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As you browse through the category of dog foods, you will probably come across thousands of options. You will even find a single brand like Purina, which has a good reputation and a large customer base. But when you compare diets like Purina Pro Plan vs Purina One, they confuse you even more.
Not that the two dog nutritions are inferior, but because they seem to share a lot in common, yet have different prices. The latter is relatively cheaper, and this has even made many customers question why they should pay more on Purina Pro Plan. Yet its counterpart delivers closer content value and at a lower cost.
Thankfully, this article will revolve around that angle as we try distinguishing the two dog food brands. Thereby helping you understand and make a better choice in regards to the nutrition needs of your furry friend.
Before we come to that, nonetheless, let’s look at how Purina One and Pro Plan came in to being.
Introducing Purina Pro Plan and Purina One
Overall, Purina is one of the top four sought after providers of cats and dog meals. The brand is over a century old, with its initial debut dating back in 1894. At the time, the provider was feeding farm animals in general, and under a different name- Robinson-Danforth Commission Company.
In the year 1986, Ralston Purina, as it was called then, managed to use real meat in their extrusion “kibble” process. With the innovation, they decided to do away with their animal feed business and focus on only cat and dog food.
After all, the two are the only farm animals that would use flesh diets in the new product line, Purina Pro Plan. According to the company website, the brand was the first to have real meat as the number one ingredient in its kibble.
After our extensive research, though, we have come to learn Purina One launched around the same time, and also it has meat as the no. #1 constituent. As we’ve just said, the two pet food brands share a lot of features, including ingredients and some Guaranteed analysis.
Although the company didn’t state why so, our best guess is that Purina One was to make the Pro Plan formulas more accessible. It was like a “basic” version that can serve the general nutrition needs of your dog when at a tight budget.
Comparing Purina Pro Plan vs Purina One Dog Food
Ingredients Use
While comparing Purina Pro Plan vs Purina One on ingredient use, they both use compounds obtained from natural sources. Also, they use real meat as the first ingredient and main source of protein. Thereby offering your pet with nutrition similar to what his wolverine ancestors rely on to survive.
Even so, the Purina Pro Plan does have a wider array of products than its sibling. It offers more than eighty different flavors, whereas the Purina One has less than half of that. In other words, the latter has limited options to fully serve your dog’s specific taste and needs.
Nutritional value
By simple definition, this is a measure of the essential nutrients contained in a particular dog recipe. It’s the same as the guaranteed analysis, which aims on advising you, the dog owner, on the nutrient content of the product.
At a minimum, AAFCO requires every pet food brand to list minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat. And Crude fiber and moisture with their maximum ratios. The four are the most vital for a healthy balanced diet. So, the listing of the rest of nutrient content is not a must, though it can guide the buyer on what other minerals and vitamins to expect.
With our two dog food brands, multiple of their recipes have like the content of protein, fats, and fiber.
If it’s the large breed diets, for instance, several formulas from Pro Plan and Purina One have 26% protein, 12% Fats, 4.5% Fiber content, and 12% moisture. For the others, nonetheless, the line of Pro Plan has over a dozen products with high protein while ONE brand has lesser.
Product Safety
From their Pro Plan page, Purina highlights that their goal is to deliver dog food that is high quality and safe for your pooch. They further state on their main website that they do all the processing on their own facilities so that they can observe the quality.
If you consider this, plus their long-established craftsmanship, hundreds of scientists, animal nutritionists and veterinarians, one would, therefore, expect lesser product recalls.
Sadly, this is not the case. The brand has issued a handful of recalls across their various dog foods. If we can collate Purina One vs Pro Plan, however, you will find that each has been affected at a small degree.
For example, in 2013, the company had to recall a batch from Purina ONE beyOnd due to possible contamination with salmonella. They asked the owners who had already bought the product to refrain from giving to their pets. The affected lot was 3.5lb dry dog food bags, with production code 31071083, and listed “Best By” Oct 2014.
In 2016, Purina also came to notice some of their wet dog food tubs had inadequate vitamins and minerals. Amongst the affected meals brands was the Pro plan Savory diet. Again, the pet food maker called out to the owners and requested them to stop offering the affected batch to their dogs.
Price
Even when a particular meets the standards set by AAFCO, its affordability matters a lot. You might have several dogs or a tight budget, but still you want kibble to mix with your homemade recipes.
With our two dog food brands, they are both affordable as they come in various sizes, including small bags like 5lb and 16lb. Therefore, you can always get your favorite dog meal with any budget.
Nonetheless, the Purina Pro Plan tends to cost more than the majority of recipes from its sibling. Hence, the reason some buyers fall for the Purina One, which is more accessible and offers benefits closer to its counterpart.
This is not to mean the Pro Plan brand is less worthy of getting. No. As we have just said, it has more dog meal flavors to choose, and also do include more additional vitamins. As such, you have a better chance to serve your picky canine, as well as satisfy his unique nutritional demands.
