Petaluma Nutrition Analysis, Made Readable: Every Recipe, Explained
By Caroline Buck, Co-founder of Petaluma
We publish a full third-party lab analysis for every recipe we make, because your dog deserves a real nutritional label. Those documents are thorough, which also makes them a little dense. This page pulls all three of our recipes into one place and translates the numbers into plain language, with tables and simple charts so you can see exactly what is in the bowl and how it compares to the AAFCO standard. Every figure here comes from our published lab analyses, linked at the bottom.
All three Petaluma recipes, the Adult Baked, Senior Baked, and Whole Food Mixer, are formulated to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for adult maintenance, and every essential nutrient sits at or above the AAFCO minimum. Below you will find each recipe's guaranteed analysis, calorie breakdown, minerals, and vitamins, all measured by an independent lab.
In this guide
How to read these numbers
A few quick pointers make the tables below easy to follow:
- Dry-matter basis: AAFCO standards are set on a dry-matter basis (with the moisture removed), so we compare our values that way too. It lets you compare any two foods fairly.
- AAFCO minimum: the lowest amount of an essential nutrient an adult dog's food should contain. A number above the minimum means the requirement is met.
- ppm: parts per million, the same as milligrams per kilogram, used for trace minerals like copper and zinc.
- Batch averages: these figures are averages across recent production lots. Natural ingredients vary a little batch to batch, so treat them as representative rather than exact guarantees.
The three recipes at a glance
| Measure | Adult Baked | Senior Baked | Whole Food Mixer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Baked | Baked | Dehydrated |
| Crude protein (min) | 27% | 26.5% | 23% |
| Crude fat (min) | 13% | 9.5% | 11% |
| Crude fiber (max) | 6% | 6.5% | 4.5% |
| Calories | 395 kcal/cup | 365 kcal/cup | 330 kcal/cup |
| Omega-3 DHA | 120 mg/cup | 460 mg/cup | 95 mg/cup |
| Copper (dry) | 17.0 ppm | 15.7 ppm | 15.2 ppm |
| Organic content | 50% | 30% | 67% |
| Best for | Everyday adult meals | Aging dogs (joint + brain) | Topper or full meal |
Adult Baked: Roasted Peanut Butter & Sweet Potato
Our everyday recipe for adult dogs of all breeds. It is the highest-fat and highest-calorie of the three, with a diversified plant-protein blend and 50% organic ingredients. A good default for active, healthy adults.
Guaranteed analysis
| Crude protein (min) | 27% | Crude fat (min) | 13% |
| Crude fiber (max) | 6% | Moisture (max) | 10% |
| Calories | 395 kcal/cup | Organic | 50% |
Where the calories come from
Protein 26%
Fat 37%
Carbohydrate 37%
Key nutrients vs the AAFCO minimum (dry matter)
| Nutrient | In this recipe | AAFCO min | Meets min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 29.7% | 18% | ✓ |
| Fat | 17.2% | 5.5% | ✓ |
| Calcium | 0.92% | 0.50% | ✓ |
| Copper | 17.0 ppm | 7.3 ppm | ✓ |
| Zinc | 175 ppm | 82 ppm | ✓ |
Full minerals & vitamins (dry matter)
| Mineral | Amount | Vitamin | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 0.92% | Vitamin A | 18,085 IU/kg |
| Phosphorus | 0.92% | Vitamin D3 | 2,003 IU/kg |
| Ca:P ratio | 1.0 | Vitamin E | 304 IU/kg |
| Sodium | 0.38% | Niacin (B3) | 27.2 mg/kg |
| Potassium | 1.01% | Choline | 2,881 mg/kg |
| Iron | 134 ppm | B12 | 0.16 mg/kg |
| Zinc | 175 ppm | Omega-3 (total) | 1.4% |
| Copper | 17.0 ppm | DHA | 120 mg/cup |
See the complete Adult analysis, including every amino acid and fatty acid: full lab report (PDF).
Senior Baked: Pumpkin & Peanut Butter
Built for aging dogs. It is lower in fat, higher in fiber, and adds functional support: about 460 mg of DHA per cup (roughly four times the Adult recipe) for brain and joint health, plus glucosamine and curcumin. The highest-protein and highest-fiber of the three.
