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Whole Paws vs Pure Balance

Whole Paws vs. Pure Balance

In this comparison article for Whole Paws vs Pure Balance, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Whole Paws 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 Whole Paws comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Whole Paws Review Page or Pure Balance Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Pure Balance vs. Whole Paws

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.

Whole Paws Dog Food vs. Pure Balance Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodWhole PawsPure Balance
Crude Protein29.8%29.2%
Crude Fat17.3%16.7%
Crude Fiber3.3%5.6%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodWhole PawsPure Balance
Crude Protein40.5%34.6%
Crude Fat23.6%24.6%
Crude Fiber7.5%7.2%

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.

Pure Balance and Whole Paws both provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. For wet dog foods, Whole Paws provides more protein (about 5.91% more).


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.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. With regards to wet dog food, Pure Balance and Whole Paws also provide roughly the same amount of crude fat.


According to our data, Pure Balance guarantees 2.22% more fiber than Whole Paws. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference. For wet dog foods, Whole Paws and Pure Balance provide roughly the same amount of fiber.

Whole Paws Cat Food vs. Pure Balance Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodWhole PawsPure Balance
Crude Protein33.3%39.9%
Crude Fat18.5%17.7%
Crude Fiber7.0%5.9%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodWhole PawsPure Balance
Crude Protein46.1%42.0%
Crude Fat23.3%25.4%
Crude Fiber5.5%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.

Our analysis shows that Pure Balance guarantees 6.56% more protein than Whole Paws dry cat food recipes. In addition, Whole Paws wet cat foods also provide more protein than Pure Balance wet foods.


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.

Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fat. For wet cat foods, Pure Balance typically provides a little more fat (about 2.15% more).


As you can see, Pure Balance and Whole Paws guarantee a similar amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Pure Balance and Whole Paws also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Whole Paws Pet Food Ingredients vs. Pure Balance Pet Food Ingredients

Whole Paws and Pure Balance both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Canola Oil
Pea Protein

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Whole Paws.

Poultry Giblets
Powdered Cellulose

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Pure Balance.

Brewers Rice
Garlic Powder
Pea Protein Concentrate
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

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
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Whole Paws & Pure Balance?

According to our records, neither brand has issued any product recalls. Therefore, consumers have no reason to question the safety of Whole Paws 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 Whole Paws Pet Foods

You can purchase Whole Paws pet foods from the following stores:


Where To Buy Pure Balance Pet Foods

You can purchase Pure Balance pet food products from these retailers:


Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductWhole PawsPure Balance
Dry Dog Food5 Recipes7 Recipes
Wet Dog Food7 Recipes15 Recipes
Dog Treats8 TreatsNone
Dry Cat Food3 Recipes5 Recipes
Wet Cat Food8 Recipes4 Recipes
Cat TreatsNone3 Treats

Top Rated Whole Paws Recipes

Dog Food
Whole Paws
(Whole Foods Market) Dry Dog Food Grain Free Chicken & Garbanzo Bean Recipe For Small Breed Dogs
Check Price
Dog Food
Whole Paws
(Whole Foods Market) Premium Dog Food Grain Free Chicken Recipe
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Cat Food
Whole Paws
(Whole Foods Market) Dry Cat Food Grain Free Chicken & Pea Recipe (Indoor Formula)
Check Price
Cat Food
Whole Paws
(Whole Foods Market) Premium Cat Food Grain Free Turkey & Giblets Recipe
Check Price

Top Rated Pure Balance Recipes

Dog Food
Pure Balance
Wild & Free Grain Free Formula - Bison, Pea & Venison Recipe
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Dog Food
Pure Balance
Canned Dog Food Turkey & Chicken Recipe For Adult Dogs
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Cat Food
Pure Balance
Wild & Free High Protein Salmon Recipe For Cats
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Cat Food
Pure Balance
High Protein Grain Free Chicken & Turkey Recipe In Sauce For Cats
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