For many of us, pets aren’t just pets, they’re family, friends, and loyal companions. And so it’s only natural to provide them with the best living conditions we can. While most people would not hesitate to spend money on any medical help for their dogs, we would rather not, of course, and would be happy to see our four-legged healthy and cheerful at all times.
That can be majorly achieved with the right food and balanced nutrition. Once again, just like with human food, you know that healthier options are often costly. The brand we are reviewing is a good compromise that can save you from compromising your pup’s health. The Pure Balance dog food manufacturer set out to offer affordable products without sacrificing their quality for it. They managed to find the right ingredients that result in nutritious meals for your dog while avoiding the use of questionable substances and cheap fillers other affordable brands may rely on.
Who Makes Pure Balance Dog Food?
The decision to create this brand belongs to Walmart, and they introduced it in 2012. Obviously, it was meant to be exclusive to this retailer’s stores, but that’s hardly a downside considering how widespread they are. This also improves the matters of pickup and delivery, which can be ordered on Wall-mart’s official website along with all the other goods you may be buying there.
Clearly, Wall-Mart is only a distributor of these products, not a manufacturer. Since the brand is meant to be WM’s exclusive, you won’t find mentions of other companies on the package, but they don’t hide the fact the food is produced by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition.
Knowing the company’s record, there’s no reason to worry, as it’s a distinguished privately owned pet food manufacturing company operating since 1933. It uses ingredients from local suppliers with the United States and has received an “Excellent” rating from the Global Food Safety Initiative.
Pure Balance Dog Food Reviews
When launched, the brand only had a couple of options for dog owners, but their success and accessibility helped to expand the product line. New sources of animal protein and carbohydrates were added while maintaining the main principles, quality and affordability.
Customers seem to be satisfied with this brand, and although it cannot compete with some top pet food producers, it’s a decent offer in its price segment. After all, there’s a certain limit for everything that is meant to be more affordable than similar products yet retaining a high level of quality. Luckily, customers recognize the need to generate profits and don’t have inflated expectations. Pure Balance dog food ratings remain high through the years as the company does a great job offering a variety of recipes for well-balanced diets dogs at all stages of their lives will enjoy.
Pure Balance Grain-Free Salmon & Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Natural ingredients for healthy vision and heart support
- Peas help to achieve desirable fiber content
Pure Balance Grain-Free Wild & Free Bison, Pea, Potato & Venison Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Bison as the key ingredient provides novelty proteins
- Additional vitamins and minerals for balanced nutrition
Pure Balance Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Real lamb meat makes a delicious recipe
- Brown rice is used for easy digestion
Pure Balance Dry Dog Food Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
- A simple main ingredient with added nutritional elements
- Contains no soy, wheat, corn, artificial flavors or fillers
Pure Balance Wild & Free Superfood Blend Trout & Lentils Recipe Food for Dogs
- A premium recipe with US-sourced trout at the core
- Lentils help digestion, chia seeds are useful for good skin and coat
Pure Balance Grain-Free Salmon & Pea Recipe Dry Dog Food
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
This salmon-based recipe is great for young dogs’ development, as well as for the well-being of adult and older canines.
Like all of the brand’s recipes, this Pure Balance salmon and pea dog food contains no wheat, corn, or soy. A lot of manufacturers use those lower-quality fillers to achieve a lower price tag. Here, nutrients come from other natural ingredients like whole ground potato, dried peas, flaxseed. Considering the final calorie content reaches a very good figure of 376 kcals per cup, this is a great source of energy for your pooch.
The main sources of protein are, of course, salmon and salmon meal, which come first on the list. Even occasional fish is good for the body, but the recipe contains other useful additions to make this food a healthy everyday choice.
Probiotics and fiber improve digestion, while Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids improve the condition and appearance of skin and coat.
The food comes/with a feeding chart on the package, as well as proper transitioning instructions.
