⚠ DRAFT 1.0 rev 1 — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION — Work in progress · April 24 2026

⚠ Important Disclaimer — Please Read Before Using This Reference

This document is not a product comparison, ranking, or recommendation guide. It is an independent, volunteer-compiled resource intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute veterinary advice, medical guidance, treatment protocols, or feeding recommendations of any kind. All dietary decisions for dogs with copper-associated hepatopathy (CAH) or any other medical condition should be made in consultation with a licensed veterinarian or veterinary internal medicine specialist familiar with your dog's individual history, bloodwork, and clinical status.

All nutritional values are reported as provided by manufacturers via direct correspondence or official publications and may vary. No warranty, express or implied, is made regarding accuracy, completeness, or currency. Manufacturers may change formulations at any time without notice; values may differ between production batches, countries of distribution, or product sizes. Users are responsible for independently verifying all information prior to use.

Any interpretation of the data — including determination of suitability for a specific dog or condition — is the sole responsibility of the reader in consultation with a licensed veterinarian. No professional-client relationship is created through use of this document, and the compiler assumes no duty of care to any reader or user.

References to veterinary professionals or published research are provided for general context only and do not imply endorsement of this document or its contents. This reference is compiled for informational use primarily in Canada; product formulations and nutrient values may differ in other countries.

This reference was compiled by a private dog owner in Calgary, Alberta and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any pet food manufacturer, veterinary organization, or regulatory body. No compensation was received from any brand listed. Use of this information is entirely at your own risk and discretion. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the compiler assumes no duty of care and accepts no liability for any loss, injury, or outcome resulting from the use or reliance on this information.

How to Use This Reference

This document is intended to support informed discussions with a veterinarian — not to provide feeding recommendations. Copper values should be interpreted in the context of a dog's total daily caloric intake, individual medical history, and veterinary guidance.

Comparisons in this document are relative within the subset of products evaluated and do not represent a comprehensive ranking of all available dog foods. Highlighted products represent a subset of evaluated formulas and should not be interpreted as a ranked or recommended list. Lower or higher copper values do not determine suitability for any specific dog. Individual entries labeled as "lowest" or "highest" refer only to comparisons within a specific brand or evaluated subset and should not be interpreted as cross-market rankings.

Common misinterpretations to avoid: "Lowest copper" does not mean "best" or "recommended." Copper content alone does not determine diet suitability. mg/kg values are not directly comparable across products without caloric normalization — mg/Mcal is the preferred comparison metric. Absence of a product from this reference does not imply higher or lower copper content.

AAFCO minimum (adult): 1.83 mg/Mcal · 7.3 mg/kg  |  AAFCO minimum (puppy): 3.1 mg/Mcal · 12.4 mg/kg
EU/FEDIAF maximum: 25 mg/kg DM (≈6.25 mg/Mcal equivalent)  |  US/Canada maximum: None defined

⚠ Regulatory context: EU/FEDIAF maximum values are legal formulation limits for complete pet foods in Europe and are provided for reference only. These limits are not adopted in Canada or the United States, where no maximum copper level is defined by AAFCO.

Exceeding EU maximums does not indicate that a product is unsafe or non-compliant in North America. Many commercially available foods — particularly those containing organ meats or certain protein sources — exceed EU thresholds while remaining widely used and compliant within Canadian and U.S. regulatory frameworks. Regulatory limits differ by region and are based on differing risk assessment approaches; no direct equivalence between EU and North American frameworks should be assumed.

mg/Mcal = mg per 1000 kcal  |  mg/kg = as-fed unless noted DM
Copper level: ● Low <3 mg/Mcal ● Moderate 3–6 mg/Mcal ● High >6 mg/Mcal   Rx Prescription only OTC Over-the-counter Not in CA Not available in Canada Limited CA Limited / inconsistent availability in Canada DC Discontinued
Copper level categorizations (low, moderate, high) are general reference ranges only and do not constitute recommendations or suitability assessments for any individual dog. Values labeled "lowest" or "highest" refer to comparisons among evaluated formulas based on available data only, and do not represent market-wide rankings. Absence of data for a given product or brand does not imply higher or lower copper content.

Contents

How to Use This Reference Prescription / Therapeutic Diets Honest Kitchen Nature's Logic Distinction Voyager Royal Canin Canada Open Farm ORIJEN ACANA Kibble ACANA Freeze-Dried Wellness Pet Company IAMS Purina Pro Plan Blue Buffalo Diamond / Kirkland / Taste of the Wild Primal Pet Foods ZIWI Peak Nutrience FirstMate Fromm Family Petcurean Instinct Pet Food Zignature Canidae Vital Essentials CaniSource Performatrin Treats — Confirmed Values Contacted — No Data Provided Pending Responses Data Notes & Methodology Breeds at Elevated Risk Changelog

Prescription / Therapeutic Diets

Prescription Hepatic Diets Rx

Formulated for copper-restricted therapeutic use per manufacturer and veterinary guidance. All require a veterinary prescription.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kgSource
Royal Canin Canine Hepatic (dry) RxLabel max 7.2 mg/kg as-fed (~1.92 mg/Mcal) — actual content significantly lower per manufacturer confirmation.1.0~3.7 as-fedRoyal Canin Canada · email Apr 16 2026
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets — confirmed Apr 23 2026: no copper-restricted veterinary diet available in their lineup.

Honest Kitchen

Honest Kitchen — Wholemade Dehydrated OTC

Confirmed by Honest Kitchen email Apr 16 2026 · Add warm water, wait 3 minutes, serve · Lowest copper values within the evaluated subset of Honest Kitchen formulas
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedSource
Wholemade Grain Free Fish1.927.3HK · email Apr 16 2026
Wholemade Whole Grain Turkey1.938.0HK · email Apr 16 2026
Wholemade Grain Free Chicken2.299.0HK · email Apr 16 2026
Wholemade Whole Grain Beef2.5810.0HK · email Apr 16 2026

Honest Kitchen — Whole Food Clusters (baked) OTC

Values from Honest Kitchen Salsify product database Apr 16 2026 · Separate product line — higher copper than Wholemade dehydrated within the evaluated subset
⚠ Clusters are a distinct product from Wholemade. Beef-based Clusters are higher in copper relative to other evaluated formulas. One formula (Gourmet GF Beef adult, ~10.36 mg/Mcal) exceeds the EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian for copper-restricted dogs.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedSource
Essential Whole Grain Turkey & Chicken~3.6113.4HK Salsify · Apr 16 2026
Gourmet Whole Grain Chicken (adult)~3.7415.0HK Salsify · Apr 16 2026
Gourmet GF Chicken Puppy~4.4518.0HK Salsify · Apr 16 2026
Essential Whole Grain Chicken~4.5216.4HK Salsify · Apr 16 2026
Gourmet WG Chicken Small Breed / Puppy~4.53–4.5718.0HK Salsify · Apr 16 2026
Gourmet GF Turkey~4.9019.0HK Salsify · Apr 16 2026
Gourmet GF Chicken (adult)~5.1920.0HK Salsify · Apr 16 2026
Gourmet WG Beef (adult)~5.1421.0HK Salsify · Apr 16 2026
Essential WG Beef & Chicken~5.4220.9HK Salsify · Apr 16 2026
WG Beef, Oat & TurkeyExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Beef liver — higher copper relative to other evaluated formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.~7.5629.0HK Salsify · Apr 16 2026
Gourmet GF Beef Small BreedExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Beef liver — higher copper relative to other evaluated formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.~7.5030.0HK Salsify · Apr 16 2026
Gourmet GF Beef (adult)⚠ Exceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.~10.3640.0HK Salsify · Apr 16 2026

