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BRAND VS BRAND · KIBBLE

Eukanuba vs Purina

Eukanuba vs Purina: a bag of each brand facing off on an arcade fighting-game screen

Eukanuba against Purina, measured across 27 and 99 kibble recipes: 28.5% vs 30.7% protein on a dry matter basis, and 37% vs 36% starch.

THE SHORT VERSION

How They Differ

  • Purina runs higher in protein: 30.7% against 28.5% on a dry matter basis, averaged across the kibble we review from each.
  • Starch is similar, about 37% for Eukanuba and 36% for Purina as fed.
  • Purina is more calorie dense, 408 kcal per cup on average against 354, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
AT A GLANCE

Side by Side

Measure Eukanuba Purina Average kibble
Kibble recipes compared 27 99 1,601 in total
Protein, dry matter 28.5%23.3% to 35.6% 30.7%20.5% to 38.6% 30.4%
Fat, dry matter 15.5%10.0% to 23.3% 16.5%9.1% to 22.7% 16.0%
Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. 37%22% to 46% 36%21% to 50% 37%
Calories per cup 354254 to 465 408330 to 534 398
Meat, fish or egg listed first 96% 89%
Grain-free recipes 0% 5%
Most used proteins Chicken 93%, Egg 59%, Lamb 22% Chicken 77%, Fish 52%, Egg 52%
Recipes with corn, wheat, soy Corn 100%, Wheat 85%, Soy 26% Corn 79%, Wheat 65%, Soy 70%
By-products 89% 70%
FDA recalls, last 5 years None1 older in the archive 3Latest 20233 older in the archive
Made by Mars Nestlé Purina

Brand figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that brand, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Freeze-dried, frozen, wet food and toppers are left out so the numbers compare like with like, and so are prescription diets, which are fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. Protein and fat are on a dry matter basis, starch and calories as fed.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Closest Matching Recipes

Brand averages hide the recipe you would actually buy. These are the pairs that come closest on protein, fat and starch, preferring recipes built on the same main protein, which is where a like-for-like choice gets made.

CHOOSING

Which Fits Your Dog

  • For an active or working dog, or one that needs to hold muscle, Purina puts more protein in each bowl.
  • For a dog that gains weight easily, Eukanuba is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
  • Eukanuba has fewer FDA recalls in our record over the last five years (0 against 3). Read the list below before counting it against Purina: most recalls cover a few lots, not a whole range.
  • The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Eukanuba runs from 23% to 36% protein and Purina from 21% to 39%, so the right recipe matters more than the name on the bag.
SAFETY

Recall History

FDA recall notices from the last five years that name the brand or its maker. Older notices sit in each brand's archive below: still on the record, but not counted, since a recall that old says more about how a company used to run than how it runs now.

Eukanuba

No FDA recalls in our record for Eukanuba in the last five years.

Archive: 1 older recall
AUG 14, 2013
POTENTIAL SALMONELLA

Iams; Eukanuba. Limited lots of Iams and Eukanuba dry dog and cat food (P&G)

Purina

MAR 10, 2023
POTENTIALLY ELEVATED VITAMIN D

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. EL Elemental dry dog food, two additional lots (expansion)

FEB 8, 2023
POTENTIALLY ELEVATED VITAMIN D

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. EL Elemental prescription dry dog food (8 lb, 20 lb)

NOV 30, 2022
LABELING ERROR (FDA POSTED 2022-12-02)

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. PPVD EN Gastroenteric Low Fat wet dog food 13.4 oz cans (contained Purina ONE True Instinct Turkey & Venison)

Archive: 3 older recalls
MAR 9, 2016
MAY NOT CONTAIN RECOMMENDED LEVELS OF ADDED VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Beneful; Purina Pro Plan. Beneful Prepared Meals, Beneful Chopped Blends and Pro Plan Savory Meals 10 oz wet dog food tubs, Best Before Jun-Aug 2017

AUG 30, 2013
POTENTIAL SALMONELLA

Purina ONE beyOnd. Purina ONE beyOnd Our White Meat Chicken & Whole Barley Recipe Adult dry dog food, limited bags

JAN 9, 2013
TRACE ANTIBIOTIC RESIDUE NOT APPROVED IN US (NYSDAM TESTING)

Waggin' Train; Canyon Creek Ranch. All Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch dog treats (chicken jerky) sold in US (market withdrawal)

WHO MAKES THEM

About the Brands

Eukanuba

Eukanuba is a premium dog food brand owned by Mars, Incorporated. It is known for performance nutrition for working, sporting and service dogs, and it also sells puppy, adult, senior and weight management formulas. In 2026 the brand organized its lineup into three lines: Growth & Maintenance, Premium Performance and Solutions.

since 1969. Every Eukanuba food we review

Purina

Purina is made by Nestlé Purina PetCare, the pet food business of Nestlé, which is based in St. Louis, Missouri. Its dog food brands include Pro Plan, Purina ONE, Dog Chow, Beneful and Alpo.

Based in St. Louis, Missouri, since 1894. Every Purina food we review

KEEP COMPARING

More Brand Comparisons

How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brands' own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. Figures refreshed October 10, 2026.

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