Purina Veterinary Diets EN (Dry)

by Mike Sagman
Share

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Purina Veterinary Diets EN dry dog food is not rated due to its intentional therapeutic design.

Purina Veterinary Diets EN gastroenteric dry dog food is designed to “help nutritionally manage stress related diarrhea in dogs”.1

Purina claims this EN dry dog food meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth and maintenance.

Purina Veterinary Diets EN

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 26% | Fat = 12% | Carbs = 54%

Ingredients: Brewers rice, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, chicken meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of vitamin E), coconut oil, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, wheat bran, animal digest, potassium chloride, l-lysine monohydrochloride, sodium bicarbonate, salt, fish oil, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, dried colostrum, choline chloride, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), manganese proteinate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, copper proteinate, vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), sodium selenite

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2.3%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient Content
MethodProteinFatCarbs
Guaranteed Analysis23%11%NA
Dry Matter Basis26%12%54%
Calorie Weighted Basis24%27%50%

The first ingredient in this dog food is brewers rice. Brewers rice is a cereal grain by-product consisting of the small fragments left over after milling whole rice. Aside from the caloric energy it contains, this item is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The second ingredient is corn gluten meal. Gluten is the rubbery residue remaining once corn has had most of its starchy carbohydrate washed out of it.

Compared to meat, glutens are inferior grain-based proteins lower in some of the essential amino acids dogs need for life.

This inexpensive plant-based ingredient can significantly boost the total protein reported on the label — a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

The third ingredient is corn. Corn is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain. And aside from its energy content, this grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

For this reason, we do not consider corn a preferred component in any dog food.

The fourth ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The fifth ingredient is animal fat. Animal fat is a generic by-product of rendering, the same high-temperature process used to make meat meals.

Since there’s no mention of a specific animal, this item could come from almost anywhere: roadkill, spoiled supermarket meat, dead, diseased or dying cattle — even euthanized livestock.

For this reason, we do not consider generic animal fat a quality ingredient.

The sixth ingredient is coconut oil. Depending upon the quality of the raw material, coconut oil is rich in medium chain fatty acids.

Coconut oil has been reported to have a beneficial effect on a dog’s skin and coat, improve digestion, and reduce allergic reactions.2

The seventh ingredient is calcium phosphate, a nutritional supplement used as a source of both calcium and phosphorous.

The eighth ingredient is calcium carbonate, possibly used here as another dietary mineral supplement.

The ninth ingredient is wheat bran. Wheat bran is made from the tough outer layer of a wheat kernel. Brans are especially rich in dietary fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.

The tenth ingredient is animal digest. Animal digest is a chemically hydrolyzed mixture of animal by-products that is usually sprayed onto the surface of a dry kibble to improve its taste.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.

With four notable exceptions…

First, garlic oil may be a controversial item. We say “may be” here because we are not certain of the oil’s chemical relationship to raw garlic itself.

Although most experts favor the ingredient for its numerous health benefits, garlic (in rare cases) has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs.3

However, the limited professional literature we surveyed provided no definitive warnings regarding the use of garlic — especially when used in small amounts (as it likely is here).

Next, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.

Thirdly, this food also contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

And lastly, this Purina Veterinary product contains menadione, a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.

Since vitamin K isn’t required by AAFCO in either of its dog food nutrient profiles, we question the use of this substance in any canine formulation.

Purina Veterinary Diets EN Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Even though this is a prescription product, our review has nothing to do with the accuracy of claims made by the manufacturer as to the product’s ability to treat or cure a specific health condition.

So, to find out whether or not this dog food is appropriate for your particular pet, you must consult your veterinarian.

With that understanding…

Judging by its ingredients alone, Purina Veterinary Diets EN looks to be an average dry dog food.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still prefer to estimate the product’s meat content before concluding our report.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 26%, a fat level of 12% and estimated carbohydrates of about 54%.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 46%.

Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

In addition, when you consider the plant-based protein-boosting effect of the corn gluten meal, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing only a modest amount of meat.

