Purina Pro Plan is Nestlé Purina’s premium pet‑food line, built on more than 100 years of nutrition experience. The brand often adds helpful extras like probiotics, omega‑3 oils, and glucosamine. Most formulas are well balanced, and the Purina Institute backs the recipes with research. That said, look a bit closer and you’ll notice a few surprises—extra plant protein in some recipes, plenty of quick‑energy grains, and labels that don’t always spell out every ingredient
- Taurine is included due to its known role in supporting cardiac function, especially in diets low in animal protein.
- Rigorous Quality Control
- Probiotics
- Balanced Ω-6/Ω-3 ratios
- Appropriate Calcium/Phosphorus ratios
- Macronutrient distribution is optimized for nutritional balance
- WSAVA-compliant
- Plant-Based Proteins: Estimated 40-50% of protein content may come from plant-based sources in some formulas.
- Higher Cost: for this price, it’s possible to find brands with more animal protein.
- Moderate to High carbohydrate content: averaging 36.8%
- Not labeled as non-GMO.
- Ingredient splitting: Corn and wheat are split into several components, appearing separately but in substantial total quantities.
- Not Human-Grade Meat: Ingredients not explicitly labeled as human-grade.
- Corn, Soy, Wheat : high-GI fillers that dilute nutrient density and can trigger allergies
- Opaque ingredient sourcing : Generic listings like “animal fat,” “digest” and “hydrolyzed animal protein” obscure the true quality and species origin.
Purina Pro Plan Dry Food Review Ratings
We will provide a detailed analysis of one recipe, followed by quick reviews of a few other recipes from the brand.
PURINA PRO PLAN Medium Adult Everyday Nutrition
41/100
Ingredients
| Criteria | Evaluation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrate Levels | 🔴 Poor (40 %) | A substantial share of high‑GI cereals — wheat, maize and rice — pushes the carbohydrate load to 40 %. Substituting part of this blend with peas or potatoes would moderate post‑prandial glucose and help maintain a healthier body‑weight profile. |
| Protein Levels | 🟠 Average (26 %) | At 26 % crude protein the recipe exceeds the AAFCO adult minimum (18 %), yet relies mainly on poultry meal. Increasing the share of fresh chicken or salmon would raise digestibility and amino‑acid availability. |
| Protein‑to‑Calorie Ratio | 🟠 Average (71) | The protido‑caloric ratio expresses how much protein the dog receives per unit of energy — useful for comparing diets of different calorie densities. A value of 71 is adequate for maintenance but sits below the 80–110 “sweet‑spot” often recommended for optimal lean‑mass support; raising high‑quality protein or trimming calories would move it closer to that range. |
| Protein‑to‑Phosphorus Ratio | 🟠 Average (31) | This ratio is a common proxy for protein “quality” because higher values indicate abundant amino acids relative to phosphorus. Many nutritionists aim for ≥ 35; at 31 the diet is acceptable but could be improved by reducing inorganic phosphate sources and increasing animal protein. |
| Fat Levels | 🟢 Good (16 %) | A 16 % fat level comfortably exceeds the AAFCO minimum (5.5 %), supporting skin and coat health. Nevertheless, the omega‑6/omega‑3 ratio is wide; adding more fish‑oil rich in EPA‑DHA would rebalance anti‑inflammatory fatty acids. |
| Ash Content | 🟠 Average (7.5 %) | An ash level of ~7 % is fairly typical for dry kibble and remains within the 5–8 % band observed in many balanced formulas. |
| Fiber Levels | 🟢 Good (2.5 %) | Beet‑pulp fibre (2.5 %) supports healthy transit. Adding prebiotics such as FOS or MOS could further bolster gut microbiota. |
| Moisture Levels | 🟢 Good (8 %) | Eight per cent moisture keeps the kibble crunchy and shelf‑stable; a rise toward 12 % could lift palatability if packaging remains oxygen‑tight. |
