Purina ONE, a prominent brand within the Purina family, positions itself as a premium cat food option. But Is Purina One A Good Cat Food compared to other premium brands and even other Purina lines? This comprehensive review will delve into the ingredients, nutritional value, customer feedback, and more to help you make an informed decision for your feline companion.
We’ve analyzed Purina ONE based on key factors, providing a clear understanding of its strengths and weaknesses.
Ratings Breakdown:
- Species-Appropriateness: 7/10
- Ingredient Quality: 6/10
- Product Variety: 7/10
- Price: 8/10
- Customer Experience: 7/10
- Recall History: 7/10
Overall Score: 6.8/10 (B-)
Why Trust Our Review of Purina ONE?
Our detailed brand reviews combine extensive market research with expert knowledge and real-world product testing. Cat food experts write each review, incorporating insights from veterinarians, animal nutritionists, and cat behaviorists. We spend hours researching company history, analyzing customer reviews, scrutinizing product labels, and testing the food with our own cats. This thorough process ensures an unbiased and comprehensive assessment. We consider recall history, customer experiences, manufacturing, and packaging before in-depth nutritional analysis and feline tester feedback.
Purina ONE: A Closer Look
Launched in 1986 by Nestlè-Purina PetCare, Purina ONE was their initial venture into premium pet food, emphasizing natural ingredients for improved health.
Positioned between Purina Pro Plan and Purina Beyond, Purina ONE is generally the most affordable of the three. It often boasts a higher protein content but may contain more controversial ingredients than Beyond, such as artificial colors, corn gluten meal, and animal by-products. Compared to Pro Plan, however, Purina ONE generally has fewer artificial ingredients.
Ultimately, the nuances between Purina ONE and other Nestlè-Purina PetCare brands are subtle and vary by product.
Sourcing and Manufacturing of Purina ONE
Purina ONE, like most Purina foods, is primarily manufactured in the United States in company-owned facilities. Ingredients are primarily sourced from North America, though sourcing may extend to other countries based on availability and manufacturing location.
Purina provides limited details on specific ingredient sourcing, stating that “all Purina ONE natural dog food and cat food formulas use high-quality ingredients for nutrition that can lead to visible differences in your pet’s health.” While Purina offers an ingredient glossary, it mainly focuses on nutritional benefits rather than sources.
Purina ONE Recall History
Given Purina’s long-standing presence and numerous brands, a history of recalls is not unexpected. However, Purina ONE’s recall history is relatively limited.
In 2011, two lots of Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ dry cat food were recalled due to potential salmonella contamination.
Purina ONE Cat Food Options
Purina ONE is marketed as a premium line featuring natural ingredients with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. The selection includes wet and dry options, both grain-free and grain-inclusive. The brand divides its offerings into various product lines, each targeting specific nutritional needs or health benefits.
For instance, True Instinct is a grain-free, high-protein line emphasizing whole animal protein as the primary ingredient. Purina ONE +Plus includes recipes for kittens, indoor cats, senior cats, urinary health, and weight management. The LiveClear line reduces active Fel d1 levels (a major cat allergen).
Here’s a list of Purina ONE product lines:
- Purina ONE Healthy Kitten
- Purina ONE True Instinct
- Purina ONE Grain-Free
- Purina ONE LiveClear
- Purina ONE +Plus
- Purina ONE Ideal Weight
- Purina ONE Urinary Tract Health
- Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend
Purina offers a “Find Your Formula” tool on their website to provide personalized product recommendations and feeding guides. They also offer a 28-Day Challenge to track health improvements during the first month on Purina ONE, providing coupons for registering and completing the challenge.
Top 3 Purina ONE Cat Food Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Main Protein | Calories Per Ounce | Price | Our Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONE Tender Selects Blend with Real Chicken Dry Cat Food | Dry | Chicken | 107 kcal/oz. | $2.02 per lb | C- |
| ONE +Plus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Dry Cat Food | Dry | Chicken | 108 kcal/oz. | $2.05 per lb | C |
| ONE Chicken Recipe Paté Natural Grain-Free Canned Cat Food | Wet | Chicken | 32 | $0.33 per oz | A- |
#1 Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend with Real Chicken Dry Cat Food
One of Purina ONE’s most popular dry foods, this recipe combines crunchy kibble with tender morsels. Chicken is the first ingredient, seemingly the primary protein source. However, it also contains multiple plant-sourced proteins like corn gluten meal, soybean meal, and soy protein isolate.
