Purina CA True Instinct with Real Chicken & Duck
Dry Extruded complete
Is Purina CA True Instinct with Real Chicken & Duck a good dog food?
We score it 41/100 (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 41 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +4 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 -2.6 points.
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.
- Recipe41
- Nutritionallow97
- Transparency55
- 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 6% 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 3 points in the rating.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (as fed)
- Protein
- 32%
- Fat
- 17%
- Fibre
- 3%
- Moisture
- 12%
- Omega-6 fatty acids
- 1.70%
- Calcium
- 1%
- Phosphorus
- 0.80%
Energy: 386 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Nutritional additives
Vitamin E 460 IU/kg; Vitamin A 15,000 IU/kg; Zinc 150 mg/kg; Selenium 0.35 mg/kg; Total Glucosamine 350 ppm
Feeding guide
Feed based on dog weight: 3-12 lbs (1.4-5.4 kg): 1/3 to 1-1/4 cups (44-112 g); 13-20 lbs (5.9-9.1 kg): 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 cups (118-158 g); 21-35 lbs (9.5-15.9 kg): 1-1/2 to 2-1/4 cups (163-230 g); 36-50 lbs (16.3-22.7 kg): 2-1/4 to 2-3/4 cups (234-292 g); 51-75 lbs (23.1-34.0 kg): 2-3/4 to 3-2/3 cups (296-383 g); 76-100 lbs (34.5-45.4 kg): 3-3/4 to 4-1/2 cups (386-464 g); Over 100 lbs (Over 45.4 kg): 4-1/2 cups plus 1/4 cup for each 10 lbs over 100 lbs. May be fed dry or moistened (1 part liquid to 4 parts food). Standard 8 oz cup contains approximately 104 g.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
- Doesn't list turkey, lamb, fish, venison, pork as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids beef: it is listed as an ingredient
- Your dog avoids duck: the label lists duck
- 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. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.
Ingredients (36)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken | Chicken | meat | medium | - | 3.7 |
| 2 | Chicken Meal | Dried chicken protein | meat | good | - | 3.6 |
| 3 | Soybean Meal | Soybean Meal | carb | poor | - | 3.6 |
| 4 | Whole Grain Wheat | Wheat | carb | poor | - | 3.5 |
| 5 | Beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols | Tocopherols | additive | good | - | 3.5 |
| 6 | Corn Protein Meal | Maize gluten | carb | poor | - | 3.4 |
| 7 | Corn Germ Meal | Maize / Corn | carb | medium | - | 3.4 |
| 8 | Whole Grain Corn | Whole Grains | carb | good | - | 3.3 |
| 9 | Duck | Duck | meat | medium | - | 3.3 |
| 10 | Dried Beef Bone Broth | Cooking broth | other | medium | - | 3.2 |
| 11 | Glycerin | Glycerine | other | medium | - | 3.2 |
| 12 | Natural Flavours | Artificial flavourings | additive | poor | - | 3.1 |
| 13 | Calcium Carbonate | Calcium Carbonate | supplement | medium | - | 3.1 |
| 14 | Mono And Dicalcium Phosphate | Dicalcium phosphate | supplement | medium | - | 3.0 |
| 15 | Salt | Salt | additive | medium | - | 3.0 |
| 16 | Soybean Oil | Soybean oil | oil | medium | - | 2.9 |
| 17 | Vitamin E Supplement | Vitamin E | supplement | good | - | 2.9 |
| 18 | Niacin (Vitamin B3) | Niacin | supplement | good | - | 2.8 |
| 19 | Vitamin A Supplement | Vitamin A | supplement | good | - | 2.8 |
| 20 | Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5) | Calcium pantothenate | supplement | good | - | 2.7 |
| 21 | Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1) | Thiamine mononitrate | supplement | good | - | 2.7 |
| 22 | Vitamin B-12 Supplement | Vitamin B12 | supplement | good | - | 2.6 |
| 23 | Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2) | Riboflavin | supplement | good | - | 2.5 |
| 24 | Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) | Pyridoxine hydrochloride | supplement | good | - | 2.5 |
| 25 | Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) | Folic acid | supplement | good | - | 2.4 |
| 26 | Vitamin D3 Supplement | Vitamin D3 supplement | supplement | good | - | 2.4 |
| 27 | Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity) | Vitamin K | supplement | good | - | 2.3 |
| 28 | Biotin (Vitamin B7) | Biotin | supplement | good | - | 2.3 |
| 29 | Potassium Chloride | Potassium Chloride | supplement | medium | - | 2.2 |
| 30 | Zinc Sulphate | Zinc sulfate | supplement | medium | - | 2.2 |
| 31 | Ferrous Sulphate | Iron sulfate | supplement | good | - | 2.1 |
| 32 | Manganese Sulphate | Manganese sulfate | supplement | medium | - | 2.1 |
| 33 | Copper Sulphate | Copper sulphate | supplement | good | - | 2.0 |
| 34 | Calcium Iodate | Calcium iodate | supplement | medium | - | 2.0 |
| 35 | Sodium Selenite | Sodium selenite | supplement | poor | - | 1.9 |
| 36 | Choline Chloride | Choline | supplement | good | - | 1.9 |
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 | 0.4 | 9.191 | +3.99 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 18.5% | -0.115 | -2.12 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 3.5% | -0.092 | -0.32 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 10.3% | 0.163 | +1.68 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 59.3% | -0.012 | -0.72 |
| Other share of dry matter | 2.1% | -0.375 | -0.79 |
| Recipe graded poor | 15.5% | -0.065 | -1.01 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 5 | -0.876 | -4.38 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 3.6% | 0.060 | +0.21 |
| 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 | -11.65 | 0.222 | -2.59 |
| 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 | 0.4 | 9.191 | +3.99 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 18.5% | -0.115 | -2.12 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 3.5% | -0.092 | -0.32 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.005 | +0.00 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 10.3% | 0.163 | +1.68 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 59.3% | -0.012 | -0.72 |
| Other share of dry matter | 2.1% | -0.375 | -0.79 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 15.5% | -0.065 | -1.01 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 5 | -0.876 | -4.38 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 3.6% | 0.060 | +0.21 |
| 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 | -11.65 | 0.222 | -2.59 |
| 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
- +1 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 40.9
- Final score
- 41/100
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 | 32 | 35.4 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 17 | 18.8 (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) | 386 | 426.5 | 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) | 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 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 — 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.
6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Sources of Antioxidants to Help Support a Healthy Immune System (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports Strong Muscles, Including a Healthy Heart (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Purina ONE Formulas Are Veterinarian Recommended (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Natural With Added Vitamins, Minerals & Nutrients (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Real Chicken is the #1 Ingredient (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Nutrient-Dense, 32% Protein, High-Protein Formula (on page) | High/low level | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| No poultry by-product meal, artificial flavours or preservatives (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | 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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