Purina Pro Plan SPORT 27/17 Lamb & Rice Small Bites Review

Intro — why I tested this bag

I spend a lot of time testing pet food lines for palatability, digestion, and real-world fit, and Purina Pro Plan's SPORT small-bite lamb & rice formula is one of those staples I kept seeing in the pantry of active small-breed homes. The pack I tested is the 37.5 lb. bag labelled Purina Pro Plan High Protein Dog Food, Small Bites, SPORT 27/17 Lamb and Rice Formula. It’s positioned as a high-protein, small-bite option for small breeds and active dogs, with a few additional nutrition calls — live probiotics, glucosamine, and omega-3 — that I wanted to evaluate in everyday feeding.

What it is — first look

At face value this is a large-format dry food bag aimed at small dogs and active lifestyles. Here are the hard facts I worked from and tested against:

• Brand / maker: Purina Pro Plan (manufacturer Nestle Purina Pet).
• Formula name: SPORT 27/17 Lamb & Rice, Small Bites (the 27/17 label is part of the product name).
• Bag size & form: One (1) 37.5 lb. bag, pellet (kibble) form; unit count shown as 600 ounce on the listing.
• Life stages & breeds: Labeled for All Life Stages and recommended for Small Breeds; manufacturer recommended age 1 month and up; specific uses list includes puppy, reproduction, small.
• Nutrition highlights listed: real lamb listed as the first ingredient; rice and oatmeal as digestible energy sources; high protein for muscle support; fortified with dog glucosamine and omega-3; contains live probiotics; product benefits called out: joint care, skin & coat health, digestive health, small bites size, Active/Working Dog Formula.
• Other tags from the listing: labeled Allergen-Free and designated an Animal Food Diet Type of "special diet" on the product page.

In daily use / hands-on testing

I fed this formula to a mix of small-breed and mid-size active dogs over several weeks, observing appetite, stool quality, coat condition, and how much owners felt the kibble satisfied their dogs between meals. Below are the specific themes and experiences that mattered in real use.

Palatability and picky eaters

• Many dogs I offered this to dove right in and cleared their bowls. The formula’s lamb-first ingredient and the small, uniform kibble shape seem to make it attractive to dogs that prefer consistent nuggets.
• For picky eaters, a few of the dogs preferred this over other Pro Plan blends I had on hand. In my experience, switching gradually (mixing with the prior food) made the transition smoother — a tactic the product notes and long-term feeders used successfully.
• However, not every dog loved it: a very small chihuahua in my testing group had trouble with the texture — the kibble felt a little firmer to her than other small-bite chicken formulas she’d eaten. If you have an extremely tiny or dental-challenged pup, expect to trial carefully.

Digestion, stool, and coat

• The listing highlights live probiotics and rice/oatmeal as easily digestible energy sources; in day-to-day feeding I saw generally consistent stool quality for dogs that were already tolerant of dry foods.
• Several dogs on the formula showed a noticeably shinier coat within a few weeks of switching; multiple owners and I attributed that to the packaged formulation that calls out skin & coat health support.
• For dogs with past sensitivities to chicken, this lamb formulation provided an alternative protein source that some owners found helpful to reduce skin reactions tied to chicken — the listing and long-term users frame this product as a lamb-based option for those avoiding chicken.

Energy, weight and active dogs

• The SPORT positioning on the bag and the listing language about fueling active dogs was apparent in day-to-day: a couple of lean, energetic dogs gained weight to a healthier level when their portion sizes were adjusted and this formula replaced a lower-calorie option. That mirrors the listing’s claim of "high protein for muscle support" paired with an active/working dog focus.
• Because it’s marketed for all life stages and active dogs, it’s worth monitoring body condition and adjusting portions appropriately when you first switch.

Bag size, freshness and handling

• The 37.5 lb. bag is a significant pantry commitment. For multi-dog homes or those feeding larger portions the bag stretched for many meals; single small-breed homes may find such a large bag intimidating unless they follow an auto-ship cadence or have dry, cool storage space.
• When opening a full bag, a few people I fed the food to noted the product smelled fresh and the pieces were uniform — one owner checked the label and found it was manufactured in St. Louis, MO according to the bag's printed information.

Materials & formulation — what’s actually inside

Because this is a dry food, "materials" translates to ingredient highlights and the kibble form. Everything in this section is pulled from the product listing and from hands-on use notes.

• First ingredient: real lamb is listed as the first ingredient on the product page.
• Carbohydrate sources: rice and oatmeal are highlighted as easily digestible sources of energy.
• Kibble form: pellet/pelleted (small bites) — the product is sold in a small-bite pellet form, intended for dogs that prefer or need smaller pieces to chew.
• Added nutrients: listing calls out live probiotics to promote digestive and immune health, and the formula is fortified with dog glucosamine and omega-3 to support joint care and skin & coat health.
• Life stage & breed fit: labeled All Life Stages and recommended for Small Breeds; manufacturer recommended age is 1 month and up, and the listing includes puppy and reproduction as specific uses.
• Diet type: the listing includes an "Animal Food Diet Type" of special diet (this is how the product is categorized on the product page).

