Nature’s Recipe Dog Food Review: A Healthy Choice for Your Canine Companion

With a name like Nature’s Recipe, you can expect healthy dog food made with fresh, natural ingredients. Their goal is to provide “nutritionally vibrant recipes for every pet every day” by using quality ingredients and carefully developed formulas.

Nature’s Recipe offers a variety of products, including formulas for dogs with special dietary needs. Whether you have a puppy, an active adult, or a senior dog, they have a dedicated formula to ensure optimal nutrition for long-term health and wellness.

The company uses real meats, protein-rich meat meals, wholesome grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables in their dog food.

Their products are designed to be easy to digest and balanced with healthy nutrients, supporting your dog's skin, coat, and healthy body weight.

Take a look at Nature's Recipe Dog Food Review below.

Who Makes the Brand?

This brand of dog food is produced and manufactured by Big Heart Pet Brands. Nature’s Recipe was founded 35 years ago by Jeff Bennet who was also the founder of Earth Elements, another pet food brand.

There isn’t a great deal of information available regarding the history of Nature’s Recipe, however. Big Heart Pet Brands is part of the J.M. Smucker Company which produces a variety of other food options including Milk-Bone, Natural Balance, Kibbles ‘n Bits, Pup-Peroni, Gravy Train, and Milo’s Kitchen.

 

Nature’s Recipe Dog Food Review

1. Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin

Crafted for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes, this dry food features high-quality ingredients like salmon, garbanzo beans, peas, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin. 

Salmon, a nutrient-dense superfood, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health, joints, brain function, and a shiny coat.

Garbanzos add essential nutrients like zinc, vitamin K, and iron, though they may cause some dogs to be gassy. Peas and sweet potatoes provide necessary carbohydrates for energy.

Menhaden fish meal offers additional protein and amino acids, while pumpkin supports digestive health and prebiotic growth.

This grain-free dog food is also free from wheat, corn, soy, and artificial flavors, but includes added vitamins and minerals for a balanced meal.

2. Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe

This nutritious dry dog food is a high-energy blend designed to be gentle on your dog’s stomach and digestive system. 

It features high-quality chicken protein and grain-free carbohydrates, making it suitable for all life stages. Fresh chicken is the primary ingredient, though its protein volume decreases when cooked, but this is balanced by chicken meal as the second ingredient, providing concentrated protein.

This food comes with pea protein, which has lower bioavailability, and gluten-free, grain free carbohydrates like garbanzo beans and peas for energy and fiber. 

Additional fiber sources include sweet potatoes, apples, pumpkin, tapioca starch, and tomato pomace. Poultry fat is the main fat source, though its unnamed origin raises quality concerns. Despite minor drawbacks, this kibble offers balanced nutrition with room for improvement.

3. Original Lamb Meal & Rice

Adult dogs of all sizes will find their nutrition needs met with this kibble, which supports lean muscle development, alertness, and metabolism without artificial flavors, preservatives, poultry by-products, corn, or wheat.

This lamb & rice recipe features lamb meal as the main ingredient, providing a high percentage of protein and calcium.

Barley, the second ingredient, adds fiber and nutrients, while oatmeal and brewer’s rice offer additional fiber and quick energy.

Poultry fat provides essential fats for energy and healthy skin, and dried brewer’s yeast aids digestion and enhances skin and coat health.

Although barley and brewer’s rice may be problematic for some dogs, the recipe offers complete nutrition with added vitamins and minerals.

4. Grain-Free Chicken Recipe in Broth

Nature's Recipe grain free dog food line is designed for easy digestion and provides essential vitamins and minerals without compromising taste. A meal that is highly recommended for pets suffering from food allergies

Each recipe excludes corn, wheat, artificial flavors, preservatives, and poultry by-products. The wet dog food features real chicken as the main ingredient, offering a crude protein content of 11%.

While it is made without grains, it boasts chicken broth which enhances aroma, taste, and moisture content. Sweet potatoes and pumpkin provide carbohydrates and dietary fiber, supporting digestion and dog's overall health. 

Canola oil adds essential fatty acids, while dried tomato puree contributes vitamins and minerals. Though carrageenan, a thickener that can cause inflammation, is included, it appears in minimal amounts, making the recipe a nutritious option for dogs.

