When it comes to the best nutrition for our cats, most owners are prepared to go beyond to ensure their pet gets all the goodness and taste they need for a happy, healthy life. And this is where the aptly named Purina Beyond range aims to fit the bill. With a reputation that has over 100 years of pet food expertise, you can pretty well be sure you're in good hands with this ever-popular brand. And the Purina Beyond range consistently scores high in the user reviews. So, just what is it about the Beyond range that makes it stand out and is it worth the money when it comes to your cat?
With limited quality ingredients and whole animal and fish proteins that can be traced back to the source, the grain-free formula offers targeted nutrition for all cats, with special formulations for older felines and indoor cats. In our Purina Beyond cat food review, we take a look of five of its most popular formulas to help you decide if, when it comes to feeding your cat, it is worth going beyond the ordinary.
1 Purina Beyond Grain Free Adult Dry Cat Food
- Brand: Purina Beyond
- First 5 ingredients: Hake, Chicken Meal, Cassava Root Flour, Dried Egg Product, Pea Starch
- Primary Proteins: Chicken, Egg
- Calories: 392 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Ocean Whitefish & Egg
- Life Stage: Adult
With tasty Icelandic Arctic char to catch your kit’s attention, Purina Beyond’s Grain Free cat food takes a decent bite out of our review’s best choice pick. This sizeable 11-pound bag od Purina grain free cat food makes also makes this good value too, and the quality is pretty impressive. Sustainably fished Arctic char is the central ocean whitefish protein source, boosted by white meat chicken meal and lentil to give an impressive 38% protein content, for lean muscles and all-round feline health. And there’s no wheat, corn or soy to upset their tum or make digestion difficult. Add in limited carbs, including carrot and kale for extra vitamins and taste, this is an easy to eat dry cat food that’s ideal for all adult cats and is one of Purina’s best ingredient examples of less is most definitely more.
Hake, Chicken Meal, Cassava Root Flour, Dried Egg Product, Pea Starch, Pea Protein, Dried Yeast, Canola Meal, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-tocopherols, Pea Fiber, Natural Flavor, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Potassium Chloride, Sunflower Oil, L-lysine Monohydrochloride, Dl-methionine, Phosphoric Acid, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Bisulfate, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B-7)], Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product. E426320.
2 Purina Beyond Simply Natural Adult Cat Food
- Brand: Purina Beyond
- First 5 ingredients: Salmon, Pea Starch, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Canola Meal
- Primary Proteins: Salmon, Chicken
- Calories: 322 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Salmon, Egg & Sweet Potato
- Life Stage: Adult
While the bag isn’t the largest, you do get a great value meal for your kit, as the deliciously crunchy dry kibble is also the perfect complement to wet food for taste and texture sensation. Easily digestible and flavorsome, this is a great Purina Beyond product for most adult cats and with relatively low calories, is also a real treat for your older or indoor cat. With a delicious salmon, whole brown rice and egg recipe, it will satisfy your cat’s natural appetite and thanks to the added probiotics and grain free formula, will be kind on their tum. The 33% crude protein is from sustainably sourced salmon which will help to keep your cat’s muscles and systems lean, healthy and on point. And the limited ingredient formula means your cat is getting all goodness and nothing artificial. The formula also has a lower fat percentage than other Beyond dry food products so as a Purina indoor cat food, this is a good choice for cats who are not as active, as the natural fiber can also help to reduce the formation of those pesky hair balls.
Take a look at our review of the best cat food for senior cats.
Salmon, Pea Starch, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Canola Meal, Cassava Root Flour, Dried Egg Product, Powdered Cellulose, Dried Yeast, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Pea Fiber, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols, Natural Flavor, Phosphoric Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Bisulfate, Potassium Chloride, Whole Cranberries, Salt, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, MINERALS [Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], VITAMINS [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B-7)], L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product. C424319.
