At A Glance
The Purina dog food brand has been around for more than a century. Its staying power can be attributed to the company’s commitment to constant improvement. Purina One and Pro Plan are two of its most popular product lines. Dog parents love that:
Last Updated on: Sep 14, 2023
One of the most popular (sometimes heated) debates among pet owners is Purina One Vs Purina Pro Plan.
Both offer a wide range of options for different types of dogs, but which one is superior?
In this article, we’ll look at the distinct features and benefits of Purina One and Purina Pro Plan. Then you’ll get a comparison to help alleviate the overwhelm and simplify your choice.
This is a popular choice among dog owners who want to provide their pets with high-quality nutrition. It is available in both dry and wet forms, and therefore, is suitable for dogs of all ages and sizes.
One of the characteristics that sets Purina One apart from other dog food brands is its use of real meat as the main ingredient. It ensures your pet gets the essential protein content they need for their overall health.
The high protein also supports your dog’s lean muscle mass and keeps them energized throughout the day.
Purina One boasts using natural ingredients and aims for balanced nutrition by including a variety of vitamins and minerals in its formulas. These help boost your dog’s immune system and promote optimal health in other body functions and organs as well.
With Purina One, you can be confident that your dog is getting quality food that supports their wellbeing and happiness.
Plus, the long list of flavors (beef, bison, chicken, duck, fish, lamb, salmon, tuna, turkey, and venison) guarantees they won’t get tired of it.
The positive experiences of many dog parents indicate that Purina One is a reliable choice. However, it’s important to monitor your pet’s reaction to it, or to any food for that matter. Make adjustments when necessary and based on their individual needs.
“Breed, life stage, size, and medical needs should factor into pet parents’ choice of food”, advises Dr. Jeremy Kimmelstiel, associate regional medical director at Bond Vet, “rather than narrowing your search to a particular meat or other ingredient, you should look at the whole nutritional picture.”
King Ken purchased Purina One on Amazon and has this to say about the product:
“Our 2-1/2 yo bernedoodle really likes this dog food! Very surprising to us as she’s such a picky eater. We’ve tried so many different types and brands and this is THE one and only kibble she seems to enjoy. She would eat the freeze-dried beef liver all day long but since that wouldn’t be a great idea, we’re glad to have found the Purina One!”
Jamie Gallion is also satisfied with Purina One’s effect on his pet:
“This is the only food that doesn’t give my pup horrible diarrhea. I have tried so many grain free, expensive, exclusive, foods and they all gave her the runs. I decided to go back to what I knew from my childhood, Purina, and it works. She is 10 and the vet says she is super healthy!”
While Purina One is generally well-tolerated by dogs, you should be aware of possible side effects.
Some may experience digestive issues when transitioning to a new diet, but those are usually temporary and resolve on their own. Such reactions can often be attributed to individual sensitivities or the fat content in the food.
Remember that every dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if Purina One is the right choice for yours.
Additionally, it’s important to monitor your pet’s weight, as some formulas of Purina One have a higher fat content. This may be a concern for dogs prone to weight gain or with certain health problems.
For such dogs, Purina One Plus would be a better choice.
If you’re considering Purina One for your dog, you may want to explore its offshoot, Purina One Plus. This product line offers even more benefits and is specifically designed to target unique needs such as aging, dull coat, and joint health.
Like its predecessor, Purina One Plus offers a whole range of options that cater to different types of dogs – small breed, large breed, young, adult, senior, or with specific dietary needs. You can also choose from dry or wet dog food, depending on your pet’s preference.
Purina One Plus emphasizes digestive health with ingredients that focus on digestive systems, so it’s an ideal choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
And because its foundation is Purina One, it also contains high protein to boost energy levels and maintain lean muscle mass, ensuring that your dog stays active and mobile.
So now it’s a head-to-head of Purina One Plus vs Pro Plan.
Purina One offers a wide array of high-quality pet food that prioritize your dog’s nutrition and health. But what about its cousin, Purina Pro Plan?
Well, this is another well-liked brand among pet owners. It is known for functional formulas that meet particular needs of different breeds, ages, and health concerns.
Purina Pro Plan takes the nutritional needs of dogs to the next level, recognizing every dog’s uniqueness that deserves personalized nutrition.
Some examples of its variants are for sensitive skin and stomach, sport performance, vital systems, and weight management. They even offer probiotic anxiety and flora chewable tablet supplements.
Also, many dog handlers and trainers like Mike Stewart, Gabriel Ranger, and Amber McCune feed their champion dogs Purina Pro Plan.
So, if your pet requires food that goes beyond the basics, Purina Pro Plan may be the brand for them.
Veterinarians like Dr. Gregory Gstrein consider Purina Pro Plan as the best food for large and giant breeds.
Gstrein, a California VCA Animal Hospital staff vet, says it’s not only because the brand’s products meet the standards Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Their formulations are also created by a veterinary nutritionist.
