Walmart made its grand entrance into the dog food niche with its exclusive Pure Balance brand. Although the partnership is still young, the company has already gained a strong following by pet parents everywhere. A big part of their success is accredited to their all-natural recipes that promote wellness, especially for small pups, seniors, and dogs with allergies.
If you’re looking for an alternative to the food you’re currently feeding your dog, then we strongly suggest you give this brand a try.
The brand offers both wet and dry food and features a variety of unique, yet delicious recipes. Its different food blends are made with carefully selected ingredients, like salmon and peas, to ensure your pup gets the nutrients it needs to grow big and strong.
Also, to help ease any stress, the food is made in the USA. Here at Puppy Pointers, we understand the need for quality for food.
So, read through our Pure Balance review to get all the details you need to help make your final decision.
Or, you can check out our best dog food page as well for more options.
About the Brand
Walmart’s young dog food company does not have one of those long-winded origins like the other pet food companies. The process started back in 2012 after Walmart found an opportunity to fulfill a significant need for its customer base, quality dog food.
So the big box company partnered up one of the finest pet food factories in America, Ainsworth Pet Nutrition (Now J.M. Smucker Company), and put out a “grade A” product that both can stand behind. Not to mention, compete with other brands that have been in the game for years. Ainsworth has been around for over 75 years, and has a strong commitment to providing pets with only the finest food.
Pure Balance dog food is not available just anywhere. One has to go to Walmart or purchase from a short list of select online retailers, such as Amazon.
Nutrition
At Puppy Pointers, what we like about Pure Balance is the transparency in the labeling, about the ingredients and benefits of the product. With Pure Balance products and recipes, all of them use natural ingredients, and no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. They keep things pure and simple, with the addition of vitamins and minerals that are vital to your pup’s growth and longevity.
The label clearly states what types of dogs will benefit best, such as seniors or puppies.
You’ll also see other useful information and added benefits from your dog eating this food. For instance, some labels from Pure Balance read, “Food sensitivity support. Healthy vision/heart support.” So seeing those facts up front add to our confidence in the brand.
As for the added minerals and vitamins, check each label for the specifics, as each recipe slightly differs from each other. But there are common vitamins that each recipe will provide, such as vitamin C, B12, B6, and D3.
One other key piece of nutrition we broke down for you is the guaranteed analysis for both the dry and wet dog food. It’s essential to look at similarities and differences among all the recipes. For instance, if your canine needs to be on a specific diet that needs either more or less of something, you’ll find the tables below very helpful.
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As always, if you’re unsure about switching to another brand of food, check with your veterinarian. Especially if you’re exposing your pup to a new ingredient, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Safety
Overall, the various recipes in the Pure Balance line are considered safe. The company prioritizes the safety of your pup above all else. More importantly, if your pup has certain allergies or sensitivities to food that requires a specific diet, the brand has created various blends to meet those needs.
Also, the all-natural ingredients have other benefits. For instance, if your pet needs immune or digestive system support, there are products for that. Pure Balance has both wet and dry food lines that provide your canine with the nutrients and vitamins they need and are perfectly safe, so it really comes down to your preference.
But before you make your purchase, check the ingredients on the back to make sure that your pet dog is not allergic to any of them. You can never be too safe. And when in doubt, ask a veterinarian.
Breed
Pure Balance doesn’t target specific breeds with its food products, but they do have a recipe that is made specifically for small breeds. It shouldn’t be hard to find a blend that meets your pup’s needs, so pay close attention to the guaranteed analysis on the back of the package.
The use of all-natural ingredients with no artificial flavors or preservatives makes this the ideal for any breed. Breeds that are sensitive to corn, wheat, soy, or grains will benefit from the grain-free recipes. Other Pure Balance recipes include Wild and Free, Superfood, poultry-free, and baked.
So, as you can see, if your breed has specific dietary needs, see if one of their products are a match.
Food Form
As mentioned earlier, Pure Balance comes in both wet and dry food form. Both forms will provide your pets with the nutrients they need, so it all comes down to your preference. All share the same essential nutrients but slightly different based on the protein and vegetables used.
