Is Purina good for labs
Purina Pro Plan Reviews: The Brands Top 5 Pet Foods
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A Comprehensive Look at Purina Pro Plan and the 5 Best Dog Food Products in their Line Today
When you start looking for THE perfect dog food, what aspects of the pet food make it the perfect choice? Is it the research behind the formula? Reviews from other customers? Industry leader backing? Purina Pro Plan dog food is one of the top leading brands in the dog food industry. Why, you might ask, is Purina Pro Plan top of mind for many dog owners when theyre searching the aisles of their local pet supply store?
Purina has been around in the pet food industry for a substantial amount of time and has accumulated over 85 years of documented research on the best ingredients and formulas for your best furry friend. Purina also prides itself on being able to confidently say the #1 ingredient in their food is meat, something not all of their competitors can claim.
Its also important to note that Purina has veterinarians and nutritionists on staff to help ensure the quality of food that is being produced and served to Fido is top-notch and healthy.
Our Rating
After careful consideration and analysis, we have awarded Purina Pro Plan a rating of 5 stars out 5 stars.
At a Glance: Our Choices for the Purina Pro Plan Pet Foods
Review
According to consumers on popular e-commerce sites such as Amazon.com and Chewy.com, dog tails are waggin and lips are smackin! With doggie approval, customers are raving about the fact that their pups enjoy the taste of the food and the customers enjoy the price tag on the bag. One customer even stated that Purina Pro Plan dog food was recommended by their cardiologistthis testament speaks volumes about the quality of dog food that is produced by Purina.
So lets talk pros and cons, shall we? These Purina Pro Plan reviews show some very interesting aspects of the beloved dog food that all pet owners should know.
Pros
Excellent Price Point
Customers reported feeling very pleased with the price point of the dog food. One customer even stated that the food was great quality and not horribly priced. When customers search for the best food for their furry friends, they want the best quality they can find without having to break the bank. Purina Pro Plan does just that.
Great Taste
Fido will let you know when they dislike their food they wont eat it! But customers say that their dogs love the taste of Purina Pro Plan and are excited for meal time. With great taste and quality ingredients, this dog food is sure to provide your pup with the best of both worlds.
Skin Improvement
Our canine friends are used to having skin issues, just like humans. Certain ingredients can aggravate a dogs skin and cause rashes and reactions. Customers reported that before trying Purina Pro Plan dog food, their dogs experienced rashes and severe itching. After trying Purina Pro Plan, the dogs saw no more rashes and the itching disappeared.
Cons
New Formula
Unfortunately, within the recent years, Purina changed its formula for many of their products, including the pro plan line. Customers have sent in reviews stating that their dogs loved the older formula but hate the new formula.
Sensitive Stomach Issues
Reviews on Amazon.com have stated that Purina Pro Plan has produced some stomach issues for puppies including gas, loose stools, and bad breath. While this was not a common complaint, it is something to be considered when giving your dog with sensitive stomach this particular dry dog food.
Product Line
This chicken and rice formula dog food provides your pup with antioxidants that support growth and development. DHA is also included to help give your puppy the best support for their growing brain and vision.
Customers gave this particular dog food formula 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon and Chewy.
Strong muscles and high energy are important for any growing puppy and Purina Pro Plan ratings show that this wet dog food provides high protein from chicken in the formula. Because your dog has a very sensitive stomach at this young age, Purina Pro Plans Focus puppy food is easily digestible and is packed with prebiotic fiber to help give those intestines the best balance possible.
Customers rated this product 4.8 out of 5 stars on Chewy.com.
With a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Chewy.com, the Purina Pro Plan Sport All Life Stages dry dog food is a customer favorite for all the beloved doggies in your life. Whether they are puppies or senior dogs, this dry dog food will help your dog keep that lean muscle that keeps them healthy. Dogs need a lot of exercise and this particular formula is made with that in mind. Endurance is a key element to a healthy dog and Sport All Life Stages dry dog food does just that.
