
An independent Feed Wise evaluation of Boreal Functional Limited Ingredient Venison, built from the published ingredient panel, guaranteed analysis, certifications and processing method.
Complete diet: complete and balanced (aafco)
Share of scoring criteria backed by published evidence.
Protein
28%
Fat
14%
Estimated carbohydrate
36%
Processing
Extruded
Feed Wise rates this below the standard we look for in this category for Boreal Functional Limited Ingredient Venison, a dry kibble formula led by dehydrated venison and salmon oil. The manufacturer publishes a AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement, so it can be fed as a complete daily diet for the life stage named on the label. Supporting the rating, it is manufactured in Canada and the label declares 28% crude protein.
Dehydrated venison, peas, northern white beans, tapioca, pea protein, yeast extract (source of mannanooligosaccharides – MOS), canola oil (naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols), coconut oil (naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural flavor, salmon oil, dicalcium phosphate, salt, choline chloride, chicory root extract (source of inulin), taurine, DL-methionine, L-lysine, zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acid complex, vitamin E supplement, manganese amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, selenium, niacin, biotin, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), pyridoxin hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, calcium iodate, folic acid
1. Dehydrated venison
Tier A, exceptional food ingredient
Named Animal Protein
Named animal muscle meat. Highest value protein source in the FeedWise model.
2. peas
Tier C, moderate or neutral ingredient
Whole Carbohydrate
Whole pea. A pulse carbohydrate and plant protein source.
3. northern white beans
Tier C, moderate or neutral ingredient
Whole Carbohydrate
Whole pulse contributing carbohydrate, fibre and plant protein.
4. tapioca
Tier D, lower value formulation ingredient
Refined Plant Fraction
Refined or fractionated plant ingredient. Lowers ingredient quality when used prominently.
5. pea protein
Tier E, major formulation concern
Concentrated Plant Protein
Concentrated plant protein. Raises the crude protein figure without contributing animal protein quality.
This is the largest single category in FeedWise. It looks at which animal ingredients are present, whether the species is named, whether organs, egg and named fats are included, and whether concentrated plant proteins are diluting the animal content.
Named animal protein first
Dehydrated venison is a named animal ingredient in position 1.
Animal Prominence Index
Animal Prominence Index 30 of 100. This is a FeedWise position-weighted measure of how far animal ingredients dominate the ingredient panel. It is a label-position index, not a manufacturer-disclosed recipe percentage.
Liver
No liver in the ingredient panel.
Heart
No heart in the ingredient panel.
Other appropriate organs
No additional organ meats identified.
Whole egg
No meaningful egg inclusion.
Named animal or marine fats
Named animal or marine fat sources: salmon oil, salmon oil.
Verified animal ingredient proportion
The manufacturer has not published an animal ingredient percentage. Excluded from the score rather than counted against the product.
Plant protein disclosure
Concentrated plant protein is present: pea protein. The manufacturer does not publish its inclusion level or the animal versus plant share of the crude protein, so the contribution is not quantified. This is deducted once under Ingredient Quality and is not counted again here.
Every ingredient is classified into a quality tier and weighted by its position on the label, so ingredient number one counts far more than ingredient number fifteen.
Position weighted ingredient quality
8 food ingredients assessed by quality tier with early positions weighted most heavily. 27 fortifying nutrients or preservatives excluded from the average.
Ingredient splitting
Multiple fractions of the same core ingredient appear: PEA FAMILY (peas, pea protein).
Concentrated plant protein
Concentrated plant protein appears at position 5: pea protein. Scored once here and not repeated in other categories.
Estimated carbohydrate, calculated as 100 minus protein, fat, moisture, fibre and ash.
Carbohydrate burden
Calculated with a published ash value carbohydrate of 36 percent.
Ingredient based plant load
Plant load assessed as VERY HIGH. Carbohydrate bearing plant ingredients: peas (whole pulse), northern white beans (whole pulse), tapioca (refined starch), pea protein (concentrated plant protein), chicory root extract (source of inulin) (fibre ingredient).
Combined pulse load
3 pulse ingredients detected at positions 2, 3, 5: peas, northern white beans, pea protein. Together these represent a substantial plant contribution.
Pulse protein disclosure
A concentrated pulse protein is present. Its inclusion level is not published, so no share of the protein figure is asserted. It is deducted once under Ingredient Quality rather than a second time here.
Split plant fractions
Split plant fractions understate the true plant load in the ingredient order.
Processing method: Extruded. This category measures food integrity only. Raw handling safety is assessed separately under Safety and Quality Control, so a raw food can score well here and still lose safety points.
Processing method
Extruded processing. Food integrity only. Raw handling safety is assessed separately under Safety and Quality Control.
Animal species clearly identified
Every animal ingredient names its species.
Ingredient sourcing disclosed
Not publicly verified
Country or region identified
Not publicly verified
Manufacturing location identified
Not publicly verified
Detailed nutritional analysis
A detailed nutritional analysis is published.
Traceability information
Not publicly verified
Manufacturer provides sourcing detail
Not publicly verified
Overall formulation transparency
A complete ingredient panel and an identified manufacturer are on file.
Marketing language alone does not count. Anything that has not been published is shown as not publicly verified rather than as a failure.
Complete and balanced for the stated life stage
Not publicly verified
Feeding trial or validation
Not publicly verified
Intended use clearly stated
Not publicly verified
Guaranteed analysis published
A guaranteed analysis is published for this formula.
Calcium and phosphorus disclosed
Not publicly verified
Feeding guidance for supplemental use
Not publicly verified
Batch testing
Not publicly verified
Pathogen testing
Not publicly verified
Supplier verification
Not publicly verified
Lot traceability
Not publicly verified
Nutrient verification
Not publicly verified
Manufacturing quality program
Not publicly verified
Recall context and corrective action
No recalls on file.
A recall alone does not destroy a score. Severity, cause, frequency, recency and documented corrective action are all considered.
Unknown information is not treated as bad information. It is scored as unverified and it lowers the confidence rating instead.
Canadian retailers on record. Stock and price vary by store and province.
Boréal dog food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages.
Only certifications we can confirm from the brand's own documentation or the certifying body appear here. Nothing is assumed — if a program isn't listed, it isn't disclosed for this product.
| Animal Protein Quality | 11.8 / 25 |
| Ingredient Quality | 9 / 20 |
| Carbohydrate and Plant Load | 0 / 15 |
| Processing and Food Integrity | 5 / 10 |
| Transparency and Sourcing | 10 / 10 |
| Nutritional Formulation | 10 / 10 |
| Safety and Quality Control | 3.3 / 10 |
| Total | 49.1 / 100 |
FeedWise Score 4.9 · Below Average · High Confidence
How FeedWise Scores Dog Food →Scored by the FeedWise 100 point model. Read the full methodology.
Community reviews do not affect the Feed Wise score.
Real experiences from Paw Privileges members. Reviews never affect the Wise score — scoring is based only on label evidence.

