Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food – Detailed Review

 

 

The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food is a prescription dog food. It belongs to Purina’s Pro Plan Veterinary Diet EN Gastroenteric product line which contains prescription dog food designed to help with treating digestive issues in dogs.

Compared to other non-prescription canned dog foods also for food sensitive dogs, the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food is a little more expensive. However, that’s to be expected since this is a prescription product.

You probably already know this, but for the records, you require a prescription from your vet to be able to purchase this product. It is not an over-the-counter dog food. So, regardless of the results of our review, it is important that you consult your vet first before deciding to get this, for the safety of your dog.

Now, this is a wet dog food which might be good news for dog owners with pets that seem to be losing appetite. Since wet dog foods are generally more savory than dry dog foods, it could encourage your pup to get interested in eating again.

Just before we move on, we’ve got this exhaustive article on hypoallergenic dog food. It might help you with other tips on how to handle your dog with allergies. Click here to read our article on hypoallergenic dog food.

 

Table of Contents

Who Is The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food For?

The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food is designed to help support the gastrointestinal systems of dogs with food-related allergies. It happens to belong to Purina’s line of prescription dog food products.

It’s a wet dog food variety, and so, we believe it would be more appealing and palatable to dogs who have become disinterested in eating.Purina states this dog food is made for adult dogs alone and not for puppies. It also states that the food will work for different sized breeds – small breeds, medium breeds, and large breeds alike.

Please, note that the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food is a prescription diet and so it requires authorization from a vet before you can get it. So, when checking out, if buying online, you’d have to provide your vet doctor’s information to be able to have it ordered.

 

Purina Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned with Probiotics Dog Food 12/13.4 oz   

 

 

 

What Are The Ingredients In The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food?

  • Meat by-products
  • Water sufficient for processing.
  • Barley
  • Rice
  • Liver
  • Chicken
  • Soy Protein Isolate
  • Medium-Chain Triglyceride Vegetable Oil.
  • Guar gum.
  • Inulin
  • Tricalcium Phosphate
  • Potassium Chloride.

1. Meat By-Products

Meat by-products refer to all “non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals,” as dictated by the American Animal Feeds Control Officials. In essence, these are all parts that humans can’t/don’t eat but might not be terrible for dogs.

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Some of these parts include the lungs, spleen, bone, blood, kidney, liver, and intestine. As long as they are sourced from healthy animals, slaughtered and not dead, they are usually okay. However, there are people who believe that, if humans cannot eat those parts, then dogs shouldn’t either. We don’t exactly agree as there isn’t sufficient data to prove that they are particularly harmful for pets.

Our challenge with this product though is that the meat from which the by-products are obtained is unnamed. So, there’s no way to know the condition in which the animal was before the parts were obtained from it.

Animals could be anything from euthanized to dead.

 

2. Water Sufficient For Processing

The US Food and Drug Administration insists that when water is added to pet food, it must be listed on the pack of the food as a part of the ingredients. Of course, it must follow the descending order of weight rule as usual.

Being a wet dog food, it’s only expected that the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food has water in its ingredient list. In fact, most wet dog foods are about 75 to 80% water.

 

3. Barley

Barley is a good, healthy whole grain with a whole list of benefits. It’s definitely much better than pearled barley and is also quite delicious as well.

First off, it packs a high concentration of soluble fiber which helps to regulate the amount of glucose in the blood per time. Barley is also quite low in cholesterol. which, you well know, is bad for you and your dog.

Now, while all these are wonderful benefits of barley, experts still advise that it be consumed only in limited proportions per time. However, the general rule is that, if your dog is taking enough meat regularly, then a helping of barley every now and then might not be bad for your dog.

On the other hand, when used in commercial dog food products, meat should be listed as the first ingredient. If meat is listed first, then amount of barley in that food product, is generally considered safe for your dog as is the case in this food.

Purina Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned with Probiotics Dog Food 12/13.4 oz

 

   

 

 

 

4. Rice

Next, we have rice. Rice is a commonly found grain in dog foods for dogs with digestive issues and there are many reasons for this. One is that it is really easy for dogs to digest rice because it’s gentler on the gut. This gives the sensitive gut a bit of relief while still nourishing the body.

Rice is also a great source of carbohydrates that provides your dog with the energy they need to go about their day.

But it’s not just carbohydrate, rice is also a great source of essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, as well as vitamin D. Working together, these vitamins and minerals keep your dog’s brain functioning properly.

Additionally, rice is also a good ingredient because it has zero cholesterol, zero sodium, and zero harmful fats.

Now, many dog parents are, understandably, skeptical about feeding their dog grain as they believe that, like their ancestors, dogs cannot digest grain. However, that’s far from the truth. Dogs have evolved over time and, right now, can do very well with grain. In fact, dogs need a certain portion of their diet to come with carbohydrate – something that grains provide in sufficient quantity.

