Ready-made diets for dogs are available in different forms. There are dry granulated food, pates, canned food. They differ in composition. As a rule, each manufacturer produces all types of feed. Today you can see many brands in the market. But which one should you choose? Dog walkers often get lost. After all, you want to buy the best dry dog food so as not to harm the health of the animals. Purina food is considered to be quite advertised. All companies praise their products. But is Purina really a good nutrition? This article will tell you about this.
Who produces food under the Purina brand?
The parent company is located in the USA, it is registered under the name Nestle Purina. Subsidiaries produce goods in different parts of the world:
- in Europe;
- Africa;
- Australia;
- Asia;
- Oceania;
- South and North America.
Purina is a popular brand in pet stores.
The company's specialists are constantly developing new varieties of food necessary for the normal life of pets.
Important! Purina brand products entered Russia in 1997. On the official website you can familiarize yourself with all types of products and choose the appropriate option
Pros of Pro Plan cat food
1. The manufacturer uses only high-quality ingredients.
2. Contains natural meat products.
3. Contain the optimal amount of vitamins and minerals.
4. A wide range of dry and wet food for kittens and cats of all ages, castrated and sterilized animals.
5. A variety of diets allows you to choose the taste that suits your pet.
6. There is a veterinary line.
Cat food class from Purina
Proplan for cats and kittens: review of options from Purina
The manufacturer states that Purina for cats belongs to the premium and super-premium categories. This food contains meat and fish ingredients, animal fats, herbal supplements and vitamins. But most experts doubt whether the product quality corresponds to the declared level.
A large amount of cereals, which are useless for the cat’s body, cannot be contained in elite food. The table shows the difference between information from the manufacturer and expert opinion:
| Name of food | Category | Experts' opinion |
| Purina One | premium | midway between economy and premium |
| About the Plan | super premium | no higher than premium |
| Veterinary diet | super premium | super premium |
| Gourmet | premium | economy |
| Felix | premium | economy |
| Friscas | economy | economy |
Feed composition overview
- In all Purina Van dry food for dogs, the meat ingredient comes first ; this is a very good indicator for economy class food. However, the designation of this component - dry poultry or animal protein - casts doubt on its quality, since, most likely, the protein primarily consists of animal by-products, rather than pure meat.
- Next on the list are the main sources of carbohydrates - wheat and corn. These are not the best ingredients, as they are allergens and cause intolerance in some cases. But in the economical segment they are found in almost every brand of food.
- Vitamins, fish and animal fat, vegetable extracts are good additions to the main ingredients.
- The big disadvantage of the composition is the presence of flavoring and aromatic additives in it .
- The total proportion of proteins ( 25-27% ), fats ( 10-18% ) and fiber (2.5% ) are normal.
The composition of canned food also starts with a meat ingredient; the percentage of protein content for wet inexpensive food is at a decent level - 12-13% . Vegetables, fish, fats and vitamins - besides this, there are no additives or other harmful products in wet food.
What brands are produced under the Purina brand?
Food for kittens: which is better, rating of dry and liquid options
The company produces 7 varieties of food, each of which is further divided into separate types. Famous series include:
- Purina ONE. Designed to maintain normal microflora in the intestines;
- ProPlan. Designed for kittens, older cats, pets with gastrointestinal problems, after sterilization and completely balanced;
- Cat Chow. It consists of a large number of natural components, it is recommended for kittens and adults, there are types with a therapeutic direction;
- Gourmet. Exclusively canned varieties with turkey, salmon, trout and chicken;
- Felix. The range of the series is presented in the form of pieces of meat in jelly and sauce and solid granules. In addition to meat flavors, there is cheese;
- Darling. Used for feeding kittens under 12 months and mature cats, produced in granules and canned food;
- Friskies. An inexpensive variety of complete animal food.
Important! Purina Veterinary Diets is a separate ProPlan line designed for pets with medical conditions. It contains types for kittens and adults suffering from diabetes, allergies and genitourinary pathologies.
Purina Veterinary diet intended for sick cats
Pro Plan cat food: veterinarians' opinion
Pro Plan cat food is manufactured by Purina, one of the world's experts in the production of ready-made pet diets. Natural and high-quality ingredients are used in production. A wide range of food is represented by various compositions that are suitable for the daily nutrition of cats of all ages and breeds.
