Being a pet parent is not always easy, right? From playing with and feeding them to taking them to the vet and caring for them – you have so many responsibilities!
But above all things that you do for your furry buddy, the most difficult one is choosing the right food for them. Don’t you agree?
There is a pool of brands with their ocean of dog food products. And selecting the best one from them is no doubt difficult.
Have you ever wondered how cool it would be if the manufacturers were honest while printing their labels?
Imagine going to a pet food store, and then when you try to get a bag of a specific dog food brand, it says, “this product doesn’t live up to its claim. Try the product of a different brand on the upper shelves.”
Sounds funny?
Well, life as a dog parent would be far better that way!
So if you are really finding it hard to choose the right food for your dog, and after days and nights of research, you have zeroed in on one brand, that’s Purina, then your next question might be: Purina ONE or Purina Pro Plan?
And that is where I can help!
I have talked about their background, ingredients, nutritional values, and more in this Purina One vs. Pro Plan comparison.
And once you finish reading, I’m sure you will be able to decide which of these two brands is the best for your four-legged friend.
| Factors | Purina Pro Plan | Purina ONE |
|---|---|---|
| Owned by | Nestle Purina Petcare | Nestle Purina Petcare |
| Launched In | 1986 | 1986 |
| Special Feature | 100% complete nutrition for dogs of all life stages | High-protein real meat is their first ingredient |
| Number Of Formulas | Around 96 recipes are made for dogs | Around 40 recipes are designed for dogs |
| Intended for | Age, breed, and diet need specific formulas. Sensitive stomach and skin, mental sharpness, high performance, and more. | Improved coat and skin, high performance, weight management, and more. |
A Sneak Peek into the Winner Brand: Purina Pro Plan
- 30 percent protein and 20 percent fat
- Fine-tuned nutrition
- High-quality dry dog food
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Purina Pro Plan has emerged as the winner in its competition with its sister brand Purina ONE!
These two brands have a lot of similarities in them. They both offer high-quality food to meet the specific needs of your furry buddy.
But you know, the key is in the details that I’m going to discuss in this comparison between the two.
Purina Pro Plan is great for dogs affected with sensitive stomachs and skin. Its special digestive formulas with live probiotics offer complete nutrition for dogs in all their stages of life.
This vet-recommended pet food brand uses real meat as its primary ingredient, including salmon, lamb, poultry, and beef.
They come in tons of varieties and flavors. So when you are choosing Purina Pro Plan for your furry friend, you are spoiled for choice. And did I mention how delicious each of them tastes?
History of The Food Brand
Before you zero in on a specific food brand for your favorite buddy, you must have a clear idea about the brand. After all, you can’t just feed any brand’s food to your dog, right?
Yes, I know how it is. And that is why I have come up with this section where I’ll discuss the history of both brands.
Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE have the same manufacturers, so their brand history is most common and highly related.
Come, let’s have a look.
Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE
- High protein dry dog food for skin and coat care
- Highly digestible
- Omega-6 fatty acids,
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Both these brands offer a variety of products and are made for customers who want premium food for their dogs.
While Purina ONE is the more affordable option for dog owners, Purina Pro Plan is the costlier one.
Purina has a partnership with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, commonly known as WSAVA, and that is the reason they follow the latter’s guidelines.
It all started in 1926 when Purina made a pet nutrition and care center in Missouri. They were the first to do so. Now it’s named Nestle Purina Pet Care Center.
And did I tell you that they were the first to make kibbles for your four-legged friend?
It was 1894 when William H. Danforth, William Andrews, and George Robinson partnered and established the Robinson-Danforth Commission Company. With this company, they officially entered into the business of feeding farm animals. In the year 1902, the name of this company changed to Ralston Purina.
That’s not it; they used a revolutionary process that made it possible for them to use real meat as their number one ingredient. And that is when they launched Purina Pro Plan in 1986.
Nestle acquired Purina in 2001 with a massive $10.3 billion! This marked the beginning of this company being one of the best in the pet food market.
If their website is to be believed, the Purina brand is nearly eighty-five years old.
They distribute their pet food globally and have successfully made a name as a leader in the pet food industry. They are a household name as a pet food brand and have garnered some faithful customers or pet owners.
