Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Review 2024: Advanced Nutrition for Dogs

According to the company website, Purina understands the special bond between people and their pets which is why they choose their ingredients carefully.

Every ingredient matters and serves a particular purpose. Read this 2024 Purina Pro Plan dog food review for an in-depth look into their products.

The company established its first pet nutrition and care center in the Purina Farms near Gray Summit, Missouri, to develop the palatability and nutrition of their pet foods. Today, it is known as the Nestle Purina Pet Care Center.

The company developed a process in 1986 which makes meat the first ingredient in dry pet food. These products were launched in a new brand called Purina Pro Plan.

Not only does Purina Pro Plan offer a wide variety of product choices to their customers, but they also make an effort to give back to the community.

Purina has donated more than 2.5 million pounds of Pro Plan pet food since 2005 and they work with more than 400 independent pet rescue organizations.

Read on for our comprehensive 2024 Purina Pro Plan dog food review for this year, 2024.

Pro Plan Dog Food Reviews

The Pro Plan brand of dog food is marketed as one of Purina’s premium pet food brands. Purina Pro Plan claims to provide “outstanding nutrition for those who want the absolute best for their dog”.

It is true that many Pro Plan recipes start with real meat as the first ingredient. Many of recipes include corn, wheat, and soy ingredients as well as plant proteins and by-products. Overall, Purina Pro Plan dog food leaves much to be desired.

 

1. Savor Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Poultry By-product Meal, Soybean Meal

This dog food formula starts strong with fresh chicken as the main protein source, supported by rice for carbohydrates, and includes omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.

It also features natural prebiotics to promote digestive health, along with a blend of crunchy kibble and tender pieces for enhanced flavor and texture.

However, while chicken is a high-quality ingredient, the formula relies heavily on low-quality carbohydrates like brewers rice, wheat, and corn, which are common allergens and difficult for dogs to digest.

Many of the supplementary proteins and fats come from unnamed or by-product sources, raising concerns about their quality. While the product meets AAFCO standards and includes chelated minerals, the use of inferior plant proteins and limited natural vitamins make it less beneficial than advertised, especially for dogs with sensitivities or allergies.

2. Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach

First 5 ingredients: Salmon, Barley, Rice, Oat Meal, Canola Meal

This is a dry dog food specially developed for dogs with allergies or sensitive tummies.

Made with salmon and rice, is designed to support dogs with sensitive stomachs and skin. It contains omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin, coat, joints, and mobility, along with antioxidants to boost the immune system.

The formula is free from common allergens like wheat, corn, soy, and poultry, making it suitable for dogs with food sensitivities. It's enriched with prebiotic fiber for digestive health and has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

While it contains plant-based ingredients such as barley, rice, and oat meal, it avoids by-product meals. However, the inclusion of unnamed animal fat raises some quality concerns.

Reviews highlight its effectiveness in improving digestion, stool quality, and relieving skin allergies in sensitive dogs. Though results may vary depending on the individual dog, it’s considered a solid option for dogs with skin and stomach sensitivities.

3. Sport All Life Stages Performance 30/20 Formula

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Corn Gluten Meal, Rice, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols, Poultry By-Product Meal

This formula is designed for the high energy needs of athletic and active dogs, providing 30% protein and 20% fat to boost metabolism and endurance.

It features real chicken as the main protein source and is enriched with amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and glucosamine to support joint health. The formula is ideal for dogs involved in sports like flyball, agility, and diving competitions.

Although it avoids wheat and soy, it contains corn and unnamed animal ingredients like animal fat, poultry by-product meal, and animal digest, which are lower quality and may not suit dogs with sensitivities. However, it has received positive reviews for improving energy levels, digestion, skin health, and helping underweight dogs achieve healthy weight.

Overall, it’s a solid choice for highly active or working dogs, despite some concerns over ingredient quality. Many dogs have thrived on this formula, experiencing improvements in energy and health.

4. Focus Puppy Classic Chicken Entrée

First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Liver, Water, Meat By-Products, Salmon

This chicken entrée is a grain-free wet food designed to meet the nutritional needs of growing puppies.

Made with real chicken as the primary protein source, along with salmon for added protein, it helps support lean muscle development. The formula is free from corn, wheat, soy, and artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

While puppies seem to love the taste, enhanced by liver and salmon, it does contain unnamed animal ingredients like liver and meat by-products, which may not be suitable for sensitive puppies. It also includes additives like guar gum and carrageenan, which some experts believe could contribute to health issues.

Overall, this is a well-received wet food that supports healthy growth and digestion in puppies, though concerns over additives and unnamed ingredients may make it less ideal for those with sensitivities.

