What's actually in Dr. Tim's?
We analyzed Dr. Tim's Pursuit Active Dog Formula — the brand's high-performance formula for working and active dogs. The first five ingredients are chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, whole oat groats, and dried plain beet pulp.
Chicken meal first is a strong start — concentrated protein from a named source. Brown rice and whole oat groats give the formula a grain-inclusive carb base that's actually premium, not just cheap filler: whole oat groats in particular are minimally processed and deliver more fiber and B-vitamins than pearled or rolled oats. Dr. Tim Hunt, the founder, is a veterinarian with a working-dog and sled-dog background — the formulas are built around sustained energy output rather than marketing-driven premium ingredients. Shop on Amazon →
The good stuff
The omega-3 strategy is unusually rich for this price tier. Menhaden fish oil, herring meal, catfish meal, and salmon meal between them cover both EPA/DHA and a range of marine proteins. Ground whole flaxseed adds plant-based ALA omega-3s. That combination supports skin, coat, joint, and cognitive health — and it's more marine-derived omega-3 than you'd get in most B-tier competitors like Victor or Purina Pro Plan Sport.
Dried porcine plasma at position 13 is a high-quality protein source that's common in veterinary nutrition but rare in retail kibble. It's rich in immunoglobulins, albumin, and functional peptides — performance-focused formulations like this one are where you'd expect to see it. Lecithin (sunflower-derived) supports fat metabolism and liver function; dried kelp adds trace minerals including iodine; dried chicory root (a source of inulin) feeds gut bacteria.
Taurine, L-carnitine, and psyllium seed husk round out the functional-additive panel — taurine for cardiac support, L-carnitine for fat metabolism in active dogs, and psyllium for digestive regulity in animals putting in high work volumes. Bacillus coagulans is the probiotic strain, same spore-forming workhorse used by Jinx and a handful of other competent formulators because it actually survives kibble processing.
The not-so-good stuff
Dried plain beet pulp at position five is the most debated ingredient in the formula. It's a byproduct of sugar beet processing — high-fiber, low-cost, and commonly used to regulate stool firmness. Plenty of veterinary nutritionists are fine with it, but plenty of premium formulators avoid it entirely, viewing it as filler. Its position-five placement here is higher than many premium brands would allow.
Egg product at position six is a lower grade than whole dried egg — it's typically spray-dried egg that may or may not include shells. Not a red flag, but not the premium play. Rice bran at position seven adds fiber but is also a byproduct of rice processing rather than a whole-food inclusion.
Retail availability is the real-world constraint. Dr. Tim's is a genuinely small brand — you won't find it at grocery stores, and most big-box pet retailers don't carry it. You're shopping direct, through niche online retailers like Chewy, or through specialty working-dog channels. That's fine for dedicated shoppers but inconvenient for casual ones.
The fat content is also notably high, which is intentional for sled dogs and hunting breeds but can be too much for companion dogs with moderate activity levels. If your dog isn't running significant daily mileage, the calorie density may promote weight gain.
How it compares
Dr. Tim's B (77/100) puts it in direct competition with the performance-and-working-dog segment: Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 (B/76), Victor (B/76), and Annamaet (B/76). All four target the same active-dog use case with slightly different philosophies. Dr. Tim's stands out mostly on the depth of the fish-oil inclusions and the added functional supplements.
Stepping up in the protein-density ladder, Fromm (B/84) and Orijen (A/90) offer more fresh-meat content per cup — but they cost meaningfully more per pound and aren't purpose-built for performance. For a dog that genuinely works (sled, hunt, search-and-rescue, serious agility), Dr. Tim's is arguably a better formula fit than either.
Read the full head-to-head: Dr. Tim's vs Purina Pro Plan Sport. For more options in this category, see our best dog food for active dogs guide.
The bottom line
Dr. Tim's Pursuit Active earns a B grade (77/100) from KibbleIQ. Named chicken meal lead, four distinct fish sources for omega-3 density, whole oat groats for a quality carb base, and a functional-supplement panel designed around active-dog physiology make this a niche-but-earned B. The beet pulp early in the list and the limited retail distribution keep it from a higher grade. If you have a genuinely working or highly active dog and the availability isn't a blocker, this is one of the stronger picks in the performance kibble category. Shop on Amazon →