Purina One vs Pro Plan: which one should you choose?
Both Purina One and Purina Pro Plan are two really popular dog food brands from Purina. Pro Plan is a top-of-the-range line that boasts specialized formulas for weight management, health concerns, and age.
Purina One, on the other hand, is a more affordable option. Both brands claim to use high-quality, natural ingredients but there are a few key differences when it comes to Purina One vs Pro Plan.
So, which of these dog food brands is better for you and your dog? Let's have a look!
Purina History
Purina is actually owned by Nestlé and it's one of the biggest pet food providers in the world. They have their headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, and have been around for well over 100 years.
While you’re cooking, suddenly, your dog looks at you. You want to give them a little treat but wonder if they can eat the food you are holding in your hand.
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The company really wanted to concentrate on creating nutritious, tasty food for dogs and cats. Over the years, pet owners have started to acknowledge the importance of what they feed their animals and Purina wanted to reflect that. Their first line of dog food using natural ingredients was Purina One.
In the 1980s they then started to develop a more premium pet food which was specifically created with nutritional value and your dog's health in mind. This was the Purina Pro Plan.
Nowadays Purina is one of the best-known pet foods in the world. They do both dry and wet food for dogs and cats and there are many happy customers and pups throughout America.
Purina Pro Plan vs Purina One – a step by step comparison
There are various factors to take into consideration when changing your dog's diet. You need to make sure you don't do it too quickly and that you've done your research to know what's best for your pup. Here we've gone through both Purina One and Pro Plan in detail so you can make the best decision for you and your dog!
The ingredients
One of the most important factors (if not the most important) when comparing pet food products is the ingredients.
We all want to make sure we're feeding our dogs the best, healthiest, and most nutritious dog foods possible – which is why many are actually opting for fresh dog food. But this isn't a possibility for everyone and it's important you're getting the best dog and cat food alternatives.
It's worth mentioning that neither Purina One nor Pro Plan has grain-free options. If your pup is on a grain-free diet and you still want to give them quality dog food, it's best to check other product lines.
First and second ingredients
Generally speaking, both brands use high-quality and lesser quality ingredients.
The first ingredient in all the pet food formulas is meat, which is a great source of protein and which will make the meal as tasty as possible for your dog. They both often use chicken which is a great source of amino acids, is easy to digest, and it isn't a fatty meat. The balanced protein content will help your dog to maintain a healthy weight and build lean muscles.
The second ingredient in most Pro Plan meals is rice. Rice is a healthy carbohydrate and will give your dog loads of energy.
Of course, rice is a grain, which is why if you're wanting to give your dog grain-free food, it's best to look elsewhere. Purina One tends to use rice flour rather than actual rice. Rice flour has less nutritional value for adult dogs because it's overly processed.
Controversial ingredients?
Both Purina One and Pro Plan dog food contain some filler ingredients which some pet owners won't like. Soybean meal, corn gluten meal, and wheat gluten are all common. Many pups are allergic to these ingredients, so if your pooch has a particularly sensitive stomach it's best to avoid ingredients like these.
Many dog owners don't love the idea of their pets eating animal by-products, but rather prefer real meat. They think, for example, that poultry by-products have less nutritional value and don't contribute to their dog's digestive health. This is true to an extent, but by-products can be a good source of glucosamine which helps to protect cartilage.
Other ingredients
Both lines use added probiotics which improve your dog's digestive system and help them to absorb extra nutrients and vitamins which contribute to their overall health. They also both contain fatty acids and essential amino acids which improve joint and coat health.
A key difference between Purina One and Purina Pro Plan is that the Pro Plan recipes often contain added fish oils which are great sources of omega fatty acids.
Winner?
When it comes to ingredients, Pro Plan wins.
They generally use slightly healthier additional ingredients which are of a higher quality and which help to contribute to your dog's overall health.
Average nutritional value
This is a general comparison of two popular dog food formulas from Purina One and Pro Plan.
