Diet & Nutrition

We're pet lovers ourselves, and we believe all pets deserve nutrition that goes beyond industry standards. From advancing the way kibble is made to employing over 400 scientists and nutritionists today, we work continually to push pet nutrition forward for dogs everywhere.

Learn more about Our Nutrition Philosophy.

Dogs, just like humans, have complex nutritional needs. It can be hard for owners to understand every facet of what their dog needs, but they needn't look beyond their pet food. That's because pet foods should provide a complete and balanced diet for pets. At Purina, we reflect dogs’ natural needs using our quality ingredients. One common misconception is that dogs are carnivores. The reality is that even their wolf ancestors eat only 70% meat. Today's dogs are omnivores, built to consume a more balanced diet - and that's a good thing. Depending on the breed, dogs can live twice as long as wolves. 

To understand your dog's needs, let's look at his physiology:

Immune System

Protein and antioxidants found in omega fatty acids help support your dog's immune system.

Skin and Coat

Omega-6 fatty acids, Vitamin E, and specific amino acids (the building blocks of protein) help maintain your dog's healthy skin and coat.

Digestion

Wholesome grains and high-quality protein sources make it easier for your dog to digest the nutrients in his food.

Bones and Teeth

To help support strong bones, dogs need calcium and phosphorus.

Vision

Vitamin A helps keep dogs' vision sharp.

Take a look at some of our key ingredients and nutrients:

Protein sources from meat, fish or poultry

Real meat provides the flavors dogs love and the high-quality protein they need.

Dietary fat and Omega fatty acids

Dietary fats are a rich source of energy. Essential fatty acids are key in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Energy-rich carbohydrates

Wholesome grains help maintain your dog's energy.

Vitamins and minerals

A mix of vitamins and minerals provides complete and balanced nutrition while supporting a healthy immune system and promoting a shiny, healthy coat.

The Good: Omega-3 and Omega 6- Fatty acids

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in plant sources whereas Omega-3 fatty acids are typically found in marine sources. These fatty acids are important components of a dog’s diet and have a variety of biological functions, including promoting healthy skin, coat and immune system, and helping to regulate inflammation. 

The Bad: Raw Diets

Raw diets may not provide dogs with the complete and balanced nutrition they need. These diets may also expose dogs to the threat of food-borne pathogens. 

Corn has come under scrutiny lately in discussions about human food and pet food alike. Some pet food companies are even substituting other ingredients, like potatoes, for corn. While we do provide corn-free foods for the less than 1% of dogs that may have sensitivity to corn, we stand behind our decision to include corn in the majority of our dog foods. Until our scientists can find evidence that removing corn would benefit dogs, we won't do it.

Learn more about our point-of-view on corn.

Dogs may enjoy a table scrap or two, but that doesn’t mean they should be a large part of your dog’s diet. That's because most human food doesn't provide the complete and balanced nutrition dogs need. Treats should be limited to no more than 10% of their total daily calories. Ask your veterinarian if these are ok for your dog. In general, table scraps are not good for your dog and we recommend avoiding them.