Nature's Logic Distinction

Nature's Logic Distinction Limited CA OTC

Limited availability in Canada — select retailers and online vendors only; availability varies by product line and region · Values from natureslogic.com/distinction product pages Apr 16 2026 · No added synthetic vitamins or minerals
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg DMSource
Distinction Fowl (Chicken/Turkey/Duck)~1.887.6natureslogic.com · Apr 16 2026
Distinction Chicken~1.897.2natureslogic.com · Apr 16 2026
Distinction Sardine (no liver)~2.247.4natureslogic.com · Apr 16 2026
Distinction Red (Beef/Pork/Lamb)Contains pork liver; copper slightly higher than fish and poultry formulas within this subset, though still within the low range.~2.7511.0natureslogic.com · Apr 16 2026
Distinction Land & Sea (Beef/Sardine)Contains pork liver; copper slightly higher than fish-only formulas within this subset, though still within the low range.~2.8512.7natureslogic.com · Apr 16 2026
Distinction BeefBeef liver drives copper higher relative to other evaluated formulas.~4.1515.1natureslogic.com · Apr 16 2026
Distinction Pork⚠ Exceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Pork liver is among the highest-copper organ meat ingredients evaluated; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.~6.6724.8natureslogic.com · Apr 16 2026

Voyager

Voyager Dog Food Not in CA OTC

Not available in Canada · Zero added synthetic copper · Zinc added as natural copper chelator · Voyager recommends Nature's Logic Distinction as Canadian alternative
Reports no added copper salts in formulation (manufacturer-reported). Zinc included; sometimes discussed in literature as interacting with copper metabolism. Voyager references Nature's Logic Distinction as a potential alternative in Canada. Values reflect manufacturer-reported data for a subset of formulas and are not independently verified.

References to veterinary professionals associated with this brand are provided for general context only and do not imply endorsement of this document or its contents. Formulation is described by the manufacturer as developed with input from Dr. Sharon A. Center (emeritus, Cornell University) and Dr. Pete VanVranken (DVM).

These publications are frequently cited in discussions regarding dietary copper exposure in dogs: Center SA, VanVranken P et al. — J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2025;264(2):192–201. PubMed 41275593 · Center SA, VanVranken P et al. — J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2025;264(2):171–180. PubMed 41275602 · Center SA et al. — J Am Vet Med Assoc. Feb 2021;258(4):357–364. PubMed 33539212
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedSource
Wholesome Pork2.008.0Voyager · email Apr 14 2026
Wholesome Ocean Pollock2.508.2Voyager · email Apr 14 2026
High Performance Chicken2.6010.1Voyager · email Apr 14 2026
Wholesome Farm Chicken2.709.2Voyager · email Apr 14 2026
Sensitive Skin & Stomach SalmonHigher relative copper within the evaluated subset of Voyager formulas; fish-based ingredients may contribute to variation.5.3018.4Voyager · email Apr 14 2026

Royal Canin Canada

Royal Canin Canada — OTC Formulas OTC

Lower copper values within the evaluated subset of OTC products in Canada (based on available data) per Royal Canin Canada Apr 2026
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kgSource
West Highland White Terrier Adult DCNo longer available in Canada per Royal Canin Canada Apr 2026. Listed for reference only.2.5RC Canada · email Apr 16 2026
Dachshund Adult (lower copper value among evaluated OTC products in Canada — based on available data — not breed-specific)2.6RC Canada · email Apr 16 2026
Labrador Adult3.0RC Canada · email Apr 16 2026
Labrador Retriever Puppy3.0RC Canada · email Apr 16 2026

Open Farm

Open Farm OTC

Two lowest-copper formulas confirmed Apr 2026 · Copper source is chelated proteinate · Other Open Farm recipes unconfirmed
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg DMSource
Epic Blend Salmon & Superfood~3.412.40Open Farm · email Apr 13 2026
Epic Blend Chicken & Superfood~3.813.60Open Farm · email Apr 13 2026

ORIJEN

ORIJEN OTC

Champion Petfoods · email Apr 14–15 2026 · Total copper confirmed including native ingredient copper · Lowest copper values within the evaluated subset of ORIJEN formulas
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg DMSource
Senior3.715.58Champion · email Apr 14 2026
Adult Large Breed4.016.82Champion · email Apr 15 2026
Six FishHigher copper relative to other evaluated ORIJEN formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.4.620.31Champion · email Apr 15 2026

ACANA Kibble

ACANA Kibble OTC

Champion Petfoods · email Apr 14 2026 · Total copper confirmed including native ingredient copper · Lowest copper values within the evaluated subset of ACANA kibble formulas
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg DMSource
Healthy Grains Large Breed~4.114.5Champion · email Apr 14 2026
Healthy Grains Free Run Poultry~4.315.0Champion · email Apr 14 2026
Senior~4.315.20Champion · email Apr 14 2026
Healthy Grains Sea to Stream~4.415.34Champion · email Apr 14 2026

ACANA Freeze-Dried Patties & Morsels

ACANA Freeze-Dried Patties & Morsels OTC

Champion Petfoods · email Apr 20 2026 · All values as-fed basis · mg/Mcal estimated using ~4,500 kcal/kg
⚠ ACANA Freeze-Dried copper values are higher relative to ACANA kibble within the evaluated subset. Switching between formats may result in differences in copper intake depending on composition and feeding amount.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcal (est.)mg/kg as-fedSource
Freeze-Dried Free-Run Turkey (lowest within the evaluated subset of ACANA freeze-dried formulas)Exceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.~8.538.40Champion · email Apr 20 2026
Freeze-Dried Free-Run ChickenExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.~9.040.40Champion · email Apr 20 2026
Freeze-Dried Free-Run DuckExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.~9.341.89Champion · email Apr 20 2026
Freeze-Dried BeefExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Highest within the evaluated subset of ACANA freeze-dried formulas. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.~9.844.30Champion · email Apr 20 2026

Wellness Pet Company

Wellness Pet Company OTC

Comprehensive response Apr 2026 — 50+ formulas provided · Values are total finished product copper · Complete Health grain-inclusive formulas are the lowest within the evaluated subset of Wellness formulas
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg DMSource
Complete Health Chicken & Oatmeal~3.211.73Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
Complete Health Healthy Weight Chicken & Peas~3.311.98Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
Complete Health Senior Small Breed Turkey & Pea~3.312.14Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
Complete Health Beef & Barley~3.412.38Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
Complete Health Lamb & Barley~3.412.42Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
Complete Health Senior Chicken & Barley~3.412.45Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
CORE Wholesome Grains Ocean~3.412.48Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
CORE Digestive Health Whitefish Brown Rice~3.412.52Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
CORE Small Breed Healthy Weight~3.613.15Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
Complete Health Small Breed Turkey & Oatmeal~3.713.78Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
Complete Health Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice~4.014.93Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
Complete Health Whitefish & Sweet PotatoFish-based — higher copper relative to other Complete Health grained formulas among those evaluated.~4.918.17Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
CORE SeniorHigher copper relative to other evaluated Wellness formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.~5.921.73Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
CORE Wholesome Grains OriginalHigher copper relative to other evaluated formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.~6.022.26Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
CORE Large Breed PuppyExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.~6.724.71Wellness · email Apr 17 2026
CORE Small Breed PuppyHighest within the evaluated subset of Wellness formulas. Exceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.~9.735.87Wellness · email Apr 17 2026

