Pro Plan Medium Puppy Chicken vs Pooch & Mutt Puppy Superfood

Pros

• ✓Named chicken as #1 ingredient — no by-products, no meat meal
• ✓Colostrum inclusion supports immune defences and gut microbiome in young puppies
• ✓Excellent palatability across multiple breeds, including reported fussy eaters
• ✓Complete and balanced for puppy growth — DHA, Vitamin D, calcium/phosphorus ratios for bone and joint development

Cons

• ✗Premium pricing with a small 3kg pack — cost per kg is high compared to mid-market alternatives
• ✗Full ingredient list not disclosed in listing — likely contains grain-based carbohydrate fillers (corn, wheat, rice) typical of Pro Plan formulas
• ✗Sized and formulated for medium breeds (10–25kg); several reviewers using it for toy/small breeds, which is an off-label use
• ✗Oversized cardboard packaging noted as wasteful by buyers

Best For

Pros

• ✓Named chicken as primary protein — no vague 'meat derivatives' or anonymous by-products
• ✓Microalgae oil provides DHA directly, supporting puppy brain and retinal development (FEDIAF-recommended source)
• ✓Very high palatability: multiple fussy eaters converted, empty-bowl reports across reviews
• ✓Functional ingredients (pumpkin, prebiotics, salmon oil) support gut health and coat quality

Cons

• ✗Multiple reports of loose stools and diarrhea, particularly in very young puppies (under 10 weeks) or during abrupt transition
• ✗Grain-free formulas are under ongoing FDA scrutiny for potential links to DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) in some breeds — not confirmed causal, but worth monitoring especially for predisposed breeds (Golden Retrievers, Dobermans)
• ✗Full guaranteed analysis (precise protein %, calcium:phosphorus ratio) not provided in listing — harder to verify FEDIAF puppy growth minimums independently
• ✗1.5 kg pack size is small and may be costly per kg for medium-to-large breed puppies with higher intake needs

Best For