The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is an excellent dog food choice for dogs with sensitive skin and stomach. It’s made by Nestle Purina Petcare – a leading brand in the pet food industry with hundreds of products to its name.
This diet is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. And we are really confident in the product as Purina went beyond lab testing to actually undergo real feeding trials.
A feed trial is considered more superior than laboratory testing.
So, from the results of the feeding trials carried out using AAFCO’s method, we confirmed that this product provides a balanced diet for adult dogs.
If you want to check out a review of another dog food for sensitive stomachs and skins from another product line from Purina, click here.
Table of Contents
Who Is The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food?
The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon and Rice Formula Dry Dog Food was specially created for dogs with skins or guts that are sensitive. If your dog seems to be reacting negatively to their current food with symptoms of an upset stomach or bad skin and fur, then this might be the food for him. This is dog food for adult dogs and not for puppies.
What Are The Ingredients In The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food?
- Real salmon as first ingredient.
- Barley.
- Ground rice.
- Canola meal.
- Oatmeal.
- Fish meal.
- Animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols).
- Dried Brewers yeast.
- Salmon meal.
- Natural flavor.
- Sunflower oil.
Real Salmon As First Ingredient
Salmon is a fantastic source of protein and fatty acids which are essential for the growth of your dog. We also like salmon because we know that a number of dogs have allergies to chicken, beef, and other more common sources of animal protein. If such is the case with your dog, salmon is a fantastic choice.
As we said, salmon contains fatty acids being an oily fish. And the best part is that the oil from salmon fish contains the good kind of fatty acids and only a very tiny percentage of saturated fats.
The unsaturated fats help to maintain your dog’s skin and fur, keeping them bouncy and shiny. It can also help to repair skin and fur that are already beginning to flake, itch, or dry up. In fact, oftentimes, when you go to your vet with this complaint, omega-3 supplements are prescribed.
Next thing to note about salmon isn’t exactly great news. Salmon is more than 60% water. Yeah. So, after cooking the meat you’re eventually left with is drastically reduced. For this reason, it is important that when salmon is used as the first ingredient, the maker includes other meat sources to increase protein levels in the meal.
Unfortunately, for this particular product, most of the other protein sources are not animal which isn’t best.
Barley
Barley is a cereal grain and a common component of many dry dog foods. In fact, it is especially found in dog foods of high quality. So, yes, it is completely safe for your dog.
Barley comes quite low in cholesterol but really high in fiber. However, while this is great it is still a carbohydrate. So, while your dog needs it in certain quantities, it is still not advised as a foremost characteristic of what you feed your dog.
Generally though, from research, as long as your pooch is getting sufficient meat-based protein, there’s nothing wrong with a little barley every now and then. For store-bought dog foods, there’s nothing wrong with getting one that contains barely as long as the meat is mentioned as the first ingredient. And this is what you have with this product.
In all, barley is a really nutritious whole grain that is packed full with all kinds of minerals and fiber that are great for your dog.
Ground Rice
Rice is commonly prescribed to dogs with digestive complaints because it is super easy to digest, so it’s naturally gentle on the gut.
But besides that, rice also comes with carbohydrates which are a great source of energy for your dog.
Rice also supplies your dog with essential minerals and vitamins which include niacin, calcium, riboflavin, thiamine, and vitamin D. Together, these nutrients work to promote the healthy functioning of your dog’s brain, keeping him sharp, focused, and smart.
Plus, with no cholesterol, sodium, or harmful fats whatsoever, rice serves as an excellent source of nutrients that promote the healthy functioning of your canine’s brain.
Although many are skeptical about feeding their dogs grain, it is important to note that carbs are an important part of your dog’s diet. In fact, a third of the total diet of your dog should always comprise carbohydrate.
Also, experts have explained that grains do not directly cause any form of sensitivity or allergy in dogs. They’ve also stated that placing your dog on a non-grain diet does not lead to any significant improvement in their health.
Now, of all the grains which are commonly included in dog foods, rice is about the most tolerable among dogs in general. Plus, rice lacks cholesterol, sodium, and other harmful elements which could tamper with your dog’s health making it an excellent grain of choice for your dog.
Whether it’s diarrhea, an upset stomach, loss of appetite, colitis or colon problems, rice can help to manage such conditions in dogs.
Whether Purina uses white or brown rice, we don’t know as they don’t exactly say. Brown rice though is healthier than white rice.
Canola Meal
Canola meal, obtained as a by-product of the more popular canola oil, is high in protein content. It can be used to supplement protein levels in animal feeds (including dog food) especially when combined with protein from other sources like pulses.
Nonetheless, there’s been a bit of a controversy concerning canola oil and whether or not it is good for dogs and pets in general. One of the reasons for this is the fact that it is possible that the canola meal might have been derived from genetically modified rapeseed. Unfortunately, rapeseed is known to cause a lot of adverse health conditions in pets.
