Eukanuba vs Purina Pro Plan Dog Food

Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.

We all want our dogs to be happy, healthy, and well-fed. But sometimes it can be hard to know which food is right for them.

You might be considering Eukanuba vs Purina Pro Plan – two very popular dog food brands – but how do you decide?

Lots of hours have to be poured into research, so we’ve done the hard work for you, now all you have to do is read and decide!

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purina pro plan vs eukanuba Dog Food Comparison

Overview: Eukanuba vs Purina Pro Plan Dog Food

⚠️ Consider the following when choosing dog food:

  • Life stage
  • Size of dog
  • Grain-inclusive or grain-free

What’s most important in choosing the right type of food for your dog is understanding its breed (activity levels) and any existing allergies.

If you need more help, consult your vet or find a veterinary nutritionist at the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (AVCM).

Eukanuba and Purina Pro Plan are both good dog food brands.

They are well-known, popular, and have a long history of feeding dogs.

Each company offers a variety of different formulas to suit your dog’s needs, including for active breeds and senior diets.

However, they do have some slight differences in their approach to feeding your pup.

But which one is better?

Here are the 6 important factors we will cover:

  • Brand Reputation
  • Ingredients
  • Key Nutrients
  • Range of formulas
  • Product Safety and Recall
  • Price

1. Brand Reputation

Eukanuba

Fun fact: Eukanuba is owned by Mars Incorporated, the same business that makes chocolate bars.

Probably unknown to many dog owners is the fact that Mars has a significant presence in the dog food industry.

It owns a number of other brands, including Advance, Cesar, and IAMS, among many others.

A new high-protein dog food was developed by Eukanuba with performance and nutritional science as its top priorities and this meal has quietly become quite popular all around the world.

They have also grown to be a partner for other organizations that support canine athletes, including the North American Diving Dogs, the Super Retriever Series, and the American Kennel Club.

Purina Pro Plan

Purina Pro Plan is a premium brand of dog food, and it is produced by the company Purina.

The company’s history trace back to the 19th century, and they are now one of the leading brands in this industry worldwide.

Their Pro Plan line offers several different types of dog food for different stages in your pet’s life, from puppy to senior years.

Not only that. they were one of the first companies to develop a complete and balanced diet for dogs, in addition to being one of the first companies with pet nutritionists on staff (more than 500 professionals now).

They also own several manufacturing and research sites, one of which is devoted to studying animal health.

Doggy says, you might be keen to read this too: Why do vets recommend Purina?

2. Ingredients

⚠️ A few points to note about the product label

Product name – tells you the percentage of the main ingredient

  • “Chicken” – at least 70% of the product.
  • “Chicken entree”, “Chicken platter”, “Chicken dinner” – at least 10% of the product.
  • “With chicken” – at least 3% of the product
  • “Chicken flavor” – less than 3% of the product

Ingredients – The first few items listed are the most important and make up the majority of the product (determined by weight).

Meat-meal – Can have much more protein than actual meat. To further understand, refer to this guide by AAFCO.

In this Eukanuba and Purina Pro Plan comparison article, we will consider the following dry food products from each company:

Eukanuba

Dogs competing in events frequently choose the premium, high-quality brand of dog food company Eukanuba.

They have learned a lot about the best dog foods throughout the course of the company’s more than 50-year history.

To start, they employ premium protein sources that are freshly purchased from the best suppliers in the industry.

Eukanuba Dog Food is made in Leipsic, Ohio, with its main components coming from New Zealand, Europe, and the US.

Here are the top 5 ingredients used in this particular kibble:

  • Lamb
  • Brewers rice
  • Chicken by-product meal
  • Wheat
  • Corn

Potential harmful ingredients: Sodium hexametaphosphate.

Purina Pro Plan

To create the greatest dog food recipes, Purina employs around 500 scientists and nutritionists just for canines and spends millions of dollars at various research facilities.

Real meat is always the first ingredient in Purina Pro Plan, which is offered in grain-inclusive and grain-free forms.

Additionally, you may encounter the utilization of meat by-products, in this case from chicken, which some may find objectionable but which we think is completely fine.

Production of dog food is subject to stringent laws and only tested products may be utilized, so we feel quite safe for our dogs to consume them.

In fact, they can be quite advantageous to your dog because meat by-products like liver contain more protein than ordinary muscle meat. Dogs in the wild also eat them.

Here are the top 5 ingredients used in this particular kibble:

  • Chicken
  • Rice
  • Whole wheat grain
  • Poultry by-product
  • Soybean meal

Potential harmful ingredients: None.

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3. Key Nutrients

In the United States, every pet food label must include a guaranteed analysis of the nutrients, under AAFCO (The Association of American Feed Control Officials) guidelines.

It has strict guidelines to follow to guarantee that a product is balanced and comprehensive for dogs.

As indicated by the “assured analysis,” this means that full and balanced diets must contain the absolute minimum of all nutrients needed by dogs.

The analysis must validate minimum crude protein and crude fat percentages as well as maximum crude fiber and moisture percentages.