IAMS

IAMS OTC

Two lowest adult formulas confirmed Apr 2026 · IAMS owned by Mars Inc.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg DMSource
Proactive Health Adult Large Breed~3.713.10IAMS · email Apr 17 2026
Proactive Health Adult Beef & Rice~3.713.13IAMS · email Apr 17 2026

Purina Pro Plan

Purina Pro Plan OTC

All 8 requested formulas confirmed · Harison, Purina Canada · emails Apr 17 & Apr 21 2026 · Values are mg/1000 kcal as provided directly by Purina
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/McalSource
Complete Essentials Adult Chicken & Rice3.3Purina · email Apr 17 2026
Sport Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice3.7Purina · email Apr 17 2026
Adult Small Breed Chicken & Rice3.9Purina · email Apr 21 2026
Adult Large Breed Chicken & Rice4.0Purina · email Apr 21 2026
Bright Mind Adult 7+ Chicken & Rice4.1Purina · email Apr 21 2026
Complete Essentials Adult Beef & Rice4.4Purina · email Apr 21 2026
Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Salmon & Rice4.6Purina · email Apr 21 2026
Weight Management Adult Chicken & Rice5.0Purina · email Apr 21 2026

Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo OTC

Two lowest-copper formulas confirmed Apr 2026 · Blue Buffalo owned by General Mills
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedSource
Freedom Grain Free Adult Healthy Weight Chicken (lowest within the evaluated subset of Blue Buffalo formulas)~3.5011.50Blue Buffalo · email Apr 17 2026
Life Protection Adult Healthy Weight Chicken & Brown Rice~3.6211.80Blue Buffalo · email Apr 17 2026

Diamond Pet Foods / Kirkland / Taste of the Wild

Diamond / Kirkland Signature / Taste of the Wild OTC

Diamond Pet Foods email Apr 20 2026 · All three brands manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods · 17 mg/kg DM confirmed total · mg/Mcal estimated ~4.3–4.7
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcal (est.)mg/kg DMSource
All Diamond / Kirkland Signature / Taste of the Wild formulasSingle confirmed value applies across all formulations for all three brands. Copper is both added (premix) and naturally occurring.~4.3–4.717Diamond Pet Foods · email Apr 20 2026

Primal Pet Foods

Primal Pet Foods — Kibble in the Raw OTC

Official website primalpetfoods.com · Typical Analysis per product page · No added synthetic vitamins or minerals · Available in Canada
Key finding (based on available data): protein source is associated with variation in copper level — beef formulas are higher relative to chicken or fish-based formulas within the evaluated subset.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedSource
Kibble in the Raw — Fish & Pork Recipe1.928.19primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Kibble in the Raw — Chicken Recipe2.4010.25primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Kibble in the Raw — Small Breed Chicken2.40primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Kibble in the Raw — Puppy Recipe3.43primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Kibble in the Raw — Beef RecipeExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Higher copper relative to other Kibble in the Raw formulas within the evaluated subset due to beef liver. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.9.4940.53primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026

Primal Pet Foods — Freeze-Dried Raw Nuggets OTC

Official website primalpetfoods.com · Typical Analysis per product page
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/McalSource
Freeze-Dried Nuggets — Chicken2.00primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Freeze-Dried Nuggets — Turkey & Sardine2.12primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Freeze-Dried Nuggets — Rabbit2.36primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Freeze-Dried Nuggets — Pork2.52primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Freeze-Dried Nuggets — Duck2.61primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Freeze-Dried Nuggets — Venison4.07primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Freeze-Dried Nuggets — LambExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.8.99primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Freeze-Dried Nuggets — BeefExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Highest within the evaluated subset of Primal Nugget formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.10.80primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026

Primal Pet Foods — Freeze-Dried Scoopable Pronto OTC

Official website primalpetfoods.com
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/McalSource
Pronto FD — Chicken2.19primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Pronto FD — Pork2.91primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Pronto FD — Lamb3.68primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Pronto FD — Puppy3.84primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Pronto FD — BeefExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Highest within the evaluated subset of Pronto FD formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.13.05primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026

Primal Pet Foods — Frozen Raw (Nuggets, Patties, Scoopable Pronto) OTC

Official website primalpetfoods.com · Nuggets, Patties, and Frozen Pronto share identical values per protein
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/McalSource
Frozen — Chicken (all formats)2.14primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Frozen — Turkey & Sardine (all formats)2.16primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Frozen — Rabbit (all formats)2.34primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Frozen — Pork (all formats)2.47primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Frozen — Duck (all formats)2.62primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Frozen Pronto — Puppy3.36primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Frozen — Venison (Nuggets/Patties)4.60–4.80primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Frozen — Beef (all formats)Exceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.8.66primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026
Frozen — Lamb (all formats)Exceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.9.06primalpetfoods.com · Apr 20 2026

ZIWI Peak

ZIWI Peak — Air-Dried Original Series OTC

Values from ziwipets.com/pages/typical-analysis · mg/Mcal calculated from published kcal/kg
⚠ Within the evaluated subset of ZIWI Peak Air-Dried formulas, none fall within the "low" range as defined above. Tripe & Lamb and Lamb are higher relative to other evaluated formulas due to organ content. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedmg/kg DMkcal/kgSource
Chicken4.8024195000ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026
Venison4.9523204650ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026
Beef5.3126224900ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026
Mackerel & Lamb5.7826234500ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026
LambExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Higher copper due to organ content; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.7.8839324950ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026
Tripe & LambExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Highest within the evaluated subset of air-dried ZIWI formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.10.6549424600ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026

ZIWI Peak — Steam & Dried OTC

Values from ziwipets.com/pages/typical-analysis · Lowest copper values within the evaluated subset of ZIWI lines
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedmg/kg DMkcal/kgSource
Steam & Dried — Beef with Pumpkin3.4115134400ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026
Steam & Dried — Chicken with Orchard Fruits4.6520194300ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026
Steam & Dried — Lamb with Green Vegetables5.0022204400ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026

ZIWI Peak — Canned Wet Food OTC

Values from ziwipets.com/pages/typical-analysis · Moisture ~74–77%
⚠ Canned wet food as-fed copper values appear lower than air-dried due to high moisture content (~75%). DM values and mg/Mcal are the appropriate comparison metrics across formats.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedmg/kg DMkcal/kgSource
Canned — Chicken3.274131225ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026
Canned — Venison4.885181025ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026
Canned — Beef5.336211125ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026
Canned — Lamb5.837241200ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026
Canned — Mackerel & LambExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.677251050ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026
Canned — Tripe & LambExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Highest within the evaluated subset of canned ZIWI formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.8.008311000ziwipets.com · Apr 21 2026