However, it’s unfortunate the company chose to include menadione in its recipes. Without this controversial supplement and minus the corn gluten meal, we would have been compelled to award this brand our next higher rating.

Bottom line?

Purina Veterinary Diets EN is a plant-based dry dog food using only a modest amount of chicken meal as its main source of animal protein.

However, due to its intended therapeutic design, this dog food is not rated.

Special Alert

Rice ingredients can sometimes contain arsenic. Until the US FDA establishes safe upper levels for arsenic content, pet owners may wish to limit the total amount of rice fed in a dog's daily diet.

A Final Word

The descriptions and analyses expressed in this and every article on this website represent the views and opinions of the author.

Although it's our goal to ensure all the information on this website is correct, we cannot guarantee its completeness or its accuracy; nor can we commit to ensuring all the material is kept up-to-date on a daily basis.

Each review is offered in good faith and has been designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food.

However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyze each product, please read our article, "The Problem with Dog Food Reviews".

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt, consult a qualified veterinary professional for help.

In closing, we do not accept money, gifts or samples from pet food companies in exchange for special consideration in the preparation of our reviews or ratings.

To learn how we support the cost of operating this website, please visit our public Disclosure and Disclaimer page.

Have an opinion about this dog food? Or maybe the review itself? Please know we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

02/01/2011 Original review
11/09/2012 Last Update

  1. Purina Veterinary Diets website ↩
  2. Dr. Bruce Fife, Healthy Ways Newsletter, Vol 4:3 ↩
  3. Yamato et al, Heinz Body hemolytic anemia with eccentrocytosis from ingestion of Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) and garlic (Allium sativum) in a dog, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 41:68-73 (2005) ↩
Tagged as: , , , , , , ,
  • Kae Mae

    Unfortunately, my puppy’s stomach issues were related to his BB puppy formula. He was sick for a month without us knowing the cause, but once he was put on this food and yogurt it cleared up. We will be looking for a simiiar formula here shortly that doesn’t include the controversial ingrediants, but in the long run I’m happy we found the cause of his isses whether it be an allergy or an intolerence to to BB.

  • Bec

    My dog had pancreatitis, and my vet put him on Purina EN. I didn’t read the list of ingredients until I got home and was quite concerned. I called him, and we talked about it. He said he’d had great success with the food, so I decided to let my dog eat it until the 6-pound bag is gone. He’s been on it for 8 days now and is doing much better, but I have no intention of keeping him on this food. I don’t think these ingredients can possibly be healthy for him longterm. Today, I bought a bag of 4Health Healthy Weight, with 20 percent protein and only 8 percent fat. It has no corn, wheat or soy and is sold only at Tractor Supply. I’ll also be very careful of any treats he gets. In fact, I intend to start making them myself. I don’t anyone who loves their dog should feed this food any longer than it takes the pancreatitis to clear up.

  • quentin

    My dog was on pedigree denta dog treats. & it made
    Her sick. She had to go to the vet & he put her on EN
    Purina dogfood. She loves it. We also buy the EN canned
    Food. She is better now

  • LabsRawesome

    Now that your dog is all better you should move on to a food with better ingredients. Here is a list of low fat foods. http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/suggested-low-fat-dog-food/

  • Pattyvaughn

    Yes EN should have done the trick a year ago when your dog got pancreatitis, but if it has had any trouble since then the EN isn’t working, and if it wasn’t having problems, you can usually move back to a more normal low fat food. You shouldn’t have to keep your dog on EN.

  • Bill

    EN dry appears to have cured my dog’s severe pancreatitis for the past year.

  • jac

    Have none of you read the label of this kibble? Its all garbage you shouldn’t feed any animal, especially your family pet! They cannot rate it because “it claims” its for intestinal problems. Blue Buffalo, amongst many others, do not use crap ingredients and are much more healthy for your pet. Gee, how many Vets get endorsed or kickbacks for promoting this crap!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1140685339 Betsy Greer

    Hi Satsobuddycream,

    There are significantly better foods that are more affordable than your dog’s current prescription diet.

    How long has your dog been on this food and why was it prescribed in the first place?

