Ontario – dog food

Sometimes finding the right food for your pet isn't easy, and a loving owner is forced to spend hours browsing forums and switching their dog from one brand to another in the hopes that this time the food will live up to their high expectations.

In this article, we'll explore the Ontario brand of super-premium dog food, examine the ingredients of one of its diets, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the formula.

Manufacturer

Ontario pet food is produced by the Czech company Placek Pet Products Ltd., and Hagen Rus is the official distributor in Russia. Placek Pet Products Ltd. was founded by Dušan Placek, who conceived the idea of ​​starting a family business in 1989. Today, it is a large holding company supplying pet products to the markets of Slovakia, Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. They also own a large network of retail stores in the EU.

The company is also developing its own brands, one of which is Ontario. Although the brand doesn't boast a history spanning several decades—it was founded only in 2004—in this short time, it has successfully gained popularity and the trust of dog owners in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, and Latvia. It was launched in Russia in 2013.

The formula and recipe for these pet foods were developed in Canada with the participation of animal nutritionists, scientists, and veterinarians. This is where the name "Ontario" comes from, as well as the familiar Canadian symbol—the red and white maple leaf—emblazoned on every package next to the name. The manufacturer prides itself on its progressive quality control system, assuring that its ingredients are GMO-free and comply with all EU requirements and standards. This is confirmed by the impressive 2014 Global Pets Forum Award for pet nutrition, which the manufacturer has won.

Assortment

The Ontario brand produces dry food, wet food, and treats for dogs. The entire food range consists of 33 different menus, which are easy to navigate as they are divided into several main categories.

The dry food segment includes food lines for small, medium, and large dogs. Within each line, diets are further categorized by age:

• Puppy/junior — for puppies and growing animals (from 1 month to 12 months for mini breeds, from 1 to 24 months for large breeds);
• Adult – adult pets (from 1 to 8 years old – small breeds, starting from 2 years old – large and giant dog breeds);
• Senior – older dogs (over 8 years old, not included in the Medium line);

Among the offered flavors, you can choose from lamb, beef, or fish with rice, as well as chicken with potatoes. Moreover, all diets except those based on chicken are hypoallergenic.

Ontario's portfolio of special diets includes only one product: Weight Control, a diet designed for overweight pets based on lean turkey and potatoes. It's available only in the Mini and Large dog lines.

The wet food line consists of 15 different diets, primarily designed for adult dogs. Two canned options are available for puppies: chicken, rice, and flaxseed oil in a 400-gram can, and chicken and cartilage pieces in a 200-gram can.

Three more wet food options are 320-gram pouches, designed for one meal. They differ only in flavor: beef with vegetables, chicken and vegetables (carrots, peas, and celery), and lamb with rice.

The entire core assortment in this category consists of canned goods in 200-, 400-, and 800-gram jars with a wide selection of flavors. In addition to standard chicken, beef, and fish, there are also more exotic combinations of ingredients, such as goose with cranberries or veal with sweet potato and dandelion. And for the most discerning gourmets, there's venison with cranberries and safflower oil.

Overall, Ontario's team of nutritionists has done a great job, as the product range is not only diverse but also functional. And the availability of canned food is a major plus for the company. Ontario wet dog food will undoubtedly be appreciated by even the most discerning pet with a refined taste, as evidenced by the words of gratitude from dog owners who strive to please their pets' gourmands.

Ontario Feed Composition Analysis

First, note the label "low grain formula" on each package of dry food. Additionally, the packaging states that the diet consists of 60% meat (or fish/chicken), rice (or potatoes), and herbs. It's also worth noting that many Ontario-brand diets contain salmon oil, chelated minerals, tomatoes, organic selenium, and prebiotics. These supplements are essential for every dog's health, promoting cardiovascular health, boosting immunity, and preventing aging.

To provide a detailed overview, we examined the ingredients of Ontario's chicken and potato dog food for medium-sized dogs over one year old. Its nutritional value is expressed as follows:

• Protein – 26%
• Fat – 15%
• Moisture – 10%
• Ash – 7.1%
• Fiber – 2.9%
• Ca (calcium) – 1.6%
• P (phosphorus) – 1.1%
• Na (sodium) – 0.2%
• Mg (magnesium) – 0.08%

These figures indicate that the food contains 39% carbohydrates. This percentage is typical for super-premium diets, and in our case, it's within the generally accepted norms. The remaining percentages indicate that this diet is more suited to an apartment-dwelling dog with a moderate level of exercise. In other cases (high activity, kennel-based conditions during cold weather), the owner will either need to increase the food portion or select a more nutritious diet.

Before evaluating the ingredients in this formula, it's important to remember that there are standards that require the manufacturer to list all ingredients in descending order (with those with the highest percentage listed first). Therefore, the first four to five ingredients are always the most important, as they provide insight into the food's composition. All other ingredients can only slightly improve or detract from the finished formula.

Let's move on to the first five ingredients:

• Dehydrated chicken meat – 32%
• Potato flakes – 24%
• Rice
• Dried apples
• Chicken fat

Next comes hydrolyzed chicken protein (4%), brewer's yeast, fish oil, and dried carrots. Next come prebiotics (MOS and FOS) and a seaweed blend. The herbs that complete the list include fennel, thyme, cinnamon, anise, cloves, rosemary, and yucca.