KEY FEATURES:
- Kcals per cup: 376
- Protein: at least 24%
- Fat: at least 15%
- Fiber: at most 5%
- Moisture: at most 10%
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Type: Dry food
- Breed size: All breeds
- Life Stage: Adult
- Weight: 4-pound bags
WHAT WE LOVED:
- A recipe that uses no grains
- Salmon is the key component
- Additional elements for healthy skin and coat
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:
- A lower protein content than in other PB foods
Pure Balance Grain-Free Wild & Free Bison, Pea, Potato & Venison Recipe Dry Dog Food
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
Provide your dog with novelty proteins that derive from real bison meat and venison, accompanied by natural vegetables and useful vitamins.
This Pure Balance bison and pea dog food is a good solution if you want to change your pup’s diet to avoid more traditional ingredients with allergic effects. Additional protein is supplied by dried peas to maintain the nutrition value on a higher level than your average canine food options.
This high content of quality proteins makes the recipe ideal for growing and adult dogs that are particularly active and need additional materials for their muscles. Other vitamins and minerals are also included for better development and operation of the immune system, digestion, and heart.
Unfortunately, this recipe does not contain any glucosamine or chondroitin, which your pup’s joints would benefit from. However, you can’t expect one recipe to have just everything, especially when its price is considered.
KEY FEATURES:
- Kcals per cup: 386
- Protein: at least 30%
- Fat: at least 15%
- Fiber: at most 5%
- Moisture: at most 10%
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Type: Dry food
- Breed size: All breeds
- Life Stage: Adult
- Weight: 24-pound bags
WHAT WE LOVED:
- Increased protein content
- All ingredients are of natural origin
- An affordable price
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:
- No supplements for healthier joints
Pure Balance Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
This tasty combination of real lamb and brown rice as the substitute for less-healthy grains will be a real treat for your canine friend.
While most recipes rely on ingredients that come from local suppliers, this Pure Balance lamb and rice dog food is one of the exceptions. In order to get the best products, lamb from New Zealand and Australia is often used. That, of course, still falls within the brand’s psychology of quality ingredients.
Brown rice is a great substitute for traditional grains that premium foods try to avoid. When cooked, this grain is easily digestible and is used to provide the necessary carbohydrates for your pup.
Along with the usual array of vitamins and minerals, vitamin A is a fine addition for keeping your dog’s eyesight sharp.
KEY FEATURES:
- Kcals per cup: 345
- Protein: at least 23%
- Fat: at least 15%
- Fiber: at most 5%
- Moisture: at most 10%
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Type: Dry food
- Breed size: All breeds
- Life Stage: All life stages
- Weight: 5-pound bags
WHAT WE LOVED:
- Premium quality lamb
- Vitamin A promotes better eyesight
- Brown rice and probiotics improve digestion
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:
- A lower protein content than in other PB foods
- Only two package sizes
Pure Balance Small Breed Grain Free Formula Chicken & Garden Vegetables Recipe Food for Dogs
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
This food has been specifically formulated for small breeds so that they get all the necessary elements and additional supplements with their meals.
The package comes with a Pure Balance dog food feeding chart, so if you have no prior experience with dogs that remain small after they grow up, it will be very helpful. Besides, the food is made in a way to be ingested in small bites.
As for the contents, it’s packed with high-quality natural ingredients with no trace of fillers, artificial additives, or low-quality grains that are known to be a frequent cause of allergies. The combination of chicken and various vegetables creates a natural diet.
This formula will also be good for senior puppies as it’s especially aimed at supporting muscle functions and the immune system.
KEY FEATURES:
- Kcals per cup: 409
- Protein: at least 26%
- Fat: at least 15%
- Fiber: at most 5%
- Moisture: at most 10%
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Type: Dry food
- Breed size: Small breeds
- Life Stage: Adult
- Weight: 11-pound bags
WHAT WE LOVED:
- The highest calorie content in PB dry foods
- Garden vegetables are rich in antioxidants
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:
- Large packages are not available
Pure Balance Dry Dog Food Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
This simple recipe contains nothing exotic, yet it is a protein-rich solution for an everyday diet that can fill your barker with energy and keep him or her in good health.
With this formula, your dog will receive protein from chicken, chicken meal, dried peas, pea protein, turkey meal, and some other natural ingredients added for additional health-improving purposes.
