Vital Essentials · Freeze-dried food
Duck Entree Freeze-Dried Soft Nibs
For an adult dog that is moderately active and holding its weight, Vital Essentials Duck Entree Freeze-Dried Soft Nibs scores 80.5 out of 100. A score is for one dog: the same food scores differently for another.
Score it for your dog
Who it is for
Made for dogs of every age and every size.
What it scores, and why
For the 9 commonest kinds of dog it is made for. Each row opens to the six parts of that score, in the scoring’s own sentences.
An adult dog, moderately active, holding its weight80.5
The 80.5 out of 100, part by part:
- Activity and goal
Balanced protein (45.0%) for this dog's moderate activityBalanced fat (15.0%) supports this dog's maintenance goal
35 of 35 - Nutritional quality
Premium protein content (45.0%) for this dogBalanced fat content (15.0%) for this dogThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.The label gives no DHA figure, so those points could not be given.Calories are 4,359 kcal per kg of dry matter. For freeze-dried food, full points are given between 5,000 and 6,200.
15 of 25 - Life stage
Formulated for this dog's adult life stageThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.
11.5 of 15 - Formulation integrity
Fresh meat as primary ingredient for this dogNo controversial ingredients — clean nutrition for this dog
10 of 10 - Format suitability
Format suitability calibrated for freeze driedThis part scores a kibble's size against the dog's size. A food that is not kibble gets 6 of its 10 points.
6 of 10 - Price value
Price per kilogram is in the most expensive quarter of freeze-dried foods. Full points are given for the cheapest quarter.
3 of 5
An adult dog, moderately active, losing weight70.5
The 70.5 out of 100, part by part:
- Activity and goal
Fat is 16.3% of dry matter. For this dog, a moderately active dog losing weight, full points need fat under 13.5%.
25 of 35 - Nutritional quality
Premium protein content (45.0%) for this dogBalanced fat content (15.0%) for this dogThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.The label gives no DHA figure, so those points could not be given.Calories are 4,359 kcal per kg of dry matter. For freeze-dried food, full points are given between 5,000 and 6,200.
15 of 25 - Life stage
Formulated for this dog's adult life stageThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.
11.5 of 15 - Formulation integrity
Fresh meat as primary ingredient for this dogNo controversial ingredients — clean nutrition for this dog
10 of 10 - Format suitability
Format suitability calibrated for freeze driedThis part scores a kibble's size against the dog's size. A food that is not kibble gets 6 of its 10 points.
6 of 10 - Price value
Price per kilogram is in the most expensive quarter of freeze-dried foods. Full points are given for the cheapest quarter.
3 of 5
A senior dog, calm, holding its weight60.7
The 60.7 out of 100, part by part:
- Activity and goal
Moderate fat (15.0%) prevents weight gain for this dogProtein is 48.9% of dry matter. For this dog, a calm dog holding weight, full points are given between 22% and 45%.
17.5 of 35 - Nutritional quality
Premium protein content (45.0%) for this dogBalanced fat content (15.0%) for this dogThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.The label gives no DHA figure, so those points could not be given.Calories are 4,359 kcal per kg of dry matter. For freeze-dried food, full points are given between 5,000 and 6,200.
15 of 25 - Life stage
Formulated for this dog's senior life stageHigh fiber (5.0%) supports this dog's senior digestionThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.
9.2 of 15 - Formulation integrity
Fresh meat as primary ingredient for this dogNo controversial ingredients — clean nutrition for this dog
10 of 10 - Format suitability
Format suitability calibrated for freeze driedThis part scores a kibble's size against the dog's size. A food that is not kibble gets 6 of its 10 points.
6 of 10 - Price value
Price per kilogram is in the most expensive quarter of freeze-dried foods. Full points are given for the cheapest quarter.
3 of 5
An adult dog, very active, building muscle80.5
The 80.5 out of 100, part by part:
- Activity and goal
High protein (45.0%) supports this dog's muscle building goalHigh fat (15.0%) fuels this dog's active lifestyle
35 of 35 - Nutritional quality
Premium protein content (45.0%) for this dogBalanced fat content (15.0%) for this dogThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.The label gives no DHA figure, so those points could not be given.Calories are 4,359 kcal per kg of dry matter. For freeze-dried food, full points are given between 5,000 and 6,200.