5. Bright Mind Adult 7+ Beef & Brown Rice Entrée

First 5 ingredients: Water, Beef, Wheat Gluten, Liver, Brown Rice

BRIGHT MIND Adult 7+ Beef & Brown Rice Entrée is a wet food specifically made for adult dogs aged 7 years and older. It is formulated to help nourish your pup’s mind throughout his senior years.

According to Purina's proprietary research, enhanced botanical oils provide a fuel source for dogs' brains. These oils are especially beneficial to senior pups. It helps to naturally nourish their minds to help them think more, just as they did in their younger years.

Purina experts have discovered that fatty acids derived from botanical oils, called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) can be used as a source of energy for the brain, in addition to glucose. These MCTs have been shown to promote alertness and mental sharpness in dogs aged 7 and above.

The optimal result from feeding this formula to your pooch is a noticeable difference in your dog's behavior. This includes increased activity and interaction with you, as well as more interest in playing, and the ability to adapt and cope with change.

This BRIGHT MIND formula is made mostly of real beef, which is a very good quality source of protein. It is also very flavorful. However, it also has unnamed animal ingredients such as liver, and meat by-products. It also has wheat gluten which is a lesser quality source of protein.

The unnamed animal ingredients could potentially make this food unsuitable for senior pups with food sensitivities. They are also considered inferior quality ingredients.

This is a wet food specifically designed for senior dogs aged 7 and older, aimed at supporting cognitive health.

Purina's research suggests that Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) from botanical oils serve as an additional energy source for senior dogs' brains, promoting mental sharpness, alertness, and increased activity.

Made primarily with real beef for high-quality protein, the formula also includes unnamed animal ingredients like liver and meat by-products, as well as wheat gluten, which are considered lower quality. These ingredients may not suit dogs with food sensitivities.

Despite this, many dog owners report noticeable improvements in their senior dogs' behavior, such as increased activity, playfulness, and enthusiasm for mealtime. While some dogs experienced softer stools, overall, the formula has been well-received for revitalizing aging dogs and boosting their appetite.

This food is highly recommended for senior dogs, offering significant cognitive and energy benefits, although it may not be ideal for those with sensitive stomachs.

6. Savor Classic Turkey & Sweet Potato Entrée

First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Water, Liver, Meat By-Products, Chicken

Marketed as a high-quality, grain-free wet food, it starts strong with real turkey as the first ingredient, a complete and rich source of protein.

It is free from corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-products, and artificial additives. However, the recipe also includes lower-quality ingredients like meat by-products and unnamed liver, which reduce its nutritional value.

While sweet potatoes provide a good source of digestible carbohydrates, the inclusion of carrageenan—a thickener linked to potential health risks—raises concerns. Additionally, the vitamins are synthetic and less bioavailable, and the mineral supplements are not chelated for better absorption.

Overall, while the formula meets AAFCO standards, its reliance on lower-quality proteins and questionable ingredients like carrageenan limits its overall nutritional benefits, making it a less ideal choice compared to other options.

 

Is Purina Pro Plan a Good Dog Food?

Purina Pro Plan stands out as a superior kibble, rated above average. Its grain-inclusive recipes feature a substantial amount of named meat and by-product meals as the main sources of animal protein, earning the brand a commendable 4-star rating. Notably, Pro Plan Bright Mind receives an even higher rating of 4.5 stars, making it highly recommended.

Who Makes Pro Plan Dog Food?

The Pro Plan brand of dog food is part of the Purina family of brands. This and other Purina brands are produced and manufactured by the Nestle Purina PetCare company, a subsidiary of Nestle that is based in St. Louis, Missouri.

Nestle Purina PetCare is the largest pet food company in the United States and the second largest in the world. This company was formed from the Ralston Purina company when it merged with Friskies PetCare in 2001. Other brands that fall under the Purina umbrella include Alpo, Beggin’ Strips, Beneful, Mighty Dog, Purina Beyond, Purina Dog Chow, and Purina Veterinary Diets.

Is Pro Plan Made in the United States?

The Nestle Purina PetCare company is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri but they have operations all over North America and in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. According to the Purina website, 99% of their products are made in the United States.

If you consult the Pro Plan website in particular, you will find that 100% of Pro Plan products are made in Purina-owned U.S. facilities.

Where Do They Get Their Ingredients?

In the past, the Nestle Purina PetCare company has had problems with recalls due to poor-quality ingredients sourced from China. On the Pro Plan website, however, Purina makes many claims about the quality and safety of their ingredients – they also remind their customers that Purina was the first dry dog food brand to use real meat as the first ingredient.

When it comes to their ingredients in general, Purina claims that “each ingredient is selected to play a role in the advanced nutrition that helps your pet thrive”. They do not, however, provide specific details about where their ingredients come from.

