Salmon & Pork Grain-Free RPM Formula Dry Dog Food, 5-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Dr. Tim's Salmon & Pork Grain-Free RPM Formula is a dry dog food for all life stages, featuring salmon and pork as its main protein sources.
This formula has a strong protein profile, with salmon meal as the first ingredient, providing high biological value. It also includes quality fat sources like chicken fat and menhaden fish oil, which is a good source of EPA and DHA. The inclusion of egg product adds to the diverse, highly bioavailable protein.
Nothing concerning in the deck.
Good fit for dogs of all life stages, from puppies to seniors.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
The landmark 14-year Purina Lifespan Study on 48 Labrador Retrievers demonstrated that dogs fed 25% fewer calories lived a median of 1.8 years longer and delayed the onset of chronic diseases. Good fit for active large sporting breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and English Setters navigating weight management. At 419 kcal/cup this formula runs on the rich side, with crude fiber at 4.5% (above the catalog median, supports satiety). The 2014 AAHA Weight Management Guidelines define overweight as a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 6-7 on a 9-point scale. A score of 8 or 9 indicates obesity, representing 20-30% and >30% above ideal body weight, respectively (Brooks et al., 2014) .
Looking at this for adult Labrador Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers with weight management ? 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.
- Brooks et al., 2014diagnostic · protocol · satiety· cited in 5 claims
- APOP, 2023prevalence
- Raffan et al., 2016genetics
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
At 72/100, this formula lands in solid B territory. The lift comes from protein quality, worth 21.5 points to the final number: Strong protein profile with salmon meal as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value. Secondary contribution comes from fat quality (+12 points). Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source). The 3-point gap to the A-tier line is concentrated in protein quality (21.5 of 27 possible). Full protein quality requires named-species named-cut proteins in the top of the deck (e.g., "deboned chicken" rather than "chicken meal" or "poultry meal").
Strong protein profile with salmon meal as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.
Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).
Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.
No negative drivers crossed our reporting threshold.
- Lowest fat quality in Dr. Tim's's lineup (12/16)
- Top quartile for protein quality in Dr. Tim's's lineup (21.3/27)
- Lowest carb quality in Dr. Tim's's lineup (11/16)
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.
Dr. Tim's Heirloom Ancient Grains Fish Formula Dry Dog Food, 15-lb bag
Scores 8 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
Dr. Tim's All Life Stages Kinesis Formula Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag
$2.94/lb vs your seed's $5.00/lb (41% less) at a comparable score.
ACANA Red Meat Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 25-lb bag
Beef instead of salmon, 2 points higher, different brand.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1protein animalsalmon meal
Salmon cooked into a dry concentrate. Carries both protein and natural omega-3s in one ingredient. See why →
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2protein animalpork meal
Pork cooked into a dry concentrate. Per pound, more protein than fresh pork.
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3vegetablepotato
Standard white potato. Steady carb source, common starch in grain-free recipes.
Position 3: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 4legumepeas
Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →
Position 4. Within the FDA's top-5 DCM-pattern threshold. Especially notable if multiple pulses stack here.
- 5tapioca starch
Refined cassava starch, used as a binder. Easy to digest, low on nutrition.
- 6legumegarbanzo beans
Same as chickpeas. Part of the legume stack the FDA investigated. See why →
Position 6. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.
- 7fatchicken fat
Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid. See why →
Position 7: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 8protein animalegg product
Processed whole eggs. Same nutritional profile as fresh eggs, just shelf-stable.
Position 8: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 9protein animalpork
Real meat. Dense protein and fat, though less common in dog food than chicken or beef.
Position 9: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 10dried plain beet pulp
Beet fiber, with the sugar removed. Long unfairly maligned. It's a real soluble fiber that supports stool quality. See why →
Position 10: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.
- 11fatmenhaden fish oil
Omega-3 from menhaden, a small oily fish. Same skin and coat support as salmon oil.
Position 11. Moderate marine-oil inclusion. Supplements EPA/DHA without being the primary fat.
- 12ground whole flaxseed
- 13othernatural flavor
Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.
- 14dried porcine plasma
- 15vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 16l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate
A stable form of vitamin C used in pet food. Provides antioxidant support and survives processing better than plain ascorbic acid.
- 17vitaminbiotin
B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.
- 18vitaminniacin supplement
B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.
- 19vitamind-calcium pantothenate
B vitamin (B5). Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 20vitaminriboflavin supplement
B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.
- 21vitaminvitamin a supplement
Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.
- 22vitaminthiamine mononitrate
B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.
- 23vitaminpyridoxine hydrochloride
B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.
- 24vitaminvitamin d3 supplement
The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.
- 25vitaminvitamin b12 supplement
Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.
Showing first 25 of 57. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
23 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.
Dr. Tim's RPM Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages except for growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult).