Both Purina and Royal Canin are well-known pet food brands. But which one is better? It really depends on your pet’s individual needs. Here’s a look at the key differences between Purina and Royal Canin to help you decide which brand is right for your pet.
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Purina vs Royal Canin: Companies’ History Comparison
Purina was founded in 1894 as Robinson-Danforth Commission Company and later changed its name to Ralston Purina in 1902. The 128-year-old company is based in St. Louis, Missouri, and is now a subsidiary of Nestle.
On the other hand, Royal Canin has only been around since 1968 having been founded by French veterinary surgeon Jean Cathary in the Gard region in France. It was started by a veterinarian with the aim of providing better nutrition for dogs.
Royal Canin’s HQ in the US is St. Charles in Missouri. It has manufacturing facilities in Missouri and South Dakota and offices all across the country.
Purina vs Royal Canin: Product Offerings Comparison
Purina offers a wide variety of both dog and cat food products under different brands such as Purina One, Purina Pro Plan, and PurinaOn the other hand, Royal Canin has been in existence for over 50 years having been established in 1968. The company provides a wide range of pet food products for both dogs and cats.
Purina’s primary focus is on providing affordable, high-quality pet foods. The company offers over 400 different types of pet food products.
In contrast, Royal Canin focuses on providing customized nutrition for pets based on their individual needs. The company offers over 200 types of pet food products.
Formulas Comparison
Purina’s dog food formulas are based on three key principles: high-quality ingredients, stringent safety standards, and targeted nutrition.
Royal Canin’s dog food formulas are based on the following:
– Providing customized nutrition for dogs based on their individual needs
– Use of high-quality ingredients
– Strict safety standards
Some of the common formulas offered by Purina include Puppy Chow, Dog Chow, and Beneful.
Royal Canin’s formula offerings include sizes, breeds, ages, and special needs. For example, the company offers formulas for small dogs, large dogs, puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs.
Key differences between Purina and Royal Canin
- Purina has a variety of brands: Purina One, Purina Pro Plan, and Purina Royal Canin has a focus on customized nutrition for pets based on their individual needs Purina offers over 400 types of pet food products while Royal Canin offers over 200
- Custom recipes: While both companies offer formulas for different life stages, Royal Canin provides options for specific size, breed, ages, and special needs.
- Pricing Comparison: Purina’s products are generally more affordable than Royal Canin’s. For example, a 28-pound bag of Purina Dog Chow costs $24.99 while a 17-pound bag of Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult dry dog food costs $54.99.
- Specialized nutrition: Purina’s Purina One and Purina Pro plans are geared towards providing specialized nutrition for specific needs such as weight control, sensitive stomachs, and more. Royal Canin also provides specialized nutrition formulas for things like joint health, indoor cats, and more.
What’s not great about Purina
- Controversial ingredients: Some of Purina’s formulas have come under fire for containing controversial ingredients such as corn, soy, and by-products. Other controversial ingredients present in Purina recipes include artificial colors and dyes which have no nutritional value to pets.
- Recalls: Purina has had several recalls over the years including a 2012 recall for salmonella contamination and a 2007 recall for melamine contamination.
- Use of fillers: Purina has been criticized for overusing soybean, corn, and wheat meal as fillers. These ingredients are often used to bulk up formulas and can be hard for pets to digest.
What’s not great about Royal Canin
- High prices: Royal Canin’s products are generally more expensive than Purina’s. Some of their recipes such as Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Skin Support Dry Dog Food go for over $150.
- Use of by-products: Some of Royal Canin’s formulas contain by-products which are considered to be low-quality ingredients. By-products can include things like feet, feathers, and organs.
- Use of low-quality grains such as brewers’ rice: While not all of Royal Canin’s formulas contain low-quality grains, some of them do. Low-quality grains such as brewers’ rice can be hard for pets to digest and may cause health problems.
Recalls: Purina vs Royal Canin
Purina has had more recalls compared to Royal Canin. Purina Beneful was recalled in 2007 for melamine contamination, and in 2012 for salmonella contamination. While Royal Canin has had no recalls in recent years, the company did have a recall in 2006 for vitamin D3 toxicity.
Over the past 10 years, Purina has been recalled more than 5 times which is significantly higher than Royal Canins’.
Puppy Formulas: Purina Pro vs Royal Canin
Royal Canin has 23 products specifically formulated for puppies while Purina Pro has only 10 products. Royal Canin’s products are breed-specific while Purina Pro’s line of products are geared towards puppies of different sizes of dogs such as small-size, medium and large-size breeds.
Bottom line:
For puppies, you’re better off with Royal Canin. The company has more products to choose from and their formulas are breed-specific.
