Are you getting fed up with wasting time in pet food stores every time you need to buy food for your pooch? If you find yourself going for a different brand every time because your dog doesn’t seem to enjoy their meals, it’s time you got our help with finding the right kind.
This time, we set out to check whether PureVita dog food is as good as the company claims. If you’ve always wanted to give it a go, but it was too expensive to take the risk, our analysis should help you in determining whether this brand’s chow is worth the dough. Every dog food review we do is thorough and well-researched.
PureVita Dog Food Review: Is This Holistic Chow As Good As It Claims?
Alpha Paw isn’t sponsored by affiliate links, so we don’t get paid to do a positive or negative review of any dog food brand. All we want is to answer all your dog-related questions and help you give your doggie the best possible care with minimal effort.
How We Evaluated PureVita Dog Food
When we say that we cover all our bases, we mean it. To get to the bottom of what makes high-quality dog food, we make sure to consult with experts on the matter:
- Our veterinarians are almost always our first stop. Who better to tell us about the nutritional needs of our pooches and the nutrients that make them thrive?
- The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standard was our guide through the label. We wanted to see whether PureVita dog food meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for dogs in all life stages.
- Pet Nutritionists who work in pet stores gave us their take on this brand — after all, they know what they are selling, and they get feedback from (dis)satisfied customers almost every day. The information they give us is invaluable for our review.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
After talking to professionals, we had a solid idea of whether PureVita dog food uses quality ingredients and meets the nutritional requirements proposed by the institution of authority. We then needed to pick the formulas for review. To do that, we checked:
- Existing online reviews
- What our readers thought about this brand
- How our dogs liked PureVita formulas
Online reviews helped us to learn about the manufacturing processes utilized by this company. PureVita is a sister brand to NutriSource, both of which are owned by the KLN Family Brands. This is a family-run business that makes all their chow in a single, pet-food-only manufacturing facility in Perham, Minnesota. That is how they can guarantee that their food doesn’t contain ingredient residue from other products — not many companies can say the same. That could be the reason why KLN brands never had any product recalls.
We also surveyed our readers. We wanted to hear feedback straight from the horse’s mouth and learn whether they were satisfied with this brand. They told us about their dogs’ appetites, their coat and skin condition, and their digestion while the pups’ diet was based on this chow. They also shared which PureVita recipes they were buying most often and why they kept returning to them.
We finished by feeding our pooches with PureVita formulas exclusively for two months. That was more than enough time to see that:
- Their coat was super shiny and healthy
- They didn’t have any skin irritations
- They didn’t experience digestive issues
- They gobbled up their meals voraciously every time
PureVita holistic dog food was right up our (and our dogs’) alley — their formulas proved to be both nutritious and delicious. Our PureVita dog food reviews below discuss the ingredients and nutritional benefits of each recipe in detail. Here are the blends that we found our doggos enjoyed munching the most.
|
Category |
Alpha Paw Picks | Rating |
| Best Dry Formula | PureVita Grain-Inclusive Duck & Oatmeal Entrée |
4.7 |
|
Best Wet Formula |
PureVita Grain-Free Pork Entrée | 4.9 |
| Best Grain-Free Recipe | PureVita Grain-Free Turkey & Sweet Potato Entrée |
4.8 |
|
Best for Small Breeds |
PureVita Grain-Free Small Bites Salmon & Peas Entrée | 4.8 |
| Best Treats | PureVita Beef Jerky Dog Treats |
5.0 |
Best Dry Formula: PureVita Grain-Inclusive Duck & Oatmeal Entrée
Credit: NutriSource Pet Foods
PureVita Grain-Inclusive Duck & Oatmeal Entrée is our top pick among this brand’s products because our pooches rushed to their bowls enthusiastically while we were testing this recipe out.
The main ingredient here is duck, which is a novel meat source in canine nutrition. We love novel meats because we feel doggos enjoy their flavor, and they don’t seem to be allergic to these meats. Raw meat contains roughly 70% water, which gets cooked away before the blend turns into kibble. Only a fraction of the original meat weight remains, so not all of the protein from this blend comes from raw duck meat.
That is probably why the next ingredient is duck meal, which is a concentrate that has around 300% more protein than raw meat. What follows is whole grain barley and oatmeal, both of which are excellent sources of fiber.
This formula is enriched with pre- and probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, which is fantastic for your woofer’s digestive and overall health. It also contains Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, essential for your pooch’s heart, skin, and coat health.
