When choosing food for a cat, every owner looks for the optimal product that meets all the needs of the animal and is affordable. Pro Plan cat food from Purina has long been known and popular on the Russian market. Let's figure out how useful Pro Plan is, study its composition, cost and product line, as well as all its advantages and disadvantages.
About the food
Purina Pro Plan cat food is produced by the American company Nestle Purina PetCare under the Purina brand in factories in Italy, France, and Russia. It belongs to the premium class products, but if you take into account the presence of a veterinary line, then the class of food can easily be classified as super-premium. Purina is also a manufacturer of Purina One, Purina Cat Chow, Gourmet, Felix, Friskies, Darling food, and produces food products not only for cats, but also for dogs. The range of the famous brand includes dry, liquid food and vitamin and mineral supplements in the form of separate products.
According to the manufacturer, Pro Plan can be the cat's only food and there is no need to add other ingredients to the menu. All types of food are presented with a rationally balanced nutritional composition, and also contain vitamins, enzymes and beneficial probiotics to strengthen the immune system, maintain healthy teeth and coat. The Pro Plan product line is officially recognized as hypoallergenic. Moreover, each series of food has a wide range of flavors that can satisfy the most picky cats.
Cat food manufacturer
ProPlan Junior food is produced under the Purina brand from the USA. This manufacturer is one of the most popular companies producing food for animals.
The brand dates back to the mid-19th century, when food for purebred hunting dogs first began to be developed. And the start date for the production of canned cat food can be considered 1950.
Now it is the largest manufacturer that has managed to earn the trust of professionals.
In the production of food for cats and dogs, Purina places the main emphasis on containing only natural ingredients - it is known that this company did not use artificial preservatives in most of its products.
Purina Pro Plan food line
- Dry food in the form of small homogeneous granules. Introduced the Original Adult series for adult cats with rice additive and flavors: chicken, duck, turkey, salmon. Sold by weight and in individual packages.
- Soft food: canned food in jars and pouches in 85 g bags with flavors: chicken, turkey, lamb, salmon, sea fish in the form of jelly, pate, sauces.
- Pro Plan food for kittens of the Pro Plan Junior series, including dry food in packages from 0.4 g to 10 kg, as well as wet food in the format of pouches and cans of pate and stew. For kittens there is also a Baby Kitten series for the first feeding.
- Pro Plan for older and elderly cats: a special line of 7+ of all series has been developed for them: Adult, Original, Nutrisavour.
- Dietary general strengthening series: Pro Plan Delicate for cats with weak or sensitive digestion, Pro Plan Derma Plus for strengthening the skin, coat and making it silky.
- Purina Sterilized - for castrated and sterilized cats to maintain optimal weight and a healthy genitourinary system after surgery, and to prevent urolithiasis.
- Purina Pro Plan medicinal: veterinary line Veterinary diets for a maintenance and therapeutic diet for a wide variety of cat diseases. Includes the series: OM - to combat obesity; UR - for animals with urinary tract diseases; NF - for kidney pathology; Hepatic—for cats with liver disease.
This therapeutic line also includes food for a veterinary diet for diseases of the joints, gastrointestinal tract, diabetes, chronic allergies, food intolerance, etc. The series includes a special feed additive of the Fortiflora series with a probiotic to normalize the gastrointestinal tract.
Reviews
The expert's review of the Proplan line was given after pet owners, whose opinions were divided, spoke about it. Some pointed out that the food was not suitable for the pet, while others, on the contrary, said that it was good food.
The expert agreed that the nutritional components are not ideally selected and may cause different reactions in cats or be individually intolerable.
The composition of the feed makes them premium quality products. Thanks to the wide range and variety of flavors, you can choose Pro Plan food for the most picky pet.
Composition of Pro Plan food
Let's look at the main composition of Pro Plan using the example of standard dry food for adult cats and cats, Original Adult. The manufacturer guarantees that the food contains:
- proteins: 36%;
- fat: 16%;
- fatty acids: Omega-6: 2.5%; Omega-3: 0.4%;
- raw ash: 7%;
- crude fiber: 1%.
Let's study in more detail.
- The composition includes: chicken 21% and dried poultry protein. Compared to other premium brands, Pro Plan puts chicken meat first. The percentage of poultry protein is not indicated, and the word “meat” is not used, so it cannot be said that this is pure chicken meat. According to the American AAFCO standard, the ingredient called chicken also includes chicken bones, skin and offal.