15 of 25 - Life stage
Formulated for this dog's adult life stageThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.
11.5 of 15 - Formulation integrity
Fresh meat as primary ingredient for this dogNo controversial ingredients — clean nutrition for this dog
10 of 10 - Format suitability
Format suitability calibrated for freeze driedThis part scores a kibble's size against the dog's size. A food that is not kibble gets 6 of its 10 points.
6 of 10 - Price value
Price per kilogram is in the most expensive quarter of freeze-dried foods. Full points are given for the cheapest quarter.
3 of 5
An adult dog, very active, holding its weight80.5
The 80.5 out of 100, part by part:
- Activity and goal
Great protein (45.0%) for this dog's active lifestyleBalanced fat (15.0%) supports this dog's maintenance goal
35 of 35 - Nutritional quality
Premium protein content (45.0%) for this dogBalanced fat content (15.0%) for this dogThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.The label gives no DHA figure, so those points could not be given.Calories are 4,359 kcal per kg of dry matter. For freeze-dried food, full points are given between 5,000 and 6,200.
15 of 25 - Life stage
Formulated for this dog's adult life stageThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.
11.5 of 15 - Formulation integrity
Fresh meat as primary ingredient for this dogNo controversial ingredients — clean nutrition for this dog
10 of 10 - Format suitability
Format suitability calibrated for freeze driedThis part scores a kibble's size against the dog's size. A food that is not kibble gets 6 of its 10 points.
6 of 10 - Price value
Price per kilogram is in the most expensive quarter of freeze-dried foods. Full points are given for the cheapest quarter.
3 of 5
An adult dog, moderately active, building muscle80.5
The 80.5 out of 100, part by part:
- Activity and goal
High protein (45.0%) supports this dog's muscle building goalGood fat (15.0%) provides energy for this dog
35 of 35 - Nutritional quality
Premium protein content (45.0%) for this dogBalanced fat content (15.0%) for this dogThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.The label gives no DHA figure, so those points could not be given.Calories are 4,359 kcal per kg of dry matter. For freeze-dried food, full points are given between 5,000 and 6,200.
15 of 25 - Life stage
Formulated for this dog's adult life stageThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.
11.5 of 15 - Formulation integrity
Fresh meat as primary ingredient for this dogNo controversial ingredients — clean nutrition for this dog
10 of 10 - Format suitability
Format suitability calibrated for freeze driedThis part scores a kibble's size against the dog's size. A food that is not kibble gets 6 of its 10 points.
6 of 10 - Price value
Price per kilogram is in the most expensive quarter of freeze-dried foods. Full points are given for the cheapest quarter.
3 of 5
A senior dog, moderately active, holding its weight78.2
The 78.2 out of 100, part by part:
- Activity and goal
Balanced protein (45.0%) for this dog's moderate activityBalanced fat (15.0%) supports this dog's maintenance goal
35 of 35 - Nutritional quality
Premium protein content (45.0%) for this dogBalanced fat content (15.0%) for this dogThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.The label gives no DHA figure, so those points could not be given.Calories are 4,359 kcal per kg of dry matter. For freeze-dried food, full points are given between 5,000 and 6,200.
15 of 25 - Life stage
Formulated for this dog's senior life stageHigh fiber (5.0%) supports this dog's senior digestionThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.
9.2 of 15 - Formulation integrity
Fresh meat as primary ingredient for this dogNo controversial ingredients — clean nutrition for this dog
10 of 10 - Format suitability
Format suitability calibrated for freeze driedThis part scores a kibble's size against the dog's size. A food that is not kibble gets 6 of its 10 points.
6 of 10 - Price value
Price per kilogram is in the most expensive quarter of freeze-dried foods. Full points are given for the cheapest quarter.
3 of 5
An adult dog, calm, holding its weight63
The 63 out of 100, part by part:
- Activity and goal
Moderate fat (15.0%) prevents weight gain for this dogProtein is 48.9% of dry matter. For this dog, a calm dog holding weight, full points are given between 22% and 45%.
17.5 of 35 - Nutritional quality
Premium protein content (45.0%) for this dogBalanced fat content (15.0%) for this dogThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.The label gives no DHA figure, so those points could not be given.Calories are 4,359 kcal per kg of dry matter. For freeze-dried food, full points are given between 5,000 and 6,200.
