Why We Chose Each Limited Ingredient in Our Turkey Recipe
Hannah Roundy
How is limited ingredient dog food better for your pup? Uncover the answer by reading about the benefits of each limited ingredient in our new turkey recipe.
Announcing The Newest Sundays Recipe
Until May 2023, Sundays for Dogs offered two recipes - beef and chicken. The third recipe was highly anticipated and many of our subscribers requested a turkey version for their dog. That’s why we are so excited to launch our all-new Turkey recipe!
Our motivation to make a turkey recipe was also inspired by pet parents asking how to help dogs with allergies. Apart from environmental allergens, ingredients in dog food can often be the cause of allergies in pups. We wanted to make not only the best dog food for every pup, but specifically the best food for dogs with allergies – and turkey is just that!
Sundays may already be the best food for dogs with allergies because it’s vet-formulated and made with clean, all-natural ingredients. The turkey recipe takes it one step further with our most limited ingredient, allergy-friendly recipe to date.
What is Limited Ingredient Dog Food?
Limited ingredient diets (LIDs) are dog food recipes with short lists of clean ingredients. LIDs are a great help in figuring out how to help dogs with allergies. With fewer ingredients, your dog is exposed to fewer allergens and therefore decreases the risk of an allergy.
Is limited ingredient dog food better than other dog food diets? It really depends on your dog’s allergies and taste preferences. But there’s no harm in feeding your dog a LID. It may even prevent exposure to allergens and the symptoms that follow.
Try feeding your pup a limited ingredient food like Sundays for Dogs. The new turkey recipe is made with only 21 natural, whole ingredients and is still complete and balanced - meeting stringent AAFCO standards for all life stages including large-breed growing puppies.
Is Turkey Good for Dogs?
In addition to being rich in lean protein, turkey is packed with an assortment of natural vitamins and minerals. The high phosphorus content in turkey supports dental and bone health in dogs. Rich levels of riboflavin in turkey can also boost your pup’s metabolism and promote healthy enzymes.
Another perk of turkey is that it’s considered a safe protein for dogs with allergies. Turkey is a novel protein, meaning it’s not as common as other proteins found in dog food or treats. This means most dogs haven’t been previously exposed to turkey and it may not be an allergen for them, so it’s safe to eat.
Is turkey good for dogs that are picky eaters? Turkey is highly palatable and dogs absolutely love the taste, so it’s a great option for picky eaters. That’s why it’s the main ingredient in Sundays for Dogs new turkey recipe.
Other Ingredients in the Turkey Recipe
Each ingredient in Sundays turkey recipe was hand-selected by our co-founder and Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Tory Waxman. Alongside veterinarian nutritionists and food scientists, the turkey recipe was formulated to provide AAFCO-approved complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all life stages including large-breed puppies.
The result is a nutrient-dense air-dried food for pups of all shapes, sizes, breeds, and ages. The blend of turkey, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and superfoods isn’t only nutritious – dogs love the delicious flavor and treat-like jerky texture.
Turkey Liver
Turkey liver is a lean protein source and contains high levels of iron, copper, zinc, and antioxidants that can boost your dog’s immune system. Turkey liver also contains natural sources of vitamins B3, B6, and B12 for healthy cell production.
Turkey Heart
Similar to liver, turkey hearts are rich in copper, iron, and vitamins B6 and B12. The high protein and low fat of turkey hearts also promote good muscle health in dogs.
Millet
Millet is a healthy, whole-grain carbohydrate. It contains natural sources of iron to improve low energy levels and phosphorus for bone health. Compared to wheat, millet is easier for dogs to digest and is gluten-free.
Pumpkin & Pumpkin Seed
Pumpkin is considered a superfood because it’s full of nutrients and has many health benefits for dogs. With high levels of soluble fiber, both pumpkin and pumpkin seeds are natural digestive aids and can soothe dogs experiencing constipation or diarrhea. Pumpkin also promotes heart health with a variety of natural antioxidants and potassium.
Blueberries
This ingredient is beloved by dogs and pet parents alike. Pups love the sweet flavor of blueberries, which is why you can commonly find them in dog treats. Pet parents love to feed their dogs blueberries because they are high in vitamin C, vitamin K, and cancer-fighting antioxidants.
Flaxseed
The Omega fatty acids found in flaxseed keep your dog’s coat sleek and shiny. Flaxseed also has anti-inflammatory properties that can improve joint health, kidney function, and blood pressure levels.
Kelp
Rich in calcium and antioxidants, kelp is another superfood ingredient in the turkey recipe. Kelp also has high levels of iodine that can support thyroid function in dogs to keep their heart rate, body temperature, and metabolism at healthy levels.
Chicory Root
For a healthy gut, chicory root is included in the turkey recipe. It’s a prebiotic that feeds the healthy bacteria in your dog’s gut to help them digest food more easily.
Egg Yolk
We decided to focus on egg yolk for the turkey recipe because that’s where all the nutrients are! Egg yolks are high in protein and healthy fatty acids. You can also find rich levels of zinc, iron, and vitamins A, D, and E.
Parsley
Parsley is a nutrient-dense superfood ingredient that also adds a nice dimension of flavor to the recipe. It’s has large amounts of antioxidants and vitamin C to build up your dog’s immune system. Vitamin K found in parsley is essential for your dog’s body to clot blood.
Fish Oil
You’ll mostly find fish oil for dogs as food toppers and supplements. At Sundays, we include fish oil in all three dog food recipes because we know how important it is for our dog’s health.
Fish oil provides your dog with a natural source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Those nutrients help your dog’s coat stay healthy and snuggle-worthy. Omega-3 fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory properties and can support joint health.
Turmeric
Dogs and humans both benefit from the medicinal properties of turmeric. Curcumin is an active ingredient in turmeric that acts as an anti-inflammatory for healthy joints and mobility. Turmeric is also another natural digestive aid for dogs.
Shiitake Mushroom
Dogs need vitamin B5 to maintain good energy levels and boost their metabolism. Shiitake mushrooms have particularly high levels of vitamin B5, as well as fiber, copper, and zinc. This ingredient is also a protein source and has the same amino acids as meat.
And That’s Not All!
The turkey recipe also includes ground bone, sea salt, ginger, mixed tocopherols, and sunflower seed. You can read more about the benefits of these ingredients at SundaysForDogs.com/Ingredients.