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Are you torn between Nutro and Purina Pro Plan for your pup? Choosing the right food is key to your dog’s health. The choice isn’t easy with two trusted brands in the mix. We break down ingredients, flavors, brand history, and more to help you pick the perfect bowl for your best friend.
Table of Contents
| Best For Puppies | Best For Adults | Best For Seniors |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| Nutro Puppy Formula | Purina Pro Plan | Purina Pro Plan |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| View on Chewy | View on Chewy | View on Chewy |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Brand Histories & Basics
When choosing the best diet for your canine friend, it’s important to understand a brand’s history and where it came from.
Nutro
Nutro is a well-known dog food brand that has been around for quite some time. They began creating pet food nearly 90 years ago, and are now a subsidiary of Mars Incorporated.
Not only are they known for their natural ingredients overall, but they were also the first brand to create a line of natural dog food and treats.
Nutro currently offers four different lines of dog food:
- Nutro Ultra: Highest-quality formulated with a blend of 14 superfoods.
- Nutro Natural Choice: Essential nutrients for whole body health.
- Nutro Max: Budget-friendly for everyday essential nutrition.
- Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet: Caters to food sensitivities.
Offering several different recipes in each line, Nutro tries their best to cater to furry friends of all kinds. This keeps Nutro in line with most of its competitors.
Purina Pro Plan
Purina is one of the most well-known names in the dog food industry. Beginning their pet food journey in 1894 in the farm industry, their business has grown exponentially to the point that they now create diets for all types of furry friends.
Once Purina was acquired by Nestle, it has become one of the world’s leading pet food brands.
Purina Pro Plan was created in 1986 and became popular as the first pet food brand to use real meat in its formulas. Ever since it has been one of their most popular lines.
In addition to its base recipes, Purina Pro Plan currently offers several other lines:
- Pro Plan Complete Essentials: crunchy kibble combined with tender, shredded pieces of meat.
- Pro Plan Sport: high-energy and high-protein formulas for very active dogs.
- Pro Plan Specialized: formulas that cater to breed size and/or specific health issues.
- Pro Plan Veterinary Diet: prescription diets for serious health concerns.
Have Nutro Or Purina Pro Plan Been Recalled?
Now that we’ve introduced you to the two brands, let’s discuss their past recalls. How a company handles a food recall is essential and can help us understand which brands have our dog’s best interest at heart.
It’s important to note that despite their longevity, Nutro and Purina Pro have few recalls in their histories.
Nutro
Nutro has had 3 food recalls in the last 90 years of their food production journey:
December 2015: A batch of treats was recalled due to the possibility of mold contamination. No pets were affected by this possible mold contamination.
September 2009: This recall involved possible plastic contamination. A worker’s hard hat fell into the supply line, causing tiny pieces of plastic to fall into some of their products. Thankfully, no pets were affected.
March 2007: Multiple brands belonging to Mars Incorporated were affected by possible melamine contamination in their products.
Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro has had 2 voluntary dog food recalls involving nutrients rather than contamination.
February 2023: The company voluntarily recalled certain lots of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental Dry Dog Food due to potentially elevated vitamin D levels.
March 2016: They pulled their wet Savory meals from the shelves. The recall was due to them not including the amount of vitamins and minerals they promised on the label.
While Purina has had other recalls in the past, they weren’t directly impacting their dog food line.
Food Ingredient Comparison
The ingredients make each brand unique and can help you make your final decision when choosing the preferred diet for your pup. Let’s discuss what each diet has to offer regarding ingredients and what makes each brand so special.
Nutro
Nutro focuses on natural, clean ingredients with real meat as the first ingredient and no meat by-products. Their recipes are free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and dyes.
They offer grain-free and gentle grain-inclusive options, making them a good choice for dogs with food sensitivities.
Nutro also includes added nutrients like glucosamine, omega fatty acids, and chondroitin to support overall health.
Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan is one of Purina’s premium lines, featuring real meat and targeted nutrition. Most recipes are grain-inclusive, but they also offer grain-free options for dogs with sensitivities.
