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4health vs Purina Pro Plan Dog Food: 2024 Comparison, Pros & Cons

Written by: Keri-Beth Clur

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Keri-Beth Clur

4health vs Purina Pro Plan Dog Food: 2024 Comparison, Pros & Cons

If you own a dog, you already know the struggle of picking a good dog food. However, as you continue to look around at different options, you may begin to question your choice. Are the more expensive brands better? Is it more nutritious with more or fewer ingredients? Often, the wording on the packaging can leave you confused and deceived.

With so many people talking about 4health and Purina Pro Plan, we’ve decided to compare the two and help you understand what makes the one stand out above the other. Although they may have similarities, there are also many differences between these two dog foods. There’s always one winner, so keep reading to find out who it is!

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A Sneak Peek at the Winner: Purina Pro Plus

Rating Image Product Details
Winner
Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula
  • Mixture of textures
  • Contains live probiotics
  • Suitable for all breed sizes
  • Second place
    Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
  • Free from wheat and soy
  • High in protein
  • Contains both salmon and beef fat
  • Third place
    Purina Pro Plan All Life Stages Small Bites Lamb & Rice Formula Purina Pro Plan All Life Stages Small Bites Lamb & Rice Formula
  • Packed with nutrients
  • High in protein
  • Free from legumes
  • Although no dog food brand is faultless, we recommend Purina Pro Plan above 4health because their food has been tested on real animals in a controlled feeding trial; it meets the AAFCO and FDA standards and is 100% balanced. It also offers many wet and dry dog food varieties. They have specialized diets for dogs with specific health issues and cater to all life stages.

    Purina Pro Plan stands out as superior dog food—but we’ll get more into that later.

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    About 4health

    How They Began

    Tractor Supply Co. owns 4health pet food. However, they didn’t start their company with 4health at the front of their minds. In fact, the company began in 1938 as a mail-order business, whereby customers would pick out tractor parts.

    They’re now a retail chain of stores that sell a wide variety of products for your home, pet care, and farm life. They have more than 1,600 stores in the United States, so it’s safe to say they’re a successful company. However, it was only in 2010 that 4health was released to the public.

    Where is 4health Sourced, Made, and Sold?

    Although owned by Tractor Supply Co., Diamond Pet Foods inc. manufactures the 4health dog food. Diamond Pet Foods inc. is located in California, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Missouri. 4health dog food is known to contain high-quality ingredients; however, there is little information about where those ingredients are sourced. It is believed that their ingredients are imported from other countries, making them more affordable.

    4health dog food can only be purchased from Tractor Supply Company and Petsense in-store or online.

    What Are They Known For?

    4health is known for its nutrition, which is why they’ve alluded to it in their name. They aim to provide dogs with food that meets their nutritional needs. They offer foods suitable for the different life stages of a dog so that they can consume the right number of calories, which differ from age to age. They also provide food for specific health issues, such as joint health or digestive health.

    Although nutritionally balanced and made of good quality, using real meat. 4health aims to keep its premium food priced low. Their dog food is free from preservatives, corn, soy, and wheat. They also offer a grain-free range.

    All their food meets the AAFCO standards but hasn’t undergone testing in controlled feeding trials on dogs.

    Areas of Concern

    Many of the formulas contain plenty of legumes and potatoes. Using a plant ingredient that is high in protein allows the manufacturers to label the food as high in protein without high levels of animal protein, which is better suited to a dog’s body.

    Unfortunately, the FDA has concerns about foods that are high in legumes as they may have a strong connection to heart disease in dogs. This matter is under investigation, but it may be safer to avoid such diets until the FDA comes out with its findings.

    Pros
    • Uses good-quality ingredients
    • Affordable premium food
    • Various formulas
    • Offers both grain-free and grain-inclusive options
    Cons
    • Tractor Supply Co. doesn’t manufacture its own food and can lose control over the quality
    • Many recipes are high in potato and legumes
    • Some recipes should have a higher meat protein content
    • Only available at Tractor Supply Co. and Petsense

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    About Purina Pro Plan

    How They Began

    Purina’s parent company is Nestle, but it was founded by William H. Danforth. They started out as a farm animal feed business but started producing dog food in 1926 and were granted the Royal Warrant for dog food in the same year.

    Today, Purina is well-loved and widely recognized throughout the United States. They have many different dog brands under their name and have produced a vast number of recipes for dogs.

    Where Is Purina Pro Plan Sourced, Made, and Sold?

    Purina is the manufacturer of Purina Pro Plan, which allows them to have full quality control over their food with the guidance of their team of pet specialists. Purina Pro Plan is made in one of Purina’s factories which are situated in Mechanicsburg in Pennsylvania.

