There are dogs that have sensitive digestion issues related to fiber responsiveness. For conditions like this, Purina has manufactured the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Formula Dry Dog Food.
The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Formula Dry Dog Food, like the name suggests, is high in fiber which plays a vital role in a dog’s diet.
Because it is not found in animals, fiber has to be obtained in plants as it is found in their cell walls.
One vital role that fiber plays is in stilling a troubled stomach, whether due to constipation or diarrhea. You could also call it a stool normalizer as it slows down transit time so that the nutrients are absorbed properly before your pooch has to go.
As you know, food sensitivities are usually accompanied with a little bit of diarrhea. So, a good high fiber diet could also help your dog to brave through their food intolerance while alleviating symptoms of food sensitivities.
Because this is a high fiber diet, there sure will be a lot of grains and plant-based ingredients in this product. But what else is in here? Well, we are about to find out. Stay with us.
Table of Contents
Who Is The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Formula Dry Dog Food For?
The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Formula Dry Dog Food is a special diet for sensitive digestion. This particular variety comes with a high fiber content which particularly helps with diarrhea, one of the symptoms that come with food sensitivities.
The food is designed to come with high protein levels too which is important for ensuring that your dog maintains a lean body mass. And then there are prebiotics in here as well which are important for the health of your dog’s alimentary canal.
So, altogether, this is a dog food made for dogs with gastritis, enteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, as well as other intestinal diseases.
Okay, so a few other things to note about this high fiber food is that it is supposed to be fed to adult dogs alone. But it could work for adult dogs of all breed sizes from the small breeds, to the medium breeds, to the large breeds.
Lastly, this is a prescription dog diet and can only be purchased with evidence of authorization from a vet. So, make sure you have that in mind before you begin to make the purchase either here or in a brick and mortar store.
Ingredients In The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Formula Dry Dog Food
Whole Grain Corn
Whether or not corn should be included in dog food remains a hot topic for many reasons. However, the general consensus is that corn isn’t one of the best ingredients you could possibly have in any dog food. Here’s what the American Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has to say about corn.
According to the AAFCO, that corn is not quite great for dogs but it’s not all bad though. Because it provides the body with carbohydrates, corn, ultimately helps to supply the body with the needed energy for day-to-day work.
In fact, of all the grains, corn supplies the most energy. Research tells us there are about 342 calories in every 100 grams of corn.
Besides energy, corn is also known to provide the body with essential vitamins and minerals as well. Examples of such vitamins and minerals include vitamins A, B, and E, as well as magnesium, copper, zinc, iron, and phosphorus.
That said though, corn is still not recommended to be used as the main ingredient in dog food. According to the AAFCO, that’s unhealthy.
Moreover, the USDA’s National Nutrient Database shows us that corn scores miserably low especially when compared to other foods like quinoa and spinach.
Plus, it is not easily digestible in dogs until it is processed. However, the problem with processing is that it increases the glycemic index of corn which isn’t something you want for your dog.
Dried Beet Pulp
According to scientists, beet pulp is a rich source of fiber – the moderately fermentable kind.
Moderately fermentable fiber is a really helpful ingredient when it comes to dogs with food sensitive gastritis. It helps to remove excess water from dog stool by absorption. It also helps to remove excess waste along the alimentary canal as well.
Besides that, when fiber is fermented, it acts as a rich energy source for dogs and pets in general.
Now, as for dried beet pulp in particular. There are several health benefits that your dog stands to gain from having this in their diet.
In addition to all the benefits of beet pulp, dried beet pulp is known to be great for improving colon health. It also does a great job producing volatile fatty acids. These fatty acids can then be used to produce energy in pets.
Poultry By-Product Meal
So, what is poultry by-product meal? You probably already have an idea from the name but don’t let the name “by-product” get you confused, it’s not a bad ingredient to include.
According to the AAFCO, poultry by-products are all the rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered poultry such as necks, heads, feet, undeveloped eggs, gizzards, and intestines (provided their content is removed), exclusive of feathers (except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices).
When rendered into a meal, that is, when all the moisture is totally cooked out, poultry by-product meal is high in protein. But it doesn’t just come with a high protein content, it also makes a rich source of minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids. Plus, it is really tasty too so dogs would love it.
Corn Gluten Meal
The good thing about corn gluten meal is that it does not contain gluten. So, dog parents who are worried about giving their dog gluten can be relieved. The gluten added is just a jargon that describes the protein derived from corn.
Corn gluten meal is protein-rich which is supposed to be a great thing. The only problem though is that for protein to be good enough for dog food, it has to be the essential kind. Essential amino acids are not obtained from plant protein. They are obtained from animal proteins.
Plus, digestibility is also an issue. Plant proteins are not as easy to digest for dogs, and indeed animals, as animal protein. So, though corn gluten meal is supposed to serve as a replacement for animal protein, it’s not the best idea.
Besides that though, corn gluten meal also functions as a binder and holds the kibble together during the manufacturing process.
Keep in mind, though, that corn gluten meal comes with a high concentration of corn. Continued exposure to this could lead to corn intolerance in dogs over a period of time.
