Our verdict
Is Gain Elite Small Dogs a good dog food?
We score it 50/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for puppies, with chicken, rice and whole as the main ingredients.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
52% 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 puppies
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at small dogs
- Doesn't list beef, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists poultry fat
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish meal
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - white
- 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 29% · Fat 16%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 29% |
| Fat | 16% |
| Fibre | 2% |
| Ash | 7.80% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.90% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 3.90% |
| Calcium | 1.40% |
| Phosphorus | 1% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
Adjust feeding rate for activity levels and external conditions to maintain a lean healthy body condition. Provide clean drinking water at all times. Make all diet changes gradually over a 7-10 day period. Daily amounts range from 35-50g (2kg puppy, 6-13 weeks) up to 255-390g (19kg puppy, 3-6 months), transitioning to adult amounts over 12 months.
No additives recorded yet.
Ingredients (17)52% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 39.5%
- carb 33.7%
- oil 7.7%
- supplement 5.8%
- fibre 4.0%
- veg 3.7%
- additive 2.9%
- other 2.6%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dried Chicken & Turkey | Chicken | meat · medium | - | 7.7 |
| 2 | Rice | Rice - white | carb · medium | - | 7.5 |
| 3 | Wholegrain Maize | Whole-Grain Maize | carb · medium | - | 7.2 |
| 4 | Dehulled Oats | Oats | carb · medium | - | 7.0 |
| 5 | Poultry Fat | Poultry Fat | oil · medium | - | 6.8 |
| 6 | Maize Gluten Meal | Maize gluten | carb · poor | - | 6.6 |
| 7 | Hydrolysed Chicken Protein | Hydrolysed Chicken Protein | meat · medium | - | 6.3 |
| 8 | Dried Sugar Beet Pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 6.1 |
| 9 | Fishmeal | Fish Meal | meat · medium | - | 5.9 |
| 10 | Whole Dried Eggs | Dried Egg | meat · medium | - | 5.7 |
| 11 | Linseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 5.4 |
| 12 | Salmon Oil | Salmon Oil | oil · good | - | 5.2 |
| 13 | Potassium Chloride | Potassium Chloride | supplement · medium | - | 5.0 |
| 14 | Sodium Chloride | Salt | additive · poor | - | 4.8 |
| 15 | Chicory FOS | Chicory | veg · good | - | 4.5 |
| 16 | TruCal Milk Mineral Complex | TruCal Milk Mineral Complex | supplement · good | - | 4.3 |
| 17 | Products from processing of plants. | Vegetable By-Products | other · poor | - | 4.1 |
- 1. Dried Chicken & Turkey7.7% estimated
- 2. Rice7.5% estimated
- 3. Wholegrain Maize7.2% estimated
- 4. Dehulled Oats7.0% estimated
- 5. Poultry Fat6.8% estimated
- 6. Maize Gluten Meal6.6% estimated
- 7. Hydrolysed Chicken Protein6.3% estimated
- 8. Dried Sugar Beet Pulp6.1% estimated
- 9. Fishmeal5.9% estimated
- 10. Whole Dried Eggs5.7% estimated
- 11. Linseed5.4% estimated
- 12. Salmon Oil5.2% estimated
- 13. Potassium Chloride5.0% estimated
- 14. Sodium Chloride4.8% estimated
- 15. Chicory FOS4.5% estimated
- 16. TruCal Milk Mineral Complex4.3% estimated
- 17. Products from processing of plants.4.1% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-10-07
Brand and contact: Gain
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-10-07
- 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 a total score of 50 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +3.7 points to the score. However, the processing format reduced the score by -6.7. Furthermore, ingredients without printed percentages subtracted -5.5, and the carbohydrate content contributed -3.9 to the calculation.
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 | 0.4 | 9.191 | +3.69 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 29.4% | 0.096 | +2.82 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 34.0% | -0.115 | -3.91 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 8.7% | -0.092 | -0.80 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 3.6% | -0.005 | -0.02 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 3.0% | 0.163 | +0.49 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 3.7% | -0.012 | -0.04 |
| Other share of dry matter | 1.5% | -0.375 | -0.55 |
| Recipe graded poor | 9.8% | -0.065 | -0.64 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.876 | -2.63 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 4.3% | 0.060 | +0.26 |
| Undeclared quantities | 51.7% | -0.106 | -5.46 |
| Additive penalty | -3.69 | 0.222 | -0.82 |
| 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 | 0.4 | 9.191 | +3.69 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 29.4% | 0.096 | +2.82 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 34.0% | -0.115 | -3.91 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 8.7% | -0.092 | -0.80 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 3.6% | -0.005 | -0.02 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 3.0% | 0.163 | +0.49 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 3.7% | -0.012 | -0.04 |
| Other share of dry matter | 1.5% | -0.375 | -0.55 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 9.8% | -0.065 | -0.64 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.876 | -2.63 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 4.3% | 0.060 | +0.26 |
| Undeclared quantities | 51.7% | -0.106 | -5.46 |
| 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) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| 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 | -3.69 | 0.222 | -0.82 |
| 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
- 49.7
- Final score
- 50/100
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 puppies and growth. 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.
Scored against FEDIAF growth minima; puppy scoring is under review; Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 29 | 32 | 100 |
| Fat | 16 | 17.7 | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.4 | 1.5 | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 1 | 1.1 | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.4 | 1.4 | 100 |
| 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, omega-3 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 6 declared nutrients (combined weight 80); 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 (48.3% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 9.7/20 |
| 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.
100/100 · moderate — 1 checkable claim: 1 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "Extra Protein & Energy – Contains high levels of top quality Protein & Fat, required by fast-growing small-breed puppies" — supported by the declared high protein data.
6 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Moderate: every checkable claim is consistent with the declared label.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced Palatability – Small kibble size with extra meat juices for fussy eaters (on page) | Functional | 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 *(Chelated Minerals for increased absorption) (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Good Digestion – Contains soluble fibres plus Prebiotic FOS, for small dry stools with reduced odour (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Skin, Coat, Brain & Vision – Scientifically balanced with the optimum Omega-3* to Omega-6 ratio *(extra Omega-3 fatty acids added) (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Extra Protein & Energy – Contains high levels of top quality Protein & Fat, required by fast-growing small-breed puppies (on page) | High/low level | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Dried Chicken & Turkey (min 28%) (on pack) | Content | not checkable | 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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