    Purina claims to source the majority of its ingredients from quality sources in the United States. 100% of their beef, 99% of their poultry, 96% of their grain, and 100% of their soy are sourced from the United States. Any ingredients that don’t meet the standards of Purina are rejected.

    You’re able to purchase Purina Pro Plan at a variety of pet specialty retailers. You can also purchase their dog food online at Chewy, Amazon, Walmart, Tractor Supply Co., Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus.

    What Are They Known For?

    Purina has been around for a very long time, but throughout it all, they’ve always been passionate about improving pet health and aims to make food that contributes to pets living longer and healthier lives. To continually improve and develop its formulas, Purina has a team of scientists, nutritionists, and veterinarians, unlike 4health. Their research facility is four stories high!

    Purina Pro Plan is one of Purina’s top brands as pet owners trust it and have reported seeing an improvement in their dog’s health when on it. They offer formulas suitable for the different life stages of a dog and have produced different product lines and specialized diets for specific health issues. They use real meat, and dogs seem to respond well to its taste.

    Fun fact: The first dog food brand to ever use real meat as the first ingredient in kibble was Purina Pro Plan.

    Pros
    • Available at a larger variety of stores and online sites
    • A team of pet specialists who help design the dog food
    • Well-loved and widely recognized
    • Tasty, dogs seem to enjoy the flavor
    • Their ingredients are traceable and mostly sourced in the U.S.
    Cons
    • Expensive

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    3 Most Popular 4health Dog Food Recipes

    4health has some great recipes that are of a higher quality than many other dog foods in its price range. Here are three popular options from their Tractor Supply Co. website, where you can find all of their products:

    1. 4health with Wholesome Grains Adult Digestion Support Salmon & Potato

    4health with Wholesome Grains Adult Salmon and Potato Formula Dry Dog Food

    The 4health with Wholesome Grains Adult Digestion Support Salmon and Potato Formula Dry Dog Food offers real salmon as its first ingredient, followed by ocean fish meal, making it a great alternative for dogs with food sensitivities towards chicken, beef, and dairy.

    Although a great option for medium to large dogs, it’s not a good choice for active dogs as the animal protein and fat content aren’t high enough to support that lifestyle. Unless your vet recommends a grain-free diet due to allergies, the inclusiveness of grain can prove to be beneficial to your dog.

    This recipe includes glucosamine and chondroitin to protect your dog’s joints and iodine which aids in thyroid health. Therefore, this recipe is excellent for dogs struggling with those two health problems. It doesn’t contain much fiber, which aids in good digestion.

    Pros
    • Made with real salmon
    • Contains grain
    • Includes glucosamine, chondroitin, and iodine
    • Great alternative for dogs with sensitivities
    Cons
    • Low in animal protein and fat
    • Low in fiber

    2. 4health Grain Free Large Breed Adult Digestion Support Turkey

    4health Grain Free Large Breed Adult Turkey Formula Dry Dog Food

    For dogs with grain sensitivities, 4health Grain Free Large Breed Adult Digestion Support Turkey Formula Dry Dog Food is the preferred option. This recipe has turkey as its first ingredient and turkey meal as its second. Although it has a crude protein content of 24%, this recipe is also high in protein-rich legumes.

    The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids aid in a healthy, shiny coat. This particular recipe has been designed to promote heart health and aid in good digestion in large dog breeds. It includes probiotics and is free from preservatives.

    Pros
    • A great option for dogs with grain sensitivities
    • Contains nutrients to promote heart health and good digestion
    • Includes probiotics
    • High in fiber
    Cons
    • High in plant protein from legumes, which increases the overall protein content

    3. 4health Small Bites Adult Digestion Support Chicken

    4health Small Bites Adult Chicken Formula Dry Dog Food

    Another popular option, and one suited for small dogs, is the 4health Small Bites Adult Digestion Support Chicken Formula Dry Dog Food. The first ingredient is real chicken and then chicken meal. This recipe has the right amount of fat to support a dog that isn’t too active throughout the day. But has many ingredients that may be too much for sensitive dogs to handle.

    Although it contains omega-3, its content is quite low and may not suit long-haired dogs well. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which protects your dog’s joints. Unfortunately, all these 4health food options can only be purchased from Tractor Supply Co. and Petsense, limiting their availability.

    Pros
    • A great option for small dogs that don’t have active lifestyles
    • Contains real chicken as its first ingredient
    • Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Low level of omega-3
    • Only sold at Tractor Supply Co. and Petsense

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    3 Most Popular Purina Pro Plan Dog Food Recipes

    Purina Pro Plan may be more expensive than 4health, but their products are more trustworthy and tasty. Below are three of our favorite Purina Pro Plan recipes.

    1. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula

    Purina Pro Plan High Protein Dog Food

    An incredibly popular dog food amongst dog owners is the Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula with Probiotics Dry Dog Food which includes kibble and shredded pieces of real chicken, which is its first ingredient. This balanced meal is suitable for small, medium, and large breeds. It contains live probiotics to aid in good digestion and glucosamine.

