FAQs

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Your Pet's Food & Diet

  • How much water should my dog have every day?

    Your dog should always have fresh clean water available to drink as he/she pleases.

  • Why are there colors in pet food products? Are they really safe?

    Colors are added to maintain a consistent product appearance. Colors do not affect either the flavor or nutrition of products. The colors that are used in pet foods are approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Colors are added at low levels and are safe.

  • What is the weight circle on your pet food packages used for?

    The weight circle is often required as proof-of-purchase in connection with premium/promotion offers we feature. Such offers are usually advertised either in or on our product packaging, in newspapers and in leading magazines. From time to time, these offers can be found in the Sunday supplements to newspapers.

  • Do you have a product for pets with allergies?

    Purina produces a full line of veterinary diet formulas that have been formulated as nutritional aids in the dietary management of dogs and cats with certain health conditions.

    Specifically, Purina Veterinary Diets™ HA Hypoallergenic™ Brand Formula is specially designed for the management of canine food allergy.

    These diets are authorized for prescription and sale only by veterinarians. If you feel your pet would benefit from one of these formulas, consult your veterinarian or call 1-800-879-1266 (Weekdays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT).

  • Do you manufacture prescription type diets?

    Purina produces a full line of veterinary diet formulas that have been formulated as nutritional aids in the dietary management of dogs and cats with certain health conditions.

    These diets are authorized for prescription and sale only by veterinarians. If you feel your pet would benefit from one of these formulas, consult your veterinarian or call 1-800-879-1266 (Weekdays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT).

  • Is it okay to switch between pet food products/flavors?

    It is okay to change flavors or products. However, remember to introduce a new product gradually over a 7-10 day period. Sudden changes in a pet's diet can cause intestinal upsets. Also, constant changes can create a finicky eater.

    Read information on feeding your dog or cat.

  • How do I know what product to use for my pet?

    Determine the specific needs of your pet (i.e., puppy, kitten, adult, senior, urinary tract maintenance, hairball control, etc.). Feed a 100% complete and balanced product formulated for the specific development needs of your pet. Check the AFFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) on the product label that indicates the specific life stage the product is formulated for.

    Read further information on how the life stage of your dog or cat can affect your choice of products.

  • When do I need to switch my puppy to an adult dog food?

    You should continue to feed a puppy formula to large and giant breed dogs (dogs that will weight more than 50 pounds) up to two years and one full year for all other dogs before switching to an adult pet food.

  • When is my kitten "full-grown" and able to eat an adult pet food product?

    A kitten should be fed a kitten formula until the kitten is one year old. Then, you may make a gradual diet change to an adult cat food.

    Read further to learn how to feed your cat through its life stages as a kitten, as an adult, and as a pregnant or lactating mother.

  • Should I feed milk to my kitten?

    Milk is a food and not a substitute for water. As a food, milk is incomplete and does not provide a balanced diet. It can be useful as a treat for some cats, however large quantities of milk may not be well tolerated. Milk contains lactose, which requires the enzyme lactase for breakdown in the intestinal tract. If the intestinal tract does not contain sufficient lactase, consumption of a high level of lactose can cause diarrhea in some pets.

    Read more about food and nutrition for your cat.

  • Is it okay that my cat is eating my dog's food or vice versa?

    Cats and dogs have unique nutritional needs and should be fed a product designed specifically for their needs. Health problems can occur from not feeding a 100% complete and balanced product. Check the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement on the product package to determine whether the product is designed for a specific animal's nutritional requirements.

    Read more about dog food and nutrition.

    Read more about cat food and nutrition.

  • My puppy is eating his stool. Is this diet related?

    Coprophagy continues to be a problem that is not fully understood. It is seen in dogs of any age (but most commonly growing pups) on any diet, so it doesn't appear to be diet related. This habit frequently starts in the winter, when droppings are frozen. Two of the current theories concerning this are that it develops in bored dogs or by observing another dog with this habit. Prevention or treatment of this problem could be difficult. On suggestion might be to provide adequate exercise and attention to help prevent boredom, another to ask your veterinarian for a product which might be added to the diet to give the stools a bad odor or taste. Cleaning up as soon as possible after the dog is also recommended.

  • Do I need to supplement my pet's diet?

    When a 100% complete and balanced food is fed to a normal, healthy pet, supplementation is rarely needed. However, factors like feeding table scraps, inconsistent exercise, or stressful changes in routine can leave dogs and cats with special nutritional needs.

    Read more about dog food and nutrition.

    Read more about cat food and nutrition.

  • How can I get rid of my cat's hairball problem?

    There are many products on the market for hairball control, including treats and main diets. Many of them do help alleviate the hairball problem, while providing complete and balanced nutrition. Feeding such a product, along with regular grooming, particularly during shedding seasons, is an effective way to help minimize the formation of hairballs.

    Pro Plan® Cat Products
    Friskies® Selects Indoor
    Purina ONE® Advanced Nutrition Hairball Formula

Dog & Cat Litter

  • What is the difference between conventional and scoop litter products?