Since this is Pure Balance grain free dog food, this simply means that it is free of any soy, corn, or wheat. Instead, brown rice is used as an alternative source of carbohydrates required by any pup for a healthy life.
Vegetables enrich the food with antioxidants, and flaxseed is responsible for Omega-3 fatty acids and extra fiber content. The added vitamins are also aimed at bettering the immune system, eyes, and coat condition.
KEY FEATURES:
- Kcals per cup: 382
- Protein: at least 27%
- Fat: at least 16%
- Fiber: at most 5%
- Moisture: at most 10%
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Type: Dry food
- Breed size: All breeds
- Life Stage: Adult
- Weight: 15, 30-pound bags
WHAT WE LOVED:
- High calorie content
- All-natural ingredients
- Extra vitamins for better eyes and the immune system
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:
- Does not come in smaller packages
Pure Balance Wild & Free Superfood Blend Trout & Lentils Recipe Food for Dogs
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY
This recipe is considered a superfood because of the immensely useful products it combines like lentils that boost digestion, chia seeds that improve skin and coat, and US-sourced trout for protein as much as its alluring taste.
This is a superb alternative to Pure Balance salmon dog food if you want to treat your dog with more fish-flavored meals. It’s also one of the most premium foods in the line as it brings fiber-rich lentils and highly beneficial chia seeds to the table.
These ingredients also allow the recipe to be grain-free and enrich it with lots of positive effects. Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids aren’t just good for health but for appearance as well as they make the coat shinier.
Trout and lentils work even better when the mix includes probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, resulting in effective digestion and a properly developed body.
KEY FEATURES:
- Kcals per cup: 387
- Protein: at least 30%
- Fat: at least 15%
- Fiber: at most 5%
- Moisture: at most 10%
SPECIFICATIONS:
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Type: Dry food
- Breed size: All breeds
- Life Stage: Adult
- Weight: 11-pound bags
WHAT WE LOVED:
- Trout provides great taste and quality protein
- Chia seeds are good for skin and dog’s coat
- Lentils are rich in fiber and support digestion
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:
- There are concerns about the type of sunflower oil used
What Formulas Does Pure Balance Dog Food Have?
So far, the brand offers two dozen various formulas, making it possible for almost any dog owner to find something suitable for their pets. While some formulas do contain grains, most of them are grain-free, which should satisfy those concerned about added fillers and low-quality products with little nutritional value.
Among the variety of available formulas, there is Pure Balance dog food small breed canines will benefit from, and it will also be good for small puppies that represent large breeds. The majority of options will, of course, suit adult dogs, as some recipes have higher calorie content for more active mutts and purebreds alike.
There is also a number of foods that are meant to be for maintenance feeding and nothing more. This makes them perfect for geriatric dogs, while some recipes are also suitable for growing individuals. You can always check with the feeding guide on the package to see how much food is appropriate for a dog based on its size, age, and other conditions.
Pure Balance Dog Food Flavors and Lines
The brand cannot boast the largest number of different lines and flavors, yet it does offer a decent variety. Judging from reviews on Pure Balance dog food, customers are quite satisfied with the choices they get. They can either rotate between different flavors to provide their pets with a diverse diet plan or use this product range to find the right recipe for regular feeding.
Besides, the food comes in different types, so some recipes are available in wet and dry form.