Adult Formulas: Purina Pro vs Royal Canin
Royal Canin has a whooping 96 products formulated for adults while Purina Pro only has 23 products for adults. Royal Canin’s options are wider with over 40 vet options and several flavors such as duck, kangaroo, rabbit, veggie, and venison.
Bottom line:
For adult dogs, you’re better off with Royal Canin. The company has more products to choose from and their formulas are more specialized.
Weight Control Formulas: Purina One vs Royal Canin
Purina One has 3 products specifically for weight control while Royal Canin has 11. Purina One’s products are only available in dry food form while Royal Canin has both dry and wet food options.
Senior Formulas: Purina Pro vs Royal Canin
Purina Pro has 3 senior-specific diets for dogs while Royal Canin has 11.
Canned Formulas: Purina Pro vs Royal Canin
Purina Pro has 46 canned food options while Royal Canin has almost double – 73 canned formulas for dogs of all stages.
Which one is best?
There is no easy answer when it comes to deciding between Purina and Royal Canin. Both brands have their pros and cons. However, if we had to choose one, we would go with Royal Canin because they have more specialized formulas for different life stages and needs. They also have a greater variety of flavors which can make mealtime more enjoyable for your dog.
When it comes to price, Purina is the better option. Their products are generally less expensive than Royal Canin’s.
If you’re looking for a brand with fewer recalls, then Purina is the way to go. However, if you’re willing to overlook a few recalls, then Royal Canin is the better choice because they have more formulas to choose from.
In the end, the best way to decide between Purina and Royal Canin is to talk to your veterinarian and figure out what’s best for your dog’s individual needs.
FAQ on Purina vs Royal Canin vs Others
Q: Purina vs IAMs
A: Iams is a subsidiary of Procter & Gamble, while Purina is owned by Nestle. Iams has been around since 1946 and offers a wide variety of products for dogs and cats. Iams was one of the first companies to use animal-based proteins in their pet food formulas.
Purina has been around since 1894 and offers a wide variety of products for both dogs and cats. Purina is known for their “Beggin’ Strips” which are popular among dog owners.
When it comes to price, Iams is the cheaper option. Iams also has more formulas specifically for weight control and senior pets. However, Purina has more canned food options.
Q: Purina vs Science diet
A: Science Diet is a subsidiary of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, while Purina is owned by Nestle. Science Diet was founded in 1930 and offers a wide variety of products for dogs and cats. Science Diet is known for their “prescription” diets which are formulaic diets that are only available through veterinarians.
Purina has been around since 1894 and offers a wide variety of products for both dogs and cats.
When it comes to price, Science Diet is the more expensive option. However, Science Diet offers more formulas specifically for weight control and senior pets. Purina has more canned food options.
Q: Purina vs Blue buffalo
A: Blue Buffalo is a privately-owned company, while Purina is owned by Nestle. Blue Buffalo was founded in 2002 and offers a wide variety of products for dogs and cats. Blue Buffalo is known for their “Life Protection Formula” which is a line of products that are designed to be “holistic.”
Purina has been around since 1894 and offers a wide variety of products for both dogs and cats.
When it comes to price, Blue Buffalo is the more expensive option. Blue Buffalo also offers more formulas specifically for weight control and senior pets. However, Purina has more canned food options.
Q: Purina vs Eukanuba
A: Eukanuba is a subsidiary of Procter & Gamble, while Purina is owned by Nestle. Eukanuba was founded in 1969 and offers a wide variety of products for dogs. Eukanuba is known for their “Performance Formulas” which are designed for active dogs.
Purina has been around since 1894 and offers a wide variety of products for both dogs and cats.
When it comes to price, Purina is the cheaper option. Eukanuba also offers more formulas specifically for weight control and senior pets. However, Purina has more canned food options.
Q: Purina vs Wellness
A: Wellness is a subsidiary of WellPet, while Purina is owned by Nestle. Wellness was founded in 1997 and offers a wide variety of products for dogs and cats. Wellness is known for their “Core” line of products which are designed to be nutrient-rich.
When it comes to price, Wellness is the more expensive option. Wellness also offers more formulas specifically for weight control and senior pets. However, Purina has more canned food options.
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Hi there! My name is Ben Domb, an owner of two pets and I am one of the co-founders of OurPets HQ. I have several years of experience as a pet care professional in the New England region having spent time in various roles including a stint at a veterinary hospital in Upstate New York, Syracuse area. I am a certified pet care professional and mostly spend my time researching pet nutrition and sharing my thoughts in various blogs and columns. With quarantine and COVID restrictions, I have been spending a lot of time a lot with my dogs and cat and loving it! I also run a small consulting business providing advice to parents on pet nutrition, and especially safe homemade options to try. You can reach me at ben@ourpetshq.com
