Red flannel dog food is a limited-ingredient diet specially formulated for canines with food sensitivities and allergies. This guide provides an extensive overview of red flannel dog food including its key ingredients, nutritional value, where to buy it, actual customer reviews, how it compares to rival dog food brands, and expert advice on who should consider feeding their dog this food.
What is Red Flannel Dog Food?
Red Flannel is a niche dog food brand that produces limited-ingredient diets for dogs with food intolerances.
Their recipes only contain between 7 to 10 key ingredients, the majority of which are single protein and carbohydrate sources. This makes it easier to determine ingredients your dog may be reactive to.
The Red Flannel brand was launched in 2017 by a small company based in Wisconsin. Their flagship recipe is the Red Flannel Salmon & Sorghum recipe, specially formulated for dogs with sensitivities.
Some key features of Red Flannel’s limited-ingredient dog food include:
- Single source protein and carbohydrate
- Free of common triggers like wheat, corn, soy
- Added probiotics to support digestion
- Omega fatty acids for skin and coat
- No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
This simple and short ingredient list helps narrow down potential causes if your dog has an unpleasant reaction to certain foods.
Many owners switch to red flannel dog food on their vet’s recommendation after struggling with adverse reactions from traditional dog food formulas.
Red Flannel Dog Food Ingredients
The Red Flannel salmon dog food recipe contains the following primary ingredients:
- Deboned salmon
- Sorghum
- Peas
- Potato starch
- Flaxseed
- Tomato pomace
- Natural fish flavor
- Salmon oil
It also includes chelated vitamins and minerals but does not have any artificial additives.
Salmon is the main protein source, with chicken fat added for fatty acid content to support skin health.
Sorghum is the grain-free carbohydrate, which some dogs tolerate better than corn, wheat or soy.
Ingredients like peas and flaxseed provide micronutrients like vitamin A and omega-3s. The salmon oil also boosts omega-3 fatty acid content to reduce skin inflammation.
Many owners report shinier coats and less itching or skin irritation after switching to red flannel dog food.
Nutritional Value & Benefits
The guaranteed analysis for red flannel dog food is:
- Crude Protein (min): 27%
- Crude Fat (min): 12%
- Crude Fiber (max): 4.5%
- Moisture (max): 10%
This exceeds nutrient profiles for high-protein dog food set by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials).
Dog foods with at least 25% protein are considered high protein. These formulations help maintain lean muscle mass and weight, which supports an active lifestyle.
Additional benefits provided by key ingredients in red flannel dog food include:
- Digestive support from added probiotics
- Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids for skin and coat from salmon oil and flaxseed
- Grain-free carbs that may be easier to digest than corn or wheat for some dogs
- Tomato pomace – an antioxidant-rich ingredient
- Immune boost from vitamins and chelated minerals
So red flannel provides complete and balanced nutrition tailored for dogs struggling with food sensitivities or allergies.
Where to Buy Red Flannel Dog Food
Red flannel dog food is sold online through sites like Chewy and Amazon at reasonable prices. Some independent pet retailers and specialty stores also carry it.
You can buy red flannel dog food in the following package sizes:
- 5 lb bag
- 15 lb bag
- 24 lb bag
- 13 oz can (wet food)
Some top online stores that sell red flannel dog food include:
You can also check with local pet supply shops to see if they carry this niche brand. Some will even special order it for you.
Veterinary clinics may also recommend Red Flannel dog food and provide free samples for dogs with suspected food allergies. This allows you to trial the food easily before buying larger bags.
Red Flannel Prices & Sizes
As a specialty limited-ingredient brand, Red Flannel dog food comes at a premium price point. However, it still offers decent value compared to prescription hydrolyzed protein diets.
Here’s a price comparison of common red flannel dog food package sizes:
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| 5 lb bag | $15-$18 |
| 15 lb bag | $40-$50 |
| 24 lb bag | $60-$65 |
| 13 oz can wet food | $2-$3 per can |
This compares favorably price-wise with some competing limited ingredient brands like Natural Balance, which are similarly priced.
You get more value in terms of amount of food per dollar as you buy larger bags. The wet food provides a good way to trial the food at lower quantities before investing in a large 15 – 30 lb bag.
Buying larger bags online rather than from a retail store can also help lower the costs.
Reviews of Red Flannel Dog Food
So what are actual owners who have fed the red flannel salmon recipe saying about it?