Author’s Note: One thing I have noticed about the big players in the pet care industry is that they don’t include each and every ingredient they use in their products on the labels. So, you can say that they are not very transparent when it comes to the ingredients.
This is where I found smaller companies to be more specific about the ingredients they use in their products. While some pet owners don’t mind not knowing about all the ingredients, some want transparency.
Purina Pro Plan vs. Purina ONE: 4-Factor Comparison
Haven’t I told you earlier that the brands Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE have a lot of things in common? However, there are some important parameters that make the real difference between these two famous brands from the same manufacturer.
So, what are they? What makes these two brands different? And how are they similar?
I’ll discuss everything based on their ingredients, nutritional values, recipes, and recall histories.
Are you ready to compare the brands?
Come, let’s dive right in!
1. Ingredients
The first thing you need to pay attention to while comparing two dog food brands is the ingredients they use in their products.
You know, you need to be sure you are giving your four-legged buddy the healthiest, yummiest, and best dog food out there.
That is why, in this section, I have talked about the different ingredients that these dog food brands use. Are they healthy? Are they safe?
Come, let’s have a look!
Purina Pro Plan
Following are the primary ingredients used in Purina Pro Plan:
- Fish And Meat
If you want to feed your dog the benefits of meat, you can rely on Purina Pro Plan. They come in a wide variety of options that use meat as their first ingredient. And they have fish too.
Depending on the variety you choose, you can get duck, chicken, lamb, salmon, tuna, turkey, beef, and more as their dog food ingredients.
These meats and fish come with the goodness of lean protein. And did I mention good fats?
- Live Probiotics
The dry formulas of Purina Pro Plan are filled with live probiotics. They can help your dog have a good immune system.
- Organ Meats
This brand has some food formulas for your dog that contain organ meat, such as the liver, for an extra dose of protein.
- Rice
Rice is another common ingredient used in most Purina Pro Plan foods. It is a great source of carbohydrates and offers your furry friend all the energy to keep their day going.
- Additional Substances
The recipes offered by Purina Pro Plan come with some additional substances. This includes beef fat, pea proteins, sunflower oils, guar gum, and beet fiber. These are meant to increase the overall nutritional value of the food.
Controversial Ingredients
Despite being a dog food brand that is loved by many, Purina Pro Plan uses some controversial ingredients in them. I have discussed them below:
- Fillers
Fillers refer to those unhealthy ingredients in dog food that have very little to no value when it comes to nutrition. The most common controversial fillers found in this brand include corn gluten meal, wheat gluten meal, and soybean meal. Many dogs are allergic to these ingredients, and if served, they can have serious issues.
- By-products
Animal by-products have less nutritional value compared to their original meat, and it is not liked by many pet parents keeping the health of their dog in mind. Being said that, by-products have glucosamine that protects cartilage.
- Animal Fat
They have not mentioned what kind of animal fat they are referring to. And when they don’t mention it, the chances are that it is taken from a low-grade tissue.
Purina ONE
Following are the primary ingredients used in Purina ONE:
- Fish and Meat
Just like Purina Pro Plan, Purina ONE uses meat and fish in most of their recipes. It is their first ingredient.
You get a lot of options to choose from depending on what you want for your dog. This includes chicken, lamb, salmon, tuna, and more.
They benefit your dog with lean protein and good fats. And did I mention how their chicken formulas are full of amino acids?
- Rice Flour
Some of the variants of dog foods from this brand have rice flour in them. This makes the nutritional value of their products lessened compared to those that have actual rice in them. Yes, some variants have rice in them too.
- Oatmeal
Oatmeal is great for dogs with digestive issues as this ingredient is easy to digest.
- Fish Oil
Some of the top recipes from this brand have fish oil in them, which makes those recipes rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It makes your dog’s coat and skin shiny. Also, it is good for your pup’s joint health.
Controversial Ingredients
Here are some controversial ingredients used in Purina ONE:
- Artificial Colors and Flavors
Some of this brand’s best-selling dog food products have artificial colors and flavors. This suggests they are highly processed and have less nutritional value. Also, artificial colorants in food can cause skin and health issues.
- Fillers
Just like Purina Pro Plan formulas, this brand has some common fillers used in many dog food brands. This includes wheat, corn, and soy flour. Dogs with sensitive stomachs can have issues with these fillers.