    Check the product label to determine whether the product is a conventional or scoop-type product. Conventional products do not always use the word conventional on their label. However, scoop products will state this on their package.

    Conventional litter:

    • Package does not always state the word "conventional" on label
    • Will not clump; it will only absorb your cat's urine
    • Has a large granule
    • Maintenance requires you to scoop out your cat's fecal matter and stir the remaining litter in the litter box at least once a day and completely change the litter box weekly

    Scooping litter

    • Package states the word “scoop” on label
    • Will clump to your cat's urine
    • Has a fine granule and less tracking
    • Maintenance requires you to scoop out the urine and fecal matter at least daily and completely change your cat's litter box monthly

    Read further about the various types of cat litter.

  • If I change litter types, should I mix the products together for a while?

    Yes, just like when changing to a new pet food. You will need to gradually introduce a new litter product to your pet. Timeframe will vary depending on type of litter so check the package for appropriate directions.

    Learn the Litter Box Basics.

  • Will the dog litter product that works for puppies work for an older dog?

    Yes, you can train older puppies and adult dogs to use Purina secondnature® brand Dog Litter. Success depends on how consistent and attentive you are at following the guidelines in the training booklet.

    Visit the secondnature® brand Dog Litter site for further details and be sure to read that site's FAQ.

  • My dog won't use Purina®: secondnature® brand Dog Litter properly.

    Success depends on how consistent and attentive you are at following the guidelines in the training booklet.

    Visit the secondnature® brand Dog Litter site for further details and be sure to read that site's FAQ.

Earlier Purina®: Products

  • How do I find out information about animal feeds (rabbit, horse, monkey)?

    Purina sold the animal & specialty feed business (except dog and cat food products) to Purina Mills, Inc. Purina has not been affiliated with Purina Mills, Inc. since 1986. For information concerning their products you can visit www.purina-mills.com or call 1-800-227-8941.

  • Where can I buy Hot Ralston and other cereal products?

    Purina sold the human food business, including cereals quite some time ago. They are now made by the company Ralcorp. They do not have a web site, but for information concerning their cereals they can be reached at 1-800-725-7866.

Product Promotions, Rebates & Samples

  • How can I obtain a product sample of your pet foods?

    Occasionally, we do feature samples. We distribute product samples during special promotional periods and new product introductions. Please watch for offers in newspapers, magazines and sometimes in Sunday supplements to newspapers. We also offer them inside our products and online at our product web sites for dogs and cats.

  • How can I obtain coupons for your pet foods?

    We usually feature coupons either in or on our product packaging, in newspapers, magazines and sometimes in Sunday supplements to newspapers. At this time, we do not offer them online.

  • Do you offer a catalog of current promotions and rebates?

    We do not have a listing of all current premium/promotional offers, nor do we maintain a supply of mail-in order forms for our promotions or rebates. We hope you'll watch for them in and on our product packaging, in newspapers and magazines, and in supplements to Sunday newspapers, as well as online at our web sites. You can register online to be added to their mailing list.

  • What is the status of the item I ordered, or the rebate I requested?

    Our offers and rebates generally require 6-8 weeks for shipment. If your item has not been received within this timeframe, you can call 1-800-7PURINA (Weekdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. CT).

  • How can Canadians participate in the Purina®: offers featured online?

    Our offers and contests, including those featured online at our web sites are limited to residents of the United States due to postal and legal considerations. We have a Canadian web site (www.purina.ca) that occasionally features special offers and sweepstakes for Canadian residents. You can call 1-800-268-5345 for more information.

Information for Breeders

Purina®: Charitable Giving Programs

  • What is the Pets For People Program? Which shelters in my area participate?

    Since 1984, the Purina Pets For People Program continues to provide life-enriching benefits of pet ownership to Americans. Since its inception, the Purina Pets For People Program has donated more than $16 million dollars to participating humane shelters and matched more than 150,000 shelter pets with owners.

    The Senior Adoption Program helps to reimburse shelters covering the cost of spaying or neutering, vaccinations, or other adoption fees, providing the opportunity for senior citizens, aged 60 years and older in adopting a pet for little or no cost. Nearly 300 shelters are involved in this particular program nationally.

    The Adoption Kit Program distributes nearly 200,000 starter kits through approximately 700 shelters nationwide. The kits include a special issue of Pet Life magazine, pet care tips, a high value coupon for Purina brand pet foods and the opportunity to request special offers.

    For the location of a participating shelter in your area, you can contact us online or call 1-800-7PURINA (Weekdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. CT).

  • Can you make a donation or sponsor my organization/rescue shelter?

    Purina supports a wide range of urban, educational and humanitarian causes. Our commitments to these activities are quite substantial, and because of our already established budgets, sufficient funds are not available to support each and every request we receive. This decision does not in any way reflect on the worthiness of your organization, but rather on our desire to fulfill obligations to which we are already committed. Read more about our Charitable Giving Guidelines.

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