Pure Balance Cat Food Review: Is This Affordable Brand Right for Your Cat?

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Pure Balance

Pure Balance claims to offer luxury food products at affordable prices. There is a broad range of flavors and variations on offer from this famous pet food supplier. So, which of their cat food options are most viable for your pet?

In this Pure Balance cat food review, we'll be taking a closer look at the brand's different cat food options. We'll overview several of the supplier's most popular products — including their flavors, ingredients, and more. Lastly, we'll also provide you with some additional information about this brand.

What is Pure Balance?

This is a brand of pet food that promises high-quality ingredients for a fraction of the price of many premium competitors. In recent years, the brand has grown increasingly popular with consumers that are trying to feed their cats healthy food on a budget. So, who produces the food, and what are its origins?

Pure Balance's origins and manufacturing processes are slightly less transparent than many industry competitors. The brand is a ‘Walmart Brand,' but the retail giant does not manufacture it. Instead, a company named Aisnworth's is responsible for sourcing, manufacturing, and supplying most of their products.

The exact arrangements are not clear cut. It appears that Ainsworth's is only responsible for manufacturing some of the product lines. Other pet food manufacturers around the country are responsible for producing certain items.

If you're concerned about the exact source of your cat food's ingredients, you won't find much relief at Pure Balance. The company isn't well-known for releasing information about its ingredient sourcing — there's no publicly available information about suppliers or other critical sources.

Overall, this brand's origins and transparency are slightly disappointing. While the brand is associated with Walmart, it's somewhat frustrating that there's no additional information about food sources, manufacturers, or other critical details.

Pure Balance Cat Food Review: Is This Affordable Brand Right for Your Cat? 1

Pure Balance Cat Food Reviews

1. Pro+ Indoor Weight & Hairball Care 

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First 5 ingredients:

Chicken, Poultry Meal, Brown Rice, Soybean Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn

Protein: 34.0% min

Fat: 9.0% min

Fiber: 5.5% max

Moisture: 10.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: Adult

One of the most popular cat foods from this brand is their chicken and brown rice kibble. Just like the name says, itโ€™s got those familiar flavors cats usually love and yep, itโ€™s definitely a grain-inclusive recipe.

When it comes to protein, this food uses a mix of animal sources. There is some corn protein in there, but most of it comes from rendered poultry meal and fresh chicken. The brand likes to highlight that they use farm-raised chicken, which sounds great, but keep in mind that some of the other protein sources arenโ€™t exactly the healthiest options.

Some of the ingredients are also a little vague. Things like โ€œnatural flavorโ€ and โ€œpoultry mealโ€ donโ€™t really explain whatโ€™s actually inside, which isnโ€™t super reassuring.

On the bright side, it does include a good amount of added vitamins and minerals, so nutritionally it helps support a balanced diet for your cat.

Pros

  • Vet formulated
  • Promotes healthy skin and shiny fur
  • Rich in Omega fatty acids
  • No fillers, artificial flavors or artificial preservatives added
  • U.S. farm raised chicken is first ingredient
  • Supports overall wellness of indoor kitties

Cons

  • Some cats don't like the tasted
  • Really small pieces for some owners

2. High Protein Grain-Free Salmon Recipe

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First 5 ingredients:

Salmon, Chicken Meal, Dried Peas, Turkey Meal, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

Protein: 40.0% min

Fat: 18.0% min

Fiber: 4.0% max

Moisture: 10.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Speciat Diet: Grain-free

This is another dry cat food from the brand thatโ€™s marketed as totally โ€œgrain-free.โ€ It packs around 40% protein and skips the corn, wheat and grains, which makes it a good fit for cats that donโ€™t really need all those extra carbs.

Protein-wise, salmon is the star here. Youโ€™ll also find salmon meal, chicken meal, chicken fat and dried egg in the mix. On top of that, there are dried peas and a few veggie ingredients tossed in.

Like most of their foods, it comes with a long list of added vitamins and minerals to support your catโ€™s health, including vitamin E. Just a heads-up though: even though itโ€™s promoted as low-carb, there are still a fair number of hidden carbs in there.

If your cat is already a fan of salmon flavors, this is a pretty popular pick. It actually uses real salmon as a main ingredient, itโ€™s reasonably priced, and it has a lot of positive reviews from other cat parentsโ€”so itโ€™s definitely worth considering.

Pros

  • Rich in omega 6 fatty acids
  • Number 1 ingredient is Salmon
  • Grain free
  • Quality protein source

Cons

  • Not available in big bags
  • Inconsistent quality

3. Pro+ Sensitive Stomach Chicken & Lamb Recipe

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First 5 ingredients:

Chicken Broth, Chicken, Lamb, Tapioca Starch, Inulin

Protein: 10.0% min

Fat: 0.5% min

Fiber: 2.0% max

Moisture: 84.5% max

Food Type: Wet, Broth

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Speciat Diet: Grain-free

If youโ€™ve got a kitty with a sensitive stomach, this might be right up their alley. Itโ€™s made with real chicken and lamb, so youโ€™re not dealing with mystery meat or filler ingredients. Instead, itโ€™s designed to be super gentle and easy to digest, which is a huge plus for cats that tend to get upset tummies.