Oatmeal
For dogs with sensitive guts, oatmeal is another great ingredient of choice for their diet. It’s often used as an alternative to other grains as well as wheat when sourcing for carbs for a dog’s diet. And in addition to carbohydrates, oatmeal also contains a high level of nutritious elements necessary for the healthy growth of your dog.
One of these nutritious elements is linoleic acid – a type of omega-6 fatty acid. We already mentioned that good fatty acid is great for your furkid’s skin and coat. It’s also great for keeping the heart and brain healthy, as well.
Another is soluble fiber which helps to control blood glucose levels in dogs (and humans).
Lastly, oatmeal has been proven to have some association with relieving gastrointestinal trouble in dogs which makes it a useful ingredient in this product.
Fish Meal
Fish meal is another protein-dense ingredient in this dog food. It has a high dietary and nutritional value which your pooch can benefit from. We particularly like it because it is a non-plant source of additional protein in this food. And animal protein is the best kind of protein for your dog.
Fish meal is especially high in protein due to the process by which it is made. The fish is rendered which dries the fish to a reasonable extent leaving a chalk-like substance super high in protein which forms the fish meal.
While this is fantastic, there’s a small problem. the fish meal used in this product is unnamed. Whenever an animal is unnamed as an ingredient in a food product, it’s usually a red flag as it usually means that the animal used is low quality.
In this case, being unnamed, you can be almost 100% sure that the fish meal is not high-quality fish meal like a salmon meal, tuna meal, or catfish meal.
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Again, we are bothered that this fat is unnamed which leads us to believe that it is low-quality. It could include anything from diseased animals to euthanized pets.
Dried Brewers Yeast
Brewers yeast is rich in nutrients and is also considered a nutritional supplement as well. Nutrients in this yeast include selenium, chromium, vitamin B complex, and protein.
Among all the wonderful things that dried brewers yeast is known to do, relieving dry, itchy skin is one thing that the ingredient is quite popular for. So, it’s no surprise that Purina includes it in this product’s formula.
Salmon Meal
Just like fish meal, a salmon meal is made by rendering salmon to produce, a powdery, high-protein substance. Salmon meal is a good quality fish meal you can trust and it gives all the benefits of salmon as mentioned when we discussed it as the first ingredient.
Natural Flavor
For improved taste and palatability, the natural flavor has been added to this meal.
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil does not produce omega-3 fatty acids, just omega-6 fatty acids which aren’t as important to dog health as omega-3s. But omega-3s are already produced by salmon as well as other oil/fat sources in the food so that’s okay.
The good thing about omega-6 fatty acids though is that they are very low in saturated fat. Although saturated fat might not cause cardiovascular disease in dogs as it does in humans, it is still quite harmful in dogs with stomach sensitivity and could lead to stomach upsets.
What Are The Pros Of The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food?
- The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food contains salmon which is a great first ingredient. Serves your pooch with healthy omega-3 fatty acids and proteins.
- Also contains easily digestible rice that’s gentle on a dog’s sensitive stomach.
- Low in saturated fats which have been known to cause stomach upsets in dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- Rich in fatty acids which help to maintain and repair itchy, dry, flaky skin and fur.
What Are The Cons Of The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food?
- A considerable proportion of the proteins in this formula are from non-meat ingredients which isn’t best since plant-sourced proteins are not as rich in amino acids necessary for dogs.
- Again, there seems to be a number of unnamed meat ingredients and meals which low-quality dog foods are known for.
Check out these other helpful articles:
- Dog treats: the what, when, why, and how.
- Electric dog fence: what’s myth and what’s not.
- Low protein dog food — all your questions answered.
- Dog training equipment — what you need to know about training.
- Dog collar: all the reasons your dog should wear one.
- Dog fencing — why you should consider it.
What Are The Alternatives To The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food?
If you want a different option from the salmon and rice formula also for adults with sensitive skin, there’s the more affordable Purina One Smartblend Sensitive Systems Adult Formula Dry Dog Food. For small breeds, you can try the Purina Pro Plan Focus Small Breed Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula Dry Dog Food Formula. There’s also a probiotic option also for sensitive systems: the Purina ONE SmartBlend Probiotic Digestive Health Formula Dry Dog Food.
More Affordable Option
The Purina ONE SmartBlend Sensitive Systems Adult Formula Dry Dog Food
If our featured product is a little beyond your budget, you can try the Purina One SmartBlend Sensitive Systems Adult Formula Dry Dog Food. It’s slightly less expensive and has nearly the same ingredients as our featured product.
Keep in mind though that it contains corn gluten meal which we understand that many dog owners do not like to feed their dogs.
The Purina ONE SmartBlend comes in two sizes which include the 16.5-pound bag as well as the 31.1-pound bag.
Small Breed Option
The Purina Pro Plan Focus Small Breed Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula Dry Dog Food Formula Might Be A Better Option
If your pooch is a small breed, then this variant might be a better option than the featured product. It’s quite affordable, costing not up to twenty bucks. It is also available in three size options which include: 5-pound, 16-pound, and 30-pound bags.
