Purina One True Instinct is a popular dog food line, but Is Purina One True Instinct A Good Dog Food choice for your furry friend? This in-depth review analyzes the ingredients, nutrient content, recall history, and overall quality of Purina One True Instinct dry dog food to help you make an informed decision.
Our Verdict
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
The Purina One True Instinct product range receives an average rating of 3 stars from Dog Food Advisor. While it offers some benefits, it also has drawbacks that pet owners should consider.
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The following table summarizes the AAFCO nutrient profile and rating for each recipe in the Purina One True Instinct product line:
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Purina One True Instinct High Protein Formula With Real Beef and Salmon | 3 | M |
| Purina One True Instinct with a Blend of Real Turkey and Venison | 3 | M |
| Purina One True Instinct Lean Muscle Support With Real Beef and Bison | 3 | M |
| Purina One True Instinct High Protein Formula With Real Chicken and Duck | 3 | M |
AAFCO: G=Growth (puppy), M=Maintenance (adult), A=All Life Stages, S=Supplemental, U=Unspecified
Recipe and Label Analysis
For a detailed breakdown, we’ll focus on the Purina One True Instinct with a Blend of Real Turkey and Venison recipe, as it’s representative of the line.
Purina One True Instinct with a Blend of Real Turkey and Venison
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content:
- Protein: 34.1%
- Fat: 19.3%
- Carbs: 38.6%
The ingredients list includes: Turkey, chicken meal, soy flour, beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols, whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, soy flakes, corn germ meal, glycerin, venison, natural flavor, oat meal, calcium carbonate, salt, mono and dicalcium phosphate, caramel color, vitamins, potassium chloride, minerals, sodium selenite, choline chloride.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | ||
|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 30% | 17% |
| Dry Matter Basis | 34% | 19% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 29% | 39% |
Ingredients Analysis
The ingredient list is crucial when evaluating is Purina One True Instinct a good dog food. Here’s a closer look:
- Turkey: While listed first, raw turkey contains high water content. After cooking, its contribution to the overall content is reduced.
- Chicken Meal: A meat concentrate, providing a significant protein boost compared to fresh chicken.
- Soy Flour: A high-protein byproduct of soybean processing. It’s a less expensive, plant-based protein source that can inflate the overall protein percentage on the label.
- Beef Fat: A quality ingredient, likely obtained from rendering.
- Wheat and Corn: Inexpensive and controversial cereal grains with limited nutritional value for dogs.
- Corn Gluten Meal: A protein-rich byproduct of corn processing. Similar to soy flour, it’s a plant-based protein that contributes to the overall protein content.
- Soy Flakes and Corn Germ Meal: Additional plant-based protein sources that should be considered when assessing the meat content.
Purina One True Instinct Dog Food
Besides the main ingredients, other notable components include:
- Glycerin: A natural sweetener and humectant.
- Caramel Color: An added coloring agent that makes the product more appealing to humans but offers no nutritional value for dogs. Some concentrated versions have been linked to cancer in laboratory animals.
- Lack of Probiotics: Probiotics aid in digestion.
- Non-Chelated Minerals: Potentially harder to absorb compared to chelated minerals.
- Sodium Selenite: A controversial form of selenium that may be nutritionally inferior to selenium yeast.
- Menadione: A controversial form of vitamin K linked to potential health issues.
Nutrient Analysis
Purina One True Instinct appears to be an average dry dog food based on its ingredients. Dry matter analysis reveals:
- Protein: 34%
- Fat: 19%
- Carbs: 39%
Compared to typical dry dog food, Purina One True Instinct has above-average protein and fat, and below-average carbs. However, the significant contribution of plant-based proteins suggests a moderate amount of meat content.
Purina Dog Food Recall History
It’s essential to consider the recall history when determining is Purina One True Instinct a good dog food. You can find a complete list of recalls since 2009 on the Dog Food Advisor website.
More Purina Reviews
Explore other Purina dog food reviews to compare different product lines and formulations.
Our Rating of Purina Grain Inclusive Dog Food
Purina One True Instinct is a grain-inclusive dry dog food with a moderate amount of named meat meal. It receives a 3-star rating due to the inclusion of plant-based proteins and controversial ingredients.
Compare Purina Dog Food
Compare Purina to other top-rated dog food brands to see how it stacks up in terms of ingredient quality, nutrient content, and overall value.
Sources
[1] Consumer Reports February 2014
A Final Word
When considering is Purina One True Instinct a good dog food, weigh the pros and cons carefully. While it offers a decent protein content and is relatively affordable, the presence of plant-based proteins, controversial ingredients, and lack of probiotics are significant drawbacks. Consider consulting with your veterinarian to determine the best food for your dog’s individual needs.