This recipe focuses on simple, wholesome ingredients instead of stuffing the can with unnecessary extras. Itโ€™s veterinarian-formulated, too, so thereโ€™s some real thought behind what goes into it. And if you like to avoid junk in your petโ€™s food, youโ€™ll be happy to know there are no artificial flavors and no useless fillers in here.

Itโ€™s also grain-free, which can be helpful for cats that donโ€™t do well with grains. Overall, if your cat needs something a little kinder on their stomach but still deserves something tasty and comforting in a savory broth, this is definitely a treat that feels worth trying.

Pros

  • Gourmet meal
  • Formulated by a Vet
  • Grain free formula
  • Promotes hydration
  • Made from real poached salmon
  • Highly digestible with real ingredients

Cons

  • Strong smell
  • Finicky cats don't seem too like it

4. Classic Starters  Shredded Chicken & Beef

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First 5 ingredients:

Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken, Beef, Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Oil

Protein: 10.0% min

Fat: 1.0% min

Fiber: 1.0% max

Moisture: 84.0% max

Food Type: Wet, Shredded, Topper

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Speciat Diet: Grain-free

If your cat loves meaty flavors and you want something a little extra special for them, then this recipe is a pretty great pick. Each pack comes with 12 individual 1.4 oz pouches, so youโ€™ve always got something handy for snack time, mealtime or a little โ€œyouโ€™re such a good kittyโ€ treat moment.

These pouches are packed with high-protein goodness, made with real shredded chicken and beef, so youโ€™re giving your cat something that actually feels like food โ€” not just mystery mush. Everything is served in a savory broth, which not only tastes amazing to most cats but also helps with hydration, which is always a win.

Itโ€™s a grain-free recipe, making it a nice option for cats with sensitive stomachs or special dietary needs. You can serve it as a yummy topper over their regular food to make meals more exciting, or as a standalone treat if you want to spoil them a bit. Plus, the pouches are super convenient and easy to serve, which makes life easier for you, too.

Overall, itโ€™s crafted with quality ingredients, smells like something your cat will actually get excited about, and is simple, tasty, and fuss-free โ€” definitely worth trying if your kitty loves flavorful, meaty treats.

Pros

  • High protein
  • Grain free formula
  • With real shredded chicken and beef
  • Made using top tier ingredients
  • Ideal as a meal or topper

Cons

  • Miniscule amounts of beef
  • Damaged pouches upon arrival

5. Pro+ Senior Formula with Chicken 

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First 5 ingredients:

Chicken, Poultry By-Product Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Soybean Meal, Brown Rice, Corn Gluten Meal

Protein: 36.0% min

Fat: 13.0% min

Fiber: 50% max

Moisture: 10.0% max

Food Type: Dry

Best for: Senior

Speciat Diet: Grain-free

If youโ€™ve got a sweet senior kitty at home, this kibble is made with them in mind. The recipe starts with quality ingredients right from the get-go, and real chicken is the very first ingredient โ€” so you know your older cat is getting something tasty and protein-packed, not just a bowl full of fillers.

Itโ€™s specifically veterinarian-formulated for cats 7 years and older, helping support them through their senior years with nutrition that actually makes sense for their age. On top of that, itโ€™s loaded with antioxidant vitamins and minerals to help keep their immune system strong, so they can stay happy, active and cuddly for as long as possible.

You wonโ€™t find any artificial preservatives, colors, flavors or unnecessary junk here. Every serving is made with carefully selected ingredients for a simple, clean and wholesome taste that senior cats tend to enjoy.

So if you want a dry food that feels thoughtful, gentle and truly made for older catsโ€™ needs, this is definitely a solid option to consider for your senior feline family member.

Pros

  • Veterinarian formulated
  • For kitties 7 yrs old and above
  • Made from real, fresh chicken
  • Ingredients used were chosen carefully
  • Zero fillers, artificial preservatives, artificial colors or flavors

Cons

  • Many dust particles at bottom
  • Some cats don't like it

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Which Pure Balance Cat Foods Have Been Recalled?

Unfortunately, food recalls are rife in the pet food industry. If you're going to choose a new cat food producer, it's critical to select a supplier that can be trusted to maintain high-quality standards. So, has Pure Balance cat food been recalled in the past?

This is one of the few pet foods brands that has not issued any recalls in the past two years. This a testament to consistent food standards and slightly makes up for the company's lack of transparency on the production end of their business.

Regardless, if you have a pet, it's always important to check the latest recall information. Not doing so could put your cat at risk. You can find current and past recall information for all US pet food brands on the internet.

pure balance cat food review

Pure Balance Buying Guide

Now that you've read our overview of Pure Balance's top food products, it's time to learn more about this unique cat food brand and what it can offer to you and your pet. Below, let's learn more about this brand — we'll also provide you with tips and information to keep in mind when you're shopping for cat food.

