Purina CA Puppy Chow Complete with Real Chicken

Dry Extruded · complete

Average
our rating

Our verdict

Is Purina CA Puppy Chow Complete with Real Chicken a good dog food?

We score it 45/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.

How we score

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.

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 (13% as fed); carbohydrates dominate.
  • 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
  • Doesn't list lamb, venison, duck as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
  • Your dog avoids beef: the label lists beef fat
  • Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists poultry
  • Your dog avoids fish: the label lists hydrolysed blue whiting fish
  • Your dog avoids pork: it is listed as an ingredient
  • Your dog avoids grain: the label lists whole-grain maize
  • 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. Find foods that fit your dog.

Ingredients (43)100% of the recipe is estimated

Estimated composition

  • supplement 54.7%
  • carb 14.7%
  • meat 13.1%
  • oil 8.2%
  • veg 6.7%
  • additive 2.6%
#As declaredMatchedLabel readingDeclared %Est. %
1Whole Grain CornWhole-Grain Maizecarb · medium-3.1
2Chicken By-Product MealChickenmeat · medium-3.0
3Corn Gluten MealMaize glutencarb · poor-3.0
4Beef FatBeef Fatoil · medium-3.0
5Soybean MealSoybean Mealcarb · poor-2.9
6BarleyBarleycarb · medium-2.9
7Egg and Chicken FlavourChickenmeat · medium-2.9
8RiceRice - whitecarb · medium-2.8
9ChickenChickenmeat · medium-2.8
10Poultry and Pork DigestPoultrymeat · medium-2.8
11Mono And Dicalcium PhosphateDicalcium phosphatesupplement · medium-2.7
12Calcium CarbonateCalcium Carbonatesupplement · medium-2.7
13Fish OilFish Oiloil · good-2.6
14SaltSaltadditive · poor-2.6
15Potassium ChloridePotassium Chloridesupplement · medium-2.6
16Soybean OilSoybean oiloil · medium-2.5
17Choline ChlorideCholinesupplement · good-2.5
18Zinc SulphateZinc sulfatesupplement · medium-2.5
19Ferrous SulphateIron sulfatesupplement · good-2.4
20Manganese SulphateManganese sulfatesupplement · medium-2.4
21Copper SulphateCopper sulphatesupplement · good-2.4
22Calcium IodateCalcium iodatesupplement · medium-2.3
23Sodium SeleniteSodium selenitesupplement · poor-2.3
24L-Lysine MonohydrochlorideLysinesupplement · medium-2.3
25Vitamin E SupplementVitamin Esupplement · good-2.2
26Niacin (Vitamin B3)Niacinsupplement · good-2.2
27Vitamin A SupplementVitamin Asupplement · good-2.1
28Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5)Calcium pantothenatesupplement · good-2.1
29Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)Pyridoxine hydrochloridesupplement · good-2.1
30Vitamin B-12 SupplementVitamin B12supplement · good-2.0
31Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1)Thiamine mononitratesupplement · good-2.0
32Vitamin D3 SupplementVitamin D3 supplementsupplement · good-2.0
33Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2)Riboflavinsupplement · good-1.9
34Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity)Vitamin Ksupplement · good-1.9
35Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)Folic acidsupplement · good-1.9
36Biotin (Vitamin B7)Biotinsupplement · good-1.8
37Yellow 6Yellow Peachesveg · good-1.8
38L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Vitamin C)L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphatesupplement · good-1.8
39Yellow 5Yellow Peachesveg · good-1.7
40L-MethionineMethioninesupplement · good-1.7
41Red 40Red Pepperveg · good-1.6
42Blue 2Hydrolysed Blue Whiting Fishmeat · medium-1.6
43Garlic OilGarlicveg · medium-1.6
  1. 1. Whole Grain Corn3.1% estimated
    Whole-Grain Maize · carb · medium
  2. 2. Chicken By-Product Meal3.0% estimated
    Chicken · meat · medium
  3. 3. Corn Gluten Meal3.0% estimated
    Maize gluten · carb · poor
  4. 4. Beef Fat3.0% estimated
    Beef Fat · oil · medium
  5. 5. Soybean Meal2.9% estimated
    Soybean Meal · carb · poor
  6. 6. Barley2.9% estimated
    Barley · carb · medium
  7. 7. Egg and Chicken Flavour2.9% estimated
    Chicken · meat · medium
  8. 8. Rice2.8% estimated
    Rice - white · carb · medium
  9. 9. Chicken2.8% estimated
    Chicken · meat · medium
  10. 10. Poultry and Pork Digest2.8% estimated
    Poultry · meat · medium
  11. 11. Mono And Dicalcium Phosphate2.7% estimated
    Dicalcium phosphate · supplement · medium
  12. 12. Calcium Carbonate2.7% estimated
    Calcium Carbonate · supplement · medium
  13. 13. Fish Oil2.6% estimated
    Fish Oil · oil · good
  14. 14. Salt2.6% estimated
    Salt · additive · poor
  15. 15. Potassium Chloride2.6% estimated
    Potassium Chloride · supplement · medium
  16. 16. Soybean Oil2.5% estimated
    Soybean oil · oil · medium
  17. 17. Choline Chloride2.5% estimated
    Choline · supplement · good
  18. 18. Zinc Sulphate2.5% estimated
    Zinc sulfate · supplement · medium
  19. 19. Ferrous Sulphate2.4% estimated
    Iron sulfate · supplement · good
  20. 20. Manganese Sulphate2.4% estimated
    Manganese sulfate · supplement · medium
  21. 21. Copper Sulphate2.4% estimated
    Copper sulphate · supplement · good
  22. 22. Calcium Iodate2.3% estimated
    Calcium iodate · supplement · medium
  23. 23. Sodium Selenite2.3% estimated
    Sodium selenite · supplement · poor
  24. 24. L-Lysine Monohydrochloride2.3% estimated
    Lysine · supplement · medium
  25. 25. Vitamin E Supplement2.2% estimated
    Vitamin E · supplement · good
  26. 26. Niacin (Vitamin B3)2.2% estimated
    Niacin · supplement · good
  27. 27. Vitamin A Supplement2.1% estimated
    Vitamin A · supplement · good
  28. 28. Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5)2.1% estimated
    Calcium pantothenate · supplement · good
  29. 29. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)2.1% estimated
    Pyridoxine hydrochloride · supplement · good
  30. 30. Vitamin B-12 Supplement2.0% estimated
    Vitamin B12 · supplement · good
  31. 31. Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1)2.0% estimated
    Thiamine mononitrate · supplement · good
  32. 32. Vitamin D3 Supplement2.0% estimated
    Vitamin D3 supplement · supplement · good
  33. 33. Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2)1.9% estimated
    Riboflavin · supplement · good
  34. 34. Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity)1.9% estimated
    Vitamin K · supplement · good
  35. 35. Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)1.9% estimated
    Folic acid · supplement · good
  36. 36. Biotin (Vitamin B7)1.8% estimated
    Biotin · supplement · good
  37. 37. Yellow 61.8% estimated
    Yellow Peaches · veg · good
  38. 38. L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Vitamin C)1.8% estimated
    L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate · supplement · good
  39. 39. Yellow 51.7% estimated
    Yellow Peaches · veg · good
  40. 40. L-Methionine1.7% estimated
    Methionine · supplement · good
  41. 41. Red 401.6% estimated
    Red Pepper · veg · good
  42. 42. Blue 21.6% estimated
    Hydrolysed Blue Whiting Fish · meat · medium
  43. 43. Garlic Oil1.6% estimated
    Garlic · veg · medium