- By-products
Animal by-products, such as by-products of chicken, are used in some of this brand’s recipes. While they have high levels of glucosamine, it is not liked by many dog parents.
Author’s Note: As Purina ONE is the sister brand of Purina Pro Plan, most of the main ingredients and controversial ingredients are the same in both brands.
Also, please note that controversial ingredients don’t always have to be bad.
If you are very particular about what your dog eats, pay attention to the list of ingredients listed on the product label before buying them.
Who Won?
Purina Pro Plan is the winner here!
Both brands used meat and fish as their primary ingredients. You can get to know from the ingredient list of their products if they have used organ meat. It generally refers to the meat that is void of feet, head, and other nutritionally unviable body parts.
If you look at the overall ingredients used in both brands, you will see that Purina Pro Plan has a wider range compared to Purina ONE. They cater to all dogs with specific dietary requirements. And Purina ONE falls a step back here.
Both brands use fillers. But Purina ONE dog food depends heavily on these controversial fillers. Purina Pro Plan, too, has fillers, but they have some recipes that are free from fillers, giving pet owners the freedom to choose what they want for their dogs. So, when it comes to the quality of the recipes, Purina Pro Plan gets an extra point.
2. Recipes
Although Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE have some common flavors and textures in their recipes, there are some differences too.
Here I have highlighted what each brand is offering when it comes to recipes.
Read on.
Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan has something for every dog. Here is a gist of what they offer:
- Both grain-free and grain-inclusive options
- Around 96 food options for dogs
- Address specific issues of your dog
- Meant for dogs of all ages
- Meet different nutritional needs
- Different types of dog food, including dry, wet, and treats
- Different meat and fish options
- Recipes backed by science
This brand knows about what your dog might need. And so, they have introduced a wide variety of dog food products catering to all the specific needs of your furry buddy.
They have food for puppies, large puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs, and all dog breeds.
Purina ONE
Here’s what you will get from Purina ONE:
- Around 40 recipes for dogs
- Higher content of fat than required
- Use natural ingredients
- Addresses specific needs of dogs
- Some food recipes have no artificial flavors or preservatives
Purina ONE caters to the specific needs of dogs, just as Purina Pro Plan. But if you see overall, this brand offers fewer recipes compared to Purina Pro Plan.
Who Won?
I declare Purina Pro Plan as the winner!
Yes, both brands have almost the same kinds of recipes to offer. But Purina Pro Plan is one step ahead of Purina One.
Purina Pro Plan has a much wider selection of dog food recipes to meet the dietary need of your dog. If you are looking for kibbles, you will be amazed to see the variety that this brand offers.
Purina Pro Plan has special formulas designed for the improvement of cognitive health, healthy aging, allergens, performance, skin, and more.
Purina ONE, on the other hand, falls on the more generalized side. They don’t have a vast selection of products meant for any specific need. The options here are limited.
So, when you compare the recipes of both these brands, Purina Pro Plan is the winner. Of course, Purina ONE is also not bad. But has some good recipes for dogs with minor issues.
3. Nutrition
When you are buying food products for your dog, knowing their nutritional value becomes essential.
After all, you want to know how much protein, fat, or carbohydrate your pooch will get, right?
I have made the job easy for you! Here I have discussed the nutritional value of the dog foods offered by Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE. Please note that I have examined only their dry dog food variety.
Sound good?
| Dry Dog Food | Purina Pro Plan | Purina ONE |
| Protein | 28% | 28% |
| Fat | 14% | 16% |
| Fiber | 3.9% | 3% |
Protein
Protein plays an important role when it comes to maintaining your dog’s overall health. Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE both offer a variety of dog foods that have a good amount of protein in them.
Now, if you look at the nutrition chart above, you will see that both these brands offer an equal amount of protein, which is 28%.
According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials, which is commonly known as AAFCO, an adult dog needs to have at least 18% crude protein in their diet for wholesome and balanced nutrition. And both these brands exceed that amount.
This helps your furry friend grow, have muscle density, and regenerate cells. Also, it keeps your pup energized throughout the day.
Real meat used in the recipes of both these brands is the main source of this protein. But the plants used in their recipes are another important source of protein. For example, they use soybean meal.
Some other sources of protein in Purina Pro Plan dog food are eggs and fish.
Fat
Did you know that your dog needs fat in their diet to have a strong body and healthy skin and coat?