There is nothing more important than keeping your furry friend happy and healthy and one of the ways that dogs suffer is with skin and stomach issues. Purina Pro Plan reviews show that this unique formula has added zinc which helps to give the skin and coat a healthy appearance and texture. Prebiotic fiber is also included to help increase intestinal balance. With over 400 reviews on Chewy.com, customers gave this formula a 4.6 star rating, with highly complementary and satisfied comments regarding the foods promises and delivery.
Some dogs prefer the texture of a wet dog food and Purina Pro Plan has plenty to choose from. One of the top performing and rated wet dog foods made by Purina in the Pro Plan line was the Savor Adult Classic Beef & Rice Entree. With real beef as the first ingredient, Fido is guaranteed to get top-quality food.
Customers rated this particular wet dog food 4.8 out of 5 stars on Chewy.com.
Ingredient Analysis
Purina Pro Plan prides itself on providing real meat and not using poultry by-product meal as the top ingredient in all of their dry foods. Because fillers, corn gluten meal, and chicken by-products are used so frequently in dog food, Purina Pro Plan takes careful consideration into finding real meat to use as the top ingredient for high-quality protein and a great source of vitamins. The ingredient lists also show the use of prebiotic fiber and vitamins to help promote healthy and happy dogs from puppies to seniors.
Recall History
According to the FDA website, there have been no recalls on Purina Pro Plan.
Conclusion/Wrap Up
So if youre asking yourself is Purina Pro Plan a good dog food for your pup, the answer is yes. Purina has been a staple in the dog food industry for many years and customers are raving about the quality of food along with the affordable pricing of this well-known dog food. We take a look 2 puppy formulas (one wet and one dry), as well as 3 adult formulas (two dry and one wet) that were top-rated by customers like you. Take a look at an analysis of the ingredients, pros and cons and recall history in this article with Purina Pro Plan Dog Food reviews. Your dog will thank you for taking the time to invest in their health and wellness.
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Top Picks For Our Dogs
- BEST PUPPY TOYWe Like: Calmeroos Puppy Toy w/ Heartbeat and Heat Packs - Perfect for new puppies. Helps ease anxiety in their new home.
- BEST DOG CHEWWe Like: Bones & Chews Bully Sticks - All of our puppies love to bite, nip, and chew. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors.
- BEST DOG TREATS We Like: Crazy Dog Train Me Treats - One of our favorite treats for training our service dog puppies.
- BEST FRESH DOG FOOD We Like: The Farmer's Dog - A couple months ago we started feeding Raven fresh dog food and she loves it! Get 50% off your first order of The Farmer's Dog.
For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining.com blog.
Purina Pro Plan Reviews: The Brands Top 5 Pet Foods was last modified: July 9th, 2022 by LTHQ
Best Dog Foods for Labradors
Dry food or wet food?
One big question to answer when you have a young Lab is whether you'll feed your pup kibble or wet food. Here are points to consider for each.
Dry food benefits
Dry kibble could be the best option for your Lab, at any age. It is balanced with all the right nutrients, keeps teeth strong, and can keep longer than wet food. Generally, dry food is less expensive, too, and is usually more easily available.
Wet food benefits
Wet food is often more appetizing to dogs since it's full of flavor, so your Lab may like it more than kibble. This food may also have more protein and less carbs than dry food.
Whether you choose wet or dry food for your Lab, remember that the ingredients are going to be most important.
Best dog food for Labpuppies
Large dogs grow a lot more than smaller dogs when they're puppies. Think of how small Lab puppies are, and how big they get within a year's time. This is why it's especially important to pay attention to the nutrients these pups are getting in their diet.
One important consideration is how much calcium your Lab puppy is consuming. Large puppies are at greater risk of developing osteochondrosis, a developmental orthopedic disease that could cause growth abnormalities, such as deformation in limbs. But, some calcium is necessary, so a delicate balance is important. You also need to focus on how much protein, calcium, fat, vitamins, and minerals are in your puppy's food.