This blend does contain specific ingredients that are considered controversial, but they are too low on the label to make much of a difference (they appear in even the best dry dog foods):
- Alfalfa meal — a horse feed component
- Natural duck flavor — flavors are generally frowned upon as they are taste enhancers, not nutritional items
- Brewer’s yeast — some doggos are allergic to yeast, but it is not harmful to those that aren’t
- Garlic — it is toxic for dogs in large quantities, and it can lead to Heinz anemia
|
Guaranteed Analysis |
|
|
Crude Protein (Min.) |
24.0% |
| Crude Fat (Min.) |
13.0% |
|
Crude Fiber (Max.) |
7.0% |
| Moisture (Max.) |
10.0% |
|
Selenium (Min.) |
0.32 mg/kg |
| Vitamin E (Min.) |
120 IU/kg |
|
Omega – 6 Fatty Acids (Min.) |
3.0% |
| Omega – 3 Fatty Acids (Min.) |
0.6% |
|
Taurine (Min.) |
0.08% |
| Glucosamine (Min.) |
300 mg/kg |
|
Chondroitin Sulfate (Min.) |
150 mg/kg |
| L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C) (Min.) |
80 mg/kg |
|
Total Microorganisms (Min.) |
100 million CFU/lb |
| Calories |
3690 kcal/kg |
Ingredients
Duck, duck meal, oatmeal, barley, peas, sunflower oil (preserved with tocopherols and citric acid), flax seed, duck flavor, alfalfa meal, dried tomato pomace, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, salt, carrots, apricots, cherries, cranberries, salmon oil (preserved with tocopherols), minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, cobalt proteinate, selenium yeast), choline chloride, brewers dried yeast, taurine, vitamins (vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), blueberries, turmeric, dried chicory root, lecithin, glucosamine hydrochloride, pomegranate extract, garlic, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), lactic acid, chondroitin sulfate, yucca schidigera extract, calcium iodate, rosemary extract, yeast culture, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract.
Best Wet Formula: PureVita Grain-Free Pork Entrée
Credit: NutriSource Pet Foods
PureVita Grain-Free Pork Entrée stood out as our fluffers’ favorite wet food formula. The main ingredients here are lean cuts of pork, pork liver, and pork broth, all of which ensure maximum palatability and an optimal protein–fat ratio.
This is a protein-dense blend that ensures our woofers feel full, happy, and energized after each meal. It contains NutriSource’s Good 4 Life formula that provides support for your pooch’s gut.
Given that this is a tender and succulent recipe, as well as a grain-free one, it is excellent for your elderly buddy, too. Another thing that makes it suitable for aged doggos is the low calorific index of this chow — it meets their nutritional needs to a T.
Take a look at other best senior dog foods and best-canned dog foods if you need to make a comparison before you decide on the right chow for your furry fellow.
|
Guaranteed Analysis |
|
|
Crude Protein (Min.) |
12.0% |
| Crude Fat (Min.) |
4.5% |
|
Crude Fiber (Max.) |
1.5% |
| Moisture (Max.) |
78.0% |
|
Taurine |
0.04% |
| Calories |
1,031 kcal/kg |
Ingredients
Pork, pork liver, pork broth, sunflower oil, chickpeas, calcium carbonate, agar-agar, tricalcium phosphate, salt, choline chloride, potassium chloride, kelp, betaine, taurine, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, brewers dried yeast, yucca schidigera plant extract, selenium yeast, copper proteinate, magnesium oxide, cobalt proteinate, manganese proteinate, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, biotin, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.
Best Grain-Free Recipe: PureVita Grain-Free Turkey & Sweet Potato Entrée
Credit: NutriSource Pet Foods
Dogs with allergies can eat PureVita Grain-Free Turkey & Sweet Potato Entrée. Not only does it contain no grains, which are known allergy triggers, but it also has turkey as the primary ingredient. Turkey is a prime meat choice for dogs that are sensitive to certain kinds of meat proteins, usually those from beef or chicken.
Wholesome veggies, such as peas and sweet potatoes, are also at the top of the ingredient list; these powerful foods supply carbs that our pooches turn into energy, and they are also packed with vitamins and minerals.
PureVita formulas are free from artificial preservatives — all their chow is kept fresh with natural compounds, such as tocopherols, citric acid, and vitamin C. Amino acids abound in this recipe, thanks to salmon oil and flaxseed.
