In this comparison article for Pure Balance vs Billy + Margot, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Pure Balance and Billy + Margot, 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 Billy + Margot vs Pure Balance comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Pure Balance Review Page or Billy + Margot Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Billy + Margot vs. Pure Balance
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.
Pure Balance Dog Food vs. Billy + Margot Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Pure Balance
Billy + Margot
Crude Protein
29.2%
37.8%
Crude Fat
16.7%
14.4%
Crude Fiber
5.6%
7.2%
Wet/Canned Dog Food
Pure Balance
Billy + Margot
Crude Protein
34.6%
41.8%
Crude Fat
24.6%
22.3%
Crude Fiber
7.2%
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.
Billy + Margot dry dog foods clearly provides more protein than Pure Balance. In fact, the difference between the protein content is roughly 8.57%, which is a significant amount. For wet dog foods, Billy + Margot provides more protein (about 7.26% more).
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Dietary fats serves a multitude of roles in the proper development and function of our canine companions. Here are some of the benefits (not exhaustive):
Help produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among other critical functions.
Aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Improve skin and coat health
Improve the palatially of your dog's food
According to our average data, Billy + Margot typically provides less fat than Pure Balance. However, this difference is relatively small and doesn't represent a significant difference between the two brands. In addition, Pure Balance wet dog foods also provide more fat than Billy + Margot wet foods.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Pure Balance and Billy + Margot also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Pure Balance Pet Food Ingredients vs. Billy + Margot Pet Food Ingredients
Pure Balance and Billy + Margot both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
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.
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.
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).
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Billy + Margot.
Garlic
Garlic
Garlic in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.
Caramel
Caramel
Caramel is a widely used natural food colorant. The concentrated form of caramel is typically listed as caramel color and has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
Animal Plasma
Animal Plasma
Animal plasma can be a nutritious addition to pet food, however, the source should be specified. In this case, the animal source is not specified and therefore we cannot determine which animal was used to obtain the plasma.
Caramel Color
Caramel Color
Caramel color is a concentrated form of caramel, a natural food colorant. Caramel color has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel color is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Pure Balance and Billy + Margot both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:
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."
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."
Product Safety: Recall History of Pure Balance & Billy + Margot?
According to our records, Pure Balance has never been recalled.
Billy + Margot has been recalled once.
Sept. 22, 2020: Salmonella
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 Pure Balance Pet Foods
You can purchase Pure Balance pet foods from the following stores:
Where To Buy Billy + Margot Pet Foods
You can purchase Billy + Margot pet food products from these retailers:
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product
Pure Balance
Billy + Margot
Dry Dog Food
7 Recipes
8 Recipes
Wet Dog Food
15 Recipes
20 Recipes
Dog Treats
None
3 Treats
Dry Cat Food
5 Recipes
None
Wet Cat Food
4 Recipes
None
Cat Treats
3 Treats
None
Top Rated Pure Balance Recipes
Dog Food
Pure Balance Wild & Free Grain Free Formula - Bison, Pea & Venison Recipe