Food for Thought: Our Nutrition Philosophy

We believe pets and people are better together, and it's this belief that has driven us to push pet nutrition forward for over 80 years. It's what inspires our team of over 400 scientists, including nutritionists to develop industry-leading pet foods, and to make those products accessible for more pets everywhere. 
We've seen firsthand how proper feeding can help extend a dog's healthy years. That's why we're on a mission to raise the standards for pet nutrition over the next 80 years. The first step? Helping pet owners know just what that involves.

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Learn more about the nutrition philosophy that guides everything we do.

#1 - We Don't Meet Standards, We Surpass Them

Did you know that pet food formulation is subjected to stricter standards than most human food? That's because pet food makes up the entirety of a pet's diet, so it has to deliver all of the nutrients they need. That's why pet foods so often use the phrase "complete and balanced." 
Every pet food needs to meet federal (FDA) and state regulatory standards before they get anywhere near your pet's bowl. Pet food companies can volunteer to follow the Association of American Feed Control Officials' (AAFCO) guidelines, which encourage pet food companies to conduct feeding trials to make sure that their foods result in positive outcomes for real pets.

At Purina, we see industry standards as just a starting place. Not only do all our products meet these standards, but most of them go beyond the requirements to provide optimal nourishment for pets. That’s because we take pride in making sure our foods truly help pets thrive.

#2 - The Quality is in the Details

We know what it's like to obsess over your pet's nutrition and to wonder what kind of quality assurance goes into making sure a pet food is ready for a pet to eat. After all, most of us have pets of our own. That's why we work hard to ensure that our products are safe for pets. 
We've spent the last 80 years building our trusted reputation, and we go the extra mile to make sure it stays that way for the next hundred years. To us, no detail is worth overlooking when it comes to taking care of pets.

Here's a crash course in everything we do to make sure our products live up to the highest of standards.

#3 - More Delicious + More Digestible = Nutrition That Does More

It's our goal to make products that your pet wants to eat, and to make sure they’re easily digestible. That's because we know that industry-leading nutrition is pointless if pets don't enjoy eating it, and even more pointless if it’s hard to digest and can’t go to work in your pet. If a cat turns her nose up at our food, or a dog finds it uncomfortable on his system, we go straight back to the drawing board. It's this standard that has driven us to become the best-in-class pet food company when it comes to nutrition that does more.

#4 - We Do Our Homework

Did you know we're a global leader in pet nutrition research? From finding out what drives obesity to studying the effects of new trends and discoveries in human nutrition, we've got it covered. That's because we don't want to follow the industry - we want to push it ahead. It's all part of our mission to enrich the lives of pets, and enable them to live long, healthy lives. 
With our eighty years of experience in this industry, conducting research is nothing new for us.

#5 - We Don't Study Ingredients in a Vacuum

We think the best ingredients are ones that aren't just good solo players, but excellent team players as well. That's because ingredients can often enhance one another's performance. A smarter nutrient blend is going to be more digestible and effective for a pet than a single ingredient. That's why we don't formulate our pet food on an ingredient by ingredient basis, but instead measure how different formulations affect a pet's overall health. This is how we've maximized the benefits of ingredients like whole grains, including corn, which have been shown by long-term studies to provide a strong complement to vegetables and protein sources like meat, fish, and soy, while also promoting digestive health.

#6 - All Pets Should Have Access to Complete Nutrition

What's the point of making better pet food if more pets don't get to eat it? We believe game-changing nutrition should be available for pets everywhere. That's why we offer a wide range of products that allows pet owners to choose a food that's right for their pet. We want every pet owner to feel confident that their pet food meets or exceeds state and federal regulatory standards - but we also want every pet owner to feel confident they've made the right choice. 
That Means Shelter Pets Too We're equally passionate about pets that are still waiting for loving homes. That's why in 2011 we donated Purina pet food to over 1800 shelters and rescues.