The Nutro Natural Choice Company believes that all dogs deserve the best. Nutro follows a “pets first” nutritional philosophy and its products are developed with leading-edge knowledge and expertise from experts in the pet industry.
The brand uses only the healthiest natural ingredients in each of its dog food formulas based on a single belief—that natural foods are healthier, safer, and tastier for dogs.
Nutro pet foods are an example of the best that nature has to offer, featuring premium ingredients like real animal proteins and whole grains and fiber.
You won’t find any by-products or artificial additives in this dog food brand or in any of its products, and you can rest assured that each recipe has been carefully formulated to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.
For our comprehensive Nutro Dog Food Review, read on.
The Nutro brand of dog food is currently owned by Mars, Inc., as of 2007. The company was founded in 1926 when John Saleem purchased a dog food company and called it Nutro Products.
The company was run as a family-owned business in California, only selling their products locally until it expanded in 1976. In 1985, they introduced the Nutro MAX line of products.
In 2007, the company was acquired by Mars, Inc. and the company headquarters were moved to Tennessee.
Nutro Dog Food Review
1. Natural Choice Large Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice
This kibble is specially formulated for large breed adult pooches. It is made with chicken raised in a sustainable farm for a high-quality source of protein. Chicken is not only nutritious, it also has a meaty flavor that dogs just love.
With chicken as the main protein, this Natural Choice dog food for large breed dogs provides all the essential amino acids that help promote strong muscles, aid in tissue repair, and help support a healthy immune system. Lamb meal also provides an additional source of protein and flavor.
Whole brown rice is the main source of carbohydrates in this chicken recipe. It is highly digestible and full of nutrients and is a good source of energy-giving carbs for your big pup.
Peas, whole grain sorghum, and sweet potatoes are additional sources of carbs, fiber and other nutrients. Dried beet pulp provides extra fiber for healthy digestion. A healthy gut helps the body absorb more nutrients.
This Limited Ingredient food is a high-quality and nutritional recipe designed for adult dogs. It features lean, protein-rich fresh meat (lamb) as the main ingredient and lentils as the primary carbohydrate.
Because this Nutro limited formula does not contain grains, it is also highly digestible for most dogs and a solid choice for dogs that suffer from food allergies and sensitivities. This recipe is all-natural, made with premium-quality ingredients that will help to keep your dog healthy and happy.
Plus, it contains a balance of healthy fats to promote a healthy skin and coat as well as an ideal protein-fat ratio to promote a healthy weight in your pup.
In addition to being a highly-concentrated source of energy, chicken fat is also nutrient-rich and full of natural chicken flavor. There is also a supplementary source of fat – soybean oil – which is a much lower quality ingredient and a potential allergen.
As for the supplements, essential vitamins and chelated minerals are present to ensure your dog gets maximum nutritional value from his meal.
This recipe is another of the best dog foods made by the brand. It features food with a superfood blend of high-quality animal proteins, antioxidant rich produce, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Farm-raised chicken, salmon meal, and lamb meal provide good sources of protein and essential amino acids that help dogs build strong muscles. This combination of three lean animal proteins ensure an extra flavorful meal in every serving of this formula.
It is worth noting that this dog food formula has helped dogs with skin issues. Many dogs who have itchy skin as a result of food allergies have found relief since being switched to this formula. Others have reported healthier and shinier coats, which they credit to this recipe.
The recipe has a unique blend of 15 superfoods for maximum nutritional value. This includes highly nutritious plant-based ingredients such as grains, flaxseed, dried coconut, kale, and blueberries among others. These foods are rich in antioxidants that help promote a strong immune system.
Enriched with glucosamine and chondroitin, the formulation helps keep your dogs’ joints healthy. This dry dog food also has sunflower oil to help support skin and coat health. It has taurine for a healthy heart and vision.
4. Puppy Tender Beef, Pea & Carrot Recipe Bites in Gravy
This Nutro Puppy recipe in gravy is a wet dog food specially developed for the nutritional needs of growing puppies. This puppy recipe is made of real beef that ensures a flavor-packed meal that small to large breed puppies will love.
Each ingredient in every tray of this serves a precise purpose. Beef provides high-quality protein to help young pups develop strong and lean muscles.
It also gives a rich meaty flavor that helps stimulate the appetite of growing puppies. Dried egg product is included as an added source of protein.
This tasty wet food served in gravy gets another layer of flavor from chicken, chicken broth, pork broth, and chicken liver.
Made with non-GMO ingredients, this puppy food has peas and carrots that are naturally rich in vitamins and minerals. Your puppy gets only highly nutritious meals served in yummy gravy.