Here’s a summary of feedback from real customer reviews:
- Dogs find it palatable – even picky eaters seem to like the taste
- Improves skin and coat condition – reduces flakiness and shedding
- Good for dogs with sensitive stomachs – easier to digest
- Some noted increased energy levels in their dogs
- A few dogs disliked the fishy taste or smelled bad gas
Overall most dogs had good tolerance and saw improvements in coat health, energy, or digestion compared to traditional dog foods with more complex ingredients.
Here are a few excerpt positive reviews of red flannel dog food:
“This limited ingredient food is exactly what my Westie with allergies needed. Her skin has improved drastically and best of all no more bad gas!” – Mary R.
“I was hesitant to switch from my dogs prescription shellfish diet but he loves the taste of red flannel and he has less eye drainage and paw licking now.” – Lucas P.
“This simple recipe food gave my shelter dog alot more energy plus his poops became more solid with less vomiting episodes.” – Sandra L.
As with any pet food, some dogs may tolerate it better than others. But the majority of feedback from verified buyers is very positive.
How Red Flannel Compares to Other Dog Foods
So how does red flannel stack up against competitor limited ingredient dog food brands?
Here is a head-to-head ingredients and price comparison with some top alternatives:
As you can see, Red Flannel has very comparable ingredients to leading options from Natural Balance and Wellness Simple.
The main advantages of red flannel are:
- Typically more affordable than the rival brands
- Has added probiotics for better digestion
- Higher amounts of omega fatty acids from salmon oil and flaxseed
The main downside compared to rivals is that red flannel has a more limited selection – just one dry kibble recipe and a complementary wet food.
Whereas Natural Balance for example offers limited ingredient diets based on several protein sources like duck, venison, bison etc.
When it comes to dogs transitioning from prescription veterinary diets, most owners find the ingredients and nutrient profile almost identical:
“This food has nearly identical ingredients to the expensive prescription diet my vet recommended. At almost half the price, I am extremely happy with the improvements to my dogs allergies and coat condition.”
So while the selection is narrow, the red flannel salmon formula itself stacks up very well to prescription and over-the-counter competition.
Who Should Buy Red Flannel Dog Food
The veterinarian formulated, limited ingredient recipe makes red flannel dog food ideal for:
✔️ Dogs with food sensitivities
Single protein and carbohydrate sources plus avoidance of common triggers makes it easy to isolate ingredients causing reactions.
✔️ Breeds prone to allergies
Certain breeds like West Highland White Terriers, Golden retrievers and poodles with known genetic predisposition to food intolerances do well on this diet.
✔️ Rescue dogs
When diet history is uncertain, the gentle nutrient profile supports sensitive digestion.
✔️ Picky eaters
Even choosy dogs seem to find the salmon and sorghum recipe tasty based on customer feedback.
✔️ Active dogs
The high protein content around 30% protein fuels muscular dogs who get lots of exercise.
Before switching, it’s a good idea to consult your vet if your dog has any pre-existing conditions or requires specialized nutrition.
But red flannel dog food offers a cost-effective way to manage food sensitivities while providing complete daily nutrition.
FAQs About Red Flannel Dog Food
Some additional common questions about red flannel dog food include:
Is red flannel good for allergic dogs?
Yes, the limited ingredients are ideal for dogs with food allergies or intolerances as it avoids common triggers.
Is red flannel easy to digest?
The grain-free recipe with probiotics supports easier digestion and nutrient absorption for sensitive dogs.
Is red flannel dog food high in protein?
Yes, with approximately 30% protein it’s considered a high protein dog food.
Is Red Flannel a prescription dog food?
No, it is not a prescription veterinary diet. But some vets recommend it for dogs struggling with traditional dog foods.
What breeds do best on red flannel dog food?
Breeds prone to allergies like Westies, Goldendoodles and Yorkies tend to do very well when transitioned to this limited ingredient diet.
Does red flannel help with tear staining?
For many dogs it does reduce tear staining thanks to the omega fatty acid content which helps reduce skin inflammation.
Conclusion
In summary, red flannel dog food offers a limited yet nutritious ingredients list tailored for canines with sensitivities.
It avoids common allergens found in traditional kibble and provides probiotics and omegas for digestion and skin health.
While priced higher than grocery store brands, it costs notably less than prescription veterinary diets but offers similar nutrition.
If your dog struggles with digestive issues or has recurring skin problems, a vet recommended trial of red flannel dog food may be warranted thanks to the well tolerated salmon and sorghum ingredients.
Hopefully this complete guide offered useful and in-depth information for owners considering this niche brand of dog food. Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions!