    It’s approved by the AAFCO and high in protein while also containing vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin. Other than chicken, this recipe contains beef and fish, which adds to the protein content, but might not be suitable for dogs with sensitivities.

    Pros
    • Mixture of textures
    • Contains live probiotics
    • Contains real chicken
    • Suitable for all breed sizes
    • High in protein
    Cons
    • Not a good option for dogs with food sensitivities
    • Expensive

    2. Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice

    Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

    For easy digestion, Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food offers a recipe with oatmeal, prebiotics, and prebiotic fiber without any wheat or soy.

    For dogs that have allergies to poultry, this recipe is a great alternative because it has salmon as its first ingredient. It also contains beef fat, fish meal, and salmon meal that contribute to its crude protein content of 26%. The omega-3 and omega-6 are responsible for healthy-looking hair and skin.

    Pros
    • Contains prebiotics and prebiotic fiber for easy digestion
    • Free from wheat and soy
    • High in protein
    • Contains both salmon and beef fat
    Cons
    • Expensive

    3. Purina Pro Plan All Life Stages Small Bites Lamb & Rice

    Purina Pro Plan All Life Stages Small Bites Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

    For dogs looking for smaller bite sizes, Purina Pro Plan All Life Stages Small Bites Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food has them covered. Although smaller, these kibbles are suitable for all breeds and life stages.

    They have a high crude protein content of 27% and a crude fat content of 17%, which fuel their metabolisms. The animal protein in this recipe is lamb, poultry by-product meal, fish meal, beef fat, and egg product. However, there are also plant proteins that add to the overall crude protein content. Although packed with many different tasty ingredients, dogs with sensitives may suffer.

    Pros
    • Packed with nutrients
    • High in protein
    • Real lamb is the first ingredient
    • Suitable for all breeds and life stages
    • Free from legumes
    Cons
    • It’s not suitable for dogs with food sensitives

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    Recall History of 4health and Purina Pro Plan

    Both 4health and Purina Pro Plan have had their fair share of product recalls. However, there are more concerns around 4health products. This brand was listed among several other companies by the FDA as being linked to heart disease in pets—however, their products have not been recalled in connection to the investigation. In 2012, 4health’s dog food had a recall due to possible contamination with Salmonella.

    In 2016, Purina Pro Plan wet dog foods (Savory Meals) were recalled for not containing the right amount of vitamins and minerals, which was discovered through their own testing.

    Both these brands have also had several recalls on their cat food.

    4health vs Purina Pro Plan Comparison

    Although both brands are recognized as producing premium dog food, let’s go over the differences between 4health and Purina Pro Plan by comparing them with a few simple categories.

    Taste

    Both brands use real meat as the first ingredient for most of their recipes and have several similar recipes. However, Purina Pro Plan comes out on top when it comes to taste as they have many more flavors to choose from, allowing you to try out different flavors until your dog finds their favorite one.

    French bulldog eating from a bowl
    Image Credit: Karsten Winegeart, Unsplash

    Nutritional Value

    While most of the 4health recipes are considered high in protein and have real meat as their first ingredient, they’re also high in legumes. Legumes are protein-heavy plant ingredients that would push up the protein content without the same amount of animal protein being used as in the Purina Pro Plan meals. Their recipes also tend to be carbohydrate-heavy.

    Legumes are also connected to heart disease in dogs, so once again, Purina Pro Plan stands out as the better brand with its higher animal protein and fat content.


    Price

    There is a clear difference between the 4health and Purina Pro Plan price points. For this category, 4health is the clear winner with their affordable prices for their good quality dog food, while Purina Pro Plan is an expensive brand that isn’t in many dog owners’ price range.


    Selection

    Both 4health and Purina Pro Plan offer dog treats along with wet and dry dog food. However, with only 22 different dry food options and 14 canned food formulas from 4health, Purina Pro Plan stands tall once again with its large selection of over 80 formulas.

    Both 4health and Purina Pro Plan have grain-inclusive and grain-exclusive options as well as formulas for performance, sensitive stomachs, health problems, and overweight dogs.

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    Conclusion

    Overall, it’s clear why Purina Pro Plan is the winning brand. They have a larger selection, better nutritional value, and a taste dogs battle to resist. They are continually improving their formulas and finding ways to support dogs’ health and well-being with the help of dog nutritionists, vets, and specialists. The company has a good reputation, and although they’re expensive, many dog owners are happy to pay for the quality they get.

    Although not the winner of this comparison, 4health shouldn’t be put to the side as it offers better than average dog food for an affordable price. However, we recommend you avoid their recipes with legumes until further investigation has been done by the FDA.

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