Is Pure Balance Cat Food Good for Cats?

If you're looking for the best food for cats, it's important to find brands that offer ingredients you can trust. As you can tell, many of the ingredients in pet food brands can be confusing. Most pet owners have never seen terms like menadione sodium bisulfite complex, pea protein, animal fat preserved, and beet pulp.

This brand is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to nutrition. On the one hand, the formulas avoid certain unnatural ingredients and health hazards. On the other hand, elements such as pea protein, beet pulp, sweet potato, and other components aren't the best option for your cat.

So, while Pure Balance isn't the healthiest choice for your cat, many of its formulas do include excellent ingredients if you're trying to provide nutrition to your pet. As always, it's essential to explore the ingredients list of each product and determine if you're comfortable with the additives and unnecessary ingredients in the food.

If you're someone who is looking for a limited ingredient option, the four formulas on our list might not be the right choice for your cat. While some people appear to consider these options to be ‘limited ingredient,' They have other cat foods that they explicitly advertise under this category. It's better to be safe than sorry — seek out the alternative Pure Balance flavors if this is a priority.

What Cat Food Ingredients Should I Try to Avoid?

Pet food is notorious for containing extra ingredients that aren't healthy (even for animal consumption). If you're purchasing cheap cat food, you can sometimes run into issues with quality. So, which ingredients do you need to be careful about next time you're shopping for cat food? Let's take a look:

  • Rendered fats
  • Corn gluten
  • Wheat gluten
  • Grain
  • Certain meats and by-products
  • Propylene Glycol
  • Unnecessary preservatives
  • Unnecessary chemicals
  • Animal fat preserved
  • Beet pulp
  • Sweet potato (Not always necessary to avoid sweet potato)
  • Pea protein
  • Ethoxyquin
  • Butylated Hyrdoxytolene
  • Butylated Hydroxyanisole
  • Added food dyes
  • Recalled pet items

Fortunately, this brand is firmly committed to avoiding many of the above ingredients. As you will see in the advertising on many of their products, they avoid the use of corn and wheat when manufacturing their cat food products.

It's essential to be super vigilant when you're buying cat food. Pet food producers are notorious for cutting corners and using substitutes.

pure balance cat food review

Is Pure Balance Popular with Pet Owners?

This brand has been extraordinarily active at marketing itself as a pure source of food for cats. The company includes farm-raised ingredients, no grains, and a lack of additives, which has made it popular with health-conscious pet owners. A glance at online reviews indicates that this brand is extremely popular with pet owners around the United States.

It appears that most of the problems associated with the products are related to suppliers, not the producer of Pure Balance. For example, some customers have complained about receiving expired cat food after ordering from online. Again, this is the fault of the distributor that is selling the products on the internet.

Transitioning to Pure Balance

If your cat is trying this brand for the first time, it's important to transition them slowly. Cats are notoriously fussy about switching foods, so it's critical to change their food source gradually to avoid complications. Pure Balance recommends that you enact this process over a seven to10 day period. Below is their recommended transition schedule:

  • Days 1-2: 25% Pure Balance // 75% Current Food Source
  • Days 3-4: 50% Pure Balance // 50% Current Food Source
  • Days 5-6: 75% Pure Balance // 25% Current Food Source
  • Continuing: 100% Pure Balance

Keep an Eye on Your Cat

If you're switching your cat to this brand, it's also essential to keep an eye on their behavior and health as you transition them to a new food source. While most cats will respond positively to their products, there may be ingredients or nutrients that are not suitable for your pet. By keeping an eye on your cat during the transition phase, you can ensure that you're not causing any adverse reactions by switching their cat food.

Where Can I Buy Pure Balance Food for My Cat?

If you're hoping to purchase this brand of food for your cat as quickly as possible, you'll be pleased to know several online retailers offer a broad range of flavors and products. You will find both Walmart and Amazon stock an extensive list of their cat food products. You'll also be able to find a wealth of customer feedback on each of these platforms.

Amazon and Walmart both offer speedy shipping options, so you won't need to wait long for your food to arrive in the mail.

Verdict: It Isn't Perfect, But It's Still a Bargain

So, is Pure Balance cat food one of the best cat foods on the market? While this brand isn't the best cat food option, it's safe to say you receive value for money. Some of the ingredients in their food products aren't the healthiest option for your cat.

While there isn't any grain, corn, or specific negative carbs, there is still a range of other carbs loaded into each of the products on our list. Also, they don't offer much transparency on its production methods or sources of food.

This brand is extremely popular with consumers for a reason. With a wealth of positive feedback about this cat food brand online, it's easy to see this is a favorable option for many pet owners across the country.

Pure Balance Cat Food Review: Is This Affordable Brand Right for Your Cat? 8

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