These little puppy meals are served in convenient trays. No need to transfer to a bowl. Simply peel the lid and serve to pups.
This senior recipe dry dog food provides complete and balanced nutrition in every meal. Made with a combination of 3 types of protein and a unique superfood blend, this dog food is nutrient-dense and packed with flavor to keep your seniors happy and excited for mealtimes.
This Ultra formula for elder pups has the perfect balance of protein, fat, and carbs for your aging canine. In addition, this product is formulated with Omega fatty acids to help support joint, skin and coat health.
Made with fresh and meat meals, this recipe is 26% protein. Dried egg product and pea protein also provide additional sources of protein. The combination of chicken, lamb, and salmon makes this food highly palatable to senior dogs.
Naturally sourced glucosamine and chondroitin are included to help your dog build healthy cartilage essential for joint health. The right blend of fibers from whole ingredients encourages an optimal digestion condition for better absorption of nutrients. These are highly beneficial for adult canines aged 5 years and older.
This dry dog food for senior pooches has a unique blend of superfoods. This includes coconut, chia seeds, blueberries, carrots, kale, spinach, and pumpkin among others. These ingredients are rich in antioxidants that help support a stronger immune system.
This is a canned dog food formula that is meaty, tasty, full of nutrients, and free from grains. The non-GMO ingredients are sourced from Nutro's trusted network of US farmers and suppliers.
Made with farm-raised chicken, this hearty stew has high-quality protein to help your dog build lean and strong muscles.
Both chicken and chicken liver make the meaty pieces of this stew extra tasty. The rich sauce gets even more flavor from pork broth and chicken broth, boasting natural flavor.
It has carrots and peas that are rich in nutrients as well. Every serving of this chicken stew provides complete and balanced nutrition to your dog.
This product seems to be gentle on sensitive tummies. The dogs are able to keep this food down without upsetting their stomachs. Dogs who were previously vomiting or were constipated are doing well on this food.
7. Ultra Grain-Free Trio Protein Chicken, Lamb & Whitefish Pate
This is a superfood-packed canned food formulated for adult dogs. Made with visibly real and natural ingredients, this smooth pate provides complete and balanced nutrition with every tray. It can be served on its own or as a kibble-topper.
Real chicken, lamb, and whitefish are used as the main protein sources of this recipe. The three animal proteins are not only high-quality sources of protein, but they also make this pate highly palatable for dogs. The flavor is made even richer by adding chicken broth and chicken liver to the recipe.
The formulation has antioxidant-rich superfoods such as spinach, carrots, tomatoes, dried blueberries, and coconut among others. Antioxidants help build a strong immune system. These superfoods are also rich in vitamins and minerals.
No chicken by-products are used in this recipe. However, this canned food does contain carrageenan. Some experts claim that carrageenan could potentially contribute to certain conditions in dogs.
Served in convenient trays, Nutro Ultra Grain-Free Trio Protein is great for traveling or going on hikes with your best buddy. Simply peel the lid back and serve. No need to transfer to a bowl.
This food is made with the essential nutrients adult dogs need for optimal health and well-being, providing the wholesome nutrition they deserve.
This flavorful adult dry dog food features chicken protein as the primary ingredient, ensuring a meal packed with taste—not fillers.
Featuring high-quality protein as the first ingredient, along with wholesome grains and fats, this dry dog food supports healthy energy levels and strong muscles.
It promotes healthy skin and coat, good digestion, and strong immunity, ensuring your buddy thrives. Made with farm-raised chicken, it provides a 100% complete and balanced diet for adult dogs.
It contains no chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, soy protein, or artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.
9. So Simple Meal Complement Chicken Recipe in Bone Broth
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken Bone Broth, Carrots, Green Beans, Quail Egg
This natural dog food complement boasts real, high-quality chicken as the primary ingredient. The nutritious recipe is completed with just five other natural ingredients, packed with nutrients and flavor.
It contains no grains, chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Serve it to your pup as a mix-in, topper, or snack.
Following the Nutro Feed Clean philosophy, this tasty recipe begins with high-quality protein as the primary ingredient.
Additionally, this delectable topper is available in a chicken and duck flavor, which is particularly beloved by picky eaters. This variety ensures that even the most discerning dogs will enjoy their mealtime.
Enjoy peace of mind by keeping it simple with this dog food, which includes only a handful of ingredients and plenty of flavor. The homestyle flavor is guaranteed to make your dog do a happy dance!