As for the fear of allergies, studies have shown that there is no direct link between grains themselves and allergies in dogs. In fact, placing your dog on a grain-free diet has not been proven to give an appreciable level of improvement in dog health.

Now, of all the grains used in dog food, rice is about the most tolerable. It’s great for dogs with colitis, colon problems, loss of appetite, or simply an upset stomach.

There are different kinds of rice, by the way – brown and white. The brown variety is the healthier one. However, Purina does not say which variety the rice used here is.

 

5. Liver

Liver is absolutely nutritious for your dog and also delicious to him even though you don’t like it. Scientists say it is about a hundred times more nutritious than other meats.

Liver is a great source of vitamin A, proteins, as well as healthy fat. It also comes with zinc, copper, niacin, iron, and phosphorus. Additionally, they supply your dog’s body with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as vitamin B.

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Liver also supplies your dog with a high level of essential amino acids which helps to build your dog’s body and muscles, keeping him in shape as he grows.

 

6. Chicken

About the most popular source of protein used in dog food, chicken is another ingredient found in the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food. It is affordable, really tasty, and a great source of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.

Besides that, chicken is about the most easily digestible protein source found in dog foods. While this has its advantages, it also has its disadvantages.

Because of its widespread use, many dogs are beginning to develop some form of sensitivity to chicken which is why chicken intolerance is pretty common among dogs.

Normally, chicken isn’t included in dog foods for those with sensitivities. However, here, it isn’t the first ingredient so it might not be a big deal for dogs with food allergic sensitivities.

Purina Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned with Probiotics Dog Food 12/13.4 oz

 

 

 

 

 

7. Soy Protein Isolate

We are concerned about the addition of soy protein to this product. There is, currently, a huge debate ongoing in the world of pet food about soy – whether it is safe for dogs or not.

Well, most scientists do not believe that soy is safe for dogs and it becomes more bothersome when you remember that this is supposed to be a prescription dog food. From the countless studies conducted in different places, soy is deemed bad for humans and dogs.

It wasn’t always this way, though. Soy was generally considered good especially being low in cholesterol and all. However, most soybeans we find these days are genetically modified and are generally considered unsafe for humans as well dogs.

They contain plant estrogens which are known to disrupt the endocrine system. Plus, soy is known to contain phytates which tamper with the way dogs absorb minerals in their bodies.

 

8. Medium-chain Triglyceride Vegetable Oil

Another excellent ingredient in this dog food product, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are super important for boosting brain activity in dogs. Impressively, Purina is the first pet food brand to include this in their food formula. So, big ups to them for that one.

MCT oil is manufactured oil. Here, fatty acids are extracted from vegetable oil to make the medium-chain triglyceride.

Usually, the best source of medium-chain triglycerides is organic coconut oil. However, vegetable oil is not so bad either.

 

9. Guar Gum

Guar gum is a commonly used thickening agent in the making of pet foods. It’s good and safe for pets. Plus, it also comes with pretty excellent linking abilities which aid the guar gum in the binding of ingredients in the food.

One of the reasons gums is commonly used, besides its superior linking abilities, is the fact that it is affordable. Guar gum which is the most consistent and the most viscous binding agent in the industry is quite affordable.

Plus, it also supplies the body with soluble fiber which aids the digestion of amino acids in dogs.

Purina Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned with Probiotics Dog Food 12/13.4 oz

 

     

 

 

 

10. Inulin

Inulin refers to a group of naturally-occurring polysaccharides typically produced by plants. They are fibers and are used in pet foods as sweeteners. They are fantastic alternatives to sugars and fats because they contain a low amount of calories. They also function as prebiotics which improve digestion in dogs.

 

11. Tricalcium Phosphate

As an addition to a dog diet, tricalcium phosphate acts as a source of calcium and phosphate responsible for strong teeth and bones

 

12. Potassium Chloride

Acts as a potassium source in the diet.

Purina Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned with Probiotics Dog Food 12/13.4 oz

 

     

 

 

 

What Are The Pros Of The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food?

1. Quite affordable.

2. Savory and highly palatable dog food, great for dogs with reduced appetites.

3. Contains many animal-sourced proteins which contain the essential amino acids needed by dogs to grow healthy and strong.

4. Good grains are used here.

5. Contains medium-chain triglycerides (one of the few products which do) which boosts brain activity.

6. Comes with liver as well which is nutrient-packed.

Purina Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned with Probiotics Dog Food 12/13.4 oz

 

     

 

 

 

What Are The Cons Of The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food?

Contains soy which is not considered safe for dogs (and humans).

Contains anonymous meat which could be anything from euthanized animals to dead animals.

 

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Check out these other articles:

 

Alternatives To The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food

Is the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food not what you’re looking for? Check out these other options:

  • Kibble Variety: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula Dry Dog Food.
  • Non-Prescription Variety: Purina ONE SmartBlend Sensitive System Adult Formula Dry Dog Food.
  • Hydrolyzed Dog Treats: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Hydrolyzed Dog Treats.

