Choosing the right food for your cat is a crucial decision for their health and well-being. Purina Pro Plan, a prominent brand in the pet food market, aims to offer high-quality nutrition backed by scientific expertise. This review delves into Purina Pro Plan’s offerings, examining ingredient quality, product variety, customer feedback, and recall history to help you make an informed choice. While Purina Pro Plan emphasizes performance and excellence, a closer look reveals a product line with both strengths and weaknesses when compared to other options.
Purina Pro Plan was launched by Purina, a company with decades of experience in pet food development, with a focus on scientific innovation and expert-backed formulations. The brand proudly states that its products are developed with the input of over 400 scientists, including veterinarians and animal behaviorists. This commitment to research and development positions Pro Plan as a potentially superior choice within Purina’s broader portfolio. The brand is manufactured in Purina-owned facilities in the United States, with ingredients sourced globally. Click here to explore various cat food options.
Purina Pro Plan’s Product Range and Recalls
Purina Pro Plan offers a diverse selection of both wet and dry cat food, categorized into five distinct lines to cater to various needs:
- Savor: This line focuses on delivering a variety of aromas, tastes, and textures to entice even the pickiest eaters.
- Focus: Formulated to address specific health concerns, such as hairball control and urinary tract health.
- Veterinary Diets: These prescription-only formulas are designed for cats with serious health issues like allergies, gastrointestinal problems, diabetes, and urinary tract conditions.
- True Nature: This line emphasizes meat-based ingredients, aiming to satisfy a cat’s natural carnivorous instincts.
- Prime Plus: Specifically developed for senior cats, aged seven years and older, to support their changing nutritional needs.
While Purina Pro Plan itself has had a relatively limited recall history, other Purina brands have faced recalls. In 2016, a recall involved tubs of Purina Pro Plan wet dog food due to insufficient vitamin and mineral levels. It’s important for pet owners to stay informed about any potential recalls.
Review of Top Purina Pro Plan Cat Food Recipes
To provide a clearer picture, let’s examine three popular Purina Pro Plan recipes:
1. Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Urinary Tract Health Formula Chicken Entree in Gravy
This wet food is designed to support urinary tract health through acidifiers that help maintain a low urinary pH and limited magnesium content, both crucial for reducing the risk of urinary crystal formation. The primary protein source is meat by-products, followed by chicken. The food contains wheat gluten, corn starch-modified, artificial flavors, and added colors, which are ingredients that raise concerns for some pet owners, especially those prioritizing natural ingredients. Despite these drawbacks, many cat owners report that this formula has helped cats prone to urinary issues.
- Ingredients We Liked: Chicken
- Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Wheat Gluten, Corn Starch-Modified, Artificial Flavors, Soy Flour, Added Color
- Pros: May improve urinary tract health in some cats.
- Cons: High carbohydrate content, contains artificial colors and flavors.
2. Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult White Meat Chicken & Vegetable Entree in Gravy
This wet food features chunks of chicken in a gravy with vegetables. The ingredient list includes chicken as the primary protein, followed by wheat gluten, liver, and meat by-products. The inclusion of “meat by-products” and vague labeling can be a concern for cats with sensitivities. The gravy is thickened with modified corn starch, contributing to the carbohydrate content. Similar to the previous formula, it contains artificial flavors and added colors.
- Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Turkey
- Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Wheat Gluten, Tomatoes, Carrots, Corn Starch-Modified, Artificial Flavors, Added Color
- Pros: Generally well-liked by cats.
- Cons: High carbohydrate content, contains artificial flavors and colors.
3. Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food
This dry kibble starts with chicken as the first ingredient, followed by brewers rice and corn gluten meal. It also includes poultry by-product meal and dried egg product for protein. The inclusion of added probiotics is a positive aspect, potentially supporting digestive health. However, like many dry foods, it has a high carbohydrate content and contains artificial flavors and colors, along with ingredients like corn gluten meal and wheat flour that some owners prefer to avoid.
- Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Beef Fat
- Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Wheat Flour, Soy Protein Isolate, Added Color
- Pros: Contains added probiotics, slightly lower carbohydrate content than average dry food, uses animal-sourced fat.
- Cons: Contains artificial colors and flavors, high carbohydrate content, low moisture content. Explore puppy food reviews for comparison.
Customer Experiences with Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan generally receives positive feedback from customers, with many owners reporting that their cats enjoy the taste and that the food has positively impacted their cat’s health. However, some negative reviews mention cats becoming sick after eating the food, although direct causation is often unclear. Isolated incidents of foreign material, such as plastic pieces or maggots, have also been reported, though these appear to be rare. Consistency in quality and smell has also been a point of concern for some long-term customers.
Cost and Overall Recommendation
Purina Pro Plan is positioned as a premium option within the Purina brand, and its price reflects this. Daily feeding costs are higher compared to more basic Purina offerings. While certain specialized formulas, like the Veterinary Diets, may be beneficial for cats with specific health conditions, the overall ingredient quality of the general Purina Pro Plan line is comparable to other widely available grocery store brands. For owners seeking the absolute best in terms of natural ingredients and minimal processing, other brands might be a more suitable choice. However, for a readily available, scientifically formulated food with a wide variety of options, Purina Pro Plan remains a popular and generally well-accepted choice among cat owners.
Where to Purchase Purina Pro Plan Cat Food
Purina Pro Plan cat food can be found in major pet retail chains, independent pet specialty stores, and online through retailers such as Amazon and Chewy. You can also use the Purina website to locate a retailer near you.