In kibble form, there are more recipes and ingredients to choose from in comparison to its wet food line. Some high-quality ingredients include lentils, peas, carrots, bison, beef, chicken, and turkey; to name some.
If you’re interested in trying the wet food form, then you won’t have that many options available to you. The core protein used are primarily chicken, beef, duck, and lamb.
So, if you’re into feeding your pet canine different forms of protein, then maybe the dry form would be best.
An Overview of the Products
Pure Balance offers a variety of dog food, both wet and dry. So, you can choose between wet food in gravy, dinners, fresh rolls, and more.
All of the products are different, offering a variety of flavors and textures. But, they’re all made from quality ingredients, also containing minerals, nutrients, and vitamins.
Some products have no grain, so they’re suitable for dogs prone to allergies. You’ll also find formulas meant for puppies, small breeds, and large breeds.
Pure Balance offers different flavors like chicken and rice, lamb and fava bean, chicken and pea, beef and wild boar, turkey, and salmon.
Also, you can choose between a few package options. You have the option to buy larger quantities or small packs, depending on your needs and preferences.
All of this makes Pure Balance a convenient brand to shop from regardless of the breed you have.
Dry
Pure Balance dry food is available in many flavors and recipes. It comes in a bag of 4, 11, or 24 pounds, allowing you to choose based on how much food you need.
The recipes include grain-free, LID, small breed, and puppy. The flavors you can choose from are chicken and rice, beef and wild boar, chicken and pea, lamb and fava bean, turkey, and salmon.
All dry food has quality ingredients, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Wet (canned)
Wet Pure Balance dog food is packed in cans. You can buy a single pack or a pack of six 12.5-ounce cans, depending on your needs and preferences.
Again, you have plenty of recipes and flavors to choose from. The recipes, once again, include LID, grain-free, and puppy.
Flavors you can choose from are chicken, beef, beef, and chicken together, turkey and potato, and a mixture of chicken, vegetables, and brown rice.
These are pates, so they don’t contain any gravy.
Wet in Gravy and Dinners
Both wet food in gravy and dinners come in plastic contains with a pull-back cover. These are easy to open and are often packed as a single meal.
The gravy option is just wet food cut in chunks with gravy. The dinners are also wet but cut into bigger pieces. These also have sauce and are juicy.
What stands out is that both wet food in gravy and dinners are available as grain-free recipes. The flavors include beef, turkey and potato, lamb, chicken, and duck.
Wild and Fresh Rolls (semi-raw)
Wild and fresh rolls are semi-raw and not for all dogs. The food looks somewhat like cookie dough in a two-pound package.
You can choose between regular and grain-free recipes. Unfortunately, the flavors aren’t as many, so you only have the option of selecting beef and bison and a mixture of beef, chicken, salmon, and egg.
Here are the main pros and cons of Pure Balance
The most significant benefit of Pure Balance is that it’s readily available in many stores. This stands out because most high-end dog food is only available at certain pet stores.
Pure Balance is everywhere, and you don’t have to place any pre-orders or wait too long before it’s at your doorstep.
On top of that, all the ingredients used are carefully picked. Then, they’re combined to deliver nutritional and balanced meals for all dogs.
This makes it easy to digest, helping to improve your pet’s digestive system as a whole. It also helps to improve their immune system.
In addition, it’s among the most affordable options give how high-quality the ingredients are.
But, there’s a drawback. The first thing we noticed is that there’s no senior formula. Pure Balance doesn’t make any food for senior dogs that need a special diet.
Also, some dogs don’t respond that well to Pure Balance recipes. However, this doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it. All dogs are different, and some just don’t like these recipes and flavors.
What are the different types of Pure Balance dog food?
The most popular type of Pure Balance dog food is pure grain-free food. This recipe contains no fillers regardless of the particular food you pick.
As you know, grains like wheat, corn, and soy contribute to your dog’s calorie intake. While this isn’t necessarily bad, they do that without offering any nutritional value.
Pure Balance grain-free formulas contain high-quality meats and proteins. This includes foods like the Super Food, Wild and Free, and Limited Ingredient.
