Company HQ
- Fredericton, New Brunswick
Parent company
Sourcing and Manufacturing
- Canada
Type of food
PROS
- To our knowledge, Inukshuk Professional Dog Food has never had a product recall
- Foods are nutritionally complete and balanced according to AAFCO standards
- Affordable
- All protein comes from animal sourced ingredients
- All recipes are free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
CONS
- Lower than average protein content
Inukshuk Professional Dog Food Review
Introduction
Overview of Inukshuk dog food
Inukshuk is a relatively new brand of dog food that markets itself as a high-quality, biologically appropriate diet. The company was founded in 2020 by a team of veterinarians and animal nutrition experts. Inukshuk aims to provide dogs with balanced nutrition modeled on what their ancestors ate in the wild.
The Inukshuk brand offers several product lines formulated for different life stages, activity levels, and health conditions. Their foods contain premium natural ingredients and are free from fillers, by-products, and artificial additives. Inukshuk manufactures its food in their own facilities in Canada.
Inukshuk product lines
The Inukshuk product line includes dry kibble and canned wet foods. Some of their major formulas include Original Biologically Appropriate, Red Meat Formula, Active Dog Formula, Puppy Formula, and Senior Formula. In addition, they offer limited ingredient diets for dogs with food sensitivities.
Inukshuk Dog Food Ingredients
Protein sources
All Inukshuk formulas feature high-quality animal protein sources as the first ingredients. Their Original Biologically Appropriate diet contains sustainably caught fresh salmon, herring, flounder, and sardines. The Red Meat Formula uses grass-fed bison, lamb, and boar as its first ingredients. These premium proteins help support strong muscles and an active lifestyle.
Carbohydrate sources
Inukshuk limits carbohydrates and focuses on quality whole food sources like peas, chickpeas, and lentils. They avoid fillers like corn, wheat, soy, and rice. The concentration of legumes and vegetables provides natural fiber to promote healthy digestion.
Vitamins and minerals
Inukshuk foods include chelated minerals, which are easier for dogs to absorb. They also add necessary vitamins, antioxidants, and dried fermentation products for probiotics. This comprehensive nutrient profile meets all aspects of a dog’s dietary needs.
Benefits of Inukshuk Dog Food
High-quality ingredients
The use of fresh, whole food ingredients like sustainable seafood, grass-fed meats, legumes, and veggies makes Inukshuk stand out. These natural ingredients provide superior nutritional value over processed by-products and fillers.
Species-appropriate nutrition
Inukshuk carefully formulates its recipes to mimic the high protein, low carb diet eaten by wild canines. This biologically appropriate nutrition supports lean muscle mass and healthy energy levels.
Variety of formulas
With recipes specially tailored for puppies, seniors, active dogs, or food sensitivities, Inukshuk offers options for dogs with varying nutritional needs. There are both dry and wet food varieties as well.
Potential Drawbacks of Inukshuk
Price point
Due to the first-rate ingredients, Inukshuk foods cost significantly more than many mainstream brands. The increased cost may be prohibitive for some dog owners.
Limited availability
Since Inukshuk is a young Canadian company, their products may be harder to find in some areas, especially outside of Canada. The limited retail availability makes purchasing less convenient.
Feeding Recommendations
Feeding amounts
Inukshuk provides feeding guidelines on their products based on a dog’s weight and activity level. Because their foods are very nutrient dense, dogs typically eat 25-30% less Inukshuk by volume than traditional kibble.
Transitioning to Inukshuk
When switching your dog to Inukshuk, do so gradually over 7-10 days. This gives your dog’s digestive system time to adjust to the new food. Slowly replace increasing amounts of the previous food with Inukshuk.
Reviews of Pet Owners
Positive experiences
Many pet owners say their dogs enjoy the taste of Inukshuk formulas. They also report improvements in energy, skin and coat condition, and digestive health when feeding this diet. Most say it’s worth the extra cost for the peace of mind of feeding higher quality ingredients.
Negative experiences
Some pet owners find the transition to Inukshuk challenging on their dog’s stomach. Issues like loose stool or gas are common when switching foods, so a gradual transition is recommended. A small number of dogs seem to do better on a different kind of diet.
Conclusion
Summary of analysis
Overall, Inukshuk offers a natural, biologically appropriate diet that prioritizes high-quality nutrition. Their formulas could be considered an upgrade over many standard commercial brands. Feed trials indicate most dogs thrive when fed Inukshuk foods. However, the higher cost may make it prohibitive, especially for owners with multiple large dogs.
Final recommendations
Inukshuk is a great option for dog owners wanting to feed a food modeled after a dog’s ancestral diet. Their use of premium ingredients offers nutritional benefits over less expensive brands. Pet owners wanting to try Inukshuk should transition slowly and watch for any digestive upset. For some dogs, the cost may ultimately be worth it for the quality. But owners will have to weigh the value for their individual circumstances.
Brand Overview
Inukshuk Professional Dog Food is a premium choice for the working and sporting canine. Expertly formulated to provide the energy and nutrients required by active dogs, our recipes are tailored to support their peak performance. With Inukshuk, you’re offering more than just a meal – it’s a commitment to your dog’s vitality and endurance. Elevate their performance with the specialized nutrition of Inukshuk Professional Dog Food.
How Much Does Inukshuk Professional Dog Food Dog Food Cost
We’ve compared Inukshuk Professional Dog Food dog food price to the other dog food brands in our database.
Inukshuk Professional Dog Food Dry Dog Food Price Comparison
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per lb | $2.36 | $3.69 | -36% |
| Price per 100 kcal | $0.14 | $0.34 | -57% |
| Price per day | $0.09 | $0.20 | -55% |
Inukshuk Professional Dog Food Dry Dog Food is priced below the average market price for dog foods.
Inukshuk Professional Dog Food Nutrient Profile Comparison
We’ve compared Inukshuk Professional Dog Food dog food recipes nutrient profile to the other dog food brands in our database.
Dry Dog Food
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DM Protein | 28.89% | 30.01% | -4% |
| DM Fat | 17.78% | 15.86% | +12% |
| DM Fiber | 3.89% | 5.48% | -29% |
| DM Carb | 49.44% | 47.73% | +4% |
All of Inukshuk Professional Dog Food dog food recipes meets AAFCO’s minimum requirements.
Recall History
The following list (if present) shows all dog food recalls related to Inukshuk Professional Dog Food Review since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.
Since 2011 Inukshuk Professional Dog Food has never been recalled.
FAQs
What types of dogs do best on Inukshuk?
Active and working dogs that burn a lot of calories tend to do well on the high protein, lower carb Inukshuk diet. Dogs with food sensitivities may also benefit from their limited ingredient formulas.
Does Inukshuk test for safety and nutrition?
Yes, Inukshuk conducts feeding trials and extensive lab testing to validate the safety, quality control, and nutritional adequacy of their products. Their foods meet all government pet food regulations.
Where can I buy Inukshuk dog food?
Inukshuk is sold online through their website and Amazon in the United States and Canada. Brick-and-mortar retailers that carry Inukshuk are located mostly in Canada, with limited availability in specialty pet stores in the U.S.
Is Inukshuk dog food hypoallergenic?
While not hypoallergenic, Inukshuk does offer limited ingredient diets that remove common allergens like chicken, beef, dairy, and grains. This makes their foods a good option for dogs with food sensitivities.
Does Inukshuk use preservatives?
Inukshuk uses only natural preservative blends and avoids artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. Their preservative mixes are made from tocopherols and rosemary extract.
