Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Dog Food Review: Recalls, Pros, and Cons
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We give Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials dog food a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Introduction
The Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials line of dog food features some of the most respected formulas in the pet food industry. With countless veterinary studies supporting its recipes, Purina fuels many of the nation’s top competitive sport and show dogs. The Purina Pro Plan line was also the first dry dog food to include meat as its top ingredient.
With all that said, is Purina Pro Plan SAVOR really the best option for your dog? If so, which of its seemingly countless formulas is the right one for your canine companion?
At a Glance: The Best Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Dog Food Recipes:
The Purina Pro Plan SAVOR line of dog food is quite extensive, with over 40 different formulas currently available. Here are a few of the most popular recipes out there:
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Our Favorite
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Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Grain-Free |
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Purina Pro Plan Focus Large Breed |
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Best for Puppies
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Purina Pro Plan Savor Puppy |
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Purina Pro Plan SAVOR With Probiotics |
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Purina Pro Plan Savor Small & Toy Breed Formula |
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Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Dog Food Reviewed
Before we dive into popular Purina Pro Plan SAVOR recipes, let’s learn a little bit about the brand and its history. Here’s what you need to know:
Who makes Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials and where is it produced?
Until 2001, Purina was an independently owned and operated pet food company. However, since then, it has operated under its parent company, Nestlé.
According to Purina, 99% of their products are manufactured in the United States. While that number is impressive, it’s unclear which products make up the 1% manufactured overseas.
Also, while Purina claims that most of its ingredients are locally sourced in the United States, the company does not specify exactly how many or which ingredients this statement applies to.
Which Type of Dog Is Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Best Suited For?
With so many formulas available, there’s a Purina Pro Plan SAVOR recipe for pretty much every dog. This line of dog food includes products for puppies and seniors, toy breeds and giant breeds, and grain-free and grain-inclusive diets.
Although our review is focused on the line’s more popular dry food recipes, the Pro Plan SAVOR line also includes a wide variety of wet food formulas.
A Quick Look at Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Dog Food
- Variety of recipes for all types of dogs
- 99% of Purina food is manufactured in the U.S.A.
- Widely available online and in stores
- Backed by veterinary research
- High concentration of plant protein
- Brand has been subject to some recalls
Recall History
Though it’s true that Purina has been the subject of some pet food recalls, few of these recalls have been for the company’s dog food (and none have been for the Pro Plan SAVOR line of dog food).
The brand has only issued two dog food recalls in recent years. One occurred in 2013, when the company recalled a batch of dog food that was potentially contaminated with salmonella. The second took place in 2016, when the company issued a voluntary recall after discovering that several varieties of wet dog food contained inaccurate vitamins and minerals.
Reviews of the 3 Best Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Dog Food Recipes
With so many different recipes under the Purina Pro Plan SAVOR umbrella, there’s sure to be a formula that suits your dog’s taste and nutritional needs. However, to get a better idea of where this dog food line sits in the competitive world of canine nutrition, let’s take a closer look at the popular formulas on offer:
1. Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Shredded Blend With Probiotics (Chicken & Rice)
This formula is the most middle-of-the-road recipe featured in the Pro Plan SAVOR line, geared toward the average adult dog. It combines crunchy kibble pieces with tender meat for great texture and flavor. The ingredients list features chicken as the first ingredient, and each bag includes live probiotics to improve digestion and your dog’s immune system.
This formula includes a minimum of 26% protein, 16% fat, 3% fiber, and 12% moisture. One cup of food contains 382 calories.
For a look at what other dog owners are saying about this formula, you can read the most recent Amazon reviews here.