Pure Balance Standard Line
In this line, you will find both grain free options and those that do include certain grains. Whichever flavor you choose for your dog, you can be sure it has a natural source of animal protein in it, along with an array of vegetables, fruits, and useful substances for proper nutrition. These are the Pure Balance dog food ingredients presented in this line:
- chicken and brown rice
- a chicken and rice recipe for puppies
- lamb with brown rice
- grain-free lamb with fava beans
- a grain-free chicken and garden veggies recipe for small dogs
Pure Balance Wild and Free Line
This line offers some novelty protein sources, although these recipes do come at a higher cost. The main focus is still on meat and fish, and so far, the line has the following options to offer:
- a bison and pea recipe with potato and venison
- salmon with pea (no grains)
- beef and wild boar
- a blend trout and lentil recipe
Pure Balance Wet Dog Food
As you may well know, canned food for pets tends to be more expensive, so many dog owners only use it once in a while to diversify the diet. However, if you can afford it to be a regular source of energy for your barky friend, you will also be able to change things up often with Pure Balance canned dog food. The options in this line are:
- a beef and chicken recipe
- turkey with sweet potato
- a chicken, vegetables, and brown rice stew
- lamb, pea, and carrot
- chicken dinner in gravy with peas and sweet potatoes
Pure Balance Ingredient Analysis
It is essential to see what goes into the recipes to answer “How good is Pure Balance dog food?” Let’s review the most common ingredients for this brand’s dry dog food products:
- Chicken, lamb, beef, salmon. There’s always at least one source of animal protein.
- Brown rice. It’s a healthier alternative to wheat, corn, or soy that provides carbohydrates.
- Dried peas. Besides carbohydrates, these also provide a good amount of dietary fiber.
- Beet pulp. Despite being a by-product, it’s a great source of fiber and is good for proper functioning of the intestines.
- Poultry fat. It’s an affordable source of Omega-6 fatty acid that is of essential importance to a dog’s health.
- Flaxseed. This ingredient provides Omega-3 fatty acids along with soluble fiber.
Pure Balance Guaranteed Analysis
The Pure Balance dog food nutrition levels correspond to the requirements of AAFCO. This is easily proven by the ingredient percentage provided on the back of the package.
The minimum protein levels may vary between 23-30% in kibble, but that’s already more than many competitors in the same price range can offer. The crude fat is guaranteed to make up at least 15% in all dry meals, and the fiber content is about 5% but doesn’t exceed it.
The dry foods cannot have too much liquid in them, so the moisture does not go higher than 10%. If your dog does not drink enough water separately, consider wet food with a guaranteed high percentage of moisture.
Pure Balance Recall History
While there are definitely some Pure Balance dog food complaints (although not very numerous for such a widespread brand), the company has had no recalls so far. Should this spotless record ever change after this review is published, you can always check it at the FDA’s website.
Conclusion
It’s time to sum things up and reveal what we think about this brand. To be honest, it’s unlikely to impress anyone, although that does not seem to be the point. The goal was to provide affordable pet food made of natural ingredients for Walmart customers to be able to pick up at their local stores of this chain. Based on those parameters, our Pure Balance dog food rating is pretty high, but it doesn’t reach the very top for several reasons.
While the brand does its best to provide a variety of recipes that are still moderately priced, it sure cannot compete with some other dog food producers. If you would like to buy formulas with some more exotic protein sources, Pure Balance has only got bison, venison, wild boar, and trout to offer. Nevertheless, their products are more than decent for regular diet, they have high protein and calories contents, and manage to add a good share of useful substances for better health and overall condition of your dog.
FAQs
This brand offers good products within its price range and can even compete with some more expensive premium dog foods. The protein, fat, and carbs contents are quite high, coming from quality sources.
The food is exclusively distributed by Wal-Mart, but where is Pure Balance dog food made? Since it’s manufactured by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, the production facilities are also located within the United States. As far as is known, all the ingredients are procured from local providers.
Food for dogs suffering from diabetes must be high in protein, low or moderate in fat, be highly digestible, contain low-glycemic carbs, and be made of all-natural ingredients. Pure Balance has several recipes that meet those requirements, so you should be able to choose the diet for your dog. Naturally, do not forget to consult a vet before switching to new formulas.
Most of the presented foods have between 23-27% of protein. Two dry food recipes exceed that limit and have up to 30% crude protein. The first one is the Wild & Free Bison and Pea recipe, and the other one is the Wild & Free Superfood Blend Trout & Lentils recipe.
This breed benefits from food that has high-quality proteins as the major component, contains no artificial flavors or fillers, and is grain-free which helps to avoid allergies to a limited ingredient. The inclusion of probiotics, as well as Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, are also an advantage. According to the nutritional analysis, Pure Balance is a good choice for German shepherds, just don’t forget to consult a vet about specific recipes.
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