Purina Dog Food Alternatives
Of course, Purina dog food isnt going to be appropriate for every dog, and that is why we have put together a list of great alternatives for your furry family member to try. Here are our top alternative dog foods and a little bit about each one.
1. Pet Plate
Pet Plate delivers fresh food from their facilities to your doorstep. All of their facilities are USA approved and regulated so that you can be certain your dogs food isnt contaminated. You can freeze the food to keep it fresh, and it can be defrosted in just a couple of minutes in the microwave.
2. The Farmers Dog
The Farmers Dog is all about sustainability and fresh food. Their food is delivered in biodegradable packaging, and their dog food is human grade and ready to serve. The Farmers Dog is a very popular and spoken about dog food manufacturer with a great track record and hundreds of positive customer reviews.
3. NomNomNow
If you are sick and tired of opening fresh dog food and keeping it in the refrigerator for days on end until your pup finishes it then NomNomNow is for you. They have restaurant-quality dog food on offer which is delivered in single-serving packets.
4. Ollie
Ollie also delivers fresh dog food right to your doorstep. You have to pre-schedule and your dog food for your convenience. In order to obtain Ollie dog food, you bust sign up for their prescription.
All Life Stages Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Review
While a recipe focused on allergies may take the top spot, Purina Pro Plan also produces some recipes with excellent nutritional profiles, tailor made for highly active dogs like those who compete or work.
The above Performance Chicken and Rice recipe is the most popular of these high activity recipes thanks to its simplicity.
The recipes most abundant ingredient is Chicken, which can provide a large portion of high-quality animal-based protein and fat.
Thanks to this Chicken, the overall proportion of protein and fat in the recipe is at a minimum of 30% and 20%, which is significantly above-average.
The other main ingredients in the recipe are a mix of Corn ingredients, Rice, and by-products. While many in the industry frown upon ingredients such as these, fans of Purina Pro Plan believe they are well suited to the digestive system of dogs.
They would argue that Corn is a nutritionally dense ingredient that can provide carbohydrates, plant-based protein, and select vitamins and minerals to dogs.
While Purina Pro Plans recipe for allergies is very competitively priced, their performance recipes are more pricey, coming in at 30-40% more than others from Purina Pro Plan.
If youd like more information on the Purina Pro Plan brand, including information like recalls, animal testing, and ingredients, head on over to our Purina Pro Plan Brand Review.
How Do I Know If My Puppy Is A Large Breed
The pet food industry3 defines a large breed puppy as one whose adult weight is expected to be over 70 pounds.
However
Since its impossible to know your puppys adult weight before shes fully grown
Its safer to use a more conservative 50 pound definition advocated by others.45678
If you expect your dog to weigh over 50 pounds when shes fully grown then shes considered a large breed puppy.
Recommended Reading: How To Soften Dry Dog Food
Grain Free Dog Food Is Excellent Pick For Consumers
Are you still buying supplies for your pet containing grain stuffing? Then, you might want to consider switching to grain-free dog food. You can pick the best formula that delivers proteins and healthy fats, and isnt stuffed with fillers. The primary, natural ingredients should be a meat protein, like:
It is recommended that you switch to grain-free pet products gradually, since your pets digestive system needs time to adjust to these new ingredients. You can start by mixing a small portion of the new food with your pets regular foods. In a few weeks, you should shift to healthy eating as you continue to add more of the grain-free food with every meal.
Nutro Ultra Dry Dog Food
Rating:
Nutro Ultra Adult is one of 10 dry recipes included in our review of the Nutro Ultra product line.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole brown rice, brewers rice, rice bran
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Other recipes: Beef, duck, lamb, fish, small breed, large breed, puppy, senior and more
- Price: $$
This Nutro formula derives most of its meat protein from chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 16% fat and 49% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
Available in a wide range of flavor and recipe options. One of our top value picks.
Sample buyer reviewI have 5 dogsranging in different sizes and breeds. This is the ONE food I can get them all to eat without having to buy a bunch of different brands or formulas. Thank you Nutro!
This Go! Carnivore formula derives the majority of its animal protein from chicken, turkey and salmon meals, as well both chicken and turkey. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 18% fat and 36% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
Free of GMO ingredients and loaded with meat. A rare find. Highly recommended.