| Calcium Levels | 🟢 Good (1.31 %) | At 1.31 % the diet meets AAFCO minimum (0.6 %) and stays well below the 2.5 % maximum. A slight reduction to ~1.2 % would fine‑tune the Ca : P balance. |
| Phosphorus Levels | 🟢 Excellent (0.84 %) | Exceeds the AAFCO minimum (0.5%) while keeping the renal phosphorus load moderate |
| Glycaemic Index of Ingredients | 🔴 Poor | High‑GI cereals dominate. Reformulating with lower‑GI options (sweet potatoes, whole rice, lentils) would temper that response. |
| Animal vs Plant Protein | 🟠 Average (60–70 %) | Roughly two‑thirds of the protein is animal‑derived. |
| Quality of Animal Protein | 🟠 Average | – |
| Preservatives | 🟠 Likely Natural | Purina typically stabilises fats with mixed tocopherols and citric acid; although not specified on this data sheet. Those antioxidants are standard. |
| Manufacturing Transparency | 🟢 Good | Pro Plan products sold in the U.S. are manufactured in Nestlé Purina-owned facilities. Locations are in Missouri, Iowa, Georgia, and North Carolina. |
| Cooking Method | 🟠 Average (extrusion) | The brand indicates extrusion |
| Quality & Source of Fats | 🟠 Average | “Animal fat” and “fish oil” are declared, yet the oil source is not clarified. Specifying wild‑caught salmon oil or “purified poultry fat” would be a better option. |
| Ca : P Ratio | 🟠 Average (1.56 : 1) | Falls within the AAFCO 1 : 1–2 : 1 envelope, but nudging closer to 1.2 : 1 would optimise mineral absorption and urinary health. |
| Omega‑6 : Omega‑3 Ratio | 🟠 To monitor (9 : 1) | A 9 : 1 ratio may be pro‑inflammatory; canine dermatology studies show clinical benefit when the ratio is ≤ 5 : 1. Increasing EPA‑DHA via fish oil is recommended. |
| Brand Transparency & Ethics | 🟢 Good | Purina invests heavily in research and development. Protocols include comprehensive testing of ingredients upon arrival, continuous monitoring during production, and final product evaluations |
| Veterinary‑Formulated | 🟢 Good | Developed by Purina’s veterinary nutrition team and meets AAFCO nutrient profiles. |
| Non‑GMO Status | 🔴 No | No third‑party non‑GMO seal despite maize/soy inclusion; certification would satisfy clean‑label demand. |
| No Wheat / Corn / Soy / Gluten | 🔴 No | Contains all four potential allergens; a grain‑free or limited‑ingredient option would help dogs with sensitivities. |
| Human‑Grade Ingredients | 🔴 No | Ingredients are feed‑grade, not human‑grade. |
| Organic Certification (bonus) | 🟠 No | Not organic |
| Scientific Research | 🟢 Yes | Purina operates a 50‑scientist research centre and has published > 500 peer‑reviewed papers on nutrition, immune health and palatability. |
| Added Taurine | 🟢 Yes | Taurine is added, reducing deficiency risk. |
Purina Pro Plan Small & Mini Adult Sensitive Skin
49/100
This formulation delivers 30% crude protein, of which roughly 60–70% is sourced from animal ingredients and 30–40% from plant ingredients (≈9–12 g), for an estimated 65% animal vs. 35% plant protein ratio. Fresh salmon meat (20%) enhances protein solubility and provides a full essential amino acid profile (notably taurine and BCAAs), compared to meals alone (PMC; PetfoodIndustry). However, the successive splitting of corn and soy ingredients obscures their actual weight contribution and drives total carbohydrates to 34.5%—a level that can trigger a glycemic response in small, low-activity dogs (PMC). Furthermore, because over 90% of U.S. corn is genetically modified (USDA ERS, 2024) and it ranks among the most heavily sprayed crops
Herbicides are applied on 96 % of U.S. corn acreage (USDA NASS 2021 Survey – Corn). Among those fields:
- Atrazine is used on 65 % (≈ 59.1 million lb applied) (ibid.).
