Purina Darling Dry Dog Food

Composition of Darling dog food

Darling food belongs to the economy class.
It is produced at a plant in Hungary. The composition of Darling dog food is very poor, and the manufacturer does not specify the ingredients on the label (cereals, by-products, fats and oil are vague and incomprehensible terms). The basis of all Darling diets is cereals, and the meat component is represented by only 4% meat and offal, the total percentage of which is not indicated.

According to the manufacturer, fiber is added to the food for good digestion, fats and oils are added to the coat for shine and elasticity of the skin, and calcium is added to strengthen the skeleton. The recipe also includes vegetables in the form of carrots and peas, as well as vitamins and minerals - an indispensable component of any dog ​​nutrition. This is where the list of ingredients ends.

Darling food contains dyes, antioxidants and preservatives, but which ones are not specified.

IMPORTANT. By nature, dogs are carnivores, and their bodies require the consumption of large amounts of meat. The minimum recommended content of meat in dog food is from 25 to 30%, so Darling food cannot be called complete.

Why is this food better than others?

Despite the poor and low-quality composition, Darling dog food is still competitive with many economy-class diets (see review of Trapeza food), and even has some advantages over them.

Darling food contains meat, but in small quantities.

One of the advantages of Darling food is the presence of real meat, albeit a small percentage. For example, Pedigree, Our Mark and Stout food contain only by-products of dubious quality.

Darling diets include vegetables in the form of peas and carrots, which supply the dog's body with vital carbohydrates, which are excellent sources of energy. In addition, carrots have a laxative effect and prevent the development of vitamin deficiency, and peas ensure that the animal’s body receives the required amount of protein of plant origin. Pedigree food, Our Mark and Oscar food do not contain any vegetables in comparison with Darling food.

Another advantage of the food is the amount of vitamins A and D3 in the recipe formula: Darling’s diet contains little of these vitamins, but other economy category food has even less of them. So, Darling contains 9510 IU/kg of vitamin A, and 640 IU/kg of vitamin D3; in Nasha Mark food these figures reach 7500 and 500 IU/kg, and in Pedigri - only 1500 and 120 IU/kg.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of this dry food is its affordable price. Every owner can easily find inexpensive food for dogs in the nearest supermarket or pet store. However, granules also have disadvantages:

• insufficient content of meat ingredients (4% of the total mass);
• low-calorie composition;
• base - cereals and vegetables, which can cause allergies and slow down metabolic processes;
• dyes, emulsifiers, flavorings, preservatives;
• a small amount of microelements;
• lack of comprehensive information about the components on the packaging.

The advantage of Darling dry dog ​​food is that it contains natural meat, and not by-products, as in the Stout or Pedigree brands. And legumes and carrots, included in the prepared food, provide the pet with complex carbohydrates.

Additionally, carrots improve digestion, legumes supply the dog’s body with protein, and beneficial microelements prevent the development of vitamin deficiency. The listed economy class brands do not contain vegetables or grains at all. Therefore, before purchasing dry dog ​​food, you should carefully read its composition indicated on the packaging.

Darling food line

Currently, Purina offers a small selection of Darling dry food, consisting of two options: Meat with vegetables and Poultry with vegetables. These diets are designed for adult pets of all breeds from one year old who lead an active lifestyle (agility is a sport for active dogs).

There are two types of Darling food: meat with vegetables and poultry with vegetables.

Dry food is based on cereals, meat components and by-products. The manufacturer assures that the fats and oils contained in the diet have a beneficial effect on the health and beauty of the skin and coat, and a balanced complex of vitamins strengthens the dog’s body’s defenses.

Another product under the Darling brand is wet canned food, which has different flavors:

• rabbit and turkey;
• chicken and turkey;
• meat and liver.

This diet is recommended for natural-fed adult pets aged 1 to 8 years. Feeding canned food does not require additional intake of all kinds of food additives and is used in its pure form.

The difference between canned food and dry food is the higher meat content (4% of each ingredient) and the inclusion of a similar amount of pasta and sugar.

IMPORTANT. Darling dog food has low nutritional value and digestibility, which contributes to greater feed consumption. Consumption standards are very high: the pet eats in large portions and does not get enough.

Brands belonging to

There are 7 brands of cat food produced under the Purina brand. They differ in price and composition. Each brand is divided into separate lines, with some offering treats and specialty products.

PRO PLAN

Dry cat food PRO PLAN (“ProPlan”) is produced in Italian, French and Russian factories. It belongs to economy class, but its composition is close to premium.

