Our verdict
Is Gilpa Silver with beef and vegetables a good dog food?
We score it 44/100 (Poor). The main reasons are set out in "Why you might not" below, and every step of the calculation is shown under "How we calculated this score".
Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with wheat, meat meal and beef as the main ingredients.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
85% 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
- Doesn't list turkey, lamb, fish, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids beef: the label lists beef
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists wheat
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
- You need more protein than this: 18.0% on a dry-matter basis is in the low band
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 18% · Fat 6%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18% |
| Fat | 6% |
| Fibre | 2.50% |
| Ash | 7% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
Our pack provides full instructions on how to change over and feed to condition, but our food can be fed dry or with water or gravy as preferred. Small Dogs Adult size in kilograms: Under 10kg Working Terrier, e.g. Jack Russell, Border Terrier Feeding amount per day: Up to 200g (can be given in one or more meals) Medium Dogs Adult size in kilograms: 10-20kg Working Gun Dog, e.g. Springer Spaniel, Border Collie Feeding amount per day: 200-370g (can be given in one or more meals) Large Dogs Adult size in kilograms: 20-45kg Working Gun Dog, e.g. Labrador, Greyhound Feeding amount per day: 370-680g (can be given in one or more meals) Giant Dogs Adult size in kilograms: Over 45kg Working Rescue Dog, e.g.
No additives recorded yet.
Ingredients (10)85% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 34.0%
- veg 24.4%
- supplement 17.0%
- carb 13.6%
- oil 11.1%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheat | Wheat | carb · poor | - | 13.6 |
| 2 | meat meal | Meat Meal | meat · medium | - | 12.8 |
| 3 | 11% beef | Beef | meat · medium | 11 | 11.0 |
| 4 | vegetables | Vegetables | veg · medium | - | 11.9 |
| 5 | 4% peas | Peas | veg · good | 4 | 4.0 |
| 6 | chicken fat | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | - | 11.1 |
| 7 | chicken gravy | Chicken | meat · medium | - | 10.2 |
| 8 | minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 9.3 |
| 9 | linseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 8.5 |
| 10 | yucca extract | Yucca Schidigera | supplement · good | - | 7.7 |
- 1. Wheat13.6% estimated
- 2. meat meal12.8% estimated
- 3. 11% beef11% declared11.0% estimated
- 4. vegetables11.9% estimated
- 5. 4% peas4% declared4.0% estimated
- 6. chicken fat11.1% estimated
- 7. chicken gravy10.2% estimated
- 8. minerals9.3% estimated
- 9. linseed8.5% estimated
- 10. yucca extract7.7% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-14
Brand and contact: Gilpa
- Website
- https://www.gilpa.co.uk/
- [email protected]
- Phone
- +44 (0)1707 367900
- Address
- Gilbertson & Page Limited, 45-55 Brownfields, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 1AN
- Contact page
- www.gilpa.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.gilpa.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 recipe achieves a final score of 44 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list added +3.4 points. However, ingredients without printed percentages reduced the score by -9. Additionally, the processing format deducted -6.7 and the carbohydrate content contributed -2.1.
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 | +3.43 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 4.8% | 0.096 | +0.46 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 18.6% | -0.115 | -2.14 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 17.0% | -0.092 | -1.57 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 15.6% | -0.005 | -0.08 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 24.4% | -0.012 | -0.30 |
| Recipe graded poor | 13.6% | -0.065 | -0.88 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 13.6% | 0.060 | +0.82 |
| Undeclared quantities | 85.0% | -0.106 | -8.97 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| 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 | +3.43 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 4.8% | 0.096 | +0.46 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 18.6% | -0.115 | -2.14 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 17.0% | -0.092 | -1.57 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 15.6% | -0.005 | -0.08 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 24.4% | -0.012 | -0.30 |
| 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 | 13.6% | -0.065 | -0.88 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 13.6% | 0.060 | +0.82 |
| Undeclared quantities | 85.0% | -0.106 | -8.97 |
| 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) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| 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
- 44.1
- Final score
- 44/100
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 | 18 | 19.9 (band 18 to 40%) | 75.2 |
| Fat | 6 | 6.6 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 74.7 |
| Fibre | 2.5 | 2.8 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
Scored over 3 declared nutrients (combined weight 50); 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 (15% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 3/20 |
| 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) | 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, 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
- "Dr. John Silver with beef is a complete recipe designed to provide low levels of protein, fat and energy for less active adults & senior working dogs." — supported by the declared low protein data.
3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| wholegrain base providing slow-releasing carbohydrates to keep energy levels even througout the day and ensure dogs are satisfied with their meal all day every day (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| With selected antioxidants to support a healthy immune system and ingredients for healthy bones and joints (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Dr. John Silver with beef is a complete recipe designed to provide low levels of protein, fat and energy for less active adults & senior working dogs. (on page) | High/low level | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| no added artificial colours, flavours or sugars as standard (on page) | Free-from | 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 Silver with beef and vegetables
Similar on ingredients, protein, format or nutrition, using the same stored data.
Community0 comments
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share how this went down with your dog.