Purina Frequently Asked Questions

“Filler” may be defined as feed ingredients for pet food with little or no nutritional value. Every ingredient in our formulas has a valuable function and plays a part in providing an excellent source of nutrition to your pet. When properly cooked, corn provides a highly digestible source of carbohydrates, essential fatty acids and protein, and thus, is not considered filler. Corn also has one of the highest levels of natural antioxidants of any grains. Purina only uses the same grades of corn traditionally used in human food products. Learn more about our ingredients.

It is likely that our pet food contains GMO grains because genetically modified grain and grain products constitute a significant portion of the supply of grain available throughout the U.S. for both human and pet foods. U.S. grain handling and distribution practices result in a co-mingling of supply, which results in a loss of identity preservation.

The FDA recognizes the safety and equivalence of products derived from U.S.-approved varieties of genetically modified grain, so there is no reason to exclude it from the general supply. In addition, the FDA does not require products containing GMO grains to bear additional labeling.

By-products are defined as the co-product of a primary product and are usually portions of the animal not always consumed by people in the U.S. By-products are an excellent source of protein and other nutrients. By-products in pet foods that meet Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines come from clean animal parts other than meat, such as the liver, kidney and other organs. Purina purchases all by-products from USDA-inspected plants. They must meet stringent criteria for nutrient content, production and quality assurance. Learn more about our quality ingredients.

No, we do not offer dog or cat food without by-products. Animal by-products include clean animal parts other than meat, such as organ meats like the liver and kidney. These by-products are not commonly used in the human food supply chain, so it’s a sustainable use of all the parts of an animal. Learn more about why Purina uses by-products in our dog and cat foods.

Animal digest is often considered a substandard pet food ingredient. In some cases, this is because the word "digest" is mistakenly thought to describe the contents of the digestive tract. The word "digest" in "animal digest" refers to the digestive process used in production, not the ingredients.

The process starts with animal protein such as muscle and soft tissue supplied by USDA-inspected facilities.

These ingredients are processed in order to break them down, similar to the process of digestion in the body. The resulting digest is a liquid, but can also be made into a paste or powder.

Animal digest is a high-quality ingredient that provides an excellent source of protein and enhances the palatability of dog & cat foods.

The basic stories about the dangers of menadione have emerged at various times during the past decades as something of an urban legend in the pet food industry and are not research-based. In fact, numerous research studies and nutritional textbooks have identified menadione as a safe and effective means of providing the important nutrient Vitamin K to dogs and cats. Menadione has been commonly used in pet foods for approximately 25 years with no documented negative health effects. Menadione is a stable source of the essential nutrient Vitamin K. Vitamin K is required for the synthesis of a number of body proteins, most notably the proteins responsible for normal blood clotting. Learn more about our quality ingredients.

Although dogs and cats are unable to distinguish color, we know that most pet owners consider the product’s appearance when purchasing food for their pet. Artificial coloring is added to maintain a more desirable and consistent appearance. All colorings used in our pet foods are approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The best Purina cat food is one that meets your cat's unique nutritional needs and, most importantly, that they'll actually enjoy! Because no two cats are the same, we have a wide range of brands and formulas to meet their individual needs. Find the best Purina food for your cat here. 

Yes, Purina treats are good for cats! Our cat treats come in a variety of different flavors to satisfy your cat's cravings, whether they prefer soft or crunchy treats or you prefer natural ingredients, we have something for everyone. Explore all the possibilities here, and remember that treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily caloric intake!

Yes, Purina foods are good for dogs. Every Purina pet food is formulated based on a purposeful blend of ingredients, to provide nutrients that support overall pet health. You can find more nutrition information on product labels and on the dog food product pages on the Purina website.

The best Purina dog food is one that meets your dog's unique nutritional needs and, most importantly, that they love! Every dog is unique, which is why we offer a variety of diferent brands and formulas to meet their individual needs. Find the best Purina food for your dog here. 

Yes, Purina treats are good for dogs! Our dog treats are made with wholesome ingredients and include dog-favorites like jerky strips, dental chews and more. Find your dog's next favorite treat here, and remember that treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake!

Feeding your pet is one of the most important ways you can care for him. Once you have chosen the right food for your pet, you can develop a plan for portioning and scheduling.  For more information, check your product package for specific feeding amounts, watch this video, or read Understanding Cat Food.

Some of our pet food packages do contain caloric information. If the product package you feed does not contain this information, we’ll be more than happy to help. Please contact us for more information.

Pet food makes up the entirety of a pet’s diet, so it needs to deliver all of the nutrients they need. That’s why pet foods so often use the phrase “complete and balanced.” Every pet food needs to meet federal (FDA) and state regulatory standards before it gets near your dog’s or cat’s bowl. For more information, read our philosophy on nutrition.