Aside from its affordability, this food doesn’t stand out significantly from other kibble options. It’s a corn- and wheat-based food with artificial colors and flavors. While cats may enjoy the taste and some owners report positive results, we hesitate to recommend it as a nutritionally superior choice.
Ingredients:
Chicken, Rice Flour, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal (Source Of Glucosamine), Beef Fat (Naturally Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols), Soybean Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Wheat Flour, Liver Flavor, Soy Protein Isolate, Soy Protein Concentrate, Glycerin, Phosphoric Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Caramel Color, Dried Carrots, Dried Peas, Choline Chloride, Sodium Bisulfate, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B-7), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K)], Taurine, Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], L-Cysteine, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Dl-Methionine.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Beef Fat
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Rice Flour, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Wheat Flour, Liver Flavor, Soy Protein Isolate, Soy Protein Concentrate, Caramel Color, Dried Peas
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 34%
Crude Fat: 15%
Crude Fiber: 2%
Moisture: 12%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 38.64%
Fat: 17.05%
Fiber: 2.27%
Carbs: 42.05%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 31.65%
Fat: 33.91%
Carbs: 34.44%
What We Liked:
- Chicken is the top ingredient
- Primarily animal-sourced fat
- Nearly 40% dry matter protein
- Cats generally enjoy the flavor
What We Didn’t Like:
- Numerous plant-based proteins
- High in carbohydrates
- Dry food lacks essential moisture for cats
#2 Purina ONE +Plus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Dry Cat Food
Similar to the previous recipe, this dry food features a whole animal protein as the first ingredient. Chicken by-product meal is the second ingredient, providing supplemental protein. While still containing some plant proteins, this recipe contains less soy and is free of artificial flavors and preservatives.
Purina claims this food is highly digestible for sensitive systems, though the basis for this claim is unclear. However, positive customer reviews suggest it’s effective for many cats. Five-star reviews represent over 80% of the feedback on Chewy, with many customers crediting the food with resolving their cats’ digestive issues.
It remains a high-carbohydrate, low-moisture formula, but offers moderate dry matter protein and fat (38.6% and 15.9%, respectively).
Ingredients:
Turkey, Chicken By-Product Meal, Rice, Corn Protein Meal, Soybean Meal, Oat Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Beef Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Dried Chicory Root, Soybean Oil, Phosphoric Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Glycerin, Dried Carrots, Dried Peas, Vegetable Juice (Color), Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, MINERALS [Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Taurine, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, VITAMINS [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B-7), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K)].
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Beef Fat, Dried Egg Product
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Corn Protein Meal, Soybean Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Soybean Oil, Dried Peas
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 34%
Crude Fat: 14%
Crude Fiber: 4%
Moisture: 12%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 38.64%
Fat: 15.91%
Fiber: 4.55%
Carbs: 40.91%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 32.69%
Fat: 32.69%
Carbs: 34.62%
What We Liked:
- Top two ingredients are animal proteins
- Primarily animal-sourced fat
- Free from artificial flavors and preservatives
- Customers report positive results for sensitive digestion
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains numerous plant-based proteins
- High in carbohydrates
- Dry food lacks essential moisture for cats
#3 Purina ONE Chicken Recipe Paté Natural Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
A popular wet food option, this chicken-based paté is primarily made from animal ingredients, including chicken meat, liver (unspecified origins), pork lungs, and unspecified fish.
Except for guar gum (a stabilizer and thickener), this food lacks starchy plant ingredients or plant protein concentrates. It contains “natural flavors” (typically from hydrolyzed animal tissues) and a comprehensive list of synthetic vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for nutritional completeness.
This food has almost everything we look for in canned cat food: low carbohydrate content, ample animal-sourced protein, a mix of muscle meat and organs for optimal nutrition, and high moisture content.
