Purina CA Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Lamb & Rice Formula
Dry Extruded complete
Is Purina CA Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Lamb & Rice Formula a good dog food?
We score it 43/100 (Poor). The main reasons are set out in "Why you might not" below, and every step of the calculation is shown under "How we calculated this score".
Why this score?
This recipe achieves an overall rating of 43 out of 100. The inclusion of ingredients without printed percentages contributed -10.6 points, and the processing format adjusted the score by -6.7. Conversely, the overall quality of the ingredient list added +4.2 points, while being labelled nutritionally complete contributed +2.3 points to the final evaluation.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
- Recipe43
- Nutritionallow97
- Transparency60
- Safety100
- Evidencemoderate100
The Recipe score measures how attractive and transparent the declared ingredient list is. It is not, by itself, proof that the food is nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The Nutritional and Evidence scores measure what we can verify towards that stronger claim.
Why you might choose it
- Declares energy content, which most labels omit.
- Nutritionally complete: formulated to be fed as the whole diet.
Why you might not
- Meat makes up an estimated 8% of the dry matter (11% as fed); carbohydrates dominate.
- 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.
- Its additive load costs about 2 points in the rating.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (as fed)
- Protein
- 26%
- Fat
- 16%
- Fibre
- 3%
- Moisture
- 12%
- Omega-6 fatty acids
- 1.50%
- Calcium
- 1%
- Phosphorus
- 0.80%
Energy: 393 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Nutritional additives
Zinc Proteinate; Manganese Proteinate; Ferrous Sulphate; Copper Proteinate; Calcium Iodate; Sodium Selenite; Vitamin E Supplement 460 IU/kg; Niacin (Vitamin B3); Vitamin A Supplement 15,000 IU/kg; Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5); Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1); Vitamin B-12 Supplement; Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2); Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6); Folic Acid (Vitamin B9); Vitamin D3 Supplement; Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity); Biotin (Vitamin B7); Choline Chloride; L-Lysine Monohydrochloride; L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Vitamin C) 70 mg/kg; Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product 600 Million CFU/lb
Technological additives
Beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place. Provide adequate fresh water in a clean container daily.
Feeding guide
Adult dog fed once daily; start with guideline amounts by weight (e.g. 3-12 lbs: 1/2 to 1-1/4 cups / 50-124 g; 13-20 lbs: 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 cups / 124-149 g; 21-35 lbs: 1-2/3 to 2-1/4 cups / 165-223 g; 36-50 lbs: 2-1/3 to 2-3/4 cups / 232-273 g; 51-75 lbs: 2-3/4 to 3-3/4 cups / 273-372 g; 76-100 lbs: 3-3/4 to 4-2/3 cups / 372-463 g; Over 100 lbs: 4-2/3 cups plus 1/4 cup for each 10 lbs over 100 lbs). Standard 8 oz/250 ml cup ≈ 99 g.
Reviews
Trustpilot: 1.8/5 · 190 reviews
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
- Doesn't list venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists poultry
- Your dog avoids beef: it is listed as an ingredient
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists poultry
- Your dog avoids lamb: the label lists lamb
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish meal
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - white
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.
Ingredients (43)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamb | Lamb | meat | medium | - | 3.1 |
| 2 | Rice | Rice - white | carb | medium | - | 3.0 |
| 3 | Whole Grain Wheat | Wheat | carb | poor | - | 3.0 |
| 4 | Poultry By-Product Meal | Poultry | meat | medium | - | 3.0 |
| 5 | Whole Grain Corn | Whole Grains | carb | good | - | 2.9 |
| 6 | Soybean Meal | Soybean Meal | carb | poor | - | 2.9 |
| 7 | Corn Protein Meal | Maize gluten | carb | poor | - | 2.9 |
| 8 | Beef Fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols | Tocopherols | additive | good | - | 2.8 |
| 9 | Natural Flavours | Artificial flavourings | additive | poor | - | 2.8 |
| 10 | Dried Beet Pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre | medium | - | 2.8 |
| 11 | Mono And Dicalcium Phosphate | Dicalcium phosphate | supplement | medium | - | 2.7 |
| 12 | Egg Product | Egg | meat | good | - | 2.7 |
| 13 | Glycerin | Glycerine | other | medium | - | 2.6 |
| 14 | Soybean Oil | Soybean oil | oil | medium | - | 2.6 |
| 15 | Fish Meal | Fish Meal | meat | medium | - | 2.6 |
| 16 | Wheat Bran | Wheatfeed pellets | carb | poor | - | 2.5 |
| 17 | Salt | Salt | additive | medium | - | 2.5 |
| 18 | Calcium Carbonate | Calcium Carbonate | supplement | medium | - | 2.5 |
| 19 | Potassium Chloride | Potassium Chloride | supplement | medium | - | 2.4 |
| 20 | Zinc Proteinate | Zinc Proteinate | supplement | good | - | 2.4 |
| 21 | Manganese Proteinate | Manganese proteinate | supplement | good | - | 2.4 |
| 22 | Ferrous Sulphate | Iron sulfate | supplement | good | - | 2.3 |
| 23 | Copper Proteinate | Copper proteinate | supplement | good | - | 2.3 |
| 24 | Calcium Iodate | Calcium iodate | supplement | medium | - | 2.3 |
| 25 | Sodium Selenite | Sodium selenite | supplement | poor | - | 2.2 |
| 26 | Vitamin E Supplement | Vitamin E | supplement | good | - | 2.2 |
| 27 | Niacin (Vitamin B3) | Niacin | supplement | good | - | 2.1 |
| 28 | Vitamin A Supplement | Vitamin A | supplement | good | - | 2.1 |
| 29 | Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5) | Calcium pantothenate | supplement | good | - | 2.1 |