- Wheat and rice are in second place. Both ingredients are sources of carbohydrates, with rice being the most palatable for cats.
- Corn and wheat gluten and corn. These are quite allergenic products, especially corn, which is almost always GMO. Corn is cheap and profitable for the manufacturer, but the most harmful product for cats: it often causes allergies in animals with hair loss, bald spots and scratching. Wheat gluten, like corn gluten, contains a lot of vegetable protein.
- Animal fat is a source of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, but the origin of the fat is not specified.
- Powdered eggs are an additional source of protein.
- Minerals: iron, copper, iodine, manganese, zinc and selenium.
- Vitamins: A: 37000 IU/kg, D3: 1200 IU/kg, E: 670 IU/kg, C: 160 mg/kg.
Also included in the composition, without specifying the percentage: dried chicory root, fiber, flavoring additive, yeast, preservatives, amino acids.
The manufacturer also claims that the food contains a natural probiotic, but what percentage it is and what exactly it is called is not provided.
Let's summarize: if you analyze the origin of the protein in the amount of 36-40% (this is the norm for a healthy cat), declared by the manufacturer, you can understand that animal proteins contain exactly more than 20%. But since the amount of dry poultry protein is completely unknown, the remaining 16-20% of proteins are most likely of plant origin.
Regarding the dosage of dry food:
| Cat weight, kg | Feed rate per day, g |
| 2 – 4 | 35 – 65 |
| 4 – 6 | 65 – 95 |
| 6 – 8 | 95 – 125 |
According to reviews, 1.5-2 kg of dry food for a month is enough for one adult medium-sized cat. For example, with a cat weighing 3.5 kg and a norm of 50-55 g, 1,500 to 1,650 g of food will be enough for her per month. There is no need to buy vitamins and mineral supplements separately. Each product in a separate line has its own feeding recommendations.
Features of dry food Proplan and purpose
First of all, let's look at dry food.
Its prices are low and storage is simple. Reviews from owners warn that feeding the animal should be harmonious. You cannot feed natural products and food at the same time. Such a diet is harmful: the natural digestive process will be disrupted. This means that the animal must be fed only one type of food.
The quality of Proplan has repeatedly received positive reviews. Pets that were fed it over a period of time were healthy looking, cheerful and energetic. Research has shown the obvious benefits of cat food.
Today, Proplan dry food is widely represented on the market. Felinologists say that there is no need to be afraid to use this food, since its composition is completely natural and meets the nutritional needs of cats.
How is Proplan dry food for cats divided?
The range of dry food starts with the first group - this is Proplan marked Junior .
The main ingredients are thermally processed chicken meat and rice. It is intended for kittens that have reached the age of one month. In order for the kitten to easily absorb food and receive vitamins, Proplan granules must be filled with milk before feeding. Pet owners don't have to worry when choosing Proplan for their cats. According to the observations of veterinarians, the number of digestive problems occurs much less often in animals whose owners have accustomed them to food from the first months of life and continue to use it in the future.
The next group is for cats over a year old. The packaging is labeled Adult . In this group there are some differences in purpose, since animals have individual characteristics of their organisms. For example, Sterili s ed food has an increased amount of protein and is intended for sterilized and neutered male cats.
The Delicate series is designed for cats prone to allergies. Dental Plus is a product with a large granule size, created for cats that need dental care, since large pieces, during the chewing process, cleanse the teeth of plaque and tartar.
The last group is the Senior series . This is a dry food that has won many positive reviews from customers. Recommended for animals over seven years of age for a healthy and long life.
Thus, Proplan is divided into the following types:
- Junior - for kittens.
- Adult - from 1 year.
- Sterilized - food after sterilization.
- Delicate - for cats prone to allergies.
- Dental Plus - to maintain dental health.
- Senior - for adult animals over 7 years old.
Wet food
Veterinarians note that there are no clear standards regarding what is best for an adult cat and what is best for a kitten. In some animals, the digestive system absorbs dry food better, while in others, wet food. Speaking about canned food, it should be noted that they have a distinctive feature - they contain a lot of protein .
This determines the class of the Proplan brand. It has been noticed that spiders do not cause any complications in the animal’s digestion after consumption, since they have a balanced composition. Most pets only eat wet food. Available in separate portioned packaging , so if the cat does not eat the food in one go, the rest is thrown away.
