Introduction
Purina has been one of the top producers in the pet food industry for over 90 years and has been a trusted brand for just as long. Since it has such a large variety of brands and recipes, we’re focusing our attention on the Pro Plan line. This line also has seven sub-brands, so here, we take a look at these by covering the good and the bad, so you can figure out which one of these recipes might be the best option for your dog.
Our Final Verdict We give Purina Pro Plan Dog Food a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
We give Purina Pro Plan Dog Food a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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At a Glance: The Best Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Recipes
Image Product Details
Our Favorite
Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend
Whole chicken is the main ingredient
Contains live prebiotics
Tasty flavor and texture
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Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach
Whole chicken is the main ingredient
Balanced nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
No artificial ingredients
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Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20
Special recipe for growing puppies
Shredded meat and kibble for taste and texture
Live probiotics added in
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Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Food
Appropriate growth rate for large breed puppies
Calcium, phosphorus and other minerals included
Supports developing joints and cartilage
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Purina Pro Plan Adult Weight Management
Real chicken as the very first ingredient
Tender, meaty shreds to create a tasty texture
Fortified with live probiotic
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Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Reviewed
Purina Pro Plan is probably one of the most well-known and popular brands within the Purina family. This line was also the first to use meat as its first and primary ingredient in dry dog food. The company has had a long time to research what the best ingredients are for our pets!
It uses nutritionists and veterinarians to help create the recipes and ensure that the food produced is high-quality and healthy for dogs.
Who Makes Purina Pro Plan and Where Is It Produced?
Purina is an American company, and at least 99% of its Pro Plan Recipes are made in the U.S. It sources most of its ingredients from American suppliers, and it owns and operates every single one of its production facilities.
This map shows you where Purina’s main ingredients are sourced within the United States.
Which Types of Dogs Is Purina Pro Plan Best Suited For?
Pro Plan is designed to provide almost all dogs of all shapes and sizes with advanced nutrition at every life stage.
This means Pro Plan has a recipe that is appropriate for dogs of different sizes, lifestyles, ages, weights, and food sensitivities.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients
All recipes of the Pro Plan line start with whole meat as the main ingredient. The meat is typically followed by a couple of carbohydrates, such as rice, barley, corn meal, and whole-grain wheat.
Unfortunately, rice is listed as just “rice,” so we don’t know what kind of rice has been used. It’s likely white rice because most companies advertise the use of more nutritionally beneficial whole-grain or brown rice.
Some of the recipes follow up the carbs with poultry by-products, which for some people, is considered a bad ingredient. However, while by-products might be seen as fillers, they’re actually high in protein and can nutritionally benefit dogs.
Overall, depending on what brand of Pro Plan is used, the ingredients are healthy and nutritionally balanced for most dogs. They all include added vitamins and minerals, and you shouldn’t be scared off by ingredients like by-products, corn, or wheat. These provide much-needed protein and carbohydrates for energy.
Foods for All Dog Sizes
Pro Plan has different foods for dogs of all sizes. Most dog food is designed for dogs of average size, but Pro Plan has wet and dry foods for toy, small, large, and giant breeds. This means the food has the right balance of nutrition to support different breeds, and the kibble is made in the right size.
A few of the special recipes for health concerns are also designed for dogs of different sizes.
Specialized Diets
Pro Plan has a specialized diet line that focuses on different needs and health issues. It has a weight management recipe for dogs with weight issues, a recipe for dogs with stomach and skin issues, and one for puppies.
If you have an older dog, check out the Bright Mind brand, which is specifically created for senior dogs. Additionally, Complete Essentials and Sport have recipes for dogs 7 years and over.
Energy Level
Pro Plan’s Sport recipes are formulated with high-energy, active dogs in mind. This is a great option for working and hunting dogs, as well as dogs that take part in competitive sports or endurance events. The 30/20 on the dog food bags means that it contains 30% protein and 20% fat for your dog’s metabolic needs.
No Grain Free Formula
None of the Pro Plan recipes are grain free. Grains are good for dogs, and you should never put your dog on a grain-free diet unless your veterinarian tells you to. But if it is necessary to go grain free for your pup, Pro Plan has no options for this special diet.
Pricey
While most Purina dog foods are affordable, Pro Plan is quite pricey. This is partly due to the high-quality ingredients that go into this brand, but it might prove to be too much for some people.
A Quick Look at Purina Pro Plan Dog Food
Pros
High-quality ingredients
Brands for every kind of dog
Veterinarian approved
Ingredients sourced and food made in the U.S.