Nutrience

Nutrience (Hagen Canada) OTC

Hagen Canada · email Apr 22 2026 · Canadian brand · On-staff Companion Animal Nutritionist · All three metrics provided · Zinc:copper balance monitored in formulation
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedmg/kg DMSource
Care Sensitive Skin & Stomach (lowest within the evaluated subset of Nutrience formulas)3.211.112.1Nutrience/Hagen · email Apr 22 2026
Care Weight Management3.511.812.4Nutrience/Hagen · email Apr 22 2026
Infusion Healthy Adult3.613.414.5Nutrience/Hagen · email Apr 22 2026
Infusion Adult Large Breed3.613.714.8Nutrience/Hagen · email Apr 22 2026
Infusion Healthy Senior3.613.614.7Nutrience/Hagen · email Apr 22 2026
SubZero Northern Lakes3.713.314.5Nutrience/Hagen · email Apr 22 2026
SubZero Prairie Red3.813.514.7Nutrience/Hagen · email Apr 22 2026
Infusion Healthy Puppy3.914.615.9Nutrience/Hagen · email Apr 22 2026
SubZero Canadian Pacific4.114.816.1Nutrience/Hagen · email Apr 22 2026
SubZero Fraser Valley4.416.117.5Nutrience/Hagen · email Apr 22 2026

FirstMate

FirstMate OTC

Wendy Vandersteen PhD, Manager of Research and Development · FirstMate · email Apr 20–22 2026 · Canadian family-owned manufacturer
All FirstMate formulas formulated with copper at a minimum of 12.4 mg/kg DM. Natural variation typically 12–25 mg/kg DM, average 13.7 mg/kg DM. Per-formula breakdown not available — manufacturer confirmed no single formula stands out as lower; variation reflects both protein source and carbohydrate ingredients.

Estimated mg/Mcal: At typical kibble caloric density of ~3,500–4,000 kcal/kg, the average of 13.7 mg/kg DM corresponds to approximately 3.4–3.9 mg/Mcal. Based on available information, estimated values fall within the moderate range; per-formula confirmation is not available.

Fromm Family

Fromm Classic — Dry OTC

Values from frommfamily.com typical analysis per recipe page · Grain-inclusive chicken and fish-based formulas
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedkcal/kgSource
Classic Adult Whitefish & Rice (lowest within the evaluated subset of Fromm dry formulas)3.4712.203,521frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Classic Adult Large & Giant Breed3.9514.003,547frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Classic Adult3.6413.523,718frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Classic Mature Adult4.0514.433,563frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026

Fromm Gold Nutritionals — Dry OTC

Values from frommfamily.com typical analysis per recipe page · Grain-inclusive line — lower in copper than Heartland Gold grain-free line within the evaluated subset
Key finding (based on available data): Fromm Gold grain-inclusive line is lower in copper than Fromm Heartland Gold grain-free line within the evaluated subset. Switching between these formats may result in differences in copper intake depending on composition and feeding amount.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedkcal/kgSource
Puppy Gold3.0211.643,849frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Small Breed Adult Gold3.1311.913,797frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Adult Gold3.2212.063,735frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Large Breed Puppy Gold3.3512.143,625frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Large Breed Adult Gold3.4712.363,561frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Reduced Activity & Senior Gold3.5312.573,561frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Adult Gold with Ancient Grains3.5913.303,702frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Weight Management Gold4.2313.723,241frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026

Fromm Gold Coast — Dry (Grain-Free Fish) OTC

Values from frommfamily.com typical analysis per recipe page · Grain-free fish-based formula — higher than Gold grain-inclusive line
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedkcal/kgSource
Gold Coast Weight ManagementContains chicken liver — higher than Gold grain-inclusive line despite fish-primary formula.5.2217.203,297frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026

Fromm Four-Star Nutritionals — Dry OTC

Values from frommfamily.com typical analysis per recipe page · Grain-free and grain-inclusive formulas · Sorted low to high
Fish-based Four-Star formulas are lower in copper than beef/lamb/pork-based formulas within the evaluated subset. Beef and pork liver combinations in Rancherosa and Pork & Applesauce drive values above the EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedkcal/kgSource
Salmon À La Veg (grain-inclusive fish)3.9814.973,761frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Whitefish & Potato (grain-inclusive fish — pork liver)4.1214.203,446frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Salmon Tunalini (grain-free fish)4.2415.503,658frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Game Bird (grain-free turkey/fowl)4.4716.603,709frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Trout & Whitefish (grain-inclusive fish — pork liver)4.5316.803,706frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Surf & Turf (grain-free salmon/chicken)4.5417.203,789frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Zealambder (grain-inclusive lamb — lamb+pork liver)5.1919.103,681frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Pork & Peas (grain-free pork — pork liver)5.4820.233,695frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Lamb & Lentil (grain-free lamb — pork+lamb liver)5.6121.103,757frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Beef Frittata Veg (grain-free beef — beef+pork liver)Exceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.4224.173,765frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Rancherosa (grain-free beef/pork/trout/lamb — pork liver)Exceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.8524.833,626frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Pork & Applesauce (grain-inclusive pork — pork liver)Highest within the evaluated subset of Four-Star dry formulas. Exceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.7.2926.333,613frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026

Fromm Heartland Gold — Dry (Grain-Free Red Meat) OTC

Values from frommfamily.com typical analysis per recipe page · Grain-free red meat formulas — higher in copper than Gold grain-inclusive line within the evaluated subset
⚠ Heartland Gold grain-free formulas are higher in copper relative to Fromm Gold grain-inclusive formulas among those evaluated — approximately double in some cases. Three of four formulas exceed the EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit; products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States). Pork and beef liver ingredients drive values higher. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian for copper-restricted dogs.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedkcal/kgSource
Heartland Gold Large Breed Puppy5.8520.973,583frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Heartland Gold Large Breed AdultExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.5122.533,462frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Heartland Gold AdultExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.9025.103,637frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Heartland Gold PuppyHighest within the evaluated subset of Heartland Gold dry formulas. Exceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.7.3727.703,757frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026

Fromm Nutritionals — Dry (Functional Line) OTC

Values from frommfamily.com typical analysis per recipe page · Newer functional/specialty dry line
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedkcal/kgSource
Digestive Support Low Fat Chicken & Oatmeal3.9513.133,326frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Mobility Chicken & Whole Oats4.0714.403,538frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Whole Oats4.5615.803,465frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026