10. Nutro Crunchy with Real Apple Dog Treats
First 5 ingredients:
Whole Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Meal, Cane Molasses, Dried Apple
These treats are made with natural ingredients that you can see and smell. These delicious treats are made of real chicken and dried apples. It boasts a crunchy texture that every dog loves.
Nutro Crunchy with Real Apple can be given to dogs as a snack or as training rewards. With only 5 calories per treat, even dogs under a weight management formula or diet can indulge in these tasty apple snacks.
The size of each makes it perfect for all dogs from small to large breeds. The pieces are small enough for even tiny pooches. The small treats make it a great way to reward dogs during training.
These dog treats contain no by-product meals. These are made with only high-quality, no-GMO ingredients.
Is It Made in the United States?
Yes. The Nutro company has been around for nearly a century. The company is currently headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville. Not only is it a US-based company, but they produce and manufacture all of their products in the United States as well.
Nutro has three manufacturing facilities located in Victorville, CA; Lebanon, TN; and North Sioux City, SD. There is an additional facility in Kansas City, MO where the Greenies line of products is made.
Where Do They Get Their Ingredients?
According to the company website, Nutro believes that “quality natural ingredients make the best natural dog foods”.
That is why the brand makes its recipes with a premium selection of all-natural ingredients including quality proteins, digestible carbohydrates, and healthy fats—they are all also supplemented with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients.
They don't use any corn, wheat, and soy ingredients in its recipes and it avoids artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Only the best real animal proteins plus whole grains and other healthy nutrients are utilized.
Nutro does not provide specific information about where all of these ingredients come from but, as a US-based company, you can assume that most (if not all) of their ingredients are sourced from the US.
Is Nutro Expensive?
Nutro products actually encompass six different ranges. Though each product line is unique, all of their products are made with high-quality ingredients in carefully formulated recipes.
This being the case, Nutro is a somewhat expensive brand. With many product lines to choose from, however, you can find a product (quality food) that fits your budget.
Recall History
Not only does Nutro produce all of its recipes in company-owned facilities located in the U.S., but the brand also subjects all of its dog food recipes to rigorous testing procedures to ensure quality and safety.
Each of their facilities employs dedicated quality and sanitation experts and the facilities never run for more than 7 days without a break for in-depth cleaning and sanitation.
However, the brand has had a few recalls in its past, although the latest happened several years ago.
In March 2007, the FDA issued a recall for 12.5-ounce cans of Nutro dog food Adult, Puppy, Senior, Weight Management, Large Breed Adult, and Large Breed Puppy recipes due to potential melamine contamination.
In May 2009, the FDA issued a recall for certain varieties of Nutro dry cat food products due to incorrect zinc and potassium levels.
In September 2009, Nutro recalled bags of Nutro Ultra Puppy, Nutro Natural Choice Chicken Meal, Rice, and Oatmeal Formula Small Bites Puppy due to plastic found in the production line.
In December 2015, Nutro recalled bags of Nutro Apple Chewy Treats due to potential for mold contamination.
What Kind of Dog Food Do They Offer?
Though the company began simply and remained small for many years, it has since expanded to offer many different lines of dog food products as well as a dedicated line of dental treats. The brand has recently offered new dog food formulations and lines as part of its rebranding process.
It's worth noting that Nutro line of products features a variety of pet recipes (both dry and wet) for different life stages designed to deliver natural nutrition targeted toward specific breed size and health conditions.
The MAX line of products delivers simple, wholesome nutrition using farm-raised meats and digestible carbohydrates. The Ultra line of products includes super-premium recipes designed to deliver optimal nutrition.
They also introduced its latest product line—So Simple—a nutritious dog food alternative that features flavorful meals and toppers made from a handful of high-quality ingredients.
Our Final Say
Is Nutro a good dog food brand?Yes, it’s a good dog food brand that’s somewhere safely in the middle of low-quality and high-quality dog foods.
Many of its formulas are exceptional, but there are also some that contain cheaper ingredients, like brewers rice, or controversial ones, like carrageenan, which is why we can’t rate the whole brand higher.
Nutro food has garnered positive feedback from many dog owners, with numerous reports indicating that their dogs seemed to enjoy and like the food.
Their recipes, known for their use of premium ingredients and the absence of artificial additives, are particularly appreciated by owners of dogs with food allergies.
However, as with any pet food, individual experiences may vary, and it is advisable for dog owners to monitor their pets’ reactions and consult with a veterinarian to ensure the best dietary choices for their specific needs.
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Noreen possesses a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree from Informatics International College. While this credential might not elucidate her passion for pets, it does demonstrate her technical expertise and diverse character.
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