Feeding a new puppy is a big task. You want the best food for their health. But good dog food can cost a lot of money. Many pet owners look for cheaper options.
Walmart offers a popular brand called Pure Balance. This brand claims to offer high quality cheaply. Our review will check these claims. We use real facts to help you choose.
Your puppy needs proper fuel to grow strong. This article analyzes ingredients, safety, and health benefits. You will learn if this brand is safe. We want to help your young dog thrive.
Who Makes Pure Balance Puppy Food?
Walmart owns the Pure Balance brand. They started this line in 2012. It is their first premium brand for pets. They wanted to sell natural pet food at low prices.
Many people ask who makes this food. Walmart does not own the cooking plants. They hire other companies to make it. A company called Ainsworth Pet Nutrition makes most of it.
Ainsworth is a famous name in pet food. A larger company called J.M. Smucker owns Ainsworth now. They make the food inside the United States. This helps keep quality high.
Walmart wanted to create a pet food that felt premium. They saw that owners were spending too much on fancy brands. They created Pure Balance to solve this big budget problem.
Ainsworth Pet Nutrition has been making pet food for decades. They have a great reputation in the pet industry. Their partnership with Walmart has been very successful for many years.
Online reviews of this Walmart brand show good feedback. Owners love the price. They also love that they can buy it easily. You can find it at your local store.
Pure Balance Pro+ Puppy Chicken and Rice Ingredients
Let us look at Pure Balance Pro+ Puppy Chicken and Rice. This is their main dry puppy food. The ingredient list tells us a lot. We must study the first few items.
The first ingredient is real chicken. Real meat is vital for growing dogs. It provides amino acids for strong muscles. This is a great start for this budget-friendly puppy food.
The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is a dry powder. It has much more protein than fresh chicken. This helps raise the total protein level in the kibble.
This recipe also contains brown rice and oatmeal. These grains provide energy for your playful puppy. They are easy to digest for most young dogs. They also contain healthy fiber.
Let us talk about the grains used in this food. Oatmeal is a fantastic source of energy. It is very gentle on a puppy’s sensitive stomach. It also helps keep them full.
The recipe also contains flaxseed. Flaxseed is rich in healthy fats. These fats help keep your puppy’s coat shiny and soft. They also support healthy skin from the inside out.
Some ingredients might cause worry for some owners. This food contains dried peas and pea protein. Peas are high in protein but can be controversial. Some studies link peas to heart issues.
The food also has dried beet pulp. This is a safe fiber source. It helps your puppy have firm stools. It is not just a cheap filler as some people think.
Nutritional Analysis: Is Pure Balance a Good Puppy Food?
Puppies need more nutrients than adult dogs. They need protein to build tissue. They need fat for energy. Let us check the guaranteed analysis of this dry puppy food now.
The dry puppy food has about 27 percent protein. It has around 16 percent fat. These numbers easily meet AAFCO standards for growth. They are great for most active puppies.
This food contains DHA for brain development. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid. It comes from fish oil. It helps your puppy learn fast. It also keeps their eyes healthy.
The recipe also includes calcium and phosphorus. These minerals build strong bones and teeth. The food is also a veterinarian formulated puppy food. This gives many pet owners peace of mind.
Your puppy’s immune system is still growing. This food has added vitamins and minerals to help. Antioxidants from natural sources protect your puppy. They keep them from getting sick as they grow.
The fat content in this food is also balanced. Fat is not bad for puppies. They need healthy fats to stay active and warm. It also helps them absorb vital vitamins.
You can buy this food on AMAZON to feed your pet. It is a simple way to get it shipped home. Many buyers love the fast shipping. It saves you a trip to the store.
Pure Balance Recall History
Safety is a top concern for every pet parent. You must know if a brand has a bad history. Let us look at the official Pure Balance recall history now.
Has Pure Balance puppy food ever been recalled? No, it has never been recalled. The brand has a clean safety record since its launch. This is impressive for a budget brand.
Many cheap dog foods suffer from frequent recalls. Ainsworth Pet Nutrition keeps a tight grip on quality. They test ingredients before they use them. This keeps your puppy safe from harm.
Some online forums mention other brands with similar names. Do not confuse this brand with Natural Balance. Natural Balance has had recalls in the past. Pure Balance remains completely recall-free today.
Is Pure Balance Dog Food WSAVA Approved?
Many vets talk about WSAVA guidelines. WSAVA stands for the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. They do not approve brands. They only share questions to ask pet food makers today.
Is Pure Balance dog food WSAVA approved? No, it does not meet these guidelines. The company does not employ a full-time veterinary nutritionist. They also do not perform feeding trials.
If you want a WSAVA-aligned food, you must look elsewhere. Brands like Purina, Iams, and Royal Canin fit. These brands spend millions on research. They have very large science teams.
