I’m Kayla, and yes, I actually fed Pro Balance to my dogs. Two of them, every day. (If you’re the kind who loves the nitty-gritty timeline, I kept a day-by-day Pro Balance feeding journal you can skim for extra details.) One’s Milo, a 2-year-old rescue with the zoomies. The other is Daisy, my 9-year-old beagle who thinks every couch is hers. We used the Pro Balance Adult Chicken & Rice kibble. Big orange bag. The 15 kg one, because I’m not dragging a tiny bag home every week.
For more detailed information on Pro Balance dog food, including its ingredients and nutritional analysis, you can refer to the official ProBalance website.
Additionally, for an in-depth review and analysis of Pro Balance dog food, you might find this resource helpful.
So, did it work for us? Mostly, yes. And a little no. Let me explain.
The switch (and a tiny mess)
I moved them over slow. Day one to three, I mixed 25% Pro Balance with their old food. Then half and half. Then fully Pro Balance by day ten. That part matters. If I rush it, Milo gets the grumbles and Daisy gets stubborn.
They both sniffed the bowl the first night. Milo went in like a champ. Daisy gave me her beagle side-eye, then ate… but slow. The kibble is medium-sized, round, and a bit more crunchy than our last brand. It smells like roast chicken mixed with cereal. Not gross, but not a “wow” smell either.
By the way, the bag seal? It’s there, but it’s not great. I tossed the kibble into a big plastic bin with a scoop. Keeps it crisp and keeps me from wrestling a slippery bag at 6 a.m.
Weeks 1–2: The honest stuff
Poops first, because you know that’s what we all check. Milo’s poop was a little soft on days 3–5. Not watery, just soft. Daisy’s was normal. By week two, both were well-formed, and the smell was… fine. Not roses, not doom.
Energy stayed steady. Milo still chased birds he would never catch. Daisy kept her slow-but-determined walk around the block.
Coats? Not much change in week one. Maybe a touch more shine by the end of week two. Less dandruff on Daisy’s neck, which is her trouble spot every winter. That felt like a small win.
Oh—and gas. One night of funny toots from Milo. Then fine. I’ve known worse.
Weeks 3–8: The part that made me stay
This was the sweet spot. Daisy’s shedding eased up a bit. Not magic, but I noticed fewer hairs stuck to my black leggings. Her ears stayed calm too—no red flare-ups, which she gets when food doesn’t agree with her.
Milo’s coat turned a little silkier. He also started eating slower, which shocked me. I think the crunch helped. You know how some kibble turns mush if it sits with drool? This one stays crisp longer. That made Milo work for it a bit. He’s not a chewer, so I liked that. When I tried Annamaet earlier this year, he inhaled each meal in seconds, so the crunch factor here is a welcome change of pace.
Weight stayed stable. Milo is 24 kg and held steady. Daisy hung around 11.2 kg, which is what I aim for. Their water intake didn’t spike or drop. No weird thirst.
We used the food as training treats too. A handful in a pocket works fine on walks. It’s not greasy. Little bonus.
Price, scoops, and little quirks
I fed Milo about 2.5 cups a day. Daisy got just under 1 cup. A 15 kg bag gave me about four weeks for both dogs with some left for treats. That’s decent value for us.
If you’re hunting for the best deals or want to see where Pro Balance is in stock near you, a quick browse on MyFoodTrip can save you some legwork.
Now the quirks:
- The bag creates some kibble dust near the end. Not a lot, but enough that the last scoop looks sandy. I just mix it back in.
- The reseal strip is fussy. It opens if you fill the bag too high or tip it wrong.
- The smell builds up in a closed room. Not awful, but you’ll notice it if the bin sits by the door.
Taste test drama (because dogs are dogs)
Daisy had one picky day in week three. She walked away from dinner, which she never does. I warmed a splash of water and stirred a spoon of plain pumpkin in. She ate. After that, no more fuss. I tried the same water trick with Milo just to see. He acted like it was a stew. You’d think I cooked for him. I did not.
What I liked
- Easy stools after the first week
- Good energy, steady weight
- Coats looked a touch better (less dandruff on Daisy)
- Crunchy texture that didn’t turn soggy
- Works as training treats without making my hands greasy
- Decent price for the bag size
What bugged me
- Reseal strip is weak
- A little kibble dust near the end of the bag
- The smell hangs around if you don’t store it well
- Not great for toy breeds—the kibble might feel big for tiny mouths
- One picky day from Daisy (fixed with warm water)
Dogs and seasons matter
We tested during late fall and early winter. Daisy’s skin usually gets cranky when the air turns dry. This time, less flaking. I still used a humidifier in the bedroom. And I kept their fish oil capsules twice a week. So yes, the food helped, but the whole routine helped too. Food is one piece of the puzzle. I know that sounds obvious, but it’s true.
If your dog is like mine
- For high-energy dogs: This held Milo’s weight without hyping him up. He didn’t act wired, just normal puppy-silly.
- For seniors with sensitive tummies: Daisy did well. No ear flare-ups and no belly drama after week one.
- For picky eaters: It’s not a “wow” smell. Warm water or a spoon of plain pumpkin made Daisy finish her bowl.
- For tiny dogs: The kibble might be large. You could crush it a bit or look for a small-bite version.
- For diabetic pups: My neighbor’s schnauzer battles insulin spikes; these foods kept his numbers steady if you need ideas beyond Pro Balance.
Speaking of loving things that are big and beautiful—whether that’s your chunky, huggable Lab or an appreciation for curvier body types in general—you might get a kick out of exploring the BBW community over at fucklocal.com/bbws/. It’s a lively, body-positive space filled with confident personalities, local meet-ups, and encouraging stories that could put a smile on your face when you’re taking a break from dog-food research.
After a day of walks, fetch sessions, and stooping to pick up poop, my shoulders sometimes feel like they’ve been through a workout. If you’re also in Michigan and day-dreaming about an affordable deep-tissue session to reset those dog-parent muscles, the local rundown at this Sterling Heights massage guide can point you toward parlors that other users have rated for cleanliness, pressure, and overall vibe—handy details that help you book with confidence instead of guessing.
A small food prep routine that helped
- Transition over 7–10 days. Seriously, go slow.
- Store in a sealed bin. I use a big twist-top container with a one-cup scoop.
- Keep a jar for “training kibble” so you’re not digging into the big bin all day.
- If dinner gets boring, add warm water and swirl. It makes a light gravy.
- Watch poop, coat, and ears over two weeks. Those three tell you a lot.
A quick story I didn’t expect
On a cold weekend, I tried something silly. I poured hot water over a half cup, let it sit two minutes, then mixed it with their normal portion. It smelled like chicken soup. Both dogs sat. Both drooled. I mean, I almost laughed. It made no mess, and they ate slow. Not every night, but on lazy Sundays, it felt cozy.
So… would I buy it again?
Yes. For my two, Pro Balance hit a nice middle line. Not fancy. Not junk. Solid. The first week was a little bumpy with Milo’s soft stool, but it settled. Coats looked a bit better. Energy was steady. The price didn’t make me wince.
It’s not perfect—the bag seal and dust bug me. And I wish they made the kibble a touch smaller. But you know what? My dogs ate it, stayed well, and looked