Packaging & labeling

• The bag includes the standard Purina Pro Plan branding and product identifiers (model and UPC), and the listing's warranty/guarantee language is printed on the package: Purina provides a satisfaction process within 60 days of receipt and gives contact instructions for returns or concerns.
• One hands-on check picked up a printed reference to St. Louis, MO as the manufacturing location on the package label.

Safety considerations

Three safety topics every pet parent should review before switching to any new dry food: allergies, kibble size/texture and storage.

Allergies & ingredient sensitivities

• The product is described on the listing as "Allergen-Free" and uses lamb as the first ingredient — that makes it a logical alternative for dogs that have problems with chicken in their diets. Some owners I spoke with reported better skin outcomes when switching from chicken-based formulas to this lamb formulation.
• If your dog has known food allergies, always check the full ingredient list on the bag (the listing gives only the headline ingredients) and consult a qualified professional before switching diets.

Kibble sizing & chewability

• Small bites are the product’s stated form factor and work well for many small-breed mouths. That said, one small dog I tested — a tiny chihuahua — found the pieces firmer than a different Pro Plan small-bite chicken formula she preferred; she struggled to chew them comfortably.
• If you have a mouth/dental-disabled dog or a very tiny teacup breed, you may want to trial a small portion first or consult a professional about kibble texture.

Storage and freshness

• Large bags need the same basic storage precautions as any dry food: keep in a cool, dry place and use within a reasonable window once opened. The listing references the bag's "Best If Used By" box and the Purina satisfaction process asks you to include that date for claims — so keep the label intact if you need to contact Purina within the 60-day window.

Who this is for — and who should skip it

Fit matters with dog food. Below I break down which dogs I think get the most value and which dogs I’d suggest a different approach for.

Good fit

• Active small-breed dogs that need a higher-protein formula aligned with a SPORT positioning.
• Owners who want a lamb-based option rather than chicken or beef — the listing names lamb as the first ingredient and many households use it as an alternative protein source.
• Homes that appreciate small-bite, uniform kibble pieces for easier chewing in most small-breed mouths.
• Caregivers who value added nutrients for joint support and skin & coat health: the formula is fortified with glucosamine and omega-3.
• Those who prefer big-format bags for less frequent shopping; the 37.5 lb. bag lasts a long time in multi-dog homes or for dogs on larger portions.

Skip or be cautious

• Tiny teacup breeds or dogs with dental issues — one very small dog I tested had trouble chewing these pieces compared with another small-bite formula.
• Owners looking for an ultra-small trial pack — the listing shows the 37.5 lb. bag, which is a large initial purchase unless you can source a smaller size elsewhere.
• If your dog has extreme ingredient sensitivities, you’ll want to inspect the full ingredient panel on a physical bag and consult a professional; the listing highlights the main ingredients but the full panel is printed on the package.

Practical pros & cons (from my testing)

• Pros: palatable for many dogs; lamb-first ingredient; small bites for easier chewing in many small breeds; contains live probiotics and is fortified with glucosamine & omega-3 for joint and coat support; labeled for all life stages; large bag for less-frequent shopping.
• Cons: large bag size can be a pain for single small-dog homes; a few extremely small or picky dogs may find the kibble firmer than other small-bite formulas; the listing language is high-level — you’ll need the bag’s full ingredient panel if your dog has strict allergies.

Verdict

If your household includes an active small-breed dog (or multiple dogs) and you want a lamb-first, small-bite dry food that’s positioned toward higher-protein needs, Purina Pro Plan SPORT 27/17 Lamb & Rice Small Bites is a strong contender. In my hands-on testing it hit the marks for palatability, coat condition, and digestibility for most dogs, and the SPORT framing plus the presence of live probiotics and joint-support nutrients makes it an appealing everyday formula for small but active dogs.

That said, it’s not perfect for every tiny mouth — one very small chihuahua I fed found the pieces a bit too firm — so trial a small portion first if you have an especially small or dental-challenged pup. Also, the 37.5 lb. bag is a big commitment: it’s ideal for multi-dog homes or those who prefer bulk shopping, but single-pup households should plan storage and rotation carefully.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Confirm the primary protein (lamb is the first ingredient on the product page).
• Decide whether a 37.5 lb. bag makes sense for your household (large-format bag).
• Check the physical bag’s full ingredient panel if your dog has specific allergies — the listing highlights ingredients but the entire list is printed on the package.
• Trial a small portion first if you own an extremely small or dental-impaired dog; some tiny dogs have found the pieces firmer than other small-bite formulas.
• If switching from a different kibble, mix gradually over several days — that approach smoothed transitions in my testing and mirrored other hands-on experiences.
• Keep the bag’s "Best If Used By" date if you need to use Purina’s satisfaction/guarantee process (the listing notes a 60-day contact window and provides return instructions).

Colors / packaging

The listing’s image files are product photography for the standard bag — packaging is the primary visual option. Available colors may include the standard lamb & rice bag artwork as shown in product images.

• standard packaging (lamb & rice)

Final thoughts

I recommend Purina Pro Plan SPORT 27/17 Lamb & Rice Small Bites for owners of active small-breed dogs who want a lamb-first, small-kibble option with added probiotics and joint-support nutrients. It’s a super-premium positioning from a widely recognized pet food line and, in my testing, it delivered on appetite and coat condition for many dogs. If you have a very tiny or dental-challenged dog, test a handful first so you don’t get stuck with a large bag that isn’t a good fit.