Veterinarians' opinion
Veterinarians have ambivalent attitudes towards Nestlé Purina products. Experts believe that cheap options are a direct threat to the health of pets. The exception is the ProPlan series products.
Purina food for dogs of small and large breeds
Chernyak I. O., veterinarian, Moscow:
“I always recommend ready-made food to my patients. They meet the needs of cats better than leftovers from the owner's table. In my extensive practice, I have never met people who would separately prepare a special menu for them. “Purina has a sufficient number of varieties to choose an option that suits age criteria and individual characteristics of the body.”
Important! Veterinarians do not advise getting carried away only with crackers, since animals need alternating canned food and biscuits. When storing large packages, do not forget about the rules; if the requirements are violated, the cat may be poisoned by spoiled food.
Variety of Purina Van line
Reviews about food
Due to the widespread availability of Purina dog food, reviews about it can be found on any pet forum. Most of it comes down to the fact that this is normal food, without harsh negative and extremely enthusiastic opinions. There are also reviews in which breeders complain about the quality of food, which has caused the deterioration in the health of their dogs.
Let's look at some of the most striking reviews about Purina food:
Stas, dachshund owner:
“I’ve been buying Purina for my dog for a long time. I like that the food is available at any pet store, and you can buy it on the way home. The dog eats food with pleasure, with health, pah-pah, everything seems to be in order.”
Oksana Pavlovna, spaniel breeder:
“My dog eats natural food, but when I’m too lazy to cook, I buy her Purina in bags. He eats both cheeks and always licks the bowl. The only downside we can say is that the food smells very strongly - the dog itself “smells” the food after eating. Otherwise, food is just food.”
Evgeniy, pug owner:
“There was a moment when I decided to save money and bought Purina Van food for my Bon at the nearest supermarket. I won’t do this again, and I don’t advise you: the dog was vomiting on every corner, and in addition, she was overtaken by monstrous diarrhea. The veterinarian told us not to reinvent the wheel and return to our previous diet. Since then there has been a very negative attitude towards Purina.”
If we talk about the opinion of experts, then the reviews from veterinarians about Purina dog food are all similar: this is not a very high-quality food, which is popular only because of the price. Doctors do not recommend these diets for daily nutrition, as this may affect your pet's health.
What's in it
Purina food includes the following components:
- 17% meat or fish;
- rice, oatmeal, wheat additives;
- corn flour;
- vegetables;
- fatty acid;
- tocopherol, retinol, calciferol, vitamin K;
- various microelements represented by magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, selenium, etc.
Note! Components in different series may differ. Before purchasing, you must carefully study the composition.
Canned food
Canned food is more expensive than pouches. 85 grams of product will cost 2.5-3 times more. However, they are 5-6 times more nutritious. The protein content reaches 75%. Canned foods include Purina Pro Plan, Pro Plan Junior, as well as gourmet Gourmet pates, which are also suitable for feeding cats expecting offspring.
When choosing food for a kitten, you should focus on the appetite and well-being of the pet itself. Purina food is premium. Breeders and veterinarians look critically at this type of food, giving preference to “holistic” or “super-premium” food. Not to mention that the premium class category for some Purina foods based on processed meat or fish products is questionable, and many experts note that food from the Friskies line should be classified as economy class. But in the process of organizing the nutrition of a particular animal, everything is individual. Reviews of Purina food often testify: small pets grow well, they have shiny, beautiful fur, normal bowel movements, and an excellent appetite.
Assortment and line of feed
There are seven main lines of food, differing in cost and quality characteristics. Each is a separate series with several types of different nutrition.
Proplan
Dry food is produced in Russia, Italy and France, and belongs to the cheap varieties of the economy category. The series includes species developed taking into account the individual characteristics of cats:
- Junior is specially produced for kittens, helps strengthen the immune system, normal brain development, and prevent problems with visual acuity;
- Steriliside was created for neutered pets, intended for weight control, preventing the development of urolithiasis;
- Delicate is suitable for animals with a delicate gastrointestinal tract;
- Derma Plus prevents the formation of hairballs in the gastrointestinal tract and is intended for pets with problem skin.
