1. Purina ONE True Instinct Dry Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 3717 kcal/kg or 343 kcal/cup
Min protein: 30%
Min fat: 17%
Max fiber: 3%
Max moisture: 12%
Omega 3 fatty acids (min) 0.5%; omega 6 fatty acids (min) 1.7%
Added vitamins and minerals
With Glucosamine
First three ingredients: salmon (source of glucosamine), corn gluten meal, soy flour
If you’re looking for an affordable high protein dry dog food, check out the True Instinct formulas by Purina One and this particular salmon and tuna recipe. Made with real salmon and tuna, with a nutritious blend of various grains and healthy oils, this kibble provides optimum nutrition for active dogs.
With ingredients such as fish, beef fat, whole grain wheat, oatmeal, fish oil and chicken meal, which is a natural source of Glucosamine, this Purina dog food is not only high in protein (30%) but healthy fats too, including the omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which help support and maintain healthy skin and coat among other things. Besides these naturally-dense foods, there are other, less favorable ingredients in this and other Purina One formulas, including soy and corn gluten meal. It’s important to say that these ingredients are actually quite nutritious and perfectly fine for the majority of healthy canines, but can be a problem for dogs with super-sensitive digestion and/or food allergies. Of course, the kibble is supplemented with all important vitamins and minerals.
2. Purina ONE Natural Dry Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 3993 kcal/kg or 383 kcal/cup
Min protein: 26%
Min fat: 16%
Max fiber: 3%
Max moisture: 12%
Omega 6 fatty acids (min) 1.6%
Added vitamins and minerals
With Glucosamine
First three ingredients: chicken (source of glucosamine), brewer’s rice, corn gluten meal
This Purina One Smartblend dry dog food contains real chicken as the first ingredient, making it tasty and rich in protein – perfect for most canines who are moderately active and love the taste of chicken. Besides poultry, the recipe contains a blend of different ingredients, including whole and refined grains, plus all the vitamins and minerals an adult dog needs.
Purina One chicken and rice contains a nicely balanced ratio of protein to fat, which makes it a good food option for most healthy dogs. Besides these main ingredients, the formula also contains whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, whole grain wheat, soybean meal, animal fat and poultry by-product, which is a good source of glucosamine. This is a nutritious blend of foods that provides energy and keeps dogs satiated, but may not be ideal for sensitive canines. Importantly, this veterinarian-recommended product contains added vitamins and minerals, including the antioxidant E which is great for promoting healthy skin and coat.
3. Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity Senior Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 3786 kcal/kg or 363 kcal/cup
Min protein: 28%
Min fat: 12%
Max fiber: 4.5%
Max moisture: 12%
Omega 6 fatty acids (min) 1.5%
Added vitamins and minerals
With Glucosamine
First three ingredients: chicken, brewer’s rice, corn gluten meal
Older and senior dogs require different nutrition from puppies and younger pups. Usually, they need more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in their diet but less calories as most older canines are not highly active. The Purina’s SmartBlend for seniors is a good option as it contains everything an aging metabolism needs without being very high in calories (although it’s not particularly low either).
Like most Purina’s dog foods, this recipe too starts with real meat – chicken, to be precise. This is followed by brewer’s rice, corn gluten meal, and some poultry by-product (a source of glucosamine) and soybean meal. There are whole grains present as well, including whole-grain corn, oatmeal and whole-grain wheat, as well as the ever beneficial fish oil for increased omega 3 fatty acids. The formula is also fortified with all important minerals and vitamins, including zinc which is absolutely necessary for canine health, and especially for older dogs who may suffer from zinc responsive dermatosis. Thanks to all the supplements it contains, this veterinarian-recommended dog food provides 100% complete nutrition.
4. Purina ONE Natural Puppy Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 1183 kcal/kg or 435 kcal/can
Min protein: 8%
Min fat: 7%
Max fiber: 1.5%
Max moisture: 78%
Fortified with vitamins and minerals
First three ingredients: lamb and chicken broth, lamb, chicken
For pets who prefer wet foods, Purina’s SmartBlend canned dog foods are a great option, and this particular recipe with lamb and rice is ideal as it’s not only very nutritious but highly palatable and easily digestible too. This delicious entree contains tender meats and tasty broth, so it’s guaranteed to satisfy even the super-picky and finicky eaters.
Lamb and poultry are the main protein sources in this formula, which features lamb and chicken broth as its first ingredient. There are other highly nutritious foods here too, including long-grain rice, oatmeal, spinach, dried eggs, carrots and meat by-products. So, if you’re looking for affordable wet dog food, this is it – not only does this formula contain a nice blend of healthy foods, it’s also supplemented with all vitamins and minerals an adult dog needs to thrive and be happy. Since this is a complete and balanced dog food, it can be used as a topper, mixed with other foods, or a complete meal – whatever your dog prefers.
