A detailed review of Purina Van dog food, its composition, pros and cons

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Purina One food line

The food is created for the target consumer: small dogs weighing up to 10 kg. Experts classify the Purina Van line as an economy segment. In ordinary language, this is the golden mean. The products are of higher quality than feed from budget producers, however, they are far from the highest grades of pure meat.

Food can be divided into four types, each of which is intended for a specific category of doggies:

• older than one year;
• with increased activity, sensitivity to certain foods or digestive disorders;
• prone to accelerated weight gain.

The Purina One line consists of 19 items that differ in the type of packaging, taste and purpose. Dry food or bagged canned food can please your pet.

Detailed composition

The nutritional composition was developed by specialists taking into account the height and weight of small animals:

1. The basis of the proteins is the meat ingredient. The content of this component at 28% of the total mass is considered the norm for feed. The source of proteins in the product is domestic chicken, turkey, and beef. However, this formulation means that in order to achieve the required percentage, by-products were processed along with the meat: bones, skin particles, internal organs.

1. The sources of carbohydrates that give the dog energy are wheat and corn. This is not the best option, since all cereals are not absorbed by the body and are completely excreted in an incompletely processed form. Despite the fact that wheat, corn, and soy can cause allergies, these grains are found in all food in the economy segment.

1. Animal and fish oil, a total content of 18% is considered normal. However, lard is of no value to the dog, and fish oil (a natural antioxidant) is not contained in sufficient quantities.

Antioxidants slow down the aging process of the body. This component is good to take in any form, but its low content negates the benefits.

1. Beet pulp helps improve the functioning of the digestive tract and provides the body with fiber. To maintain the norm of 2.5%, vegetable fibers are added to the composition.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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To avoid digestive problems and to maintain normal health, when feeding dry food, you need to ensure that the animal always has clean water.

1. Vitamins and minerals. The food does not contain fruits, vegetables and herbs that can saturate the body with substances of natural origin. Therefore, chemically obtained components have been added to the diet.

Dry food cannot replace a complete diet for dogs. Due to the lack of necessary elements, they can be successfully used only for a limited time.

Things are a little better for canned food, in which the protein reaches a good level of 12%. The main components are vegetables, meat, fish. Semi-moist food does not contain flavor enhancers or harmful food additives.

High-quality food Purina Pro plan Puppy has been specially developed for puppies of small decorative breeds. Giving Purina Van to babies is not recommended due to the content of chemical additives and the use of by-products.

Ingredients in the feed

Manufacturers classify Purina Van dog food as super premium. However, it is recommended to carefully consider the composition of the diet. The product contains the following ingredients:

• dry poultry protein. Unfortunately, such a formulation does not provide accurate information about what kind of bird is used to create the food. It is worth understanding that various by-products can be used for this purpose. Protein is the basis of complete nutrition for an animal. It is necessary for the normal functioning of all organs and systems of the dog. A package of high-quality food always indicates the percentage of content of this element in the product;
• Corn and wheat came next. These feed fillers have a relatively low price, but are completely useless for the animal and are poorly digestible. In higher-quality products, the second and third places are not cereals, but vegetables and fruits. The amount of corn and wheat in the product is not specified;
• Next is beef, however, what this means is not known exactly. It is possible that in production it is also not meat that is used, but various offal, horns, leather;
• In last place there is animal fat. In most cases, the lard used is not of very good quality.

Purina food for dogs of small and large breeds

In addition, Purina One dog food contains rice, although in a minimal amount.

Note! The disadvantages include the presence in the product of various additives that are harmful to the animal and cause addiction to such food.

The product for dogs and cats contains gluten, propylene glycol and glycerin, which also negatively affect the pet’s condition, so many veterinarians are opposed to such nutrition. Last in the composition are fish oil, vegetables, fruits, ash and fiber.

Thus, Purina Van food cannot be classified as a super premium class; the economy segment is more suitable.

Mainly produced food for small breeds

Manufacturer

After opening in 1894, Ralston Purina began producing horse feed. Later, workshops were opened for the production of dry food for cats and dogs. In the early 2000s, a controlling stake in Ralston Purina was purchased by Nestlé.

The food continues to be produced under the original name. Purina One dry food is produced in Italy. The company's products came to Russia in 2014 and within a short period of time gained hundreds of adherents.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any food, the Purina Van line has both advantages and disadvantages.

Positive points include:

• low price;
• presence of vitamins;
• maintained normal content of basic elements - proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
• absence of harmful additives in wet canned food;
• widespread and easy availability of feed, no shortage.

More shortcomings have been identified:

• unknown origin of the main protein mass;
• a huge amount of indigestible cereals;
• chemical flavor enhancers in dry food;
• highly specialized line of diets;
• These products are not suitable for puppies due to the composition and chemical additives.