Protein
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends all adult dogs have a diet that contains at least 18% crude protein for balanced nutrition.
Both Purina One and Pro Plan dog food contain 26% crude protein. This is a good amount to help your pup grow, regenerate cells, develop muscle density, and have enough energy throughout the day.
Although the main source of protein is from real meat, both brands use plant-based protein sources like soybean meal too. This helps to keep the cost of the pet food lower whilst also providing your dog with what they nutritionally need.
Even though the overall crude protein is similar, Purina Pro Plan offers more sources of protein in their recipes which gives more variety. Many Pro Plan formulas include egg and fish products which are great sources of protein.
Fat
Fast is a really important part of all dogs' diet. They need it to have a healthy coat, a strong body, and absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Of course, you don't want to give them too much though.
The AAFCO recommends that adult dogs have double the amount of protein in their diets to fat. This ensures that your dog's metabolism absorbs the important protein nutrients before using the fat for extra energy. If they absorb less from the protein and use the fat for energy they're likely to put on weight.
With regards to Purina One vs Purina Pro Plan, both have a higher fat content than recommended. If your pup is very active, this shouldn't be a problem if well-controlled, but neither brand is ideal for overweight or inactive dogs.
Fiber
There's not a huge difference between Purina One and Pro Plan when it comes to fiber and both fall within the industry recommended standards.
Fiber is a crucial part of your dog's diet. It helps them to stay regular and absorb important nutrients from their food.
Winner?
These two brands are pretty equal when it comes to nutritional value. Purina Pro might just win based on the diversity of ingredients they use and the added extras they bring.
Flavors and texture
As well as the ingredients used and their nutritional value, how the dog food tastes is really important. Especially if you have fussy eaters.
Both Purina brands offer wet dog food (and, actually wet cat food) in a number of different flavors. The standard flavors are chicken, rice, beef, fish, and lamb. They also offer a good selection of dry dog food which dogs love.
Whilst the flavors of Purina One tend to be more ‘standard', the Pro plan has many more options and combinations. They do product ranges for dogs with sensitive stomachs, puppies and seniors, and some specifically designed to combat health conditions. In addition, they also do a salmon and rice meal and a chicken and egg recipe.
Purina Pro also offers different textures which may be good for some picky eaters. The dry food has a mixture of crunchy kibble and soft, chewy pieces which may help to keep dogs interested!
Winner?
Purina Pro is definitely the winner when it comes to flavors and textures. They have much more variety and exciting flavors so you can ensure your dog will love at least one!
Price
Both product ranges are affordable when you compare them to more ‘luxurious' pet food. Of course, more expensive dog food (for example fresh food delivered to your door) costs more because the ingredients are better and they don't use any fillers.
That being said, both Purina One and Purina Pro plan fall within the AAFCO recommendations and are good for your dog. Even though they're more affordable, they still use real meat as the main ingredient – which is a huge bonus. That can't be said for many other brands in their price range that use grains or animal by-products as the number one ingredient.
Overall, however, Purina One is cheaper than Pro Plan. Pro plan uses a bigger variety of ingredients and caters to different dietary needs, which automatically makes it more expensive.
Winner?
Purina One is the more affordable option.
Conclusion Purina Pro Plan vs Purina one – which should you buy your dog?
The answer to that is that it really depends!
If your dog is particularly fussy about its food or has allergies or sensitivities, you're probably better off feeding them Pro Plan. Pro Plan has more variety and is a good choice for dogs with dietary requirements.
Purina One, on the other hand, still uses good cuts of meat as the main ingredient in their meals and they're more affordable.
Whichever you go for you can be sure that you're feeding your dog good-quality food that they'll find delicious!
What type or brand of food do you feed your pooch?
I’m Charlotte, a content and copywriter from the North of England and currently living in Berlin. Animals have always been a huge part of my life, so writing about dogs is a total pleasure! I love all kinds of dogs and their cheeky personalities, but I’d have to say Weimaraners are my favourite!