Nutrition and feedingProtein 27.50% · Fat 12%

Guaranteed analysis (as fed)

NutrientAs fed
Protein27.50%
Fat12%
Fibre5%
Moisture12%
Omega-6 fatty acids1.60%
Calcium1.10%
Phosphorus0.90%

Energy: 360 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Feeding and storage

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Feeding guide

Feed moistened (3 parts kibble to 1 part water) for weaning pups aged 3-8 weeks; after weaning feed moistened or dry, 3 times daily for very young puppies and twice daily for older puppies. Use the feeding table by weight at maturity and age; adjust to maintain ideal body condition. For reproduction, feed to maintain good body condition in gestation; intake may double or quadruple during lactation. Transition over 7-10 days when switching foods. Always provide fresh water.

Additives declared on the label

Nutritional additives

Iron (Fe) 150 mg/kg; Vitamin A 10,000 IU/kg; Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 70 mg/kg; Zinc Sulphate; Ferrous Sulphate; Manganese Sulphate; Copper Sulphate; Calcium Iodate; Sodium Selenite; Vitamin E Supplement; Niacin (Vitamin B3); Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5); Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6); Vitamin B-12 Supplement; Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1); Vitamin D3 Supplement; Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2); Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex; Folic Acid (Vitamin B9); Biotin (Vitamin B7); L-Lysine Monohydrochloride; Choline Chloride; DHA 0.05%

Technological additives

Yellow 6; Yellow 5; Red 40; Blue 2; Garlic Oil

Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-19

Brand and contact: Purina CA
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.

External platform ratings are not scores for this individual recipe.

Trustpilot: 1.8/5 · 190 reviews

Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.

Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence

Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated

Why this score?

This recipe achieves an overall rating of 45 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 +4.5 points, while being labelled nutritionally complete contributed +2.3 points to the final evaluation.

Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.

ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.59.191+4.48
Carb share of dry matter16.1%-0.115-1.85
Oil share of dry matter9.9%-0.092-0.91
Vegetable share of dry matter1.2%-0.005-0.01
Additive share of dry matter2.9%0.163+0.47
Supplement share of dry matter61.8%-0.012-0.75
Recipe graded poor10.8%-0.065-0.70
Number of poor ingredients4-0.876-3.50
Largest single poor ingredient3.0%0.060+0.18
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
Additive penalty-3.280.222-0.73
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Show all 40 components
ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.59.191+4.48
Meat share of dry matter0.0%0.096+0.00
Carb share of dry matter16.1%-0.115-1.85
Oil share of dry matter9.9%-0.092-0.91
Vegetable share of dry matter1.2%-0.005-0.01
Additive share of dry matter2.9%0.163+0.47
Supplement share of dry matter61.8%-0.012-0.75
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor10.8%-0.065-0.70
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients4-0.876-3.50
Largest single poor ingredient3.0%0.060+0.18
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Prints ingredient percentagesno0.000+0.00
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Frozen or chilled freshno0.000+0.00
High meat (30%+ of dry matter)no0.707+0.00
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
High carb and low meatno-1.180+0.00
Meat share × printed percentages0.00.000+0.00
Meat share × fresh0.00.000+0.00
Fresh × high meat0.011.084+0.00
Additive penalty-3.280.222-0.73
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Rawno-0.054+0.00
Processing: Fresh Chilledno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Frozenno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Refrigeratedno0.000+0.00
Processing: Fresh Shelfno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Dry Freeze Driedno6.629+0.00
Processing: Dry Air Driedno6.331+0.00
Processing: Dry Cold Pressedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Bakedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Processing: Dry Semi Moistno-6.174+0.00
Processing: Dry Mueslino-10.146+0.00
Processing: Wet Pateno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Wet Chunksno-0.672+0.00
Processing-type offset
+0.02
Additives declared on label
+2 transparency bonus
Subtotal
44.6
Final score
45/100

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 puppies and growth. 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.

Scored against FEDIAF growth minima; puppy scoring is under review; 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.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein27.530.4100
Fat1213.3100
Calcium1.11.2100
Phosphorus0.91100
Calcium:phosphorus ratio1.21.2100
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3)--100
Energy (kcal/100g)360397.8100

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 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.

Declared fortification: 23 nutritional additives on the label
  • Iron (Fe) 150 mg/kg
  • Vitamin A 10,000 IU/kg
  • Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 70 mg/kg
  • Zinc Sulphate
  • Ferrous Sulphate
  • Manganese Sulphate
  • Copper Sulphate
  • Calcium Iodate
  • Sodium Selenite
  • Vitamin E Supplement
  • Niacin (Vitamin B3)
  • Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
  • Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
  • Vitamin B-12 Supplement
  • Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1)
  • Vitamin D3 Supplement
  • Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2)
  • Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex
  • Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)
  • Biotin (Vitamin B7)
  • L-Lysine Monohydrochloride
  • Choline Chloride
  • DHA 0.05%

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.

ItemPoints
✓ Ingredient list on the label (mandatory)10/10
✗ Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file0/20
✗ Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file0/15
✓ 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 file0/5

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 — 1 checkable claim: 1 consistent, 0 contradicted.

Consistent with the label

  • "27.5% protein for growing muscles" — supported by the declared high protein data.

7 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.

Moderate: every checkable claim is consistent with the declared label.

ClaimTypeCheckSubstantiation
DHA helps support healthy brain and vision (on pack)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Antioxidants like Vitamin C help build healthy immune systems (on pack)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Highly digestible formula for developing digestive systems (on pack)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Made with real, farm-raised chicken (on pack)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
100 percent of the essential nutrients puppies require (on pack)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
27.5% protein for growing muscles (on pack)High/low levelconsistentManufacturer assertion
Essential nutrients like those found in mothers' milk (on pack)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Puppy Chow Complete is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, including growth of large sized dogs (32kg [70 lbs] or more as an adult) (on pack)Nutrientnot checkableManufacturer assertion

The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.

Alternatives to Puppy Chow Complete with Real Chicken

Similar on ingredients, protein, format or nutrition, using the same stored data.

Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food39
Purina CA · Dry Extruded
Puppy Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food42
Purina CA · Dry Extruded
All Ages Sport Active 27/17 Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food42
Purina CA · Dry Extruded
All Ages Sport Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food45
Purina CA · Dry Extruded

See all alternatives

See all products from Purina CA

Community0 comments

Owners’ verdict
0 votes

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share how this went down with your dog.

Comments are reviewed before they appear.