Food Recall History

On the Pro Plan website, Purina states that they “obsess over the quality and safety” of all of their products. Not only does Purina have more than 85 years of innovation behind them, but they also have more than 400 scientists, veterinarians, and animal nutritionists on staff to help them develop and test their products.

Purina also states that they are committed to a “relentless focus on the nutrition, quality and safety” of their foods. All of this considered, you might assume that Purina products haven’t been subject to many recalls, but you would be wrong.

The Purina company as a whole has a fairly extensive history of product recalls, though not all of them involve the Pro Plan brand in particular. Here are the details for all of the Purina recalls in recent history:

• In March 2016, Purina issued a voluntary recall for various Pro Plan Savory Meals and Beneful products due to inadequate vitamins and minerals.
• In August 2013, the FDA issued a recall for Purina ONE Beyond Our White Meat Chicken & Whole Barley Recipe Adult Dry Dog food due to potential salmonella contamination.
• In May 2012, the FDA issued a recall for Purina Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management canned cat food due to possible low thiamine levels.
• In July 2011, Purina issued a voluntary recall for Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ dry cat food due to potential salmonella contamination.
• In June 2011, Purina issued a voluntary recall for Purina Cat Chow Naturals due to potential salmonella contamination.

Pro Plan dog food products are sold in the U.S. and internationally. In the U.S., for the most part, Pro Plan dog food can be found in national pet food chains, local pet food chains, feed stores, and many veterinary offices and clinics.

You can also purchase Pro Plan products from a number of online pet food retailers as well. Pro Pac occasionally offers coupons on the company website and you can sign up for the company newsletter using your email address to receive training tips, product news, and special offers. You may also be able to find Purina Pro Plan dog food coupons from individual retailers.

Other Related Questions

Is Pro Plan Expensive?

The Pro Plan brand of dog food offers a very wide selection of products including life stages, breed size-specific, and grain-free options. While many of Purina’s products cannot be considered high-quality, the Pro Plan brand is one of the better options. Pro Plan dog food products are more expensive than most typical kibbles, but still affordable for the most part.

Prices vary from one recipe to another, but generally a 33 to 35-pound bag of Pro Plan dry dog food will cost you anywhere from $35 and $80. Pro Plan wet dog food comes in several different forms including 5.5-ounce cans, 10-ounce tubs, and 13-ounce cans. For a case of 24 5.5-ounce cans you will pay about $30 and, for a case of eight 10-ounce tubs you will pay $20 to $34.

A case of twelve 13-ounce cans ranges from $15 to $27, depending on the recipe you choose. The Pro Plan Veterinary Diets product line is a little more expensive. A 32- to 34-pound bag of Pro Plan Veterinary Diets dry dog food costs $75 to $140, depending on the recipe. For a case of twelve 13.3-ounce cans of wet food you will pay $30 to $45.

What Kind of Dog Food Does Pro Plan Offer?

The Purina Pro Plan brand offers more than eighty individual recipes for dogs, all of which are said to “deliver advanced nutrition and outstanding taste”. When it comes to their products, Pro Plan offers a wide variety of dry food and wet food options – they also offer a decent selection of dog treats.

Pro Plan dry foods are divided into five product lines: Savor, Focus, Sport, Natural, and Bright Mind. Each product line includes life stages formulas for puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs. There is also a second component to the Pro Plan brand – Pro Plan Veterinary Diets.

This section of the brand offers a variety of dry and canned dog food products that are formulated to address specific dietary or health needs such as joint problems, digestive issues, and dental health.

Pro Plan Dry Products

The Pro Plan brand of dog food can be divided into two main sections and then further divided into a number of product lines. The Pro Plan line of dry foods includes five product lines designed to support your dog’s mental acuity, his sporting performance, his sensitive skin or stomach, his grain sensitivities, or his cravings for natural flavor. The Pro Plan Veterinary Diets section includes formulas designed to address specific health and dietary concerns. Here is a list of Pro Plan dry dog food recipes:

Pro Plan Savor Dry Recipes:

• Puppy Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice
• Adult Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice
• Adult Shredded Blend Small Breed Chicken & Rice
• Adult 7+Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice
• Adult Shredded Blend Lamb & Rice
• Adult Shredded Blend Small Breed Lamb & Rice
• Adult Shredded Blend Large Breed Chicken
• Adult Shredded Blend Salmon & Rice
• Adult Shredded Blend Weight Management
• Adult Shredded Blend Beef & Rice

Pro Plan Focus Dry Recipes:

• Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula
• Puppy Toy Breed Formula
• Puppy Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula
• Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula
• Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula
• Adult Toy Breed Formula
• Adult Small Breed Formula
• Adult Large Breed Formula
• Adult Giant Breed Formula
• Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oatmeal Formula
• Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
• All Life Stages Small Bites Lamb & Rice Formula
• Adult Weight Management Formula
• Adult Weight Management Large Breed Formula

Pro Plan Sport Dry Recipes:

• Performance 30/20 Formula
• Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula
• Active 26/16 Formula for All Life Stages

Pro Plan Natural Dry Recipes:

• Small Breed Chicken & Egg Formula
• Tuna & Egg Formula
• Lamb & Egg Formula
• Chicken & Brown Rice Formula
• Chicken & Egg Formula
• Duck & Rice Formula
• Turkey & Barley Formula

Pro Plan Bright Mind Dry Recipes:

• Adult Small Breed Formula
• Adult Chicken & Rice Formula
• Adult 7+ Chicken & Rice Formula
• Adult 7+ Large Breed Formula
• Adult 7+ Small Breed Formula

Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dry Recipes:

• Dental Health Canine Formula
• Dermatologic Management Naturals Canine Formula
• Gastroenteric Canine Formula
• Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Canine Formula
• Gastroenteric Naturals Canine Formula with Added Vitamins & Minerals
• Gestroenteric Low Fat Canine Formula
• Joint Mobility Canine Formula
• Hydrolyzed Canine Formula
• Overweight Management Canine Formula
• Kidney Function Canine Formula
• Select Blend Overweight Management Canine Formula
• Urinary Ox/St Canine Formula

Pro Plan Canned Products

The Pro Plan brand of dog food offers a very extensive line of dry food products, many of which are also available in canned food form. Here is a list of Pro Plan canned dog food recipes:

Pro Plan Savor Canned Recipes:

• Adult Beef & Brown Rice Entrée
• Adult Savory Meals Braised Pork Entrée with Real Carrots
• Adult Savory Meals Braised Turkey Entrée with Barley
• Adult Savory Meals Grilled Salmon Entrée with Real Sweet Potato
• Adult Shredded Beef & Lamb Entrée in Gravy
• Adult Turkey & Vegetables Entrée
• Adult Chicken & Rice Entrée Classic
• Adult Lamb & Vegetables Entrée Slices in Gravy
• Adult Savory Meals Braised Beef Entrée with Wild Rice
• Adult Beef & Rice Entrée
• Adult Chicken & Vegetables Entrée Slices in Gravy
• Adult Savory Meals Braised Chicken Entrée with Real Spinach
• Adult Beef & Vegetables Entrée Slices in Gravy
• Adult Savory Meals Grilled Ocean Whitefish Entrée
• Adult Seared Beef, Green Beans & Brown Rice Entrée in Gravy
• Adult Seared Chicken, Julienne Carrots & Barley Entrée
• Adult Shredded Turkey, Peas & Brown Rice Entrée in Gravy

Pro Plan Focus Canned Recipes:

• Puppy Chicken & Rice Entrée Classic
• Adult Large Breed Chicken & Rice Entrée Chunks in Gravy
• Adult 7+ Beef & Rice Entrée Morsels in Gravy
• Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Entrée Classic
• Adult Weight Management Turkey & Rice Entrée Morsels in Gravy
• Adult Large Breed Beef & Rice Entrée Chunks in Gravy
• Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Entrée Classic

Pro Plan Natural Canned Recipes:

• Classic Chicken & Carrots Entrée
• Classic Turkey & Sweet Potato Entrée
• Classic Beef & Peas Entree

Pro Plan Bright Mind Canned Recipes:

• Adult 7+ Beef & Brown Rice Entrée
• Adult 7+ Turkey & Brown Rice Entrée

Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Canned Recipes:

• Urinary Ox/St Canine Formula
• Overweight Management Canine Formula
• Kidney Function Canine Formula
• Gastroenteric Canine Formula
• Gestroenteric Low Fat Canine Formula
• Gastroenteric Naturals Canine Formula with Added Vitamins & Minerals
• Critical Nutrtion Canine and Feline Formula

Pro Plan Dog Treats

Not only does the Pro Plan brand of dog food offer many dry and wet food products, but they also have a decent selection of dog treats to choose from. They also offers some supplements in the Veterinary Diets section of the brand. Here is a list of Pro Plan dog treats:

Treats:

• Savory Adult Roasted Slices Made with Real Chicken
• Savor Adult Tender Strips Made with Real Turkey & Avocado
• Dental Chewz Canine Treats
• Gentle Snackers Hydrolyzed Canine Treats
• Lite Snackers Canine Treats
• FortiFlora Canine Probiotic Supplement