is moist and meaty healthy for dogs

Purina Moist and Meaty Dog Food Review (Semi-Moist)

The Purina Moist and Meaty product line includes the 6 semi-moist dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Purina Moist and Meaty Burger with Cheddar Cheese Flavor was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food includes beef by-products, slaughterhouse waste. This is whats left of slaughtered cattle after all the prime cuts have been removed.

With the exception of hair, horns, teeth and hooves, this stuff can include heads, ovaries or developing fetuses.¹

And raw meat contains up to 73% water. So, after cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

The quality of this ingredient can vary, depending on the caliber of the raw materials obtained by the manufacturer.

The second ingredient is soy flour, a high-protein by-product of soybean processing.

Although soy flour contains about 51% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.

And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

The next ingredient lists soy grits, soybeans which have been toasted and broken into small pieces. Although high in protein, compared to meat, soy grits are an inferior source of amino acids.

The fourth ingredient is high fructose corn syrup (or HFCS). HFCS is a corn-based sugar mixture commonly used to make soft drinks, cookies and candy. Sugar is an empty nutrient just as unhealthy for dogs as it is for humans.

The fifth item is water, which adds nothing but moisture to this food. Water is a routine finding in most canned dog foods.

The sixth ingredient is wheat flour, a highly-refined product of wheat milling. Like corn, wheat is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

For this reason, we do not consider wheat a preferred component in any dog food.

The seventh ingredient is corn syrup. Corn syrup is a glucose-rich, high-calorie item of questionable nutritional value to a dog.

Next, this recipe includes beef. Although its a quality item, raw beef contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.

With 7 notable exceptions

First, soybean oil is red flagged here only due to its rumored (yet unlikely) link to canine food allergies.

However, since soybean oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids and contains no omega-3s, its considered less nutritious than flaxseed oil or a named animal fat.

In addition, were always disappointed to find artificial coloring in any pet food. Thats because coloring is used to make the product more appealing to humans not your dog. After all, do you really think your dog cares what color his food is?

Next, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the food after processing to help with digestion.

In addition, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods.

We also note that this food includes menadione, a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.

Since vitamin K isnt required by AAFCO in either of its dog food nutrient profiles, we question the use of this substance in any canine formulation.

This product also uses sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

And lastly, this food contains ethoxyquin, a controversial preservative linked to the accumulation of hemoglobin pigment in the liver and elevated hepatic enzymes in the blood.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Purina Moist and Meaty looks like a below-average product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 27%, a fat level of 10% and estimated carbohydrates of about 55%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 27% and a mean fat level of 11%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 54% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 39%.

Which means this Purina product line contains

Near-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dog food.

When you consider the protein-boosting effect of all the soy products, this looks like the profile of a semi-moist dog food containing a moderate amount of meat.

Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros, and Cons

Our Final Verdict

We give Purina Moist & Meaty dog food a rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars.

Introduction

In the world of dog food, most products are grouped into one of two categories: wet or dry. With Purinas line of Moist & Meaty Soft Dog Food, however, your dog can enjoy the benefits of both in one delicious formula.

While the Purina Moist & Meaty products are sure to be a hit with any dog, owners should take a look at the ingredients before adding it to their dogs everyday diet. With high fructose corn syrup sitting at the top of the list, this might not be a good choice for dogs predisposed to diabetes or obesity.

So, is the Purina Moist & Meaty Soft Dog Food worth keeping around for an occasional snack? Or are you better off leaving this formula on the store shelf?

At a Glance: The Best Purina Moist and Meaty Dog Food Recipes

There are only a few recipes currently available from the Purina Moist & Meaty line of dog food, but they all promise to leave your dog begging for more. The most popular delicious-sounding flavors currently available include:

Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food Reviewed

The Purina Moist & Meaty Soft Dog Food combines the enticing flavor of wet food with the minimal mess of dry food whats not to love?

Who makes Purina Moist & Meaty and where is it produced?

As you can tell from the product name, the Moist & Meaty line of dog food is formulated and manufactured by Purina. However, its important to clarify that Purina is not an independent company. Since being bought out in 2001, the Purina brand is owned by Nestl.

Purina claims that 99% of their dog food products are made in the United States the Moist & Meaty product line is included in this percentage. All Purina products are made in company-owned factories, not third-party ones.

Which Type of Dog Is Purina Moist & Meaty Best Suited For?

The Purina Moist & Meaty line is formulated for the specific needs of healthy adult dogs. These formulas can be used as an entire meal, as a topper to your dogs normal food, or as an occasional treat.

Because of this dog foods unique texture, it is an excellent option for dogs with dental issues who may struggle to eat dry food.

A Quick Look at Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food

• Uniquely soft texture
• Use as a meal, topper, or treat
• Packaged in individual, pre-portioned pouches
• Manufactured in the U.S.A.
• Variety of high-value flavor options

• Contains high amounts of soy
• Formulated with high fructose corn syrup
• Relatively low moisture content

Ingredients Analysis

Calorie Breakdown:

While the Purina Moist & Meaty line is a unique take on dog food that your pup is sure to love, the product falls short when it comes to its ingredients list. Unfortunately, every Moist & Meaty recipe relies heavily on controversial ingredients:

Beef by-product

Seeing any type of by-product in your dogs food can be alarming, but this ingredient probably isnt as nefarious as you think. Basically, beef by-product is whats left over when a cow is processed for meat. In other words, this ingredient is a ground-up mixture of meat, bones, skin, fat, and organs.