Pure Balance is still a safe option. It meets AAFCO standards for growth. This means it has all the basic nutrients your puppy needs. It is just not backed by heavy science.
Some vets worry about brands that do not follow WSAVA. They feel these brands might miss some safety steps. However, many healthy puppies thrive on this food every single day.
You should talk to your own vet about this. They know your puppy’s specific health needs. They can help you choose the right food. Your vet is your best guide.
Pros and Cons of Pure Balance Puppy Food
Every dog food has good and bad points. You must weigh them before buying. This helps you make the best choice. Let us look at the main pros and cons.
The biggest pro is the low price. It is very cheap compared to other premium brands. It also has real chicken first. There are no artificial colors or flavors inside.
The biggest con is the lack of research. It does not follow WSAVA guidelines. Some recipes contain peas which some owners avoid. It is also only sold at Walmart and online.
Here is a quick summary of the pros and cons. Use this table to compare the benefits. It helps you see if this food fits your budget. Your puppy deserves a good meal.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Real chicken is the first ingredient | Not WSAVA compliant |
| Very budget-friendly pricing | Contains peas and pea protein |
| No artificial colors or preservatives | Limited flavors available |
| Clean recall history since 2012 | Hard to find outside Walmart |
Is Pure Balance Dog Food Made in the USA?
Many owners want to buy food made in the USA. This is because US plants have strict safety rules. Let us find out where Pure Balance makes their puppy kibble.
Yes, Pure Balance dog food is made in the USA. Ainsworth Pet Nutrition makes the food in their own plants. These plants are in Pennsylvania and Kansas. They follow strict safety guidelines.
Most ingredients are sourced from North America. However, some vitamins and minerals might come from other countries. This is a very common practice for almost all dog food brands today.
Ainsworth Pet Nutrition uses high quality testing. They check all raw ingredients for dangerous toxins. This extra care is why the brand has a completely clean safety record.
Buying US-made food supports local workers. It ensures the food does not travel far on ships. Fresh food is always much better for your growing puppy’s health.
You can fully trust the safety of these US plants. They have high standards for clean tools and fresh ingredients. This explains why the brand has a clean recall history.
How to Feed Pure Balance to Your Puppy
Puppies need to eat small meals throughout the day. Their tiny stomachs cannot hold much food. You should split their daily food into three small meals. This helps their digestion.
Always follow the feeding chart on the bag. The chart shows how much to feed based on weight. Adjust the amount as your puppy grows. Keep fresh water nearby at all times.
If you switch from another brand, do it slowly. Mix a little Pure Balance with the old food. Slowly increase the new food over seven days. This simple method prevents tummy upset.
Keep a close eye on your puppy’s body weight. If they get too heavy, feed them slightly less. If they seem too thin, you can feed them a little more.
Do not feed your puppy table scraps. Table food can upset their stomach. It can also make them picky eaters. Stick to their balanced dry puppy kibble for best results.
You can find this food easily on AMAZON to start today. Good puppy food is always the first step to a long life. Give your puppy the best care possible.
Our Final Verdict on Pure Balance Puppy Food
Is Pure Balance a good puppy food? Yes, it is a very good budget option. It has real chicken first and offers solid nutrition. The price is hard to beat.
It is not the absolute best food on the market. It lacks the deep scientific backing of larger brands. It also contains peas which some pet owners do not like.
If you have a tight budget, this is a great choice. It is much better than most cheap grocery store brands. Your puppy will get all the protein they need.
Pure Balance really stands out in the budget category. It avoids cheap corn and soy fillers. This makes it a much better option than basic grocery store brands.
Your puppy’s health is always worth the investment. If you can afford a WSAVA brand, buy that. If you need to save money, Pure Balance is a solid choice.
You can easily order a bag on AMAZON to try it out. Watch how your puppy likes the rich taste. Many young dogs really love the flavor of real chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Pure Balance puppy food?
Walmart owns the Pure Balance brand. However, they hire Ainsworth Pet Nutrition to make the food. Ainsworth is owned by J.M. Smucker. They make the food inside safe plants in the United States.
Has Pure Balance puppy food ever been recalled?
No, Pure Balance puppy food has never been recalled. The brand has maintained a clean safety record since its launch in 2012. This makes it a very safe choice for your puppy.
Is Pure Balance puppy food grain-free?
Pure Balance offers both grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes. The Pro+ Puppy Chicken and Rice formula contains healthy grains. Always check the bag label to see if a specific recipe is grain-free.
Where can I buy Pure Balance puppy food?
You can buy this puppy food at Walmart stores. It is also available online. You can purchase it easily on AMAZON to have it shipped straight to your front door.