Each serving consists of thermally processed pieces of meat and special sauce. It is worth noting: if the spiders lie open, the sauce dries out and the nutritional value of the food decreases. Therefore, the cat needs to be fed only at certain times.
Wet food is produced in tin containers and portioned bags, filled with pieces of salmon, chicken, turkey , lamb and rabbit. Knowing your pet’s preferences, you can select a specific food flavor or alternate between different ones.
Cat owners are advised to choose the food whose composition will be most suitable for the cat in all respects, taking into account its age and health status. Among the variety of food manufacturers for cats and kittens, Proplan has the best price-quality ratio.
Feed cost
Pro Plan is sold in any pet store and supermarket with a small selection both online and offline. The price varies depending on the weight purchased and the type of feed. In 2022, average prices for Pro Plan for the Adult series ranged from 480 to 700 rubles. for 1 kg of dry food:
| Feed package weight | Price per package, rub | Cost per 1 kg, rub |
| Dry 0.4 kg | 280 | 700 |
| Dry 1.5 kg | 990 | 660 |
| Dry 3 kg | 1890 | 630 |
| Dry 10 kg | 4810 | 481 |
| Wet in pouches 85 g | 49 – 65 | 576 – 765 |
Recommendations for feeding Proplan food
The daily intake for a kitten up to one year old with six feedings a day is up to 70 g per day. Wet and dry Proplan are mixed in a ratio of 50:50.
Feeding dosages for adults are particularly different. Cats eat 2-3 times a day at the rate of 12 g per kilogram of weight. Pregnant cats and lactating animals eat 55 g of food per day.
Pro plan canned food for cats is divided into two meals. It is not recommended to leave canned food open as it tends to dry out. Dry food is stored for 60 days from the date the package is opened.
Table of daily intake and feeding dosage:
| Type of feed | Up to 1 year | 1-7 years | Over 7 years old |
| Dry | 35–70 g | 25–100 g | 50–80 g |
| Wet | 1/3 pack + 5–10 g dry food | 1 package | 1 package |
| Canned food | 30–50 g | 225 g | 150 g |
Pro Plan Pros and Cons
The benefits include:
- accessibility and availability in many stores;
- high percentage of protein content;
- rich in vitamins and beneficial microelements;
- a huge range of flavors;
- availability of a treatment line for cat diseases;
- balanced composition, the presence of medicinal enzymes and probiotics.
Disadvantages include:
- overpriced compared to other higher quality analogues: Acana, Royal Canin, Go Natural, NOW, Felidae;
- the presence of allergens in the composition and the increased content of vegetable protein, an increased proportion of carbohydrates in the diet;
- vague statements of the constituent components without indicating the percentage;
- use of flavoring fillers and preservatives.
Analogues of "Proplan" for pets
Royal Kanin is considered one of the best premium foods with a similar composition and low cost. It is available in the form of dry food, spiders and canned food, and is complete. There are different types: for very young kittens and pregnant cats, for teenagers and sterilized cats under one year old. There is a line of food developed taking into account the breed of the kitten. If possible, it is better to purchase Royal Kanin food produced abroad. The Russian version is more common, but has a lower content of nutrients.
1St Choise is a super-premium food at a fairly affordable price. It features high-quality ingredients; there are types designed specifically for kittens.
The Ontario line of food went on sale not so long ago, however, it has already managed to win the trust of veterinarians. The composition contains a large amount of protein (32%), a minimum of preservatives and artificial flavors. The disadvantages of this food include its low prevalence in most pet stores in Russia and not yet a very wide range.
The combination of reasonable price and good quality will please you with the super-premium Monge food. They are available in dry and wet form, contain an increased amount of meat ingredients, and are designed taking into account the digestive characteristics of predatory animals, which include domestic cats. There is a separate series of feeds for therapeutic nutrition.
CHARACTERISTICS AND COMPOSITION
The ProPlan series of cat food from Purina (France) is a premium product, has a balanced composition and is quite affordable.
Unlike the Purina Cat Chow line, Proplan food is of higher quality and contains beneficial probiotics and enzymes that promote the animal’s digestion. Thanks to the correct balance of food ingredients, Proplan food fully satisfies all the cat’s needs for proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements, has optimal energy value and is minimally allergenic
.