  • Satsopbuddycream

    my golden is on en i woundering if their is a better dog food for him to be on that is also more affordable than purina en

  • Stlhseeker

     I have used this product for my german shepherd for 8 years and it works wonderful and is shipped on a five week basis from National Pet Pharmacy on line where I found it to be the least expensive .

  • Lgronvall

    A vet may strongly recommend  this brand to feed you’re dog. But as it turns out, this brand is terrible. Just because a vet, or a friend recommends this does not mean it’s manna from heaven. 

    It has terrible ingredient  first of all. Heck, meat isn’t even it’s first ingredient! (HUH? WHY AM I TYPING RED) WHATEVER. oK, TRY A BETTER BRAND. Blue Buffalo, Wellness. Those are the brands i like. They are all natural too. 

  • Big Dog Mom

    My Great Dane/German Shepard mix has been on EN since 5/2012.  This product has been a God send.  He was diagnosed with Pancreatitis and Colitis.  He enjoys this dog food and eats readily.  I mix the canned and dry, and sometimes, will wet it down just to change it up on him.  His GI problems have been under control, with only limited flare ups–when he gets ahold of something he shouldn’t have.  I have to monitor closely on walks, otherwise, he snatches what he can up and eats it.  Otherwise, he’s been perfectly healthy ever since getting on this diet. 

  • dt

    Where do you get EN for $49 for a 32lb bag?

  • Pattyvaughn

    Many people who were told by their vet that their dog had to be on a particular perscription diet have found that if they do a little researsch into what they dog needs to have vs avoid, they can feed their dog a MUCH better diet for MUCH less money. I want more for my dog than to just live. I’m glad you found something that works for you.

  • Julie C.

    You do owners of dogs with digestive (and other) problems a disservice with this kind of review, leaving many to believe that the ingredients in this food are inferior. While I would not feed it to a dog with an allergy to any of the ingredients (for instance many dogs are sensitive to corn), a quality dog food is WHAT KEEPS A DOG ALIVE and for many dogs, this food does. Many digestive diseases, especially Pancreatitis, can be fatal, and very quickly. We learn to think differently about ingredients when there is nothing else a dog can eat that doesn’t cause relapses. I happen to feed my dog a different veterinary formula but it keeps my dog alive. BTW…I do dislike the use of coconut oil in a dog with digestive problems. It aggregates digestion in many dogs. The fat content in EN would be too high for my dog (even though it is lower than many non-prescription commercial foods).

    Please don’t bother to review prescription foods if you are going to scare people away from them. ALIVE vs. DEAD? I’ll take alive.

  • Paulmacs4005

    Hi Juno’s mom,

    Not sure if you can get Now Fresh where you are, but their senior food is very close in protein and fat levels.  It is also a much better quality food.  I’m not sure what this prescription diet has in it that makes it effective, and I’m not a veterinarian, but perhaps someone else on here could give some advice as well.  You could add some canned pumpkin to help with digestion as well.  Good luck!

  • Juno’s Mom

    It’s Sunday, my vet is closed and my Great Dane, an EN eater for the last 5 years, is out of food. I’m looking for a store brand alternative so this doesn’t happen again.

  • Juno’s Mom

    I pay the same. I get it from my vet. When I moved two years ago, I looked at both vet clinics on the island where I now live. One quoted me $84 / bag and the other quoted $67 / bag (the same I paid where I used to live). The $67 / bag slowly rose and is now up to $82.

