purina moist and meaty dog food review

Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food Review (2024)

Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food Review

For pet parents to take the call if the reputed dog food they are feeding their pets is safe and nutritious or not, is a tough one indeed. There have been cases when some of the biggest brands have come under the radar due to their recalls or cases of pets falling sick. Nestles Purina PetCare being one of those brands. Purina has been around for over a century now, which is more than most dog food companies can claim. Also, the sheer market size and resource of the company enables them to conduct strict quality checks and ensure responsible sourcing of ingredients, which is vital to the well-being of your pets.

Purina Company Overview

Purina Moist & Meaty Dog food is a wet dog food brand and is one of Purinas eight product lines. The lines differ by the target market and dog food offering but are otherwise manufactured at the same facilities that are dotted across the US. Purina states that their product recipes are formulated along with professional nutritionists and vets who know what the best and healthiest food options are, for your pets.

About sourcing, Purina states that it sources its ingredients from suppliers who go through their rigorous requirements and the companys high safety standards. The company conducts quality checks per day. Additionally,Purina Moist & Meaty Dog has never had any recalls .

Ingredients Found in Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food

Heres a breakdown of the ingredients that go into Purina Moist & Meaty Burger with Cheddar Cheese:

• Beef by-products (meat that is left after the primary cuts are taken away)
• Soy flour (contains about 51% protein, by-product from processing soybean)
• Soy grits (toasted and broken soy beans, rich is low biological protein)
• High fructose corn syrup (corn-based sugar mixture, considered unhealthy for dogs)
• Water (no food value, added moisture)
• Wheat flour (highly-refined form of wheat milling, provides only moderate nutrition)
• Corn syrup (glucose-rich, high calorie, not of much nutritional value)
• Beef (high source of protein)

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. Surely, it must make for a tasty treat though, as claimed by the brand but if its okay to be served on a daily basis to pets is a call that pet parents should take independently.

Purina Moist & Meaty Dog Food Product Line

• Burger with Cheddar Cheese Flavor
• Steak Flavor
• Rise & Shine Awaken Bacon and Egg Flavor
• Chopped Burger

4 Varieties of Moist & Meaty Dry Dog Food

Purina Moist & Meaty Review

Ralston Purina began as an animal feed company in the 1890s. In 1898, Purina Chow was introduced as the first commercially produced pet food. Over the next 50 years, the company entered the international market and opened manufacturing facilities in various countries. The company continued to introduce other products and expand its business interests. There were several ownership changes throughout the years.

Nestl acquired Ralston Purina in 2001 for $10.3 billion to become Nestl Purina PetCare Company, one of the largest pet food manufacturers in the world.

Nestl is a multinational company that owns a wide range of brands ranging from pet food to cosmetics and health devices. Nestle is known for its candy portfolio but also owns Perrier, Carnation, Lean Cuisine, Haagen-Dazs, Alpo, Fancy Feast and Purina.

In its annual report, Nestle Purina Pet Care reported annual sales for 2022 as US$19.38 billion.

IS PURINA MOIST & MEATY A GOOD DOG FOOD?

With a score of 1.4/10, Purina Moist & Meaty is considered a very high risk dog food according to our evaluation criteria. All recipes score 0/10 for ingredient safety.

This is a line of soft dog food with 6 recipes. Soft or wet dog foods are traditionally lower in carbohydrates and are moderate to high in protein. However, Moist & Meaty has exceptionally high average carbohydrates of 55% as calculated on a dry matter basis, with average protein of 27%, much lower than expected.

Purina Moist & Meaty has quality and safety issues that havent been raised previously in these reviews. What is especially concerning is the use of high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup. Sugar is found in pet food to increase the palatability or as a preservative or humectant. It is a low quality ingredient that can cause unwanted gut changes, obesity and insulin spikes. High amounts can lead to leaky gut and inflammation.

This high carbohydrate level is to be expected when these foods have high fructose corn syrup AND corn syrup as the 4th and 7th ingredients. When totaled by weight, the soy, wheat and corn syrups surpass the amount of animal protein named as the first ingredient. Dogs have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrates. Excessive carbohydrates are an indicator of low quality foods as they are used to keep costs down. Large amounts of starch and sugar can increase insulin levels, cause obesity and negatively impact gut balance.

There arent any whole food sources like fruits and vegetables to provide naturally occurring nutrients so vitamins and minerals are added in synthetic form, something seen in all recipes in the Purina brand. This usually reflects poor quality or overly processed ingredients. Vitamin and mineral excesses, especially vitamin D and copper, can also result from added vitamin premixes, so its preferable that most or all vitamins and minerals come from real foods.

Its also worth noting that the line contains sodium selenite as a source of selenium. Dogs need selenium, and its usually added in very small amounts. However some research suggests that sodium selenite may be associated with potential toxicity, so selenium yeast is the preferred form of this mineral.

Soybean oil is an inflammatory seed oil that is highly processed and may contain trans fats. Studies show that ultra processed foods are linked to a higher rate of all-cause mortality in humans. Another quality concern is the use of plant protein in one recipe, the least expensive substitute for quality animal protein.

All recipes in the Moist & Meaty line scores 0/10 for ingredient safety. Soft foods are moderately processed but still involve several stages of heating that destroy nutrients. Processed foods are also linked to higher mortality rates in many species.

All recipes have ingredients known to have high pesticide or herbicide residues, and some that are known to be genetically modified (GMO). These are important safety concerns, especially when they appear in the top 5 on the ingredient list, meaning theyre included in higher amounts. Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers post a significant health risk to plants, animals and soils. GMO foods have limited safety studies and they lack nutrients compared to non GMO foods.

All recipes contain menadione, a synthetic form of vitamin K that is not required in dog food. It may be linked to immune system dysfunction, oxidative damage to cells, liver toxicity, and allergic reactions. Each recipe also includes ethoxyquin an artificial preservative that has been shown to have toxic effects and links to cancer.

All recipes have as many as 4 added colors and dyes that may be linked to health issues. They are often used to hide the grey color of rendered ingredients, and to make them look more appealing to consumers. These recipes use natural flavor which is often made of animal digest or MSG, both low quality ingredients with limited safety studies.

All recipes have ingredient splitting. Thats the practice of splitting ingredients into subcategories (like soy flour and soy grits, or high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup) to make them appear lower on the list. This can also move more desirable protein ingredients higher.

Its worth noting that when dog food labels say with Real Chicken or with Cheddar Cheese AAFCO requires those with ingredients to be only 3% of the products weight.

Another AAFCO rule is that a product does not need to have a huge amount of an ingredient which only provides flavor. A flavor designation in a product name (or elsewhere on a label) may be used as long as a listed ingredient provides the flavor This flavor rule would apply to Moist & Meaty recipes labeled Steak Flavor and Bacon & Egg Flavor. In other words, its only flavor and doesnt necessarily mean theres steak or bacon & egg in the food.

Purina doesnt state the omega-6:omega-3 ratio in their recipes. While this is true of most companies, its a concern because AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1.

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.