Good food options for your puppy are:
- Hill's Science Diet has a puppy formula (Amazon) specifically for large breed puppies. This is a great option because this brand is known for including only the highest quality ingredients. It includes the right amount of protein, fiber, and other must-have ingredients for your growing pup.
- Another great dry food option for your puppy is Core Wellness dry food (Amazon), the puppy formula. The protein content is 38 percent, which deboned chicken contributes to, and it has many vegetables included as well, like carrots and spinach. It has all the essential nutrients your Lab puppy needs, like zinc and iron.
- Blue Wilderness puppy food (Amazon) is a great option if you go the wet food route. It's packed with meat and is grain-free, and deboned turkey is a key ingredient. Other important nutrients are DHA, which is a crucial fatty acid for Labs, and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that contribute to your dog's shiny coat.
A Lab puppy will reach adult size between the age of a year and 18 months. This is when it's important to start introducing adult dog food.
Best dog food for adult Labs
When your Lab becomes an adult, it's important to continue to monitor your dog's stool, interest in food, and energy levels to assess whether you're giving them the right kind of food.
Whatever type you go with, know that adult Labs need lots of protein and all the vitamins and minerals previously mentioned, found in fruits, vegetables, and grains. Many dogs do well with consistency, so choose something that your dog will eat for many years.
Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food (Amazon) is a great option for adult dogs. It's grain-free, in case your Lab has allergies or sensitivities, it's high in protein, and it contains many vegetables and fruits for a balanced diet.
Another good option for adult dogs is Core Wellness (Amazon) for adult dogs, which has that deboned turkey or chicken that's higher in nutritional value than meat by-products.
Best dog food for older Labs
Some considerations to keep in mind when choosing food for your aging Lab is whether the food has another fiber and how many calories and protein the food has. Fiber is especially important for elderly dogs because they often have gastrointestinal issues, and they require fewer calories at this stage of life, as their metabolism is decreasing.
When you're reading the label, also look for omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and glucosamine and chondroitin, which are all essential for older Labs.
Protein by-products are used in many types of dog food,which are not good protein sources. Actualmeat, like deboned turkey or chicken, are much better ingredients. Because Older dogs have more sensitive digestive systems, by-products can be hard on them, so make sure the food you buy doesn't contain these alternatives.
With older dogs, recognize that you may have to experiment with different brands to figure out which food your dog will eat. Elderly Labs May start to lose their appetite or sense of taste, so see which foods they respond to best.
A few good options for your older Lab are:
Best dog food for dry skin and shedding
It's normal for your Lab to shed a couple times of year, and your dog may experience dry skin at times, depending on the weather. But if your dog has severe dry skin or excessive shedding, and you've already implemented necessary grooming techniques, like special shampoos and brushing,try changing up their diet to help address these issues.
Ingredients to look for in foods to address coat problems are protein, healthy fats and oils, omega-3 fatty acids, fish, and plenty of vitamins and minerals. These ingredients contribute to a healthy, shiny coat and can reduce dry skin and excessive shedding.
Noticing more shedding? Check out Labrador Shedding: 3 Must-Have Items to Conquer It
You'll want to avoid ingredients that act as fillers, like corn, soy, wheat, and artificial colors/flavors. Again, it's all about high-quality ingredients when searching for your puppy's food.
These dog foods are worth a try to address dry skin and shedding:
Start with these brands and see how your Lab responds.
Affordable Custom Fresh Food
One great solution I recommend is looking into custom pet food solutions. There are a bunch on the market, and I am trying various ones out myself in order to make a recommendation. Keep an eye on my Recommended Products page for updates.
Conclusion
It's impossible to overstate how important your dog's dietis for their continued health and well-being. Remember that you may need to introduce a new food slowly, and always pay close attention to changes in yourLab's energy level, behavior, or stool.
Try these foods for different life stages and to address coat and skin problems, and see what works best for you and your Lab.
Please note that this article contains affiliate links to what we believe are some of the best dog foods out there. Affiliate links do result in a small commission to Everything Labradors at no additional cost to customers.