  • AZApple

    Hi Susanne,
    Some Raw people are emphatic about Raw ONLY but who knows how to balance all the micro minerals & such?? Not me!
    Some people feed raw in a.m. and kibble in p.m. so the dog is getting lotsa raw & less kibble, but the kibble presumably would help to create a “balanced” diet.
    I agree w/Melissa who suggested tripe + fish + veggies alone wouldn’t likely satisfy all your dog’s nutritional needs, so I think adding Iams would be good.
    Perhaps you feed a greater variety of stuff & didn’t take time to mention it, but, same as for humans, variety is the spice of life – and also the way to a balanced diet.
    To answer your question, I don’t think any of us can answer your question. That’s why we submit to commercial diets – so we don’t have to guess at a balanced diet for our dogs when we really don’t know what the needs of a dog are. We figure the commercial diets are the ones with access to the nutritional professionals, right?
    But then there’s the business people who try to cut every corner they can and put out crap-in-a-bag, so we’re left not knowing who to trust.
    I say “Mother Knows Best” and you may want to trust your own instincts. Ask yourself, “Hmmm, what does a dog need?” and I bet you’ll come up with “tripe, fish, veggies PLUS cones & meat of cow, deer, beef, rabbit, mole, rat, mouse, worm, LOL…!”
    What do wild dogs eat? Maybe some roots (sweet potatoes,) fruits (berries,) grasses, maybe lick on one of those clay/mud/mineral places that deer and parrots lick on? Idunno, but I do “know” (read as: “feel quite confidently certain that…”) variety is important in order to get all based covered.

  • lukeydukes

    My dog was on EN canned food after he almost died from pancreatitis. He hated it. I looked for a canned food with really low fat and ran it by the vet. She approved the Avoderm Natural Lite. After Luke’s pancreatitis settled down, we started adding EN kibble. He has been fine. I must add that he gets half a Pepcid 1/2 hour before each meal and has three small meals a day. I also add green beans to his diet. He is eating mostly kibble with just a little Avoderm and the beans.

  • Stephanie

    Just started this dog food yesterday,I don’t know about it though got the canned to mix with the dry and either the cans are old or the food is dry as shit,takes me triple the time to mix it in compared to the canned food I use to use,it should have a little liquid/moisture.

  • Mimi

    I have a Westie-Cocker mix.  He has been on EN (dry and wet) for about 5 years now.  It has been great for him.  It might not merit the best rating on this page, but he loves it and the problems were were having stopped  after starting this diet.  BTW – my little baby turned 17 years old on 4/01/12.  Every day is a treasure!

  • Hockleyglen

    All you people with chronic diarhhea issues, please have your vet test for EPI. 

  • Nicurndls

    Where are you getting your EN from?
    I pay 74-80 a bag for the 32 lb!

  • aimee

    Hi Shelby’s Mom,

    Glad you found a food that is working well with your dog. It is hard to know why it is working. It could be the protein/fat/carb/fiber ratio or because it is highly digestable.

    My own dog with GI problems is doing well on a potato based food whereas previous diets all caused problems.

    The key is to find what works for your individual pet rather than focusing too much on using or not using a particular ingredient as each ingredient has pros and cons.

    Good Luck!

  • Shelby’s Mom

    The EN food has been great for my boxer. She was initially on Merrick and had terrible stomach problems and also had issues with Orijen. I tried California Natural which was horrible and Natural Balance was ok but she still had some occasional stomach issues plus she was not thrilled with the taste of it.

    EN has really been a life saver, but I’d love to switch her to a higher quality food that could still resolve her tummy issues. Any suggestions? Also, from what I’ve read some people say lower protein and potato/grain free are good for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities, but then many of the limited ingredient foods have potato – i’m confused! What are the most important ingredients to look for or try to avoid for dogs with gastrointestinal issues?

  • X0goldie0x

    EN dog food is supposed to have a low protien content. It is only for dogs that can’t digest regular dog food.

  • Susanne

    Hi Melissa. My dog is 18 months old. I have 2 that have been fed exactly the same all the time and the other is fine. Its not that i just wanted to feed tripe and fish but what other things should i have been giving the dog? She gets veggies, etc too and was given iams on ocassion. Can someone please tell me what i should actually be feeding for a proper balanced diet? Thank you

  • melissa

    Susanne-

    How old is your dog and why just raw tripe and fish? I am not a raw feeder, but that does not sound balanced to me.

