Victor Purpose is built around need-specific kibbles: three Sensitive Skin & Stomach recipes, a senior weight formula, a joint formula sold for performance dogs, two grain free recipes for active dogs, and the high-fat Bully Fuel. Beef meal is the first ingredient in five of the eight, and fish appears in seven.
Protein runs from 24% to 34% as fed, and estimated starch runs from 23% to 42%. The line averages 28.5% protein and 36% starch against a kibble catalog average of 26.9% and 37.4%, so it sits slightly higher in protein and slightly lower in starch. It averages 387 kcal per cup versus 395 for the catalog. Five recipes contain grain, mainly brown rice, sorghum and millet. Three are grain free, and four include peas or lentils.
The trade-off is spread. At 504 kcal per cup, Bully Fuel is far denser than anything else here, while the Sensitive Skin & Stomach recipes and Senior Healthy Weight carry the most starch, at 39% to 42%. The two grain free active recipes share the same protein, fat and starch figures.
| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bully Fuel, beef and chicken recipe, boasts a 34/22 | 34% | 22% | 23% | 504 | Beef, Beef Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols) |
| Grain Free Active Dog & Puppy | 33% | 16% | 32.2% | 384 | Beef Meal, Peas, Garbanzo Beans |
| Grain Free Hero Canine | 33% | 16% | 32.2% | 383 | Beef Meal, Peas, Sweet Potato |
| Senior Healthy Weight | 27% | 11.5% | 42% | 360 | Beef Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Millet |
| Performance Joint Health | 26% | 18% | 37.2% | 399 | Beef Meal, Grain Sorghum, Whole Grain Millet |
| Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon Meal & Brown Rice Recipe | 26% | 14% | 40% | 363 | Salmon Meal, Brown Rice, Grain Sorghum |
| Sensitive Skin & Stomach Grain Free Lamb Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe | 25% | 14% | 39% | 346 | Lamb Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Yeast Culture |
| Sensitive Skin & Stomach Beef Meal & Brown Rice Recipe | 24% | 14% | 42% | 359 | Beef Meal, Brown Rice, Grain Sorghum |
| Line average | 28.5% | 15.7% | 36% | 387 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
34% protein · 22% fat · 23% starch · 504 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
Bully Fuel leads the line with 34% protein, 22% fat and 504 kcal per cup, and it has the lowest estimated starch at 23%. With beef and beef meal first, it suits very active dogs that need many calories in a small meal.
Full review of Bully Fuel, beef and chicken recipe, boasts a 34/2233% protein · 16% fat · 32.2% starch · 384 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This grain free recipe pairs beef meal with peas, garbanzo beans and sweet potatoes for 33% protein and 32.2% estimated starch. Unlike Hero Canine, it is labeled for all life stages, so it fits households feeding both puppies and active adults.
Full review of Grain Free Active Dog & Puppy33% protein · 16% fat · 32.2% starch · 383 kcal/cup · Adult
Hero Canine matches the Active Dog & Puppy recipe on protein, fat and estimated starch but is labeled for adults only. It adds pork and lists menhaden fish meal in its first five ingredients, so it suits owners of active adult dogs who want grain free kibble.
Full review of Grain Free Hero Canine27% protein · 11.5% fat · 42% starch · 360 kcal/cup · Adult
Senior Healthy Weight has the least fat in the line at 11.5% and 360 kcal per cup, and it is sold for older dogs and weight control. It contains grain, is flagged for peas or lentils, and has 42% estimated starch.
Full review of Senior Healthy Weight26% protein · 18% fat · 37.2% starch · 399 kcal/cup · Adult
Performance Joint Health combines 26% protein, 18% fat and 399 kcal per cup on sorghum and millet, with blood meal in its first five ingredients. It is made for athletic adult dogs and suits owners wanting grain-inclusive kibble without peas, lentils or potato.
Full review of Performance Joint Health26% protein · 14% fat · 40% starch · 363 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
In this salmon member of the Sensitive Skin & Stomach trio, the only animal protein is fish, from salmon meal and fish meal. It is built on brown rice, sorghum and millet with 40% estimated starch, so it suits owners avoiding beef, chicken and pork.
Full review of Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon Meal & Brown Rice Recipe25% protein · 14% fat · 39% starch · 346 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This is the line's only lamb recipe and the only grain free member of the Sensitive Skin & Stomach group, built on lamb meal, garbanzo beans and sweet potato. At 346 kcal per cup it has the fewest calories here, suiting owners seeking lamb-based grain free kibble.
Full review of Sensitive Skin & Stomach Grain Free Lamb Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe24% protein · 14% fat · 42% starch · 359 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This is the grain-inclusive beef version of the Sensitive Skin & Stomach trio, with beef meal, brown rice, sorghum and millet up front and the line's lowest protein at 24%. It suits owners who want a sensitive-stomach recipe with beef and no peas, lentils or potato.
Full review of Sensitive Skin & Stomach Beef Meal & Brown Rice RecipeOnly three of the eight recipes are grain free: Grain Free Active Dog & Puppy, Grain Free Hero Canine, and Sensitive Skin & Stomach Grain Free Lamb Meal & Sweet Potato. The other five use grains such as brown rice, sorghum and millet.
Bully Fuel has the most protein at 34% as fed, along with 22% fat and 504 kcal per cup. Grain Free Active Dog & Puppy and Grain Free Hero Canine come next at 33%.
Four recipes include peas or lentils: Grain Free Active Dog & Puppy, Grain Free Hero Canine, the Grain Free Lamb Meal recipe and Senior Healthy Weight. Bully Fuel, Performance Joint Health and the beef and salmon Sensitive Skin & Stomach recipes do not.
Protein is close to the average kibble we review (31.5% on a dry matter basis).
100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).
50% of recipes are grain-free.
this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,205 foods we review
Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out
Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.
These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.
MOST PROTEIN
Victor Purpose Bully Fuel, beef and chicken recipe, boasts a 34/22 Dry Dog Food
37.8% dry matter
LEAST STARCH
Victor Purpose Grain Free Active Dog & Puppy Dry Dog Food
32% as fed
FEWEST CALORIES
Victor Purpose Sensitive Skin & Stomach Grain Free Lamb Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
346 kcal per cup
FDA and CDC investigation notice for Mid America Pet Food dog and cat foods
All dog and cat foods with best-by before 10/31/2024 (expansion)
Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula dry dog food, three lots
Hi-Pro Plus dry dog food, one lot, 5 lb
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