Frequently Asked Questions

Dog Questions

• How much water should my dog have every day?
• When do I need to switch my puppy to an adult dog food?
• My puppy is eating his stool. Is this diet related?

General Pet Questions

• Why are there colours in pet food products? Are they really safe?
• Is it okay to switch between pet food products/flavours?
• How do I know what product to use for my pet?
• Is it okay that my cat is eating my dog's food or vice versa?
• Do I need to supplement my pet's diet?

Purina Brand & Product Questions

• What is the weight circle on your pet food packages used for?
• Do you have a product for pets with allergies?
• Do you manufacture prescription type diets?
• How can I obtain a product sample of your pet foods?
• How can I obtain coupons for your pet foods?
• How can I find out about your current promotions and contests?
• How can U.S. residents participate in the Nestlé Purina offers featured online?
• Do you have a breeder's program? Do you offer pet food starter kits?
• How do I make reservations to visit Purina Farms?
• How do I schedule an event for my organization at Purina Farms?
• Who do I contact regarding participation in our upcoming dog show/event?
• Can you make a donation or sponsor my organization/rescue shelter?
• How do I apply for a job within your Company? Can I send a resume?

 

Dog Questions

How much water should my dog have every day?Top
Your dog should always have fresh clean water available to drink as he/she pleases.

When do I need to switch my puppy to an adult dog food?Top
You should continue to feed a puppy formula to large and giant breed dogs (dogs that will weigh more than 50 pounds) up to two years and one full year for all other dogs before switching to an adult pet food.

My puppy is eating his stool. Is this diet related?Top
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 odour or taste. Cleaning up as soon as possible after the dog is also recommended.

General Pet Questions

Why are there colours in pet food products? Are they really safe?Top
Colours are added to maintain a consistent product appearance. Colours do not affect either the flavour or nutrition of products. The colours that are used in pet foods are approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Colours are added at low levels and are safe.

Is it okay to switch between pet food products/flavours?Top
It is okay to change flavours 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.

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

Is it okay that my cat is eating my dog's food or vice versa?Top
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 cat food and nutrition.

Do I need to supplement my pet's diet?Top
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 cat food and nutrition.

Purina Brand & Product Questions

What is the weight circle on your pet food packages used for?Top
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 or on this website.

Do you have a product for pets with allergies?Top
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 1 866 884-8387 (Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET)

Do you manufacture prescription type diets?Top
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, visit http://www.purinaveterinarydiets.com, consult your veterinarian or call 1 866 884-8387 (Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST)

How can I obtain a product sample of your pet foods?Top
Occasionally, we do feature samples. We distribute product samples during special promotional periods and new product introductions. Please watch online at www.purina.ca

How can I obtain coupons for your pet foods?Top
We usually feature coupons either in or on our product packaging. We sometimes offer online coupons. Please watch online at www.purina.ca.

How can I find out about your current promotions and contests?Top
Please watch online at www.purina.ca.

How can U.S. residents participate in the Nestlé Purina offers featured online?Top
Our offers and contests, including those featured online at our web site are limited to Canadian residents due to postal and legal considerations. We have a U.S. web site (www.purina.com) that features special offers and sweepstakes for U.S. residents.

Do you have a breeder's program? Do you offer pet food starter kits?Top
Purina^® Pro Club^® (purinaproclub@purina.com) is a members-based rewards program for qualified breeders. We encourage breeders to enrol.
If you have questions, please call Purina^® Pro Club^® the Breeder Services Group toll-free at 1 800 465-3094 1-877-PRO-CLUB (Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT), or email us at http://www.purinaproclub.ca/.

How do I make reservations to visit Purina Farms?Top
For information on reservations at Purina Farms, please contact Brock Fitzgerald at (314) 982-3232, or write to:
Purina Farms
200 Checkerboard Drive
Gray Summit, MO 63039
USA
For assistance in planning, you can view our current event schedule.

How do I schedule an event for my organization at Purina Farms?Top
For information on planning an event at Purina Farms, please contact Brock Fitzgerald at (314) 982-3232, or write to:
Purina Farms
200 Checkerboard Drive
Gray Summit, MO 63039
USA
For assistance in planning, you can view our current event schedule.

Who do I contact regarding participation in our upcoming dog show/event?Top
For consideration, please contact the Breeder Services Group toll-free at 1 800 465-3094 1-877-PRO-CLUB (Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT), or email us at http://www.purinaproclub.ca/.

Can you make a donation or sponsor my organization/rescue shelter? Top
Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada is pleased to support the local communities where our factories and offices are located. Our other charity of choice, beyond the guide dogs, is the United Way, given the wide variety of community services they support. In addition, in the Mississauga area, home to our Head Office and largest pet food factory, we support local hospitals. Please use the convenient Contact Us online form on http://www.purina.ca and your request will be forwarded to the appropriate department for consideration.

How do I apply for a job within your Company? Can I send a resume? Top
Please visit our Career page at http://www.purina.ca