Purina Pro Plan vs Purina Beneful
Purina Pro Plan against Purina Beneful, measured across 49 and 9 kibble recipes: 28.0% vs 25.0% protein and 35% vs 40% starch, as fed.
Main Differences
- Purina Pro Plan recipes average 28% protein and 15.3% fat, with an estimated 35% starch. Purina Beneful recipes average 25% protein, 12.4% fat and a higher estimated 40% starch.
- Purina Pro Plan averages 429 calories per cup (330 to 534), while Purina Beneful averages 359 calories per cup (331 to 382).
- None of Purina Pro Plan's recipes are grain-free, while 11% of Purina Beneful's recipes are grain-free.
- Purina Pro Plan offers 49 recipes across Puppy, Adult, Senior and All Life Stages, in Small, Large and All Breed sizes. Purina Beneful offers 9 recipes, mostly Adult with one Puppy recipe, in All Breeds and Small Breed.
- Purina Pro Plan's estimated price per pound is $2.28, compared with an estimated price per pound of $1.13 for Purina Beneful.
The Two Lines in Figures
Protein and fat:
| Measure | Purina Pro Plan | Purina Beneful | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 49 | 9 | 1,747 in total |
| Protein, as fed | 28.0%26.0% to 34.0% | 25.0%23.0% to 28.0% | 27.2% |
| Fat, as fed | 15.3%9.0% to 20.0% | 12.4%8.0% 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%25% to 41% | 40%36% to 43% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 429330 to 534 | 359331 to 382 | 398 |
| Grain-free recipes | 0% | 11% | |
| Life stages | Adult 28, Puppy 10, All Life Stages 6, Senior 5 | Adult 8, Puppy 1 | |
| Breed sizes | All Breeds 41, Small Breed 12, Large Breed 11 | All Breeds 8, Small Breed 2 | |
| Price per pound, estimate | $2.28/lbEstimate, median of 46 of 49 recipesRecipes run $1.56 to $4.14Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | $1.13/lbEstimate, median of 6 of 9 recipesRecipes run $1.01 to $1.18Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None1 older, not counted | None1 older, not counted |
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 Pro Plan
Best seller of the line on Amazon
Purina Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Protein 26%
Fat 16%
Starch 37% 369 kcal/cup
Most protein in the line, 34.0% as fed
Purina Pro Plan Specialized Nutrition Puppy Toy Breed Chicken Rice Dry Dog Food
Protein 34%
Fat 20%
Starch 25% 533 kcal/cup
Least starch in the line, about 26%
Purina Pro Plan Development Puppy Small Breed Chicken Rice Dry Dog Food
Protein 33%
Fat 20%
Starch 26% 482 kcal/cup
Purina Beneful
Most protein in the line, 28.0% as fed
Purina Beneful Healthy Puppy Farm-Raised Chicken Dry Dog Food
Protein 28%
Fat 14%
Starch 36% 352 kcal/cup
Least starch in the line, about 39%
Purina Beneful Incredibites Small Dog Chicken Dry Dog Food
Protein 26%
Fat 14%
Starch 39% 382 kcal/cup
Fewest calories in the line, 331 kcal per cup
Purina Beneful Healthy Weight Farm-Raised Chicken Dry Dog Food
Protein 25%
Fat 8%
Starch 42% 331 kcal/cup
Who Each Line Suits
Purina Pro Plan
- Owners of senior dogs, covered by 5 Purina Pro Plan recipes made for Senior life stage.
- Owners of large breed puppies, served by a Purina Pro Plan recipe made for that purpose.
- Owners of active dogs, served by Purina Pro Plan recipes made for sport performance.
Purina Beneful
- Owners wanting a grain-free option, since 11% of Purina Beneful recipes are grain-free.
- Owners watching cost, given Purina Beneful's estimated price per pound of $1.13.
- Owners seeking consistently lower fat, as every Purina Beneful recipe stays at or under 14% fat.
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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