Purina Pro Plan dog food is considered one of the higher-quality product lines and receives ratings from the Dog Food Advisor which vary between 4.5 and 4 stars. These ranges of food often contain real meat as the first ingredient, combined with grains, vegetables, and added vitamins and minerals. Pro Plan also offers specialized formulas for dogs with sensitive skin, joint issues, or specific dietary needs, making it a favorite among veterinarians.

Purina ONE dog food is a mid-tier option that offers higher quality ingredients than Purina’s more affordable lines but at a more accessible price point. The wet food range receives a 4.5 star rating from our team of researchers – which includes pet nutritionists and veterinarians. The dry option gets 3.5 stars.

Purina Dog Chow, is the most affordable choice and one of the most recognizable and long-standing dog food brands on the market. However, it tends to include controversial ingredients such as meat by-products and corn, which means it only receives a 1.5 star rating. 

Is Purina Good Dog Food? Our Verdict

Laura Ward, our in-house pet nutritionist, said: “Purina is a brand which encompasses many ranges and products. These vary considerably to cater for different priorities, preferences and budgets. This massive Purina range includes products which fall at the lower end of the scale of dog food quality, and others which reach the higher end of the scale.

Like many large pet food companies, Purina has faced several controversies over the years. Some of these issues relate to product recalls, ingredient sourcing, and the quality of the products. 

The most recent issue occurred in 2024, when Purina came under the scrutiny of the FDA following reports of dogs eating Purina range foods becoming ill. The FDA tested the foods extensively and have found no connection between the foods and the reported symptoms. 

Laura said: “We must remember that as such a vast brand, the number of dogs being fed a Purina diet will be huge. It is, therefore, inevitable that within this number there are many dogs that eat this food that become ill. This does not mean that there is a causal effect of the food and the illnesses. After this FDA investigation we can be confident that there is no problem with Purina food causing dog illness.”

Another widely publicized controversy involving Purina occurred in 2015, when a class-action lawsuit was filed against the company, alleging that Purina Beneful, a popular dog food line, contained harmful ingredients. The lawsuit claimed that the product had caused illness and death in thousands of dogs. The allegations were based on the presence of propylene glycol (a food additive considered safe by the FDA) and mycotoxins (toxins produced by mold that can be found in grains).

Purina denied the claims, maintaining that its products were safe. The case was eventually dismissed in 2016, as the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence linking Beneful to the dogs’ illnesses or deaths. However, the lawsuit raised awareness and concerns among consumers about pet food safety and ingredient transparency.

Over the years Purina has taken steps to address some of the concerns raised. It invests in research and development to improve the nutritional quality of its products and participates in industry-wide initiatives to improve pet food safety and ingredient standards.

While these controversies have affected Purina’s reputation at various points, the company remains one of the largest and most trusted pet food brands across the world, largely due to its extensive research, range of products, and commitment to science-backed nutrition.

Purina Dog Food Reviews

The Purina dog food brands reviewed by the Dog Food Advisor includes the following product lines:

• Alpo Chop House Dog Food Review (Canned)
• Alpo Dog Food Review (Dry)
• Beneful Dog Food Review (Dry)
• Beneful Dog Food Review (Tubs)
• Purina Beyond Dog Food Review (Canned)
• Purina Beyond Dog Food Review (Dry)
• Purina Beyond Superfood Blend Dog Food Review (Dry)
• Purina Dog Chow Dog Food Review (Dry)
• Purina Moist and Meaty Dog Food Review (Semi-Moist)
• Purina One Dog Food Review (Canned)
• Purina One Dog Food Review (Dry)
• Purina One SmartBlend True Instinct Dog Food Review (Canned)
• Purina One True Instinct Dog Food Review (Dry)
• Purina One True Instinct Grain Free Dog Food Review (Dry)
• Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Dog Food Review (Dry)
• Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Review
• Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Review (Canned)
• Purina Pro Plan Puppy Food Review (Dry)
• Purina Pro Plan Sport Dog Food Review (Dry)
• Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Dog Food Review (Dry)
• Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Dog Food Review (Dry)
• Purina Puppy Chow Review (Dry)

Purina Puppy Food

Purina has several puppy food options across its product lines, all designed to support a puppy’s specific nutritional needs for growth, development, and health. The most popular puppy formulas include:

• Purina Pro Plan Puppy includes high-quality protein (often chicken or salmon) as the main ingredient to support muscle development, DHA from omega-rich fish oil to promote brain and vision development, antioxidants for immune support and calcium and phosphorus for bone and teeth strength. It is available in formulas for small breeds, large breeds, and puppies with sensitive stomachs or skin.
  
• Purina ONE SmartBlend Healthy Puppy features real chicken as the first ingredient, DHA for brain and eye development and a balance of vitamins and minerals for overall growth. It is available as one main formula for all puppy sizes.
• Purina Puppy Chow contains 30% protein to support growth and DHA for brain and vision development. It is fortified with vitamins and minerals, but includes controversial ingredients such as corn and by-products.

Purina Dog Food Cost

The cost of Purina dog food varies significantly depending on the product line, formulation, and where you purchase it. Below is an overview of the price range for different Purina dog food options:

• Purina Dog Chow
  Price Range: $0.50 to $1.00 per pound.
  Example: A 40-lb bag might cost around $20 to $40.
• Purina Beneful
  Price Range: $1.25 to $2.00 per pound.
  Example: A 28-lb bag might cost around $30 to $45.
• Purina ONE
  Price Range: $1.50 to $2.50 per pound.
  Example: A 31-lb bag might cost around $40 to $55.
• Purina Pro Plan
  Price Range: $2.00 to $3.50 per pound.
  Example: A 34-lb bag might cost around $60 to $80.

About Purina

Purina was founded in 1894 by William H. Danforth, George Robinson, and William Andrews under the name Robinson-Danforth Commission Company in St. Louis, Missouri and originally focused on animal feed, primarily for farm animals.

In 1902 it was rebranded to Ralston Purina, after Danforth’s dog food business merged with Ralston, a health cereal company. 

One of the most significant moments in Ralston Purina’s history occurred in 1957 when the company introduced Purina Dog Chow, one of the first dry dog foods on the market. 

This marked a huge shift in pet nutrition, as Purina used extrusion cooking, a process that formed the kibble shape, to create a food that could be stored and served easily, thus establishing the brand as one of the leaders in the U.S. pet food industry.

Another key milestone for the company happened in 2001, when Nestlé, the Swiss food conglomerate, acquired Ralston Purina for $10.3 billion – and Nestlé Purina PetCare was born. Nestlé Purina has since grown to become one of the world’s largest pet food companies offering a wide array of products catering to different life stages, breeds, and health needs.