It was found out experimentally:
good tests in an animal after two weeks of feeding these foods are proof that Proplan can continue to be the basis of a cat’s diet and does not require any additional supplements. In other words, Purina ProPlan may well be the main and only cat food.
! But, as with many industrial foods, there are also pitfalls that cat owners need to be aware of. Let's look at them in order.
1. Purina Proplan contains a fairly high protein content (up to 40%). This is very good for a healthy animal, but not so good for sick or neutered cats. The quality of the protein component is determined by the nature of the protein sources from which this 40% is made up. Thus, natural chicken meat dominates in Proplan food. The label may indicate that the food contains duck or salmon, but this is nothing more than an advertising ploy. The true role of these products is to be a flavoring agent (no more than 3% of the total amount of meat), and the rest is chicken.
2. Also, these foods contain rice, which is the most beneficial plant ingredient for cats. But corn and soy, on the contrary, are completely unnecessary for the cat’s body and can cause allergies, hair loss, bald spots, etc. Poultry by-product meal is undoubtedly a harmful component. This is a derivative not from poultry meat or its internal organs, but from ground paws, heads and even feathers, which cannot be beneficial in any way.
3. Among the harmful components of Proplan, animal fat and liver can also be noted. The last ingredient, in principle, is undesirable for cats, and the true origin of animal fat is generally not indicated by the manufacturer.
4. Brewer's yeast and cellulose powder, found in some Purina Proplan foods, can provoke allergies. However, these foods still contain more useful components. For example, minerals and vitamins with high concentrations of magnesium, phosphorus or calcium help the cat's kidneys function properly.
Reviews of food for cats Proplan
According to many reviews, it is known that from the first days of consuming the food, the cat became more active, and the coat acquired shine. Replacing natural products with Proplan food is completely justified, since the animal receives full saturation and replenishment with useful substances.
The quality of the food is excellent. After it, my cat became more active, his fur was shiny, and there were no digestive problems. He never refuses a portion. Before feeding Proplan, there was an allergy, and the food was poorly digested. Since we switched to this food, the cat’s health has become wonderful.
Alexander. Moscow
My cat, Scottish Fold, is 3 years old. I give Proplan. He eats it willingly and does not touch other foods. I feed him dry and canned food. The cat is healthy and energetic. We recently got a kitten. We also give him Proplan, only for kittens. There are no complaints about the food.
Marina. Yekaterinburg city
I tried feeding my cat Proplan, and since then I’ve been feeding it only.
Most often I give chicken-flavored food; the other cat doesn’t want to eat it. I can recommend him to everyone, the animal is vigorous and looks healthy. Vladimir. Novosibirsk city
Incorrect dosage: problems associated with overfeeding
Sometimes owners, seeing the animal’s excellent appetite, cannot resist giving it an additional portion of food. Let's face it, it's very difficult to resist such a reaction. It’s even more difficult not to throw a piece of chicken (fish, minced meat) to your pet when he’s spinning under his feet and wondering: what is that they’re cooking there? Believe me, this kind of love kills. And if you want the best for your cat, don't overfeed it.
Obesity in cats is often associated with poor quality nutrition. We have already written a lot about this, so we’ll just remind you: economy-class food contains a lot of fat and carbohydrates, but little protein. This leads to an imbalance of the food supply, problems with metabolism and, at a minimum, excess weight of the pet. Possible problems are not limited to this: from poor nutrition, an animal can develop pancreatitis, urolithiasis, and diabetes.
Therefore, we assume that you have long since transferred your cat to a high-quality “holistic” cat, but still notice some rounding of the pet. What to do about it?
To get started, ask yourself a few simple questions: Is your cat overweight? Does your pet constantly ask for more and beg? Do you have problems with your fur or skin?
All this may indicate an incorrect dosage of food. By the way, the fact that the cat constantly asks for food does not mean that you are not feeding it. Perhaps she is simply accustomed to larger than normal portions, and her appetite, as we know, comes with eating. In the United States, studies are regularly conducted regarding excess weight in pets. This problem is so serious that the Association for the Prevention of Pet Obesity was created in 2005. And as of 2022, more than 58 percent of cats were overweight or obese to varying degrees.
We think that there is no need to explain what the excess weight of a pet entails. These include problems with the gastrointestinal tract, increased stress on the joints, and in the long term – a reduction in life expectancy. But what to do if the food is given in strict accordance with the instructions on the package, and the cat keeps getting fatter and fatter?
