Purina VETERINARY DIETS® ESSENTIALCARE® Senior Dry Dog Food

Brand: Purina EssentialCare Dry Food

Overall Score

The overall score is an average of the ingredient quality and ingredient safety concerns. For more information, see our evaluation criteria.

Purina VETERINARY DIETS® ESSENTIALCARE® Senior Dry Dog Food

Overall Score

The overall score is an average of the ingredient quality and ingredient safety concerns. For more information, see our evaluation criteria.

Brand: Purina EssentialCare Dry Food

Ingredient Quality

2 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is calculated to contain 35% carbohydrate ^ⓘDogs have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrate but they are used for energy, texture and taste. Starch is also required for extrusion in dry foods. Excessive carbohydrate is an indicator of food quality as it can be used to reduce manufacturing cost. Foods that are high in carbohydrate can raise insulin and cause obesity. Some studies also show that dogs fed a high carbohydrate content have changes to their gut bacteria. Learn more
Contains plant protein ^ⓘPlant-based protein sources are the least expensive substitute for quality animal protein. Whenever possible, animal sources of protein are preferred because they contain a wider array of amino acids than plant based protein sources and are more digestible. Learn more 3 or more plant proteins ^ⓘPlant-based protein sources are the least expensive substitute for quality animal protein. Whenever possible, animal sources of protein are preferred because they contain a wider array of amino acids than plant based protein sources and are more digestible. Learn more
Contains unspecified animal sources, which are a less expensive source of meat ^ⓘWhile protein from animal sources is an important ingredient that’s highly digestible, the animal source should be named. You will want to see beef, salmon or chicken, not animal, fish or poultry. Unnamed protein sources are of much lower quality, especially meals, which are typically from rendered waste. Learn more
Contains fats that are highly processed or inflammatory ^ⓘSeed oils, such as safflower, sunflower or flaxseed oil, provide calories and taste. They are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which can cause systemic and gut inflammation. Other oils like soybean are highly processed and may contain trans fats. Studies shows that ultra processed foods are linked to a higher rate of all-cause mortality in humans. Learn more
Is fortified with excessive vitamins ^ⓘWhen vitamins come from whole food sources, they include the full spectrum of cofactors, which makes them safe and bioavailable. While a couple of added vitamins are acceptable, five or more implies the food is of poor nutritional value. Learn more
Is fortified with excessive minerals ^ⓘFive or more added minerals indicate a lower quality food that’s lacking naturally occurring minerals from whole food sources.
Product contains ingredients that are high in sugar including glycerin ^ⓘSugar is often found in pet food to increase the palatability or as a preservative or humectant. It is a low quality ingredient that can cause unwanted gut changes, obesity and insulin spikes. Learn more

Ingredient Safety

0 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is ultra processed ^ⓘExtruded foods are heated four separate times during production, which will cause major losses in some active enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and phytonutrients. Studies shows that ultra processed foods are linked to a higher rate of all-cause mortality in humans. Learn more
Contains rice ^ⓘArsenic contamination is a significant concern with rice since it naturally absorbs arsenic and the water it's grown in can be contaminated with arsenic. Arsenic is linked to chronic health issues. Learn more
Contains known GMO ingredients in the top 5 ingredients including corn and soy ^ⓘThere are limited safetey studies on geneticaly modified and Roundup Ready crops although they are lacking in nutrients compared to non-GMO foods. GMO crops also strip nutrients from soils, require increased pesticide risk and may be involved in bee die-off. Learn more
Contains ingredients known to contain higher pesticide/herbicide residues in the top 5 ingredients including corn and soy ^ⓘPesticides, herbicides and fertilizers pose a significant health risk to plants, animals and soils. Foods with the largest reported amount of residue will be penalized, including crops that are known to be spray-dried with glyphosate. Learn more
Contains natural flavor ^ⓘNatural flavors are often animal digest or MSG, which are low quality ingredients with limited safety studies. Learn more
Contains colors/dyes ^ⓘColors, iron oxide, caramel and titanium dioxide are dyes added to foods to make them look more appealing to people. They are often used to hide the grey color of rendered ingredients and are linked to health issues. Learn more
Contains Menadione ^ⓘMenadione is a synthetic form of Vitamin K that is not required in dog food. May be linked to immune system dysfunction, oxidative damage to cells, liver toxicity, and allergic reactions. Learn more

Other Concerns

Notable product facts

Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is not provided. ^ⓘDiets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation and disease. Learn more
Product doesn't specify whether the fish is farmed or wild caught ^ⓘFarmed fish is less nutritious than wild caught fish and does not contain the same healthy fatty acid balance. Fish farming also threatens wild fish species. Learn more
Ingredient splitting ^ⓘSplitting is a technique of manipulating the ingredient list to move certain ingredients higher or lower on the ingredient list. This is often used to diguise the amount of lower quality ingredients in the food, such as corn or peas. Learn more

How It Compares

Food Type

Food Function

Life Stage

Ingredients On Package

Turkey, rice, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, whole grain corn, corn germ meal, whole grain wheat, vegetable oil (source of medium-chain triglycerides), dried egg product, oatmeal, natural flavour, glycerin, pea fibre, chicory root inulin, calcium carbonate, beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols, salt, fish oil, mono and dicalcium phosphate, caramel colour, potassium chloride, soybean oil, choline chloride, VITAMINS [Vitamin E supplement, niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin B-12 supplement, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), folic acid (Vitamin B-9), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin D-3 supplement, biotin (Vitamin B-7)], MINERALS (zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), L-Lysine monohydrochloride, sulfur, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (Vitamin C), garlic oil.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	28%
Crude Fat (min)	13%
Crude Fiber (max)	4.5%
Moisture (max)	12%

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Overall Score

Purina VETERINARY DIETS® ESSENTIALCARE® Senior Dry Dog Food

Overall Score

Ingredient Quality

Ingredient Safety

Other Concerns

Ingredients On Package

Guaranteed Analysis

HAS THIS LABEL CHANGED?

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