In this comparison article for Pure Balance vs Health Extension, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Pure Balance and Health Extension, 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 Health Extension 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 Health Extension Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Health Extension 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. Health Extension Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Pure Balance
Health Extension
Crude Protein
29.2%
27.6%
Crude Fat
16.7%
16.5%
Crude Fiber
5.6%
5.1%
Wet/Canned Dog Food
Pure Balance
Health Extension
Crude Protein
34.6%
40.2%
Crude Fat
24.6%
28.0%
Crude Fiber
7.2%
6.7%
Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food
Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.
As you can see, Health Extension and Pure Balance guarantee a similar amount of crude protein. For wet dog foods, Health Extension provides more protein (about 5.66% more).
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Like protein, fats are an essential part of a dog's body. Fats are needed for the proper development and function of the canine body.
Health Extension and Pure Balance both provide roughly the same amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Health Extension typically provides a little more fat (about 3.44% more).
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. With regards to wet dog food, Pure Balance and Health Extension also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Pure Balance Cat Food vs. Health Extension Cat Food
Dry Cat Food
Pure Balance
Health Extension
Crude Protein
39.9%
38.6%
Crude Fat
17.7%
18.3%
Crude Fiber
5.9%
6.7%
Wet/Canned Cat Food
Pure Balance
Health Extension
Crude Protein
42.0%
54.6%
Crude Fat
25.4%
20.3%
Crude Fiber
7.2%
6.3%
Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food
Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. For wet cat foods, Health Extension provides significantly more protein (about 12.54% more).
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):
Help transport nutrients across cell membranes
Fats produce metabolites, which help control inflammation
Maintain healthy blood pressure
Slow the growth of yeast infections
Fats improve the taste/texture of food.
Pure Balance Pet Food Ingredients vs. Health Extension Pet Food Ingredients
Pure Balance and Health Extension both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
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.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Pure Balance.
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 Health Extension.
Liver
Liver
Liver is a controversial ingredient because the source animal is not specified. Anonymous animal ingredients are typically very low quality and may contain almost any animal, including dogs and cats!
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.
Beet Pulp
Beet Pulp
Beet pulp is the by-product which remains once sugar has been extracted from sugar beets. The primary contribution of beet pulp is dietary fiber.
We'd also like to note that beet pulp is fairly controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that beet pulp can promote intestinal health and regulate blood sugar. However, opponents claim that beet pulp is an inexpensive filler.
Tomato Pomace
Tomato Pomace
Tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.
Buffered Garlic
Buffered 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.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Pure Balance and Health Extension both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:
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 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.
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 & Health Extension?
According to our records, neither brand has issued any product recalls. Therefore, consumers have no reason to question the safety of Pure Balance or Health Extension 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 Pure Balance Pet Foods
You can purchase Pure Balance pet foods from the following stores:
Where To Buy Health Extension Pet Foods
You can purchase Health Extension pet food products from these retailers:
44 Recipes In-Stock Today
38 Recipes In-Stock Today
3 Recipes In-Stock Today
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product
Pure Balance
Health Extension
Dry Dog Food
7 Recipes
15 Recipes
Wet Dog Food
15 Recipes
15 Recipes
Dog Treats
None
19 Treats
Dry Cat Food
5 Recipes
2 Recipes
Wet Cat Food
4 Recipes
13 Recipes
Cat Treats
3 Treats
2 Treats
Top Rated Pure Balance Recipes
Dog Food
Pure Balance Wild & Free Grain Free Formula - Bison, Pea & Venison Recipe