The manufacturer provides the exact percentage of only a few ingredients; how much rice, for example, was added here remains to be seen.

Main components

1. Component #1—dehydrated chicken—is the primary source of animal protein. It's slightly inferior to fresh chicken, as it's already heat-treated and dried before being prepared. However, if high-quality raw materials are used, the component itself can be considered a good, high-quality source of protein. Chicken is very easily digestible by dogs, making it a desirable ingredient in their diet.
2. Number two is potato flakes. They provide low-glycemic carbohydrates and fiber. Carbohydrates provide energy, while potato fiber effectively cleanses the intestines and has a positive effect on intestinal microflora. Potatoes are also hypoallergenic and contain vitamins and minerals. Potato flakes are produced using a steam drying process, often using peels and low-quality potatoes. Many manufacturers substitute potatoes for grains, thus improving the recipe. However, large quantities of any plant-based food are undesirable for dogs.
3. Ingredient #3 – rice – is a dietary grain whose main advantage is its hypoallergenicity. Its benefits depend on the type of rice: white, brown, or cracked. In this case, there are no specifics, so it's likely the cheapest raw material was used. Rice is often used in pet food instead of wheat or corn, but if it's listed among the first ingredients, it's used to reduce the cost of the product.
4. Component #4 – dried apples – are rich in pectin, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The fiber in apples is very beneficial; even a small amount can improve digestion, make stools more solid, and fight toxins in the intestines. Apples also contain carbohydrates.
5. Ingredients #5 – chicken fat – is the most common type of fat used in prepared pet foods. It's extremely beneficial for animals due to its high linoleic acid content. It's essential for maintaining healthy skin and a beautiful coat. Provided natural preservatives are used, it's a high-quality ingredient.

Brief conclusions

Of course, the high-quality protein and fat in the formula are compelling arguments in favor of this diet, but the relatively high potato content, combined with rice, clearly outweighs the chicken content. Some veterinarians consider this a drawback, given that dogs primarily need animal protein, not plant protein.

Other feed components

The manufacturer uses a fairly standard set of ingredients for the super premium segment, and doesn't stand out from its competitors. See for yourself:

• Hydrolyzed chicken protein is listed sixth in the ingredients list, but in reality it serves to add flavor to the food and only partially serves as a nutritional component.
• Fish oilAlthough present in small quantities, it supplements the diet with beneficial omega acids, which are essential and beneficial for animals. Its quality largely depends on the degree of purification of the fat and the type of fish from which it is extracted. Here, we see only general statements and no specifics, which most often means a mixture of fats from different types of low-quality fish.
• Brewer's yeast is rich in B vitamins and is a very beneficial supplement in pets' diets. It promotes better nutrient absorption and normalizes metabolism. Brewer's yeast is also important for dysbiosis, as it helps beneficial bacteria colonize the intestines.
• Dried carrots are a source of many vitamins and microelements, and even after drying they retain most of them.
• Seaweed is a treasure trove of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, and phytonutrients; it effectively cleanses the intestines of toxins and improves metabolism.

The seven-herb blend included in the formula positively impacts the overall impression of the recipe. According to the manufacturer, the total amount of medicinal herbs in the formula is 4%. The medicinal properties of plants have long been used to improve health and prevent various diseases. Phytotherapy primarily has a comprehensive effect: it strengthens the immune system, protects cells from aging, and promotes the elimination of toxins.

Dog food prices in Ontario

Ontario Adult Medium Chicken & Potato food is sold online at:

• 2.25 kg – from 730 to 822 rubles.
• 12 kg – from 3408 to 3950 rubles.

Ontario's 7-Fish Adult Dog Food is the highest priced of the entire range:

• 0.75 kg – from 357 to 390 rubles.
• 2.25 kg – from 920 to 1130 rubles.
• 12 kg – from 4180 to 4490 rubles.

Ontario Dog Food Reviews

Because this brand is not yet well-known, there aren't many reviews on specialized forums. However, online dog owners have reported feeding their pets Ontario diets. Most have positive opinions about the brand:

Alexander, Omsk:

"I use two criteria when choosing food for my bulldogs: meat as the primary ingredient, and it's allergy-friendly. When we started running out of our old food, I had to look for a new one again. While browsing the shelves at the store, I saw a bag of Ontario and tried the fish version. I didn't find the smell very appealing, but the dogs love it. They gobble it up with relish, and I haven't noticed any watery eyes or itching. I think it's a high-quality food, and I recommend it to everyone, having practically tested it myself. The only downside is that it's not available everywhere."

Svetlana, Yekaterinburg:

"A friend recommended switching my spaniel puppy to this food. At first, I was very happy with it, and he always devoured his portions. He was always playful and contented, with no problems with going to the bathroom. Then he started eating it less willingly. I bought a can of this brand and now mix it with his dry food. It's very convenient that one brand offers different types of food. I consider the lack of harmful additives and wheat a plus, but the downside, in my opinion, is the price."

In conclusion, the Ontario brand currently offers a high-quality product and, despite some shortcomings in the recipe, lives up to its super-premium status. Its price is affordable, so it could easily compete with a couple of more established competitors. We recommend it as your pet's staple diet.

Read also:

• Orijen dog food
• Go dog food
• Acana Dog Food