Guaranteed analysis
| Crude protein (min) | 26.5% | Crude fat (min) | 9.5% |
| Crude fiber (max) | 6.5% | Moisture (max) | 10% |
| Calories | 365 kcal/cup | Organic | 30% |
| DHA (min) | 450 mg/cup | Glucosamine / Curcumin | 150 / 100 mg/cup |
Where the calories come from
Protein 29%
Fat 33%
Carbohydrate 38%
Full minerals & vitamins (dry matter)
| Mineral | Amount | Vitamin | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 0.95% | Vitamin A | 20,502 IU/kg |
| Phosphorus | 0.80% | Vitamin D3 | 1,437 IU/kg |
| Ca:P ratio | 1.19 | Vitamin E | 225 IU/kg |
| Sodium | 0.39% | Niacin (B3) | 30 mg/kg |
| Potassium | 1.08% | Choline | 2,875 mg/kg |
| Iron | 141 ppm | B12 | 0.13 mg/kg |
| Zinc | 165 ppm | Omega-3 (total) | 1.89% |
| Copper | 15.7 ppm | DHA | 460 mg/cup |
See the complete Senior analysis: full lab report (PDF).
Whole Food Mixer: dehydrated
Our dehydrated recipe, and the most organic of the three at 67%. Built on organic textured soy with real leafy greens (spinach, kale) and fruit, it is a complete diet that also works as a topper. Its standout numbers are very high vitamin A from all those vegetables, high soluble fiber, and low sodium.
Guaranteed analysis
| Crude protein (min) | 23% | Crude fat (min) | 11% |
| Crude fiber (max) | 4.5% | Moisture (max) | 10% |
| Calories | 330 kcal/cup | Organic | 67% |
Where the calories come from
Protein 24%
Fat 31%
Carbohydrate 44%
Full minerals & vitamins (dry matter)
| Mineral | Amount | Vitamin | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 0.71% | Vitamin A | 151,707 IU/kg |
| Phosphorus | 0.45% | Vitamin D3 | 2,892 IU/kg |
| Ca:P ratio | 1.6 | Vitamin E | 184 IU/kg |
| Sodium | 0.16% | Niacin (B3) | 36.5 mg/kg |
| Potassium | 1.72% | Choline | 3,444 mg/kg |
| Iron | 94 ppm | B12 | 0.09 mg/kg |
| Zinc | 119 ppm | Omega-3 (total) | 2.71% |
| Copper | 15.2 ppm | Soluble fiber | 6.9% |
See the complete Whole Food Mixer analysis: full lab report (PDF).
Radically transparent nutrition
Every Petaluma recipe is formulated by veterinary nutritionists, AAFCO-compliant, and lab-tested with the results published in full. Shop a recipe or try a free sample.
Shop Petaluma Try a Free SampleFrequently asked questions
Which Petaluma recipe is best for my dog?
The Adult Baked recipe is the everyday choice for healthy adult dogs. The Senior Baked recipe is lower in fat and adds DHA, glucosamine, and curcumin for aging dogs. The Whole Food Mixer is the most organic and works as a complete meal or a topper on either baked food.
Do Petaluma recipes meet AAFCO standards?
Yes. All three recipes are formulated to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for adult maintenance, and independent lab testing confirms every essential nutrient sits at or above the AAFCO minimum. The full results are published for each recipe.
Why is the Senior recipe higher in DHA?
DHA is an omega-3 fat that supports brain and joint health, which matters more as dogs age. The Senior recipe provides about 460 mg per cup, roughly four times the Adult recipe, from marine microalgae, alongside added glucosamine and curcumin.
What does dry-matter basis mean?
It means the values are calculated with the moisture removed. Because foods contain different amounts of water, comparing them on a dry-matter basis is the fairest way to line up nutrient levels, and it is how AAFCO sets its standards.
Where can I see the complete analysis?
Each recipe's full lab report, including every amino acid and fatty acid, is linked in the References below and on the product page. If you want to share the numbers with your veterinarian, those PDFs are the complete record.
References
- Petaluma. Adult Baked (Roasted Peanut Butter & Sweet Potato) nutritional analysis. feedpetaluma.com
- Petaluma. Senior Baked (Pumpkin & Peanut Butter) nutritional analysis. feedpetaluma.com
- Petaluma. Whole Food Mixer nutritional analysis. feedpetaluma.com
Figures are averages from recent production lots and are provided for information; they do not represent a guaranteed nutritional profile. AAFCO nutrient guidelines assume a 4,000 kcal/kg diet, so the as-fed comparison shifts slightly for each recipe's calorie density.
About the author
Caroline Buck is the co-founder of Petaluma, a plant-based dog food company she started after struggling to find nutrition that was both healthy for her dogs and gentler on the planet. Petaluma's recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists, and Caroline writes about canine nutrition, senior dog health, and sustainable feeding for pet parents. Learn more about Petaluma.
