In this comparison article for Wag vs Pure Balance, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Wag 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 Wag comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Wag Review Page or Pure Balance Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Pure Balance vs. Wag
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.
Wag Dog Food vs. Pure Balance Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Wag
Pure Balance
Crude Protein
39.1%
29.2%
Crude Fat
16.9%
16.7%
Crude Fiber
5.7%
5.6%
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.
On average, Wag dry dog food recipes contain 9.90% more protein than Pure Balance recipes. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the protein content of Pure Balance and Wag.
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Like protein, fats are an essential part of a dog's body. Fats are needed for the proper development and function of the canine body.
As you can see, Pure Balance and Wag guarantee a similar amount of crude fat.
Pure Balance and Wag both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Wag Pet Food Ingredients vs. Pure Balance Pet Food Ingredients
Wag and Pure Balance both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Pea Protein
Pea Protein
Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Pure Balance.
Canola Oil
Canola Oil
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Brewers Rice
Brewers Rice
Brewer's rice is the small fragments of rice kernel that are separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. The fragments do not contain the same nutrition profile of the whole kernel and therefore brewer's rice is a lower quality grain. Brewer's rice is typically regarded as an inexpensive and low quality filler.
Garlic Powder
Garlic Powder
Garlic powder in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.
Pea Protein Concentrate
Pea Protein Concentrate
Pea protein concentrate is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein concentrate is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Animal fat is a by-product of tissue rendering. The source animal is not specific and therefore we cannot be certain that the source does not include diseased animals or even euthanized dogs and cats.
Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Poultry fat is a by-product of poultry tissue rendering. Poultry fat is a controversial ingredient because the specific protein is not specified. Such ingredients are typically low-quality in comparison to named poultry fats (e.g. chicken fat, turkey fat).
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
Added Color
The ingredient "added color" is ambiguous and may include various artificial dyes. Most artificial dyes have been linked to various chronic diseases.
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfate complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Product Safety: Recall History of Wag & Pure Balance?
According to our records, neither brand has issued any product recalls. Therefore, consumers have no reason to question the safety of Wag 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 Wag Pet Foods
You can purchase Wag pet foods from the following stores:
5 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
Product
Wag
Pure Balance
Dry Dog Food
5 Recipes
7 Recipes
Wet Dog Food
None
15 Recipes
Dog Treats
None
None
Dry Cat Food
None
5 Recipes
Wet Cat Food
None
4 Recipes
Cat Treats
None
3 Treats
Top Rated Wag Recipes
Dog Food
Wag (An Amazon Brand) Dry Dog Food Chicken & Lentil Recipe For Puppies