5. Small Breed Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin

Small breed dogs with grain sensitivities need specially formulated food, and this grain-free recipe is perfect for them.

Designed for small mouths, it uses sweet potato and pumpkin for fiber and carbohydrates, aiding digestion and providing energy. Chicken is the first ingredient, supported by chicken meal for muscle development and tissue repair.

Garbanzo beans, peas, and pea starch add plant-based protein and essential nutrients. Poultry fat provides energy, enhances taste, and maintains coat health.

Dried tomato pomace offers antioxidants and fiber. The recipe is free from wheat, corn, and artificial flavors, focusing on natural ingredients with added vitamins and minerals.

6. Easy-to-Digest Original Ground Chicken, Rice & Barley

This tasty wet food for adult dogs is designed to be gentle on the stomach, making it ideal for all dogs, especially those who are ill, recovering. or just have sensitive stomach. 

The formula focuses on digestive health and energy needs. Water is the first ingredient to aid in food processing, followed by chicken for protein.

Soybean meal adds plant protein and fiber, beneficial for digestion. Chicken liver provides vital nutrients, and vegetables like carrots, potatoes, peas, and barley offer additional vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Supplemental vitamins and minerals ensure balanced nutrition. With 445 kcal per cup, this food supports weight gain and is suitable for highly active dogs.

 

Is It Made in the United States?

The brand was only acquired by Big Heart Pet Brands, part of the J.M. Smucker Company, in 2015. According to a spokesperson for the Nature’s Variety brand, all of their dry dog food and dog treats are produced in U.S. facilities. While most of their wet dog food products are also made in the United States, some of their grain free foods (canned) are made in Thailand.

Where Do They Get Their Ingredients?

Though this dog food brand is a U.S.-based company, the brand’s manufacturer (J.M. Smucker Company) has operations around the world. Most of their dog food products are made in the United States, so it seems likely that most of their ingredients are sourced from the U.S. as well.

Their website provides some detailed information about the quality and nutritional benefits for some of their main ingredients (like real salmon, wholesome grains, and garden quality vegetables) but they do not provide specific information about where any of these ingredients come from.

Where to Buy?

It is widely available for purchase at various retail locations, including major pet supply stores like Petco, PetSmart, and Pet Supplies Plus.

Additionally, it can often be found at large retailers such as Walmart, Target, Chewy or Amazon (just click the links on this page). Many grocery stores with pet care sections also stock their products, providing convenience for pet owners during their regular shopping trips.

Furthermore, they offer the option for online purchase through its official website and various e-commerce platforms, offering the convenience of home delivery. With its widespread availability both in-store and online, pet owners can easily find them to meet their furry friend's nutritional needs.

Recall History

The company follows the tagline, “Every ingredient counts” and they talk about promoting the health and wellness of pets with their products. They do not, however, provide much in the way of detailed information about their ingredients or their manufacturing processes.

It is worth noting that Big Heart Pet Brands, the company that manufactures Nature’s Recipe products, also makes some low-quality pet food brands – maybe even in the same facilities as Nature’s Recipe products. All that we know for sure is that Nature’s Recipe has only been recalled once. Here are the details of that recall:

• In October 2012, the Nature’s Recipe company issued a voluntary recall for 19-ounce pouches of Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken due to potential salmonella contamination.

What Kind of Products Do They Offer?

When it comes to their dog food products, Nature’s Recipe offers a decent variety. They offer various dog foods (both wet and dry) and can be divided into three categories: Life Stages, Special Needs, and Premium.

Life Stages formulas include classic recipes for puppies, adults and senior dogs as well as some size-specific formula for large- and small-breed dogs.

The Special Needs category includes recipes that are specially designed to meet unique nutritional needs – there are formulas for healthy skin, easy digestion, healthy weight, and joint health as well as some breed-specific recipes.

The Premium category includes an assortment of grain-free and limited ingredient recipes. All three of these categories include both dry food and wet food products, plus there are several kinds of Nature’s Recipe dog treats.

Dry Products

The Nature’s Recipe brand of dog food offers a wide variety of different product choices for dry dog food. There are two product lines for Nature’s Recipe dry food, though their products can really be divided into numerous categories.