This product does not contain corn, soy, or wheat but is rich in prebiotics which are great for your dog’s digestive system.
Probiotic Option
The Purina ONE SmartBlend Probiotic Digestive Health Formula Dry Dog Food
Here’s another formula you could try for your pooch with sensitivities. First ingredient here is real chicken, and then there are enough probiotics to enhance wellness in the digestive tract.
It’s more affordable than our featured product and you can get it in two sizes – the 16.5-pound and 31.1-pound bags.
Quick Comparison Table
| Featured Product | More Affordable Option | Small Breed Option | Lamb Option | |
| Product |
Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Click here to get it from Amazon!
|
Purina ONE SmartBlend Sensitive Systems Adult Formula Dry Dog Food
Click here to get it from Amazon!
|
Purina Pro Plan Focus Small Breed Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula Dry Dog Food Formula
|
Purina ONE SmartBlend Probiotic Digestive Health Formula Dry Dog Food
Click here to get it from Amazon!
|
| Ingredients | Salmon, Barley, Ground Rice, Canola Meal, Oat Meal, Fish Meal, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Brewers Dried Yeast, Salmon Meal, Natural Flavor, Sunflower Oil. | Salmon, Rice flour, Pearled Barley, Oat meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-product, Beef Fat (naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols) | Salmon, Brewers Rice, Barley, Canola Meal, Fish Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Oat Meal, Salmon Meal. | Chicken, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Beef Fat Naturally Preserved with Vitamin E, Chicken By-Product Meal (source of glucosamine), Soybean Meal. |
| Kibble / Canned | Kibble | Kibble | Kibble | Kibble |
| Sizes Available | 5-pound, 16-pound, 30-pound, 41-pound bag | 16.5-pound, 31.1-pound bag | 5-pound bag, 16-pound bag, and 30-pound bag available. | 16.5-pound, 31.1-pound bag |
| Best For | Dogs with sensitive stomachs and skins | Dogs with sensitive skins and stomachs.
Dog owners on a budget. |
Small breeds | Dogs with sensitive stomachs |
What Are Customers Saying About The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Most dog owners rated the Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon and Rice Formula Dry Dog Food 5 stars. It seemed to do what it was supposed to do and many dogs appeared to gobble it up upon seeing it. We especially observed that dogs who were known to be quite picky with their food loved this particular formula. It also made a great dog food choice for dogs with large volumes of loose stool and constant vomiting.
Should I Get The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach and Rice Formula Dry Dog Food?
The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is an excellent dog food product. Contains real salmon which is a fantastic first ingredient and most of the rest of the ingredients are safe, even though a few of them are quite questionable. Definitely not a 5-star product, but a good product all the same. It’s quite affordable too and we recommend it if you have a dog with a sensitive stomach or skin. However, be on the watch. If they show any adverse symptoms, you might want to consult your vet first.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon and Rice Formula Dry Dog Food — FAQs
Is the Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon and Rice Formula Dry Dog Food A Good Dog Food?
The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach and Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is an above-average product. It contains a good number of quality ingredients and its first ingredient is real salmon which is a huge score for the product. There are few questionable ingredients in this product, all the same, such as “animal fats” and “fish meal”. Because these sources are unnamed, it naturally makes one wonder about their quality. Nonetheless, this product seems to work for many dogs.
Is The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin And Stomach Salmon And Rice Formula Dry Dog Food Grain-Free?
The Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach and Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is not grain-free. It contains barley and ground rice which are great sources of energy and nutrients for your dog as long as he is not sensitive to grain. Please, do not get this food for your dog if he is allergic to grain.
Do Vets Recommend Purina Pro Plan?
Many vets recommend Purina Pro Plan but that is not to say that Purina Pro Plan is the best dog food out there. In fact, deciding on the best dog food is a very complicated matter and vets would rather stick to what is best for your dog. Purina Pro Plan might not be the best dog food out there but it definitely has some merit to it and is, therefore, recommended by many vets. Moreover, many dogs love it while many also dislike it just like any other commercial dog food product.
Has Purina Pro Plan Ever Had A Recall?
Purina Pro Plan is a subsidiary of the giant brand, Nestle-Purina, and has only one recall to its name which was made in March of 2016. The product recalled was the Purina Pro Plan Savory Meals which the brand recalled because it came up short on certain minerals and vitamins.
Is Purina Dog Food Made in China?
According to Purina, 99% of its products are made in the United States and most of its ingredients are sourced from the US too. Purina also owns and operates all its facilities where it manufactures its pet products. However, members of the public have had reasons to believe that some of Purina’s ingredients and products were sourced from China such as the Waggin Train Dog Treats and the Canyon Creek Ranch Dog Treat brands. Indeed, Purina has neither confirmed nor denied the claims but, in 2013, is recalled these products from the American market.
The Waggin Train Dog Treats is now available in the American market though.
