Simply Nourish Dog Food Reviews, Recalls & Coupons December 2023

Meet Simply Nourish Dog Food

Simply Nourish is a pet food brand owned by the company American Nutrition. You may have never seen or heard about this food before because it is only sold online and in-stores at PetSmart.

They offer a few different types of food – from grain-free recipes to high-protein and limited ingredients diets, as well as moist food and treats that suit the dietary needs of dogs from all life stages.

Although PetSmart is the official retailer of these products, you can still find limited amounts on websites like Chewy and Amazon.

There are mixed reviews online in regard to the quality of the food and the overall likability by pets nationwide. I'm taking a deep dive into this pet food brand to find out if high-quality, all-natural food can be as affordable as Simply Nourish.

Read on as I tackle everything about this brand in our comprehensive Simply Nourish Dog Food Reviews.

Brand Quick Look

• Parent Company: American Nutrition
• Founded in: 1972
• Made in: Woodland WA, Ogden UT, and Hazelton PA
• Available at:  PetSmart, Chewy and Amazon
• Types of Food: Dry, moist, treats
• Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients? : Yes
• Recalled in Past? : No

Behind the Brand

Simply Nourish has limited information available online, and they don’t even have a website, so I had to pull any bit of information I could find from PetSmart and Chewy.

The main plus side to this brand is they claim to use all-natural ingredients and avoid additives or chemicals that you typically find in most manufactured pet foods.

Outside of that information, I could not find anything about the founding of the company or its procedures, but I do know they are consistently meeting USDA, FDA, and AAFCO standards, and I couldn’t find any recalls since the company's founding which is shockingly impressive.

Simply Nourish Dog Food Reviews

To get a more in-depth look into the Simply Nourish line, I am breaking down six different options from the company and looking at the ingredients, flavors, and preparation to help you decide if any of these dog foods are a good option for your canine companion.

Rest assured, I won’t be leaving a single stone unturned in these comprehensive reviews.

Simply Nourish Reviewed Products

1. Simply Nourish Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Small Breed
2. Simply Nourish L.I.D. Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
3. Simply Nourish Source Salmon Recipe
4. Simply Nourish Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe
5. Simply Nourish Healthy Weight Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Large Breed
6. Simply Nourish Chicken with Peas & Potatoes Recipe Small Breed

 

1. Simply Nourish Chicken and Brown Rice

Rating: 4/5

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat

Guaranteed Analysis:

• Crude Protein (min): 25%
• Crude Fat (min): 14%
• Crude Fiber (max): 6%

Let me start with the most common and popular offering. This food has 22 reviews on PetSmart with a 3.3-star rating which, by my standards, is terrible. The food comes in three different sizes, a 6 lb., 15 lb., and 30 lb. bag, and it is incredibly affordable for a healthy all-natural food brand.

The company introduces itself by saying that they understand how confusing it can be shopping for pet food, so they want to make things simple for you. They carefully source all of their ingredients to help your pet achieve maximum nutrition and the best health throughout its life.

Each of their dog food recipes gets designed with specific health considerations in mind. The Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe is intended to help build lean muscles and a healthy immune system.

Upon taking a look at the ingredients, the food does not contain anything alarming and has a wide variety of necessary vitamins and nutrients to help your dog have a high quality of life. However, there are some things worth mentioning.

Most high-quality dog foods you find will never contain canola oil because it sometimes contains something called rapeseed oil which is toxic and leads to nervous system issues, immune disorders, and even blindness. The best all-natural dog foods will use fish oil instead of canola. This is not something to overthink, though, because it is a small issue.

Another issue about this recipe is its tomato pomace content, an ingredient that is commonly found in a lot of cheaper dog foods. The thing about this problematic ingredient is that it’s highly frowned upon as an unnecessary filler, and it is listed high up in the sixth spot of the recipe’s ingredients.

Tomato pomace is simply the tomato leftovers when companies process soups, ketchup, and juices. It won’t hurt your pet, but it’s not providing any nutritional value as the sixth ingredient.

Key Takeaways

Overall, I find this recipe to be a good high-quality dog food considering its list of ingredients. I’d want to pay special attention to the fact that it features real animal protein as its first ingredient. This is crucial since meat is a core ingredient in a dog’s diet.

The presence of whole fruits and vegetables is a bonus, as is the absence of chemicals and colorants. Simply Nourish makes bold claims, claiming to offer dog chow that is wholesome, nourishing, and made entirely from real, natural ingredients. They, in my opinion, quite adequately uphold these criteria.

Additionally, Simply Nourish pet food is produced by a reputable US-based company, which is always a plus. Fans of PetSmart are likely to be big followers of this brand.

On the other hand, while I didn’t experience it with the batches that I bought for my dogs, other pet parents are unfortunate enough to have encountered maggots or worms in the kibble upon opening. This may occur if a bag in a manufacturing facility is compromised (i.e., rips or tears while in the factory).

Again, this may be an isolated case, so, as a discerning dog owner, it’s best that we always check the bag upon opening before we serve the dry kibble to our fur babies.

This problem has usually been seen when buying Simply Nourish dog foods from unreliable third-party sellers. To be safe, Simply Nourish should only be purchased from Chewy or PetSmart, not Amazon, where some compromised bags have been dispatched.