And, of course, it goes without saying. If your dog is sensitive to corn, then maybe you shouldn’t even be considering this product at all in the first place.
Pearled Barley
Pearled barley is a top quality ingredient for making dog food and you’ll find out why from our explanation. First off, what is pearled barley?
Pearled barley is barley but, this time, the bran layers and the outer husk of the grain have been removed. Now, don’t get it twisted, with the bran removed, pearled barley is not as nutritious as regular barley. Nonetheless, it still has some nutritious benefits for dogs.
First off, it is high in fiber which is amazing for dogs with stomach upsets like diarrhea. Fiber can help to firm up stools, thereby alleviating diarrhea symptoms.
Besides that, pearled barley is quite low on the glycemic index so it’s also great for dogs with diabetes. Therefore, dogs who are prone to diabetes or are currently struggling with obesity and weight-related matters would also benefit from pearled barley as well.
Animal Fat Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols (Form of Vitamin E)
The fact that the specific animal used here isn’t mentioned is a red flag for us. And if you’ve been following us, you understand why. Many times, when animals used as ingredients in pet food are not named, they are usually low quality. They could even range from dead to euthanized pets. So, we are understandably, always skeptical.
However, that aside, animal fat is a good add to the food. As you probably know, fatty acids are a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These guys work together to maintain a healthy skin, fur, and coat for your dogs. This is super important for dogs with food allergic dermatitis as fatty acids will be of help to bring the skin and coat back to a healthy condition.
Besides the work they do for the skin, fatty acids are also important for protecting vital organs of the body like the brain and the heart.
Finally, fatty acids are also storehouses for energy as well. So, when needed, fatty acids can release a burst of energy.
Pea Fiber
Currently, pea fiber is commonly used in pet food around the globe. In fact, recently, there’s been a major hike in its use in pet food.
This is particularly worrying because pea fiber has no standardized definition according to the American Animal Feed Control Officials. This means that people are at liberty to add anything they like to the food and name it “pea fiber.”
Besides this worrying fact though, there isn’t much wrong with pea fiber.
Like most of its peers, pea fiber is a high fiber ingredient. It’s only different in that it produces a lot more gas than other vegetable fibers.
As for its nutritional content, pea fiber is high in crude fiber, about 35% to 40%, but has very little fat and protein content.
Low-fat content might not be a problem for many dog owners but we can see how a low protein content might be a problem for dog owners. But you don’t have to worry because proteins from plant sources aren’t considered high quality for dog food.
This is because they are more difficult to digest and they also do not contain the essential amino acids needed for dogs to grow healthy. So, it really doesn’t matter that it’s low in proteins since the proteins aren’t needed anyway.
Animal Digest
Animal digest is a tasty ingredient that consists of broken down animal protein. It’s referred to as a “digest” because the process of breaking down the protein into peptides follows the same pattern as the digestion process in the body.
So, following the digestion process, the resulting peptides are then made either into a paste or into powder. This is what is then added to the dog food to supply it with the needed proteins.
Wheat Bran
What is wheat bran? Wheat bran (or bran in general) refers to the outer shell of the grain, which, most times, gets taken out during processing. However, don’t confuse it, the bran is actually quite helpful in dog diet.
Bran is a high-fiber ingredient which is great for colon health, diarrhea, diabetes, weight management, and constipation.
Nonetheless, wheat bran isn’t an ingredient to be included in regular dog food. It’s meant for dogs that either have digestive issues, diarrhea, or constipation.
Calcium Phosphate
This ingredient supplies the diet with calcium and phosphorus. Calcium phosphate forms a major component of teeth and bone enamel.
Usually, calcium phosphate is sourced from cow’s milk but it is also known to be a little unsafe for consumption in animals.
Calcium Carbonate
Unlike calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate is found from the weirdest places which you won’t usually eat. So, it’s found in the shells of aquatic organism such as pearls, coal balls, snails, etc. It’s also found in non-aquatic animals like eggs. And it’s also found in rocks as well.
Calcium carbonate is used in dog food for 3 top reasons.
First, it is a cheap source of calcium.
Secondly, it is important as a preservative.
Lastly, it is important for color retention in dog foods.
But let’s zero in on calcium. Calcium is a vital ingredient in dog food because it promotes a regular heartbeat, muscular growth, as well as the normal clotting of blood.
Dried Whey
Whey is a protein type. It is made as a by-product from the coagulation of milk in the process of making cheese. So, unlike other protein we’ve seen in this product, whey isn’t found in nature.
So, is it a great idea?
Well, many researchers say no. whey protein does not contain the right protein that is great for dogs. So, all that extra protein is totally useless for them.
Besides they don’t even need to lift weights to build muscle mass like humans. So, why bother?
Dogs need proteins quite alright but from natural sources and not from processed ones.
Fish Oil
Fish oil has a lot of health benefits for dogs as well as humans. It’s a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which possesses anti-inflammatory properties that have several benefits for dogs.
It reduces their chances of getting cancer, heart disease, or arthritis.
As it pertains to dogs with food sensitivities, omega-3 fatty acids are excellent helpers in conditions relating to the skin or allergies. Besides that, fish oil also helps to improve cognitive function as well as your dog’s vision.
