Purina Pro Plan is a popular dog food brand, and this review delves into its various sub-brands to assess their quality and suitability for different dogs. The Dog Food Advisor critically examines Purina Pro Plan, rating its most important sub-brands and addressing key questions regarding its manufacturing, recall history, and the performance of its various recipes. This analysis aims to provide pet owners with comprehensive information to make informed decisions about their dog’s nutrition.
Purina Pro Plan offers several distinct sub-brands, each tailored to specific life stages and needs. Understanding these differences is crucial for selecting the best option for your canine companion.
Purina Pro Plan Adult
This is Pro Plan’s leading dry kibble, scientifically formulated for adult dogs. It contains live probiotics to support healthy digestion and chelated minerals for enhanced nutrition. The brand offers 25 different recipes within this line, though their individual ratings may vary. The Purina Pro Plan Adult line generally receives a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Purina Pro Plan Puppy
Frequently recommended by veterinarians and professional breeders, Pro Plan Puppy is designed specifically for growing puppies. Each formula is verified for nutrient balance through live feeding trials and features controlled calcium levels, which are ideal for puppies’ developmental stages. This line includes specific formulas for both small and large breeds and comprises eight recipes. Like the Adult line, it generally earns a 3.5-star rating.
Purina Pro Plan Sport
Catering to dogs of all ages, including puppies, adults, and seniors, Pro Plan Sport is formulated with omega-rich fish oil to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. It also includes live probiotics for optimal digestion. This range features 13 recipes, with ratings that can differ between individual products. The general rating for this sub-brand is also 3.5 stars.
Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind
This line is Purina Pro Plan’s specialized senior dog food, designed for dogs aged 7 years and older. Each recipe is enriched with MCT (Medium-Chain Triglycerides), a natural fatty-acid supplement that has shown potential in improving cognitive function in older dogs. Additionally, these formulas contain glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and DHA and EPA omega fats for enhanced cognitive support. Bright Mind offers three recipes and stands out with a higher rating of 4.5 stars.
Detailed Review of Purina Pro Plan Adult Dog Food
The Purina Pro Plan Adult product range encompasses 25 recipes, with individual ratings spanning from 3.5 to 4 stars, resulting in an average rating of 3.5 stars for the entire line.
The table below outlines each recipe within the Adult range, along with its rating and the corresponding AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental, or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Salmon and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken and Rice | 3.5 | A |
| Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Beef and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Large Breed Shredded Blend Chicken and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Toy Breed Chicken and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Large Breed Weight Management | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Shredded Blend Weight Management | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Small Breed Shredded Blend Beef and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Calm and Balanced Chicken and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Calm and Balanced Small Breed Chicken and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach Turkey and Oat Meal | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Small Breed Shredded Blend Weight Management | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Small Breed Shredded Blend Lamb and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Giant Breed Chicken and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Lamb and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Large Breed Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon and Rice | 4 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Small Breed Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon and Rice | 4 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Weight Management Chicken and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Turkey and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Large Breed Chicken and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach Lamb and Oat Meal | 4 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Small Breed Shredded Blend Chicken and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon and Rice | 4 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult Large Breed Beef and Rice | 3.5 | M |
| Pro Plan Adult 7+ Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Beef and Rice Senior | 4 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis: Pro Plan Adult Shredded Blend Chicken and Rice
An in-depth analysis of “Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken and Rice” reveals its estimated dry matter nutrient content: 29.5% protein, 18.2% fat, and 44.3% carbohydrates. The primary ingredients are chicken, rice, and whole grain wheat. Other notable ingredients include poultry by-product meal, soybean meal, beef fat, corn gluten meal, corn, and dried egg product.
Ingredients Analysis:
The first ingredient, chicken, is a quality protein source, but its listed percentage decreases significantly after processing due to water loss. Rice, the second ingredient, is a carbohydrate source, but its specific type (whole grain, brown, or white) is not specified, making its quality difficult to assess. Wheat, the third ingredient, is an inexpensive cereal grain that offers modest nutritional value. Poultry by-product meal, the fourth ingredient, is derived from slaughterhouse waste but is a concentrated source of protein. Soybean meal and corn gluten meal are plant-based protein sources that can inflate the overall protein content without contributing the same biological value as meat. Beef fat is a quality ingredient. Dried egg product is easily digestible and highly nutritious. Fish meal is another protein concentrate, but its anonymity is a drawback.
Other Notable Ingredients:
The ingredient list also includes soybean oil, noted for its high omega-6 content but lack of omega-3s. Fish oil is a valuable source of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. The inclusion of chelated minerals indicates a higher quality formulation as they are more easily absorbed. However, sodium selenite, a controversial form of selenium, and menadione, a controversial form of vitamin K linked to potential toxicity, are also present.
Nutrient Analysis:
Based on its ingredients, Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken and Rice is considered an average dry dog food. Its dry matter protein content is 30%, fat is 18%, and carbohydrates are approximately 44%. Compared to the overall product line, it has above-average protein, near-average fat, and below-average carbohydrates. However, considering the protein from plant-based ingredients like soybean and corn gluten meals, the actual meat content appears moderate.
Purina Dog Food Recall History
Purina Pro Plan has a history of recalls. For a comprehensive list of all Purina recalls since 2009, consult the provided link.
More Purina Reviews
Additional reviews for other Purina product lines are available on the website.
Our Rating of Purina Pro Plan Dog Food
The Dog Food Advisor rates Purina Pro Plan as an above-average kibble, awarding it 3.5 stars for its grain-inclusive recipes that utilize a moderate amount of named meat and by-product meals as primary protein sources. The Pro Plan Bright Mind line specifically receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars.
A Video Guide to Pro Plan Sub-Brands
Purina has recently updated the naming of many of its products, organizing them by life stage. A short marketing video from Purina is available to help consumers choose the right sub-brand.
What Do Others Say About Purina Pro Plan Dog Food?
Customer reviews on Chewy.com show Purina Pro Plan receiving an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with 96% of customers recommending the brand. One user review highlights the effectiveness of the Shredded Blend for German Shepherds, though noting a potential choking hazard if consumed too quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Pro Plan’s Best Recipes?
Based on popularity and ratings, the five most recommended Purina Pro Plan flavors and recipes are detailed.
Is Purina Pro Plan Made in the United States?
According to Purina, approximately 99% of Pro Plan recipes are manufactured in the U.S.A., with the majority of ingredients sourced from American suppliers. Purina owns and operates all of its production facilities.
What’s the Best Pro Plan Dog Food for Puppies?
Pro Plan Puppy is highly recommended by veterinarians and breeders. Its eight scientifically formulated recipes meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth and have been validated through live feeding trials. A dedicated review of Pro Plan Puppy is available.
What’s the Best Pro Plan Dog Food for Seniors?
Pro Plan Bright Mind is Purina’s premium kibble specifically optimized for dogs over seven years old. These three senior recipes offer ample protein and below-average calorie content. Additional recommendations for senior dog foods can be found in the Advisor’s list of best senior dog foods.
Compare Purina Pro Plan Dog Food
This section provides a comparison of Purina Pro Plan against other top-rated brands on The Dog Food Advisor.
Sources
- Association of American Feed Control Officials
A Final Word
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