Purina Plan Delicate
The canned food series is produced for cats of different ages. The food from the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary diets line is therapeutic. It is prescribed by a veterinarian in the presence of the following diseases:
- allergies;
- problems with the normal functioning of the digestive department;
- obesity;
- ICD and diabetes mellitus.
Important! The food series is sold in pet stores, supermarkets and online stores. Average price per pack of 1.5 kg from 990 to 1100 rubles*
Purina One for cats
The line's hard croquettes fall between economy and premium. The products are designed for sexually mature individuals and kittens, and contain predominantly vegetable protein. Purina Van cat food is recommended:
- for kittens;
- sexually mature animals;
- pets over 11 years old;
- cats with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract;
- sterilized individuals.
Purina for cats uses a special form that helps activate the immune system. It includes:
- prebiotics that normalize intestinal microflora;
- yeast as a source of vitamin and mineral compounds, proteins and beta-gluconate;
- antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals.
Important! Purina One for cats can be purchased at any pet supply store. A pack of 200 g will cost 90 rubles.
Gourmet
Wet food is produced by Russian and French factories; they belong to the economy category, and not premium, as the advertisement claims. The manufacturer states that the series is intended for cats with increased nutritional requirements.
Several lines are released under the brand:
- Gold is made in pates, meatballs and terrines in French according to special recipes;
- Mont Petit is presented in single servings of 50 g;
- Pearl comes in the form of roasted beef, duck, turkey pieces or as salmon in sauce;
- A la Carte - a mixture of meat or fish along with vegetables, rice, pasta, which are prepared according to the chef's recipe.
Note! The composition does not meet the requirements of premium categories. In production, processed meat and fish products are used; their grade is often missing on the packaging. Biscuits and canned food contain sugar, dyes and vegetable proteins.
A jar of Gourmet costs from 20 to 40 rubles.
Felix
Produced at a Russian enterprise, it is one of the cheapest types of feed. The range includes jelly, granules and sauce, they include dyes, flavoring additives, processed meat and fish products.
The series is divided not according to age, but according to taste preferences:
- "Appetizing pieces";
- “Double Yummy”;
- Felix Sensation.
Felix has a series of treats with vitamins and omega polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is represented by cheese, original, sea mixes.
The average cost per pack of Felix is 20 rubles.
Friscas
Consists of biscuits and liquid feed, produced in Russia. It is an inexpensive variety and was first released in 1956 in the USA. Solid feeds are obtained from processed vegetables and meat products and contain dyes.
Canned food is manufactured taking into account age and sterilization:
- Purina food for kittens;
- for mature animals;
- for pets after castration.
For your information! There is a separate series of products designed to prevent the accumulation of hair in the stomach of cats.
When purchasing, a 300 g pack will cost 80 rubles, 85 g packs will cost 20 rubles.
Cat Chow
Produced at Russian and Hungarian factories, it is an inexpensive type of good food. Created for:
- kittens up to 1 year of age;
- adult pets;
- cats that require special care.
The advertisement states that this type is completely balanced and includes:
- quality proteins;
- tocopherol and B vitamins;
- yeast, whole grains;
- peas, beets, spinach and carrots;
- prebiotics and natural fibers.
Important! The basis of the food is cereals, with a fairly high percentage of meat components. It does not contain preservatives, dyes or flavors.
Purina Cat Chow for kittens - the best choice from the series
You can buy croquettes for 130 rubles. for 400 g, pouches - 40 rubles. for 85
Darling
Darling is produced by a domestic company and is part of the economy series. Available in biscuits and canned food. Compound:
- vegetable fiber;
- proteins;
- phosphorus;
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- vitamin and mineral complex;
- polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Whole and processed grains predominate in croquettes; the share of meat components (processed products) does not exceed 10%. Most of the proteins are of plant origin.
Buying a two-kilogram pack will cost 220-250 rubles.
Peculiarities
Purina one for cats
Purina kitten foods are formulated to meet the needs of growing kittens. Kittens need building materials for growth - complete protein, vitamins and minerals that regulate the quality of the process. The most important point is nutritional balance. Any distortions lead to diseases:
- Lack of taurine is the cause of rickets.