5. Purina ONE Natural Dry Puppy Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 4135 kcal/kg or 397 kcal/cup
Min protein: 28%
Min fat: 17%
Max fiber: 3%
Max moisture: 12%
Omega 6 fatty acids (min) 1.6%; DHA (min) 0.05%
Added vitamins and minerals
With naturally present Glucosamine
First three ingredients: chicken, rice flour, corn gluten meal
Because puppies are not adult dogs, their diet should be slightly different than the diet of fully developed canines. For one, tiny pups need more calories in their diet so they can grow up into strong adult dogs. Two, they need more nutrients all around, including essential fatty acids for proper brain development. That’s why Purina’s SmartBlend puppy food is a great food choice – it’s packed with nutrient-dense foods, protein and healthy fats and it’s supplemented with all the right micronutrients.
The first ingredient in this formula is real chicken which is followed by rice flour. This makes up the basis of this tasty puppy food, which also contains oatmeal, whole and refined corn, soybean meal and chicken by-product, which is a natural source of glucosamine. There is also fish oil present, which ups the omega 3 fatty acids content, as well as DHA, a nutrient so important for growing puppies as it helps with brain development. This Purina One puppy food review wouldn’t be complete if we also didn’t mention that the recipe is fortified with all important vitamins and minerals, including calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones.
6. Purina ONE Weight Management Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 3336 kcal/kg or 320 kcal/cup
Min protein: 27%
Min fat: 8%
Max fiber: 5.5%
Max moisture: 12%
Omega 6 fatty acids (min) 1.5%
Added vitamins and minerals
With Glucosamine
First three ingredients: turkey (source of glucosamine), rice flour, soybean meal
Overweight dogs are at a higher risk for developing various health diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, so it’s important to keep your furry companion’s weight within the normal range for his breed. And how do you do that? By feeding him dog foods that are specially crafted to promote healthy metabolism and weight. This SmartBlend Healthy Weight formula by Purina One is an excellent choice as it contains all the nutrients an adult dog needs without being high in fat and calories in general.
The first ingredient of this recipe is turkey, which is followed by rice flour and soybean meal. Other foods, such as oatmeal, whole grain wheat and corn, up the nutrient content without increasing the calories. There is also chicken by-product meal in there, which is a good source of Glucosamine. This recipe is higher in fiber than the rest of Purina One’s formulas, which is a plus as fiber helps with digestion and satiety. The formula is enriched with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, including vitamin E which helps promote healthy skin and coat.
7. Purina ONE Canned Wet Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 933 kcal/kg or 343 kcal/can
Min protein: 10%
Min fat: 3%
Max fiber: 1.5%
Max moisture: 80%
Fortified with vitamins and minerals
First three ingredients: beef and chicken broth, beef, liver
Looking for cheap but tasty and nutritious wet dog food that can be easily mixed in with kibble or served as a complete meal? Give this Purina One beef and barley entree a try. Made with real beef and barley, this formula is not only appetizing but healthy too, as it’s very high in protein but low in fat and calories – a great option for pet owners who want their dogs to feel and look good.
Like most Purina One’s wet dog foods, this one too features broth as its first ingredient (beef and chicken broth in this case). This is followed by beef, liver, chicken, barley, meat by-products, wheat, soy flour, as well as some spinach and eggs. A combination of these nutritious ingredients makes this food high in protein but low in fat. There are added vitamins and minerals, of course, with 2x recommended antioxidant levels. Needless to say, the food provides complete everyday nutrition!
Purina One Dog Food Buying Guide
If you’re looking to buy affordable but quality dog food, Purina One has probably caught your attention. To help you decide if this is the right pet food brand for your dog, we’ve outlined all important information about the company and the ingredients they use in their formulas, as well as everything you need to know about their food recalls.
Purina One Dog Food Company Overview
Purina One was first introduced more than thirty years ago, in 1986, to be precise, as Ralston Purina, a brand of premium pet foods that was based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. To go back even further, the company was first founded in 1894 by William H. Danforth, but then it was known as Purina Mills. This was a successful animal feed company whose US business was sold to British Petroleum in 1986 (which is today owned by Land O’Lakes). As for the Purina we’re all familiar with today, it was acquitted by Nestlé in 2001, so Purina One is now one of the many products of Nestle Purina PetCare.
Purina is actually one of the first pet food brands that started selling foods made with meat and fish as the number one ingredient in groceries and mass retail stores. Today, they continue this tradition by formulating recipes that contain real meat, poultry and fish as the first ingredient. More than 400 researchers worldwide work for the company, and many of their recipes are recommended by veterinarians.
Why Purina One Dog Food?
Purina One may not produce the highest of quality dog foods, but each and every one of their formulations contains all the macro- and micro-nutrients canines need. In fact, all of their products are formulated to meet or exceed the nutritional standards set by AAFCO. Furthermore, all the foods we reviewed contain real meat, poultry or fish as the first ingredient and they’re either average or moderately high in protein. Also, all foods contain a very balanced ratio of protein to fat to carbohydrates, so they’re a good choice for pet parents who look for reliable and affordable dog foods.
Purina One offers a variety of pet foods, including formulas for different life stages, health concerns and different breeds. Purina One SmartBlend reviews appear to be especially positive. And if your pooch prefers wet food over dry kibble? No problem, the brand offers a wide selection of delicious wet formulas as well. Find out more about wet dog food here.
