@LandSharksAnonymousJust to clarify a few points, as some of the information you’ve presented is either taken out of context or misunderstood.
- Protein Levels in Butternut Box Meals
“Crude protein 12%… Puppies need about 30% in a meal… even for an adult it should be about 20%.”
This is a common misunderstanding. The crude protein values listed on pet food labels are expressed on an “as fed” (wet weight) basis – and Butternut Box is a fresh food, which contains around 70% moisture. When comparing protein content across different types of food (dry, semi-moist, fresh), you must convert values to a dry matter basis (DMB).
• Crude protein: 12%
• Moisture: 70%
Dry Matter Basis Protein =
(12 / (100 - 70)) × 100 = 40% protein (DMB)
That’s well above the recommended 22-30% DMB for puppies and even ideal for growing large-breed pups like Golden Retrievers.
So Butternut Box isn’t “falling flat” — it’s actually exceeding the protein requirements on a dry matter basis. The comparison you made (12% vs 30%) is apples to oranges.
- Fat Content
“Crude fat 10%… This is too high for a grown dog.”
Again, we need to do a DMB conversion:
• Crude fat: 10%
• Moisture: 70%
Dry Matter Basis Fat =
(10 / (100 - 70)) × 100 = 33.3% fat (DMB)
Yes, that’s on the higher end — but not necessarily “too high.” Active dogs, working breeds, and puppies all benefit from higher fat levels. For adult maintenance, AAFCO recommends a minimum of 5.5% fat (DMB), and this level can be adjusted depending on the dog’s condition and lifestyle.
That’s why feeding guidelines and portion control are important — the issue isn’t the fat content per se, but how it’s balanced in the overall diet.
- Fibre Content
“
Crude fibre 0.7%. This should be about 2–4%. Too low.”
There’s no fixed requirement for crude fibre — AAFCO and FEDIAF do not set a minimum. The optimal fibre level depends on the dog’s digestive needs. Too much fibre can actually reduce nutrient absorption, particularly in puppies. Butternut Box uses fresh vegetables to provide natural, digestible fibre – not cheap fillers – and their levels are well within a safe and digestible range.
- Calcium and Large Breeds
“Some have even posited that large breeds may need closer to 3% calcium.”
This is not only inaccurate, it’s potentially dangerous.
Large breed puppies (like Golden Retrievers) require tightly controlled calcium levels to avoid developmental orthopedic disease (DOD). Per FEDIAF and AAFCO guidelines:
• Safe calcium range (DMB): 1.2% – 1.8%
• Upper limit: No more than 2.5% (anything above is risky)
Excess calcium, not deficiency, is more commonly associated with joint issues in large breed puppies, as their bones grow rapidly and unevenly when improperly managed.
So again, Butternut Box’s calcium levels — which fall into the 1.2–1.8% range (DMB) — are not “too low.” They are precisely within the recommended and safest range for your breed.
Carbohydrates
“Nothing on carbs at all…”
That’s standard — pet food labels are not required to list carbohydrates, and few do. But carbs can be calculated as:
Carbs % = 100 – (Protein + Fat + Fibre + Ash + Moisture)
Using your example:
100 – (12 + 10 + 0.7 + 1.7 + 70) = 5.6% carbohydrates (as-fed)
This is incredibly low, and ideal for dogs that may benefit from low-carb diets (which is a growing recommendation for many dogs).
You mentioned you inputted your puppy’s details and received a Butternut Box meal plan. That’s great – but their plans are tailored based on your puppy’s breed, age, weight, and activity level. Their formulations meet FEDIAF nutritional guidelines, and if you have specific concerns, their in-house vet team can adjust accordingly.
I’m not saying Butternut Box is the only good food — but the criticisms you’ve made are largely due to a* *misunderstanding of wet vs dry matter comparison, and a few nutrition myths that continue to circulate online.