The tables below will show you the data from the two brands.

Take note: When comparing dog food nutrient percentages, you should remove the amount of moisture to make it an even comparison.

This is also referred to as calculating its dry matter basis (use this calculator).

This approach is a more accurate way to understand the true nutrient contents of dog food, instead of just relying on the number on the label (which is an ‘as-fed’ basis).

3.1 Eukanuba vs Purina Pro Plan dog food nutrients comparison – Guaranteed analysis

Key nutrientEukanubaDry matter basisPurina Pro PlanDry matter basis
Crude Protein22.5% min25%26% min29.55%
Crude Fat12% min13.33%16% min18.18%
Crude Fiber3.7% max4.11%3% max3.41%
Moisture10% max12% max
Based on dry adult dog food

Crude protein

Protein is necessary for a dog’s diet to be healthy and well-balanced.

Their bodies require it for a variety of processes, including the development and upkeep of muscles and other tissues.

It is important for the growth of new skin, muscle, and hair cells among other things.

Additionally, it aids in the production of hormones and enzymes, two essential physiological elements.

It boosts immunity and releases energy as carbs do.

It’s important to choose a meal that contains the correct amount of proteins because dogs can only manufacture about half of the 22 amino acids needed to produce proteins; the other half must be received from food.

Purina Pro Plan has the advantage here, which is surprising since Eukanuba has a strong focus on high protein for active dogs. That said, both provide sufficient protein for all regular dogs.

Crude fat

An appropriate amount of fat can help your dog live a longer, healthier life as it is an essential nutrient in your dog’s diet.

Active dogs require more fat to fuel their muscles and provide them the energy they require to go around.

Dogs who are fed a high-fat diet have better performance and a greater capacity to burn fat, especially working and sporting dogs.

Both brands have fat content that is within healthy limits, which is 20% of a dog’s diet.

Crude fiber

Fiber promotes regular bowel movements and the formation of solid, well-formed stools by increasing mass and absorbing more water.

It also aids in the maintenance of a balanced intestinal pH level, which prevents the growth of potentially harmful bacteria in your dog’s digestive system.

Finally, it improves the condition of their digestive system and gives them a sense of fullness, which may reduce their appetite and help them avoid overeating.

Both of these two dog food provide adequate fiber for most dogs, falling between the good range of 2% to 6%. Unless you have been advised by your dog to let your dog have a high fiber diet, these will be suitable.

A side note here is that this particular kibble from Purina Pro Plan also contains additional probiotics, which is good for your dog’s gut health.

4. Range of Formulas

Another important consideration is the availability of a wide range of formulations, as the majority of dog owners prefer to avoid switching brands on a regular basis.

The good news is that both businesses cater to dogs of all sizes and ages, from tiny puppies to seasoned seniors, and offer a diverse range of tastes and substitutes.

The range in Purina is somewhat larger, while Eukanuba can be seen as a specialist for dogs that are very active or those seeking high performance.

5. Product Safety and Recall History

You should always be aware of the safety and recall history of your pet’s food.

This is especially important as you want to know that your money isn’t going to a company that has had any major issues in the past.

And obviously, we need to know what we are feeding our dogs is safe!

I try to update this section as much as possible, but if you find anything amiss, you may double-check on the FDA’s site or its archives for accuracy.

Eukanuba

There have been a few recalls in Eukanuba’s history, with the latest happening in 2013.

The cause was the potential for salmonella.

Purina Pro Plan

In March 2016, a few varieties of Pro Plan wet dog food sold in tubs were recalled because of inadequate vitamin/mineral levels.

6. Price

Although price is important, you should not base your decision solely on it.

The price of a product can be a good indicator of its quality and quantity, which means that cheap and good products are scarce.

I’ve noticed that some products are less expensive than others because they use fillers or lower-quality ingredients, which can lead to health problems later on.

If you want something that will last longer and deliver more nutrients, it may be worth spending a little more on a reputable brand.

BrandAdult Dry Food
Eukanuba$2.12/lb
Purina Pro Plan$1.83/lb
based on similar product packaging; always check for latest prices

In Conclusion: Eukanuba vs Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Comparison

Now that you know the key differences between Eukanuba and Purina Pro Plan, which would you pick?

Of the two, my personal choice would be Purina Pro Plan as it provides plenty of nutrition at a much more cost-effective price.

Quick note: My personal choice for dog food now is Ollie fresh dog food. Find out what’s good about Ollie here.

Keep in mind that every dog is unique and that there is no such thing as the best dog diet.

Always take into account the breed, lifestyle, and allergies of your dog, and this should direct you in the right direction.

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Zack Keithy
Zack Keithy

Hey, I'm Zack, the Chief Editor here. I was formerly a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) for a good 6 years before moving on to greener pastures. Right now, I am still heavily involved in dog parenting duties, and it is my desire to share all our knowledge with fellow dog owners out there! Connect with me on LinkedIn, or read more about Canine Care Central!

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