Our verdict
Is Skinner's Flying Start a good dog food?
We score it 64/100 (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 meat meal, chicken and sweet potatoes as the main ingredients.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
49% 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
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, lamb, fish, 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
- 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 30% · Fat 18%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30% |
| Fat | 18% |
| Fibre | 3.50% |
| Ash | 8.50% |
Energy: 378 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
Feed dry or add a little water, and always be sure your dog has plenty of fresh water to drink. Suitable for puppies from weaning onwards, pregnant and lactating bitches, and young dogs until ready to move onto an adult diet (usually 12-18 months).
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 15000iu/kg; Vitamin D3 2000iu/kg; Vitamin E (all rac-alpha-tocopherol acetate) 400mg/kg; Iron (iron (II) sulphate monohydrate) 26.7mg/kg; Iron (iron (II) chelate of protein hydrolysates) 13.3mg/kg; Iodine (calcium iodate anhydrous) 1.5mg/kg; Copper (copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate) 3.3mg/kg; Copper (copper (II) chelate of protein hydrolysates) 1.7mg/kg; Manganese (manganese (II) oxide) 16.7mg/kg; Manganese (manganese chelate of protein hydrolysates) 8.3mg/kg; Zinc (zinc oxide) 100mg/kg; Zinc (zinc chelate of protein hydrolysates) 30mg/kg; Selenium (organic selenium) 0.1mg/kg
Technological additives
Clinoptilolite clay 4000mg/kg; Tocopherol extracts of vegetable oils 45mg/kg
Ingredients (21)49% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 32.5%
- carb 27.8%
- veg 17.5%
- supplement 8.8%
- fibre 7.6%
- oil 5.8%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poultry meat meal | Meat Meal | meat · medium | - | 5.3 |
| 2 | 28.5% chicken 28.5% | Chicken | meat · medium | 28.5 | 28.5 |
| 3 | Sweet potato chips 17% | Sweet Potatoes | carb · good | 17 | 17.0 |
| 4 | Poultry fat | Poultry Fat | oil · medium | - | 5.1 |
| 5 | Potato flake | Potatoes | carb · medium | - | 4.9 |
| 6 | Pea protein | Pea protein | carb · medium | - | 4.7 |
| 7 | Brewer's yeast | Brewer's Yeast | supplement · good | - | 4.4 |
| 8 | Whole linseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 4.2 |
| 9 | Beet pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 4.0 |
| 10 | Peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 3.8 |
| 11 | Dried egg | Dried Egg | meat · medium | - | 3.6 |
| 12 | Vitamins & minerals | Vitamin | supplement · good | - | 3.3 |
| 13 | Carrots 1.2% | Carrots | veg · good | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| 14 | Apple 1.2% | Apples | veg · good | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| 15 | Parsnips 1.2% | Parsnips | veg · good | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| 16 | Marine algae meal | Seaweed | veg · good | - | 3.1 |
| 17 | Cellulose | Cellulose | fibre · medium | - | 2.9 |
| 18 | Kale 0.5% | Kale | veg · good | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 19 | Broccoli 0.5% | Broccoli | veg · good | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 20 | Spinach 0.5% | Spinach | veg · good | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 21 | Yeast (source of beta-glucan) 0.1% | Yeast | supplement · good | 0.1 | 0.1 |
- 1. Poultry meat meal5.3% estimated
- 2. 28.5% chicken 28.5%28.5% declared28.5% estimated
- 3. Sweet potato chips 17%17% declared17.0% estimated
- 4. Poultry fat5.1% estimated
- 5. Potato flake4.9% estimated
- 6. Pea protein4.7% estimated
- 7. Brewer's yeast4.4% estimated
- 8. Whole linseed4.2% estimated
- 9. Beet pulp4.0% estimated
- 10. Peas3.8% estimated
- 11. Dried egg3.6% estimated
- 12. Vitamins & minerals3.3% estimated
- 13. Carrots 1.2%1.2% declared1.2% estimated
- 14. Apple 1.2%1.2% declared1.2% estimated
- 15. Parsnips 1.2%1.2% declared1.2% estimated
- 16. Marine algae meal3.1% estimated
- 17. Cellulose2.9% estimated
- 18. Kale 0.5%0.5% declared0.5% estimated
- 19. Broccoli 0.5%0.5% declared0.5% estimated
- 20. Spinach 0.5%0.5% declared0.5% estimated
- 21. Yeast (source of beta-glucan) 0.1%0.1% declared0.1% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-08-30
Brand and contact: Skinner's
- Website
- https://www.skinners.co.uk/
- Contact page
- www.skinners.co.uk
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-08-30
