bella dry dog food
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.