Here is a table that summarizes the differences and likeness between Purina Pro Plan vs Purina One dog food.
| Facts | Purina One | Purina Pro Plan |
| Launch date | 1986 | 1986 |
| First Ingredient | Real Meat | Real Meat |
| Available Formulas | About 40 at the moment | 80 plus |
| Available Sub-Brands | Three [Classic Ground, True Instinct, and SmartBlend Dog] |
Three [Sport, Savor, and Focus Dog] |
| Dry Dog Food | Yes [About 16 formulas] |
Yes [About 40 formulas] |
| Wet Dog Food | Yes [18 formulas available] |
Yes [44 formulas available] |
| Dog Treats | Yes | No |
| Life Stage Formulas | Three [Puppy, Adult & Senior] |
Four [Puppy, All Life stages, Adult & Senior] |
| Protein Content | Lowest 25% | Lowest 26% |
| Fat Content | Lowest 12% | Lowest 8% |
*Since we are talking about two product lines from the same provider, it’s not possible to do a full comparison on Nutritional Value*
The 6 Best Purina Pro and Purina One Dog Meals
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Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend Probiotics Dry Dog Food
Overall, this the bestselling diet on our list. It has over 4000 5-star reviews on Amazon and not just for its nice packaging, but the contained nutritional value.
The dog meal is well-balanced, with all the vital nutrients, plus essential vitamins and minerals. It has a real chicken as the first ingredient and main source of protein. So, your dog won’t resist its sweet savor, and also she will have a good boost for muscle and tissue development.
The diet has whole grain wheat and corn, which are great sources of starch for energy, and fiber for a healthy digestion tract. For the latter, there are even live probiotics to help fasten the recovery of colon and formation of a firmer stool.
This dog meal uses natural liver flavor and mixed Tocopherols as the preservative. Hence, it’s entirely safe and healthy for your beagle, Maltese, or any other breed dog.
Pros:
- It has a high content of protein to enhance muscle and tissue growth
- Features excellent sources of starch to fuel your dog activities
- Includes prebiotic fiber and live probiotics to support digestive tract health
- Has omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat
- Relies on only natural preservatives and chicken and liver flavor
- The diet consists of crunchy kibble that leaves your dog’s teeth clean and strong.
Cons:
- It can trigger inflammatory disorders to a dog with corn/ wheat intolerance
- Has high protein content [32%], which can easily cause obesity
2. Purina Pro Plan Dry Lamb & Rice Puppy Food
The puppy food formula comprises all the vital nutrients that your little friend needs to grow strong and a healthy adult. It features juicy, tender lamb meat as the first ingredient and the primary source of protein.
The diet, however, does have egg products and fish meals to boost protein level and stimulate leaner muscles and faster tissue repair. It even has corn germ meal and brewer’s rice that will make sure your pup has energy for his playful runs.
Furthermore, the dog meal has essential mineral supplements like phosphorous and calcium to build strong bones and teeth.
Pros:
- The puppy meal is rich in nutrition, with high protein and starch levels
- It has a real lamb as the first ingredient
- Comprises smaller kibble that will be easy to eat for your one-year-old puppy
- Has fish meal and fish oil that delivers DHA for better vision and brain development
- Includes excellent sources of antioxidants to support immune system health
- It offers essential omega -3 and -6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat
- The used whole grains are rich in prebiotic fiber to support a healthy digestive tract
3. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dog Meal
If you have a poodle or terriers, you probably know their breeds are prone to skin conditions and stomach issues. So, they require the best of care, with the right nutrition. Good nutrition like this one from Purina, which is not only recommended by vets but also thousands of dog owners.
The diet has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It even doesn’t contain corn or wheat, which are the main triggers of allergic reactions in dogs. There is only Barley, rice, and oatmeal for carbs and to ensure your dog remains energized.
A real salmon, though, is the first ingredient and the primary source of protein and other vitamins. The nutrition also has a salmon meal and fish meal to top the protein content while still benefiting your dog with glucosamine for healthy joints.
This dog meal is fit for all breed sizes. Hence, it can be very economical if you have multiple dogs from varying breed types.
Pros:
- The dog meal has an excellent blend of all essential nutrients from natural sources
- It has a real salmon, which is rich in protein and dozens of vitamins
- Includes natural prebiotic fiber to support a healthy digestive tract
- Contains hardworking antioxidants [and manganese] to maintain your dog’s immune system health
- Features no artificial colors, flavors, corn, or wheat
- Rich in Omega -3 and -6 fatty acids [fish oil and sunflower oil] to boost the skin health and a radiant coat
Cons:
- It can cause smelly farts [in some dogs] due to the contained fish.