Also, fat helps them get the benefits of those fat-soluble vitamins.
But make sure that your dog has a limited amount of fat in their diet, as more fat can do more harm than good.
According to AAFCO, your dog needs to have double amount of protein and fat.
While Purina Pro Plan has 14% fat, Purina ONE has 16% fat in most of their dry dog food recipes.
This means if you feed these brands’ food to your dog, the essential protein nutrients will get absorbed by their metabolism, and then they will use the remaining fat for additional energy.
Now, if less protein gets absorbed and more fat is used for energy, then the chances are that your dog will start gaining weight.
As Purina ONE has slightly more fat than the recommended fat content, it is not a great choice for dogs that are overweight and dogs that don’t do much activity.
But if you have an active dog, feeding them food from these brands wouldn’t be a problem.
Fiber
Fiber helps your dog in the proper digestion of its food.
Now, if you look at the fiber content of both Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE, they have 3.9% and 3%, respectively.
So, you can see that there is not much difference. Both brands have successfully followed the recommended standards.
Who Won?
It’s a tie!
While selecting the best food for your dog, you have to keep in mind that apart from the value of protein, fat, and fiber, there are other things that you need to be aware of too.
For example, you need to know what is the source of these fats and proteins.
Are they derived from high-quality animals? Or are they derived from plants?
Also, you need to know if they are easily digestible so that your favorite four-legged buddy doesn’t have any issue eating them.
Now, in general terms, protein derived from high-quality animals, including chicken, can benefit your dog on more levels than protein derived from plants.
The same goes for the fat content in dog food. If the fat is derived from high-quality sources such as fish oil, it is way better than the fat derived from unknown sources or those that are not mentioned on the product label.
Of course, at the end of the day, what all matters is which food suit your dog the best. Isn’t it?
4. Recalls
As dog parents, you already know how you need to look at the safety as well as overall of your four-legged buddy, right?
But what is unfortunate is that not all dog food brands think the same. There are many dog food manufacturers out there who only look at the profit they are making by selling low-quality food.
This makes it all the more important for you to do proper research about the recall history of the brands whose food products you are going to feed your pup.
Now, talking about Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE, both brands have some recall history, which is not that impressive.
But the good thing is that the brands have voluntarily initiated the recalls and taken further steps to maximize the safety of their dog food products.
Purina Pro Plan
In the year 2016, Purina Pro Plan was recalled for its wet foods and Beneful line. It was said that the levels of vitamins and minerals that were listed on the product labels didn’t match the actual content.
Purina Pro Plan cooperated with the people of the FDA to make sure that all their wet products meet the safety criteria. The brand didn’t delay in removing the products with issues from the market.
Please note this recall was only regarding the wet food products from this brand and not the kibbles or any other food variety.
In the month of February 2023, Purina Pro Plan went for a voluntary recall after one of their suppliers made the mistake of putting higher amounts of vitamin D than recommended in their kibbles.
This recall is regarding the Veterinary Diets EL Elemental (PPVD EL) prescription dry dog food from the house of Purina Pro Plan.
Vitamin D is an important nutrient for your furry buddy. But suppose you feed them higher than the recommended amount. In that case, it can lead them to have various health issues, including loss of appetite, vomiting, excessive drooling, frequent urination, and kidney dysfunction.
Those who bought this product were asked to stop feeding this to their dogs immediately and get a refund from the brand.
Please note that no other products of Purina Pro Plan were affected during this recent recall.
Purina ONE
In the summer of 2013, Purina ONE recalled their dog food voluntarily, as they suspected that there might be salmonella contamination.
If a dog has salmonella infection, their symptoms may include fever, lethargy, shock, and diarrhea, among many other things.
Who Won?
Purina ONE is the clear winner!
As you can see, both dog food brands have gone for voluntary recalls in the past. And when a brand does so, it shows that they are committed to the safety as well as the quality of its dog food.
Also, it shows that they are willing to take any responsibility for the inconvenience they have caused and are always ready to solve the issue as fast as they can.
But as Purina ONE has gone through only one recall to date and Purina Pro Plan has gone through two recalls, the former is the winner in this section.
Highlights For The Food Brands
Here’s a little recap of what we have covered about the Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE. What are the things that make them unique in their own way?
Come, have a look!