Some formulas include meat by-product meals, though Purina states these only contain nutrient-rich organ tissue. Despite this, the brand maintains a reputation for high-quality, science-backed diets.
Range Of Formulas
Dogs transition through multiple stages throughout their lives, meaning they need a range of formulas to help them thrive. Each brand offers several options for every life stage.
Puppy Formulas
The puppy stage is a crucial time period for nutrition due to the importance of proper development. Puppies require extra nutrients for energy and growth, meaning they need a quality diet to help them through the process.
Let’s see what each of these brands has to offer for their puppy formulas.
Nutro
With 10 puppy formulas, Nutro has several options across all their lines. The main protein options are chicken and lamb. What are some of the key features?
- Ultra, Natural Choice & Max regular puppy formulas
- Puppy Tender grain-free options (wet food)
- Large-breed puppy recipes
- No grain-free puppy kibble
- No small-breed puppy formulas
Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro offers nearly 20 different puppy formulas for our growing canine friends. Protein options include chicken, lamb, and salmon. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can find.
- Multiple breed size options: toy, small, large, and even food options for giant breed puppies
- Grain-free wet food in chicken or turkey
- Sensitive skin and stomach formula (no corn, wheat, or soy)
- Sport high-protein options
- No grain-free puppy kibble
Winner: Nutro
While Pro Plan offers more puppy formula options, we like to see more natural ingredients, which you’ll find in Nutro’s recipes. We love the inclusion of fruits and vegetables to help boost their immune function.
Puppy Formula Pick: Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Recipe Review
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Key Features
- High-quality, non-GMO ingredients
- No chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy
- Antioxidants for immune health
- Omega fatty acids for skin health
- DHA & EPA for healthy brain and eye development
- Calcium for strong bones
- 386 kcal/ cup
- 28% protein, 16% fat, 3% fiber
Price
- Starts at $20.98 ($4.20 / lb) (5-lb bag)
Adult Formulas
Our canine companions spend most of their time in their adult stage. Because of this, it’s essential to ensure they have everything they need to maintain their health throughout the years. Let’s see what each brand offers for the adult dogs in our lives.
Nutro
Nutro carries more than 30 different adult kibble formulas. The majority of protein options are chicken, lamb, and salmon. However, they do have a few with beef and venison. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can find.
- Options for small, medium, and large breeds
- Natural ingredient focus with no artificial additives
- Grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes available
- Formulas available without chicken (great for allergies)
- Legume and pea-free options for sensitive stomachs
- Good variety of wet food (paté, stews, cuts in gravy, etc.)
Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan offers over 60 recipes for adult dogs. Protein options are salmon, chicken, turkey, lamb, and beef. Here are some more highlights of what they offer.
- Most recipes include grains, but a few grain-free options are available
- Many formulas contain corn and wheat
- Specialized formulas for toy, small, large, and giant breeds
- Options for weight management, sensitive skin & stomach, and active/sporting dogs
- Large selection of wet dog food (paté, shredded, slices in gravy, etc.)
Winner: Purina Pro Plan
With such a wide range of options for dogs of all kinds, Purina Pro Plan comes out on top for adult dogs. Depending on what dietary element you are prioritizing for your pup, you are sure to find options in this stellar adult dog food line.
Adult Formula Pick: Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula Review
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Even if your pup doesn’t have skin or stomach problems, this formula is a top option for everyday balanced nutrition. It comes in salmon, lamb, or turkey — proteins that aren’t as common allergens in dogs. It’s fortified with many ingredients for whole-body health and is among Pro Plan’s bestselling recipes.
For most healthy adult dogs, especially those with mild sensitivities or a need for balanced, digestible nutrition, Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach offers the best mix of science-backed nutrition and digestibility.