Potassium Chloride
This salt serves as a potassium supplement in dog food.
Pros Of The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Formula Dry Dog Food
1.Rich in fiber which is an excellent formula for dogs with stomach upsets as a result of food sensitivities. Works for constipation, diarrhea and more.
2. Also contains fish oil which is a great source of fatty acids that help with damaged skin, fur and coat as a result of food sensitivity.
3. Loved by many dog owners and vets.
Cons Of The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Formula Dry Dog Food
1. Too few animal ingredients here.
2. Contains a lot of corn and other questionable ingredients such as dried whey.
3. It’s a little expensive.
Alternatives To The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Formula Dry Dog Food
Grain-Free Variety – The Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Grain-Free Classic Turkey Potato Entrée Canned Dog Food
Although, we generally do not advise that dog parents completely lay their dogs off grains, we understand that some dogs show some form of allergy to grains. If your dog is one of those, you might prefer the Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Grain-Free Classic Turkey Potato Entrée Canned Dog Food.
Turkey is the first ingredient here which is great. At least, it’ a less common alternative to chicken. It also contains some other ingredients as well, some high quality, some not so high quality (you can click here to check out the full review of this product).
Altogether though, the product is okay and you can get it from either of these ecommerce stores.
Hydrolyzed Dog Treats – The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Hydrolyzed Dog Treats
This product is not food per se, but they are treats for dogs who suffer from food sensitivities. We understand that many dog parents feel bad at the fact that they can’t give their dogs treats due to their allergies. This product is an answer to prayer.
It contains just one carbohydrate source to lower chances of a trigger for food intolerance. It also contains hydrolyzed proteins as well which is great for troubled stomachs. You can read up our thorough review on this product by clicking here.
Generally though, these treats are great for pancreatitis, food intolerance, as well as inflammatory bowel disease.
Canned Dog Food Variety – The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food
The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food contains some high quality ingredients such as rice, barley, chicken, and liver. There are a few questionable ingredients as well that we wouldn’t have added if it was up to us. Nonetheless, the product still seems to be a 5-star product and vets still recommend it.
If you want, you can click here to check out our detailed review on the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food.
Comparison Table
| Featured Product | Grain-Free Variety | Hydrolyzed Dog Treats | Canned Dog Food Variety | |
| Product |
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Formula Dry Dog Food
Click here to get it from Amazon!
|
Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Grain-Free Classic Turkey Potato Entrée Canned Dog Food
|
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Hydrolyzed Dog Treats
|
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food
|
| Ingredients | Whole Grain Corn, Dried Beet Pulp**, Poultry By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Pearled Barley, Animal Fat Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols (Form of Vitamin E), Pea Fiber, Animal Digest, Wheat Bran, Calcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Whey, Salt, Fish Oil, Potassium Chloride. | Turkey, Water Sufficient for Processing, Liver, Meat By-Products, Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Carrageenan, Added Color, Calcium Carbonate. | Starch, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Isolate, Vegetable Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Oat Fiber, Powdered Cellulose, Partially Hydrogenated Canola Oil Preserved with Tbhq, Potassium Chloride, Guar Gum, Lecithin, Corn Oil. | Meat By-Products, Water Sufficient for Processing, Barley, Rice, Liver, Chicken, Soy Protein Isolate, Glycerin, Medium-chain Triglyceride Vegetable Oil, Guar Gum, Inulin, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride. |
| Kibble/Canned | Kibble | Canned | Kibble | Canned |
| Size | 6-pound, 18-pound, and 32-pound bags. | Case of 12 13.3-Ounce cans | 8 Ounces | 13.4 Ounces |
| Best For | Prescription Diet for dogs gastritis and enteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, other intestinal diseases.
Suitable for adult dogs of any breed size. |
Grain-free diet for dogs allergic to grain.
Suitable for adult dogs of any breed size. |
Prescription treats for dogs with food allergic gastroenteritis, dermatitis, food intolerance, inflammatory bowel diseases, or pancreatitis.
Suitable for adult dogs of any breed size. |
Prescription diet for gastritis, enteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis as well as other intestinal diseases
For adult dogs of any breed size. |
What Customers Are Saying About The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Formula Dry Dog Food
This food seems to be doing a really great job by its consumers and their dogs, and you can tell from the reports that came in. In fact, there were those who found that their dogs experienced some relief from their diarrhea symptoms in just about a week.
And that’s not all, we even saw some dogs gain a few pounds in a short time on this diet. Great stuff, right?
How about the price? Well, it’s obvious that just like Purina’s other veterinary foods, this particular one is quite expensive. Some customers confessed to finding it a little hard to keep up with due to its high cost but its effectiveness seems to make things a little more manageable.
From customer reports as well, this seems to be a great option if other Purina products don’t work. We saw customers switch from the Pro Plan Salmon and Rice formula to this one and they saw some good results.
Our Conclusion
We love this high fiber diet from Purina. We think Purina did a good job overall making this product although we have a few reservations. A number of products here are not ideal especially when you consider just how much customers would be paying to get the food.
It seems to work for most dogs though, so we can’t complain too much.