Guaranteed Analysis:
| Crude Protein: | 26% |
| Crude Fat: | 16% |
| Moisture: | 12% |
| Fibre | 3% |
| Omega 6 Fatty Acids: | 1.4% |
Ingredient Breakdown:
Calories per Cup:
- Lists chicken as the first ingredient
- Fortified with live probiotics
- Includes prebiotic fiber, vitamin A, and omega fatty acids
- Appetizing texture and flavor
- Relies on corn and soy for protein
- Includes possible allergens
2. Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Puppy Shredded Blend (Chicken & Rice)
While the above formula is a great option for most adult dogs, young puppies and adolescents have unique dietary needs that might not be met by an adult-specific formula. The Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Puppy Shredded Blend includes important nutrients like DHA and calcium for developing brains and growing bones. It also includes an antioxidant blend for a boosted immune system.
This particular recipe contains 28% protein, 18% fat, 3% fiber, and 12% moisture. Similarly to the adult formula, one cup of the Puppy Shredded Blend contains 384 calories.
Since customer reviews are an important part of shopping for a new dog food, we highly recommend checking out this recipe’s most recent Amazon reviews to learn more.
Guaranteed Analysis:
| Crude Protein: | 28% |
| Crude Fat: | 18% |
| Moisture: | 12% |
| Fibre | 3% |
| Omega 6 Fatty Acids: | 1.8% |
Ingredient Breakdown:
Calories per Cup:
- Specifically formulated for growing puppies
- Fortified with DHA and calcium
- Includes live probiotic blend
- Delicious flavor and texture
- Corn and soy protein are near the top of the ingredients list
- Only recommended for puppies up to one year old
3. Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Grain-Free Shredded Blend (Beef & Salmon)
Many dog owners prefer to feed their pups grain-free food, and the Pro Plan SAVOR Grain-Free Shredded Blend is Purina’s answer to this demand. Unlike the other Pro Plan SAVOR recipes, this formula is developed without grains or soy. Beef is the top ingredient, and it still contains live probiotics and prebiotic fiber.
For this particular recipe, the nutritional breakdown includes 32% protein, 16% fat, 5% fiber, and 12% moisture. This formula also has a slightly higher calorie content than the grain-inclusive formulas, coming in at 433 calories per cup.
If you want to learn what other owners think about this grain-free dry dog food, we suggest checking out the product’s Amazon reviews.
Guaranteed Analysis:
| Crude Protein: | 32% |
| Crude Fat: | 16% |
| Moisture: | 12% |
| Fibre | 5% |
| Omega 6 Fatty Acids: | 1.1% |
Ingredient Breakdown:
Calories per Cup:
- Does not contain grains or soy
- Beef is the first ingredient
- Fortified with live probiotics, fiber, and essential nutrients
- Higher protein content than other formulas
- Subject to grain-free diet controversy
- Higher calorie content than other formulas
What Others Are Saying
We’ve taken a closer look at popular recipes from the Purina Pro Plan SAVOR line, but what do other reviewers have to say about these formulas overall? Here are a few thoughts from across the web:
Dog Food Mentor: “Many dog owners like to avoid corn in grain-based dog foods; however, if your dog doesn’t have any allergies or digestion problems, there’s no reason to exclude it.”
Pet Fashion Week: “It’s worth noting, however, that this food may not be a good choice for dogs with sensitive stomach and skin as it contains corn, soy, and wheat, which are allergenic grains.”
DogFoodAdvisor: “Purina Pro Plan Savor is a dry dog food using a moderate amount of named meat and by-product meals as its main source of animal protein.”
Conclusion
So, is Purina Pro Plan SAVOR the absolute best line of dog food available today? Probably not. But it is a high-quality dog food line that is both affordable and available almost everywhere pet supplies are sold. When compared to many of the most popular brands out there, we’d pick Purina Pro Plan SAVOR most of the time.
Ideally, we’d love to see fewer plant-based protein sources, especially in the grain-inclusive recipes. With that said, these formulas all include whole meat as the first ingredient, and plant-based protein is not inherently bad for dogs in moderation. Also, the fact that Purina prioritizes flavor and texture in its Pro Plan SAVOR line means that these recipes are sure to win over even picky eaters.
Have you and your pup tried any of the Purina Pro Plan SAVOR products? If so, what did you think?
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