Our verdict
Is Pro Plan Puppy Healthy Start Chicken a good dog food?
We score it 35/100 (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.
73% 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
- You are limiting fat: 21.0% on a dry-matter basis is in the high band
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 32% · Fat 21%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32% |
| Fat | 21% |
| Fibre | 2% |
| Ash | 8% |
Energy: 413 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
See table for recommended daily feeding amounts. These amounts are guidelines only. Ensure your puppy and mother maintain a lean body condition by adjusting the daily amounts according to your dog’s activity level, physical condition and individual needs. During weaning, introduce solid food gradually. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. To monitor your dog’s health, consult a vet regularly.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vit A: 34000 U/kg; Vit D3: 1100 U/kg; Vit E: 20 U/kg; Vit C: 120 mg/kg; Iron (II) sulphate monohydrate: (Fe: 130) mg/kg; Calcium iodate anhydrous: (I: 2.0) mg/kg; Copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate: (Cu: 14) mg/kg; Manganous sulphate monohydrate: (Mn: 48) mg/kg; Zinc sulphate monohydrate: (Zn: 120) mg/kg; Sodium selenite: (Se: 0.14) mg/kg
Technological additives
Tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils: 70 mg/kg
Ingredients (15)73% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- carb 39.5%
- meat 36.7%
- oil 12.2%
- fibre 6.2%
- supplement 5.4%
| # | 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 | - | 7.9 |
| 3 | Wheat | Wheat | carb · poor | - | 7.6 |
| 4 | Animal fats | Unspecified Animal Fats and Oils | oil · poor | - | 7.2 |
| 5 | Soya meal | Soya | carb · poor | - | 6.9 |
| 6 | Rice (7%) | Rice - white | carb · medium | 7 | 7.0 |
| 7 | Corn protein meal | Maize gluten | carb · poor | - | 6.6 |
| 8 | Dried beet pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 6.2 |
| 9 | Corn | Maize / Corn | carb · medium | - | 5.9 |
| 10 | Wheat gluten | Wheat Gluten | carb · poor | - | 5.6 |
| 11 | Minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 5.3 |
| 12 | Fish oil | Fish Oil | oil · good | - | 4.9 |
| 13 | Dried egg | Dried Egg | meat · medium | - | 4.6 |
| 14 | Digest | Digest | meat · poor | - | 4.3 |
| 15 | 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 protein7.9% estimated
- 3. Wheat7.6% estimated
- 4. Animal fats7.2% estimated
- 5. Soya meal6.9% estimated
- 6. Rice (7%)7% declared7.0% estimated
- 7. Corn protein meal6.6% estimated
- 8. Dried beet pulp6.2% estimated
- 9. Corn5.9% estimated
- 10. Wheat gluten5.6% estimated
- 11. Minerals5.3% estimated
- 12. Fish oil4.9% estimated
- 13. Dried egg4.6% estimated
- 14. Digest4.3% estimated
- 15. 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 35 out of 100, after several negative factors weighed against the product. Ingredients without printed percentages contributed -7.7 points, while the processing format took off -6.7. The carbohydrate content reduced the score by -5.3, and lower-quality ingredients cost a further -2.5 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 | -0.1 | 9.191 | -0.66 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 7.4% | 0.096 | +0.71 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 46.2% | -0.115 | -5.31 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 15.9% | -0.092 | -1.46 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 6.5% | -0.012 | -0.08 |
| Recipe graded poor | 38.1% | -0.065 | -2.48 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 4.3% | -0.179 | -0.76 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 6 | -0.876 | -5.26 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 7.6% | 0.060 | +0.45 |
| Undeclared quantities | 72.9% | -0.106 | -7.70 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| High carb and low meat | yes | -1.180 | -1.18 |
| 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 | -0.1 | 9.191 | -0.66 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 7.4% | 0.096 | +0.71 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 46.2% | -0.115 | -5.31 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 15.9% | -0.092 | -1.46 |
| 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 | 6.5% | -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 | 38.1% | -0.065 | -2.48 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 4.3% | -0.179 | -0.76 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 6 | -0.876 | -5.26 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 7.6% | 0.060 | +0.45 |
| Undeclared quantities | 72.9% | -0.106 | -7.70 |
| 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 | yes | -1.180 | -1.18 |
| 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
- 34.7
- Final score
- 35/100
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 | 32 | 35.4 | 100 |
| Fat | 21 | 23.2 | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 413 | 456.4 | 100 |
Scored over 3 declared nutrients (combined weight 50); 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: 34000 U/kg
- Vit D3: 1100 U/kg
- Vit E: 20 U/kg
- Vit C: 120 mg/kg
- Iron (II) sulphate monohydrate: (Fe: 130) mg/kg
- Calcium iodate anhydrous: (I: 2.0) mg/kg
- Copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate: (Cu: 14) mg/kg
- Manganous sulphate monohydrate: (Mn: 48) mg/kg
- Zinc sulphate monohydrate: (Zn: 120) mg/kg
- Sodium selenite: (Se: 0.14) mg/kg
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 (27.1% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 5.4/20 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colostrum to help support natural defences (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Helps promote healthy growth and long-term health (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Helps support healthy joints (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Formulated for total dental care (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Science based nutrition (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 |
| rich in high quality chicken (on page) | High/low level | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| No added colourants (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| specific levels of omega-3 fatty acids (0.4%) (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chicken as No1 ingredient (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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