- Mesotrione on 47 % (≈ 5.3 million lb) (ibid.).
- Glyphosate (isopropylamine salt) on 41 % (≈ 32.9 million lb) (ibid.).
Corn ranks among the most heavily sprayed crops—receiving hundreds of millions of pounds of glyphosate annually as well as tens of millions of pounds of atrazine—so reliance on conventional corn may increase the diet’s pesticide-residue burden. We already know that Atrazine, for example, has many side effects on humans.
The ω-6/ω-3 ratio is 2.1:1, ideal for skin health, and the protein-to-calorie ratio (PCR) of 76 remains adequate for maintenance in adult dogs. Nevertheless the generic listing of “animal fat” reduce the formula’s transparency.
Fat content: 🟢 18%
Ash content: 🟢 7%
Fiber content: 🟠 2.5%
Moisture content: 🟠 8%
Calcium content: 🟠 1.16%
Phosphorus content: 🟢 0.99%
Metabolizable energy: 3965 kcal/kg
Omega-3 content: 0.8%
Omega-6 content: 1.7%
Carbohydrate content: 🟠 34.5%
Protein-to-calorie ratio: 76
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: 🟠 1.17
Animal protein content: 🟠 60-70%
High-glycemic ingredients: 🟠 Top 3
Corn/wheat/soy content: 🔴 Intensive use
Chelated minerals: 🟠 Mix
Pro Plan Medium Adult Sensitive Skin
48/100
With 29 % crude protein, this line provides roughly 60–65 % animal protein. Premium lines now routinely exceed 80 % animal protein by combining higher fresh-meat inclusion (30–35 %) with specific meat meals. The inclusion of fresh salmon (17 %) plus salmon meal promotes digestibility and a high proportion of soluble proteins and essential amino acids. However, the 35 % carbohydrate content—with rice listed second—mainly comprises high-glycemic cereals, which can trigger postprandial glucose spikes, as demonstrated by comparative studies of cereal-based vs. grain-free diets . Thus, the Ca/P ratio of 1.38:1 is optimal for adult dogs, while the PCR of 74 mg/kcal and Ω-6/Ω-3 ratio of 2.3:1 meet the needs of sensitive skin conditions.
Fat content: 🟢 18%
Ash content: 🟢 7 %
Fiber content: 🟠 3%
Moisture content: 🟠 8%
Calcium content: 🟢 1.16%
Phosphorus content: 🟢 0.84%
Metabolizable energy: 3941 kcal/kg
Omega-3 content: 0.7%
Omega-6 content: 1.6%
Carbohydrate content: 🟠 35%
Protein-to-calorie ratio: 74
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: 🟢 1.38
Animal protein content: 🟠 60-70%
High-glycemic ingredients: 🟠 Top 3
Corn/wheat/soy content: 🔴 Intensive use
Chelated minerals: 🟠 Mix
Purina Pro Plan Large Athletic Adult Sensitive Skin
44/100
The use of the term “Athletic” in the product name can be misleading. While it’s marketed as for “large, active” dogs, Purina actually positions it for any big breed (25 kg+) with an athletic build—not necessarily high‐energy animals. Consequently, its fat and calcium levels sit a bit above what a typical maintenance diet for large breeds would require.
