A few days ago ‘Pop it in Pete’ the postman delivered a sample of a new dog food for us to review, called Symply.
Badged as ‘a complete balanced food for adult dogs’ the food is free from nasty artificial colours or flavourings.
We had been sent a bag of Light/ Senior.
This contained Glucosamine Sulphate to assist the creation of new cartilage ( the stuff between our joints) and Chondroitin Sulphate to reduce enzymes which damages the cartilage.
It also contains MSM to help reduce joint inflammation and is known for its pain reducing properties.
Salmon oil is also included which contains omega-3 to help reduce tenderness in joints.
Although I am the senior dog, I am only allowed an occasional taster because my dodgy kidneys cannot process Glucosamine. However, as Charlie is a little tubby, I guess this brings the LIGHT part into play.
This is such a shame because I have achy joints and a gentle tummy – so this food should have been ideal for me.
As with all dried food mum made sure that we had a big bowl of water available before we started on the kibble.
Sniffs
The first thing we noticed as mum cut open the thick paper bag was the lack of a smell.
Yes it did have a little odour but unlike many foods this has to be the most un-sniffy of all we tried so far.
This has advantages and disadvantages depending on your point of view.
Mum said the house stays fresher and less dog like, so she is happy. However, our feelings are a little more confused.
We love smells, so a food with minimal sniff does not really entice, but it does allow us to put our nose into the bowl without being overpowered.
Made in Britain
According to their website Symply are proud to use meat and fish from British sources.
The meadow-raised lamb comes from the UK while the salmon is sourced from the Highlands of Scotland.
“None of the turkeys in our foods are caged or battery farmed,” they add.
Taste
We have to admit that it has taken a few days to get used to the flavour.
Used as a mixer or as a treat we have no problem with the Symply dog food, but on its own at the moment it is not our first choice. However, as with all new foods, we have to be introduced to it slowly, so we will wait and see because it is packed with things that are good for us.
Here are a few of them:
- Free of artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives.
- Formulated with wholesome ingredients
- Natural antioxidants rich in vitamins to enhance the immune system.
- High meat content.
- Highly digestible ingredients increases our ability to absorb goodness from the food.
- High in omega 6 & 3 helps maintain a healthy skin and a shiny coat.
- Contains zinc which helps with the repair of skin.
- Symply products are preserved with mixed tocopherols, a blend of vitamin E which gives the food its long shelf life.
Maybe there are just too many other things around after Christmas, I am not sure. Even Charlie, who will eat almost anything seems a little unsure.
Mum tried soaking some in water and adding a bit of gravy from the Sunday roast, and this seemed to do the trick as I then loved them.
Texture
Shaped like a large tap washer the Symply food has a strange hole in the middle – just like one of those mints mum buys from the shops.
Possibly because of this hole it was easier to break down the disc once it was in our mouths as it seemed to crumble quite easily.
Occasionally, one of them got hooked around my tooth, as i am a bit of a gummy dog, and this led to Charlie helping me out with his licker and paw to free it.
Result
In conclusion we will give this Symply food a 6/10. However, wish to reserve a final mark for later in the year, when it could be the ideal summer food as it is a bit lighter and easily digested.
Thank you
Our review product came from the family run company called Pets Corner.
They have been in operation since 1968 and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, if your human keeps the receipt that is.
A big thank you to them.
Buster and Charlie