Venison Fresh Dog Food

Overview
5 Hounds Venison is a lightly cooked, complete wet dog food using wild-harvested venison as its sole animal protein, formulated for dogs of all life stages including puppies. Venison is a naturally lean, novel protein — lower in fat than most common commercial proteins and well-tolerated by dogs with a history of reactions to chicken or beef. The formulation sits at 62% protein and 17% fat on a dry matter basis, making it the lowest-fat recipe in the 5 Hounds range. Venison heart contributes B vitamins and iron for energy metabolism; coconut oil supplies medium-chain fatty acids that support gut health and energy availability; hemp seeds provide omega fatty acids relevant to joint and immune function.
The brand recommends this recipe for dogs with sensitive digestion, itchy skin, chronic gut stress, or those requiring a novel protein following long-term exposure to more common proteins.
Nutritional Analysis
A nutritional analysis shows how a dog food is made up of its main nutrients, such as protein, fat, fibre and other components. This helps you understand where the food’s nutrition and energy come from, and how the formula is balanced.
Ingredients
Venison Mince, Butternut Pumpkin, Carrot, Venison Liver, Spinach, Venison Heart, Apples, Blueberries, Coconut Meat, Cranberries, Coconut Oil, Hemp Seeds, Organic Kelp Powder, Vitamins and Minerals.

Deer Meat, Cervidae Meat, Game Meat, Cervus Spp.
Venison is the meat derived from deer, making it an animal-based protein source. It is prized for its lean profile and high-quality amino acids, supporting muscle maintenance and overall health in pets. In pet food, venison is used in its natural, whole-food form, providing a novel protein option that may benefit pets with sensitivities to more common meats.
Venison is included as a novel, high-quality protein source to appeal to consumers seeking premium or hypoallergenic pet food options. Its use can support marketing claims related to limited ingredient diets and alternative proteins.

Cucurbita Moschata, Butternut Squash, Gramma, Winter Squash
Butternut pumpkin is a plant-derived ingredient, sourced from the fruit of the Cucurbita moschata species. It is included in pet food primarily for its rich content of dietary fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants, supporting digestive health and immune function. Butternut pumpkin is used in its natural, whole food form, ensuring pets benefit from its full nutritional profile without synthetic alteration.
Butternut pumpkin is included as a cost-effective, label-friendly vegetable that provides natural colour, dietary fibre, and some vitamins, appealing to health-conscious consumers. It also serves as a digestible carbohydrate source to support energy needs and product texture.

Daucus Carota, Daucus Carota Root, Daucus Carota Sativa, Wild Carrot
Carrot is a root vegetable of plant origin, widely recognised for its vibrant orange colour and natural sweetness. In pet food, carrot is included in its natural, whole form to provide dietary fibre, beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), and antioxidants. Its primary benefit is supporting digestive health and immune function, while also contributing to overall palatability and nutritional diversity.
Carrot is included as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to consumers seeking recognisable, natural components and to enhance the product’s perceived nutritional value. It may also provide a modest source of fibre and vitamins, supporting marketing claims of added health benefits.

Cervus Elaphus Liver, Deer Liver, Game Liver, Wild Deer Liver
Venison liver is the organ meat sourced from deer, classified as an animal-derived ingredient. It is highly valued for its rich content of essential nutrients, including protein, iron, vitamin A, and B vitamins, supporting overall health and vitality in pets. Venison liver is incorporated in its natural, whole food form, ensuring optimal nutrient availability and palatability in premium pet food formulations.
Venison liver is included as a high-quality, novel protein source to appeal to consumers seeking premium or hypoallergenic pet foods. It also enhances palatability and provides essential vitamins and minerals, supporting both nutritional value and marketing claims.

Spinacia Oleracea, English Spinach, Common Spinach, Garden Spinach
Spinach is a leafy green vegetable of plant origin, valued for its rich content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In pet food, spinach primarily provides dietary fibre, iron, and phytonutrients that support overall health and immune function. Spinach is included in its natural form, ensuring pets benefit from its full nutritional profile without synthetic alteration or processing into extracts.
Spinach is included as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to health-conscious consumers and enhance the perceived nutritional value of the product. It may also provide a modest source of vitamins and minerals, supporting marketing claims of added health benefits.

Cervus Elaphus Heart, Deer Heart, Wild Deer Heart, Game Deer Heart
Venison heart is a nutrient-rich organ meat sourced from deer, classified as an animal-derived ingredient. It is valued for its high protein content, essential amino acids, and naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, supporting muscle development and overall vitality in pets. Venison heart is incorporated in its natural, whole food form, ensuring optimal nutrient availability and palatability in premium pet food formulations.
Venison heart is included as a novel animal protein source to appeal to consumers seeking premium or hypoallergenic pet foods. It also enhances the product’s protein content and supports marketing claims of using whole-prey or organ meats.

Malus Domestica, Pyrus Malus, Malus Pumila, E Malus
Apple is a fruit derived from the Malus domestica tree, classified as a plant-based ingredient. It is primarily included in pet food for its dietary fibre, natural antioxidants, and vitamins, supporting digestive health and immune function. Apple is used in its natural, whole form, ensuring pets benefit from its inherent nutrients without synthetic alteration or processing into extracts or concentrates.
Apple is included as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to consumers seeking recognisable, natural components in pet food. It may also provide a modest source of fibre and natural sweetness to enhance palatability.