The classic lineup includes life stages, special needs, and grain-free formulas. The Pure Essentials product line includes limited ingredient recipes that are grain-free. Here is a list of their dry dog food recipes:

Life Stages Dry Food Recipes:

• Puppy Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe
• Puppy Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe
• Small Bites Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe
• Large Breed Puppy Recipe
• Adult Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe
• Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe
• Small Bites Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe
• Large Breed Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe
• Senior Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe

Special Needs Dry Food Recipes:

• Healthy Skin Venison Meal & Rice Recipe
• Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe
• Easy to Digest Chicken Meal, Rice & Barley Recipe
• Easy to Digest Fish Meal & Potato Recipe
• Terrier Breed Chicken, Rice & Barley Recipe
• Toy Breed Chicken, Barley & Rice Recipe
• Healthy Weight Chicken Meal, Rice & Barley Recipe
• High Protein Chicken Meal & Lamb Meal Recipe
• Joint Health Fish Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe

Grain-Free Dry Food Recipes:

• Grain-Free Puppy Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
• Small Breed Grain-Free Easy to Digest Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
• Large Breed Grain-Free Easy to Digest Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe

Pure Essentials Dry Food Recipes:

• Adult Duck & Brown Rice Recipe
• Adult Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe
• Adult Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe
• Grain-Free Adult Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

Canned Products

Many of the same recipes that are available in dry food form also come in canned food. Nature’s Recipe offers an assortment of life stages, special needs, and grain-free options for wet food including several limited-ingredient recipes. Here is a list of Nature’s Recipe canned dog food recipes:

Life Stages Dry Food Recipes:

• Chicken Recipe in Broth
• Chicken & Wild Salmon Recipe in Broth
• Chicken & Turkey Recipe in Broth
• Adult Lamb & Rice Recipe Cuts in Gravy
• Senior Lamb & Rice Recipe Cuts in Gravy

Special Needs Dry Food Recipes:

• Easy to Digest Chicken, Rice & Barley Cuts in Gravy
• Easy to Digest Chicken, Rice & Barley Homestyle Ground
• Easy to Digest Lamb, Rice & Barley Cuts in Gravy
• Easy to Digest Lamb, Rice & Barley Homestyle Ground
• Grain-Free Easy to Digest Chicken & Duck Recipe in Broth
• Grain-Free Easy to Digest Chicken & Venison Recipe in Broth
• Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe Cuts in Gravy

Grain-Free Dry Food Recipes:

• Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Stew
• Grain-Free Chicken & Venison Stew
• Grain-Free Chicken Recipe in Broth
• Grain-Free Ocean Fish & Tuna Recipe in Broth

Pure Essentials Dry Food Recipes:

• Grain-Free Lamb Recipe in Broth
• Grain-Free Salmon Recipe in Broth
• Grain-Free Chicken Recipe in Broth
• Venison Recipe in Broth
• Duck Recipe in Broth

Dog Treats

In addition to an assortment of dry food and wet food options, Nature’s Recipe also offers a collection of dog treats. Here is a list of Nature’s Recipe dog treats:

Treats:

• Soft Bites Made with Real Beef & Cheese
• Soft Bites Made with Real Chicken & Cheese
• Soft Minis Made with Real Bacon
• Soft Minis Made with Real Chicken
• Soft Minis Made with Real Beef
• Soft Sticks Made with Real Bacon & Cheese
• Soft Sticks Made with Real Peanut Butter
• Grain-Free Biscuits Salmon & Potato Recipe
• Grain-Free Biscuits Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe

Final Verdict

This is a reliable choice for dog owners seeking high-quality nutrition for their pets with many flavors and recipes to choose from.

Meeting AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards, the brand offers a variety of dog food recipes designed to cater to different life stages and dietary needs. 

Whether your dog prefers dry or wet dog food, the brand provides balanced meals made with natural ingredients that promote overall health.

The nutrient profile of each food is made to ensure your dog receives essential vitamins and minerals, supporting a healthy lifestyle from puppyhood to senior years.

With its commitment to quality and nutrition, it remains a top choice for conscientious dog owners. And many didn't have any regrets switching to this brand.