Kibble Variety – Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula Dry Dog Food

 

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets 1Count Hydrolyzed Adult Dog Food, 6 lb 

 

 

 

If you’d prefer a kibble variety, you can check out the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula Dry Dog Food. It’s pretty pricey compared to our featured product, though.

 

Non-Prescription Variety – Purina ONE SmartBlend Sensitive System Adult Formula Dry Dog Food

Purina ONE Sensitive Systems Adult Dog Food, 31.1 lbs

   

 

 

 

If you want something that doesn’t require you to present authorization from your pet, you might want to check out the Purina ONE SmartBlend Sensitive System Adult Formula Dry Dog Food. It’s affordable.

 

Hydrolyzed Dog Treats – Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Hydrolyzed Dog Treats

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Hypoallergenic Canine Dog Treats - 8 oz. Pouch

   

 

 

 

 

Just like our featured product, the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Hydrolyzed Dog Treats also come with a hydrolyzed formula. Quite affordable too.

 

Quick Comparison Table

Featured Product Kibble Prescription Variety Non-prescription Hydrolyzed Dog Treats
Product

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food

Purina Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned with Probiotics Dog Food 12/13.4 oz

 

 

Click here to get it from Amazon!

 

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula Dry Dog Food

Purina HA Hydrolyzed Dog Food 25 lb

 

Click here to get it from Amazon!

 

Purina ONE SmartBlend Sensitive System Adult Formula Dry Dog Food

Purina ONE Sensitive Systems Adult Dog Food, 31.1 lbs

 

 

Click here to get it from Amazon!

 

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Hydrolyzed Dog Treats

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Hypoallergenic Canine Dog Treats - 8 oz. Pouch

 

Click here to get it from Amazon!

 

Ingredients 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. Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Isolate, Vegetable Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Partially Hydrogenated Canola Oil Preserved with Tbhq, Powdered Chloride, Corn Oil, Potassium Chloride, Guar Gum. Salmon (Source of Glucosamine), Rice Flour, Pearled Barley, Oat Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-product Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Beef Fat Naturally Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Liver Flavor, Mono and Dicalcium Phosphate, Fish Oil, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Dried Carrots, Dried Peas 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.
Kibble/Canned Canned Kibble Kibble Kibble
Size 13 Ounces 25-pound bag 16.5-pound and 31.1-pound bags 8 Ounces
Best For Prescription diet for adult dogs with stomach sensitivities Prescription diet for adult dogs with stomach sensitivities Dogs with food allergic stomach and skin sensitivity Dogs with food allergies and a restricted diet.

 

 

 

 

What Customers Have To Say About The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food

So, reactions are a mixed bag. The food seems to work great for most dogs. However, for tastes, opinions differ. Not all dogs like the taste of the food. We can’t even say most. But, thankfully, it seems the product worked for most.

There were isolated complaints about the top of the can not being pull tops which customers believed would have made it more convenient to open the can as well.

Anyway, that said, though we find this somewhat affordable being a prescription diet, a few seem to think it’s a little expensive.

 

Purina Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned with Probiotics Dog Food 12/13.4 oz 

 

 

Our Verdict

This is not the best product we have seen and there were a few ingredients we are a little disturbed about like the unnamed meat and soy. However, we saw that a number of vets felt comfortable recommending it. So, this product must have some merit to it.

To us though, this product is below average even though it seems popular among dog owners.

Purina Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned with Probiotics Dog Food 12/13.4 oz

 

       

 

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food — FAQs

What Is Gastroenteric Dog Food?

Gastroenteric dog food is basically dog food that is specially formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

The ingredients in gastroenteric dog food are supposed to be easy to digest. And while they are specially formulated for sensitive stomachs, any dog should be able to eat it.

 

Do I Need A Presciption To Get The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food?

You do not need a prescription to get the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food if you are getting it on Amazon.

However, if you want to order directly from Purina, you’ll certainly need the prescription.

 

Can The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food Be Mixed With Dry Food?

You should be able to mix the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food with dry food if you need to.

However, be sure that that is something that has been recommended by your vet before trying that out.

 

How Long Will The Purina Pro Plan Gastroenteric Canned Food Last In The Refridgerator After It Has Been Opened?

The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food can be stored in the refrigerator for between 5 and 7 days after it has been opened. Certainly not longer!

 

How Long Do You Need To Transition Into Purina Gastoenteric Canned Dog Food?

It could take you up to 7 days of gradually reducing the amount of whatever you used to give your dog before and increasing the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food for them to be fully adjusted.

That said, consult with your vet on this. They should be able to give you details on how to go about transitioning.

 

Is The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food Made In America?

The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula Canned Dog Food is made in America.

And in addition, a good number of its ingredients are also sourced in the United States.