EN Gastroenteric Low Fat Dry Dog Food, 25-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Low Fat Dry Dog Food is a dry formula with a plant-protein-dominated base, featuring brewers rice as the first ingredient.
This formula includes quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber, which can be good for digestion. It also uses premium micronutrient forms like chelated minerals and has AAFCO feeding trial substantiation.
The formula is heavily plant-protein-dominated, with brewers rice as the first ingredient, and it lacks a declared omega-3 source. It also contains animal digest, an unverified flavor coating, and menadione, a synthetic vitamin K3.
Good fit for dogs needing a low-fat dry food. Less ideal if you prefer formulas with clear animal protein sources and natural vitamin K.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
Good fit for active large sporting breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and English Setters navigating weight management. At 290 kcal/cup this formula runs on the lean side. 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. 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 If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
Below-average grade. 28/100 (D) reflects the structural fit of this formula against The Sniff System's eight scoring components. Carbohydrate quality did the heavy lifting (+16 points): Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber. What we'd flag for vet discussion: protein quality (-22 points). Plant-protein-dominated formula. brewers rice as the #1 ingredient.
Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.
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.
No declared omega-3 source. Fish oil, salmon oil, and algae oil all absent.
Contains menadione. Banned for human OTC use but tolerated at AAFCO-permitted levels in pet food. The only AAFCO-permitted vitamin K source..
- Lowest fat quality in Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets's lineup (2/16)
- Top quartile for carb quality in Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets's lineup (16/16)
- Bottom 3% for protein quality in Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets's lineup (3.2/27)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
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$4.72/lb vs your seed's $4.80/lb (2% less) at a comparable score.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Controversial ingredients · 2
- animal digestChemically or enzymatically hydrolyzed animal tissue from unspecified species. Used as a flavor coating. Source quality cannot be verified.
- 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.
- 2grainbarley
Whole grain with a low glycemic profile and some soluble fiber. Easy on blood sugar.
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 animalpoultry by-product meal
Unnamed poultry. The mix can include any combination of chicken, turkey, or other birds, with no traceability. Named by-product meals are fine. This one isn't.
Position 4: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 5protein animalanimal digest Flagged
A liquid flavoring made from hydrolyzed animal tissue, sprayed onto kibble for palatability. Common, not directly harmful, but vague about source.
Position 5: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 6glycerin
Humectant used in soft-moist foods to keep them chewy. Safe in moderation but a signal of a processed semi-moist product.
- 7animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols
Position 7: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 8mineralcalcium carbonate
Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.
- 9fiberinulin
Prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Same compound found in chicory root.
Position 9: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.
- 10mineralpotassium chloride
Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
- 11mono and dicalcium phosphate
Source of calcium and phosphorus. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 12sodium bicarbonate
- 13mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 14l-lysine monohydrochloride
Stable form of L-lysine, an essential amino acid. Common in plant-heavy formulas to balance the amino acid profile.
- 15vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 16mineralzinc proteinate
Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.
- 17supplementcholine chloride
Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 18l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate
A stable form of vitamin C used in pet food. Provides antioxidant support and survives processing better than plain ascorbic acid.
- 19mineralferrous sulfate
Inorganic iron. Standard mineral source. Iron proteinate is the gentler, better-absorbed premium form.
- 20mineralmanganese proteinate
Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.
- 21vitaminniacin supplement
B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.
- 22vitaminthiamine mononitrate
B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.
- 23vitamincalcium pantothenate
Same as d-calcium pantothenate. Vitamin B5 in standardized form.
- 24vitaminvitamin a supplement
Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.
- 25vitaminriboflavin supplement
B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.
Showing first 25 of 35. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
23 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.