Following are the highlights of the food brands:
Purina Pro Plan
- Address Specific Issues: Purina Pro Plan dog food is made keeping the specific issues of your dog in mind. They have products for sensitive skin and stomach, high-performance, and whatnot.
- Meant for Dogs of All Ages: No matter what the age of your dog is, Purina Pro Plan has products meant just for them. This includes pups, senior dogs, adults, larger pups, and more.
- More Variety: Purina Pro Plan offers a larger variety of products compared to its sister brand Purina ONE. They have dry dog food, wet dog food, as well as dog treats.
- Grain-Free Options: This brand has both grain-inclusive and grain-free dog foods to offer.
- Recipes Backed by Science: When it comes to recipes, Purina Pro Plan has so much to offer. And did you know that their recipes are backed by science?
Purina ONE
- Natural Ingredients: Some of this brand’s recipes have natural ingredients in them.
- No Artificial Flavors or Preservatives: While this is not true for all the dog food formulas that Purina ONE manufactures, this brand does have some formulas that are free from preservatives and artificial flavors that might be harmful to your dog.
- Lower Price: Compared to Purina Pro Plan, Purina ONE has a lower price, making it the first choice for dog parents on a budget.
Both these brands have the same manufacturer, and both are made in the same facility. But still, there has to be only one winner, right?
In this Purina One vs. Pro Plan comparison, Purina Pro Plan takes the trophy home!
If you look at all the four categories that I have discussed here, you will see that Purina Pro Plan has won most of them. And so, this brand is a clear winner.
Now, to help you decide whether Purina Pro Plan dog food will suit your four-legged buddy the best, I have come up with a list of pros and cons.
Have a look at it and see if it meets your dog’s nutritional requirements.
Pros & Cons Of The Food Brand
Purina Pro Plan comes with the following pros & cons. Of course, some of its pros do match with Purina ONE, but there are other benefits of using the Pro Plan as well.
Pros
- This brand uses meat and fish as their primary ingredients, which are sources of high-quality proteins. If you want to feed your dog some nutritious food along with healthy fats, you can choose Purina Pro Plan for them.
- They offer a large number of dog food options ranging from dry food and wet food to dog treats. And did I mention how they can please your picky dog?
- You can get this brand’s food for your dog’s specific dietary needs. No matter what your concern is, they have food for all your dog’s nutritional needs.
- Purina Pro Plan complies with the guidelines of WSAVA and offers dog food products that have a high-calorie density. So, if you are a parent to a dog with high-calorie needs, this brand is the one for you.
Cons
- As the food products from this brand come in high calories, they might not suit your dog if they are less active and tend to gain weight.
- They are not very transparent about the source of their meat by-products. I don’t really appreciate this.
- Most of their dog food products are meant for dogs with high performance or sports dogs. But if you study the dog food market, there is a high chance that you will come across other brands offering better options.
Coming to the end, this was a close race between the two leaders in the dog food market: Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE.
But as you can see, Purina Pro Plan is just a couple of steps ahead of Purina ONE. Hence, Purina Pro Plan is the winner of this tight competition.
Why Did Purina ONE Lose?
Okay, so it’s time that we talk a bit about Purina ONE.
This is a sister brand of Purina Pro Plan and has a reputation of its own.
So, get this straight. If you are looking for a cheaper option, you can go with Purina ONE, as it is less pricey compared to Purina Pro Plan.
They have some good dog food options, although they are not as good as the Pro Plan.
If your pup is not very picky, and you are not looking for issue-specific food for your dog, Purina ONE is not a bad option.
Final Words
Both Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE are big names in the field of the dog food market. Both of them offer a variety of food options to meet the specific needs of your dog. You can get food for high-performance dogs, dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs, and more.
Yes, I recommended Purina Pro Plan over Purina ONE after a comprehensive analysis of the two. But which one you will choose depends on your budget, personal preferences, and the nutritional needs of your furry buddy.
Just make sure that you are providing your four-legged buddy with food that is best suited to them – no matter the brand.
After all, it’s your dog, and no one knows what they want better than you, isn’t it?
Ankita is a passionate pet lover and head of content at Pet Food Brands. With her extensive knowledge and research, she provides pet owners with top-quality information on dog food and nutrition. Her dedication to improving the lives of dogs makes her a leading voice in the industry.