Fromm — Wet / Canned (Selected formulas) OTC

Values from frommfamily.com typical analysis per recipe page · As-fed basis · High moisture content — see data notes · Sorted low to high
Note: Wet food as-fed copper values reflect high moisture content (~75–84%). mg/Mcal is the appropriate comparison metric. Beef liver and lamb liver in several formulas drive copper higher relative to other evaluated formulas. Venison & Beef Pâté at 22.33 mg/Mcal is the highest confirmed value in this entire reference.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedkcal/kgSource
Diner Breakfast Maddie's Morning Hash Beef & Sweet Potato3.433.501,021frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Frommbalaya Chicken, Vegetable & Rice Stew4.173.28786frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Frommbalaya Turkey, Vegetable & Rice Stew4.513.55788frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Frommbo Gumbo Beef Sausage Stew4.594.10893frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Frommbalaya Pork, Vegetable & Rice Stew4.983.91785frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Adult Chicken & Rice Pâté (Classics)5.125.571,088frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Frommbo Gumbo Pork Sausage Stew5.474.86889frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Chicken Pâté5.356.071,134frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Diner Classics Charlie's Chicken Pot Pie Pâté5.665.50971frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Salmon & Chicken Pâté5.736.031,053frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Diner Specials Chicken Canine Bleu5.735.571,088frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Chicken & Rice Pâté5.815.831,004frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Diner Classics Paula's Chicken & Pumpkin Pâté5.875.80988frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Adult Turkey & Rice Pâté (Classics)5.906.041,023frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Puppy Chicken & Salmon Pâté (Classics)5.936.301,063frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Chicken & Sweet Potato Pâté5.986.071,014frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Diner Breakfast Betty's Biscuits & Gravy Pork & Eggs5.945.08858frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Frommbo Gumbo Chicken Sausage StewHigher copper relative to other evaluated formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.5.984.61771frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Turkey & Pumpkin PâtéHigher copper relative to other evaluated formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.086.801,119frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Turkey, Duck & Sweet Potato PâtéHigher copper relative to other evaluated formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.136.901,126frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Chicken & Duck PâtéHigher copper relative to other evaluated formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.176.08985frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Seafood Medley PâtéExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.286.12974frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Turkey PâtéExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.456.631,028frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Whitefish & Lentil PâtéExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.635.88887frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Four-Star Shredded Beef in GravyExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.7.555.63735frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Immunity Supplement Pâté (intermittent/supplemental only)Exceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Supplemental product only; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.7.477.10950frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Four-Star Shredded Turkey in GravyExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.8.216.10743frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Duck À La Veg PâtéExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.8.468.901,052frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Four-Star Shredded Pork in GravyExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.8.706.50747frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Diner Breakfast Sam's Steak & EggsExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Low kcal/kg drives mg/Mcal high; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.9.015.30588frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Four-Star Shredded Chicken in GravyExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Highest within the evaluated subset of Four-Star wet formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.9.546.40671frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Diner Specials Slow-Cooked Pulled PorkExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.9.206.50707frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Diner Favorites Bud's Beef & Broccoli StewExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Beef liver drives copper higher within the evaluated range; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.9.807.50765frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Lamb PâtéExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Lamb liver drives copper higher within the evaluated range; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.12.8713.631,107frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Venison & Lentil PâtéExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Beef liver drives copper higher within the evaluated range; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.12.9712.70979frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Beef & Sweet Potato PâtéExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Beef liver — higher within the evaluated range; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.15.0314.13940frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Beef & Barley PâtéExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Beef liver — higher within the evaluated range; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.15.1714.33945frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
Venison & Beef PâtéExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Highest within the evaluated subset of Fromm wet formulas. Beef liver among the highest in the evaluated dataset; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.22.3320.30909frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026

Bonnihill Farms by Fromm — Frozen Sous Vide OTC

Values from frommfamily.com typical analysis per recipe page · Sous vide cooked frozen format · mg/Mcal provided directly as mg per 100 kcal ME × 10
⚠ BeefiBowls is among the highest in the evaluated dataset in copper due to beef liver as the third ingredient. ChickiBowls contains chicken liver — also high. TurkiBowls contains turkey liver. All three formulas require careful consideration for copper-restricted dogs; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg as-fedkcal/kgSource
TurkiBowls Turkey RecipeExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Turkey liver drives copper higher; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.508.081,239frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
ChickiBowls Chicken RecipeExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Chicken liver — higher copper; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.8.308.801,058frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026
BeefiBowls Beef RecipeExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Beef liver as third ingredient — among the highest in the evaluated dataset; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.14.8015.001,012frommfamily.com · Apr 23 2026

Petcurean

Petcurean (Now Fresh / GO! Solutions / Gather / Summit) OTC

Emily Thompson-Cory, Petcurean Customer Care · email Apr 21 2026 · Canadian company · Reports both supplemented and naturally occurring copper
Petcurean note: Companies vary in how they report copper values. Some disclose only the supplemented amount while others report both supplemented and naturally occurring. Petcurean reports both. When comparing values across brands, confirm each company's reporting approach.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg DMSource
Go! Sensitivities Grain-Free LID Venison (lowest within the evaluated subset of Petcurean formulas)3.5816Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Summit Farmstead Feast Pork Meal + Lamb Meal Large Breed Adult3.7314Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Go! Sensitivities Grain-Free LID Insect3.7816Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Gather Endless Valley Vegan4.0015Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Summit Farmstead Feast Pork Meal + Lamb Meal Adult4.0215Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Go! Digestion + Gut Health Chicken with Ancient Grains4.0517Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Gather Free Acres Organic Free-Run Chicken4.4117Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Now Fresh Grain-Free Turkey/Salmon/Duck Small Breed Adult4.5218Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Now Fresh Grain-Free Turkey/Salmon/Duck Adult4.6719Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Go! Weight Management + Joint Care Grain-Free Chicken4.6919Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Go! Skin + Coat Care Chicken with Grains4.7820Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Go! Skin + Coat Care Salmon with Grains5.0520Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Now Fresh Good Gravy Salmon Coated in Bone Broth5.1421Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Now Fresh Grain-Free Turkey/Salmon/Duck Senior5.3019Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Go! Digestion + Gut Health Salmon with Ancient GrainsHigher copper relative to other evaluated formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.0826Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Go! Weight Management + Joint Care Grain-Free SalmonExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.3226Petcurean · email Apr 21 2026
Summit line Canada availability and remaining Go! Sensitivities LID flavour values — follow-up pending with Petcurean Apr 2026.

Instinct Pet Food

Instinct Pet Food OTC

Caroline, Instinct Customer Service · emails Apr 22–23 2026 · mg/Mcal calculated from confirmed DM values and kcal/kg
⚠ Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet formulas are counterintuitively higher in copper than Original Grain-Free kibble formulas among those evaluated. Within this evaluated subset, LID does not correlate with lower copper. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg DMkcal/kgSource
Original Grain-Free — Real Beef (lowest within the evaluated subset of Instinct kibble formulas)3.2914.224,326Instinct · email Apr 22 2026
Original Grain-Free — Real Chicken3.4815.334,406Instinct · email Apr 22 2026
Original Grain-Free — Real Salmon4.4019.564,450Instinct · email Apr 22 2026
Raw Boost — Chicken5.2019.783,804Instinct · email Apr 22 2026
Raw Boost — Salmon5.2819.663,727Instinct · email Apr 22 2026
Limited Ingredient Diet — SalmonHigher than Original GF kibble despite LID marketing; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.5.8225.224,335Instinct · email Apr 22 2026
Limited Ingredient Diet — LambExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.4427.784,315Instinct · email Apr 22 2026
Freeze-Dried Raw — ChickenExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Higher within the evaluated range — freeze-dried raw format with high organ inclusion.7.7536.414,698Instinct · email Apr 22 2026
Freeze-Dried Raw — LambExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Higher within the evaluated range — freeze-dried raw format.9.0339.364,357Instinct · email Apr 22 2026
Freeze-Dried Raw — BeefExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Highest within the evaluated subset of Instinct formulas. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.9.2441.884,534Instinct · email Apr 22 2026

