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Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros, & Cons

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Review

Our Final Verdict

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.

However, is Purina Pro Plan SAVOR really the best option for your dog? If so, which of its seemingly countless formulas is right for your canine companion?

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At a Glance: The Best Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Dog Food Recipes:

Purina Pro Plan SAVOR has an extensive line with over 40 available formulas. Here are a few of the most popular recipes out there:

Rating Image Product Details
Our Favorite
Winner
Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Grain-Free Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Grain-Free
  • Does not contain grains or soy
  • Beef is the first ingredient
  • Higher protein content than other formulas
  • Second place
    Purina Pro Plan Focus Large Breed Purina Pro Plan Focus Large Breed
  • High protein recipe helps promote muscle conditioning
  • Prebiotic fiber helps nourish specific intestinal bacteria
  • 100% complete and balanced nutrition
  • Best for Puppies
    Third place
    Purina Pro Plan Savor Puppy Purina Pro Plan Savor Puppy
  • Specifically formulated for growing puppies
  • Fortified with DHA and calcium
  • Includes live probiotic blend
  • Purina Pro Plan SAVOR With Probiotics Purina Pro Plan SAVOR With Probiotics
  • Lists chicken as the first ingredient
  • Fortified with live probiotics
  • Appetizing texture and flavor
  • Purina Pro Plan Savor Small & Toy Breed Formula Purina Pro Plan Savor Small & Toy Breed Formula
  • Variety of recipes for all types of dogs
  • Widely available online and in stores
  • Backed by veterinary research
  • Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Dog Food Reviewed

    Before diving into popular Purina Pro Plan SAVOR recipes, let’s learn a little 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, which products make up the 1% manufactured overseas is unclear.

    Also, while Purina claims that most of its ingredients are locally sourced in the United States, the company does not specify precisely 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 almost every dog. This line 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 various wet food formulas.

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    A Quick Look at Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Dog Food

    Pros
    • 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
    Cons
    • High concentration of plant protein
    • Purina has been subject to some recalls

    Recall History

    Though Purina has been the subject of pet food recalls, few of the 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 potentially contaminated with salmonella. The second occurred in 2016 when the company issued a voluntary recall after discovering that several wet dog food varieties contained inaccurate vitamins and minerals.

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    Reviews of the 3 Best Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Dog Food Recipes

    With so many 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 brand 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)

    Purina Pro Plan Adult Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice

     

    This formula is a 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 say 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:

    Purina Pro Plan Savor dog food ingredient breakdown

    Calories per Cup:

    calorie count Purina Savor adult

    Pros
    • Lists chicken as the first ingredient
    • Fortified with live probiotics
    • Includes prebiotic fiber, vitamin A, and omega fatty acids
    • Appetizing texture and flavor
    Cons
    • Relies on corn and soy for protein
    • Includes possible allergens

    2. Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Puppy Shredded Blend (Chicken & Rice)

    Purina Pro Plan High Protein Puppy Food

    While the previous formula is an excellent option for most adult dogs, young puppies and adolescents have unique dietary needs that an adult-specific formula might not meet. The Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Puppy Shredded Blend includes essential nutrients like DHA and calcium for developing brains and growing bones. It also has an antioxidant blend for a boosted immune system.

    This 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 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:

    Purina Savor puppy ingredient breakdown

    Calories per Cup:

    calorie count Purina Savor puppy food

    Pros
    • Specifically formulated for growing puppies
    • Fortified with DHA and calcium
    • Includes a live probiotic blend
    • Delicious flavor and texture
    Cons
    • 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)

    Purina Pro Plan With Probiotics, Grain Free Dog Food

    Many dog owners prefer to feed their pups grain-free food, and the Pro Plan SAVOR Grain-Free Shredded Blend is Purina’s answer. 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 recipe, the nutritional breakdown includes 32% protein, 16% fat, 5% fiber, and 12% moisture. It 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:

    Purina Savor beef and salmon ingredient breakdown

    Calories per Cup:

    calorie count Purina Savor beef and salmon

    Pros
    • 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
    Cons
    • 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 say about these formulas? 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.”

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    Conclusion

    So, is Purina Pro Plan SAVOR the absolute best line of dog food available today? It’s not the best, but it is a high-quality dog food line that is affordable and available almost everywhere pet supplies are sold. Compared to many of the most popular brands, 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. However, Pro Plan’s 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 the recipes will surely win over even picky eaters.

    Have you and your pup tried any of the Purina Pro Plan SAVOR products? If so, what do you think?

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