Saying all this, Purina One dog foods leave much to be desired. For one, almost all of their recipes contain added colors or flavors, which, true, don’t cause problems when eaten in small quantities, but may cause some health issues in sensitive dogs, especially those that already have food allergies and/or very sensitive stomachs. Grains are another issue – whole grains are always welcome in dog foods (unless your dog has grain allergies, which is a rare condition), but refined grains should be used in small amounts, if at all. But the majority of Purina One products contain refined corn as a second or third ingredient, meaning there’s quite a lot of corn in their recipes. But here’s the thing with grains, both whole and refined – they are not bad per se. In fact, dogs have evolved to eat various different things, including grains, and they provide a myriad of vitamins and minerals, as well as energy. The problem with grains arises when the food contains lots of processed grains and very little of other healthy stuff, including meat, veggies and fruits. Luckily, Purina One products always feature meat, poultry or fish as the first ingredient, so there’s not much to worry about here. Also, all of their recipes have added vitamins and minerals, so they provide complete nutrition. Head over to our review of grain free dog food for more alternatives.
Still, the brand’s biggest selling point is its price. All Purina One dog foods are priced very reasonably. Combine this with a wide selection of products they offer, and it’s obvious why so many pet parents love the brand.
Purina One Dog Food Recalls
Like most big pet food manufacturers, Purina One has had a few recalls. But surprisingly (or not, depending on what you expect from a giant company like Nestle Purina PetCare!), the brand hasn’t had too many of them.
- August 2013: voluntary recall for 3.5 pounds bags of Purina One Beyond dry dog food. This was due to potential salmonella contamination.
- March 2016: another voluntary recall for Purina One products, but this time because of a potential vitamin and mineral insufficiency. Certain lots of Purina One Beneful and Purina One Pro Plan wet dog foods were recalled.
All in all, not a bad record for such a big pet food company.
Purina One Dog Food Ingredient Analysis
Purina One seems like a decent pet food brand, but what about the stuff they use in their recipes? Let’s take a closer look at the Purina One dog food ingredients and see if they’re really good as the company claims.
- Protein
The good thing about Purina One foods is that they always feature real meat, poultry or fish as their first ingredient. This is exactly what you want from dog food as real meats should make up the basis of a canine’s diet. Besides this, all of the Purina One’s recipes also contain meat by-products and/or meat meals. While these are usually good natural sources of Glucosamine (which is important for cartilage and joint health), we prefer when pet food manufacturers clearly state what kind of a meat meal or by-product is used. So for instance, it’s better to see chicken by-product than poultry by-product, or a beef meal than meat meal. The reason for that is, when meats are properly named you know what're you getting, but when they're not - you simply don't know what's in there. Nothing wrong with meat meals and by-products though, as long as the meat is safe and nutritious.
As for protein amount Purina One dog foods contain, you’ll be pleased to hear it’s always either average (vet-recommended) or above average. In fact, the first Purina One dog food we reviewed (SmartBlend True Instinct Formula With Real Salmon & Tuna) contains a whopping 30% of protein, which is hard to find even within the very expensive dog food lines.
Related Posts: High Protein Dog Food and Low Protein Dog Food
- Carbohydrates
Carbs are always abundantly present in Purina One formulas. Usually, these are grains, both whole and processed, including whole corn and whole wheat, refined corn, oatmeal and brown and white rice. As mentioned earlier in the article, there is nothing wrong with grains in dog foods. Both whole and processed grains contain essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and provide energy.. They also contain fiber, which supports and promotes healthy digestion, although whole grains contain much more fiber than processed grains. In any case, unless your dog has food allergies, a super-sensitive stomach or has been advised to avoid grains for some other reason by your vet, there is no need to avoid grains in dog foods.
However, besides grains, Purina One rarely includes other sources of carbohydrates in their formulas, such as vegetables and fruits.
- Fats
Purina One dog foods contain average to moderately high amounts of fats, depending on the product itself (Healthy Weight formula, for example, contains only 8% of fat). Usually, there is some chicken fat as well as fish oil present, which is excellent as it means the foods contain all the essential fatty acids dogs need. The ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids is decent, although it could be better (higher).
Related Post: Fish Oils For Dogs
- Micronutrients
Finally, all Purina One dog foods contain added vitamins and minerals, and sometimes other supplements too. This ensures their products are 100% complete and natural and can be used as everyday nutrition. We particularly like the fact that most foods contain enough Glucosamine, which is necessary for healthy joints and is highly beneficial for older and senior dogs. Take a look at our review of the best dog food for senior dogs for more options.
Pros & Cons
We’ve covered all the information there is to cover about Purina One dog food. Still undecided about the brand? No worries, our Pros and Cons list is here to help.
Pros:
- All foods feature animal-based protein as the #1 ingredient
- All formulations adhere to AAFCO nutritional standards
- Each product contains essential vitamins and minerals
- A variety of dog food recipes available for purchase
- Affordable
- Can be found everywhere
Cons:
- Artificial additives (such as color and flavor) are present in many recipes
- The addition of processed grains can be problematic for some dogs