Zignature

Zignature (Pets Global) OTC Partial — kcal pending

Lisa Kelly, Pets Global Inc. · email Apr 22 2026 · DM values only — kcal/kg and full lineup requested, awaiting nutritional team response · Copper from both natural ingredients and synthetic premix
Values in mg/Mcal not yet calculated — kcal/kg pending from nutritional team. Values listed as mg/kg DM only. Zssential formula clarification pending.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg DMSource
Kangaroo (lowest within the evaluated subset of Zignature formulas)Pending kcal15.30Zignature · email Apr 22 2026
Zssential (multi-protein — clarification pending)Pending kcal16.01Zignature · email Apr 22 2026
VenisonPending kcal17.83Zignature · email Apr 22 2026
Turkey (formula 1)Pending kcal19.41Zignature · email Apr 22 2026
Turkey (formula 2)Pending kcal20.34Zignature · email Apr 22 2026

Canidae

Canidae — Dry Food OTC

Lisa K, RVT — Customer Care Team Lead · Canidae Pet Foods · emails Apr 22–23 2026 · Values from typical average analysis · Pure Sky line discontinued
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/McalSource
Pure Farm to Bowl Wild-Caught Salmon & Sweet Potato (lowest within the evaluated subset of Canidae formulas)5.40Canidae · email Apr 22 2026
All Life Stages Multi ProteinExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.74Canidae · email Apr 22 2026
All Life Stages Chicken & Ancient GrainsHighest within the evaluated subset of Canidae dry formulas. Exceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.6.88Canidae · email Apr 22 2026

Canidae — Pure Treat Biscuits OTC

Lisa K, RVT — Customer Care Team Lead · Canidae Pet Foods · email Apr 23 2026 · Values confirmed as mg/Mcal (typical average analysis)
⚠ Data note: These mg/Mcal values (0.0017–0.0019) are substantially lower than any other treat or food product in this reference — approximately 1,000× lower than Pet Botanics Training Rewards and ~3,000× lower than Greenies by mg/Mcal. Ingredient lists for these treats are grain/plant-based with no organ meat and minimal copper supplementation, which may account for the very low values. Values are reported exactly as confirmed by Lisa K RVT and are flagged here for transparency. Independent verification is recommended before relying on these values for copper management decisions.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/treat (calc.)kcal/treatSource
Pure Treat Biscuits Salmon & Sweet Potato0.0019~0.00003820 kcalCanidae · email Apr 23 2026
Pure Treat Biscuits Duck & Chickpea0.0017~0.00002917 kcalCanidae · email Apr 23 2026

Vital Essentials

Vital Essentials — Freeze-Dried Raw OTC

Michelle P., Vital Essentials Consumer Care · email Apr 22 2026 · Whole animal including organs and bone · Values provided as mg/Mcal directly by manufacturer
⚠ Vital Essentials formulas vary considerably by protein source due to organ meat inclusion. Chicken and Turkey are the lowest within the evaluated subset of formulas. Duck and Rabbit are among the highest in the evaluated dataset — organ content is associated with higher copper values in these formulas.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg DMSource
Chicken (lowest within the evaluated subset of Vital Essentials formulas)3.715.0Vital Essentials · email Apr 22 2026
Turkey3.714.0Vital Essentials · email Apr 22 2026
Pheasant / Quail4.420.0Vital Essentials · email Apr 22 2026
BeefExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Higher copper relative to other formulas within the evaluated subset. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.8.9439.0Vital Essentials · email Apr 22 2026
Beef / SalmonExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.9.041.0Vital Essentials · email Apr 22 2026
Lamb / WhitefishExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.10.149.0Vital Essentials · email Apr 22 2026
PorkExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.10.440.0Vital Essentials · email Apr 22 2026
DuckExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Organ content is associated with higher values. Suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.15.265.0Vital Essentials · email Apr 22 2026
RabbitExceeds EU/FEDIAF maximum (European regulatory reference only — not a North American limit). Products at this level may still be compliant and commonly used in Canada and the United States. Highest within the evaluated subset of Vital Essentials formulas; suitability should be assessed with a veterinarian.16.166.0Vital Essentials · email Apr 22 2026

CaniSource

CaniSource Grand Cru & Homemade OTC

Jaime Hutchings, CaniSource · website data canisource.com · Quebec-based Canadian manufacturer · Freeze-dried raw format
⚠ Important data limitation: All values below are derived from guaranteed analysis minimums published on the CaniSource website. All formulas show the same copper minimum of 16.50 mg/kg as-fed — this is the declared floor, not the typical value. Actual copper content may be higher. A request for typical analysis values has been submitted to the manufacturer — this entry will be updated when confirmed. Values below are estimates only and should not be used for precise copper management decisions.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcal (est. minimum)mg/kg as-fed (GA min)kcal/kgSource
Turkey~3.44 est.16.50 (GA min)4,800canisource.com · Apr 23 2026
Pork & Lamb~3.44 est.16.50 (GA min)4,800canisource.com · Apr 23 2026
Red Meat~3.51 est.16.50 (GA min)4,696canisource.com · Apr 23 2026
Chicken & Duck~3.58 est.16.50 (GA min)4,610canisource.com · Apr 23 2026
Land & Sea~3.67 est.16.50 (GA min)4,500canisource.com · Apr 23 2026
Homemade Grain-Free Chicken~3.86 est.16.50 (GA min)4,280canisource.com · Apr 23 2026
Homemade Surf & Turf~3.86 est.16.50 (GA min)4,280canisource.com · Apr 23 2026

Performatrin

Performatrin (Pet Valu) OTC Partial — kcal pending

Katya R., Pet Valu Customer Care · email Apr 23 2026 · Canadian exclusive brand (Pet Valu) · DM values provided — kcal/kg follow-up sent Apr 23 2026
Values in mg/Mcal not yet calculated — kcal/kg pending. Values listed as mg/kg DM and as-fed only.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/kg DMmg/kg as-fedSource
Ultra Grain-Free Foothills Recipe (lowest within the evaluated subset of Performatrin formulas)Pending kcal15.915Pet Valu · email Apr 23 2026
Prime Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Oatmeal AdultPending kcal17.016Pet Valu · email Apr 23 2026
Ultra Grain-Free Original Large Breed AdultPending kcal18.217Pet Valu · email Apr 23 2026
Prime Chicken & Rice Formula AdultPending kcal19.018Pet Valu · email Apr 23 2026
Ultra Wholesome Grains Chicken & Brown Rice AdultPending kcal19.318Pet Valu · email Apr 23 2026
Ultra Grain-Free Original RecipePending kcal20.019Pet Valu · email Apr 23 2026
Prime Chicken & Rice Formula SeniorPending kcal20.018Pet Valu · email Apr 23 2026
Ultra Wholesome Grains Healthy Weight Salmon AdultPending kcal21.420Pet Valu · email Apr 23 2026

Treats — Confirmed Values

All treat values are total copper per treat, calculated from manufacturer-confirmed mg/kg as-fed values and known or calculated treat weights. For biscuit treats, size matters significantly — a large biscuit can contain 10× the copper of a mini. Where mg/Mcal was not available for a treat product, the column is shown as — and mg/treat is the primary comparison metric. Treat mg/Mcal values are provided for context only and should not be compared directly to complete food mg/Mcal values given the intermittent nature of treat feeding.

