Performatrin Ultra by Janice Jones |Last updated 05-09-2021
Carl, from Ontario, Canada wants the best food for his Bichon Frisé, so he has requested a review to see which food might provide the best overall nutrition for his growing puppy.
If you have a food that you want us to review, please use the form at the bottom of this page. Please let us know the complete name of the food, what breed of puppy or adult dog you have and their age. We also love photos and would love to post your dog’s picture on their food review page. Please indicate on the form that you would be willing to provide a photograph.
Performatrin Ultra, Chicken and brown rice Puppy Food is a high quality food manufactured in Canada. The product is not widely available outside of Canada, but can be purchased through some websites, but not Amazon at this time. It is a medium to higher priced food.
The food is available in the following sizes:
28.0lb. (12.7kg) 14.3lb.(6.5kg) 5.5lbs. (2.5kg)
The following information was obtained from Performatrin official website.
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Dried Egg Product, Pearled Barley, Rice, Chicken Fat (stabilized with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Salmon Meal, Millet, Dried Tomato Pomace, Rye, Natural Chicken Flavor, Sunflower Oil (stabilized with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Suncured Alfalfa Meal, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Whole Carrots, Peas, Salmon Oil (stabilized with mixed Tocopherols and Citric), Dried Skim Milk, Potassium Chloride, Lecithin, Salt, Dried Kelp, Flaxseed, Calcium Carbonate, Chicory Root Extract, Dicalcium Phosphate, Pumpkin, Whole Cranberries, Whole Apples, Whole Blueberries, Taurine, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Whole Blackberries, Spinach, Dried Yeast, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Garlic, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Streptococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Ground Ginger, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Dried Chamomile, Ground Fennel Seed, Dandelion, Rosemary, Basil, Sage, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Dried Lemon Balm, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Peppermint, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Inositol, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Cobalt Proteinate, Calcium Iodide, Selenium Yeast, Sodium Selenite.
Crude Protein (min.) 37.0%
Crude Fat (min.) 16.0%
Crude Fiber (max.) 3.0%
Moisture (max.) 10.0%
Vitamin E (min.) 150 IU/kg
Vitamin C* (min.) 50 mg/kg
Lutein* (min.) 5 mg/kg
Omega-6 Fatty Acids* (min.) 2.80%
Omega-3 Fatty Acids* (min.) 0.60%
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) (min.) 0.20%
Live Lactic Acid Producing Microorganisms (L. Acidophilus, L. Casei, S. Faecium) (min.) 250 million CFU/kg
kcal/kg 3770
kcal/cup 432
8 fl oz cup 4.0oz 115g
Beginning with a complete score of 100%...
This food lost points:
-2: contains chicken fat
-1: contains salt
This food gained points:
+3: Includes probiotics
+3: contains vegetables
+3: contains fruits
+2: Contains barley
+1: Contains Oatmeal
+2: Includes two extra meat protein sources other than the first (Salmon Meal, Dried Egg Product)
+1: Contains Sunflower Oil
Total Score: 112 A+
No review can accurately predict whether a food will be right for your puppy or dog. The reviews on this site depend on an examination of ingredients and if additional information can be obtained, the review will examine those factors also.
For this review, it was the ingredients list that was used and scoring was based on Sarah Irick’s Rating Scale
Beyond numbers Performatrin Ultra Puppy Food has some definite pluses for growing puppies. It is high in protein needed for fast growing little bodies. It also contains ample fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Omega 6, both are good for skin and coat development.
The addition of fatty acids is especially important in breeds that are known to have skin problems as well as long haired breeds who benefit from these sources to keep their hair looking healthy.
Probiotics are also a healthy addition to a young puppy’s diet. This food contains them in the form of Live Lactic Acid Producing Microorganisms (L. Acidophilus, L. Casei, S. Faecium). Puppies love to explore the world with their mouths and will eat anything that they come in contact with—the good with the bad.
By the time most puppies leave the breeder for their forever families, most of the maternal antibodies that they acquired have dissipated, making them vulnerable to a wide assortment of germs.
At the same time, their little systems have not developed the necessary good bacteria they need to stay healthy.
Probiotics add the beneficial flora needed by the gut to break down food and maintain a healthy digestive tract.
Another important ingredient in this food is Docosahexaenoic Acid
(DHA). This compound is a natural omega-3 fatty acid essential in
neurological development of the brain and nervous system and vision in
young mammals.
It is being used in human infant food and is now being promoted to improve brain development and assist with vision in young puppies. Before weaning, puppies get DHA from their mother’s body tissues and through nursing. Once weaned, DHA comes from the diet. Some research studies suggest that the addition of DHA in the diet improves learning and makes training easier for the puppy.
"Dietary fortification with fish oils rich in DHA and possibly other
nutrients implicated in neurocognitive development following weaning
improved cognitive, memory, psychomotor, immunologic, and retinal
functions in growing dogs."
J. Am Vet Med Assoc. 2012 Sep 1;241(5):583-94
This food also contains antioxidants. Natural antioxidants include vitamins C, E, citric acid, and some herbal sources. Natural vitamin E is commonly seen on labels as “mixed tocopherols.” Natural antioxidants are used as preservatives in pet foods.
Not only do they keep pet food from spoiling, they have health benefits
as well. Most people think about antioxidants and the aging brain. This
is true in dogs as well but other studies have shown benefits to dogs
that suffer allergy or skin problems. They can also help the immune
system before any vaccinations are given.
No one food is perfect for every dog. While this is a high quality food for puppies, only the owner can be the ultimate judge. You will know whether a food is right for your dog if he loves to eat it, has regular stools of normal consistency, enjoys health and vigor and has a shiny coat and healthy skin.
Have a dog food you'd like us to review? Be sure to provide the full name of the food, your dog's name and breed and the dog's approximate age. Any additional information will help us do a more thorough review.
Having lived with dogs and cats most of her life, Janice served as a veterinary technician for ten years in Maryland and twelve years as a Shih Tzu dog breeder in Ohio.
Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a master's in Mental Health Counseling.
She is a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Her favorite breed for over 50 years has been the Shih Tzu, but she has also lived with Poodles, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Beagles, English Bulldogs, Carin Terriers, and a Cocker Spaniel.
When not writing, reading, and researching dog-related topics, she likes to spend time with her eight Shih Tzu dogs, husband, and family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Miracle Shih Tzu and Smart-Knit-Crocheting
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