That mixture isnt appetizing from a human perspective, but these scrap body parts actually contain key nutrients that dogs rely on.

Soy grits/flour

Take a look at the ingredients in any of the Moist & Meaty formulas, and youll find that soy grits and soy flour are at the very top of the list. But what does this mean for your dogs health?

The debate over whether soy is safe for dogs is a heated one with no clear winner. On the one hand, soy protein is the most complete plant-based protein found in dog food. On the other, most experts agree that animal protein is the preferred source for a healthy canine.

Before adding any of the Moist & Meaty dog food flavors to your dogs regular diet, consider how you feel about relying on soy as a primary source of protein.

High fructose corn syrup

The most alarming ingredient found in the Purina Moist & Meaty dog food is, without a doubt, high fructose corn syrup. Worse, this ingredient is listed third or fourth, depending on which flavor youre looking at.

High fructose corn syrup serves no purpose aside from adding sugar. This sweet substance is just as bad for our dogs, if not more so, as it is for us humans.

Though feeding your dog a food that contains high fructose corn syrup might not result in immediate consequences, long-term consumption could put your dog at risk of diabetes, obesity, and other serious health concerns.

Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food Recall History

Pet food recalls are at the forefront of most dog owners minds, so its no surprise that most consumers want to know a companys history before purchasing from it. Fortunately, Purina has a limited list of recalls.

While Purina has issued a handful of recalls related to its cat food formulas, only two recent recalls have affected its dog food products. None of these recalls have applied to the Moist & Meaty product line.

In 2013, Purina recalled a single batch of dry dog food for potential salmonella contamination. In 2016, Purina issued a voluntary recall of several varieties of wet food containing an insufficient amount of vitamins and minerals.

Reviews of the 3 Best Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food Recipes

Weve covered so much about Purina and its line of Moist & Meaty soft dog food formulas. But before you make up your mind, lets take a moment to look into these products a little further:

1. Purina Moist & Meaty Burger With Cheddar Cheese

The Purina Moist & Meaty Burger with Cheddar Cheese formula is probably the most intriguing for dog owners, especially those with a dog who loves junky human food and cheddar cheese favors. This meaty burger with cheddar dog food comes in individual pouches for easy portions and to prevent the unused food from drying out.

Meaty burger with cheddar flavor includes 18% protein, 7% fat, 3% fiber, and 33% moisture. Each cup of food (about 1.3 pouches) contains 474 calories.

If youre like us, then you value the opinions of other dog owners when it comes to your dogs health and wellbeing. You can check out Amazon reviews to learn what such people have to say about this cheddar cheese flavor.

• Contains real beef
• Manufactured in the U.S.A.
• Use as a topper, treat, or complete meal
• Comes in individual pouches

• Formulated with high fructose corn syrup
• High-calorie content

2. Purina Moist & Meaty Steak Flavor

As we take a closer look at the different Purina Moist & Meaty recipes, it quickly becomes apparent that these formulas are practically identical in terms of use, packaging, and nutritional value. While the burger-inspired flavors resemble ground beef, the Purina Moist & Meaty Steak Flavor pieces look like small bits of chopped steak.

Just like the previous flavor, this recipe contains 18% protein, 7% fat, 3% fiber, and 33% moisture. Again, each cup of food (about 1.3 pouches) contains 474 calories.

For more information about what other dog owners think of this formula, we suggest reading the Amazon reviews.

• Made with real beef
• Variety of uses
• Manufactured in the U.S.A.
• Individually packaged for zero mess

• Includes high fructose corn syrup
• Contains a high number of calories

3. Purina Moist & Meaty Chopped Burger

Here, we have the Purina Moist & Meaty Chopped Burger recipe. This formula features ground beef-like pieces of soft food that can be fed to your dog alone or on top of their dry food.

Just like the other recipes weve reviewed, the Chopped Burger flavor contains 18% protein, 7% fat, 3% fiber, and 33% moisture. The 474 calories per cup are also the same.

To learn what other consumers have to say about the Purina Moist & Meaty Chopped Burger formula, we encourage you to read the most recent Amazon reviews.

• Tender, easy-to-chew texture
• Manufactured in U.S.A. factories
• Comes in pre-portioned packaging
• Doubles as a meal or food topper

• Contains high amount of high fructose corn syrup
• High concentration of calories

What Other Users Are Saying About Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food

If you think that were the only ones questioning the quality of ingredients found in Purina Moist & Meaty formulas, heres what others have to say:

Dog Food Network: Although the brand has been in operation for over 100 years now, dominates an impressive market shares, and sources its ingredients from trusted suppliers, the issue lies in the ingredients its using in the recipes that dont make for the healthiest food choice for our canine friends.

DogFoodAdvisor: The next item is high fructose corn syrup (or HFCS). HFCS is a corn-based sugar mixture commonly used to make soft drinks, cookies, and candy. Sugar is an empty nutrient just as unhealthy for dogs as it is for humans.

Conclusion Is Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food Right For You?

Overall, the Purina Moist & Meaty product line is a unique but imperfect option for dog owners looking to spice up their pups day-to-day menu. While we dont encourage owners to feed Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food to their dog at every meal, it makes an excellent treat for special occasions. Ultimately, its probably a healthier option than table scraps!

With that said, the Purina Moist & Meaty formulas meaty burger, or steak flavour -could be a much-needed option for dogs with diminished appetites or dental issues. If youre struggling to find a food that your dog is willing to eat, ask your veterinarian which dog food is right for your pooch.