The manufacturer’s official website states that the food is created with the participation of 350 veterinary experts (doctors and nutritionists). Pro Plan differs from others in that the lines are designed taking into account the individual characteristics of animals:

• Junior for kittens - recipes to strengthen the immune system, support normal brain development, and prevent vision problems;
• Sterilized for sterilized animals - helps maintain normal weight, is used as a prevention of urolithiasis;
• Delicate is intended for pets with a sensitive digestive system;
• Derma Plus is made for pets with sensitive skin and should prevent the formation of hairballs in the stomach.

Pro Plan canned food is available for animals of different ages

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary diets are medicinal foods. It should be given to your pet only after consultation with a veterinarian. Used to treat cats for the following diseases:

• obesity;
• allergy;
• digestive problems;
• urolithiasis;
• diabetes.

You can purchase Pro Plan food in online stores and supermarkets. A 1.5 kg pack costs 990–1100 rubles, and a 10 kg pack can be purchased for 4690–5190 rubles.

Video: review of Pro Plan adult cat food

PURINA ONE

Dry food PURINA ONE (“Purina Van”) occupies a middle position between economy and premium class. The products are intended for use by adult animals and kittens. The composition contains a high percentage of protein (mostly vegetable).

The series of this line are designed to power:

• kittens;
• adult animals;
• aging pets (from 11 years);
• pets with sensitive digestive systems;
• sterilized cats.

Purina One is high in protein

In the production of the food, the Actilea formula was used, which, according to the manufacturer, activates the natural potential of the animal's immunity. It consists of:

• prebiotics that support healthy intestinal microflora;
• yeast - a natural source of vitamins and minerals, protein and beta-glucan;
• antioxidants that neutralize free radicals.

You can buy this food at pet stores and most hypermarkets. Price - from 90 rub. for a pack of 200 g up to 370 rubles. for 750 g.

Video: review of Purina One dry food

Gourmet

Gourmet wet food is produced in French and Russian factories. Belongs to economy class. Manufacturers position the product as food for gourmet cats.

Several lines of flavors are produced under this brand:

• “Gold” - sophisticated recipes (pates, meatballs, terrine in French);
• "Mon Petit" - single servings of 50 g;
• “Pearl” - fried pieces of meat (turkey, beef, duck, etc.) or salmon in sauce;
• “A la Carte” - recipes from the chef (assorted meat or fish with a side dish of vegetables, rice or pasta).

The Gourmet brand is positioned as premium, but its composition cannot compete with premium food

If you carefully examine the composition of the product, you can see that the feed uses not meat and fish, but their processed products. Often the type of meat and fish is not indicated on the packaging. Vegetable protein, sugar and dyes are used. This is why the food cannot be classified as premium, despite the fact that the product is positioned as premium.

The food is sold in many pet stores. A jar of Gourmet canned food can be bought for 20–40 rubles.

Video: review of Gourmet Gold food

Felix

Felix wet food is produced in Russia; it belongs to the economy class. The range includes jellies, sauces and granules. The composition contains processed products, dyes, and flavoring additives.

The series of this line are divided not by the age of the animal or its characteristics, but by taste:

• Sensations;
• "Appetizing pieces";
• "Double deliciousness."

The low price of Felix food makes it popular among cat owners

There is a line of treats that contain vitamins and omega fatty acids. These are the mixes:

• grill;
• cheese;
• original;
• nautical.

You can buy food in almost any pet store or supermarket. Average price - 20 rubles. Treats are sold in packages of 20–60 g and cost 29–65 rubles.

Video: Felix food review

Friskies

Dry and wet food for cats Friskies (“Friskies”) for Russian consumers is produced in Russia. Belongs to economy class.

Friskies cat food is a world first. Released in the USA in 1956.

Dry food is produced for adult cats. It is based on processed meat and vegetable products. The product contains dyes.

Friskies dry food is only available for adult animals.

Wet food is available:

• for kittens;
• for adult pets;
• for cats and cats that have undergone sterilization.

There is a line of products that prevent the formation of hairballs in the stomach.

The food is sold in pet stores and supermarkets. The product is quite cheap, the cost of the largest package corresponds to the price of an average package of many feeds from other manufacturers. A 300 g pack of dry food can be purchased for 80 rubles, 10 kg for 1,490 rubles. Wet food in a package of 85 g costs 20 rubles.

