Our verdict
Is Gentle Original a good dog food?
We score it 65/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete cold-pressed dry food for dogs of all life stages, with chicken, rice and duck as the main ingredients.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
30% 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 all lifestages
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists green-lipped mussel
- Your dog avoids duck: the label lists duck
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - brown / whole grain
- 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 26.80% · Fat 10.80%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 26.80% |
| Fat | 10.80% |
| Fibre | 3% |
| Ash | 6.80% |
| Calcium | 1.25% |
| Phosphorus | 1% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
Shelf life 10-12 months.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 10000 IU; Vitamin D3 1000 IU; Vitamin E 210 mg; Vitamin B1 3.5 mg; Vitamin B2 7.0 mg; Vitamin B6 4.2 mg; Vitamin B12 42 µg; Biotin 210 µg; Folic Acid 0.35 mg; Niacin 21 mg; Vitamin C 140 mg; Calcium-D-Pantothenate 7 mg; Choline Chloride 2000 mg; Copper 16 mg; Manganese 52 mg; Zinc 62.5 mg; Iodine 0.3 mg; Selenium 150 mcg
Ingredients (24)30% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 38.0%
- carb 27.2%
- supplement 13.4%
- oil 12.5%
- veg 7.5%
- mineral 1.4%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dried Ground Chicken Meat (28%) | Chicken | meat · medium | 28 | 28.0 |
| 2 | Brown Rice | Rice - brown / whole grain | carb · medium | - | 17.2 |
| 3 | Dried Ground Duck Meat (9%) | Duck | meat · medium | 9 | 9.0 |
| 4 | Herring Oil (6.5%) | Herring Oil | oil · good | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 5 | Maize Germ (5%) | Maize germ | carb · good | 5 | 5.0 |
| 6 | Rice Germ (5%) | Rice germ | carb · good | 5 | 5.0 |
| 7 | Rapeseed Oil (3%) | Rapeseed oil | oil · good | 3 | 3.0 |
| 8 | Linseed Oil (3%) | Linseed oil | oil · good | 3 | 3.0 |
| 9 | Beet Vulgaris (3%) | Beetroot | veg · good | 3 | 3.0 |
| 10 | Sea Algae (2%) | Seaweed | veg · good | 2 | 2.0 |
| 11 | 0.3% parsnip | Parsnips | veg · good | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| 12 | 0.3% chard | Chard | veg · good | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| 13 | 0.3% celery | Celery Seeds | veg · good | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| 14 | 0.3% chicory | Chicory | veg · good | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| 15 | 0.3% parsley roots | Parsley Root | veg · good | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| 16 | 0.25% stinging nettle | Nettles | veg · good | 0.25 | 0.3 |
| 17 | 0.25% fennel | Fennel | veg · good | 0.25 | 0.3 |
| 18 | 0.25% caraway | Caraway | veg · good | 0.25 | 0.3 |
| 19 | 0.25% chamomile | Chamomile | veg · good | 0.25 | 0.3 |
| 20 | Dried Egg Yolk (1%) | Dried Egg | meat · medium | 1 | 1.0 |
| 21 | Yucca Schidigera | Yucca Schidigera | supplement · good | - | 12.9 |
| 22 | Silica (0.8%) | Silica | mineral · medium | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| 23 | Green Mineral Clay (0.6%) | Green Mineral Clay | mineral · medium | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| 24 | Green Lipped Mussel Meat (0.5%) | Green-Lipped Mussel | supplement · good | 0.5 | 0.5 |
- 1. Dried Ground Chicken Meat (28%)28% declared28.0% estimated
- 2. Brown Rice17.2% estimated
- 3. Dried Ground Duck Meat (9%)9% declared9.0% estimated
- 4. Herring Oil (6.5%)6.5% declared6.5% estimated
- 5. Maize Germ (5%)5% declared5.0% estimated
- 6. Rice Germ (5%)5% declared5.0% estimated
- 7. Rapeseed Oil (3%)3% declared3.0% estimated
- 8. Linseed Oil (3%)3% declared3.0% estimated
- 9. Beet Vulgaris (3%)3% declared3.0% estimated
- 10. Sea Algae (2%)2% declared2.0% estimated
- 11. 0.3% parsnip0.3% declared0.3% estimated
- 12. 0.3% chard0.3% declared0.3% estimated
- 13. 0.3% celery0.3% declared0.3% estimated
- 14. 0.3% chicory0.3% declared0.3% estimated
- 15. 0.3% parsley roots0.3% declared0.3% estimated
- 16. 0.25% stinging nettle0.25% declared0.3% estimated
- 17. 0.25% fennel0.25% declared0.3% estimated
- 18. 0.25% caraway0.25% declared0.3% estimated
- 19. 0.25% chamomile0.25% declared0.3% estimated
