EN Gastroenteric Dry Dog Food, 25-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Dry Dog Food is a dry formula with chicken as its primary protein source.
This formula includes quality fat sources, like named fat with marine oil, which provides EPA and DHA. It also features premium micronutrient forms, such as chelated minerals. The product has AAFCO feeding trial substantiation.
The formula is plant-protein-dominated, with brewers rice as the first ingredient. It also contains menadione, a synthetic vitamin K3 that's banned in human supplements due to toxicity concerns.
Good fit for dogs needing gastrointestinal support. Less ideal if you prefer formulas with more animal protein or without synthetic vitamin K3.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
For Labrador Retrievers with suspected cutaneous adverse food reactions, a strict elimination diet trial must last a minimum of 8 weeks to reliably diagnose or rule out a food-based trigger. Strong fit for active large sporting breeds, including the Labrador Retriever, navigating skin allergies. The protein deck is built around a single species (chicken). Zinc is essential for skin immunity and healing; the NRC (2006) established a recommended allowance of 20 mg of zinc per 1000 kcal ME for adult dogs at maintenance (NRC, 2006) .
Looking at this for adult Labrador Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers with skin allergies ? 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.
At 50/100, this formula lands mid-pack. The lift comes from fat quality, worth 12 points to the final number: Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source). Where it lost ground: protein quality, costing 20.5 points. Plant-protein-dominated formula. brewers rice as the #1 ingredient. The path to B-tier is about 10 points; protein quality is the structural lever.
Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).
AAFCO feeding trial substantiation for not stated.
Premium micronutrient forms such as chelated minerals or natural vitamin E.
Plant-protein-dominated formula. brewers rice as the #1 ingredient.
Contains menadione. Banned for human OTC use but tolerated at AAFCO-permitted levels in pet food. The only AAFCO-permitted vitamin K source..
- Lowest crude fiber in Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets's lineup (2.3% DMB)
- Bottom 10% for protein quality in grain-inclusive dry kibbles (4.5/27)
- Bottom 10% for carb quality in grain-inclusive dry kibbles (10/16)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
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Controversial ingredients · 1
- menadioneSynthetic vitamin K3. Banned in human supplements due to toxicity concerns at high doses. Permitted in pet food but premium brands use natural vitamin K alternatives.
Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1brewers rice
Broken rice kernels left over from milling, usually destined for human beer-making. Cheaper than whole or even white rice. Same carbs, less nutrition than the brown version. See why →
Position 1 grain: primary carbohydrate base. This is a grain-inclusive formula with brewers rice as the dominant carb.
- 2grainwhole grain corn
Whole corn with the kernel intact. Decent fiber and B vitamins, though it can crowd out meat in cheaper recipes.
Position 2: major carbohydrate source.
- 3corn protein meal
Concentrated corn protein. Similar in role to corn gluten meal, pads the protein number on the label without matching meat amino acids.
Position 3: major carbohydrate source.
- 4protein animalchicken meal
Chicken with the water cooked out. Per pound, packs more protein than fresh chicken. See why →
Position 4: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 5animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols
Position 5: secondary fat. Often where marine oils sit when present alongside a primary land-animal fat.
- 6mono and dicalcium phosphate
Source of calcium and phosphorus. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 7othernatural flavor
Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.
- 8fatcoconut oil
Saturated fat with medium-chain triglycerides. Mostly marketing in the doses kibble uses, but harmless.
Position 8: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 9glycerin
Humectant used in soft-moist foods to keep them chewy. Safe in moderation but a signal of a processed semi-moist product.
- 10wheat bran
Position 10: minor grain inclusion.
- 11mineralpotassium chloride
Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
- 12mineralcalcium carbonate
Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.
- 13sodium bicarbonate
- 14mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 15soybean oil
Plant oil. High in omega-6, which is required but commonly oversupplied. Fine in moderation.
Position 15: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 16fatfish oil
Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.
- 17l-lysine monohydrochloride
Stable form of L-lysine, an essential amino acid. Common in plant-heavy formulas to balance the amino acid profile.
- 18l-threonine
Essential amino acid. Sometimes added when plant proteins dominate, since threonine is naturally lower in plants than meat.
- 19vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 20mineralzinc proteinate
Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.
- 21supplementcholine chloride
Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 22dried colostrum
- 23l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate
A stable form of vitamin C used in pet food. Provides antioxidant support and survives processing better than plain ascorbic acid.
- 24mineralferrous sulfate
Inorganic iron. Standard mineral source. Iron proteinate is the gentler, better-absorbed premium form.
- 25mineralmanganese proteinate
Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.
Showing first 25 of 41. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
21 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.