bella dog food reviews

Purina Bella Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros, and Cons

Our Final Verdict

We give Purina Bella dog food a rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars.

Purina Bella is a line of dog food specifically formulated to meet the needs of small breeds. It includes wet and dry food in various unique flavors, including grain-free recipes.

As one of the most well-known pet food brands currently on the market, many owners trust Purina with the health and well-being of their four-legged family members.Purina Bella is excellent for most dogs (but not all!). Our in-depth Purina Bella Dog Food review will tell you what you need to know before switching brands.

At a Glance: The Best Purina Bella Dog Food Recipes

The Purina Bella line of dog food includes two main recipes: wet pt and dry kibble. Each variety has countless flavors, but here are a few of the most popular recipes:

Purina Bella Dog Food Review

Ingredient Breakdown:

The Purina Bella line of dog food is formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of toy and small dog breeds.Heres what you need to know about the brand and whether or not its the right dog food for your canine.

Who Makes Purina Bella and Where is it Produced?

Most people have heard of the Purina brand, which is responsible for creating and manufacturing some of the most popular dog food recipes around. However, like countless other commercial brands, Purina isnt independently owned. Instead, Purina is owned by the giant conglomerate Nestl.

According to Purina, 99% of the brands dog food is manufactured in the United States. Owners will also be happy to know that Purina owns its own factories, so a third party does not oversee the production process.Unfortunately, there is no information about where the remaining 1% of Purina dog food is manufactured nor which products are included.

Which Type of Dog Is Purina Bella Best Suited For?

Purina Bella dog food is specifically designed for small adult dogs. Good candidates for this formula include breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, Boston Terriers, Pomeranians, and similar-sized dogs.

Because of the smaller mouths and digestive systems of small breeds, Purina Bella formulas are designed with smaller bite-sized pieces. The Purina Bella recipes also provide the nutrition that smaller dogs need to support their lifespans, which are considerably longer than those of large breeds.

Which Type of Dog Might Do Better With a Different Formula?

While theres technically no reason that a medium- or large-sized pup cant eat this dog food, it may lack essential vitamins and minerals that the breeds require more of to thrive.

If youre searching for a Purina formula for larger canines, consider looking into the brands large and giant breed recipes. Our favorites include:

A Quick Look at Purina Bella Dog Food

• Specifically designed for small dogs
• Available in wet and dry formulas
• Sold by several popular retailers
• 99% of Purina dog food is made in the U.S.A.
• Grain-free recipes are available

• Parent company, Nestl, has a controversial reputation
• No puppy-specific formulas

Purina Bella Dog Food Recall History

As of writing this Purina Bella Dog Food review, there have been no official recalls of the Purina Bella line of products. However, Purina has issued recalls of a few of its other dog food products:

In 2016, select varieties of Purina Pro Plan wet dog food were recalled for insufficient vitamins and minerals.

In 2013, select batches of Purina ONE dog food were recalled for potential salmonella contamination.

Regarding future recalls, Purina recommends that consumers stay current on the FDAs list of pet food recalls.

Reviews of the 3 Best Purina Bella Dog Food Recipes

To give a more balanced overview of Purina Bella, weve chosen one of the best flavors from each of the main varieties:

1. Purina Bella Grain-Free Pt Wet Small Dog Food With Lamb, Peas & Sweet Potatoes

The Purina Bella wet dog food line can be broken into two groups: grain-free and grain-inclusive. The Grain-Free Pt is an excellent option for dogs with grain allergies or owners who want to adhere to a grain-free diet. However, its also important to note the FDAs recent findings regarding a connection between grain-free dog food and heart disease.

The Purina Bella Grain-Free Pt recipe includes a minimum of 7% protein, 3.5% fat, 1% fiber, and 82% moisture. Each tray contains 97 calories, with a recommended daily serving size of 4.5 trays per 10 pounds of body weight.

The main ingredients of this wet dog food include water, chicken, meat by-product, lamb, liver, peas, sweet potatoes, and carrageenan (a natural thickening ingredient).