Alfalfa meal and natural turkey flavor are not among the ingredients we approve of completely, but they are far from being harmful to our little ravenous wolfies! This chow receives our stamp of approval nonetheless.
|
Guaranteed Analysis |
|
| Crude Protein (Min.) |
24.0% |
|
Crude Fat (Min.) |
16.0% |
| Crude Fiber (Max.) |
6.0% |
|
Moisture (Max.) |
10.0% |
| Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) + Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) (Min.) |
0.05 % |
|
Iron (Min.) |
125 mg/kg |
| Copper (Min.) |
13 mg/kg |
|
Manganese (Min.) |
15 mg/kg |
| Zinc (Min.) |
185 mg/kg |
|
Selenium (Min.) |
0.3 mg/kg |
| Omega–6 Fatty Acids (Min.) |
2.3% |
|
Omega–3 Fatty Acids (Min.) |
0.8% |
| DL-Methionine (Min.) |
0.25% |
|
Choline Chloride (Min.) |
0.2% |
| Taurine (Min.) |
0.08% |
|
Glucosamine (Min.) |
300 mg/kg |
| Chondroitin Sulfate (Min.) |
150 mg/kg |
|
L-Carnitine (Min.) |
40 mg/kg |
| Cobalt (Min.) |
1.0 mg/kg |
|
Total Microorganisms (Min.) |
100 million CFU/lb |
| Calories |
3,948 kcal/kg |
Ingredients
Turkey, turkey meal, peas, sweet potato, pea flour, turkey fat (preserved with tocopherols and citric acid), pea starch, alfalfa meal, flax seed, natural turkey flavor, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, salmon oil (preserved with tocopherols), sunflower oil, salt, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, cobalt proteinate, selenium yeast), dried tomato pomace, dried cranberries, DL-methionine, choline chloride, brewers dried yeast, dried blueberries, taurine, vitamins (vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), dried apples, turmeric, dried chicory root, lecithin, lactic acid, glucosamine hydrochloride, garlic, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), yucca schidigera extract, chondroitin sulfate, L-carnitine, calcium iodate, rosemary extract, yeast culture, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract.
Best for Small Breeds: PureVita Grain-Free Small Bites Salmon & Peas Entrée
Credit: NutriSource Pet Foods
Ideal for miniature breeds is PureVita Grain-Free Small Bites Salmon & Peas Entrée. The kibble is small, which makes it perfect for your tiny munchkin’s munchers. The best dry dog food for small dogs will always be different in pellet size and the ratio of nutrients.
Salmon and salmon meal make up the primary ingredients of this blend, followed by hearty sweet potatoes and peas. Good 4 Life are limited ingredient formulas that provide all the essential nutrients from their four ingredients and are light on the dogs’ stomachs.
Flaxseed and salmon are both terrific sources of Omega fatty acids. Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids, together with L-Carnitine, taurine, choline chloride, and DL-methionine, work wonders for your pup’s heart health.
|
Guaranteed Analysis |
|
|
Crude Protein (Min.) |
24.0% |
| Crude Fat (Min.) |
16.0% |
|
Crude Fiber (Max.) |
6.0% |
| Moisture (Max.) |
10.0% |
|
Ash (Max.) |
9.0% |
| Calcium (Min.) |
1.2% |
|
Phosphorus (Min.) |
0.9% |
| Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) + Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) (Min.) |
1.35 % |
|
Iron (Min.) |
12 mg/kg |
| Copper (Min.) |
12 mg/kg |
|
Manganese (Min.) |
10 mg/kg |
| Zinc (Min.) |
150 mg/kg |
|
Selenium (Min.) |
0.4 mg/kg |
| Omega–6 Fatty Acids (Min.) |
3.4% |
|
Omega–3 Fatty Acids (Min.) |
1.0% |
| DL-Methionine (Min.) |
0.25% |
|
Choline Chloride (Min.) |
0.2% |
| Taurine (Min.) |
0.08% |
|
Glucosamine (Min.) |
300 mg/kg |
| Chondroitin Sulfate (Min.) |
150 mg/kg |
|
L-Carnitine (Min.) |
40 mg/kg |
| Cobalt (Min.) |
1.0 mg/kg |
|
Total Microorganisms (Min.) |
100 million CFU/lb |
| Calories |
3,952 kcal/kg |
Ingredients
Salmon, salmon meal, peas, sweet potato, pea flour, sunflower oil, pea starch, alfalfa meal, flaxseed, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, dried tomato pomace, salt, potassium chloride, dried cranberries, DL-methionine, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, cobalt proteinate, selenium yeast), choline chloride, brewers dried yeast, dried blueberries, taurine, vitamins (vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), turmeric, dried chicory root, lecithin, preserved with tocopherols and citric acid, glucosamine hydrochloride, lactic acid, garlic, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), chondroitin sulfate, yucca schidigera extract, L-carnitine, calcium iodate, rosemary extract, yeast culture, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract.
