Symply Light / Senior Chicken Dry Dog Food
Dry Extruded · completeHigh meatClear label
Our verdict
Is Symply Light / Senior Chicken Dry Dog Food a good dog food?
We score it 66/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for senior dogs, with chicken, dried chicken protein and chicken oil and fat as the main ingredients.
26% 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 senior dogs
- 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
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists oat groats
- 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 23% · Fat 10.50%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 23% |
| Fat | 10.50% |
| Fibre | 4% |
| Ash | 7% |
| Moisture | 8% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.28% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 1.90% |
| Calcium | 1.30% |
| Phosphorus | 0.80% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
Store in a cool dry place.
Feeding guide
Introduce gradually over 1 week. If your dog looks overweight reduce food intake by 10%. If your dog looks underweight increase food intake by 10%. Always ensure that fresh, clean drinking water is available.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 15,000 iu; Vitamin D3 1,200 iu; Vitamin E (as alpha tocopherol) 150 mg; Zinc (Zinc Oxide) 90 mg; Zinc (Zinc Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 45 mg; Copper (Copper (II) Sulphate Pentahydrate) 10 mg; Iodine (Calcium Iodate, Anhydrous) 2 mg; Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.2 mg
Technological additives
Natural antioxidants (mixed tocopherols)
Ingredients (21)26% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 45.3%
- carb 34.1%
- veg 18.7%
- oil 1.8%
- supplement 0.0%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fresh Chicken 26% | Chicken | meat · medium | 26 | 26.0 |
| 2 | Dried Chicken 15.5% | Dried chicken protein | meat · good | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| 3 | Chicken Gravy 1.6% | Chicken | meat · medium | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| 4 | Chicken Fat 1% | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | 1 | 1.0 |
| 5 | Sweet Potato (18%) | Sweet Potatoes | carb · good | 18 | 18.0 |
| 6 | Whole Oats | Oat Groats | carb · good | - | 2.6 |
| 7 | Potato (11%) | Potatoes | carb · medium | 11 | 11.0 |
| 8 | Pea Starch | Pea Starch | carb · poor | - | 2.5 |
| 9 | Peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 2.4 |
| 10 | Alfalfa | Alfalfa | veg · good | - | 2.3 |
| 11 | Salmon Oil (0.8%) | Salmon Oil | oil · good | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| 12 | Whole Egg | Egg | meat · good | - | 2.2 |
| 13 | Cranberry | Cranberries | veg · good | - | 2.1 |
| 14 | Carrot | Carrots | veg · good | - | 2.0 |
| 15 | Apple | Apples | veg · good | - | 1.9 |
| 16 | Broccoli | Broccoli | veg · good | - | 1.8 |
| 17 | Marigold Flower | Calendula | veg · good | - | 1.7 |
| 18 | Bilberry | Bilberries | veg · good | - | 1.6 |
| 19 | Spinach | Spinach | veg · good | - | 1.5 |
| 20 | Prebiotics - Fructooligosaccharides (0.04%) | Prebiotics | supplement · good | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| 21 | Peppermint | Peppermint | veg · good | - | 1.4 |
- 1. Fresh Chicken 26%26% declared26.0% estimated
- 2. Dried Chicken 15.5%15.5% declared15.5% estimated
- 3. Chicken Gravy 1.6%1.6% declared1.6% estimated
- 4. Chicken Fat 1%1% declared1.0% estimated
- 5. Sweet Potato (18%)18% declared18.0% estimated
- 6. Whole Oats2.6% estimated
- 7. Potato (11%)11% declared11.0% estimated
- 8. Pea Starch2.5% estimated
- 9. Peas2.4% estimated
- 10. Alfalfa2.3% estimated
- 11. Salmon Oil (0.8%)0.8% declared0.8% estimated
- 12. Whole Egg2.2% estimated
- 13. Cranberry2.1% estimated
- 14. Carrot2.0% estimated
- 15. Apple1.9% estimated
- 16. Broccoli1.8% estimated
- 17. Marigold Flower1.7% estimated
- 18. Bilberry1.6% estimated
- 19. Spinach1.5% estimated
- 20. Prebiotics - Fructooligosaccharides (0.04%)0.04% declared0.04% estimated
- 21. Peppermint1.4% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-13
Brand and contact: Symply
- Website
- https://symplypets.com/
- [email protected]
- Phone
- 01494 775 222
- Address
- Symply Pet Foods Ltd Thomas Road Wooburn Green Buckinghamshire HP10 0PE
- Contact page
- www.symplypetfoods.co.uk
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-13
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- symplypets.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 66 out of 100. The processing format contributed -6.7 to the overall score, while the carbohydrate content added -3.5. On the positive side, the overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +6, and the meat content added +5.4.
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 | +6.02 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 56.0% | 0.096 | +5.38 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 30.4% | -0.115 | -3.50 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 4.6% | -0.092 | -0.42 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.3% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Recipe graded poor | 2.5% | -0.065 | -0.16 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 2.5% | 0.060 | +0.15 |
| Undeclared quantities | 26.1% | -0.106 | -2.75 |
| 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 | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.02 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 56.0% | 0.096 | +5.38 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 30.4% | -0.115 | -3.50 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 4.6% | -0.092 | -0.42 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.3% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 0.1% | -0.012 | -0.00 |
| 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 | 2.5% | -0.065 | -0.16 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 2.5% | 0.060 | +0.15 |
| Undeclared quantities | 26.1% | -0.106 | -2.75 |
| 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
- 66.1
- Final score
- 66/100
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 | 23 | 25 (band 18 to 40%) | 89.1 |
| Fat | 10.5 | 11.4 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 94.5 |
| Fibre | 4 | 4.3 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.3 | 1.4 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 97.4 |
| Phosphorus | 0.8 | 0.9 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 93.5 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.6 | 1.6 (band 1 to 2%) | 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). 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.
Declared fortification: 8 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A 15,000 iu
- Vitamin D3 1,200 iu
- Vitamin E (as alpha tocopherol) 150 mg
- Zinc (Zinc Oxide) 90 mg
- Zinc (Zinc Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate) 45 mg
- Copper (Copper (II) Sulphate Pentahydrate) 10 mg
- Iodine (Calcium Iodate, Anhydrous) 2 mg
- Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.2 mg
Medium confidence: the full five-part analysis is on file; where moisture was not declared it was 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 (73.9% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 14.8/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) | 15/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| 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 (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.
50/100 · limited — 2 checkable claims: 1 consistent, 1 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "Wheat and gluten-free Our hypoallergenic recipe uses oats, which won't trigger any wheat or gluten allergies" — the declared label says otherwise on grain-free.
Consistent with the label
- "A complete and balanced food for Overweight or Senior Dogs" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omega oils for skin & coat Excellent levels of Omega 3 and 6 to help maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Kind on delicate tummies Made using ingredients that are easy to digest plus prebiotics for healthy digestion (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Delicious fresh chicken A tasty and highly digestible protein source (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Wheat and gluten-free Our hypoallergenic recipe uses oats, which won't trigger any wheat or gluten allergies (on page) | Free-from | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| A complete and balanced food for Overweight or Senior Dogs (on page) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
Alternatives to Light / Senior Chicken Dry Dog Food
Similar on ingredients, protein, format or nutrition, using the same stored data.
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