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Review Summary
We give Purina Pro Plan Dog Food a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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, and below, we’ll discuss them so you can determine which one of the recipes might be the best option for your dog.
At a Glance: The Best Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Recipes
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Our Favorite
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Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend |
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Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach |
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Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20 |
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Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Food |
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Purina Pro Plan Adult Weight Management |
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Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Reviewed
Purina Pro Plan is probably one of the Purina family’s most well-known and popular brands. It was also the first Purina line to use meat as the primary ingredient in dry dog food. The company has spent a lot of time researching the best ingredients for pets!
It uses nutritionists and veterinarians to create the recipes and ensure that the food 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 owns and operates every production facility.
This map shows where Purina’s main ingredients are sourced in the United States.
Which Types of Dogs Is Purina Pro Plan Best Suited For?
The Pro Plan is designed to provide advanced nutrition at every life stage for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Pro Plan has a recipe 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 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 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 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, one 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 created for senior dogs. Complete Essentials and Sport also have recipes for dogs 7 years and over.
Energy Level
Pro Plan’s Sport recipes are formulated for high-energy, active dogs. They’re ideal for working and hunting dogs and dogs that participate 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. If it is necessary to go grain-free for your pup, you must select another brand.
Pricey
While most Purina dog foods are affordable, Pro Plan is quite pricey. This is partly due to the high-quality ingredients, but it might be too expensive for some dog owners.
A Quick Look at Purina Pro Plan Dog Food
- 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
Recall History
Purina has been the subject of a few recalls. In March 2016, Purina recalled two Beneful recipes and, more notably, Pro Plan Savory Meal wet foods. This recall was issued because Purina discovered that the formulas didn’t contain the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
The other recall didn’t involve Pro Plan but was for Purina’s One Beyond White Meat Chicken and Whole Barley recipe due to possible contamination of salmonella bacteria. However, only one bag was found to be contaminated.
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
This recipe is the most popular and is suitable for the average adult dog. It combines dry kibble with tender shredded meat for an appealing taste and texture. Chicken is listed as the main ingredient, and it also has live probiotics that support your dog’s immune system and help improve digestion. One cup contains 387 calories and has 26% protein, 16% fat, and 3% fiber.
- 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
2. Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Canned Dog Food
Like all Pro Plan recipes, this wet food has real chicken as the primary ingredient. It doesn’t contain artificial preservatives, flavor, or colors and 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
- Contains carrageenan
3. Purina Pro Plan Puppy Shredded Blend
For those of you with puppies, you’ll need a formula 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
- 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.
Conclusion
Purina Pro Plan is vet-recommended but expensive. The recipes use high-quality ingredients, and most dogs love them, while others don’t. It’s great that Purina’s Pro Plan line covers almost every dog in any situation. So, if you have a large breed, senior, or puppy, you can find a formula for them.
Be sure to read the reviews and base your decision on what you know about your dog. You can consult your vet if your pup has a health condition before switching foods.
