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Sniff
SPORTMiX Essentials Adult Chicken Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag
SPORTMiX

Essentials Adult Chicken Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
dry $0.80/lb

SPORTMiX Essentials Adult Chicken Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 41/100 (D) with Fair evidence. Zero controversial ingredients flagged. Primary concern: plant-protein-dominated formula. ground corn as the #1 ingredient..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Quality carbohydrate sources with declared fiber.

CQI

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

ACF

Plant-protein-dominated formula. ground corn as the #1 ingredient.

PQI
Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 20% ⓘ
Protein
18%
min (as fed)
Fat
6%
min (as fed)
Fiber
7%
max (as fed)
Moisture
10%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

21 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    ground corn

    Cracked whole corn. Fine in moderation, but its presence in the top few ingredients usually signals a lower-cost recipe.

  2. 2
    corn gluten feed
  3. 3
    wheat

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

  4. 4
    meat meal

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

  5. 5
    chicken fat

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

  6. 6
    soybean meal

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

  7. 7
    calcium carbonate

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

  8. 8
    salt

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

  9. 9
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  10. 10
    choline chloride

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

  11. 11
    vitamin e supplement

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

  12. 12
    niacin supplement

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

  13. 13
    calcium pantothenate

    Same as d-calcium pantothenate. Vitamin B5 in standardized form.

  14. 14
    vitamin a supplement

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

  15. 15
    riboflavin supplement

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

  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
    vitamin b12 supplement

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

  20. 20
    vitamin d3 supplement

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

  21. 21
    folic acid

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

20 of 21 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.