• High moisture content
• Good for dogs with known grain allergies
• Includes real vegetables

• Contains meat by-product
• Subject to grain-free controversy

2. Purina Bella Natural Bites With a Blend of Real Turkey & Chicken

Along with using ingredients that meet the unique dietary needs of small dogs, this formula is also made with smaller kibble pieces for easier chewing and digestion. It includes tender pieces of meat and an antioxidant blend designed to boost your pups immune system. Natural Bites is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

It has a minimum of 26% protein, 15.5% fat, 4% fiber, and 12% moisture. Each cup of dog food includes 357 calories. Refer to the feeding guidelines to determine how much to feed your dog according to their weight.While the first ingredient is turkey, it also contains whole-grain corn, whole-grain wheat, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal, and soybean meal.

• Designed for small dog breeds
• First ingredient is real turkey
• Free of artificial ingredients

• Contains chicken by-product meal as a top ingredient
• Not good for dogs with food allergies

3. Purina Bella Pt Grilled Chicken Flavor in Savory Juices

Unlike the pt recipe mentioned above, this Purina Bella recipe is a grain-inclusive formula. If youre hunting for a high-moisture dog food that doesnt present the risks of a grain-free diet, this is an excellent option for most small dogs. The food formula contains a minimum of 8% protein, 3.5% fat, 1% fiber, and 82% moisture.

Each tray contains 100 calories, and owners are advised to feed 4.5 trays of food per 10 pounds of body weight each day.The main ingredients include meat by-products, chicken, water, liver, and carrageenan. Unfortunately, it is unclear what type of meat by-products are included. Also, unlike the grain-free version, this recipe does not include whole vegetables.

• High moisture content
• Not subject to grain-free controversy
• Specifically formulated for small dogs

• First ingredient is meat by-products
• Not good for dogs with food allergies

What Others Are Saying About Purina Bella Dog Food

Of course, our opinion isnt the only one that matters. Here is what other experts and consumers are saying about the Purina Bella dog food line:

DogFoodAdvisor: Purina Bella Natural Bites is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that uses a modest amount of named meat.

DogFoodAdvisor: Purina Bella Pate is a meat-based wet dog food using a significant amount of unnamed meat by-product as its main source of animal protein.

Amazon: As pet owners ourselves, we value the views of other buyers just as much as our own. You can check out the Amazon reviews for products like the Purina Bella Natural Bites and Purina Bella Grain-Free Pt to see what other dog owners have to say.

Conclusion

The Purina Bella line of dog food is a good, affordable option for small-breed dogs without significant health concerns. While the quality of some of the ingredients can be called into question, nothing in these formulas is particularly alarming. Purina Bella Dog Food probably isnt the absolute best food you could feed your dog, but it also wont cause any harm.

At the same time, its important to point out the potential issues associated with the Purina Bella Grain-Free Pt. Until further research is released concerning the connection between grain-free diets and heart disease, we recommend consulting your veterinarian before starting or continuing a grain-free diet for your dog.

Overall, Purina Bella is suitable for most small dogs. If you have any questions regarding the amount or type of food that is best for your dog, the best source for veterinary advice is always your veterinarian.

Bella & DukeReviews

Reply from Bella & Duke

Good Afternoon Guani,Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're thrilled to hear that your cat absolutely loves our food and treats. It's wonderful to know that our products are bringing joy to your furry friend.Regarding your concerns about the food not being completely frozen upon delivery, we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. While our food is packed to remain frozen during transit, external factors such as weather conditions or delivery times can sometimes impact the level of thawing. Rest assured, our food is still safe to consume even if it's partially thawed upon arrival. However, we understand your concern and will continue to work on improving our packaging and delivery processes to minimize thawing during transit.We're sorry to hear about the mix-up with your last order and the inconvenience it caused. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we worked to resolve the issue. We're glad to hear that your friend's dog enjoyed the treats, but please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused by the incorrect order.Your satisfaction is incredibly important to us, and we're grateful for your continued support and recommendation. If you ever have any further questions, concerns, or feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to ensure that you and your cat have a positive experience with our products.Thank you again for choosing Bella & Duke, and we look forward to serving you and your cat for many more years to come.Best regards,Bella & Duke