4. Purina One SmartBlend Chicken & Rice Adult Dry Dog food
This is another spectacular selection for a home like yours, where you have multiple dogs of varying breed sizes. The dog food consists of a smart blend of real chicken, farm produce, and natural vitamins and mineral supplements.
Amongst the garden products used is rice flour, wheat, and corn, which are great sources of energy. Also, there are dried peas and carrots that offer dietary fiber and antioxidants for a robust immune system.
The dog food has no fillers. Hence, your dog will be ingesting only the nutrients he needs.
Pros
- The diet has highly digestible chicken as the first ingredient
- It has a high amount of starch to keep your energized while exercising
- There are natural sources of glucosamine to support healthy joints
- It offers your dog with a nice blend of natural antioxidants to promote the immune system’s health
- Has beef fat to boost omega fatty acids to guarantee a healthy and clean coat
- Includes natural minerals such as Manganese, Zinc, and Calcium, plus Vitamin Supplements like A& B
- The dog meal has a spectacular taste from the used tender chicken and liver flavor
Cons:
- Unfit for a dog with sensitivity to wheat and corn gluten
- Has caused smelly poop in some dogs [No feedback from Purina as to why]
5. Purina One SmartBlend Large Breed Formula w/ Chicken Flavor
If you own an English Mastiff or any other large breed dog, this diet is one of the few best options to serve him. It features real, good-tasting chicken as the first ingredient and the main source of protein. Hence, it provide him with a significant amount of amino acids to boost lean muscle mass.
Since your pooch needs not just proteins, the dog food has rice flour and whole-grain wheat to supplement carbs for energy. It also has pea and carrots, which both are rich in fiber to normalize bowel movements and antioxidants for immune system’s health.
So, it will be hard for your precious pet to have diarrhea, plus he will be able to fight off disease-causing bacteria.
Pros:
- It comprises a delicious, well-balanced, and nutritious diet
- Has tender, sweet-tasting chicken as the first ingredient
- Rich in animal and plant protein to support strong muscles and healthy heart
- Includes excellent sources of carbs to support your dog’s active lifestyle
- Features Vitamin A & E supplements to support the eyes health
- Has Chicken by-product meal, which is a great source of glucosamine to support the health of joints
- It also has omega fatty acids to boost healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Cons:
- It can trigger an allergic reaction in dogs with sensitivity to grains
- The dog meal features large kibble, which can be risky for a gluttonous dog.
6. Purina One SmartBlend True Instinct High Protein Dry Dog Food
For this one, your dog will no longer have trouble adding weight or building muscles. It has a high protein content, with real beef as the first ingredient. The animal protein works alongside canola meal and salmon to make sure your pet gets a good boost of amino acids.
For your working or exercising dog, this diet has high carb content to keep the glucose levels of your dog at a balance. It includes even beef fat, which can also boost energy levels while still improving palatability and digestion.
The diet is fit for adults from all breed sizes. Hence, it can serve as a great choice if you have multiple dogs of various breed types.
Pros
- The diet is well-balanced and highly nutritious
- It features high protein content for strong lean muscles and overall growth
- Rich in starch to fuel your dog’s active lifestyle
- Includes salmon, which has high levels of essential omega fatty acids for robust skin and shiny coat
- Has a chicken meal that is rich in glucosamine to support joints’ health
- It has Vitamin A and E supplements to give your dog a better vision
- The diet has excellent sources of dietary fiber to promote healthy colon and bowel movements.
Cons:
- The high protein meal can cause obesity [if poorly managed]
- It can trigger inflammatory disorders to a dog with corn/ wheat intolerance.
FAQ
Is Purina One a good dog food?
Yes, it is. Not that it’s 100% high quality, but it’s one of the better options in the market. The dog food brand uses natural ingredients and it’s only made in Purina facilities, based in the U.S.
What Purina dog food is the best?
Overall, all Purina dog diets are spectacular and very supportive. However, the best one depends on the nutritional needs of your dog, and also your budget.
Do vets recommend Purina ONE?
Yes, they do but not all recommend it from an honest opinion but brand loyalty. Compared with the majority of brands, however, Purina One retains a fairly clean slate, with very few negative customer reviews and recalls.
Conclusion
When it comes to the choice of diet, we always recommend our readers to pick only what their dogs need. Every canine has a unique build and the lifestyle you subject him is what will result in the changes you want to see.
As you compare Purina Pro Plan vs Purina One dog food formulas, however, you will see they are [almost] similar. The two uses like ingredients and also some of their recipes contain comparable nutritional value. Hence, bringing the same result when your pooch consumes either.
In such a case, what you should now focus on is the budget. If you’re at a tighter spot and you need a large quantity, consider the less expensive one, which of course, is Purina one.
However, do know that its counterpart is expensive for a reason. Pet food makers usually don’t include all the nutrients present in a meal. So, Purina Pro Plan might have extra nutrients that your dog needs but its counterpart doesn’t have.
