Purina Pro Plan vs Purina Beyond
Purina Pro Plan against Purina Beyond, measured across 49 and 9 kibble recipes: 28.0% vs 26.6% protein and 35% vs 35% 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
- Purina Pro Plan lists 49 kibble recipes, while Purina Beyond lists 9, giving Pro Plan a much wider recipe lineup.
- Purina Pro Plan has no grain-free recipes (0%) and remains on sale, while Purina Beyond has 33% grain-free recipes but, per Purina, is no longer available (checked October 22, 2026).
- Purina Pro Plan covers Adult, Puppy, Senior and All Life Stages recipes plus Small, Large and All Breeds sizes, while Purina Beyond covers only Adult and Puppy recipes for All Breeds and Small Breed sizes.
- Protein and fat are close between the lines: Purina Pro Plan averages 28% protein and 15.3% fat, while Purina Beyond averages 26.6% protein and 15.9% fat.
- Estimated starch and calories per cup are also close: both lines average 35% estimated starch, and Purina Pro Plan averages 429 kcal per cup versus 443 kcal per cup for Purina Beyond.
The Two Lines in Figures
Protein and fat:
| Measure | Purina Pro Plan | Purina Beyond | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 49 | 9 | 1,747 in total |
| Protein, as fed | 28.0%26.0% to 34.0% | 26.6%24.0% to 30.0% | 27.2% |
| Fat, as fed | 15.3%9.0% to 20.0% | 15.9%14.0% to 18.0% | 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% | 35%30% to 40% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 429330 to 534 | 443411 to 469 | 398 |
| Grain-free recipes | 0% | 33% | |
| 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 9, Small Breed 3 | |
| 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 | Price not availablePurina says Beyond pet food is no longer available (purina.com, checked October 22, 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
Who Each Line Suits
Purina Pro Plan
- Owners of senior dogs, since Pro Plan offers 5 recipes made for the Senior life stage.
- Owners of large breed dogs, since Pro Plan has 11 recipes made for Large Breed dogs.
- Owners of active dogs, since Pro Plan's Sport Performance recipes are made for sport and performance.
Purina Beyond
- Owners seeking grain-free kibble, since 33% of Purina Beyond's recipes are grain-free.
- Owners wanting an organic recipe, since Purina Beyond includes an Organic Small Dog recipe.
- Owners wanting a narrow calorie range, since Beyond's recipes run 411 to 469 kcal per cup.
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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