Purina CA True Instinct with Real Salmon & Tuna

Dry Extruded · complete

Poor
our rating

Our verdict

Is Purina CA True Instinct with Real Salmon & Tuna 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".

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 (10% 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: it is listed as an ingredient
  • 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 (37)100% of the recipe is estimated

Estimated composition

  • supplement 48.8%
  • carb 19.7%
  • additive 12.1%
  • meat 10.2%
  • other 6.3%
  • oil 2.8%
#As declaredMatchedLabel readingDeclared %Est. %
1SalmonSalmonmeat · good-3.6
2Chicken MealDried chicken proteinmeat · good-3.5
3Whole Grain WheatWheatcarb · poor-3.5
4Beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherolsTocopherolsadditive · good-3.4
5Whole Grain CornWhole-Grain Maizecarb · medium-3.4
6Corn Protein MealMaize glutencarb · poor-3.3
7Soy FlakesSoy Flakesother · medium-3.3
8Corn Germ MealMaize Germ Mealcarb · medium-3.2
9Rice FlourRice flourcarb · medium-3.2
10TunaTunameat · good-3.1
11Oat MealOatscarb · medium-3.1
12GlycerinGlycerineother · medium-3.0
13Natural FlavoursArtificial flavouringsadditive · poor-3.0
14Calcium CarbonateCalcium Carbonatesupplement · medium-2.9
15SaltSaltadditive · poor-2.9
16Fish OilFish Oiloil · good-2.8
17Mono And Dicalcium PhosphateDicalcium phosphatesupplement · medium-2.8
18Vegetable Juice (Colour)Vegetable Juiceadditive · medium-2.8
19Vitamin E SupplementVitamin Esupplement · good-2.7
20Niacin (Vitamin B3)Niacinsupplement · good-2.7
21Vitamin A SupplementVitamin Asupplement · good-2.6
22Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5)Calcium pantothenatesupplement · good-2.6
23Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1)Thiamine mononitratesupplement · good-2.5
24Vitamin B-12 SupplementVitamin B12supplement · good-2.5
25Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2)Riboflavinsupplement · good-2.4
26Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)Pyridoxine hydrochloridesupplement · good-2.4
27Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)Folic acidsupplement · good-2.3
28Vitamin D3 SupplementVitamin D3 supplementsupplement · good-2.3
29Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity)Vitamin Ksupplement · good-2.2
30Biotin (Vitamin B7)Biotinsupplement · good-2.2
31Zinc SulphateZinc sulfatesupplement · medium-2.1
32Ferrous SulphateIron sulfatesupplement · good-2.1
33Manganese SulphateManganese sulfatesupplement · medium-2.0
34Copper SulphateCopper sulphatesupplement · good-2.0
35Calcium IodateCalcium iodatesupplement · medium-1.9
36Sodium SeleniteSodium selenitesupplement · poor-1.9
37Choline ChlorideCholinesupplement · good-1.8
  1. 1. Salmon3.6% estimated
    Salmon · meat · good
  2. 2. Chicken Meal3.5% estimated
    Dried chicken protein · meat · good
  3. 3. Whole Grain Wheat3.5% estimated
    Wheat · carb · poor
  4. 4. Beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols3.4% estimated
    Tocopherols · additive · good
  5. 5. Whole Grain Corn3.4% estimated
    Whole-Grain Maize · carb · medium
  6. 6. Corn Protein Meal3.3% estimated
    Maize gluten · carb · poor
  7. 7. Soy Flakes3.3% estimated
    Soy Flakes · other · medium
  8. 8. Corn Germ Meal3.2% estimated
    Maize Germ Meal · carb · medium
  9. 9. Rice Flour3.2% estimated
    Rice flour · carb · medium
  10. 10. Tuna3.1% estimated
    Tuna · meat · good
  11. 11. Oat Meal3.1% estimated
    Oats · carb · medium
  12. 12. Glycerin3.0% estimated
    Glycerine · other · medium
  13. 13. Natural Flavours3.0% estimated
    Artificial flavourings · additive · poor
  14. 14. Calcium Carbonate2.9% estimated
    Calcium Carbonate · supplement · medium
  15. 15. Salt2.9% estimated
    Salt · additive · poor
  16. 16. Fish Oil2.8% estimated
    Fish Oil · oil · good
  17. 17. Mono And Dicalcium Phosphate2.8% estimated
    Dicalcium phosphate · supplement · medium
  18. 18. Vegetable Juice (Colour)2.8% estimated
    Vegetable Juice · additive · medium
  19. 19. Vitamin E Supplement2.7% estimated
    Vitamin E · supplement · good
  20. 20. Niacin (Vitamin B3)2.7% estimated
    Niacin · supplement · good
  21. 21. Vitamin A Supplement2.6% estimated
    Vitamin A · supplement · good
  22. 22. Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5)2.6% estimated
    Calcium pantothenate · supplement · good
  23. 23. Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1)2.5% estimated
    Thiamine mononitrate · supplement · good
  24. 24. Vitamin B-12 Supplement2.5% estimated
    Vitamin B12 · supplement · good
  25. 25. Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2)2.4% estimated
    Riboflavin · supplement · good
  26. 26. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)2.4% estimated
    Pyridoxine hydrochloride · supplement · good
  27. 27. Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)2.3% estimated
    Folic acid · supplement · good
  28. 28. Vitamin D3 Supplement2.3% estimated
    Vitamin D3 supplement · supplement · good
  29. 29. Menadione Sodium Bisulphate Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity)2.2% estimated
    Vitamin K · supplement · good
  30. 30. Biotin (Vitamin B7)2.2% estimated
    Biotin · supplement · good
  31. 31. Zinc Sulphate2.1% estimated
    Zinc sulfate · supplement · medium
  32. 32. Ferrous Sulphate2.1% estimated
    Iron sulfate · supplement · good
  33. 33. Manganese Sulphate2.0% estimated
    Manganese sulfate · supplement · medium
  34. 34. Copper Sulphate2.0% estimated
    Copper sulphate · supplement · good
  35. 35. Calcium Iodate1.9% estimated
    Calcium iodate · supplement · medium
  36. 36. Sodium Selenite1.9% estimated
    Sodium selenite · supplement · poor
  37. 37. Choline Chloride1.8% estimated
    Choline · supplement · good