Key Features
- High-quality meat or fish as the first ingredient
- Gentle on digestion w/ no corn, wheat, or soy; uses oatmeal and rice for digestibility
- Includes probiotics for gut health and immune support
- Omega-3 & omega-6 fatty acids promote healthy skin and coat
- Glucosamine for joint health
- 449 kcal/cup
- 26% protein, 16% fat, 4% fiber
Price
- Starts at Check Amazon for availability (4-lb bag)
Senior Formulas
Senior dogs require extra care and attention as they age. Their diet can play a huge role in giving them the support they need. Our senior friends can require additional nutrients to help them feel their best. Picking a senior food isn’t easy, so let’s see what each brand offers in their senior formulas.
Nutro
With 7 different recipes for senior canine friends, Nutro has a decent selection.
- All contain omega fatty acids for skin and coat health
- Large-breed kibble includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support
- Available in chicken & brown rice formulas for small, regular, small, and large breeds
- Also offers a lamb & brown rice option for flavor variety
- Only one grain-free option (paté)
Nutro is one of our favorite dog food brands for senior Pomskies and a great food option for older Cocker Spaniels.
Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan has over a dozen senior recipes across their line. Most feature chicken, but they also offer a salmon formula and beef recipe. More highlights include:
- Formulas for small, regular, and large breeds
- Targeted recipes for weight management, brain health, and sensitivities
- All senior recipes include glucosamine to support joint health
- Several contain probiotics for gut health
- No grain-free options
- Several wet food choices
Winner: Purina Pro Plan
Again, Purina Pro Plan comes out ahead of Nutro for their array of senior diets and their inclusion of glucosamine in all formulas.
Senior Formula Pick: Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Recipe Review
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This formula leads for senior dogs overall due to its focus on cognitive health, joint support, and digestion. Customers rate this formula highly, noting improvements in their dogs’ energy, mental function, and hip and joint discomfort relief. Many praise its nutritional value for senior pets and report it’s gentle on sensitive stomachs.
Key Features
- Includes botanical oils shown to promote alertness and mental sharpness
- Real chicken is the first ingredient to help maintain lean muscle mass
- Live probiotics support digestive and immune health
- Glucosamine and EPA for joint health and mobility.
- Vitamin A and linoleic acid nourish your dog’s skin and coat
- 423 kcal/cup
- 29% protein, 14% fat, 3% fiber
Price
- Starts at Check Amazon for availability (5-lb bag)
Nutro vs Purina Pro Plan: Which Is Better?
Both Purina Pro and Nutro have a lot to offer in terms of complete nutrition and flavor options. Nutro should be your pick if you are looking for a more premium brand with cleaner, non-GMO ingredients.
But if you are looking for overall value and a track record of satisfied customers, Purina Pro is the obvious choice. They have a wide variety of recipes, flavors, and added features that set them apart from other brands on the market. They are also relatively budget-friendly.
While Purina Pro is the overall winner, Nutro is still a top-tier choice your dog will thrive on. Either way, your pup gets a high-quality diet.
Alternatives To Kibble Or Canned Food
If cost isn’t a significant obstacle, why not consider fresh or air-dried dog food? Many options feature human-grade meals using all-natural, whole-food ingredients, such as premium meats, vegetables, fruits, and wholesome grains.
For some fantastic, super-healthy options, see our reviews of the best fresh dog food brands and the best air-dried dog chow.
Our Methodology
We analyze hundreds of dog food brands and individual formulas to provide our recommendations for the best nutrition. Each of the following elements helps us determine the best dog food for any dietary need. Our in-depth research includes:
- Scrutinizing all ingredients included in every formula
- Having firsthand experience with our dogs for many of the foods we recommend
- Assessing the guaranteed analysis for every formula, including protein, fat, fiber, and caloric content
- Investigating the latest scientific studies on dogs’ nutritional needs and benefits of ingredients
- Researching the specific dietary needs for breed sizes and health conditions
- Reading hundreds of customer reviews
- Staying informed on every dog food recall
- Diving into every pet food brand’s history and reputation
- Keeping on top of pet food trends
Unlike many other review sites, we give unbiased reviews based on countless hours of research. Our goal is to provide our readers with the healthiest options for their pups.