Read Also: Iams Veterinary Formula Low Residue
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food
Chewy.com
Formulated to support brain, eye and skeletal development, as well as a healthy immune system, this Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food from Hills Science Diet has everything your growing pup needs. Its made with wholesome ingredients like chicken and barley and enhanced with antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin E and DHA to support developing organs and learning ability. Plus, the kibble is smaller than normal and easier to digest than other dog foods, so if you have a puppy who gets a little over-eager at meal times, this food will be easier for its developing digestive system to handle.
Start With The Basics
Several basic factors will guide your dog food comparison process. These include your dogs breed, age, size and activity levels.
If you have a large or giant breed dog, his nutritional needs will differ from those of a toy breed.
Also consider your dogs age and life stage. Puppies need specific nutrients like DHA to help with their development. Around age one , you should transition your puppy to an adult dog food.
Purina brands offering puppy food formulas include:
- Beneful
- Purina ONE
- Purina Pro Plan
Purina considers dogs age seven or older senior. If your dog is seven, now is a good time to transition him to a senior-specific dog food. Senior dogs benefit from nutrition focused on healthy aging.
Purina brands with senior nutrition include:
- Purina ONE
Don’t Miss: Can You Purchase Dog Food With Food Stamps
Purina Dog Food Explained
Purina uses ingredients such as a chicken meal in their dog food, and not real chicken. Chicken meal is a very common ingredient found in most pet foods that are not harmful in any way to your dog.
Chicken meal is made from off-cuts of chicken that is not suitable for human consumption. In other words, it is made of the not so attractive bits that are left of the animal. It is important to mention that chicken meal is never made using animal by-products like beaks or feet.
The animal meat is cooked at high heat and then turned into a powder before being added to dry dog food. It is a brilliant source of protein however, it is processed nonetheless.
Purina also uses rice, flour, corn, and soybean meal in their dog foods. These ingredients are often hard for your dog to digest and can cause serious issues such as bloody stools, sickness, and diarrhea in pets that have underlying sensitivity to these ingredients. Soybean meal is made in the same way as chicken meal. It is commonly found in dog foods with a low percentage of animal protein and is added to boost the protein levels of the food.
Despite all of the information stated above, Purina markets themselves as a healthy dog food option for all dog breeds, small and large. We are unsure if we agree with this information as the ingredients and customer reviews state otherwise.
Purina Pro Savor Canned Wet Dog Food
If youre concerned with hydration or would like a wet food to pair with kibble, Purina Pro Plan 38100027764 SAVOR Adult Canned Wet Dog Food is a terrific choice. Dogs who have dental issues may benefit from wet food if they have trouble chewing. However, remember to brush their teeth regularly, as wet food does not self-clean like dry kibble.
There are plenty of tasty selections to choose from, so you can get the flavor your pooch adores most. And this is also helpful if they are sensitive to specific animal proteins. It has well-balanced ingredients perfect for adult dogs.
While wet dog food is likely to appeal to your dogs taste buds because of the robust flavors, be careful if you are transitioning. Wet dog food may cause diarrhea. Also, wet food may not be as easy to ration, so it may not stretch your dollar as much as dry kibble.
- May cause dental decay if you dont brush
- May end up being more expensive
Also Check: Is Iams Dog Food Any Good
The Second Worst Formula: Purina Moist & Meaty Burger With Cheddar Cheese Soft Dog Food
Purina Moist & Meaty Burger with Cheddar Cheese has beef by-products as the first ingredient. Weve already said that by-products are everything but meat, but at least you know its beef, and you can avoid it if your pooch is allergic to this meat.
High fructose corn syrup is what is used to make candy and soft drinks. Its filled with corn sugar, which is redundant in dog food and should be avoided at all costs! Doggos can get addicted to sugar, put on weight, or develop diabetes from it.
Wheat and soy are both inexpensive protein-boosters of low nutritional value for canines. Beef is the eighth ingredient, and since it also contains a lot of water when raw, most of its weight is lost during the cooking process.
This chow also contains other ingredients that make us cringe:
- Added colors are unnecessary in dog food dogs couldnt care less about the aesthetic value of their grub
- Yellow 6, Red 40, Yellow 5 these are all listed among our dog food ingredients to avoid
- Ethoxyquin is an artificial preservative that is super controversial and linked to liver failure
We believe youre beginning to understand why Purina is among our dog food brands to avoid!
|
Guaranteed Analysis |
|
33.0% |
Dry Dog Food Versus Wet Or Canned Dog Food
Freeman argued the amount of water in wet food might make it an unwise investment, and instead recommended you go with dry food. One benefit to dry food , she noted, is that the friction of chewing it can help keep your dogs teeth and gums healthy. Its also less messy. Morgan added that bags of dry food also tend to be more affordable compared to the other options.