Bella & DukeReviews

Reply from Bella & Duke

Good Afternoon Guani,Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're thrilled to hear that your cat absolutely loves our food and treats. It's wonderful to know that our products are bringing joy to your furry friend.Regarding your concerns about the food not being completely frozen upon delivery, we apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. While our food is packed to remain frozen during transit, external factors such as weather conditions or delivery times can sometimes impact the level of thawing. Rest assured, our food is still safe to consume even if it's partially thawed upon arrival. However, we understand your concern and will continue to work on improving our packaging and delivery processes to minimize thawing during transit.We're sorry to hear about the mix-up with your last order and the inconvenience it caused. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we worked to resolve the issue. We're glad to hear that your friend's dog enjoyed the treats, but please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused by the incorrect order.Your satisfaction is incredibly important to us, and we're grateful for your continued support and recommendation. If you ever have any further questions, concerns, or feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to ensure that you and your cat have a positive experience with our products.Thank you again for choosing Bella & Duke, and we look forward to serving you and your cat for many more years to come.Best regards,Bella & Duke

Best and worst dog food brands

There are hundreds of dog food options available, from dry to grain-free to raw, but which ones will have your furry friend licking the bowl clean?

We surveyed 2,304 dog owners about the pet food they buy to uncover the brands that customers (and their dogs) love and which offer the best value for money.

See how brands such as Burns, Harringtons and Royal Canin are rated by customers, as well as supermarket options from the likes of Aldi and Lidl.

Eat well, live better, stay healthy sign up for our free monthly Food & Health newsletter for all the latest insights delivered straight to your inbox

Dog food brands rated

Our top-scoring dog food brand achieved an impressive customer score of 82%, and five-star ratings for how much pets liked it, as well as their wellbeing when eating it.

At the other end of the scale, two brands scored less than 60%, with just two stars out of five each for how healthy the dog seemed when eating food from that brand.

Which? members can log in now to unlock the full results. If you're not yet a member, join Which? today to get instant access to this and thousands of other reviews.

Make sure your furry friend is covered see our guide to the best pet insurance for your dog

How to choose the best dog food for your pet

Deciphering all the pet nutrition information on the internet can seem like an impossible task. It can range from confusing to completely contradictory.

We spoke to real pet nutrition researchers to understand what actually matters. Good news: it isnt as complicated as it seems.

The most important part of choosing a food is actually monitoring your pet, said Dr Teresa Hollands, senior lecturer in veterinary nutrition at the University of Surrey. If you're feeding your pet a particular brand of food, and they have plenty of energy and seem well in themselves, then you are on the right track.

Dr Nigel Kendall, lecturer in nutrition at the University of Nottingham, agreed: If your pet is on completely the wrong diet, then there will be physical signs.

Signs that your pet is eating a nutritious diet, and the right food for their needs, include:

• good overall health
• plenty of energy
• good sleeping habits
• regularly passing firm stools
• maintaining a healthy weight.

Also a cat owner? See our guide to thebest and worst cat food brands

How to feed your dog the best and healthiest diet

As well as choosing the right food, you can also maximise the nutritional value of your pets diet by feeding them in the right way.

We spoke with Dr David Gardner, professor of physiology at the University of Nottingham, to find out more:

Choosing a complete food

Start by making sure you are feeding your pet a complete food, he said. Thats really important, but it isnt always clearly labelled.

Complete foods are designed to give your pet all the nutrients they need, so you can feed them the same thing every day without causing a nutritional imbalance or deficit.

Weighing your pet food

David also highlighted the importance of weighing your pets food every time you feed them.

Remember, you may not notice that you're overfeeding your pet if you increase the size of their feed very slightly each day.

Varying your pet food

If you want to take additional steps to ensure your pet is getting the best nutrition, David also suggested varying the food you give them, provided that this doesnt upset their stomach.

These changes could be as small as varying the flavour of food that you give to your pet.

If you buy a bag of lamb dog food one month, try the chicken next time, David suggested.

