The scores
Dr. Tim's Pursuit Active Dog Formula: B (77/100) — Good. Chicken meal leads, four distinct fish sources for omega-3 density, grain-inclusive with whole oat groats.
Purina Pro Plan Sport All Life Stages 30/20: B (76/100) — Good. Real chicken first, 30% protein / 20% fat targeted macronutrients for sustained energy output.
How the ingredients compare
The top five ingredients:
Dr. Tim's: Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat, Whole Oat Groats, Dried Plain Beet Pulp
Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20: Chicken, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Beef Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Fish Meal
Dr. Tim's opens with concentrated chicken meal (meal-form is ~3x the protein density of fresh meat) followed by whole oat groats — a minimally processed whole grain with meaningful fiber and B-vitamin content. Pro Plan Sport leads with fresh chicken (good on the label, less impressive post-cooking for protein density) followed by rice, then corn gluten meal (plant-protein booster) and beef fat. Two very different approaches to the same "high-protein high-fat performance formula" target.
Both formulas add fish-derived omega-3s, but at different intensities. Dr. Tim's stacks menhaden fish oil, herring meal, catfish meal, and salmon meal for four distinct marine sources. Pro Plan Sport's fish contribution is fish meal plus salmon fat (earlier in the ingredient list but less diverse in species).
Where Dr. Tim's pulls ahead
Deeper omega-3 profile: Four fish sources (menhaden fish oil + herring meal + catfish meal + salmon meal) plus ground whole flaxseed covers both marine (EPA/DHA) and plant (ALA) omega-3s. For active dogs where joint, skin, coat, and cognitive benefits matter, more omega-3 density is a direct advantage.
Fewer plant-protein boosters: Pro Plan Sport uses corn gluten meal at position three — a cheap plant protein that pads the crude-protein percentage. Dr. Tim's doesn't rely on that trick; its protein is dominated by named animal sources (chicken meal, herring meal, catfish meal, salmon meal, plus porcine plasma).
Functional additive depth: Taurine, L-carnitine, psyllium seed husk, dried kelp, dried chicory root (inulin), and Bacillus coagulans probiotic. Pro Plan Sport has a leaner functional panel focused mainly on guaranteed macros rather than supplements. Shop on Amazon →
Where Purina Pro Plan Sport holds its own
Veterinary credibility and research volume: Purina funds the single largest veterinary nutrition research program in the United States. Pro Plan formulas go through extensive feeding trials before market, and many vets specifically recommend Pro Plan Sport for high-activity dogs. That's not marketing — it's a real data advantage.
Price and availability: Pro Plan Sport runs around $2.50–$3.00 per pound at mass retail. Dr. Tim's is closer to $3.50–$4.50 per pound and distributed through niche channels. For owners feeding multiple active dogs or a large breed that goes through a bag a week, the annual cost difference is substantial.
Formula depth across the Pro Plan Sport line: Pro Plan Sport has separate formulas for different activity levels (26/16 for moderate, 30/20 for high, 30/17 for performance). Dr. Tim's has a narrower product range focused mainly on Pursuit and Momentum. Shop on Amazon →
The bottom line
Dr. Tim's Pursuit Active wins by a single point on ingredient quality, driven largely by its deeper omega-3 profile and cleaner protein sourcing without corn gluten meal. Purina Pro Plan Sport wins on research-backed credibility, wide availability, and meaningfully lower per-pound cost. For a genuinely working or highly active dog where every ounce of performance matters and budget isn't the constraint, Dr. Tim's is the better-fit formula. For an active family dog where vet recommendations and cost convenience are more important than marginal ingredient upgrades, Pro Plan Sport is the practical pick. Read our full reviews of Dr. Tim's and Purina Pro Plan Sport for the complete breakdown.