Fat content: 🟢 18%
Ash content: 🟢 6.5%
Fiber content: 🟠 3%
Moisture content: 🟠 8%
Calcium content: 🟠 1.5%
Phosphorus content: 🟢 0.91%
Metabolizable energy: 3773 kcal/kg
Omega-3 content: 0.7%
Omega-6 content: 1.5%
Carbohydrate content: 🔴 36.5%
Protein-to-calorie ratio: 74
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: 🔴 1.65
Animal protein content: 🟠 60-70%
High-glycemic ingredients: 🟠 Top 3
Corn/wheat/soy content: 🔴 Intensive use
Chelated minerals: 🟠 Mix
Purina Pro Plan Medium Puppy Sensitive Skin
51/100
Fat content: 🟠 20%
Ash content: 🟢 7.5%
Fiber content: 🟠 2.5%
Moisture content: 🟠 8%
Calcium content: 🟠 1.36%
Phosphorus content: 🟢 1.04%
Metabolizable energy: 4065 kcal/kg
Omega-3 content: 0.8%
Omega-6 content: 1.7%
Carbohydrate content: 🟢 30%
Protein-to-calorie ratio: 79
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: 🟢 1.31
Animal protein content: 🟠 60-70%
High-glycemic ingredients: 🟠 Top 3
Corn/wheat/soy content: 🔴 Intensive use
Chelated minerals: 🟠 Mix
Featuring 32 % crude protein—approximately 60 % animal and 40 % plant—this junior formula is well geared toward growing puppies (PCR = 79), but it would benefit from a higher animal‐protein ratio (ideally ≥ 70 %) and less reliance on processed additives to deliver those nutrients more “naturally”.
The 30 % carbohydrate load is sourced predominantly from corn and rice, which carry a higher glycemic index. In contrast, higher-end puppy diets often substitute these with more digestible sweet potato or oat groats, and bolster joint health with dedicated glucosamine and chondroitin rather than relying primarily on beet pulp. Likewise, ingredients like soy flour—a known allergen and source of anti-nutritional factors—and maize grits, rarely seen in top-shelf puppy formulas, slightly dilute its premium standing.
Fat sources are not clearly specified—such as “salmon oil” or “chicken fat”—rather than a generic “animal fat.”
Purina Pro Plan Senior Medium & Large 7+ Sensitive Skin
37/100
This is a senior‐sensitive formula that comes with both strengths and weaknesses. On the downside, there’s still a lot of ambiguity around key ingredients—especially the fat sources—and plant meals (soy, corn) feature heavily. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain the calcium and phosphorus levels, which is a critical gap for evaluating any senior diet, as proper mineral balance is essential to support aging kidneys. Preventing sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) also depends on providing truly high-quality proteins alongside a controlled phosphorus intake. As previously noted, the formula still relies on some controversial ingredients, including generic “animal fat” and split cereal meals. On the plus side, it delivers a well-balanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, supporting skin, coat, and overall inflammation control.
Fat content: 🟢 14%
Ash content: 🟢 7.5%
Fiber content: 🟠 2.5%
Moisture content: 🟠 8%
Calcium content: 🔴 Unknown
Phosphorus content: 🔴 Unknown
Metabolizable energy: Unknown
Omega-3 content: Unknown
Omega-6 content: Unknown
Carbohydrate content: 🔴 40%
Protein-to-calorie ratio: Unknown
Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: 🔴 Unknown
Animal protein content: 🟠 60-70%
High-glycemic ingredients: 🟠 Top 3
Corn/wheat/soy content: 🔴 Intensive use
Chelated minerals: 🟠 Mix
Our Opinion
Overall, Purina Pro Plan delivers formulas that reliably meet the basic nutritional needs of dogs at every life stage. The brand’s strengths lie in consistent macronutrient balances—adequate protein, generally sensible fat levels, and well-managed omega-6:omega-3 ratios—as well as thorough mineral fortification that supports bone and joint health in most adult and senior recipes. However, Purina Pro Plan tends to rely heavily on split cereal meals (corn, wheat, rice) and generic additives (animal fat, hydrolyzed proteins), which can dilute both nutrient density and label transparency. Fresh-meat inclusions are often modest (15–20 % pre-extrusion), and truly premium features—greater named meat meals, pulse/tuber carbohydrate sources, chelated minerals, and targeted joint-support compounds—are largely absent. In short, Purina Pro Plan is a solid mid-tier brand that provides balanced, veterinarian-approved nutrition for everyday maintenance, but it stops short of the high-end formulations.