Bringing a new furry member into your home is an exciting time, and ensuring they receive the best nutrition is paramount. Purina Dog Chow, a widely recognized brand, offers a range of dry dog food options. This review delves into the specifics of Purina Dog Chow’s dry formulations, examining their ingredients, nutritional content, and overall suitability for your canine companion.
Product Overview and Our Verdict
Purina Dog Chow’s dry dog food product line consists of seven distinct recipes. Each of these recipes has been awarded a 1-star rating by the Dog Food Advisor, placing them in the “Not Recommended” category. This low rating stems from several factors, including the prominent use of corn as a primary ingredient and the positioning of protein sources further down the ingredient list.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Manufactured in the USA.
- Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.
- The crunchy kibble texture may contribute to dental hygiene.
Cons:
- Features controversial ingredients.
- Protein sources are not consistently the first ingredient.
Recipe Ratings and AAFCO Profiles
The table below outlines the Purina Dog Chow product line, their respective ratings, and their AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutrient profiles. AAFCO profiles indicate whether a food is suitable for puppy growth (G), adult maintenance (M), all life stages (A), or is supplemental (S) or unspecified (U).
| Product Line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Purina Dog Chow Little Bites for Small Dogs | 1 Star | M |
| Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult with Real Lamb | 1 Star | U |
| Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult Beef Flavor | 1 Star | M |
| Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult Chicken Flavor | 1 Star | M |
| Purina Dog Chow High Protein with Real Beef | 1 Star | M |
| Purina Dog Chow Tender and Crunchy With Real Lamb & Turkey Flavor | 1 Star | M |
| Purina Dog Chow High Protein with Real Chicken | 1 Star | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis: A Closer Look
For a detailed examination, Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult Chicken Flavor was chosen to represent the entire product line.
Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult Chicken Flavor
- Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content: Protein: 24.5%, Fat: 12%, Carbohydrates: 50.8%
- Ingredients: Whole grain corn, meat and bone meal, corn protein meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols, soybean meal, chicken by-product meal, egg and chicken flavor, whole grain wheat, natural flavor, salt, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, l-lysine monohydrochloride, choline chloride, mono and dicalcium phosphate, minerals [zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite], 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-tryptophan, yellow 5, red 40, blue 2, garlic oil.
- Fiber (estimated dry matter content): 4.5%
Controversial Ingredients (denoted in red): Artificial coloring (yellow 6, yellow 5, red 40, blue 2), Garlic oil.
Ingredient Breakdown
- Corn: While a source of energy, corn is an inexpensive grain with modest nutritional value for dogs and is considered a controversial ingredient by many pet nutritionists.
- Meat and Bone Meal: This is a rendered product from mammal tissues, including bone. Its digestibility can be lower than other meat meals, and because it’s an anonymous ingredient, it can be difficult to pinpoint specific allergens.(#fn-1)
- Corn Protein Meal: This ingredient is a byproduct of corn processing. While it contains protein, its biological value is considered lower than that of meat.(#fn-2)
- Animal Fat: As an unnamed fat source, its origin is unclear, potentially including by-products from various sources. This lack of specificity makes it a less desirable ingredient.
- Soybean Meal: Another plant-based protein source, soybean meal is more commonly found in feed for farm animals and has a lower biological value compared to meat.(#fn-2)
- Chicken By-Product Meal: This is a concentrate of chicken parts remaining after the desirable cuts have been removed. While it is a protein concentrate, its quality can vary.
- Artificial Coloring: The inclusion of artificial colors is primarily for human appeal and offers no nutritional benefit to dogs.
- Minerals: The minerals listed are not chelated, which might make them less absorbable by the dog. Chelated minerals are generally found in higher-quality foods.
- Garlic Oil: While some believe garlic offers health benefits, it has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs, a condition affecting red blood cells.(#fn-3)
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredient list, Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult Chicken Flavor appears to be a below-average dry dog food. The estimated dry matter protein content is 24.5%, fat is 12%, and carbohydrates are approximately 50.8%. When compared to the average dry dog food, Purina Dog Chow’s product line shows below-average protein, near-average fat, and near-average carbohydrates. The protein-boosting effect of corn gluten meal and soybean meal suggests a moderate actual meat content in the kibble.
Purina Dog Food Recall History
Purina has had several recalls in its history. For a comprehensive list of all dog food recalls since 2009, you can visit the Dog Food Advisor recalls page.
Other Purina Reviews
The Dog Food Advisor website also features reviews for other Purina products, including:
- Dog Chow High Protein Beef Reviews
- Purina Puppy Chow Complete Reviews
- Purina One Natural Dry Dog Food Reviews
- Purina One High Protein Dog Food Reviews
Final Conclusion
Purina Dog Chow is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that utilizes a moderate amount of unnamed meat and bone meal or named by-product meal as its primary animal protein source. Due to the presence of controversial ingredients and the composition of its protein sources, the brand receives a 1-star rating, indicating it is strongly not recommended. While it is crafted in the USA and includes vitamins and minerals, the overall ingredient quality and nutritional profile suggest that pet owners may want to explore higher-rated alternatives for their dogs’ optimal health and nutrition.
Sources:
Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2008 Edition
Shirley RB and Parsons CM, Effect of Ash Content on Protein Quality of Meat and Bone Meal, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Poultry Science, 2001 80: 626-632
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)