- Excess phosphorus, lack of calcium (possibly due to feeding exclusively meat or fish) – hypoparateriosis.
- Lack of vitamin A – vision problems, weakened immunity, slow growth.
- A lack of vitamin B3, B6 and other vitamins of this group will affect everything: wool, the condition of the genitourinary system, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, joints, the peripheral and central nervous system. Animals that are fed exclusively boiled food suffer from a lack of vitamin B3 - it is destroyed when heated.
- A lack of vitamin C and E reduces immunity, impairs the absorption of minerals, and affects the development of kittens in the early period.
- Lack of vitamin D affects the condition of the skeleton, bones, and teeth. The animal becomes lethargic and passive.
- A lack or excess of minerals, macro- and microelements will affect the quality of growth and endurance. The pet grows poorly, often gets sick, has dull fur, and loses the vivacity of its movements. It is possible to develop serious diseases, for example, nutritional hyperparathyroidism.
Industrial feed greatly simplifies the life of the owner. There is no need to independently calculate the proportions of certain components - this has already been done by nutritionists. The brand's line includes all products that can provide a growing kitten with a complete diet.
Kittens are fed 5-6 times a day, given both dry and wet food. A combination of different types of food is optimal.
Pros of Purina food.
- Large selection, availability, low price. The food is sold in all retail chains and is suitable for customers with different needs.
- Enzymes, probiotics to improve intestinal function, special complexes and fatty acid contained in breast milk.
- High percentage of proteins.
Minuses.
- Proteins are mainly of plant origin.
- Contains corn gluten; this food is not suitable for animals with gluten allergies.
- Almost no vegetables.
- There are preservatives, dyes, food additives.
How to choose food
Veterinarians advise choosing a diet in accordance with the characteristics of the animal’s body. Leading manufacturers have feed intended for:
- for kittens from 1 to 4 or from 4 to 12 months;
- pregnant and lactating cats;
- after sterilization or castration;
- for weakened pets;
- elderly cats.
Important! Treatment series are not intended for daily use. They can only be prescribed by a doctor who will monitor the entire period of therapy.
Pouch Gourmet with chicken
Wet Products Review
Wet products are available in various packaging. The consistency is jelly with pieces or a uniform pate. There are a variety of flavors: with chicken, with chicken and carrots, with turkey, with turkey and zucchini, with lamb and zucchini in sauce. The dosage is calculated for 1 feeding. Kittens are fed 2 times a day, using 1-3 pouches or jars for pets up to 3 months, and 2-4 pouches for those older than 6 months.
Even premium products, such as Gourmet pates, contain not only meat and fish, but also their processed products. The manufacturer indicates the percentage of pure meat. For example, Pro Plan Junior Turkey Pouches contain 4% turkey.
Recommended Daily Value
The daily dosage of food is indicated on the product packaging.
- For mature cats weighing 3 kg - 25 g, 4 kg - 40 g, 5 kg - 55 g. If the pet is more than six kilograms, then the calculation is carried out in the proportion: 12 g per kilogram of weight.
- During active growth, kittens require more food. The standard rate is: with a weight of 2 kg - 35 g, 3 kg - 50 g, 4 kg - 70 g, 5 kg - 85 g.
- For cats bearing offspring, their own norms are recommended: with a body weight of up to 5 kg - 55 g, more than 6 kg - 12 g / kg of weight.
Note! Elderly animals often refuse the specified amounts of food. If the cat does not have serious illnesses, then this behavior is normal and should not alarm the owner.
Brand assortment
The Pro Plan food range includes dry and wet diets.
Sterilized
– for castrated and sterilized cats. Includes all ages. Helps maintain optimal weight and prevents the development of urolithiasis.
Delicate
– for adult cats with sensitive digestion. The composition contains ingredients that support the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The protein content in this type of feed is 40%.
Comparison of dry food Purina Van and Perfect Fit
Both foods are similar in component ingredients: the amount and types of nutrients in them are not particularly different. The exception is the mineral supplements in Perfect Fit; there are more of them, and they are described in more detail on the packaging.
The price for the Perfect Fit package is lower than the cost of Purina Van, starting from 66 rubles. for 190 g and ends at 740 rubles. for 3 kg. Veterinarians do not see a serious difference between them and believe that they can replace each other without compromising the health of their pets.
