In this comparison article for Dr. Tim's vs Pure Balance, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Dr. Tim's and Pure Balance, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.
Throughout this Pure Balance vs Dr. Tim's comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Dr. Tim's Review Page or Pure Balance Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Pure Balance vs. Dr. Tim's
According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.
All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.
Dr. Tim's Dog Food vs. Pure Balance Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Dr. Tim's
Pure Balance
Crude Protein
34.5%
29.2%
Crude Fat
19.8%
16.7%
Crude Fiber
4.8%
5.6%
Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food
Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.
Our analysis shows that Dr. Tim's guarantees 5.34% more protein than Pure Balance dry dog food recipes.
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.
According to our data, Dr. Tim's guarantees 3.13% more fat than Pure Balance. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference.
Dr. Tim's and Pure Balance both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Dr. Tim's Cat Food vs. Pure Balance Cat Food
Dry Cat Food
Dr. Tim's
Pure Balance
Crude Protein
41.1%
39.9%
Crude Fat
24.4%
17.7%
Crude Fiber
3.6%
5.9%
Wet/Canned Cat Food
Dr. Tim's
Pure Balance
Crude Protein
40.9%
42.0%
Crude Fat
22.7%
25.4%
Crude Fiber
4.5%
7.2%
Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food
Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude protein content of the two brands. With regards to wet cat food, Pure Balance and Dr. Tim's also provide roughly the same amount of crude protein.
Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food
There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):
Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
Slow the growth of yeast infections
Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.
There is a relatively large difference between the fat content of Dr. Tim's and Pure Balance. On average, Pure Balance dry cat food recipes contain 6.76% less fat than Dr. Tim's recipes. For wet cat foods, Pure Balance typically provides a little more fat (about 2.71% more).
There is a small difference between the fiber content of Pure Balance and Dr. Tim's. We can see that Pure Balance guarantees about 2.33% more fiber than Dr. Tim's. In addition, Pure Balance wet cat foods also provide more fiber than Dr. Tim's wet foods.
Dr. Tim's Pet Food Ingredients vs. Pure Balance Pet Food Ingredients
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Dr. Tim's.
Corn Flour
Corn Flour
Corn flour a ground cereal grain which provides a modest amount of vitamins, minerals, and plant based protein. It also happens to be one of the most controversial ingredients in pet food.
Proponents of corn claim that corn is highly digestible and an excellent source of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
Opponents however believe that positive claims in regards to corn are either half-truths or completely false, we'll discuss a few of the opposing arguments.
In regards to digestibility, the claims of "highly digestible" are only true if corn is processed into a meal or flour and subsequently cooked. In regards to the protein contribution, we must note that corn is a plant based protein which does not contain all of the necessary amino acids required by pets to sustain life. Therefore substituting corn for meat is an unsuitable substitution and actually degrades the overall protein quality of the product.
Finally, we'll discuss the claims about vitamins and minerals in corn. Although corn does provide many vitamins and minerals, it not necessarily an exceptional ingredient in this regards. There are many other ingredients which are more complete and biologically appropriate. Therefore the usage of corn as the primary ingredient in pet food should certainly warrant further questioning.
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered cellulose is produced from minuscule pieces of wood pulp and plant fibers. Other than its fiber content, powdered cellulose lacks any nutritional contribution.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Pure Balance.
Canola Oil
Canola Oil
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Pea Protein
Pea Protein
Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Brewers Rice
Brewers Rice
Brewer's rice is the small fragments of rice kernel that are separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. The fragments do not contain the same nutrition profile of the whole kernel and therefore brewer's rice is a lower quality grain. Brewer's rice is typically regarded as an inexpensive and low quality filler.
Garlic Powder
Garlic Powder
Garlic powder in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.
Pea Protein Concentrate
Pea Protein Concentrate
Pea protein concentrate is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein concentrate is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Animal fat is a by-product of tissue rendering. The source animal is not specific and therefore we cannot be certain that the source does not include diseased animals or even euthanized dogs and cats.
Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Poultry fat is a by-product of poultry tissue rendering. Poultry fat is a controversial ingredient because the specific protein is not specified. Such ingredients are typically low-quality in comparison to named poultry fats (e.g. chicken fat, turkey fat).
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Pure Balance.
Added Color
Added Color
The ingredient "added color" is ambiguous and may include various artificial dyes. Most artificial dyes have been linked to various chronic diseases.
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfate complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Product Safety: Recall History of Dr. Tim's & Pure Balance?
According to our records, neither brand has issued any product recalls. Therefore, consumers have no reason to question the safety of Dr. Tim's or Pure Balance pet food products.
Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!
Where To Buy Dr. Tim's Pet Foods
You can purchase Dr. Tim's pet foods from the following stores:
24 Recipes In-Stock Today
18 Recipes In-Stock Today
Where To Buy Pure Balance Pet Foods
You can purchase Pure Balance pet food products from these retailers:
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product
Dr. Tim's
Pure Balance
Dry Dog Food
11 Recipes
7 Recipes
Wet Dog Food
None
15 Recipes
Dog Treats
1 Treats
None
Dry Cat Food
1 Recipes
5 Recipes
Wet Cat Food
1 Recipes
4 Recipes
Cat Treats
None
3 Treats
Top Rated Dr. Tim's Recipes
Dog Food
Dr. Tim's Dry Dog Food Fusion Ultra Athlete Dog Formula