Dentastix (Mars Petcare Canada) OTC

Mars Petcare Canada · Carlos · email Nov 4 2025 · Corrected from initial unit error, verified by registered technician · ~0.8–1.0 ppm as-fed confirmed basis
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/treatmg/kg as-fedkcal/treat · kcal/kgSource
Original Medium0.023–0.029~0.980 kcal · 2,755 kcal/kgMars Petcare Canada · Nov 4 2025
Beef Medium0.021–0.026~0.976 kcal · 2,870 kcal/kgMars Petcare Canada · Nov 4 2025
Bacon & Chicken Large (dogs 40+ lbs)0.021–0.027~0.974 kcal · 2,780 kcal/kgMars Petcare Canada · Nov 4 2025

Greenies (Mars Petcare Canada) OTC

Mars Petcare Canada · Carlos · email Apr 21–22 2026 · 14.84 mg/kg as-fed · 2,996 kcal/kg · 4.95 mg/Mcal · Original, Fresh, and Blueberry flavours share identical values
⚠ Greenies dental chews contain approximately 15× the copper per treat compared to a Dentastix medium, based on confirmed values. Treat frequency contributes to total daily copper intake and should be considered within the context of overall diet and veterinary guidance.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/treatmg/kg as-fedkcal/treat · kcal/kgSource
Original / Fresh / Blueberry — Regular4.950.413–0.42614.8486 kcal · 2,996 kcal/kgMars Petcare Canada · Apr 22 2026
Original / Fresh / Blueberry — Petite4.950.255–0.26314.8453 kcal · 2,996 kcal/kgMars Petcare Canada · Apr 22 2026
Original / Fresh / Blueberry — Teenie4.950.120–0.12414.8425 kcal · 2,996 kcal/kgMars Petcare Canada · Apr 22 2026

Greenies Pill Pockets (Mars Petcare Canada) OTC

Mars Petcare Canada · Carlos · email Apr 22 2026 · Chicken, Hickory Smoke, and Peanut Butter flavours all share identical values · 3,070 kcal/kg · 0.81 mg/Mcal
Pill Pockets are lower in copper than regular Greenies dental chews within the evaluated subset — approximately 6× lower by mg/Mcal. All flavours confirmed equivalent.
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/treatmg/kg as-fedkcal/treat · kcal/kgSource
Pill Pockets — Tablet Size (all flavours)0.81~0.0082.4910 kcal · 3,070 kcal/kgMars Petcare Canada · Apr 22 2026
Pill Pockets — Capsule Size (all flavours)0.81~0.0192.4923 kcal · 3,070 kcal/kgMars Petcare Canada · Apr 22 2026

Pet Botanics Training Rewards (General Mills) OTC

Christine M., Pet Botanics / General Mills · emails Apr 21 2026 · Complete — all metrics confirmed
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/treat (est.)mg/kg as-fedkcal/treat · kcal/kgSource
Training Rewards Bacon1.62~0.0054.83 kcal · 2,960 kcal/kgPet Botanics · Apr 21 2026
Training Rewards Beef1.76~0.0055.23 kcal · 2,960 kcal/kgPet Botanics · Apr 21 2026
Training Rewards Mini Chicken2.04~0.0035.31.5 kcal · 2,600 kcal/kgPet Botanics · Apr 21 2026
Training Rewards Chicken2.46~0.0076.43 kcal · 2,600 kcal/kgPet Botanics · Apr 21 2026

Crumps' Naturals OTC

Customer Service, The Crump Group Inc. · email Oct 21 2025 · Full product line expansion request sent Apr 21 2026 — awaiting R&D response
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/treatmg/kg as-fedSource
Plaque Busters Original (lowest within the evaluated subset of Crumps' formulas)0.021Crumps' · email Oct 21 2025
Plaque Busters — other flavours (all fall within range)0.021–0.045Crumps' · email Oct 21 2025
Plaque Busters Kelp & Mint (highest within the evaluated subset of Crumps' formulas)0.045Crumps' · email Oct 21 2025
Sweet Potato Chews0.06Crumps' · email Oct 21 2025

Wellness / Old Mother Hubbard OTC

Maryann, Wellness Pet Co. · email Apr 20 2026
⚠ Reference Data Only — Not a Recommendation or RankingValues may vary and should be interpreted with veterinary guidance.
Productmg/Mcalmg/treatmg/kg as-fedSource
Soft WellBites — Beef & Turkey (~8 kcal, ~2.5g)~0.0062.27Wellness · Apr 20 2026
Soft WellBites — Lamb & Salmon~0.0062.58Wellness · Apr 20 2026
Soft Bites Training Treats — Lamb & Salmon~0.0062.44Wellness · Apr 20 2026
Soft WellBites — Turkey & Duck~0.0083.03Wellness · Apr 20 2026
Soft WellBites — Chicken & Lamb~0.0083.23Wellness · Apr 20 2026
Old Mother Hubbard Classic Original — Mini (~3.5g)~0.0205.82Wellness · Apr 20 2026
Old Mother Hubbard Classic P-Nuttier — Mini (~2.9g)~0.0196.45Wellness · Apr 20 2026
Old Mother Hubbard Classic Original — Small (~10g)~0.0595.82Wellness · Apr 20 2026
Old Mother Hubbard Classic P-Nuttier — Small (~10g)~0.0646.45Wellness · Apr 20 2026
Old Mother Hubbard Classic Original — Large (~40g)Large biscuits contain ~10× the copper of mini size.~0.2325.82Wellness · Apr 20 2026
Old Mother Hubbard Classic P-Nuttier — Large (~40g)Large biscuits contain ~10× the copper of mini size.~0.2576.45Wellness · Apr 20 2026

Contacted — Responded but No Data Provided

BrandStatusNotes
Hill's Science Diet (OTC)No dataResponded Apr 16 2026 — stated specific nutrient levels are not available to the Consumer Affairs team for OTC products. Hill's prescription (Rx) l/d copper values are publicly available; OTC values were not provided.
MerrickNo dataResponded Apr 2026 — stated products have similar copper values but did not provide specific data; referred to Purina veterinary support. Merrick is owned by Nestlé Purina.
Bocce's Bakery (treats)No totalResponded Apr 18–20 2026 — copper is not part of standard guaranteed analysis for treats. Provided ingredient-level estimates only (oat flour: ~0.011 mg/treat; barley flour Small Batch: ~0.017 mg/treat). Total finished-product copper not available. Specialist team confirmed no total copper testing performed on treats.
Dr. Marty (Nature's Blend)No dataResponded Apr 2026 — formulation details are proprietary and were not disclosed.
Open Farm (treats)No dataResponded Apr 22 2026 — treat products are intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only; full nutritional breakdown not provided for treats. Request forwarded for future consideration.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary DietsNo Rx dietConfirmed Apr 23 2026 (Megan CVT, Purina Senior Veterinary Product Advisor) — no copper-restricted veterinary diet available in the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets lineup.

