Jessica
At WeLovePetz, we are dedicated to providing you with the best pet care tips.
Introduction: The End of the “Canned Food” Struggle?
Let’s face it: traditional canned dog food can be a hassle. You need a can opener, the lids are sharp, the smell can be overpowering, and if you don’t use the whole can, you are stuck searching for a flimsy plastic lid or wasting aluminum foil to save the leftovers. Worse yet, standard brown “pate” mush often looks unappealing, leading many owners to wonder, “Is this actually food?”
Purina Beneful Freshly Prepared Blends attempts to solve these specific pain points with a format change: the resealable 10 oz. tub. This variety pack offers a stew-like consistency with visible ingredients like green beans, carrots, and rice, designed to look more like a human meal than pet chow. But is this packaging innovation matched by nutritional quality? We analyzed this 12-pack to see if it is a genuine upgrade for your dog’s diet or just clever marketing in a plastic container.
Key Features and Ingredient Breakdown
Beneful positions this product as “Freshly Prepared,” implying a higher standard of freshness. Here is what that actually means when you look at the label.
The Resealable Tub Format
The standout feature is undoubtedly the packaging. Each 10 oz. container serves as its own bowl and storage unit. If you have a small dog that only eats 5 oz. per meal, you simply snap the lid back on and put it in the fridge. This keeps the food fresher than an open can and prevents your refrigerator from smelling like wet dog food. It is a massive convenience factor for travelers or RV owners.
Texture: Stew vs. Loaf
Unlike a dense loaf (pate), this food consists of irregular meaty chunks swimming in a savory gravy. This texture is generally preferred by picky eaters because it offers variety in every bite. The inclusion of visible vegetables—peas, carrots, green beans—adds texture and fiber, though it also serves the visual purpose of making the food look appetizing to the human serving it.
Ingredient Reality Check
The first ingredients are indeed meats (Chicken, Beef, or Lamb) and meat broths. However, discerning owners should note that these recipes use Wheat Gluten and Corn Starch as thickeners for that delicious gravy. While these are safe and functional, they are not grain-free. This is a “comfort food” style diet, not a low-carb or limited-ingredient diet.
Hands-On Experience: The “Mix-In” Test
We tested this variety pack with “Toby,” a 12-year-old Beagle mix who has lost a few teeth and has become notoriously bored with his dry kibble.
The Unboxing
The clear bottom of the tub is a nice touch—you can actually see the food before you buy it (or open it). Peeling back the foil seal is significantly easier than pulling a ring tab on a metal can. There is no “suction noise” or gelatinous goo at the bottom; the gravy keeps everything loose and pourable.
Palatability
We used this primarily as a topper, mixing about 3 ounces into Toby’s dry food. The result was immediate. The gravy coats the dry kibble, turning a boring meal into a savory event. Toby licked the bowl clean. The variety pack (Beef, Chicken, Lamb) allowed us to rotate flavors every few days, which prevented the “food boredom” that usually sets in by week two.
Digestion and Handling
Because the food is rich in gravy (and thickeners), it can be rich for dogs with very sensitive stomachs. We noticed softer stools for the first two days, but it normalized once we adjusted the ratio of wet-to-dry food. The resealable lid worked perfectly; even after 24 hours in the fridge, the leftover portion didn’t develop a hard crust like canned food often does.
Pros and Cons
Is the convenience of the tub worth the price? Here is our critical assessment.
| Pros (The Good) | Cons (The Bad) |
|---|---|
| Convenience: Resealable tubs eliminate the need for can covers. | Plastic Waste: Generates more plastic waste than recyclable metal cans. |
| High Palatability: Rich gravy appeals to even the pickiest dogs. | Thickeners: Contains wheat gluten and corn starch (not grain-free). |
| Visual Appeal: Real veggies and chunks look like “real food.” | Gravy Content: You pay for moisture/gravy, less calorie-dense than pate. |
| Variety: Three distinct flavors keep mealtime interesting. | Price: Generally more expensive per ounce than standard cans. |
| Soft Texture: Excellent for seniors or dogs with dental issues. |
Product Comparison
How does Beneful stack up against other “stew-style” competitors?
| Feature | Purina Beneful Prepared Blends (Our Pick) | Cesar Home Delights | Pedigree Choice Cuts (Cans) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 📦 10oz Resealable Tub | 📦 3.5oz Peel Tray | 🥫 13oz Metal Can |
| Texture | 🍲 Chunks in Gravy | 🍲 Chunks in Sauce | 🍲 Chunks in Gravy |
| Best For | 🐕 Medium Dogs / Toppers | 🐕 Toy Breeds | 🐕 Large Dogs (Budget) |
| Storage | ✅ Snap-on Lid | ❌ Foil (Non-resealable) | ❌ Needs Can Cover |
| Visuals | 🥕 Visible Veggies | 🥕 Some Veggies | 🟤 Mostly Meat Chunks |
Final Verdict
Purina Beneful Freshly Prepared Blends is a winner for pet owners who prioritize convenience and palatability over strict ingredient minimalism. If you are tired of dealing with crusty spoons, sharp can lids, and wasted food, the 10 oz resealable tub is a genuine lifestyle upgrade.
This food is an excellent choice for: Picky eaters who need a gravy topper to finish their kibble, senior dogs with dental pain, and travelers who need a mess-free feeding solution. However, if your dog has a known sensitivity to wheat gluten or requires a high-protein performance diet, a traditional grain-free pate might be a better nutritional fit. For the average family dog who just wants a tasty dinner, Beneful delivers a “human-style” meal that they will love.