Veterinarians recommend Purina pet food because Purina has spent nearly a century researching pet nutrition and using our vast expertise in pet health to develop dog and cat foods and other pet care products to help them live longer, healthier lives. Our research and commitment to a science-first approach to innovation is well known in the veterinary community. 

No, there is not currently a recall of Purina dog food. Purina dog food is made according to Purina’s quality control and safety protocols, which are unsurpassed in the pet food industry. For more information, visit the Purina News Center.

A member of our team is ready to help you find a new product for your dog or cat. Contact us so we can help you find a pet food that is 100% complete and balanced for your pet’s life stage.

You should consider transitioning gradually to new pet foods to help eliminate any digestive issues. We recommend consumers introduce a new pet food over a period of 7–10 days to help avoid digestive upset. The first day we recommend mixing 10 percent of the new food with 90 percent of the current food. Each day, increase the amount of the new food while decreasing the amount of the current food. Learn how to change dog food or change cat food in more detail by reading one of our helpful articles.

Purina brand dog food is made primarily in North America. As a global pet care leader, Nestlé Purina PetCare manufactures products throughout the world. Regardless of where our products are produced, you can be assured that they are subjected to our rigorous quality assurance standards. The safety of our products is a top priority. We stand behind their high quality, so consumers can feed them to their pets with confidence. Learn more about Purina product quality by visiting the Purina website.

Purina is owned by Nestlé, and Purina products are available to pet owners worldwide. Visit the Purina website to learn more about Purina’s brands.

99% of Purina pet food products sold in North America are manufactured in Purina's own facilities in the U.S.

No, Purina does not participate in any invasive research on dogs or cats. This is against our ethical policy.

Purina's headquarters is located in St. Louis, MO, USA.

Purina's Canadian office is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Purina was founded in 1894 by William H. Danforth under the name Robinson-Danforth Commission Company, in partnership with George Robinson and William Andrews. The name was changed to Ralston-Purina in 1902. 

Pet lovers should ensure they have two weeks’ worth of food on hand while only purchasing the amount of food they regularly would, check with their veterinarian about ordering any prescriptions ahead of time, and make sure they have sufficient essential pet products such as cat litter. When bringing food home, it is important to still follow recommended storage tips and guidelines to keep food safe.

Our team is working hard to make sure your pet’s favorite food is available. If you are running low and unable to find more, you may need to substitute another recipe in the short term.  If this is the case, you should try to introduce the new food gradually. Mix the new with old, increasing the new and decreasing the old for over a period of 7-10 days. Please use the same procedure when you eventually switch back to your pet’s favorite food.  If your pet’s diet is a therapeutic diet for a specific health concern, please talk with your Veterinarian before making any changes.

While there’s no reason to believe that pets in the US might be a source or can transmit Covid19, we recommend regular bathing as needed. Your veterinarian may be able to  guide you a bit more on the recommended frequency for your dog. To help keep your dog clean in between baths, wiping his muzzle, feet, and belly with a soft damp cloth is a great way to tidy up after outdoor play.

Start by making sure everyone has a clear understanding of the type of behavior that is expected from their pets – and what kind of behavior isn’t acceptable. Visit our etiquette guidelines to see how you can help employees understand what is expected.

For health reasons, it’s important to make sure that employees who bring pets to work submit documentation of their pets’ health status and medical checkups. For example, the documents should show that pets have proof of all required vaccinations, including the vaccination for rabies, and that dogs have been vaccinated for bordetellosis. You will also want employees to provide proof that kittens and puppies have had their annual booster shots. Have them store copies of required vaccinations in their work area.

Many Americans are allergic to cats. People often assume they’re allergic to cat hair, and thus believe that short-haired cats are more allergy-friendly. In reality, it’s more likely they are allergic to a protein in cats’ saliva, which gets on cats' skin when they groom themselves. To help people with allergies avoid exposure to a cat in the workplace, employees should make sure their cat is well-groomed, and they should clean up any shedding that might occur. They should also keep their cat in a gated area if necessary.

Dogs produce dander, which some people may be allergic to. Some dogs barely shed, while others shed a lot. High-shedding dogs are more likely to trigger allergies. If an employee’s dog is causing sneezes, it might be a good idea to gate his area. If a dog is causing more severe allergies, the dog should not visit the workplace. The best way to prevent allergic reactions is to properly bathe and groom all dogs.

The first step in keeping shedding under control is asking owners to frequently groom their pets before they visit the workplace. The second step is making sure the office is vacuumed regularly and that there is adequate cleanup of any dander left by pets.

Yes, although anyone who lets someone else’s dog out should ask for permission before taking the dog outside. Make sure dog owners provide anyone who might be doing so with the dog’s leash so he or she can keep the dog restrained. The owner can also cue them into behaviors that indicate the dog needs to go out.

