VFS Skin & Digestive Support Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 10, 2026
This is a limited-ingredient, hydrolyzed-protein dry food for adult dogs, using hydrolyzed pork as its single animal protein source. Brown and white rice provide easily digestible carbohydrates, while sunflower and flaxseed oils supply omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support skin and coat. It’s designed for dogs who struggle with food sensitivities, skin issues, or sensitive digestion and need a simpler, highly digestible diet.
This is a well-designed veterinary-style hydrolyzed dry diet for adult dogs with suspected food sensitivities or digestive upset. Hydrolyzed pork as a single animal protein, paired with rice, makes the formula highly digestible and helps reduce the chance of reacting to more common proteins like chicken or beef. It’s a strong option for adult dogs needing a limited-ingredient, skin- and gut-friendly food, as long as they don’t require growth/puppy nutrition or a lower-calorie formula.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Uses hydrolyzed pork as a single, novel animal protein source, which can be very helpful for dogs with food sensitivities or suspected protein allergies.
- Relatively simple ingredient list with rice as the main carbohydrate, which is typically gentle on the digestive tract.
- Balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (including EPA/DHA from marine microalgae and flaxseed oil) to support skin and coat health.
- Complete and balanced to AAFCO standards for adult maintenance and provides a moderate protein (22%) and fat (10%) profile suitable for many adult dogs, including some with GI sensitivity.
Considerations
- Not appropriate for puppies or pregnant/lactating dogs, since it is formulated only for adult maintenance.
- Contains pork, so it is not suitable if your dog has a known pork allergy or has reacted to pork-based diets before.
- Calorie density is fairly high at about 430 kcal per cup, so portion control is important for dogs prone to weight gain, especially less active or smaller dogs.
- While limited-ingredient, it is still a dry, extruded kibble, which may not work for dogs who do better on higher-moisture diets.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Pork
Pork is used in pet foods primarily as a high-quality animal protein and flavor enhancer, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins (especially B12 and niacin), iron and zinc, plus fat for calorie-dense energy; it can be suitable for both dogs and cats when balanced in a complete diet. Because pork can be relatively high in fat, it may be inappropriate for pets requiring low‑fat diets or those prone to pancreatitis, some animals may have sensitivities to pork, and raw or undercooked pork can carry parasites or pathogens so it should be properly processed or cooked.
02
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a whole-grain carbohydrate and fiber ingredient commonly used in dog and cat foods to provide digestible energy, dietary fiber, and modest amounts of B‑vitamins and minerals; it typically offers more nutrients and fiber than white rice. It’s generally well tolerated and can help with sensitive stomachs, but because it is high in carbohydrates (not a primary protein source) and can contain trace inorganic arsenic depending on sourcing, it should be included in balanced formulations and monitored in overweight or diabetic pets.
03
White Rice
White rice is a highly digestible carbohydrate commonly used in pet foods as an energy source, binder or filler and is often included in bland diets to help manage gastrointestinal upset. It supplies readily available calories but contains little protein, fat, fiber or micronutrients (so complete diets must be balanced), and should be used judiciously in overweight or diabetic pets due to its high glycemic index; prolonged exclusive feeding is not recommended.
04
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is used in pet foods as a concentrated fat source to increase energy density, palatability and supply linoleic acid (an essential omega‑6) that helps maintain healthy skin and coat. It is beneficial for dogs and cats but is high in omega‑6 and low in omega‑3—so formulas should balance fatty acids to avoid an inflammatory imbalance; it is calorie‑dense (important for weight control and pancreatitis-prone animals) and may require antioxidants or high‑oleic formulations for better shelf stability.
05
Mixed Tocopherol
Mixed tocopherols are a blend of natural vitamin E compounds (alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols) used in pet foods primarily as a natural antioxidant and preservative to protect fats and fat‑soluble nutrients and extend shelf life. They also supply dietary vitamin E—an essential antioxidant for immune function, skin and coat health and cellular integrity in dogs and cats—and are generally safe at typical use levels, though they are not a substitute for a complete vitamin formulation and may be less effective in animals with fat‑absorption disorders.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
SquarePet is a premium pet food brand offering veterinarian-formulated diets for dogs and cats. The brand focuses on functional nutrition with high-protein formulas, limited-ingredient diets, and solutions-based recipes, such as those for gastrointestinal and skin sensitivities. Their formulas often use cage-free meats and responsibly sourced animal proteins.
Visit SquarePetManufacturer
SquarePet partners with U.S.-based manufacturers that meet stringent food safety and quality control standards, including adherence to FDA and AAFCO regulations. The company ensures that ingredient sourcing and production processes are closely monitored for safety and nutritional integrity.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
SquarePet VFS Skin & Digestive Support Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has SquarePet ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for SquarePet. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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