Purina Beyond vs Purina Dog Chow
Purina Beyond against Purina Dog Chow, measured across 9 and 9 kibble recipes: 26.6% vs 23.8% protein and 35% vs 41% starch, as fed.
Purina says Beyond pet food is no longer available (purina.com, checked October 22, 2026). The figures below are from the last labels we read.
Main Differences
- Beyond averages 26.6% protein and 15.9% fat, while Dog Chow averages 23.8% protein and 11.3% fat, so Beyond runs higher in both measures by about 2.8 and 4.6 points.
- Estimated starch is close to the two lines: Beyond averages 35% estimated starch and Dog Chow averages 41%, a gap of about 6 points.
- Beyond averages 443 kcal per cup with 33% of its recipes grain-free, while Dog Chow averages 412 kcal per cup and has no grain-free recipes.
- Beyond's 9 recipes include 8 for Adult and 1 for Puppy, with 3 sized for Small Breed, while Dog Chow's 9 recipes are all Adult, with 1 sized for Small Breed.
- Purina says Beyond is no longer available as of October 22, 2026, while Dog Chow is listed as on sale.
The Two Lines in Figures
Protein and fat:
| Measure | Purina Beyond | Purina Dog Chow | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 9 | 9 | 1,747 in total |
| Protein, as fed | 26.6%24.0% to 30.0% | 23.8%20.0% to 27.0% | 27.2% |
| Fat, as fed | 15.9%14.0% to 18.0% | 11.3%8.5% to 14.0% | 14.3% |
| 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. | 35%30% to 40% | 41%30% to 47% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 443411 to 469 | 412364 to 436 | 398 |
| Grain-free recipes | 33% | 0% | |
| Life stages | Adult 8, Puppy 1 | Adult 9 | |
| Breed sizes | All Breeds 9, Small Breed 3 | All Breeds 9, Small Breed 1 | |
| Price per pound, estimate | Price not availablePurina says Beyond pet food is no longer available (purina.com, checked October 22, 2026). | $0.79/lbEstimate, median of 7 of 9 recipesRecipes run $0.54 to $1.05Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None1 older, not counted | None |
Line figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that line, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Wet food, toppers and prescription diets are left out so the numbers compare like with like. Everything is as fed, the way the bag prints it; the switch above the table shows protein and fat on a dry matter basis instead. Why we use as fed. The price per pound is an estimate: the median of each recipe's lowest price per pound across the bag sizes and US retailers our price checks found, so a single bag can cost more or less. Shelf prices change often.
Top Recipes in Each Line
Purina Dog Chow
Most protein in the line, 27.0% as fed
Purina Dog Chow High Protein Real Beef Dry Dog Food
Protein 27%
Fat 14%
Starch 39% 436 kcal/cup
Least starch in the line, about 30%
Purina Dog Chow Soft Bites Smoked Chicken Dry Dog Food
Protein 20%
Fat 9%
Starch 30%
Fewest calories in the line, 364 kcal per cup
Purina Dog Chow Tender & Crunchy Dry Dog Food
Protein 21%
Fat 10%
Starch 45% 364 kcal/cup
Who Each Line Suits
Purina Beyond
- Puppy owners who used Beyond's only puppy recipe, the Chicken & Oatmeal formula
- Owners who wanted up to 30% protein, the high end of Beyond's range
- Owners who wanted grain-free kibble, since 33% of Beyond's recipes were grain-free
Purina Dog Chow
- Owners who want a lower-cost kibble, at an estimated price of $0.79 per pound
- Owners of only adult dogs, since none of Dog Chow's 9 recipes are made for puppies
- Owners of small dogs who use Dog Chow's Little Bites for Small Dogs recipe
Every Purina Line
| Line | Kibble recipes | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | Grain-free | Price / lb, est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Plan | 49 | 28.0% | 15.3% | 35% | 429 | 0% | $2.28 |
| Purina ONE | 22 | 28.3% | 15.2% | 32% | 371 | 5% | $1.81 |
| Beneful | 9 | 25.0% | 12.4% | 40% | 359 | 11% | $1.13 |
| Beyond | 9 | 26.6% | 15.9% | 35% | 443 | 33% | Not available |
| Dog Chow | 9 | 23.8% | 11.3% | 41% | 412 | 0% | $0.79 |
| Puppy Chow | 3 | 27.5% | 11.3% | 38% | 403 | 0% | $0.91 |
| Alpo | 2 | 18.0% | 8.5% | 50% | 378 | 0% | $0.58 |
| Bella | 2 | 26.0% | 15.5% | 37% | 351 | 0% | Not available |
| Veterinary diets | 1 prescription recipe, fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. Not compared. | ||||||
Averages over each line's kibble we review, as fed. Lines with only a few recipes swing more on one bag. Price per pound is the same estimate as above.
More Purina Line Comparisons
The Purina Lines
Purina Against Other Brands
How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brand's own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. The written comparison is drafted from these figures, and every number in it is checked against them. Figures refreshed October 25, 2026.
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