Premium High Energy 26/18 Adult Dry Dog Food, 50-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
SPORTMiX Premium High Energy 26/18 Adult Dry Dog Food is a dry formula with chicken by-product meal as its main protein source.
This formula includes quality carbohydrate sources that provide fermentable fiber, which can be good for gut health. The guaranteed analysis shows a high protein and fat content, which aligns with its 'high energy' claim.
The primary protein source, chicken by-product meal, is noted for its limited bioavailable amino acids, which means it's considered a lower quality protein source. Nothing concerning in the deck.
Good fit for active adult dogs needing a high energy diet. Less ideal if you prioritize more bioavailable protein sources.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
In its 2022 update on diet-associated DCM, the FDA identified Golden Retrievers as the most reported breed, with 121 cases out of 1,382 total canine reports (8.8%) received between January 1, 2014, and November 1, 2022 (FDA, 2022) . Good fit for active large sporting breeds, including the Golden Retriever, navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Chicken by-product meal anchors position 1, with zero pulses in the top 15, plus fish meal at position 7.
Looking at this for adult Golden Retrievers or Golden Retrievers with diet-associated DCM concerns ? 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.
- FDA, 2022cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
- FDA, 2019diet composition· cited in 2 claims
- NRC, 2006nutrient bioavailability
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
At 50/100, this formula lands mid-pack. The lift comes from carbohydrate quality, worth 12 points to the final number: Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber. Where it lost ground: protein quality, costing 15.5 points. Low protein quality. chicken by-product meal delivers limited bioavailable amino acids. The path to B-tier is about 10 points; protein quality is the structural lever.
Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.
AAFCO formulation inferred from declared adult maintenance. Verbatim statement not published by retailer.
Low protein quality. chicken by-product meal delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.
- Bottom 10% for crude fiber in SPORTMiX's lineup (5.0% DMB)
- Top quartile for DMB fat in grain-inclusive dry kibbles (20.0%)
- Bottom quartile for protein quality in grain-inclusive dry kibbles (9.6/27)
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.
Bully Max Adult 26/14 Small Breed Chicken Dry Dog Food, 5-Ib bag
Scores 19 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
SPORTMiX Premium Maintenance Adult Dry Dog Food, 50-lb bag
$0.85/lb vs your seed's $0.91/lb (7% less) at a comparable score.
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 animalchicken by-product meal
Ground organs, bone, and tissue. Nutritionally dense, especially the liver and gizzard fractions. Named species ('chicken') is what matters. Generic 'poultry by-product meal' is the one to worry about. See why →
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2grainyellow corn
Position 2: major carbohydrate source.
- 3protein animalmeat meal
Unnamed mammalian protein. No way to know what animal it came from. Avoid in favor of named meals.
Position 3: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 4grainground 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.
- 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 animalfish meal
Concentrated fish protein, usually whitefish, herring, or mackerel. Strong amino acid profile. See why →
Position 7: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 8fatflaxseed
Plant source of omega-3. Helpful for skin and coat, though dogs absorb omega-3 from fish more efficiently.
Position 8: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 9mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 10vitaminvitamin a supplement
Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.
- 11vitaminvitamin d3 supplement
The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.
- 12vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 13vitaminriboflavin supplement
B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.
- 14vitamind-calcium pantothenate
B vitamin (B5). Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 15vitaminniacin supplement
B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.
- 16supplementcholine chloride
Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 17vitaminvitamin b12 supplement
Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.
- 18vitaminfolic acid
B vitamin (B9), essential for cell function. Standard in complete dog foods.
- 19vitaminthiamine mononitrate
B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.
- 20vitaminpyridoxine hydrochloride
B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.
- 21vitaminbiotin
B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.
- 22mineralcalcium iodate
Source of iodine for thyroid function. Functional, required in complete formulas.
- 23mineralcopper sulfate
Inorganic copper. Standard, effective at small doses. Premium formulas tend to use copper proteinate instead.
- 24mineralferrous sulfate
Inorganic iron. Standard mineral source. Iron proteinate is the gentler, better-absorbed premium form.
- 25manganous oxide
Inorganic manganese. Functional, cheaper than chelated forms, less efficiently absorbed.
Showing first 25 of 27. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
24 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.