It’s important for the workplace culture to allow these types of small breaks so that owners and helpful people around the office can let dogs out when necessary.

If there’s any worry that a pet might run away if the door opens, the pet should remain on a leash or in a restricted area throughout the day. If worst comes to worst and a pet does run away, it’s important to report the issue to HR, security or building management so people can help locate the pet as soon as possible. We recommend using Twitter and Facebook to spread the word (and a picture of the pet) to ask anyone in the surrounding area for assistance. All pet owners should make sure their pet has a collar and ID tag on at all times, so that they can be easily identified and returned if they get lost.

First, be prepared with the following things on hand:

• The phone numbers and addresses of your veterinarian and an after-hours emergency clinic, including directions on how to get there
• First-aid supplies, including bandages, gauze and hydrogen peroxide
• The phone number of the poison treatment hotline in your area
• A list of any medications your pet is taking

Next, familiarize your pet with the evacuation route to make sure he’s comfortable with stairwells and confined spaces.

Last, notify the fire marshal on your floor when your pet is present so he’ll know to evacuate him in an emergency if you’re away from your desk.

With treats, the most important thing to remember is that they’re best in moderation. Pet owners should try to make sure pets don’t get more than 10% of their daily calories from treats or else they may be losing out on nutrients and more likely to gain weight. Pet owners should let their colleagues know about any nutrition goals they have for pets so everyone understands that treats should not be handed out too liberally.

It’s also important for pet owners to ask employees not to feed their pets human food scraps. Doing so can teach pets to beg for food, which isn’t good for the pets or the people trying to enjoy their meals.

Balls are a perfect toy for dogs in any setting but the workplace. Any toy that causes them to run around and get riled up should be kept at home. Instead, opt for toys that are designed to keep dogs busy and quiet, like puzzle feeders, rawhides, and chew toys. For cats, puzzle feeders and feather toys are good options. Avoid letting people play with your cat by having her chase a laser pointer; this can feel fruitless and frustrating for cats as they fail to catch that elusive red dot.

A park, dog park, or large outdoor space are perfect for getting out of the office into the fresh air and giving a dog some exercise. Employees can also take dogs on walks around the neighborhood to burn energy.

We suggest keeping dogs and cats on leashes or in gated areas. This lets them stay in their own space without roaming and playing too aggressively with one another. Any pets that are prone to pick on other pets should stay home. If their owners want to bring them to work, they can opt for behavior training to help their pet learn to play nice.

If a fight does break out, the owners of any pets involved should immediately separate the pets and take them to a neutral space to check for any injuries and calm the pets down. The pets involved should be kept apart until they learn better behavior. If two pets in particular don’t get along, their owners can coordinate with each other to bring them in on different days.

A crucial part of pet ownership is teaching your dog or cat how to be a good neighbor. Employees who bring pets to work should realize that many people can be frightened by unfamiliar dogs and cats. It's important to be respectful of these feelings. If a pet makes people feel afraid, the pet shouldn’t be brought to work.

Any employee who brings a pet to work should know the pet’s personality and be mindful when children are present. If a pet may intimidate or frighten a child, an owner should take great measures to avoid any incidents - even if it means not allowing the child to see the pet.

When a child greets a pet, the pet's owner should help the child understand what kind of behavior will make the pet feel most comfortable. If the child is overly aggressive with the pet, help the child understand how the pet is feeling and how to approach the pet more respectfully. It can also help to provide children with a small, healthy treat to feed a pet so the child and pet can meet under friendly circumstances.

Create an environment where people can easily communicate their points of view and feel that their voices are being heard. That way everyone can work together to create solid guidelines around bringing pets to work. This will help establish a precedent that makes it simple and routine to deal with any circumstances that may arise.

If you’re working on getting your pet ready to behave well in the workplace, start by considering his behavior. Is he well-trained, socialized, and calm? If not, you will want to work on training first. Then, make sure your pet is well-groomed, so that dander or allergens will be less likely to trigger allergies.

On the day you bring your pet to work, make sure he is comfortable and safe in the car ride to work so that he won’t become scared. Consider introducing your cat to the workspace over the weekend, so she can explore the new surroundings with fewer distractions.

Car rides can be difficult for cats. You may need to have three steps and get your cat used to each one before she can complete a whole day at work.

1. Get her used to traveling in a crate or travel carrier by putting a treat inside and carrying her throughout the house.
2. Get her used to riding in the car inside her crate or carrier by taking several rides.
3. Bring her to the workplace for short periods of time.

Once she starts to feel comfortable with the process, you can try a whole day. If your cat objects to these three steps, she might prefer to stay home and snooze while you work.

When you do bring your cat to work, make sure you bring a litter box, as well as familiar objects (toys, a blanket) with her scent on them. These objects can help put her at ease.