Vaccinium Corymbosum, Vaccinium Angustifolium, Bilberry, E163
Blueberry is a small, nutrient-rich fruit of plant origin, commonly sourced from the Vaccinium genus. It is included in pet food primarily for its antioxidant properties, supporting immune health and cellular protection. Blueberry is used in its natural, whole form, ensuring pets benefit from its full spectrum of vitamins, fibre, and phytonutrients as found in fresh fruit.
Blueberry is included as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to health-conscious consumers, leveraging its reputation as a source of antioxidants. Its presence supports marketing claims of added nutritional benefits, though it is typically used in small quantities with minimal impact on the overall nutritional profile for pets.

Cocos Nucifera, Cocos Nucifera Fruit, Cocos Nucifera (Plant), Cocos Nucifera (Fruit)
Coconut is a plant-derived ingredient sourced from the fruit of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera). It is primarily included in pet food for its healthy fats, particularly medium-chain triglycerides, which support energy and skin health. Coconut is used in its natural form, such as dried or shredded flesh, ensuring pets benefit from its nutrients and dietary fibre.
Coconut is included as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to health-conscious consumers and enhance product marketing. It may also serve as a source of dietary fibre and medium-chain fatty acids, contributing to the nutritional profile of the pet food.

Vaccinium Macrocarpon, American Cranberry, Large Cranberry, Bearberry
Cranberry is a small, red berry derived from the Vaccinium macrocarpon plant, making it a plant-based ingredient. It is primarily included in pet food for its antioxidant properties and potential support of urinary tract health. Cranberry is used in its natural, whole form, ensuring pets benefit from its full spectrum of phytonutrients, vitamins, and dietary fibre.
Cranberry is included as a label-friendly ingredient to appeal to health-conscious consumers and enhance product marketability. It may also serve as a natural source of antioxidants, supporting the product’s functional claims.

Cocos Nucifera Oil, Copra Oil, E472c, Coconut Fat
Coconut oil is a plant-derived oil extracted from the flesh of mature coconuts. It is primarily included in pet food for its energy-dense medium-chain triglycerides, which support healthy skin, coat, and metabolism. Coconut oil is used in its natural, refined form, ensuring it is safe and readily digestible for pets while delivering its functional nutritional benefits.
Coconut oil is included as a source of medium-chain triglycerides, which are marketed for their potential health benefits and digestibility. It also serves as a label-friendly ingredient that appeals to consumers seeking natural or premium pet food formulations.

Cannabis Sativa Seed, Cannabis Sativa Seed Kernel, Cannabis Sativa L. Seed, Cannabis Sativa Seed (Genus Species)
Hemp seed is the edible seed of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa), a botanical ingredient valued for its rich nutritional profile. Sourced from plants, hemp seed is used in its natural, whole form. It provides a balanced source of essential fatty acids, protein, and fibre, supporting skin health, coat quality, and overall wellbeing in pets.
Hemp seed is included as a nutrient-dense ingredient, providing a source of plant-based protein, essential fatty acids, and fibre to support a balanced nutritional profile. Its inclusion also serves as a label-friendly feature, appealing to health-conscious consumers seeking natural and functional ingredients.

Seaweed Powder, Ascophyllum Nodosum Powder, Laminaria Powder, Macrocystis Pyrifera Powder
Kelp powder is a dried and ground form of sea kelp, a type of marine algae (plant origin) harvested from ocean waters. It is primarily included in pet food for its rich iodine content, supporting healthy thyroid function and metabolism. Kelp powder is used in its natural, whole-food form, ensuring optimal nutrient availability and safe consumption for pets.
Kelp powder is included as a natural source of trace minerals, iodine, and vitamins to support nutritional labelling claims and enhance the perceived health benefits of the product. Its addition also serves as a label-friendly ingredient that appeals to health-conscious consumers.

Micronutrients, Essential Micronutrients, Vital Nutrients, Accessory Food Factors
Vitamins are organic compounds derived from both plant and animal sources, essential for numerous metabolic and physiological functions in pets. Their primary purpose is to support immune health, vision, bone development, and cellular processes. In pet food, vitamins are not used in their natural, raw forms but are instead incorporated as stabilised compounds or premixes to ensure safety, stability, and optimal bioavailability.
Vitamins are included to ensure nutritional adequacy and meet regulatory requirements for complete and balanced pet food. They may also be added to compensate for nutrient losses during processing and storage.

Dietary Minerals, Inorganic Nutrients, Essential Minerals, Bulk Elements
Minerals are essential inorganic nutrients derived from the earth, not produced by animals or plants. They play a critical role in supporting various physiological functions, such as bone development, nerve transmission, and enzyme activity. In pet food, minerals are not used in their natural raw or metallic state; instead, they are incorporated as specific compounds (such as sulphates or chelates) to optimise safety and bioavailability.
Minerals are included to meet essential nutritional requirements for pets, supporting overall health and proper bodily functions. They are often added in precise amounts to ensure the product complies with regulatory standards and nutrient profiles.
Score Card
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- Overall ScoreScore Info
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5 Hounds
Discover Australian-made human-grade dog meals prepared with premium, natural ingredients by veterinarians who care about your dog's longevity and wellness.




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