Gain Elite Grain Free Small Dogs - Adult Chicken
Dry Extruded · completeHigh meatClear label
Our verdict
Is Gain Elite Grain Free Small Dogs - Adult Chicken a good dog food?
We score it 60/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with chicken, peas and dried chicken protein as the main ingredients.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
56% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon oil
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Find foods that fit your dog.
Nutrition and feedingProtein 25% · Fat 14%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25% |
| Fat | 14% |
| Fibre | 2% |
| Ash | 7.50% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.80% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 1.90% |
| Calcium | 1.10% |
| Phosphorus | 0.80% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
Guide Dog Weight 1-2kg 2-3kg 3-4kg 4-5kg 5-6kg 6-8kg 8-10kg 10-15kg 15-20kg Quantity 29-49g 49-67g 67-83g 83-98g 98-113g 113-140g 140-165g 165-224g 224-278g Get In Touch We’re here to answer your product and nutrition queries, to take your order and help in any way we can. Please call, email or ‘Request a Callback’ Contact us GAIN Elite Big Dogs – Puppy GAIN Elite Big Dogs - Puppy complete pet food for puppies with a mature weight over 20kg. GAIN Elite Big Dogs – Adult GAIN Elite Big Dogs - Adult complete pet food for dogs over 20kg. GAIN Elite Small Dogs – Puppy GAIN Elite Small Dogs - Puppy co
No additives recorded yet.
Ingredients (12)56% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 44.0%
- veg 20.5%
- carb 16.1%
- oil 7.7%
- fibre 6.7%
- supplement 5.0%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fresh chicken (25%) | Chicken | meat · medium | 25 | 25.0 |
| 2 | peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 8.9 |
| 3 | dried chicken (14%) | Dried chicken protein | meat · good | 14 | 14.0 |
| 4 | sweet potatoes | Sweet Potatoes | carb · good | - | 8.3 |
| 5 | potato flakes | Potatoes | carb · medium | - | 7.8 |
| 6 | chicken fat | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | - | 7.2 |
| 7 | chicken gravy (5%) | Chicken | meat · medium | 5 | 5.0 |
| 8 | dried beet pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 6.7 |
| 9 | linseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 6.1 |
| 10 | dried chicory (source of FOS and inulin) | Chicory | veg · good | - | 5.5 |
| 11 | salmon oil (0.5%) | Salmon Oil | oil · good | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 12 | minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 5.0 |
- 1. Fresh chicken (25%)25% declared25.0% estimated
- 2. peas8.9% estimated
- 3. dried chicken (14%)14% declared14.0% estimated
- 4. sweet potatoes8.3% estimated
- 5. potato flakes7.8% estimated
- 6. chicken fat7.2% estimated
- 7. chicken gravy (5%)5% declared5.0% estimated
- 8. dried beet pulp6.7% estimated
- 9. linseed6.1% estimated
- 10. dried chicory (source of FOS and inulin)5.5% estimated
- 11. salmon oil (0.5%)0.5% declared0.5% estimated
- 12. minerals5.0% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-08-22
Brand and contact: Gain
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-08-22
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.gainanimalnutrition.com
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Why this score?
This recipe achieves an overall score of 60 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list adds +6.7 points, and the meat content contributes +3.6 points to the total. However, the processing format reduces the score by -6.7 points, and ingredients without printed percentages deducts -5.9 points.
Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.71 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 37.3% | 0.096 | +3.58 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 7.4% | -0.115 | -0.85 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 14.1% | -0.092 | -1.29 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 21.7% | -0.005 | -0.11 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 8.5% | -0.012 | -0.10 |
| Undeclared quantities | 55.5% | -0.106 | -5.86 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.71 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 37.3% | 0.096 | +3.58 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 7.4% | -0.115 | -0.85 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 14.1% | -0.092 | -1.29 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 21.7% | -0.005 | -0.11 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 8.5% | -0.012 | -0.10 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 0.0% | -0.065 | +0.00 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 0 | -0.876 | +0.00 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 0.0% | 0.060 | +0.00 |
| Undeclared quantities | 55.5% | -0.106 | -5.86 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | no | 2.294 | +0.00 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -3.158 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | 0.00 | 0.222 | +0.00 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Subtotal
- 60.1
- Final score
- 60/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Score history across model versions
The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 25 | 27.6 (band 18 to 40%) | 96.2 |
| Fat | 14 | 15.5 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 2 | 2.2 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 92.8 |
| Calcium | 1.1 | 1.2 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 91.5 |
| Phosphorus | 0.8 | 0.9 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 94.2 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.4 | 1.4 (band 1 to 2%) | 92.5 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
No nutritional additives section declared on the label.
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (44.5% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 8.9/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Additives declared, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
See all current recalls we track.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
0/100 · limited — 1 checkable claim: 0 consistent, 1 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "Extra Protein & Energy – Contains high levels of top quality fresh Protein & Fat, required by small dogs" — the declared label says otherwise on high protein.
6 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Limited: at least one claim contradicts the declared label, or a recent upheld ASA ruling applies.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| grain-free (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Strong Bones & Teeth – Our unique TruCal ingredient provides a source of real Calcium from milk combined with Vitamin D and Phosphorous (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Vitality & Natural Immunity – Contains a unique blend of all the essential Vitamins, protected Minerals & Antioxidants (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Good Digestion – Contains soluble fibres plus Prebiotic FOS that supports the growth of beneficial bacteria and flora in your dog’s colon and may help alleviate symptoms related to gastrointestinal (GI) upset (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Skin, Coat, Brain & Vision – Scientifically balanced with the optimum Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Contains fresh chicken plus a scientific balance of high quality ingredients (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Extra Protein & Energy – Contains high levels of top quality fresh Protein & Fat, required by small dogs (on page) | High/low level | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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