    I have used EN on many occassion as a ‘stop gap” measure and have always had success

  • Susanne

    Ok, my dog has been having a few problems with her toileting and has been getting mucous filled and fresh blood poops. Been to the vets and they are thinking she has colitis so have prescribed this food for her and i got both wet and dry to try. She has previously been fed on a raw tripe diet and different types of fish with rice. I dont particularly like feeding these dog foods but if its best for my dog then i will give it a try. Anyway, first time i gave her it was last night and she seemed to enjoy it much more than her tripe, 2nd lot this morning again she ate quite happily. Has anyone else experienced colitis and this food has helped? Im a bit worried about the menadione if it causes liver toxicity…any more info on this before i discuss with the vet as dont not want my dog to be getting clear of one problem but then getting another. Thanks

  • Eliot

    We rescued our Dalmation mix from a kill shelter 8 years ago. He had major digestive and bowel issues amongst other things. After trying almost every “sensitive” food on the market, our vet suggested EN. At $49 for a 32lb. bag of dry food it is a little pricey but the results are what anyone with a pet would hope for. (Those of you who are paying $67 are getting ripped off!) Our dog is healthy, energetic and has ZERO health issues going on almost 7 years now. I may not be thrilled with the ingredient list, but IT WORKS. From an ingredient standpoint, I agree with two stars, from a having a healthy dog standpoint, I give it five.

  • melissa

    DeborahB-

    I don’t think any one can argue that the food does not do what it is supposed to. But, I also know that not too many dogs that are otherwise young and healthy need to be on it for life-not even my colitis/IBD or pancreatitis dogs. I would recc finding something a little blander with better quality ingredients to try with your boy. How about something like California Natural …

  • DeborahB B

    My 2 yr old Golden retriever has had the Trots since he was a puppy.. EN has been a God Send !! He had loose poops all the time –we tried everything—finally I have stuck with EN and he has grown to a beautiful big boy.. Besides it working like a gem–I love the smell of the kibble

  • Rachel

    This food is actually highly digestible compared to most dog foods which is why it can be helpful for dogs with GI issues. I tried several other foods before feeding Purina EN to my dog. While his diarrhea did clear up some on the other foods, it continued to be a problem until I switched to EN.
    This food is not meant for perfectly healthy dogs; it’s meant for those with digestion issues. If your dog’s having GI problems, and your vet recommends this food, I think it’s worth a try. It’s too bad that people may read the above review and not even try it.
    Also Sandra, depending on what’s causing your dog’s abnormal stools, she shouldn’t necessarily have to stay on this food for life. I think generally they do, but many prescription diets are also for a specific disease that will continue to get worse like kidney disease.

  • Bob

    Patti W.,

    I’m sure your vet really gives a rip about this website. He/she likely has this information and more at their disposal. They’ll likely laugh after your gone as you are just another person who “read it on the internet, so it must be true.”

  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja Dog Food Ninja

    I see nothing in this food that would make it any better than any other corn-based food for a dog with digestive issues. Nes, did you try Natural Balance LID? I have had several people use NB LID for dogs with constant diarrhea with much success

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Nes… If you’re feeding this product under the advice of your vet, I’d suggest not mixing it with anything. Just follow your vet’s prescription. Good luck.

  • Nes

    I am a volunteer at a rescue. We have this one german shep dog that he has a diarhia since last November. We tried many things, like meds and food, but nothing helped so far.
    Finaly starting today, he is on strictly EN diet. Personaly I dont like the ingridients in it, but it is worth to try. If it helps we will continue , if not we will be looking for another food. I mixed the food with rice and I have been giving him pure pumpkin for dogs as treats, nothingelse. I ll keep posted if EN works for us. Thank you

  • Sandra

    I have a 9 month old Lab/Shep who for the last few days has had soft to runny bowels. I took her to the Vet and he recommended this product. I asked (the receptionist) if I could purchase it somewhere else and the answer was no, only from a licenced Vet. She asked what size bag I wanted and I asked how long my pet would have to be on the special diet food. She stated once on a prescribed diet, the dog has to stay on it for life. Mind you blood tests were taken to determine the type of suspected infection but but results have not been received yet. I’m a little skeptical about using this prescription diet indefinitely. Her problems started when I changed her food. After reading this article I am now skeptical about this particular prescription diet.