“Purina Pro Plan for large-breed adult dogs is a good choice because of its varieties in flavors (chicken, beef, or salmon) and because it contains omega-3 fatty acid that helps support joint health, which is important for large breeds”, agrees Dr. Jessica Taylor, Petfolk Vice president of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Taylor notes that Purina is “among the companies that invest significantly in research and development and conduct strict quality control testing. Purina is easy to find in grocery stores, and you can purchase it online.”
Pet owners agree as well.
“Pro-plan is actually pretty cheap for what you’re getting, quality wise. I personally like Purina products because of the feeding trials the company has done, the veterinary nutritionists they employ, and the consistency of the food. Some people get kind of weird about how large the company is, but IMO the science behind their food outweighs that.” – Drophie
In February 2023, Purina recalled its Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental dog food due to dog patients getting sick after ingesting it.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the prescription-only product contained high levels of Vitamin D. This led to toxicity “which might include vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, and excessive drooling to kidney dysfunction”, they stated.
Apart from this incident, dogs in general tolerate Pro Plan well. And like any new food that you introduce to your pet, it may cause digestive issues in the beginning. These would typically resolve as your dog gradually gets used to it.
The reason for the higher cost of Purina Pro Plan lies in its specialized formulas and targeted nutrition.
This level of customization comes at a higher price point, as the brand invests in extensive research and development to create formulas that address the unique needs of individual dogs.
On the upside, this higher cost reflects the added benefits it provides. If your dog has specific dietary requirements or health concerns, the expense may be worth it. Ultimately, it’s a personal decision based on your pet’s situation and your budget.
In terms of content, both Purina One and Pro Plan prioritize high-quality nutrition and use real meat as the main ingredient. The two product lines also include a variety of vitamins and minerals to support a dog’s immune system and overall health.
As far as packaging and accessibility are concerned, there really is no such thing as Purina Pro Plan vs Purina One dog food because they fall under the same parent company.
That means you can purchase them at the grocery and in online stores and be assured the products are safe in transit. You also have wet and dry dog food as well as canned and bagged options whichever brand you choose.
Now for the differences.
First is the variety of specialized formulas. While Purina One focuses on providing high-quality nutrition for all dogs, Pro Plan takes it a step further by offering targeted nutrition for specific needs.
Second is the price. Pro Plan is more expensive than Purina One. This higher cost reflects the added benefits and special formulas of Pro Plan products.
Third, as dog writer Chris Bark points out below, the grain sources of the two brands are different. So are the textures, as the plant-based additives used vary as well.
Ultimately, your choice depends on three factors:
If your pet has special needs (newborn puppy or senior) or specific health concerns, Pro Plan can help you nurse it back to health. At the very least, supplementing its diet with natural food that targets problem areas may decrease the need for medications.
When money is tight, you might not have a choice but to feed your pet Purina One, the cheaper option.
Keep in mind, though, that a dog with special dietary needs or health concerns might require vet visits and additional supplements. Those could add up and be more expensive in the long run.
Are you grooming your dog to compete in canine sports? If so, then Purina Pro Plan will provide it with the proper nutrients to build stamina, reach the ideal weight, and develop muscle mass.
Do you have the time to give it extra care and attention due to an illness? If not, then you need all the help you can get, and Pro Plan is one of them.
On the other hand, if your puppy or dog is in the pink of health, a balanced diet from Purina One will more than suffice.
Choosing the right dog food for your pet can be daunting, especially if you’re a new dog parent faced with a buffet of options available on the market.
However, when it comes to the Pro Plan vs Purina One debate, you can simplify the decision-making process by considering the features, benefits, and considerations outlined above.
You can’t go wrong with either brand, being manufactured by the same company, which boasts a reputation of high quality and focus on scientific research.
The key to arriving at the right decision is to consult with your veterinarian. They will provide valuable insights based on your dog’s profile.
Vets are also known to secure pet dogs’ overall health and happiness.
Not as a rule, but both brands have grain-free varieties. Purina One comes in wet and dry form, while Pro Plan is available in wet form only.
It largely depends on your storage area. Once you open the package, make sure to keep the contents in a tightly sealed container away from light, heat, and humidity. This way, dry food can last up to eight weeks.
Base your dog’s wet food consumption on its weight. One 3-oz can per day is perfect for 3 up to 3-1/2 body weight. You can divide it into the number of meals your pet is accustomed to and portion it accordingly.
Note that the math differs for puppies as they need twice as much food per pound of weight
Meet Paul, a devoted dog dad to the delightful French Bulldog, Cofi. With a flair for humor and a deep understanding of Frenchie quirks, Paul brings a lighthearted touch to his writings. His relatable stories and practical insights are a blend of laughter and valuable advice and resonate with fellow dog owners.
Through his words, Paul aims to celebrate the joys and challenges of being a dedicated pet parent, reminding you that life is simply better with a four-legged, snorting sidekick by your side.
