Dog Chow dog food: reviews, composition analysis, price

Types and composition of feed

The premium class declared by the manufacturer requires a high content of meat products, but the information on the packaging does not correspond to this.

The first positions in the composition are occupied by corn and other cereals. The protein necessary for the growth and development of a dog in the form of poultry, lamb, and offal is in second place.

Detailed composition of Dog Chow food for puppies:

1. Cereals are a source of carbohydrates. But there is no detailed description or information on the packaging about what crops the manufacturer uses. Waste wheat, corn or barley will not benefit the animal.
2. Meat and processed products. The amount indicated is 8%, but the guaranteed figures are 28% protein. Vegetable protein is used, which is less easily absorbed by the animal’s body.
3. Oils and fats – replenish energy reserves and restore the animal’s strength after intense physical training. But neither the quality nor the degree of purification is known.
4. Vegetables. Only dry chicory root is indicated in an amount of 1.1%.
5. Minerals. Strengthen bones, keep muscles toned, affect brain development and vision formation, and ensure healthy and shiny coat.
6. Products of processing of raw materials of plant origin. Behind this wording, the manufacturer can hide sugar beets or another source of fiber.
7. Vitamin supplements.
8. Antioxidants.

Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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Purina Dog Chow dry dog ​​food has a non-uniform structure. Granules of different sizes provide oral hygiene and strengthen the animal's jaw muscles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of Dog Chow food:

• Quite affordable price
• It can be found in many specialty stores and even some supermarkets
• A large assortment
• Availability of vitamin and mineral supplements in the food (especially for representatives of the economy class line)
• Granules of different sizes

The disadvantages of these feeds are:

• Poor composition
• Low meat and animal protein content
• High vegetable protein content
• There is no indication which by-products are used for production
• It is based on cereals, some of which are allergens.
• No real vegetables
• Low nutritional value of the food - dogs simply cannot get enough of it

Why Dog Chow is better than other foods

• Many foods (for example, Pro Plan, Royal Canin, Pro Balance, Acana, Calibra, etc.) have different food sizes depending on the size of the dog's breed. Here the advantage of the Dog Chow granule structure is obvious. In addition to the above-mentioned advantages of such croquettes, they are easier to chew, and as a result, nutrients are better absorbed by the body.
• In addition to the main group of vitamins (A, D3, E), Dog Chow food contains B vitamins, which are involved in metabolic processes and also normalize the activity of the central nervous system and other vital systems in the body. For comparison, Pro Plan, Natures Protection and Purina One do not contain such amounts of vitamin B.

IMPORTANT! To compensate for the missing meat in the food, I added vitamins of this group to the composition.

• The wide range of Dog Chow food allows you to choose food individually, according to the size and age of your pet. For example, Purina One brand food is designed only for small breed animals, which sufficiently limits the choice of food for owners.

Dog Chow food line

The varieties of Purina Dog Show diets are designed taking into account the physiological characteristics of a pet of any age.

For breeds prone to allergies or having digestive problems, food labeled “sensitive” is recommended. Various packaging will allow you to purchase the product wholesale or retail.

For puppies

At the age of 2 months to a year, the puppy grows rapidly and needs food with a high level of nutrients, vitamins D, C and E for the development of bones, teeth, restoration of strength, and maintenance of activity.

The buyer will find the following options for feeding puppies on the shelves of pet stores:

For adult dogs

The food corresponds to the age-related changes, physical fitness, and activity level of the animal. The composition maintains optimal body weight and prevents obesity. Mineral supplements protect the dog’s body from inflammation of the joints and ligaments.

Owner reviews

Nina: “Our Basenji has a sensitive stomach, so frequent feeding of dry food is contraindicated. But as a periodic measure it is sometimes necessary. Before that, I had a bad experience with Pedigree, but then we decided to try Dog Chow. The dog liked the food, there was no diarrhea or vomiting, everything was fine with digestion. Another advantage is the affordable price. The composition, of course, is not ideal, but it contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Now we only buy “Dog Chow” from dry food and don’t plan to change it for anything.”

Tamara: “I’ve been giving my terrier food from the Dog Chow line his entire life, which is almost 4 years now. He eats very well, there have never been any problems with the stomach, fur or various allergies. In terms of cost, the food turns out to be very economical, and the consumption suits me - two 14 kg bags are enough for 10 months (I chose chicken and lamb according to tastes), this is with a dog weighing about 7 kg.”

