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SPORTMiX High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food, 50-lb bag
SPORTMiX

High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food, 50-lb bag

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
dry $0.70/lb

Graded by The Sniff System

In plain English

SPORTMiX High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food is a dry kibble for adult dogs, with its primary protein source listed simply as "meat meal."

Not much to highlight here. The formula is inferred to meet AAFCO adult maintenance standards, which is the basic requirement for a commercial dog food to be considered complete and balanced.

The primary protein is listed simply as "meat meal," which means the specific animal source isn't named. This unnamed protein source also contributes to a low protein quality score, suggesting limited bioavailable amino acids.

Hard to recommend for any dog due to the unnamed protein source and concerns about protein quality.

Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.

Who this is for

Good fit for active large sporting breeds, including the Labrador Retriever, navigating weight management. At 330 kcal/cup this formula runs on the lean side, with crude fiber at 4.5% (above the catalog median, supports satiety). 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. 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

Methodology

The Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.

Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.

Why this score

Below-average grade. 41/100 (D) reflects the structural fit of this formula against The Sniff System's eight scoring components. AAFCO compliance did the heavy lifting (+4 points): AAFCO formulation inferred from declared adult maintenance. Verbatim statement not published by retailer. What capped it: the score can't exceed 54 because the primary protein source is unnamed (e.g., 'meat meal' or 'animal by-product meal') rather than a named species. Removing the cap alone wouldn't change the band. Protein quality is the deeper issue.

What lifted the score

AAFCO formulation inferred from declared adult maintenance. Verbatim statement not published by retailer.

ACF
What pulled it down

Score capped at 54 due to primary protein is unnamed.

CAP why?

Low protein quality. meat meal delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.

PQI
What sets this apart
  • Lowest fat quality in SPORTMiX's lineup (8/16)
  • Bottom 2% for carb quality in grain-inclusive dry kibbles (9/16)
  • Bottom 10% for crude fiber in SPORTMiX's lineup (5.0% DMB)

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.

Better match
Higher score, similar formulation
SPORTMiX Extreme Energy Adult Chicken Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag
SPORTMiX

SPORTMiX Extreme Energy Adult Chicken Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag

68

Scores 27 points higher with a similar formulation profile.

Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 30% ⓘ
Protein
27%
min (as fed)
Fat
12%
min (as fed)
Fiber
4.5%
max (as fed)
Moisture
10%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

24 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    meat meal

    Unnamed mammalian protein. No way to know what animal it came from. Avoid in favor of named meals.

    Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.

  2. 2
    yellow corn

    Position 2: major carbohydrate source.

  3. 3
    soybean meal

    Concentrated soy protein. Cheap plant protein that pads the label number, common in budget formulas.

    Position 3: plant protein in the top 5. Stacked with animal protein, can inflate the crude protein number without matching the amino-acid quality of named animal sources.

  4. 4
    ground wheat

    Whole wheat. Fine for most dogs, though a portion are sensitive. Not a quality concern, just a fit-for-your-dog question.

    Position 4: supporting grain. Smaller contribution to the carb deck.

  5. 5
    chicken 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.

  6. 6
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  7. 7
    vitamin a supplement

    Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.

  8. 8
    vitamin d3 supplement

    The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.

  9. 9
    vitamin e supplement

    Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.

  10. 10
    riboflavin supplement

    B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.

  11. 11
    d-calcium pantothenate

    B vitamin (B5). Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  12. 12
    niacin supplement

    B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.

  13. 13
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  14. 14
    vitamin b12 supplement

    Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.

  15. 15
    folic acid

    B vitamin (B9), essential for cell function. Standard in complete dog foods.

  16. 16
    thiamine mononitrate

    B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.

  17. 17
    pyridoxine hydrochloride

    B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.

  18. 18
    biotin

    B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.

  19. 19
    calcium iodate

    Source of iodine for thyroid function. Functional, required in complete formulas.

  20. 20
    copper sulfate

    Inorganic copper. Standard, effective at small doses. Premium formulas tend to use copper proteinate instead.

  21. 21
    ferrous sulfate

    Inorganic iron. Standard mineral source. Iron proteinate is the gentler, better-absorbed premium form.

  22. 22
    manganous oxide

    Inorganic manganese. Functional, cheaper than chelated forms, less efficiently absorbed.

  23. 23
    zinc oxide

    Inorganic zinc. Cheapest mineral form on the market. Functional but less bioavailable than chelated alternatives.

  24. 24
    magnesium oxide

    Inorganic magnesium. Functional at AAFCO doses, less efficiently absorbed than chelated forms.

23 of 24 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.