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Essence vs Pure Balance

Essence vs. Pure Balance

In this comparison article for Essence vs Pure Balance, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Essence and Pure Balance, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Pure Balance vs Essence comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Essence Review Page or Pure Balance Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Pure Balance vs. Essence

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Essence Dog Food vs. Pure Balance Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodEssencePure Balance
Crude Protein40.9%29.2%
Crude Fat19.3%16.7%
Crude Fiber5.7%5.6%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodEssencePure Balance
Crude Protein46.2%34.6%
Crude Fat32.6%24.6%
Crude Fiber6.0%7.2%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

When you look at the average percentages of crude protein for dry dog food, it's clear that Essence provides significantly more protein. On average, Essence guarantees about 11.64% more protein than Pure Balance. Similarly, Essence wet dog foods provide significantly more protein than Pure Balance wet foods.


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

According to our data, Essence guarantees 2.65% more fat than Pure Balance. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference. In addition, Essence wet dog foods also provide more fat than Pure Balance wet foods.


Pure Balance and Essence both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Pure Balance and Essence also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Essence Cat Food vs. Pure Balance Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodEssencePure Balance
Crude Protein44.1%39.9%
Crude Fat18.5%17.7%
Crude Fiber4.8%5.9%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodEssencePure Balance
Crude Protein46.2%42.0%
Crude Fat31.8%25.4%
Crude Fiber4.8%7.2%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

Our analysis shows that Essence guarantees 4.19% more protein than Pure Balance dry cat food recipes. In addition, Essence wet cat foods also provide more protein than Pure Balance wet foods.


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
  • Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet cat foods, Essence provides more fat (about 6.38% more).


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet cat foods, Pure Balance typically provides a little more fiber (about 2.35% more).

Essence Pet Food Ingredients vs. Pure Balance Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Pure Balance.

Canola Oil
Pea Protein
Brewers Rice
Garlic Powder
Pea Protein Concentrate
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Pure Balance.

Added Color
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Essence & Pure Balance?

According to our records, neither brand has issued any product recalls. Therefore, consumers have no reason to question the safety of Essence or Pure Balance pet food products.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Essence Pet Foods

You can purchase Essence pet foods from the following stores:


12 Recipes In-Stock Today

13 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Pure Balance Pet Foods

You can purchase Pure Balance pet food products from these retailers:


Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductEssencePure Balance
Dry Dog Food6 Recipes7 Recipes
Wet Dog Food6 Recipes15 Recipes
Dog TreatsNoneNone
Dry Cat Food3 Recipes5 Recipes
Wet Cat Food3 Recipes4 Recipes
Cat TreatsNone3 Treats

Top Rated Essence Recipes

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Original Ranch & Meadow Recipe For Dogs
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Original Air & Gamefowl Recipe For Dogs (Canned)
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Original Air & Gamefowl Recipe For Cats
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Original Ranch & Meadow Recipe For Cats (Canned)
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Top Rated Pure Balance Recipes

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Wild & Free Grain Free Formula - Bison, Pea & Venison Recipe
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Canned Dog Food Turkey & Chicken Recipe For Adult Dogs
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Cat Food
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Wild & Free High Protein Salmon Recipe For Cats
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High Protein Grain Free Chicken & Turkey Recipe In Sauce For Cats
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