| 30 | Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1) | Thiamine mononitrate | supplement | good | - | 2.0 |
| 31 | Vitamin B12 Supplement | Vitamin B12 | supplement | good | - | 2.0 |
| 32 | Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2) | Riboflavin | supplement | good | - | 2.0 |
| 33 | Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) | Pyridoxine hydrochloride | supplement | good | - | 1.9 |
| 34 | Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) | Folic acid | supplement | good | - | 1.9 |
| 35 | Vitamin D3 Supplement | Vitamin D3 supplement | supplement | good | - | 1.9 |
| 36 | Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity) | Vitamin K | supplement | good | - | 1.8 |
| 37 | Biotin (Vitamin B7) | Biotin | supplement | good | - | 1.8 |
| 38 | Choline Chloride | Choline | supplement | good | - | 1.8 |
| 39 | L-Lysine Monohydrochloride | Lysine | supplement | medium | - | 1.7 |
| 40 | L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Vitamin C) | L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate | supplement | good | - | 1.7 |
| 41 | Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product | Dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product | supplement | good | - | 1.6 |
| 42 | L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Vitamin C) | L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate | supplement | good | - | 1.6 |
| 43 | Garlic Oil | Garlic | veg | medium | - | 1.6 |
Brand
- Website
- https://www.purina.ca/
- Phone
- 1.800.268.5345
- Address
- ATTN: CONSUMER CARE, 2500 ROYAL WINDSOR DRIVE, MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO L5J 1K8
- Contact page
- www.purina.ca
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-19
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.purina.ca
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Scored with model v3 on 2026-09-26. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.5 | 9.191 | +4.20 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 15.3% | -0.115 | -1.76 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 3.0% | -0.092 | -0.28 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 8.6% | 0.163 | +1.39 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 57.8% | -0.012 | -0.71 |
| Other share of dry matter | 1.5% | -0.375 | -0.58 |
| Recipe graded poor | 13.8% | -0.065 | -0.90 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 5 | -0.876 | -4.38 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 3.0% | 0.060 | +0.18 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -9.94 | 0.222 | -2.21 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.5 | 9.191 | +4.20 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 15.3% | -0.115 | -1.76 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 3.0% | -0.092 | -0.28 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 0.3% | -0.005 | -0.00 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 8.6% | 0.163 | +1.39 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 57.8% | -0.012 | -0.71 |
| Other share of dry matter | 1.5% | -0.375 | -0.58 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 13.8% | -0.065 | -0.90 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 5 | -0.876 | -4.38 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 3.0% | 0.060 | +0.18 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | -9.94 | 0.222 | -2.21 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 42.9
- Final score
- 43/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 26 | 28.7 (band 18 to 40%) | 99.3 |
| Fat | 16 | 17.7 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 3 | 3.3 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 1 | 1.1 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 88.1 |
| Phosphorus | 0.8 | 0.9 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 94.2 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.3 | 1.3 (band 1 to 2%) | 85 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 393 | 434.3 | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 8 declared nutrients (combined weight 100); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file | 0/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) | 5/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
100/100 · moderate — 2 checkable claims: 2 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs (AAFCO)" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
- "Probiotic dog food provides 100 percent complete and balanced adult dog food nutrition" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
7 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Moderate: every checkable claim is consistent with the declared label.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard kibble combined with tender, shredded pieces for taste and texture dogs love (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High protein formula, with real lamb as the first ingredient (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Fortified with live probiotics to support digestive and immune health (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Natural prebiotic fibre, sourced from wheat bran, helps promote digestive health (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids to nourish skin and coat (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High protein level helps dogs maintain an ideal body condition (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Contains rice, an excellent source of carbohydrates for energy (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs (AAFCO) (on pack) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Probiotic dog food provides 100 percent complete and balanced adult dog food nutrition (on page) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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