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.skinners.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 an overall score of 64 out of 100 based on several key factors. The meat content contributed +3.6 points, while the overall quality of the ingredient list added +5.9 points. However, the processing format reduced the score by -6.7 points, and ingredients without printed percentages resulted in a deduction of -5.2 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 | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.90 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 37.7% | 0.096 | +3.62 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 14.8% | -0.115 | -1.70 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 8.2% | -0.092 | -0.76 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 12.6% | -0.005 | -0.06 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 11.6% | -0.012 | -0.14 |
| Undeclared quantities | 49.3% | -0.106 | -5.21 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| 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 | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.90 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 37.7% | 0.096 | +3.62 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 14.8% | -0.115 | -1.70 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 8.2% | -0.092 | -0.76 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 12.6% | -0.005 | -0.06 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 11.6% | -0.012 | -0.14 |
| 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 | 49.3% | -0.106 | -5.21 |
| 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 | 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
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 64.0
- Final score
- 64/100
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.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 30 | 33.1 | 100 |
| Fat | 18 | 19.9 | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 378 | 417.7 | 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.
Declared fortification: 13 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A 15000iu/kg
- Vitamin D3 2000iu/kg
- Vitamin E (all rac-alpha-tocopherol acetate) 400mg/kg
- Iron (iron (II) sulphate monohydrate) 26.7mg/kg
- Iron (iron (II) chelate of protein hydrolysates) 13.3mg/kg
- Iodine (calcium iodate anhydrous) 1.5mg/kg
- Copper (copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate) 3.3mg/kg
- Copper (copper (II) chelate of protein hydrolysates) 1.7mg/kg
- Manganese (manganese (II) oxide) 16.7mg/kg
- Manganese (manganese chelate of protein hydrolysates) 8.3mg/kg
- Zinc (zinc oxide) 100mg/kg
- Zinc (zinc chelate of protein hydrolysates) 30mg/kg
- Selenium (organic selenium) 0.1mg/kg
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 (50.7% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 10.1/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) | 5/5 |
| 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, 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 · strong — 3 checkable claims: 3 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "COMPLETE NUTRITION" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
- "With no grains or gluten, it’s perfectly balanced for puppies with sensitivities." — supported by the declared grain-free data.
- "GRAIN-FREE RECIPE" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
9 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Strong: at least three checkable claims, all consistent with the declared label, and no compliance cap.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUPPORTS JOINTS & MUSCLES (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| BOOSTS IMMUNITY (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Complete and balanced, to support growing bodies and brains, with vitamins and minerals to maintain healthy hearts. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Protein-packed chicken is tasty, easy to digest and a natural source of omega-6 to promote healthy skin and coats. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Contains yeast as a source of both beta-glucans and nucleotides. (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| PACKED WITH SUPERFOODS (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| COMPLETE NUTRITION (on page) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| With no grains or gluten, it’s perfectly balanced for puppies with sensitivities. (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Antioxidant-rich fruit and veg, including sweet potato and blueberries, add fibre, vitamins and heaps of nutrients. (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| NUTRIENT-RICH (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| GRAIN-FREE RECIPE (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| made with British chicken & sweet potato plus a superfood boost of broccoli, kale, spinach, cranberries and fennel (on page) | 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.
Alternatives to Flying Start
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.