Maria: “We are currently looking for new food for our St. Bernard. The dog is big, so it requires a lot of food. Before this, they used Royal Canin, but after a couple of years, the dog’s hair began to fall off, his eyes started to run, and scratches appeared on his skin. They began to try other types of food, and the pet himself chose “Dog Chow”. Allergic reactions have passed. The price of the food suits us, but the composition is not surprising for the money. We selected the appropriate vitamin complex.”

Dietary recommendations

For puppies and adults, there are feeding standards, violation of which can lead to malfunctions of the body, overeating, and problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Puppies are introduced to complementary foods from 6 weeks, increasing the daily dose every 2 months until they are one year old. From now on, it is advisable to feed your pet according to adult standards.

The table shows recommendations for the amount of dry product in the daily diet:

Approximate feeding rate for puppies up to 1 year:

These are approximate; the owner should adjust the daily dose depending on the individual characteristics of the pet.

The dog should always have access to a bowl of clean drinking water.

Price and where to buy

In addition to professional pet stores and supermarkets, Dog Chow food can also be purchased in online stores. Costs will vary depending on regions, product markups and individual outlets. When purchasing an imported product, the price tag will also vary depending on the dollar exchange rate.

Approximate cost of Dog Chow food:

• Packaging 800g – 200-300 rubles
• Packaging 2.5 kg – 600-800 rubles
• Packaging 14kg – 2500-2700 rubles

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• the price is lower than that of other premium manufacturers;
• the product is freely available;
• a special form of kibble cleans the dog’s teeth well;
• the food is enriched with a vitamin complex and mineral supplements.

Flaws:

• contains only by-products and processed products;
• there is no information about the grains, fats and other ingredients used;
• the protein percentage is low;
• dogs are poorly nourished due to insufficient nutritional value of the food.

Why Dog Chow is better than other foods

The special shape of the croquettes distinguishes “Dog Chow” from other popular ones (Probalance, Royal Canin). Purina has released a product where large and small granules are placed in one package.

The dog chews food thoroughly, nutrients are more easily absorbed, plaque is removed from the teeth, and the jaw muscles are well strengthened.

Not all dog food brands include vitamin B, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the dog’s nervous system and normalization of metabolic processes in the body. The composition of the Dog Chow food is enriched with B vitamins, the source of which is brewer's yeast.

Reviews from veterinarians

Sheina Ksenia: “The food is more suitable for encouraging an animal during training or mixed feeding. The composition is poor, there is no meat, only vegetable proteins, fiber, and by-products of unknown origin. It’s difficult for active dogs to get enough of Dog Chow kibble; the owner will have to take care of an additional source of protein.”

Lisitsyn Ivan: “Chicory is good for dogs, it helps improve digestion thanks to the prebiotic inulin. But the granules do not contain any other vegetables. I recommend combining dry and wet food, and increasing portions, especially for large individuals.”

Prokhorov Konstantin: “I don’t consider Dog Chow food from purina good or bad. An economical option is quite suitable for a dog if the animal likes the taste and smell and does not show signs of allergies or intolerances.”

Positive and negative reviews from experienced veterinarians agree that many of the ingredients on the packaging are of unknown origin, the exact amount is not indicated, and the proteins are not enough for the healthy growth of the dog. Despite this, “Dog Chow” cleans the animal’s teeth, develops the jaw, and is easily digestible.

It’s difficult to call Dog Chow a premium, complete, balanced food. The composition is poor, there is no information about the meat ingredients used, cereals, fats, antioxidants. For the main nutrition of the animal, it is recommended to look for a more suitable option that is healthier and more nutritious.

Conclusions about food

In accordance with its price category and as a representative of the economy class, Dog Chow food has mostly neutral and good reviews, it is not dangerous for the pet and is often not dangerous in terms of allergic reactions, unlike other foods in this segment . But it is still not recommended by veterinarians as the basis of a dog’s diet. The composition does not reach a complete nutritional level; it lacks meat and animal protein.

It is recommended to mix the food with wet products of this brand, making the diet more nutritious, and also supplement it with various vitamin and mineral complexes.