3 Purina Beyond Simply Natural Adult Dry Cat Food
- Brand: Purina Beyond
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Barley, Rice, Whole Oat Meal
- Primary Proteins: Chicken, Barley
- Calories: 411 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Chicken & Oatmeal
- Life Stage: Adult
You can’t go wrong with good quality chicken in cat food and with Purina Beyond you get certified steroid-free white meat for a tasty, nutritious protein hit your cat with love. Working to the simple and natural formula Purina Beyond does so well, this large 13-pound bag can be served as dry kibble or as a tasty mixer with your cat’s favorite wet food.
And the recipe is as simple as it is tasty and nutritious: alongside the white meat chicken you get a beef fat and dried egg recipe as well as digestion-friendly oatmeal for added fiber. The limited recipe also includes carefully selected vegetables and carbs, including whole barley and peas. The result is an easily digestible dry kibble which is a little high in calories so perhaps not the best Purina Beyond choice for inactive or senior cats. But for your average adult cat that likes to keep on the go, this tasty dry cat food will keep him healthy and coming back to his food bowl for more.
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Barley, Rice, Whole Oat Meal, Dried Egg Product, Pea Protein, Dried Yeast, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols, Pea Fiber, Natural Flavor, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Sodium Bisulfate, Dried Carrots, Dried Apples, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, VITAMINS [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B-7)], Choline Chloride, MINERALS [Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product. G426019.
4 Purina Beyond Grain Free Adult Wet Cat Food
- Brand: Purina Beyond
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Whitefish, Salmon, Trout & Catfish
- Primary Proteins: Chicken, Whitefish, Salmon, Trout & Catfish
- Calories: 101 kcal/can
- Flavor: Chicken & Sweet Potato, Ocean Whitefish & Spinach, Salmon, Trout & Catfish
- Life Stage: Adult
As with most things, you get what you pay for and while Purina Beyond’s grain free pate wet cat food is not the cheapest on the shelf, you get high quality protein and a decent 24-can pack. Our Purina Beyond cat food review Premium Pick is the delicious sounding (to your cat anyway) trout and catfish recipe that’s wonderfully moist and super-easy to digest. The whitefish recipe is made from sustainably sourced ocean whitefish used as a whole protein source for that essential protein boost your cat’s daily diet needs. The ocean whitefish can also be traced to its source so you are reassured of the quality. The pate is a well-balanced combination of proteins, good fats, proteins and fiber and as with the rest of the Beyond range, is totally grain free. And, with its high moisture content, managed calories, and balanced nutrition, this is a good meal to give to an older, less active cat as well as outdoor cats as it easily mixes with dried kibble for healthy muscles, smooth coat and general good health and vitality.
Grain Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe:
Chicken, Liver, Chicken Broth, Fish, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Egg Product, Potassium Chloride, Guar Gum, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Salt, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Manganese Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide. A-4274.
Grain Free Ocean Whitefish & Spinach Recipe:
Ocean Whitefish, Turkey, Liver, Fish Broth, Spinach, Carrots, Egg Product, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Guar Gum, Taurine, Salt, Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide. A-4275.
Grain Free Wild Salmon Recipe:
Salmon, Liver, Chicken, Fish Brother, Carrots, Egg Product, Calcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Guar Gum, Taurine, Salt, Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide. A-4277.
Grain Free Trout & Catfish Recipe:
Trout, Chicken, Liver, Fish Broth, Catfish, Egg Product, Potassium Chloride, Guar Gum, Taurine, Salt, Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Manganese Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide. A-4276.
Purina Beyond Cat Food Buying Guide
Company Information
Purina is a familiar name for most pet owners, and as one of the world’s leading cat and dog food manufacturers, has a heritage that can be traced back to 1894. Founded in Missouri by George Robinson originally as a farm feed supplier, Purina has been known by several names over the years, from Purina Mills and Ralston Purina to its current incarnation, Nestle Purina Petcare, following its take-over by the global brand, Nestle, in 2001. To this day, Purina sources most of its ingredients as well as produces its products in the US and currently ships their cat and dog food ranges to over 70 countries around the world and turns over in excess of $10b a year.
Throughout its commercial history, Purina has focused on targeted ingredients for optimum nutrition in all its pet food, developing a range of products to suit the various life stages as well as the health needs of our cats and dogs. Purina also has over 400 nutritional scientists working on their product development team, driven by Purina’s commitment to balanced pet nutrition for both health and wellbeing.
