Purina CA True Instinct with Real Beef & Salmon

Dry Extruded · complete

Poor
our rating

Our verdict

Is Purina CA True Instinct with Real Beef & Salmon a good dog food?

We score it 37/100 (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".

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 6% of the dry matter (9% 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 3 points in the rating.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
  • Doesn't list turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists dried chicken protein
  • Your dog avoids beef: the label lists beef
  • Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon
  • Your dog avoids grain: the label lists wheat
  • 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 (40)100% of the recipe is estimated

Estimated composition

  • supplement 46.9%
  • carb 23.8%
  • additive 11.2%
  • meat 9.5%
  • veg 3.1%
  • other 2.9%
  • oil 2.6%
#As declaredMatchedLabel readingDeclared %Est. %
1BeefBeefmeat · medium-3.3
2Chicken MealDried chicken proteinmeat · good-3.3
3Soybean MealSoybean Mealcarb · poor-3.2
4Ground WheatWheatcarb · poor-3.2
5Beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherolsTocopherolsadditive · good-3.1
6Corn Protein MealMaize glutencarb · poor-3.1
7Canola MealRapeseedveg · medium-3.1
8Corn Germ MealMaize Germ Mealcarb · medium-3.0
9Whole Grain CornWhole-Grain Maizecarb · medium-3.0
10GlycerinGlycerineother · medium-2.9
11SalmonSalmonmeat · good-2.9
12RiceRice - whitecarb · medium-2.9
13Natural FlavoursArtificial flavouringsadditive · poor-2.8
14Soy Protein ConcentrateSoy Proteincarb · poor-2.8
15Oat MealOatscarb · medium-2.7
16SaltSaltadditive · poor-2.7
17Soybean OilSoybean oiloil · medium-2.6
18Calcium CarbonateCalcium Carbonatesupplement · medium-2.6
19Vegetable Juice (Colour)Vegetable Juiceadditive · medium-2.6
20Potassium ChloridePotassium Chloridesupplement · medium-2.5
21Mono And Dicalcium PhosphateDicalcium phosphatesupplement · medium-2.5
22Vitamin E SupplementVitamin Esupplement · good-2.4
23Niacin (Vitamin B3)Niacinsupplement · good-2.4
24Vitamin A SupplementVitamin Asupplement · good-2.4
25Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5)Calcium pantothenatesupplement · good-2.3
26Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1)Thiamine mononitratesupplement · good-2.3
27Vitamin B-12 SupplementVitamin B12supplement · good-2.2
28Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2)Riboflavinsupplement · good-2.2
29Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)Pyridoxine hydrochloridesupplement · good-2.1
30Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)Folic acidsupplement · good-2.1
31Vitamin D3 SupplementVitamin D3 supplementsupplement · good-2.1
32Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity)Vitamin Ksupplement · good-2.0
33Biotin (Vitamin B7)Biotinsupplement · good-2.0
34Zinc SulphateZinc sulfatesupplement · medium-1.9
35Ferrous SulphateIron sulfatesupplement · good-1.9
36Manganese SulphateManganese sulfatesupplement · medium-1.9
37Copper SulphateCopper sulphatesupplement · good-1.8
38Calcium IodateCalcium iodatesupplement · medium-1.8
39Sodium SeleniteSodium selenitesupplement · poor-1.7
40Choline ChlorideCholinesupplement · good-1.7
  1. 1. Beef3.3% estimated
    Beef · meat · medium
  2. 2. Chicken Meal3.3% estimated
    Dried chicken protein · meat · good
  3. 3. Soybean Meal3.2% estimated
    Soybean Meal · carb · poor
  4. 4. Ground Wheat3.2% estimated
    Wheat · carb · poor
  5. 5. Beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols3.1% estimated
    Tocopherols · additive · good
  6. 6. Corn Protein Meal3.1% estimated
    Maize gluten · carb · poor
  7. 7. Canola Meal3.1% estimated
    Rapeseed · veg · medium
  8. 8. Corn Germ Meal3.0% estimated
    Maize Germ Meal · carb · medium
  9. 9. Whole Grain Corn3.0% estimated
    Whole-Grain Maize · carb · medium
  10. 10. Glycerin2.9% estimated
    Glycerine · other · medium
  11. 11. Salmon2.9% estimated
    Salmon · meat · good
  12. 12. Rice2.9% estimated
    Rice - white · carb · medium
  13. 13. Natural Flavours2.8% estimated
    Artificial flavourings · additive · poor
  14. 14. Soy Protein Concentrate2.8% estimated
    Soy Protein · carb · poor
  15. 15. Oat Meal2.7% estimated
    Oats · carb · medium
  16. 16. Salt2.7% estimated
    Salt · additive · poor
  17. 17. Soybean Oil2.6% estimated
    Soybean oil · oil · medium
  18. 18. Calcium Carbonate2.6% estimated
    Calcium Carbonate · supplement · medium
  19. 19. Vegetable Juice (Colour)2.6% estimated
    Vegetable Juice · additive · medium
  20. 20. Potassium Chloride2.5% estimated
    Potassium Chloride · supplement · medium
  21. 21. Mono And Dicalcium Phosphate2.5% estimated
    Dicalcium phosphate · supplement · medium
  22. 22. Vitamin E Supplement2.4% estimated
    Vitamin E · supplement · good
  23. 23. Niacin (Vitamin B3)2.4% estimated
    Niacin · supplement · good
  24. 24. Vitamin A Supplement2.4% estimated
    Vitamin A · supplement · good
  25. 25. Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5)2.3% estimated
    Calcium pantothenate · supplement · good
  26. 26. Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1)2.3% estimated
    Thiamine mononitrate · supplement · good
  27. 27. Vitamin B-12 Supplement2.2% estimated
    Vitamin B12 · supplement · good
  28. 28. Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2)2.2% estimated
    Riboflavin · supplement · good
  29. 29. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)2.1% estimated
    Pyridoxine hydrochloride · supplement · good
  30. 30. Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)2.1% estimated
    Folic acid · supplement · good
  31. 31. Vitamin D3 Supplement2.1% estimated
    Vitamin D3 supplement · supplement · good
  32. 32. Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity)2.0% estimated
    Vitamin K · supplement · good
  33. 33. Biotin (Vitamin B7)2.0% estimated
    Biotin · supplement · good
  34. 34. Zinc Sulphate1.9% estimated
    Zinc sulfate · supplement · medium
  35. 35. Ferrous Sulphate1.9% estimated
    Iron sulfate · supplement · good
  36. 36. Manganese Sulphate1.9% estimated
    Manganese sulfate · supplement · medium
  37. 37. Copper Sulphate1.8% estimated
    Copper sulphate · supplement · good
  38. 38. Calcium Iodate1.8% estimated
    Calcium iodate · supplement · medium
  39. 39. Sodium Selenite1.7% estimated
    Sodium selenite · supplement · poor
  40. 40. Choline Chloride1.7% estimated
    Choline · supplement · good

