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Wysong Epigen Starch-Free Chicken Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog & Cat Food, 5-lb bag
Wysong

Epigen Starch-Free Chicken Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog & Cat Food, 5-lb bag

Evidence Fair
dry $3.82/lb

Graded by The Sniff System

In plain English

Wysong Epigen Starch-Free Chicken Formula is a grain-free dry food featuring chicken and turkey as its main protein sources.

This formula has a strong protein profile, with chicken as the first ingredient, providing high biological value. It also includes quality fat sources like named fat and marine oil, which offers EPA and DHA. Plus, the carbohydrate sources provide beneficial fermentable fiber.

The main thing to note is the absence of an AAFCO statement, which means its nutritional completeness is unverified. Also, the food contains MSG, which can obscure the formulation.

Good fit for dogs needing a high protein diet. Less ideal if you prioritize AAFCO nutritional completeness or want to avoid MSG.

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

Who this is for

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 adult Golden Retrievers navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Chicken anchors position 1, with zero pulses in the top 15, plus added taurine at position 13.

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

Methodology

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

  • FDA, 2022
    cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
  • FDA, 2019
    diet composition· cited in 2 claims
  • NRC, 2006
    nutrient bioavailability

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 If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.

Why this score

At 59/100, this formula lands mid-pack. The lift comes from protein quality, worth 20 points to the final number: Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value. The ceiling on this score is 59, set because the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement isn't disclosed on the retailer page (so our methodology can't verify the formula meets adult, growth, or all-life-stages standards). The fix path: the brand publishing the AAFCO statement. That would lift the cap and put this formula above the B-band line at 60.

What lifted the score

Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.

PQI

Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).

FQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI
What pulled it down

Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

CAP why?

No AAFCO statement. Nutritional completeness unverified.

ACF

Contains msg. Safety signal is internet-fueled; real issue is transparency. Yeast extract as MSG loophole obscures formulation..

CIP
What sets this apart
  • Top 1% for DMB protein in grain-free dry kibbles (66.7%)
  • Bottom quartile for crude fiber in grain-free dry kibbles (4.4% DMB)
  • Top 10% for caloric density in dry kibbles (489 kcal/cup)

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
Wysong Adult Dry Dog Food, 5-lb bag
Wysong

Wysong Adult Dry Dog Food, 5-lb bag

75

Scores 16 points higher with a similar formulation profile.

Best value
Lower price, comparable score
Wholesomes Chicken Meal & Potatoes Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 35-lb bag
Wholesomes

Wholesomes Chicken Meal & Potatoes Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 35-lb bag

54

$1.41/lb vs your seed's $3.82/lb (63% less) at a comparable score.

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

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 67% ⓘ
Protein
60%
min (as fed)
Fat
15%
min (as fed)
Fiber
4%
max (as fed)
Moisture
10%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

51 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

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

  2. 2
    chicken meal

    Chicken with the water cooked out. Per pound, packs more protein than fresh chicken. See why →

    Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.

  3. 3
    turkey meal

    Turkey with the water cooked out. Per pound, packs more protein than fresh turkey. See why →

    Position 3: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.

  4. 4
    potato protein

    Concentrated potato protein. Like pea protein, it inflates the protein number without matching meat-quality amino acids.

    Position 4: 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.

  5. 5
    meat protein isolate
  6. 6
    chicken fat

    Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid. See why →

    Position 6: secondary fat. Often where marine oils sit when present alongside a primary land-animal fat.

  7. 7
    gelatin
  8. 8
    dried plain beet pulp

    Beet fiber, with the sugar removed. Long unfairly maligned. It's a real soluble fiber that supports stool quality. See why →

    Position 8: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.

  9. 9
    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

  10. 10
    coconut oil

    Saturated fat with medium-chain triglycerides. Mostly marketing in the doses kibble uses, but harmless.

    Position 10: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.

  11. 11
    chia seeds
  12. 12
    salt

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

  13. 13
    taurine

    Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.

  14. 14
    calcium carbonate

    Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.

  15. 15
    dried tomato pomace

    The fiber-rich byproduct of tomato processing. Sometimes flagged unfairly. It's a real fiber source, not a filler shortcut.

    Position 15: trace fiber inclusion.

  16. 16
    calcium propionate
  17. 17
    choline chloride

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

  18. 18
    dried kelp

    Natural source of iodine and trace minerals. A common premium-brand inclusion.

  19. 19
    barley grass powder
  20. 20
    dried blueberry powder
  21. 21
    dried yogurt
  22. 22
    apple pectin
  23. 23
    dried kale

    Leafy green with antioxidants and fiber. Small dose in kibble, but it's not just for marketing.

  24. 24
    dried spinach

    Leafy green. Some iron, vitamin K, and fiber. The dose in kibble is small but it's real food.

  25. 25
    carrots

    Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.

Showing first 25 of 51. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

17 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.