Video: Friskies food review

CAT CHOW

Cat Chow is produced in Russia and Hungary. Refers to economy class. Feed is produced:

• for kittens under one year of age;
• for adult cats;
• for animals requiring special care.

CAT CHOW uses high-quality protein, vegetables and vitamins

According to the manufacturer, Cat Chow is a balanced food that contains:

• quality protein;
• vitamins E and group B;
• whole grains, vegetables (carrots, spinach, peas, beets), yeast;
• Naturium complex (natural fibers and prebiotics).

The composition contains a fairly high percentage of meat ingredients, but the basis is cereals. The food does not contain dyes, flavors or preservatives.

The product is sold in many pet stores and hypermarkets. The price of a pack of dry food in 400 g is 130 rubles, 15 kg is 4990 rubles. Wet food costs 40 rubles. (85 g).

Video: review of CAT CHOW food for kittens

Darling

Darling cat food is produced in Russia. Belongs to economy class. The range includes canned food and dry food.

The products contain:

• cellulose;
• protein;
• magnesium;
• phosphorus;
• calcium;
• vitamin and mineral complex;
• Omega fatty acids.

Dry food is based on grains (including processed ones). Only 10% of the composition is meat ingredients (processed products). A significant part of the protein in the product is of plant origin.

A significant percentage of the protein in Darling food comes from plants.

The food is sold in pet stores and supermarkets. The cost of a 2-kilogram package is 216–245 rubles, a pack of 10 kg can be purchased for 1078 rubles.

Veterinarian reviews of Darling dog food

Victoria, veterinarian, 39 years old. A distinctive feature of all economy class feeds is their low cost. This also applies to Darling dog food, the price of which is two to three times lower than higher quality food. This factor attracts many dog ​​owners. But do not forget that such a low price is due to the not the best quality of the products used in production. They contain less nutrients per 100 g of feed. There are very few meat ingredients here, because the grains that form the basis of the Darling diet are much cheaper than real meat. By-products used as raw materials for feed are often classified as category four, which refers to by-products obtained from sick or old animals. In addition, synthetic flavor enhancers and preservatives are used here. I cannot guarantee the safety of such food and the absence of the risk of any disease in the pet. If you have the financial opportunity, I strongly recommend buying higher quality food.

Veterinarians believe that Darling food is not intended for constant feeding of dogs.

Anastasia, veterinarian, 42 years old. I cannot say that all economy-class dog foods are harmful, but I am sure that the low-calorie products contained in them do not meet the animal’s energy needs in the required amount. Darling dog food, unlike other brands of the same class, contains not only meat by-products, but also meat. This is a significant plus. However, given the carnivorous nature of dogs, this amount is not enough to meet the animal's protein needs. In addition, the vitamin and mineral supplements in the food are not balanced, which requires their additional intake. In the production of feed, artificial dyes and preservatives, as well as ballast fillers, are used. The cheap cost of the product is due to its low cost. I would not recommend this food for daily feeding. It’s better to overpay a little and buy at least premium food.

Manufacturer

The production of Darling feed has been successfully established in Russia for a long time. The manufacturer is indicated, which, in turn, is a division of the world-famous giant Nestle Purina PetCare Company.

In addition to Darling, Purina produces Friskies, One, Pro Plan, Gourmet, Felix, Cat Chow.

What food do you buy for your cat?

Darling Felix

Reviews from dog breeders about Darling dog food

Angelina. My rather mature dachshund is already 5 years old, and for the last six months I have been feeding her Darling. The food is very well digestible, unlike Pedigri, which we ate before. The food granules are medium in size, which is very convenient for my dog ​​to chew easily. Sometimes she also vomits, since Dachshunds have a sensitive stomach. Therefore, I cannot attribute this problem to Darling. Previously, the dog was on natural food, and she had a terrible allergy to chicken: she itched, chewed herself, and had dandruff in her fur. Despite the fact that Darling contains chicken meat, my pet does not suffer from allergies and eats it with pleasure.

Yuri. People who write that Darling is a good and high-quality food have probably never fed their pets truly high-quality food. Otherwise they wouldn't buy it. One can only guess what it is made of, but certainly not meat. I stupidly bought it for my dog, coveting the low price, and regretted it very much. Instead of gaining back the missing weight, my pet lost even more weight. I thought that the portion was small and began to give more. However, the situation has not changed. In addition, the food smells disgusting and looks like a multi-colored mosaic. Do not buy this food, it contains only dyes, preservatives, and zero benefits.

Feedback from owners about the food is mixed: some think it’s good, while others prefer not to feed their dog Darling.