Choosing the right food for a growing puppy is a critical decision for any pet owner, impacting their health and development significantly. Purina Puppy Chow, a well-known brand in the pet food market, offers several dry formulations aimed at puppies. This review delves into the ingredients, nutritional analysis, and overall quality of Purina Puppy Chow’s dry food range, providing a comprehensive assessment for concerned pet parents. Dog Food Advisor is a valuable resource for pet owners seeking unbiased reviews of dog food brands.
Understanding the Purina Puppy Chow Range
The Purina Puppy Chow dry product line includes three distinct recipes, each with a varying star rating. The overall average rating for the entire range is 2.5 stars. The individual recipes and their suitability for different life stages, as defined by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutrient profiles, are as follows:
- Purina Puppy Chow Complete: Rated 2.5 stars, suitable for All Life Stages (A).
- Purina Puppy Chow Large Breed: Rated 2.5 stars, suitable for Growth (G) and Maintenance (M).
- Purina Puppy Chow Tender and Crunchy: Rated 2 stars, suitable for All Life Stages (A).
Recipe and Label Analysis: Purina Puppy Chow Complete
To provide a detailed breakdown, Purina Puppy Chow Complete was selected for in-depth analysis. The estimated dry matter nutrient content reveals a protein level of 31.3%, fat at 13.6%, and carbohydrates at approximately 47.1%.
Ingredients List (Purina Puppy Chow Complete):
Whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols, soybean meal, barley, egg and chicken flavor, ground rice, chicken, poultry and pork digest, mono and dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, fish oil, salt, potassium chloride, soybean oil, choline chloride, minerals [zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, calcium iodate], sodium selenite, l-lysine monohydrochloride, vitamins [vitamin E supplement, niacin (vitamin B-3), vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate (vitamin B-5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B-6), vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B-1), vitamin D-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement (vitamin B-2), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (vitamin K), folic acid (vitamin B-9), biotin (vitamin B-7)], yellow 6, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (vitamin C), yellow 5, dl-methionine, red 40, blue 2, garlic oil.
Estimated Nutrient Content:
- Guaranteed Analysis: Protein 28%, Fat 12%
- Dry Matter Basis: Protein 31%, Fat 14%, Carbohydrates 47%
- Calorie Weighted Basis: Protein 28%, Fat 30%, Carbohydrates 42%
The estimated dry matter fiber content is 5%. Red-colored ingredients in the list are considered controversial.
Ingredient Breakdown and Concerns
The initial ingredients of Purina Puppy Chow Complete raise some points for consideration:
- Whole Grain Corn: While providing energy, corn is a cereal grain of moderate nutritional value for dogs and is a controversial ingredient for some owners.
- Chicken By-Product Meal: This ingredient is derived from rendered slaughterhouse waste from chickens. Although it’s a concentrated source of protein, its quality can vary significantly depending on the raw materials used by the manufacturer.
- Corn Gluten Meal: This is a protein-rich by-product of corn processing. While it contributes to the overall protein content, its biological value is generally considered lower than that of meat-based proteins.
- Beef Fat: Rendered beef fat is a good source of energy and essential fatty acids.
- Soybean Meal: Similar to corn gluten meal, soybean meal is a plant-based protein source with a lower biological value compared to meat. Its presence can artificially inflate the overall protein percentage reported on the label.
- Barley: This cereal grain provides carbohydrates and fiber.
- Ground Rice: A gluten-free carbohydrate source.
- Chicken: While chicken is a quality ingredient, its actual contribution to the final product’s meat content is reduced after cooking due to moisture loss.
Several other ingredients warrant attention:
- Fish Oil: A commendable source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), beneficial for skin, coat, and overall health.
- Soybean Oil: High in omega-6 fatty acids but lacks omega-3s and has been anecdotally linked to allergies in some dogs.
- Minerals: The minerals listed do not appear to be chelated, which could potentially make them less absorbable by the dog’s digestive system. Chelated minerals are typically found in higher-quality foods.
- Garlic Oil: While sometimes added for purported health benefits, garlic oil has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs, raising concerns about its inclusion.
- Artificial Coloring: Ingredients like yellow 6, yellow 5, red 40, and blue 2 are used to make the kibble visually appealing to humans, not dogs, and offer no nutritional benefit.
- Sodium Selenite: Considered a controversial and less bioavailable form of selenium compared to selenium yeast.
- Menadione: A synthetic form of vitamin K that has been linked to potential toxicity, allergies, and red blood cell breakdown. Its necessity in dog food is questionable as AAFCO does not require it.
Nutrient Profile Comparison
When compared to other dry dog foods, Purina Puppy Chow’s protein content is above average, while its fat content is below average, and carbohydrate content is near average. Considering the protein contributed by plant-based ingredients like corn gluten meal and soybean meal, the actual meat content appears moderate.
Recall History
Purina has had instances of product recalls in the past. A comprehensive list of dog food recalls since 2009 is available for review.
Final Verdict and Comparison
Purina Puppy Chow is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that utilizes a moderate amount of named by-product meals as its primary animal protein source. Due to the presence of controversial ingredients and the reliance on plant-based protein boosters, the brand receives a rating of 2.5 stars. For owners seeking alternatives, exploring highly recommended brands that prioritize high-quality, meat-first ingredients is advisable.
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Sources
- Yamato et al, Heinz Body hemolytic anemia with eccentrocytosis from ingestion of Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) and garlic (Allium sativum) in a dog, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 41:68-73 (2005)