- 20. Dried Egg Yolk (1%)1% declared1.0% estimated
- 21. Yucca Schidigera12.9% estimated
- 22. Silica (0.8%)0.8% declared0.8% estimated
- 23. Green Mineral Clay (0.6%)0.6% declared0.6% estimated
- 24. Green Lipped Mussel Meat (0.5%)0.5% declared0.5% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-14
Brand and contact: Gentle
- [email protected]
- Phone
- 01409 251063
- Address
- Cardiff Rd, Dinas Powys, CF64 4JS
- Contact page
- www.gentledogfood.co.uk
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-14
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.gentledogfood.co.uk
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 product scores 65 out of 100. The processing format contributed -6.7 points, while the overall quality of the ingredient list added +6.5. The meat content gave a further boost of +3.8. Ingredients without printed percentages held the score back by -3.2.
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 | +6.49 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 39.9% | 0.096 | +3.83 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 27.3% | -0.115 | -3.15 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 14.1% | -0.092 | -1.30 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 3.0% | -0.005 | -0.02 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 14.1% | -0.012 | -0.17 |
| Undeclared quantities | 30.1% | -0.106 | -3.18 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 33.786 | +33.79 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | 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 | +6.49 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 39.9% | 0.096 | +3.83 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 27.3% | -0.115 | -3.15 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 14.1% | -0.092 | -1.30 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 3.0% | -0.005 | -0.02 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 14.1% | -0.012 | -0.17 |
| 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 | 30.1% | -0.106 | -3.18 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| 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 | 1.00 | 33.786 | +33.79 |
| 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 | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| 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
- Additives declared on label
- +1 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 64.5
- Final score
- 65/100
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 | 26.8 | 29.2 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 10.8 | 11.8 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 96 |
| Fibre | 3 | 3.3 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.25 | 1.4 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 95.9 |
| Phosphorus | 1 | 1.1 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.3 | 1.3 (band 1 to 2%) | 85 |
Scored over 6 declared nutrients (combined weight 80); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 8.3% from the food type.
Declared fortification: 18 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A 10000 IU
- Vitamin D3 1000 IU
- Vitamin E 210 mg
- Vitamin B1 3.5 mg
- Vitamin B2 7.0 mg
- Vitamin B6 4.2 mg
- Vitamin B12 42 µg
- Biotin 210 µg
- Folic Acid 0.35 mg
- Niacin 21 mg
- Vitamin C 140 mg
- Calcium-D-Pantothenate 7 mg
- Choline Chloride 2000 mg
- Copper 16 mg
- Manganese 52 mg
- Zinc 62.5 mg
- Iodine 0.3 mg
- Selenium 150 mcg
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 (69.9% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 14/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| 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, Feeding guidance given, 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
- "Natural complete dog food" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural complete dog food (on page) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| GM, chemical additive and preservative free (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Made from mainly Chicken, Rice and Duck, this product has a high quality meat content (on page) | High/low level | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
Alternatives to Original
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