However, Morgan noted that kibble typically includes less meat and often includes some sort of grain, legume, or potato. If you go with kibble, Morgan suggested topping the dry food with a bit of canned food, meat from home, or other toppers.
Also Check: Can Chickens Eat Dog Food
Whats Important When Choosing A Dog Food
There is a multitude of components that go into deciding on the ideal dog food.
Often, we only think of ingredients, and though that is a significant part of the decision process, it isnt the only factor to take into consideration.
Other things specific to your dogs dietary health requirements are essential when picking the right dog food.
Also, there are aspects of the decision-making process that do not have anything to do with your dog. But these elements are still essential when deciding on the best food for your dog.
There are two tiers to consider when deciding on the right dog food for your pooch.
The first tier is made up of factors that directly relate to your dogs specific needs, like:
- Where the food is manufactured
- Where the ingredients are sourced
Purina Dog Food Recalls And Lawsuits
Purina dog food has had five product recalls in the last 15 years:
Recommended Reading: Is Iams Dog Food Any Good
Kal Kan Complete Adult
This dog food makes the list because of questionable ingredient quality that is not nutritional and is somewhat harmful to dogs.
The primary ingredient is corn, which we just mentioned does not provide the proper nutrition your dog needs.
The second ingredient is meat and bone meal which is a dry product from the mammal tissues, including bones, exclusive of any added hair, blood, hoof, hide trimmings, horn, manure, rumen contents, and stomach.
Meat and bone meal may have a lower digestibility than most of the other meat meals.
Scientists believe that this decreased absorption may be because of the lower essential amino acid and higher ash content in the ingredient.
The meat itself can come from any mixture of cattle, pigs, goats or sheep, making classifying impossible for particular food allergens.
Although meat and bone meals are still considered meat concentrates rich in protein, a generic ingredient like this cannot be considered a quality item.
Kal Kans third ingredient is a soybean meal which a by-product or leftover of soybean oil production more often found in farm animal feed.
Although soybean meal comprises about 48% of protein, this ingredient would be estimated to have a lower biological value than meat.
Inexpensive plant-based ingredients like this can boost the total protein, an element that must be considered while judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
I think you get the point that these types of ingredients are not ideal for your furry friend.
Best Overall: Royal Canin
Think of it as pet food fit for kings and queensRoyal Canin offers foods for all sorts of dogs: purebreds, young, old, large, and small. Plus, you can choose from wet and dry food options with this brand.
The companys values are inspiring: Not only do they focus on making food thats healthy for pets, but they are also intent on reducing their environmental impact. The company got its start in France in the 1960s, and has gone on to be an international brand, with food sold around the world. Royal Canin is available for sale at local pet foods stories and vet offices, as well as many popular online retailers.
Don’t Miss: Iams Prostora Max
Blackwood 1000 Dog Food
Blackwood 1000 dog food has an ingredients list thats full of items that deliver no health benefits to dogs and can even be harmful to their health.
It also contains a lot of ingredients that are comprised of GMOs. Since many studies suggest that GMOs are not safe for human consumption, its certainly not a good idea to fill your dog with such foods daily.
Taste Of The Wild Grain
Taste of the Wild is a well-regarded, more affordable natural food choice, with six different protein sources to choose from. Its made by Diamond Pet Foods, a family-owned company that also makes Diamond Naturals Grain-Free. Taste of the Wild receives 4.5 stars on Dog Food Advisor, which also highly recommends this High Prairie formula featuring bison and venison.
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Recipe
This brand offers six different flavors of grain-free dog food, including this High Prairie variety that features water buffalo as its main protein source.
Whole Earth promises that all of their foods have no corn, wheat, soy, poultry byproducts, artificial flavors, artificial colors, or artificial preservatives. That checks all the boxes for high-quality dog food, and the price is right, too.
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe
Recommended for all breeds, this grain-free adult dog food is free of corn, wheat, soy, poultry byproducts, and artificial flavors, among other things.
Recommended Reading: Darwins Dog Food Reviews
Also Check: Is Pedigree Better Than Purina
Always Advancing For Dogs Like Yours
At Pro Plan, we never stop researching, discovering, and enhancing the high-quality formulas pets love and experts trust. We were the first dog food brand to use and be founded on real meat as the #1 ingredient. And now, many of our dry formulas are fortified with guaranteed live probiotics to support digestive and immune health. Because champions like yours deserve outstanding nutrition that helps them excel. At every age, and every stage of life.