Nutrition and feedingProtein 32% · Fat 17%

Guaranteed analysis (as fed)

NutrientAs fed
Protein32%
Fat17%
Fibre3%
Moisture12%
Omega-6 fatty acids1.70%
Calcium1%
Phosphorus0.80%

Energy: 410 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Feeding and storage

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Feeding guide

Feed 1/3 to 4-1/2+ cups (32-449+ g) daily based on adult dog weight from 1.4 kg to over 45.4 kg; adjust for metabolism, breed size, activity, age, and condition. May be fed dry or moistened with 1 part liquid to 4 parts kibble. Transition over 7-10 days.

Additives declared on the label

Nutritional additives

Vitamin E 460 IU/kg; Vitamin A 15,000 IU/kg; Vitamin B3 (Niacin); Vitamin B5 (Calcium Pantothenate); Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate); Vitamin B12; Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin); Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride); Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid); Vitamin D3; Vitamin K (Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex); Vitamin B7 (Biotin); Zinc Sulphate 150 mg/kg Zinc; Ferrous Sulphate; Manganese Sulphate; Copper Sulphate; Calcium Iodate; Sodium Selenite 0.35 mg/kg Selenium; Choline Chloride

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 37 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +3.2 points to the total. However, ingredients without printed percentages reduced the score by -10.6, the processing format subtracted -6.7, and the additive load contributed -3 points.

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 quality0.39.191+3.18
Carb share of dry matter25.3%-0.115-2.91
Oil share of dry matter3.1%-0.092-0.29
Vegetable share of dry matter3.3%-0.005-0.02
Additive share of dry matter9.5%0.163+1.55
Supplement share of dry matter51.4%-0.012-0.63
Other share of dry matter1.7%-0.375-0.66
Recipe graded poor19.5%-0.065-1.27
Number of poor ingredients7-0.876-6.13
Largest single poor ingredient3.2%0.060+0.19
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-13.630.222-3.03
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 quality0.39.191+3.18
Meat share of dry matter0.0%0.096+0.00
Carb share of dry matter25.3%-0.115-2.91
Oil share of dry matter3.1%-0.092-0.29
Vegetable share of dry matter3.3%-0.005-0.02
Additive share of dry matter9.5%0.163+1.55
Supplement share of dry matter51.4%-0.012-0.63
Other share of dry matter1.7%-0.375-0.66
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor19.5%-0.065-1.27
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients7-0.876-6.13
Largest single poor ingredient3.2%0.060+0.19
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-13.630.222-3.03
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
+1 transparency bonus
Subtotal
36.9
Final score
37/100

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.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein3235.4 (band 20.386740331491715 to 40%)100
Fat1718.8 (band 6.2292817679558015 to 20%)100
Fibre33.3 (band 0.5 to 5%)100
Calcium11.1 (band 0.5662983425414365 to 2.5%)86.7
Phosphorus0.80.9 (band 0.45303867403314924 to 1.6%)92.5
Calcium:phosphorus ratio1.31.3 (band 1 to 2%)85
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3)--100
Energy (kcal/100g)410453100

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.

Declared fortification: 19 nutritional additives on the label
  • Vitamin E 460 IU/kg
  • Vitamin A 15,000 IU/kg
  • Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
  • Vitamin B5 (Calcium Pantothenate)
  • Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate)
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
  • Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride)
  • Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
  • Vitamin D3
  • Vitamin K (Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex)
  • Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
  • Zinc Sulphate 150 mg/kg Zinc
  • Ferrous Sulphate
  • Manganese Sulphate
  • Copper Sulphate
  • Calcium Iodate
  • Sodium Selenite 0.35 mg/kg Selenium
  • Choline Chloride

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)5/10
✓ 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

  • "Nutrient-Dense, 32% Protein, High-Protein Formula" — 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
4 Sources of Antioxidants to Help Support a Healthy Immune System (on pack)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Supports Strong Muscles, Including a Healthy Heart (on pack)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Real Beef is the #1 Ingredient (on pack)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Nutrient-Dense, 32% Protein, High-Protein Formula (on pack)High/low levelconsistentManufacturer assertion
Natural With Added Vitamins, Minerals & Nutrients (on pack)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Purina ONE Formulas Are Veterinarian Recommended (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs (on pack)Nutrientnot checkableManufacturer assertion
no poultry by-product meal, artificial flavours or preservatives (on page)Free-fromnot checkableManufacturer 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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