Choosing the right food for your canine companion is a critical decision for their overall health and well-being. Pure Balance Pro+ offers a range of dry dog food formulas designed to meet specific dietary needs, backed by veterinary formulation and a commitment to high-quality ingredients. This review delves into the Pure Balance Pro+ dry product line, analyzing its recipes, nutritional content, and overall value for pet owners.
The Pure Balance Pro+ line encompasses eight distinct recipes, each aiming to provide optimal nutrition for different life stages and specific health concerns. The brand emphasizes vet-formulated recipes, ensuring that the nutritional profiles are scientifically sound. A key selling point is the absence of fillers, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, aligning with a growing demand for natural and wholesome pet food options. The overall rating for the Pure Balance Pro+ range stands at an impressive 5 stars, with individual recipes scoring between 4 and 5 stars, indicating a consistent level of quality across the product line.
Recipe and Nutritional Breakdown
The Pure Balance Pro+ range offers a variety of formulas, including options for small breeds, sensitive skin and stomachs, puppies, large breeds, seniors, weight management, and performance sport dogs. Each recipe is tailored to specific nutritional requirements, but the core philosophy of using high-quality protein sources as the primary ingredient remains consistent. The table below outlines the different products within the Pure Balance Pro+ line and their corresponding AAFCO nutrient profiles:
| Product Line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Balance Pro+ Small Breed Chicken & Pea | 5 | A |
| Pure Balance Pro+ Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice | 5 | M |
| Pure Balance Pro+ Puppy Chicken & Rice | 5 | A |
| Pure Balance Pro+ Large Breed Chicken and Brown Rice | 4 | A |
| Pure Balance Pro+ Senior Salmon & Brown Rice | 5 | M |
| Pure Balance Pro+ Weight Management Chicken & Oatmeal | 5 | M |
| Pure Balance Pro+ Performance Sport Dog Chicken & Brown Rice | 5 | M |
| Pure Balance Pro+ Chicken and Brown Rice Large Breed Puppy | 5 | A |
AAFCO profiles: A – Growth (puppy), M – Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
To provide a detailed analysis, the “Pure Balance Pro+ Performance Sport Dog Chicken & Brown Rice” recipe was examined. This formula features chicken as the first ingredient, a high-quality source of protein essential for muscle development and repair. Chicken meal, a concentrated protein source, follows, further bolstering the protein content. Chicken fat provides essential omega-6 fatty acids, crucial for skin and coat health.
However, the ingredient list also includes some controversial ingredients such as soybean meal, corn protein meal, wheat, and corn. While these ingredients can contribute to the protein and carbohydrate content, they are often considered less biologically valuable for dogs compared to meat-based proteins. For pet owners seeking grain-free or limited-ingredient diets, these components may be a concern. It is important to note that ingredients listed further down the ingredient list have a less significant impact on the overall quality of the food.
Pure Balance Pro+ Performance Sport Dog Chicken & Brown Rice
This recipe does include commendable additions like dried fermentation products, which act as probiotics to support digestive health, and chelated minerals, which are more easily absorbed by the body. The inclusion of salmon oil also provides beneficial EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, known for their anti-inflammatory properties and support for cognitive function.
Nutrient Content Analysis
In terms of nutrient content, the “Pure Balance Pro+ Performance Sport Dog Chicken & Brown Rice” recipe shows a dry matter protein content of 34.2%, fat at 22.8%, and carbohydrates at approximately 31.7%. When compared to the average across the entire Pure Balance Pro+ dry range, which has a protein content of 29.4% and a mean fat level of 16.6%, these figures indicate that this specific formula is well-suited for active dogs requiring higher protein and fat levels. The overall product line’s carbohydrate content is around 40.1%, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%. This positions Pure Balance Pro+ dry foods as having near-average protein, carbohydrate, and fat content relative to typical dry dog foods.
Recall History and Brand Information
A review of the Pure Balance dog food recall history through January 2026 indicates no recalls for the Pure Balance brand. This absence of recalls contributes to the brand’s trustworthiness. Pure Balance is a private-label brand owned by Walmart, exclusively sold in their stores. Launched in 2012, it was Walmart’s first foray into ultra-premium, veterinarian-formulated dog food, aiming to provide high-quality nutrition at an accessible price point.
Conclusion
The Pure Balance Pro+ dry dog food line stands out for its vet-formulated recipes, commitment to avoiding fillers and artificial ingredients, and the consistent high ratings across its range. The emphasis on meat as the primary ingredient, coupled with beneficial supplements like probiotics and chelated minerals, makes it a strong contender in the premium dog food market. While the inclusion of some common grains might be a consideration for specific dietary needs, the overall nutritional profile and lack of recalls position Pure Balance Pro+ as a highly recommended choice for many dog owners seeking a balanced and wholesome diet for their pets.
For those interested in comparing Pure Balance Pro+ with other leading brands, further information is available through resources like Dog Food Advisor’s editor’s top picks.
