Walmart’s Pure Balance brand aims to deliver pet store quality at budget-friendly prices. Introduced in 2012, Pure Balance was developed to meet customer demand for high-quality ingredients without requiring a special trip to a dedicated pet supply store. This review will delve into the various aspects of Pure Balance cat food, examining its ingredient quality, product variety, pricing, and overall suitability for feline companions, helping you determine if it’s a healthy choice for your pet.
The Cats.com Standard—Rating Pure Balance
We’ve analyzed Pure Balance based on species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history.
- Species-Appropriateness: 6/10
- Ingredient Quality: 5/10
- Product Variety: 5/10
- Price: 7/10
- Customer Experience: 8/10
- Recall History: 6/10
Overall Score: 6.2/10 (C+)
About Pure Balance and Its Manufacturing
Walmart introduced Pure Balance cat and dog food in 2012. The brand’s development was a response to customer feedback, with the goal of providing pet owners with access to “pure ingredients” through Walmart’s extensive retail network.
Some Pure Balance formulas are manufactured by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, a company known for its collaboration with Walmart on other brands like Ol’ Roy. Ainsworth also developed Rachael Ray Nutrish, further solidifying their relationship with Walmart. However, the brand also partners with other unnamed manufacturers for different recipes, leaving the exact locations and standards of these facilities unclear. When questioned about the origin of the food, customer service indicated that Pure Balance dog food is primarily made in the United States, but specific details about ingredient sourcing and manufacturing processes remain opaque.
Pure Balance Cat Food Recall History
As of our last update, Pure Balance cat food does not appear to have any reported recalls. This absence of recalls can be a positive indicator for consumers concerned about product safety and consistency.
Pure Balance Cat Food Product Range
Pure Balance offers a focused selection of both wet and dry cat food options. While some varieties include grains, all Pure Balance products are formulated without corn, soy, and wheat. The brand includes a grain-free “Wild & Free” line and a “Limited Ingredient” line designed for cats with food sensitivities or allergies.
Top Pure Balance Cat Food Recipes Reviewed
1. Pure Balance Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Cat Food
This grain-inclusive dry food features chicken as the primary protein source, with chicken meal and lamb meal following closely. While it includes animal-sourced protein and fat, the ingredient list also contains a significant amount of carbohydrates from ingredients like chickpeas, ground barley, grain sorghum, and dried peas, which contribute to kibble structure. Fish oil is added for omega-3 fatty acids, and the food is supplemented with essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
- Ingredients We Liked: Chicken
- Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Ground Barley, Chickpeas, Grain Sorghum, Brown Rice, Pea Protein, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Dried Carrots
- Pros: Contains animal-sourced fat, free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, no animal by-products.
- Cons: Very high carbohydrate content, dry food lacks essential moisture.
- Calories: 354 calories per cup.
2. Pure Balance Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Turkey & Sweet Potato Dry Cat Food
Marketed as a limited ingredient diet for sensitive cats, this grain-free option lists turkey as the first ingredient. However, chicken meal and fish meal, common allergens, appear later in the ingredient list. Chicken fat serves as the primary fat source, providing beneficial fatty acids. The food is flavored with “natural flavor” and fortified with necessary nutrients.
- Ingredients We Liked: Turkey
- Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Dried Peas, Pea Protein, Dried Sweet Potato, Ground Flaxseed
- Pros: Made with animal-sourced fat, free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, no animal by-products.
- Cons: High carbohydrate content, contains common food allergens, lacks moisture.
- Calories: 483 calories per cup.
3. Pure Balance Turkey & Sweet Potato Dinner Wet Cat Food
This wet food is also part of the limited ingredient line. Turkey is the main protein, followed by dried egg product and sweet potato. The inclusion of egg, a common allergen, might be a concern for sensitive cats. The food uses “natural flavor” and is stabilized by carrageenan, guar gum, and cassia gum. Carrageenan, in particular, has raised concerns due to its potential inflammatory properties.
- Ingredients We Liked: Turkey
- Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Sweet Potato, Carrageenan, Guar Gum, Cassia Gum
- Pros: Rich in animal-sourced protein, made without animal by-products, contains only named meats, free of artificial additives.
- Cons: High in carbohydrates compared to other wet foods, contains carrageenan.
- Calories: Approximately 33 calories per ounce.
Customer Feedback on Pure Balance Cat Food
Customer reviews for Pure Balance cat food are generally positive, with many owners appreciating the brand’s affordability and perceived quality. Pet parents often highlight that their cats enjoy the taste and that the food meets their budget constraints. However, some negative feedback exists, with a few customers reporting adverse reactions in their pets, such as vomiting, suggesting that certain ingredients may not agree with all cats.
Cost of Pure Balance Cat Food
Pure Balance is positioned as an affordable option, comparable to brands like Fancy Feast, Simply Nourish, and Sheba. For a 10 lb cat requiring approximately 200 calories daily, feeding Pure Balance wet food would cost around $1.56 per day, while dry food options are significantly more economical at about $0.24 per day.
Is Pure Balance a Good Choice for Your Cat?
Pure Balance offers several advantages, including the absence of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which is a significant benefit at its price point. However, the brand’s formulas, particularly the limited ingredient diets, are not as limited as they could be, and both wet and dry options contain higher-than-ideal levels of carbohydrates and, in the case of wet food, carrageenan.
While Pure Balance may be a reasonable choice for budget-conscious owners seeking an improvement over basic grocery store brands, consumers might also consider alternatives like Crave, Sheba, Purina ONE, or select Fancy Feast recipes, which may offer a more optimal nutritional profile.
Where to Purchase Pure Balance Cat Food
Pure Balance cat food is readily available at Walmart stores and on the Walmart website. It can also be found on Amazon.
