Normally Active Adult Gluten-Free Beef Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Next Level Super Premium Pet Food Normally Active Adult Gluten-Free Beef Dry Dog Food is a dry food with beef as its primary protein, designed for adult dogs.
This formula includes quality carbohydrate sources that provide fermentable fiber, which is good for gut health. It also uses premium micronutrient forms, like chelated minerals, which are easier for your dog to absorb.
Nothing concerning in the deck. The official AAFCO statement for nutritional completeness isn't published by the retailer, though the formula is inferred to be for adult maintenance.
Good fit for normally active adult dogs. Nothing serious working against it.
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. Strong fit for active large sporting breeds, including the Labrador Retriever, navigating weight management. At 340 kcal/cup this formula runs on the lean side, with crude fiber at 4.5% (above the catalog median, supports satiety). According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention's 2023 survey, 59% of dogs in the United States were classified as overweight or obese by their veterinary healthcare professional, representing an estimated 55 million dogs (APOP, 2023) .
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 If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.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 62/100, this formula lands in solid B territory. The lift comes from carbohydrate quality, worth 13 points to the final number: Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber. Secondary contribution comes from micronutrient inclusion (+5 points). Premium micronutrient forms such as chelated minerals or natural vitamin E. The 13-point gap to the A-tier line is concentrated in protein quality (12 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").
Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.
Premium micronutrient forms such as chelated minerals or natural vitamin E.
AAFCO formulation inferred from declared adult maintenance. Verbatim statement not published by retailer.
No negative drivers crossed our reporting threshold.
- Lowest crude fiber in Next Level Super Premium Pet Food's lineup (5.0% DMB)
- Top quartile for DMB fat in grain-inclusive dry kibbles (20.0%)
- Lowest caloric density in Next Level Super Premium Pet Food's lineup (340 kcal/cup)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
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Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1grain sorghum
Same as sorghum. Whole grain with a low glycemic index. Gluten-free, well-tolerated.
Position 1 grain: primary carbohydrate base. This is a grain-inclusive formula with grain sorghum as the dominant carb.
- 2protein animalbeef meal
Beef cooked down to a dry concentrate. More protein per pound than fresh beef. See why →
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3grainbrown rice
Whole grain that's easy to digest. Steady carb energy plus a little fiber.
Position 3: major carbohydrate source.
- 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.
- 5fatchicken fat
Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid. See why →
Position 5: secondary fat. Often where marine oils sit when present alongside a primary land-animal fat.
- 6fiberdried beet pulp
Soluble fiber from sugar-beet processing. Sometimes treated as a filler, but it's actually one of the better fiber sources in kibble. See why →
Position 6: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.
- 7protein animalpork meal
Pork cooked into a dry concentrate. Per pound, more protein than fresh pork.
Position 7: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 8hydrolyzed whole chicken
Position 8: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 9dried yeast
Natural source of B vitamins and trace minerals. Adds a savory flavor that dogs respond well to.
- 10othernatural flavors
Same as natural flavor. Usually hydrolyzed liver or broth, adds palatability.
- 11fatflaxseed
Plant source of omega-3. Helpful for skin and coat, though dogs absorb omega-3 from fish more efficiently.
Position 11: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 12protein animalfish meal
Concentrated fish protein, usually whitefish, herring, or mackerel. Strong amino acid profile. See why →
Position 12: trace protein. Likely there for amino-acid diversity or label appeal more than nutritional weight.
- 13dehydrated alfalfa meal
Dried alfalfa. Fiber and trace minerals. Not exciting but it's a real plant ingredient.
- 14yeast culture
Fermented yeast. Source of B vitamins and beta-glucans that some research suggests support immune function.
- 15mineralpotassium chloride
Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
- 16supplementdried kelp
Natural source of iodine and trace minerals. A common premium-brand inclusion.
- 17mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 18supplementcholine chloride
Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 19fiberdried chicory root
Natural prebiotic. Feeds beneficial gut bacteria. The same compound (inulin) used in human gut-health products.
- 20supplementtaurine
Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.
- 21supplementdl-methionine
Essential amino acid. Often added when plant proteins dominate, since methionine is naturally lower in pulses than meat.
- 22supplementl-carnitine
Amino acid derivative that helps the body convert fat into energy. Common in weight-management formulas.
- 23mineralzinc sulfate
Inorganic zinc. Effective at AAFCO doses but less well-absorbed than chelated forms like zinc proteinate.
- 24mineralferrous sulfate
Inorganic iron. Standard mineral source. Iron proteinate is the gentler, better-absorbed premium form.
- 25mineralmanganese sulfate
Inorganic manganese. Functional but less well-absorbed than the chelated proteinate form.
Showing first 25 of 39. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
24 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.