Best Treats: PureVita Beef Jerky Dog Treats
Credit: NutriSource Pet Foods
PureVita Beef Jerky is the only product on our list that isn’t formulated to meet AAFCO’s complete and balanced nutrition standards — treats are intended for occasional use and should by no means be your dog’s primary source of nutrients. You can use this tasty jerky as rewards, training motivation, or command practice. Make sure to follow the feeding guidelines printed on the packaging to avoid overfeeding your pooch.
We loved this product to the bone because of its simplicity. It has five ingredients in total — beef and pumpkin provide the proteins to this recipe, while beef broth and sea salt ensure it is delectable to our woofers. Read more about the traits of healthy and natural dog treats here.
The formula is preserved with tocopherols, which are a form of vitamin E. Preservation methods are what separates the best dog treat brands from the worst dog treat brands, so you can rest assured that your pooch is getting the best snack possible with this product.
|
Guaranteed Analysis |
|
| Crude Protein (Min.) |
30.0% |
|
Crude Fat (Min.) |
14.0% |
| Crude Fiber (Max.) |
3.0% |
|
Moisture (Max.) |
24.0% |
| Calories |
3,115 kcal/kg |
Ingredients
Beef, Beef Broth, Sea Salt, Pumpkin, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Tocopherols (preservative).
Ideal Macros in Dog Food
For any dog food to pass as complete and balanced nutrition, it has to comply with AAFCO standards. That means that it has to have the nutrient ratio this institution proposes for dogs in different life stages:
- Growth and reproduction (puppies and pregnant or nursing dams)
- Maintenance (adult and senior dogs)
|
Nutrients |
Growth and reproduction stage |
Adult stage |
|
Crude Protein |
22.5% | 18% |
| Crude fat | 8.5% |
5.5% |
|
Calcium |
1.2% | 0.5% |
| Phosphorus | 1% |
0.4% |
|
Iron |
88 mg/kg | 40 mg/kg |
| Magnesium | 0.6% |
0.6% |
|
Sodium |
0.3% | 0.08% |
| Zinc |
100 mg/kg |
80 mg/kg |
|
Manganese |
7.2 mg/kg |
5 mg/kg |
|
Copper |
12.4 mg/kg |
7.3 mg/kg |
AAFCO has a detailed nutrient list, but macronutrients are instrumental for a complete and balanced formula:
- Protein
- Carbs
- Fats
Protein
High-quality animal protein should be the primary energy source in any dog chow. Plant-based proteins are also commonly used in dog food, but they are much less biologically available to dogs. Don’t settle for formulas that have less than 18% protein on a dry matter basis (and a minimum 28% protein for puppies!).
A blend may have many protein-rich ingredients, but if most of them are veggies instead of meats, your doggo may not be able to absorb them all. Proteins are also instrumental for tissue growth and repair, so you need to select the formulas that are packed full of this macronutrient, preferably animal-derived.
Carbohydrates
Carbs are not essential for a dog’s survival, but their role in canine nutrition is twofold — they are energy-bearing sugars and also abound in digestible fiber. Go for carb-packed veggies like peas and sweet potatoes if your doggo cannot munch grain-inclusive formulas.
Lipids
Fats are vital for a dog’s wellbeing. Not only do they boost the calorie index of your pup’s chow and supply them with energy, but they have a key role in maintaining your fluffer’s skin, coat, and ticker healthy. A quality chow will contain at least 14% fats, derived from named sources, such as salmon oil, flaxseed oil, or pork fat.
The Bottom Line
Our analysis of PureVita dog food left us impressed and our dogs hungry for more. This company’s holistic formulas are based on a limited number of ingredients, which ensures both the delicious taste and easy digestibility:
- A single source of animal-based protein
- Wholesome fruits and veggies
- Healthy oils and fats
- Probiotics and supplements in each blend
PureVita grain-free recipes are ideally suited for dogs with allergies and food sensitivities, but resilient doggos can bite their teeth into grain-inclusive chow, too.
The quality of PureVita formulas comes with a price tag higher than most dog food brands, but you can hardly put a price on your pooch’s wellbeing, can you?
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_food
- Morgan, Judy, and Hue Grant. Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs: Maximizing Health with Whole Foods, Not Drugs. Thirty-Six Paws Press, 2017.
- Thompson, Angele. “Ingredients: Where Pet Food Starts.” Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, vol. 23, no. 3, 2008, pp. 127–132., doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2008.04.004.
