Pro Plan Puppy Healthy Start Chicken Dry Dog Food
Dry Extruded · completeClear label
Our verdict
Is Pro Plan Puppy Healthy Start Chicken Dry Dog Food a good dog food?
We score it 38/100 (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".
Complete extruded dry food for puppies, with chicken, dehydrated poultry proteins and wheat as the main ingredients.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
72% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
- Doesn't list beef, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists dehydrated poultry proteins
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish oil
- 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.
Nutrition and feedingProtein 30% · Fat 19%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30% |
| Fat | 19% |
| Fibre | 2% |
| Ash | 7.50% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.30% |
Energy: 405 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
See table for recommended daily feeding amounts. These amounts are guidelines only. Adjust daily amounts according to activity level, physical condition and individual needs. During weaning, introduce solid food gradually. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. Consult a vet regularly.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vit A: 29000 IU/kg; Vit D3: 940 IU/kg; Vit E: 200 mg/kg; Vit C: 120 mg/kg; Iron (II) sulphate monohydrate: (Fe: 120) mg/kg; Calcium iodate anhydrous: (I: 1.9) mg/kg; Copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate: (Cu: 13) mg/kg; Manganous sulphate monohydrate: (Mn: 46) mg/kg; Zinc sulphate monohydrate: (Zn: 110) mg/kg; Sodium selenite: (Se: 0.13) mg/kg
Technological additives
Tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils: 56
Ingredients (14)72% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 39.6%
- carb 36.5%
- oil 12.3%
- fibre 6.2%
- supplement 5.5%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | High quality chicken (including back and chest) (20%) | Chicken | meat · medium | 20 | 20.0 |
| 2 | Dried poultry protein | Dehydrated Poultry Proteins | meat · good | - | 8.5 |
| 3 | Wheat | Wheat | carb · poor | - | 8.1 |
| 4 | Soya meal | Soya | carb · poor | - | 7.7 |
| 5 | Animal fats | Unspecified Animal Fats and Oils | oil · poor | - | 7.3 |
| 6 | Rice (8%) | Rice - white | carb · medium | 8 | 8.0 |
| 7 | Corn | Maize / Corn | carb · medium | - | 6.9 |
| 8 | Digest | Digest | meat · poor | - | 6.5 |
| 9 | Dried beet pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 6.2 |
| 10 | Corn protein meal | Maize gluten | carb · poor | - | 5.8 |
| 11 | Minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 5.4 |
| 12 | Fish oil | Fish Oil | oil · good | - | 5.0 |
| 13 | Dried egg | Dried Egg | meat · medium | - | 4.6 |
| 14 | Dried colostrum (0.1%) | Colostrum | supplement · medium | 0.1 | 0.1 |
- 1. High quality chicken (including back and chest) (20%)20% declared20.0% estimated
- 2. Dried poultry protein8.5% estimated
- 3. Wheat8.1% estimated
- 4. Soya meal7.7% estimated
- 5. Animal fats7.3% estimated
- 6. Rice (8%)8% declared8.0% estimated
- 7. Corn6.9% estimated
- 8. Digest6.5% estimated
- 9. Dried beet pulp6.2% estimated
- 10. Corn protein meal5.8% estimated
- 11. Minerals5.4% estimated
- 12. Fish oil5.0% estimated
- 13. Dried egg4.6% estimated
- 14. Dried colostrum (0.1%)0.1% declared0.1% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-12
Brand and contact: Pro Plan
- Phone
- 0800 212 161
- Contact page
- www.purina.co.uk
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-12
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.purina.co.uk
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.
Brand and retailer reviews
External platform ratings are not scores for this individual recipe.
Trustpilot: 1.8/5 · 628 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?
The overall score came in at 38 out of 100, after several negative factors weighed against the product. Ingredients without printed percentages contributed -7.6 points, while the processing format took off -6.7. The carbohydrate content reduced the score by -5, and lower-quality ingredients cost a further -2.3 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.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | -0.0 | 9.191 | -0.04 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 7.5% | 0.096 | +0.72 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 43.4% | -0.115 | -4.99 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 16.3% | -0.092 | -1.50 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 6.8% | -0.012 | -0.08 |
| Recipe graded poor | 35.4% | -0.065 | -2.30 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 6.5% | -0.179 | -1.17 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 5 | -0.876 | -4.38 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 8.1% | 0.060 | +0.48 |
| Undeclared quantities | 71.9% | -0.106 | -7.59 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -0.22 | 0.222 | -0.05 |
| 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 | -0.0 | 9.191 | -0.04 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 7.5% | 0.096 | +0.72 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 43.4% | -0.115 | -4.99 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 16.3% | -0.092 | -1.50 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.005 | +0.00 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 6.8% | -0.012 | -0.08 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 35.4% | -0.065 | -2.30 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 6.5% | -0.179 | -1.17 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 5 | -0.876 | -4.38 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 8.1% | 0.060 | +0.48 |
| Undeclared quantities | 71.9% | -0.106 | -7.59 |
| 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 | -0.22 | 0.222 | -0.05 |
| 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
- 37.6
- Final score
- 38/100
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.
Score history across model versions
The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up 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.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 30 | 33.1 | 100 |
| Fat | 19 | 21 | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 405 | 447.5 | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-3 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 4 declared nutrients (combined weight 60); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
Declared fortification: 10 nutritional additives on the label
- Vit A: 29000 IU/kg
- Vit D3: 940 IU/kg
- Vit E: 200 mg/kg
- Vit C: 120 mg/kg
- Iron (II) sulphate monohydrate: (Fe: 120) mg/kg
- Calcium iodate anhydrous: (I: 1.9) mg/kg
- Copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate: (Cu: 13) mg/kg
- Manganous sulphate monohydrate: (Mn: 46) mg/kg
- Zinc sulphate monohydrate: (Zn: 110) mg/kg
- Sodium selenite: (Se: 0.13) mg/kg
Medium confidence: the full five-part analysis is on file; where moisture was not declared it was 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 (28.1% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 5.6/20 |
| 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) | 5/10 |
| 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.
See all current recalls we track.
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
- "High protein" — supported by the declared high protein data.
10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Colostrum, proven to help support immune response (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Adapted combination of protein and fat content to promote healthy growth and longterm health (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| A combination of key nutrients that helps to support healthy joints for your puppies active lifestyle (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| helps support puppies' immune response up to 50% more (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| helps to optimise the balance of the gut microflora (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| helping minimise the incidence of loose stools (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| specific levels of omega-3 (0.3%) to help support healthy teeth and gums (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| 100% money back guarantee (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
| High protein (on page) | High/low level | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| No1 ingredient Chicken (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| high quality dry food (on page) | Content | 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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