  • melissa

    pam C-
    ‘
    I am a big believer in using the prescription diets when a medical need calls for them-always have and always will. However, just as I believe in them to correct the problem, I also believe that if I can find a better quality food that does the same thing, I am going to switch to that for the long haul so to speak. I have found that Nutro venison/potatoe has worked wonderfully for dogs with sensitive stomachs to get them back on track, and eventually moving them to something else.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Pam… I’m glad to see your dog is responding well to her therapy. However, as my review here clearly states:

    “Even though this is a prescription product, we continue to limit our judgment to the estimated meat content of the recipe as well as the apparent quality of its ingredients. And nothing else.

    “Our ratings have nothing to do with the accuracy of claims made by the manufacturer as to this product’s ability to effectively treat or cure a specific health condition.

    “So, to find out whether or not this dog food is appropriate for your particular pet, you must consult your veterinarian.”

    This Purina veterinary product may be only 2 stars to us, but it’s obviously a 5-star dog food to your pet.

  • Pam Churn

    I was a little shocked after reading the above review for this food. My Golden Retriever was plagued with loose stools and GI problems. About a week ago I thought I was going to lose her with continous vomiting and dehydration. After many tests and IV fluids for 2 days, I essentially took her home with little hope. My vet put her on this food and within 24 hours the vomiting had stopped and now her stools are much more solid and she is back to normal–no stress, wagging tail–and I’m one happy camper. This food is a prescription diet–I would not expect it to have the same properties as your average designer food (which she was on when all this started). If your dog is suffering from life-threatening GI problems, I highly recommend it! Pam C.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Patti… Unfortunately, since I’m not a veterinarian and due to the biological uniqueness of each pet, it would be inappropriate for me to provide specific health advice or product recommendations. Please see our FAQ page and our reviews for more information. Or check back for a possible response from one of our other readers.

  • Patti W.

    I was wondering the same thing as the first person. My dog was put on this after several bouts of diarrhea and subsequently several months later being diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. I’ve always been very picky about what I feed my animals and was very unhappy when I saw what the food contained. However this review wasn’t up yet. I can’t say it has fixed her issue either. Any suggestions on a brand that would be healthier for a 1 year old Anatolian Shepherd who is still growing AND has inflammatory bowel disease? I know this is a prescription diet but I can’t help but think I’m getting ripped off here. 67 dollars for a 32 lb bag full of fluff. I’m also giving this review to my vet. I can’t help but think he can’t know all this about it.

  • Jonathan

    Who said anything about organic? I think the guy just wants to feed his dog something that doesn’t contain crap like this.

    “Animal digest is a chemically hydrolyzed concoction of unspecified body parts… from unspecified animals. This product is usually sprayed onto the surface of a dry kibble to improve its taste.”

    Tell you what, Bob. If you think this is such a good food, then you eat it. I’m sorry, but it doesn’t take a degree to know, just by looking at a dog, what they are optimized to eat. And it takes no feats of mental juggling to know that whole ingredients are better than generic fats and industrial by-products. If this were a $5 food at the Dollar Store, I wouldn’t be nearly as upset about the quality of this trash. I’ll tell you what’s disturbing. It’s that vets abuse the trust that we have for them when they sell us this overpriced junk every time a dog has a loose bowel movement. There are far better options for every health specific need than ANY Purina product.

  • Bob

    Michael,

    So the EN corrected your problem, but you want to try something else? That makes perfect sense.

    Enjoy your designer brand dog food and your diarrhea stained carpets.

    Out of curiosity, what do you consider high quality ingredients? You do know there is no real definiteion for “organic” when it comes to pet foods?

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Michael… This is a specialized “prescription” product that may be clinically effective for treating your dog. Unfortunately, since I’m not a veterinarian, I cannot provide specific health advice or product recommendations. Please see our FAQ page and our reviews for more information. Or check back for a possible response from one of our other readers.

  • Michael

    My vet switched us to this product after our 3 dogs developed very loose stool for over 3 weeks while feeding Innova adult dog food. While the product corrected that problem I would like a hiugh qaility alternative to this product. Can you suggest products with similiar structure but high quality ingredients?