
Do you test your products using AAFCO feeding trials? Why, or why not?
The company answered this question in detail but did not allow us to share the answer publicly.
What country are your products manufactured?
The company answered this question in detail but did not allow us to share the answer publicly.
Can your manufacturing facilities be visited?
The company answered this question in detail but did not allow us to share the answer publicly.
What quality measures do you use to assure consistency and quality?
The company answered this question in detail but did not allow us to share the answer publicly.
Does Castor and Pollux own its manufacturing facility? If it is another company, what company is it?
The company answered this question in detail but did not allow us to share the answer publicly.
Do any parts of your product come from China?
The company answered this question in detail but did not allow us to share the answer publicly.
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https://petfood.aafco.org/Calorie-Content
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http://www.acvn.org/nutrition-resources/
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Linda P Case, MS; Daniel P Carey, DVM; and Diane A Hirakawa, PhD, Canine and Feline Nutrition A Resource for Companion Animal Professionals, Mosby-Year Book, Inc.