Ingredients:
Chicken, Liver, Chicken Broth, Pork Lungs, Fish, Natural Flavors, MINERALS [Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide], Guar Gum, Taurine, VITAMINS [Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B-7), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin D-3 Supplement], Choline Chloride, Salt.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Liver, Chicken Broth, Pork Lungs, Fish
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 11%
Crude Fat: 5%
Crude Fiber: 1.5%
Moisture: 78%
Ash: 3%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 50%
Fat: 22.73%
Fiber: 6.82%
Carbs: 6.82%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 44.64%
Fat: 49.28%
Carbs: 6.09%
What We Liked:
- 50% dry matter protein
- Short, digestible ingredient list
- High moisture content
- Under 10% dry matter carbohydrate
What We Didn’t Like:
- Guar gum may cause loose stools in some cats
- Contains vaguely named animal proteins
Purina ONE: What Customers Are Saying
Purina ONE products on Amazon and Chewy generally receive positive reviews. For example, Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend with Real Chicken dry food has over 3,900 reviews on Chewy with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Purina ONE canned foods have fewer reviews but maintain an average rating above 4 stars.
Negative reviews often mention picky cats disliking the food or delivery issues. Some customers report changes in their cats’ preferences over time or inconsistencies in batch tolerance.
Positive Reviews:
“My cat has irritable bowel and the vet told me to feed him canned food using the same brand and the same flavor all the time. It was very difficult to find a food that he would eat consistently. It’s difficult to keep him out of the dry food the other cats eat, but he seems to be able to eat this flavor of Purina One and leave it alone.” – Sheila (reviewing Purina ONE Chicken Recipe Paté on Chewy, Jan 23, 2025)
“Makes her coat shiny and soft, and she likes the taste. I sometimes get her the lamb flavor of the sensitive skin and stomach formula just to vary it up, but this purina formula is definitely the way to go.” – Brenda (reviewing Purina ONE +Plus Sensitive Skin dry cat food on Chewy, November 9, 2024)
Negative Reviews:
“I switched my cat to this food because her last one was making her throw up often. While the vomiting has improved, she’s gained weight over the past few months even though her routine, playtime, and calorie intake have stayed the same. I’m disappointed because this was supposed to be a healthier upgrade for her, but it just didn’t work out. I regret buying a larger bag, I wasn’t aware it would cause her to gain so much weight. I will be switching to a new diet as my vet suggested.” – Yuzu (reviewing Purina ONE +Plus Sensitive Skin dry cat food on Chewy, Mar 4, 2025)
“Wish the delivery person would leave at front door instead at bottom of my steps. I’m 77 and it hard to carry heavy packages up 10 steps. That’s one of the reasons I order from chewy along with the great price so it can be brought to my front door.” – Helen (reviewing Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend dry cat food on Chewy, Feb 26, 2025)
Purina ONE Cat Food Cost
Purina ONE is the most affordable among Purina’s super-premium brands. Dry cat foods cost less than $0.15 per ounce (under $2.50 per pound), depending on bag size. The estimated daily cost to feed a 10-pound cat Purina ONE dry food is about $0.25, similar to Rachael Ray and Diamond.
Purina ONE’s wet cat foods are more expensive but still priced at or below market average, between $0.35 and $0.45 per ounce. The estimated daily cost to feed a 10-pound cat Purina ONE wet food is about $2 to $3, similar to Blue Buffalo Wilderness and Nulo.
Where to Buy Purina ONE Cat Food
Purina ONE is widely available in pet retail chains, big box stores, and some independent pet retailers. While Purina doesn’t sell directly on their website, you can find product information and links to retailers on individual product pages.
You can also find Purina ONE products on online pet retailers like Amazon and Chewy, and potentially on retail chain websites like Walmart, Target, and national pet store chains.
Final Verdict: Is Purina ONE Cat Food a Good Choice for Your Cat?
So, is Purina ONE a good cat food? It depends on the specific product. Some Purina ONE recipes, like the canned chicken paté, are excellent choices. However, others are comparable to standard grocery store kibble and rely heavily on plant-based proteins. Opt for the canned food and avoid products that use ingredients like wheat gluten to boost protein levels.
While dry food may not be ideal for cats due to its low moisture content, certain Purina ONE +Plus recipes can be effective, especially for addressing health concerns like sensitive digestion or weight management at an affordable price point. Consider your cat’s individual needs and consult with your veterinarian to determine if Purina ONE is the right fit.
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If you’re exploring other cat food brands similar to Purina ONE, check out our other brand reviews for more information.
