Some consumers have concerns about the quality of dog food by Purina —as well as Pedigree.
By Eva Hagan
Feb. 15 2024, Published 2:56 p.m. ET
Picking the proper food for your pet can take a lot of research, trial, and error. With so many pet foods out there, it's often stressful picking the one that will give your pet the right amount of nutrients and energy, while also matching their individual needs.
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Purina, one of the most popular pet food brands out there, has received a flood of criticism after customers claimed their pets became sick after eating the Purina Pro Plan food. Many have been wondering if Purina is good for dogs — here's what you need to know.
Many vets assert that Purina is good for dogs. In fact, it ranks at the top of PetMD's list of "8 Best Puppy Foods in 2024 Recommended by Vets." However, several online videos alleging that Purina's Pro Plan pet food has made pets sick have led to rumors that the food is unsafe.
According to CBS News, the posts include claims that dogs have experienced diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, and even death from eating Purina Pro Plan food. Purina made a statement on Jan. 15, 2024, responding to the posts, which the company referred to as "rumors."
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Purina stated:
"In light of the rumor, our Quality Assurance team has reviewed all incoming consumer contacts, manufacturing, and quality assurance data ... for the past year, and we have found no data or trend that would indicate an issue."
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In March 2023, Purina Pro Plan's Veterinary Diets EL Elemental dog food was recalled due to its too-high vitamin D content. However, as of Feb. 6, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration has not recalled the Purina Pro Plan pet food, per CBS News.
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Is Pedigree good for dogs?
Pedigree is another prominent pet food brand, and is generally considered good for dogs,according to Veternarians.org. The article, which was reviewed by a vet, asserts that Pedigree dog food is a good budget-friendly option that includes "average-quality" ingredients to cover all the bases of nutrition. However, like Purina, pet parents have mixed reviews of the food.
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Within the Q&A forum of Rover, a pet-sitting and dog-walking service website, most of the Pedigree reviews are cautionary, often criticizing the brand's use of corn and meat byproducts.
According to Dog Food Advisor, Pedigree has 1 star out of 5. The dog food rating website references Pedigree's use of anonymous bone meals for protein, which are often slaughterhouse byproducts, and sometimes do not digest well. Because of this, along with the use of artificial coloring such as red dye No. 40, and the lower quality fat and grain ingredients, Dog Food Advisor does not recommend Pedigree.
It's important to remember that no matter what pet food brand you buy, there are likely going to be contesting opinions about which is best. This is why it is always a good idea to ask a veterinarian any pet food questions you have, and to heed their recommendations based on the specific needs of your pet.
The social media platform TikTok has countless videos and millions of views on videos claiming Purina Pro Plan dog food was responsible for pets getting sick. In a Friday statement, Purina said “these false statements may be creating unnecessary stress for pet parents.”
When this false rumor began, we promptly reviewed all quality assurance data dating back a year and found no product issues. Those behind this false rumor have repeatedly tested our pet foods and admittedly found no issues.
Purina® dog food diets are formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition. They contain nutritious high-quality by-product ingredients that contribute to nutritional value of a pet food. These nutritious sources can provide essential amino acids, calcium, and other important minerals and vitamins.
Concerningly, many traditional vets are holding fast to Purina's statements of “[t]here are no health or safety issues with our products, and they can continue to be fed with confidence” Source.
Nestlé Purina PetCare is the subject of a class-action lawsuit brought by a group of residents who live within a one-mile radius to its factory located at 4555 York St.in Denver, Colorado. According to the complaint, plaintiffs said a "rancid" smell from the pet food processing plant is impacting their lives.
On Jan. 5, 2024, Purina responded to safety concerns being raised in viral posts, calling the claims “online rumors.” “These false statements may be creating unnecessary stress for pet parents. There are no health or safety issues with any of our products, and they can continue to be fed with confidence,” the St.
The company in March 2023 recalled Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental prescription dog food due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D.
The Dog Food Advisor finds Rachael Ray to be an above-average, grain-inclusive kibble. The recipe uses a notable amount of fresh meat and named meat meal as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand 4 stars. Nutrish Peak and Nutrish Dish each get 4.5 stars.
Conclusion. Purina Pro Plan is the winner in this comparison. It has many more options than Hill's Science Diet, and you can stay within the brand if you notice your dog's nutritional needs changing as they age. It also has plenty of recipes for dogs with health concerns and athletic lifestyles.
For many veterinarians, the cost of stocking pet food (and even drugs) is not worth the return, so they choose to write prescriptions or make suggestions for certain diets. When veterinarians send pet owners elsewhere, they do not make any money off the foods they suggest.
Purina one is a premium brand. It's highly respected in the veterinary community and backed by the collective knowledge of the veterinarians and scientists at Purina. Based on the vets I've worked for it's tied as one of the top five to ten brands to buy for your dog.
Of all Purina pet food products sold in the USA, 99% are made in the USA. The vast majority of ingredients used in Purina products made in the U.S. are sourced here in the U.S. Like other food companies, Purina does source a limited amount of ingredients from other countries, including China.
Nestle Purina Petcare Company was named in a class action lawsuit alleging that the company markets pet foods as natural, although the products contain synthetic ingredients, reported Legal Newsline. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Mid America Pet Food has voluntarily recalled all the pet food brands it manufactured with a best by date before 10/31/2024, which include Victor, Eagle Mountain, Wayne Feeds and two varieties of Member's Mark pet foods. These products include both dog and cat foods and were sold nationwide in retail stores and online.
Side effects of dog probiotics may be diarrhea, gas, bloating and other digestive issues. If the problems you're trying to treat don't improve after a short period, contact your veterinarian.
Introduction: My name is Clemencia Bogisich Ret, I am a super, outstanding, graceful, friendly, vast, comfortable, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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