There’s also the Pure Balance 95%, which is the first canned food line from the brand. It’s also grain-free and includes beef, chicken, and turkey.
It’s considered a premium wet food, but it’s still reasonably priced.
Pure Balance canned food is similar to the 95% one. But, many dogs respond better to it, so the entire line has higher customer ratings.
It stands out from the 95% line as it has “stew” on the packaging.
There’s also the regular dry dog food. It’s corn-free but contains brow rice as filler.
Life Stage
The Pure Balance product line does include blends that are meant specifically for various stages of a pup’s life. You can find these options in both wet and dry form. For instance, in wet form, Pure Balance offers its beef stew recipe for adult canines.
Also, Pure Balance’s dry food line has recipes made specifically for young puppies, seniors, and adults. For example, its bison, venison, and peas recipe was created for puppies and senior dogs, as it promotes a stronger immune system and digestive system.
Recall History
The Pure Balance line has not had any recalls since its inception. However, its parent company, Ainsworth, has had other products recalled. For instance, as recent as 2021, the Rachael Ray Nutrish brand was recalled for unhealthy amounts of glyphosate, which affects the endocrine system.
Who Makes Pure Balance and Where Is It Produced?
Pure Balance is a private Walmart line. It was created in 2012 after Walmart noticed the lack of nutritious and affordable pet food on the market.
But, it’s important to note that Walmart doesn’t produce the food themselves. It’s manufactured under their license, but all they do is sell it.
Walmart enlisted Ainsworth Pet Nutrition LLC to make most of its products. Ainsworth produces the food in the USA as it’s located in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
On top of that, the company sources the ingredients within a few miles of their manufacturing location. This plays a massive part in the freshness and quality of the ingredients.
While most are made by Ainsworth, not all Pure Balance food is made there. Sadly, there isn’t much information about where the rest of the food is produced.
All their food is made in the USA, but some labels show the ingredients come from worldwide.
Is Pure Balance the most suitable food for your dog?
Pure Balance is high-quality food, but it’s not for all dogs. Although it’s a perfect choice for some dogs, others don’t like it and don’t respond well to it.
It all depends on your dog’s health, nutritional needs, and activity level. In addition, every dog is individual and has specific eating habits, so changing their food might trigger different responses.
The best way to introduce Pure Balance to your pet is to do it gradually. Also, make sure you’re using the right type. So, if your dog is allergic to grain, ensure the formula you choose is grain-free.
The food has passed AAFCO Pet Food Committee requirements, meaning that it’s healthy for different breeds.
Allergies
If your dog has food allergies, some of Pure Balance’s various blends can help your pup. They’ve made multiple products to help dogs with food sensitivities. There’s a grain-free formula and poultry-free formula, in which grain and poultry are common food allergies.
Always check with your veterinarian if you have any doubts about any of the ingredients listed. Also, observe your dog after switching to make sure your pup does not have an allergic reaction.
Feeding Directions
The amount of Pure Balance food your dog consumes depends heavily on its age, activity level, and environment, so adjust accordingly. One thing to remember is that the dry food form should not be given until around 3-4 weeks in age.
Also, if you’re transitioning from one brand of food to this one, you’ll need about ten days to finish the process. During this time, you’ll be gradually mixing in the Pure Balance food 25% at a time.
For dry food, if you need to soften the food, then mix ¼ part warm water. Be sure to switch every 30 minutes to ensure freshness. Always check the directions before giving to your dog to make sure you’re setting your pup up for success and a healthy meal.
Final Thoughts
After researching Walmart’s exclusive brand, Pure Balance, we highly recommend it. The all-natural recipes and the exclusion of artificial ingredients and preservatives makes this a quality dog food to give to your pet, both in the wet and dry food forms available. The added minerals and vitamins are other features to love about this product.
Always consult a veterinarian if you’re ever unsure about a recipe or specific ingredient. Read carefully and follow the directions when feeding and transitioning to this food brand. Also, observe your pet during the first couple of days and feedings to make sure your pet is safe and healthy. The last thing you want is for your pet to have an allergic reaction to the food.