If you do want to try changing the type or brand of your pet food, remember to do so gradually. Your pet's meal should be no more than 25% new food for the first couple of days, increasing over the course of a week.

Dogs can be fussy, so know that varying your pet food is not essential. The main thing is that they eat and enjoy their food and that it's nutritionally complete.

Best dog harnesses see our pick of the best and worst as tested by dog owners

Is wet or dry dog food better?

Both wet and dry foods can be nutritionally complete, meaning that they should contain all the nutrients your pet needs. That means there is no significant advantage to either food type.

David recommended feeding your pet a mixture of wet and dry food.

Evidence suggests that there are slight differences in the nutritional composition of wet and dry food. That means you are going to cover more nutrients if you mix them together.

If you want to feed your dog exclusively one type of food, then wet food does tend to be more appealing. However, it is often more expensive and it can predispose pets to dental disease.

In contrast, dry food is beneficial to dogs teeth and gums, and it is usually easier and cheaper to use and store. Just make sure that your dog has access to plenty of fresh water, as they will not be getting hydration from their food.

Best food and drinkwe've rated the tastiest food for humans too. Discover our top picks, from chicken soup to red wine

Can dogs be vegan?

Yes, provided you are careful about the type of food you give them.

There are commercial dog foods available that are vegetarian or vegan and nutritionally complete.

Some people may want to prepare homemade vegetarian or vegan meals for their dog, which is not typically recommended by experts.

This is because evidence suggests that homemade food (including meat-based diets) is typically not nutritionally complete even when people follow recipes labelled as such.

Is raw food good for dogs?

Raw pet food has become more popular over the past few years, especially for dogs, but experts don't generally recommend it.

I would not recommend a raw food diet due to the risk to human health, says Dr Heather Bacon, dean of veterinary medicine at the University of Central Lancashire.

Bacteria present in raw meat can include salmonella, listeria, campylobacter and E-coli. These cause significant illness in humans and animals, particularly young, old and immune-compromised individuals.

These can be spread around the house during food preparation and eating. They can also be passed from animals to humans if your pet kisses your face after eating.

All of these bacteria are destroyed when meat is correctly cooked.

How much should my dog weigh?

According to a 2022 survey by UK Pet Food, 50% of dogs (and 43% of cats) are overweight or obese.

Your pet being overweight can have a huge impact on its quality of life, including limiting their ability to exercise or sleep properly. According to the RSPCA, it also predisposes them to illness including:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• cancer.

How to if tell your dog is overweight

Dr Teresa Hollands recommends an easy method for checking your pets weight.

Create a fist with your hand, and feel your knuckles with your fingers, she said. If your pets ribs feel like that, they are underweight.

Then lay your hand flat, and feel your knuckles again. If their ribs feel like that, they are the perfect weight.

Finally, keep your hand flat, turn your hand over, and run your fingers over the pads on your palm at the base of your fingers. If their ribs feel like that, they are overweight.

Physical signs that your dog is overweight

• Very thin(more than 20% below ideal body weight) Ribs, spine and hip bones easily seen (in short-haired pets), obvious loss of muscle bulk, no fat can be felt under the skin.
• Underweight (10-20% below ideal body weight)Ribs, spine and hip bones easily seen, obvious waist and abdominal tuck, very little fat can be felt under the skin.
• IdealRibs, spine and hip bones easily felt, visible waist and abdominal tuck, small amount of fat can be felt.
• Overweight(10-15% above ideal body weight): Ribs, spine and hip bones are hard to feel, waist barely visible, broad back, layer of fat on belly and at base of tail.
• Obese (more than 15% above ideal body weight)Ribs, spine and hip bones extremely difficult to feel under a thick layer of fat, no waist can be seen and belly may droop significantly, heavy fat pads on lower back and at base of the tail.

How we rated dog food brands

To uncover the best and worst dog food brands, in July 2023 we surveyed 2,304 Which? members who had bought dog food recently, and asked all about their experiences with their chosen brand.

We asked them to rate the brand on various attributes including value for money, how their dog responded to the food, and its perceived wellbeing on the food.

Overall customer scores are based on how satisfied customers were with the brand overall and whether or not they would recommend it.

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