Cons
Expensive
No grain-free options
Recall History
Purina has been the subject of a few recalls In March 2016, Purina recalled two different Beneful recipes and more notably, Pro Plan Savory Meal wet foods. This recall was issued because Purina discovered that these brands didn’t contain the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
High-quality ingredients
Brands for every kind of dog
Veterinarian approved
Ingredients sourced and food made in the U.S.
- High-quality ingredients
- Brands for every kind of dog
- Veterinarian approved
- Ingredients sourced and food made in the U.S.
Expensive
No grain-free options
- Expensive
- No grain-free options
The other recall didn’t involve Pro Plan but rather Purina’s One Beyond White Meat Chicken and Whole Barley recipe due to a possible salmonella bacteria contamination. Only one bag was found to be contaminated, however.
Reviews of Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Recipes
Let’s take a closer look at three of the most popular recipes of Purina Pro Plan Dog Food in more detail.
1. Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Shredded Blend – Our Favorite
Chicken is listed as the main ingredient, and it also has live probiotics that support your dog’s immune system and helps improve digestion. One cup of this food contains 387 calories, and it has 26% protein, 16% fat, and 3% fiber.
This recipe is the most popular and is suitable for the average adult dog. It is a combination of dry kibble and tender shredded meat for an appealing taste and texture.
Pros
Whole chicken is the main ingredient
Contains live prebiotics
Tasty flavor and texture
Cons
Contains known allergens common in dogs
Unsure of what kind of rice is used
Pros
Whole chicken is the main ingredient
Balanced nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
Cons
Contains carrageenan
Pros
Special recipe for growing puppies
Shredded meat and kibble for taste and texture
Live probiotics added in
Includes calcium and DHA
Cons
Contains menadione, which is a controversial ingredient
Whole chicken is the main ingredient
Contains live prebiotics
Tasty flavor and texture
- Whole chicken is the main ingredient
- Contains live prebiotics
- Tasty flavor and texture
Contains known allergens common in dogs
Unsure of what kind of rice is used
- Contains known allergens common in dogs
- Unsure of what kind of rice is used
Just like with all Pro Plan food, this wet food has real chicken as the first and main ingredient. It doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, flavor, or colors, and furthermore, it has 23 essential vitamins and minerals. It contains 9% protein, 6% fat, and 1.5% fiber and is 443 calories per can.
Whole chicken is the main ingredient
Balanced nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
- Whole chicken is the main ingredient
- Balanced nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
Contains carrageenan
- Contains carrageenan
For those of you with puppies, you’ll need a food that is specifically formulated for young dogs because adult formulas don’t contain all the appropriate nutrients. This one has 28% protein, 18% fat, and 3% fiber, at 406 calories per cup. The nutrients include calcium, DHA, and antioxidants for your puppy’s immune system and developing bones and brain.
Special recipe for growing puppies
Shredded meat and kibble for taste and texture
Live probiotics added in
Includes calcium and DHA
- Special recipe for growing puppies
- Shredded meat and kibble for taste and texture
- Live probiotics added in
- Includes calcium and DHA
Contains menadione, which is a controversial ingredient
- Contains menadione, which is a controversial ingredient
What Other Users Are Saying
The Dog Food Advisor — Highly recommends Purina Pro Plan, finding it to be “an above-average kibble.”
Veterinarians.org — “Purina Pro Plan dog food is recommended by veterinarians worldwide.”
Chewy — As dog owners, we like to double-check Chewy reviews from other dog owners before we buy food for our dogs. Read customer reviews here.
The Dog Food Advisor — Highly recommends Purina Pro Plan, finding it to be “an above-average kibble.”
Veterinarians.org — “Purina Pro Plan dog food is recommended by veterinarians worldwide.”
Chewy — As dog owners, we like to double-check Chewy reviews from other dog owners before we buy food for our dogs. Read customer reviews here.
- The Dog Food Advisor — Highly recommends Purina Pro Plan, finding it to be “an above-average kibble.”
- Veterinarians.org — “Purina Pro Plan dog food is recommended by veterinarians worldwide.”
- Chewy — As dog owners, we like to double-check Chewy reviews from other dog owners before we buy food for our dogs. Read customer reviews here.
Conclusion
Purina Pro Plan is vet recommended and expensive. Some dogs love it while others don’t. It’s up to you, your dog, and your wallet if you decide to go with one of the Pro Plan recipes. It’s great that this brand covers almost every dog in any situation. So, if you have a large breed, senior dog with a ton of energy, there’s a Pro Plan recipe for that.
Be sure to read the reviews and base your decision on what you know about your dog. Speak to your vet if your pup has any kind of health condition before switching foods.
