vs
Pure Balance vs Purina Pro Plan

Pure Balance vs. Purina Pro Plan

In this comparison article for Pure Balance vs Purina Pro Plan, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Pure Balance and Purina Pro Plan, 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 Purina Pro Plan vs Pure Balance comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Pure Balance Review Page or Purina Pro Plan Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Purina Pro Plan vs. Pure Balance

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.

Pure Balance Dog Food vs. Purina Pro Plan Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodPure BalancePurina Pro Plan
Crude Protein29.2%32.1%
Crude Fat16.7%17.9%
Crude Fiber5.6%4.3%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodPure BalancePurina Pro Plan
Crude Protein34.6%45.5%
Crude Fat24.6%19.5%
Crude Fiber7.2%7.0%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.

There is a small difference between the protein content of Purina Pro Plan and Pure Balance. We can see that Purina Pro Plan guarantees about 2.85% more protein than Pure Balance. In addition, Purina Pro Plan wet dog foods also provide 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.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Pure Balance provides more fat (about 5.14% more).


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Pure Balance and Purina Pro Plan also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Pure Balance Cat Food vs. Purina Pro Plan Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodPure BalancePurina Pro Plan
Crude Protein39.9%44.2%
Crude Fat17.7%17.0%
Crude Fiber5.9%3.8%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodPure BalancePurina Pro Plan
Crude Protein42.0%49.8%
Crude Fat25.4%17.8%
Crude Fiber7.2%7.2%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.

There is a relatively large difference between the protein content of Purina Pro Plan and Pure Balance. On average, Pure Balance dry cat food recipes contain 4.29% less protein than Purina Pro Plan recipes. In addition, Purina Pro Plan 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.

As you can see, Purina Pro Plan and Pure Balance guarantee a similar amount of crude fat. For wet cat foods, Pure Balance provides more fat (about 7.69% more).


According to our average data, Purina Pro Plan typically provides less fiber than Pure Balance. However, this difference is relatively small and doesn't represent a significant difference between the two brands. For wet cat foods, Pure Balance and Purina Pro Plan provide roughly the same amount of fiber.

Pure Balance Pet Food Ingredients vs. Purina Pro Plan Pet Food Ingredients

Pure Balance and Purina Pro Plan both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

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

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

Pea Protein Concentrate
Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Purina Pro Plan.

Liver
Poultry
Corn Grits
Canola Meal
Ground Wheat
Wheat Gluten
Animal Digest
Caramel Color
Soybean Flour
Soybean Hulls
Vegetable Oil
Corn Germ Meal
Poultry Giblets
Corn Gluten Meal
Meat By-Products
Whole Grain Corn
Whole Grain Wheat
Ground Yellow Corn
Powdered Cellulose
Chicken By-Products
Poultry By-Products
Chicken By-Product Meal
Poultry By-Product Meal
Soybean Protein Isolate
Soybean Protein Concentrate

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

Pure Balance and Purina Pro Plan both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:

Added Color
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Purina Pro Plan.

Bha
Bht
Corn Oil
Yellow 5
Pork Fat (Preserved With Tbhq And Citric Acid)
Animal Fat (Preserved With Tbhq And Citric Acid)

Product Safety: Recall History of Pure Balance & Purina Pro Plan?

According to our records, Pure Balance has never been recalled.

Purina Pro Plan has been recalled once.

  • March 9, 2016: Incorrect Vitamins and Minerals

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 Pure Balance Pet Foods

You can purchase Pure Balance pet foods from the following stores:


Where To Buy Purina Pro Plan Pet Foods

You can purchase Purina Pro Plan pet food products from these retailers:


122 Recipes In-Stock Today

70 Recipes In-Stock Today

119 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductPure BalancePurina Pro Plan
Dry Dog Food7 Recipes53 Recipes
Wet Dog Food15 Recipes43 Recipes
Dog TreatsNoneNone
Dry Cat Food5 Recipes31 Recipes
Wet Cat Food4 Recipes84 Recipes
Cat Treats3 TreatsNone

Top Rated Pure Balance Recipes

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

Top Rated Purina Pro Plan Recipes

Dog Food
Purina Pro Plan
Sensitive Skin & Stomach (Specialized) Salmon & Rice Formula For Adult Dogs
Check Price
Dog Food
Purina Pro Plan
Complete Essentials Classic Chicken & Rice Entree For Adult Dogs
Check Price
Cat Food
Purina Pro Plan
Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice Formula For Adult Cats
Check Price
Cat Food
Purina Pro Plan
Urinary Tract Health Turkey & Giblets Entree (Classic) For Cats
Check Price