Adult Limited Ingredient Surf-N-Turf Pate Canned Wet Dog Food, 12.5-oz can, case of 12
Graded by The Sniff System
Dr. Pol Adult Limited Ingredient Surf-N-Turf Pate is a wet dog food featuring beef and salmon, presented in a pate style.
This pate offers reasonable protein quality, with beef providing solid amino acid coverage. It also includes liver for diverse, high-bioavailability protein. The carbohydrate sources are considered quality, providing fermentable fiber.
The formula contains guar gum, an emulsifier with emerging microbiome data, though canine clinical evidence is lacking. Also, yeast extract and hydrolyzed yeast may indicate MSG, raising transparency concerns.
Good fit for adult dogs who do well on beef and salmon. Less ideal if you prefer foods without emulsifiers or hidden MSG.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
Strong fit for active large sporting breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Irish Setters navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Beef anchors position 1, with zero pulses in the top 15, plus added taurine at position 11, liver at position 4 (a natural taurine precursor), and salmon at position 3. In its 2022 update on diet-associated DCM, the FDA identified Golden Retrievers as the most reported breed, with 121 cases out of 1,382 total canine reports (8.8%) received between January 1, 2014, and November 1, 2022 (FDA, 2022) .
Looking at this for adult Golden Retrievers or Golden Retrievers with diet-associated DCM concerns ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.
Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.
Research informing this analysis
MethodologyThe Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.
- FDA, 2022cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
- FDA, 2019diet composition· cited in 2 claims
- NRC, 2006nutrient bioavailability
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
Sniff scored this formula 48/100, landing in C-tier (acceptable-with-notes). The biggest contributor was protein quality (+19 points): Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage. The biggest detractor was controversial-ingredient penalty (-5 points): Contains guar gum. Emerging microbiome data on emulsifiers; no canine clinical evidence. Minor penalty in canned food. To reach B-tier, this formula would need to gain about 12 points, most likely through controversial-ingredient penalty.
Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage.
Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.
Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.
Contains guar gum. Emerging microbiome data on emulsifiers; no canine clinical evidence. Minor penalty in canned food..
Contains msg. Safety signal is internet-fueled; real issue is transparency. Yeast extract as MSG loophole obscures formulation..
- Lowest overall Sniff Score in Dr. Pol's lineup (48/100)
- Top 10% for DMB protein in Dr. Pol's lineup (40.9%)
- Bottom 10% for carb quality in Dr. Pol's lineup (12/16)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
Similar dog foods worth considering
Three lenses on products with formulation profiles similar to this one.
Merrick Lil' Plates Premium Grain-Free Small Breed Wet Dog Food Surfin' & Turfin' Supper, 3.5-oz tub, case of 12
Scores 11 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
Purina Pro Plan Weight Control Variety Pack Adult High Protein Chicken, Rice & Turkey Canned Dog Food, 13-oz can, case of 12
$3.84/lb vs your seed's $3.87/lb (1% less) at a comparable score.
VICTOR Grain-Free Turkey & Sweet Potato Stew Cuts Wet Dog Food or Topper, 13.2-oz, case of 12
Turkey instead of beef, 11 points higher, different brand.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 41%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1protein animalbeef
Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2fish broth
- 3protein animalsalmon
Real fish meat. Natural source of omega-3s, which kibble usually has to add back from oil.
Position 3: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 4liver
Generic liver, usually chicken or beef. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients a dog can eat. Named species is more informative.
- 5fiberguar gum
Thickener common in wet food. Emerging research on emulsifiers and the gut microbiome, but no smoking gun in dogs yet. See why →
Position 5: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.
- 6vegetablepumpkin
Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.
Position 6: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 7yeast extract
Yeast broken down to a paste. Strong palatant plus a real source of B vitamins.
- 8hydrolyzed yeast
Yeast broken down with enzymes. Strong palatant plus a real source of B vitamins and amino acids.
- 9dried yeast
Natural source of B vitamins and trace minerals. Adds a savory flavor that dogs respond well to.
- 10supplementyucca schidigera extract
Plant extract added to reduce stool odor. Functional, not nutritional. Fine in trace amounts.
- 11supplementtaurine
Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.
- 12vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 13vitaminniacin supplement
B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.
- 14l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate
A stable form of vitamin C used in pet food. Provides antioxidant support and survives processing better than plain ascorbic acid.
- 15vitaminthiamine mononitrate
B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.
- 16vitamincalcium pantothenate
Same as d-calcium pantothenate. Vitamin B5 in standardized form.
- 17vitamin a acetate
- 18vitaminfolic acid
B vitamin (B9), essential for cell function. Standard in complete dog foods.
- 19vitaminriboflavin supplement
B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.
- 20vitaminbiotin
B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.
- 21vitaminpyridoxine hydrochloride
B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.
- 22vitaminvitamin b12 supplement
Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.
- 23vitaminvitamin d3 supplement
The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.
21 of 23 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.