Perfect Fit is the main competitor of Purina
Advantages and disadvantages
A detailed analysis of the assortment and composition allows us to identify the pros and cons of food for small dogs represented by the Purina Van brand.
Advantages
- The main advantages of the brand are low price and availability of purchase (products are presented not only in pet stores, but also in hypermarkets).
- A plus is a fairly good composition for the economical segment, as well as the presence of vitamins in the list of ingredients.
- The content of proteins, fats and fiber is within normal limits and is considered a good indicator for economy class.
- Another plus is the lack of additives in wet food.
Flaws
Much more deficiencies have been identified in this brand of food.:
- Poor composition with unknown origin of the main protein component;
- A narrow range of diets only for small pets;
- No food for dogs with special needs;
- Flavoring and aromatic additives in dry food.
Owners' opinion
Owners of four-legged animals react differently to Purina products. Some complain of complete denial by cats, for others it is the ideal solution to the problem of daily feeding.
Fedor, 43 years old, Volgograd:
“After buying a Persian cat, we became acquainted with the problems of this breed. She suffers from allergies; any natural product or ready-made food causes hair loss and skin ulcers. After a month of taking special hypoallergenic food from Purina, the cat stopped itching, and the defects on the skin began to heal. Now we visit the veterinarian’s office less often.”
Maria, 19 years old, Omsk
“I bought the vaunted Purina and treated my cats for diarrhea for a week. I can’t say that the food is disgusting, but my animals’ bodies reject some of its substances. I won’t risk purchasing this “happiness” a second time.”
Purina brand food is intended for feeding cats living in low- and middle-income families. You should not expect from them quality equal to holistic specialists. For their price level they are quite balanced and safe.
*Prices in the article are indicated for October 2022.
Replacement feed
Grandin
Grandin food belongs to the holistic class. This means that the meat content in them is more than 60%. Diets of this class are most optimal for cats, because they are carnivores, so they must consume the required amount of meat ingredients every day.
Benefits of Grandin cat food:
1. European production, marked with international quality certificates.
2. They do not contain grains, as a result of which the risk of allergies is minimized.
3. Sources of nutrients and fiber are fresh fruits, vegetables and berries.
4. A wide range of diets for adult cats, kittens, elderly pets, castrated and sterilized animals.
5. Suitable for pets with sensitive digestion.
6. Available in dry and wet form (in bags, cans).
Mealfeel
Mealfeel food is designed specifically for cats, taking into account their age and lifestyle. There is a line for castrated and sterilized pets, as well as hypoallergenic diets. You can choose either dry or wet type of food.
2. High content of meat and meat ingredients – from 40%.
3. Variety of flavors: veal, chicken, beef, turkey, fish and others.
4. There are hypoallergenic diets.
5. Low grain content.
6. Manufactured in Europe using natural and high quality ingredients.
Wellkiss
Wellkiss is a balanced cat food suitable for daily nutrition. Contains an optimal balance of essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Manufactured according to European Union standards.
2. From 40% meat and meat ingredients in the composition.
4. Diets take into account the age, lifestyle and taste preferences of cats.
5. There is a line of food for sterilized cats and neutered cats.
6. Dry and wet diets.
Royal Canin
They belong to the super-premium class. A wide range allows you to choose food that suits your cat’s lifestyle and age.
1. Content of meat and meat products – from 40%.
3. There are formulations both with and without grains.
4. The assortment includes dry food, as well as wet diets in cans, bags and lamisters.
6. The manufacturer has long established itself in the finished feed market.
Positive points
In a cat's body, the weak point is the intestines. Often, if fed incorrectly, the animal suffers from bloating and indigestion. The food manufacturer Purina One takes care of cats and offers food with a balanced ratio of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. The product also contains a lot of fiber. Thanks to it, digestion improves and constipation is eliminated.
The feed contains chicory root. A rather rare component for cat nutrition, however, it enriches the pet’s diet, improves the taste of food and tidies up the condition of the coat.
The main disadvantage of Purina cat food is the presence of flavoring. It is usually added to stimulate the cat’s appetite and attract it to this diet. Considering that such a need arises if there is not enough natural meat in the composition, we can conclude that there is the presence of offal.