Pending Responses

⚠ Status reflects communication progress only and does not imply data availability, product quality, or manufacturer responsiveness.
BrandStatusNotes
Zignature — kcal/kg + full lineupAwaiting responseFull data request sent Apr 23 2026 to Lisa Kelly / Pets Global nutritional team. Declined phone call; written response requested.
Performatrin — kcal/kgFollow-up sentKatya / Pet Valu provided kcal/cup Apr 24 2026 — kcal/kg follow-up sent same day. kcal/kg required to calculate mg/Mcal.
Rollover Premium Pet FoodFollow-up sentSherry Stevenson replied Apr 24 2026 with Beef roll at 14.42 mg/kg — basis (as-fed vs DM) and kcal/kg not provided. Follow-up sent for basis clarification, kcal/kg, and remaining flavours (Chicken, Salmon, Lite, treats).
CaniSource — typical analysisFollow-up sentTypical analysis (vs GA minimum) follow-up sent to Jaime Hutchings. Website shows GA minimums only.
Petcurean — LID remaining flavours + Summit CanadaFollow-up sentAdditional LID flavours and Summit Canada availability follow-up sent to Emily Apr 22 2026.
Instinct — Raw Boost Mixer kcal/kgPendingkcal/kg for Raw Boost Mixers not yet provided — needed to calculate mg/Mcal for treat section.
Crumps' / Caledon Farms — full lineR&D in progressBoth brands owned by The Crump Group Inc. Full line expansion sent Apr 21 2026.
Farmina N&DOverdueContacted Apr 14 2026. Follow-up sent Apr 22 2026. Label shows 15.8 mg/kg added copper only — total unconfirmed.
StewartAwaiting responseSent Apr 20 2026.
Boréal, Canada Fresh/PetKind, Sunday Pets, Northern Biscuit, Horizon, Canadian Naturals, Stella & Chewy'sAwaiting responseSent Apr 18–19 2026. No replies received.
Zuke's, Milk-Bone, PureBites, Charlee Bear, Darford, Benny Bully's, Bil-JacAwaiting responseTreat batch — sent Apr 18 2026. No replies received.

Data Notes & Methodology

Data Scope

This reference contains only values reported as provided by manufacturers via direct email correspondence or their official publications. No survey-based, community-reported, or unverified data is included. All source attributions include manufacturer name and month/year of confirmation. Absence of data for a given product or brand does not imply higher or lower copper content.

Note: Companies vary in how they report copper values. Some disclose only the supplemented amount while others report both supplemented and naturally occurring copper. Where known, the reporting approach is noted in the brand section. Petcurean explicitly reports both; others may not.

mg/Mcal Conversions

Where only mg/kg DM was provided by manufacturer, mg/Mcal was calculated using published kcal/kg caloric density per product. Values marked ~ are calculated estimates. Where kcal/kg was not available, no mg/Mcal is stated rather than estimate.

Wet Food / High-Moisture Products

For canned wet food and similar high-moisture products, as-fed copper values appear lower than dry or air-dried products due to dilution by moisture (~74–84% water). DM values and mg/Mcal are the appropriate comparison metrics across formats. Do not compare as-fed values between wet and dry products directly.

Guaranteed Analysis vs Typical Analysis

Guaranteed analysis values represent declared minimums or maximums — they are regulatory floors or ceilings, not actual measured content. Typical analysis values represent averaged laboratory measurements and are more useful for precise copper management. This reference uses typical analysis values wherever available. Where only guaranteed analysis is available, this is clearly noted and estimates are labeled accordingly.

Treat mg/treat Calculations

Calculated from confirmed mg/kg as-fed values and treat weights derived from published kcal/treat ÷ published kcal/kg. Values marked ~ are estimates. For biscuit treats, the same mg/kg value produces vastly different per-treat copper amounts depending on biscuit size; always use the per-treat value for the specific size fed.

Breeds at Elevated Risk for Copper-Associated Hepatopathy

Evidence-Based Risk Stratification

Well-established predisposition (strong, consistent peer-reviewed evidence):

Bedlington Terrier — COMMD1 mutation; strongest genetic evidence for primary copper storage disease [1]. Labrador Retriever — hepatic copper accumulation and genetic modifiers (ATP7A/ATP7B) well documented [2] [3]. Doberman Pinscher — chronic hepatitis with copper involvement [4].

Moderately established (consistent reports, often multifactorial or secondary):

West Highland White Terrier — breed-associated copper accumulation [5]. Dalmatian — hepatic copper accumulation [6]. Skye Terrier — chronic hepatitis with copper storage [7]. American Cocker Spaniel — chronic hepatitis patterns [8].

Limited or inconsistent evidence (occasional reports, weak or mixed data):

Dachshund — reported in broader chronic hepatitis cohorts; no strong breed-specific causal data. Clumber Spaniel — sporadic case reports only.

Anecdotal / occasionally reported, not widely accepted in authoritative lists:

Welsh Corgi (Pembroke & Cardigan) — mentioned occasionally in case reports and clinical discussions; no peer-reviewed consensus establishing predisposition.

CAH can develop in any breed or mixed-breed dog, particularly with increased dietary copper exposure [9] [10] [11]. The absence of a breed from the above list does not eliminate risk. Consult a veterinarian for breed-specific guidance. This list is not exhaustive and reflects the state of published evidence at the time of compilation.

References include peer-reviewed veterinary literature (PubMed-indexed) examining breed predisposition, hepatic copper accumulation, and genetic factors associated with canine copper-associated hepatopathy.

References
[1] van De Sluis et al. (2002). Identification of a new copper metabolism gene by positional cloning in a purebred dog population. PubMed 12469120
[2] Dirksen et al. (2012). Hepatic copper accumulation in Labrador Retrievers. PubMed 22472581
[3] Fieten et al. (2016). The Menkes and Wilson disease genes counteract in copper toxicosis in Labrador retrievers. PubMed 27067352
[4] Spee et al. (2005). Copper metabolism and oxidative stress in chronic inflammatory and cholestatic liver diseases in dogs. PubMed 16145170
[5] Thornburg et al. (1996). Copper toxicosis in West Highland White Terriers. PubMed 8689697
[6] Webb et al. (2002). Hepatic copper accumulation in Dalmatians. PubMed 12465760
[7] Haywood et al. (1988). Chronic hepatitis in Skye Terriers. PubMed 3390171
[8] Strombeck et al. (1988). Chronic hepatitis patterns in American Cocker Spaniels. PubMed 3390168
[9] Center et al. (2014). Diagnosis and management of copper-associated hepatopathy. PubMed 24703606
[10] Watson (2004). Chronic hepatitis in dogs: a review. PubMed 15144104
[11] Dirksen & Fieten (2017). Canine copper-associated hepatitis. PubMed 28224990
[12] Center SA, Richter KP, Twedt DC et al. (2021). Is it time to reconsider current guidelines for copper content in commercial dog foods? J Am Vet Med Assoc. 258(4):357–364. PubMed 33539212
[13] Center SA, VanVranken P et al. (2025). Significantly higher hepatic copper concentrations in dogs compared to coyotes implicate excessive copper in most commercial dog foods. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 264(2):192–201. PubMed 41275593
[14] Center SA, VanVranken P et al. (2025). Lower risk for liver copper accumulation in dogs fed copper-restricted diets versus those fed copper-replete diets. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 264(2):171–180. PubMed 41275602

Changelog

Version History

⚠ Changelog entries reflect updates to a subset of evaluated products and do not imply comprehensive market coverage.

Draft 1.0 — April 23, 2026
Initial working draft. Includes a subset of brands with confirmed data at time of publication.
Draft 1.0 rev 1 — April 24, 2026
Data additions: Canidae treats complete (Pure Biscuits Salmon & Sweet Potato + Duck & Chickpea — flagged unusually low, independent verification recommended). Breeds section expanded with full evidence-tiered citations and 11 PubMed-indexed references.
Document structure: "How to Use This Reference" section added near top. Table-level warning bar added to all data tables. All "lowest/highest among evaluated" language standardized to "within the evaluated subset." RC OTC header updated to remove implied market-wide comparison.
Disclaimer reviewed and strengthened.