For puppies

You need to choose food for puppies very carefully. The future development of the baby depends on this. Purina One for Dogs produces 2 types of products for puppies:

• for small breeds with a high content of chicken and rice;
• for medium breeds with a high content of chicken and rice.

Food for sterilized dogs of small, medium and large breeds

The composition of these products is similar to that produced for adult animals. The positive aspects include the absence of propylene glycol and glycerin, however, dangerous carbohydrates are also present in increased quantities.

Important! Veterinarians do not recommend choosing this type of food for small puppies.

The better than the rest

The diet stands out against the background of competitive offers due to compliance with the standards for the content of necessary components.

Thus, protein in Purina Van food is 26%, fat 17%. In Pedigri these figures are 21 and 14%, in our brand they are 18 and 10%.

Another advantage is the content of vitamins D3 for regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, A for vision, and the antioxidant vitamin E. In the feed of competing companies, these components are found in small quantities or are completely absent.

Are there any advantages over other foods?

Purina One is the best choice among economy products according to most veterinarians. The high amount of crude protein, relatively clear composition and low cost give advantages over other companies in this category. If we compare several manufacturers - Happy Dog, Chappi, Pedigree, Stout, Our Brand - the fat levels are lower than in Purina Van. A table is provided for comparison.

The product under review is the only one containing poultry protein in the first place. The rest are dominated by cheap carbohydrates - corn and wheat, there is no indication of their percentage. Meat meal comes in last place; it means waste from the food industry - leather, feathers or skin, hooves, bones. The quantity listed is unknown, because the manufacturers are silent about it. There are flavor enhancers and preservatives that negatively affect the health of pets.

Video: review of Purina Van dog food, its composition and reviews

Price

The price of the Purina One line of food looks more attractive than that of economy class analogues. At the same time, the quality does not suffer at all and is at a high level.

Wet canned food retails at RUB 35. per bag, 600 g of dry food from the “My Dog” line can be purchased for 150-200 rubles. The cost of "Mini" is higher. The buyer will have to pay 200 rubles. per package.

The price for a 1.5-kilogram package ranges from 300 to 400 rubles.

Reviews from veterinarians

Boris Nikolaev: “Creating specialized food for small dogs is undoubtedly a good solution. Babies are often picky when switching to artificial food, so the taste of the product plays an important role. However, I am confused by the presence of food receptor stimulants. If it is possible to purchase better quality food, I would still recommend premium products made from natural meat.”

Sinelnikov Nikolay: “Purina Van food can only be found in ordinary retail outlets. Veterinary clinics offer higher quality food of this brand. I cannot recommend using Purina One due to its poor composition. I am confused by the unknown origin of the protein component and the high content of wheat, which can harm the pet. Next, preservatives and antioxidants, which hide dangerous chemical compounds. It’s wrong to call a food complete, just as it’s wrong to prescribe it as the main food for small pets.”

Irina Shapovalova: “Purina Van food is the best in its segment. However, I cannot recommend the food because of the low quality by-products it contains, which are poorly absorbed by the body. Feed components such as corn, wheat, and soy often cause allergic reactions. To avoid health problems for your pet, Purina Van food can be used for no longer than one week.”

In terms of price-quality ratio, Purina One nutrition is a leader among competitive offers in the economy segment. However, reviews from professional veterinarians confirm that the composition, although balanced, is rather meager and cannot support the vital functions of small pets at the proper level. Therefore, the food line can only be used as a temporary replacement for the main diet.

For adults and seniors

The manufacturer produces several lines of dog food. Products are divided depending on the size, age of the dog, its activity and other characteristics.

Dog Chow: food for dogs and puppies of large and small breeds

Purina One dog food is mostly designed for small breeds, but you can find products for medium and large breeds. Both dry and wet versions are available.

The Purina Van line of mini food for small breed dogs includes 4 types of food:

• adult. These feeds are suitable for feeding animals from 1 to 6 years old, which lead a fairly quiet lifestyle. Ingredients include beef and rice;
• active. This diet is recommended for dogs with increased physical activity and an active lifestyle. Contains chicken and rice;
• "Healthy weight." The food is designed specifically for pets prone to weight gain. The main ingredients are rice and turkey;
• sensitive. This diet is designed specifically for animals with problems with the gastrointestinal tract. The basis of the diet is rice and salmon.

The same lines are produced in the form of wet food.

Note! It is recommended to soak dry food in water or kefir before giving it to your pet.

They do not produce a separate line of food for older dogs, so it is believed that in this case products for adult dogs can be used.

Many owners note that the wet variety is better than the dry variety, if only because it contains more vegetables. Available in sachets of 100 g.

Dry dog ​​food is packaged in bags of 600 g and 1.5 kg. For medium and large breeds you can purchase 3.8 kg packs.

The range includes food for dogs with increased physical activity