Purina currently has 15 different wet and dry cat food ranges – including the market-leading Purina Pro Plan, Purina One, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, including Purina Urinary Cat Food and Purina Beyond. The subject of our review, the popular Purina Beyond cat food range, came onto the market in 2011 and is a quality grain-free formula for cats based on traceable, natural ingredients.
Why Choose Purina Beyond?
Purina Beyond is a wet and dry food brand that puts its nutritional emphasis on all-natural ingredients that are traceable to the source. The range is a good choice if your cat has sensitivities or allergies or you want to feed them natural whole proteins and also includes products developed specifically for the nutritional needs of indoor cats.
Considering the high-quality ingredients, Purina Beyond comes in at a decent price point and the larger bags of dry food are good value for the money. Both the wet and dry cat food in the Beyond range are free from artificial additives and all the ingredients are covered by Purina’s ‘Traceability Guarantee’. The recipes are simple and wholesome and come with the Purina reassurance that there are no grain fillers in their food, one of the few major brands who can make that claim. And, the extra bonus of the Purina Beyond cat food range is that despite its simple formulations, your kit will not lose out on either taste or texture, giving them a filling, nutritious and satisfying meal they will enjoy.
Ingredient Analysis
Beyond the hype, what exactly does Purina Beyond offer your cat when it comes to complete nutrition in their food? We breakdown the key ingredients to create the fuller picture:
- Quality, natural protein: As a carnivore, crude protein has to be the essential heart of your cat’s diet, and with Purina Beyond, you can be sure of a quality, natural formula that is high in protein and moisture. Each product is primarily the whole meat-based, from animal and fish, which can be traced back to its source. Beyond also includes the WILD range, which is inspired by your cat’s natural prey in the wild and includes both muscle and organ meats in freeze-dried chunks. Expect turkey, quail, chicken, and ocean whitefish as well as added egg recipe.
- Grain-free: Both the wet and dry food in the Beyond range are grain-free, so that’s free of corn, wheat, and soy which can all be allergens and irritants to your cat and their digestive system. The grain-free food formula is also easier to digest, especially for older cats.
- Additive-free: The whole Beyond range is certified GMO-free and made without any artificial additives, colors, flavors, and preservatives, backed by Purina’s traceability guarantee.
- Fats: The crude fat content in the Beyond range is carefully managed, depending on the needs of your cat. For indoor cats, the specially formulated dry and wet food has 10% less fat, to help sustain their energy levels without any unnecessary calories. Across the range, healthy fats are balanced and formulated for optimum cat health.
- Carbohydrates: Beyond only uses whole foods, and this includes the limited carbohydrates your kit needs for energy and all-round health. With Beyond you can expect simple, tasty whole carbs such as sweet potato, pea, and carrot and no unnecessary fillers.
- Calorie-managed: Each product in the Beyond range is developed to provide appropriate calorie levels to sustain your cat’s energy, health, and well-being. For older or indoor cats who don’t need to expend as much energy as their outdoor or younger counterparts, Beyond Indoor is a particularly good choice.
- Vitamins and minerals: Your cat needs to get all its vitamin and mineral requirements from their food, and the Beyond range ensures they get their daily intake. With a balanced vitamin supplement, the essential minerals such as taurine and potassium are also all there, as are added antioxidants and probiotics for the immune system and digestive health.
Check out our guide on the Best Vitamins For Cats.
Pros & Cons
With high quality, natural ingredients, and whole proteins, Purina Beyond for cats is one of the best product ranges Purina produces. For balance, we take a quick look at the pros and cons of Purina Beyond.
- All-natural ingredients that can be traced back to the source
- Whole meat animal or ocean whitefish protein, no by-products
- No-grain formula – reduces the risk of allergies and sensitivities and makes a meal that is highly digestible for cats
- No artificial additives, flavors or preservatives as well as GMO-certified ingredients
- Limited ingredients, so limited flavors
- Higher calorific content in some of the product range
- Not the cheapest cat food on the block but you are paying for quality nutrition