15 of 25 - Life stage
Formulated for this dog's adult life stageThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.
11.5 of 15 - Formulation integrity
Fresh meat as primary ingredient for this dogNo controversial ingredients — clean nutrition for this dog
10 of 10 - Format suitability
Format suitability calibrated for freeze driedThis part scores a kibble's size against the dog's size. A food that is not kibble gets 6 of its 10 points.
6 of 10 - Price value
Price per kilogram is in the most expensive quarter of freeze-dried foods. Full points are given for the cheapest quarter.
3 of 5
An adult dog, calm, losing weight58.7
The 58.7 out of 100, part by part:
- Activity and goal
Adequate protein (45.0%) for this dog's lower activity levelFat is 16.3% of dry matter and fibre is 5.0% as fed. For this dog, a calm dog losing weight, full points need fat under 13.5% with fibre of 5% or more.
13.1 of 35 - Nutritional quality
Premium protein content (45.0%) for this dogBalanced fat content (15.0%) for this dogThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.The label gives no DHA figure, so those points could not be given.Calories are 4,359 kcal per kg of dry matter. For freeze-dried food, full points are given between 5,000 and 6,200.
15 of 25 - Life stage
Formulated for this dog's adult life stageThe label gives no omega-3 figure, so those points could not be given.
11.6 of 15 - Formulation integrity
Fresh meat as primary ingredient for this dogNo controversial ingredients — clean nutrition for this dog
10 of 10 - Format suitability
Format suitability calibrated for freeze driedThis part scores a kibble's size against the dog's size. A food that is not kibble gets 6 of its 10 points.
6 of 10 - Price value
Price per kilogram is in the most expensive quarter of freeze-dried foods. Full points are given for the cheapest quarter.
3 of 5
Every kind of dog
Each number is this food’s score out of 100 for that dog.
| Dog | Score |
|---|---|
| An adult dog, moderately active, holding its weight | 80.5 |
| An adult dog, moderately active, losing weight | 70.5 |
| A senior dog, calm, holding its weight | 60.7 |
| An adult dog, very active, building muscle | 80.5 |
| An adult dog, very active, holding its weight | 80.5 |
| An adult dog, moderately active, building muscle | 80.5 |
| A senior dog, moderately active, holding its weight | 78.2 |
| An adult dog, calm, holding its weight | 63 |
| An adult dog, calm, losing weight | 58.7 |
| A puppy, calm, holding its weight | 58.5 |
| A senior dog, calm, building muscle | 78.2 |
| A senior dog, very active, building muscle | 78.2 |
| A senior dog, moderately active, losing weight | 68.2 |
| An adult dog, calm, building muscle | 80.5 |
| A puppy, moderately active, holding its weight | 76 |
| A senior dog, very active, holding its weight | 78.2 |
| A puppy, moderately active, losing weight | 66 |
| A puppy, very active, losing weight | 67.2 |
| A senior dog, calm, losing weight | 56.4 |
| A puppy, calm, losing weight | 54.1 |
| A puppy, moderately active, building muscle | 76 |
| An adult dog, very active, losing weight | 71.8 |
| A senior dog, moderately active, building muscle | 78.2 |
| A puppy, very active, holding its weight | 76 |
| A puppy, very active, building muscle | 76 |
| A puppy, calm, building muscle | 76 |
| A senior dog, very active, losing weight | 69.5 |
What the label says
- Protein45%
- Fat15%
- Fibre5%
- Moisture8%
- Calories4,010 kcal per kg
- Feeding statementComplete and balanced for all life stages, by nutrient profile.
Ingredients
Duck with bone, duck liver, fish oil, mixed tocopherols (preservative), vitamin E supplement, zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, manganese amino acid complex
BowlWise takes it off the list of a dog allergic to: duck and fish.
Compared with vitalessentials.com on October 8, 2026: ingredients, protein, fat, fibre, moisture and calories.
Price
On June 21, 2026 Pet Valu listed the 0.454 kg pack at $61.99 in Canadian dollars.
Shop at Pet ValuHow to read this
These scores are BowlWise’s own, worked out from each food’s label for one kind of dog at a time. They are not veterinary advice. How a score is worked out: How we score.
Scores as of October 12, 2026.
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