Nutrition and feedingProtein 30% · Fat 17%

Guaranteed analysis (as fed)

NutrientAs fed
Protein30%
Fat17%
Fibre3%
Moisture12%
Omega-3 fatty acids0.50%
Omega-6 fatty acids1.70%
Calcium1%
Phosphorus0.80%

Energy: 338 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Feeding and storage

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Feeding guide

Feed according to weight of dog; adult maintenance. See cup/grams table. May be served dry or moistened with water (1 part liquid to 4 parts food). Fresh water should be available daily.

Additives declared on the label

Nutritional additives

Vitamin E Supplement; Niacin (Vitamin B3); Vitamin A Supplement; 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); Zinc Sulphate; Ferrous Sulphate; Manganese Sulphate; Copper Sulphate; Calcium Iodate; Sodium Selenite; Choline Chloride

Technological additives

Beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols

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 41 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +4.2 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 -3.3 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 quality0.59.191+4.25
Carb share of dry matter21.4%-0.115-2.46
Oil share of dry matter3.4%-0.092-0.32
Additive share of dry matter10.5%0.163+1.70
Supplement share of dry matter54.6%-0.012-0.67
Other share of dry matter3.8%-0.375-1.44
Recipe graded poor14.6%-0.065-0.95
Number of poor ingredients5-0.876-4.38
Largest single poor ingredient3.5%0.060+0.21
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-14.690.222-3.26
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+4.25
Meat share of dry matter0.0%0.096+0.00
Carb share of dry matter21.4%-0.115-2.46
Oil share of dry matter3.4%-0.092-0.32
Vegetable share of dry matter0.0%-0.005+0.00
Additive share of dry matter10.5%0.163+1.70
Supplement share of dry matter54.6%-0.012-0.67
Other share of dry matter3.8%-0.375-1.44
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor14.6%-0.065-0.95
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients5-0.876-4.38
Largest single poor ingredient3.5%0.060+0.21
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-14.690.222-3.26
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
40.6
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.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein3033.1 (band 18 to 40%)100
Fat1718.8 (band 5.5 to 20%)100
Fibre33.3 (band 0.5 to 5%)100
Calcium11.1 (band 0.5 to 2.5%)88.1
Phosphorus0.80.9 (band 0.4 to 1.6%)94.2
Calcium:phosphorus ratio1.31.3 (band 1 to 2%)85
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3)--100
Energy (kcal/100g)338373.5100

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 Supplement
  • Niacin (Vitamin B3)
  • Vitamin A Supplement
  • 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)
  • Zinc Sulphate
  • Ferrous Sulphate
  • Manganese Sulphate
  • Copper Sulphate
  • Calcium Iodate
  • Sodium Selenite
  • 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)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 — 2 checkable claims: 2 consistent, 0 contradicted.

Consistent with the label

  • "Complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
  • "Nutrient-Dense Formula with 30% Protein" — 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 page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Supports Strong Muscles, Including a Healthy Heart (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Veterinarian Recommended (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Natural With Added Vitamins, Minerals & Nutrients (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Real Salmon is the #1 Ingredient (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs (on pack)ContentconsistentManufacturer assertion
Nutrient-Dense Formula with 30% Protein (on page)High/low levelconsistentManufacturer assertion
No poultry by-product meal (on page)Free-fromnot checkableManufacturer assertion
No 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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