Best for: Adult dogs without allergies and grain sensitivities

What we like:

• Features real meat as the first ingredient
• Premium, delicious, wholesome ingredients with nutritional benefits
• Does not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives (no corn, wheat, or soy)
• Packed with natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin for hip and joint health
• Contains omega-3 and 6 fatty acids

What we don’t like:

• Small kibble size, which can be difficult for some dogs to chew
• Features chicken fat on its first five ingredients

2. Simply Nourish Limited Ingredient Salmon and Sweet Potato

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Dried Peas, Dried Lentils

Rating: 4.5/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

• Crude Protein (min): 26%
• Crude Fat (min): 13%
• Crude Fiber (max): 7.5%

Here is one of this pet food brand's limited-ingredient foods that are intended to help pets with an uneasy stomach or allergies to common proteins. The company claims this line is all natural with added vitamins and minerals to help supplement where the ingredients are lacking.

The food contains only one primary source of protein with no fillers, colors, or preservatives to try and limit the chance that your dog will have a negative reaction to the food.

The salmon and potato recipe was designed to help your dog develop lean muscles, a healthy heart, and easy digestion. The food comes in a 5 lb., 11 lb., or 24 lb. bag and has 44 reviews on PetSmart with 3.1 stars.

Unfortunately, most of the reviews for this product say that the customer loves the quality and usefulness of the food, but price increases over time have prevented them from continuing business.

So far, every food I have looked at from Simply Nourish has an incredibly high protein and fiber content. This food contains around 26% protein and 7.5% fiber. Many of the best pet foods contain around 15% protein, so make sure your dog can handle this much protein before switching; some dogs develop kidney issues from a high-protein diet.

Key Takeaways

Based on its ingredients alone, this limited-ingredient recipe is an above-average dog food. Fortunately, my dog adores this delectable dry food, and I could not be happier since this recipe is packed with all the nutrients he needs. As a pet parent, nothing feels better than knowing that your dog loves the nutritious food that is served in his bowl. 

Best for: Adult dogs of all sizes; dogs with food allergies and sensitivities; best for heart health and digestive health

What we like:

• Real deboned salmon is the main ingredient
• Features one source of animal protein
• No potatoes, grains, or chicken
• Contains omega -3 and 6 fatty acids, as well as other essential nutrients
• No artificial flavors or colors
• 100% natural ingredients
• High in protein; low in carbohydrates and fats

What we don’t like:

• Contains canola oil, which is a controversial ingredient because it can sometimes come from genetically-modified rapeseed
• The high-protein content can be problematic to some dogs, particularly to those with kidney problems
• Dried lentils and peas contain about 27% protein, which can affect the protein content of this recipe

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3. Simply Nourish Source Grain Free Salmon

Rating: 4.5/5

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Chicken Meal, Dried Peas, Dried Potatoes

Guaranteed Analysis:

• Crude Protein (min): 34%
• Crude Fat (min): 14%
• Crude Fiber (max): 5%

The next product that we’re looking at is intended to be a limited ingredient with high protein. To claim that they could add more protein to the food is a bit extreme because we already feel that all their foods are high-protein.

This Simply Nourish line features two different sizes, a 5 lb. bag, and a 24 lb. bag, and they have three reviews for 4.3 stars on PetSmart.

The Source Grain-Free Salmon formula contains 34% crude protein, which is incredibly high but useful as long as they maintain a balanced diet. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials, adult dogs require a minimum of 18-26 percent protein in their diet.

Chicken meal isn’t necessarily a bad ingredient, but you want to keep your eyes open to this type of issue. When a company claims that the food is a salmon and potato recipe, you may feed it to your dog, who has a chicken allergy, without knowing it contains a chicken meal. We see this happen all the time, and it’s quite misleading.

The company uses chicken meals as a flavoring agent and filler because it is cheaper than adding more salmon meals. You’ll find this with alternative proteins like fish, lamb, and venison.

Key Takeaways

Simply Nourish Source is a grain-free dry dog food that relies heavily on labeled meat meals as its main source of animal protein, earning the dog food brand 4.5 stars for the product. This line takes pride in the high-protein content in each bag of dry kibble, which is beneficial for working dogs, and problematic for those with kidney issues.

And since it is grain-free, it is certainly not an option for pet owners who are looking for grain-inclusive dog foods. Additionally, this recipe features more than one source of animal and plant-based proteins.

Best for: Extremely active working dogs or dogs who need help gaining weight

What we like:

• High-protein and grain-free
• Real deboned salmon is the #1 ingredient
• Salmon meal and chicken meal as # the 2nd and 3rd ingredients, which are both protein-rich meat concentrate
• Natural ingredients with added vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients
• Free of fillers

What we don’t like:

• Contains canola oil, which, as mentioned earlier, can be a problematic ingredient
• Plant-based oils, like canola oil, isn’t as biologically available to dogs as fish oil as sources of omega fatty acids

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4. Simply Nourish Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Turkey Meal, Lamb Meal

Rating: 4/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

• Crude Protein (min): 25%
• Crude Fat (min): 13%
• Crude Fiber (max): 5%

Simply Nourish Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe is a dry dog food specifically made to provide complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs. Made of real deboned lamb, this Simply Nourish recipe gives high-quality protein in each serving.

This grain-inclusive recipe is made with whole grains such as brown rice and oatmeal to provide sustained energy to dogs. It has no corn, soy, or wheat fillers. Simply Nourish Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe also has highly nutritious produce such as dried carrot, kale, pumpkin, and blueberries, among others. This Simply Nourish recipe has flaxseed which is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.

According to reviews from dog parents who purchased this recipe, the dogs love the rich lamb flavor of the Simply Nourish Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe. As deboned lamb is the most plentiful ingredient in this food, it is no wonder that dogs find it extra tasty.

Many owners have posted feedback that their dogs’ skin issues have cleared up since they were fed this Simply Nourish recipe. Bald spots have started growing hair again, and their coats are healthier and shinier.

Some dogs who are allergic to chicken have thrived on this lamb and oatmeal recipe. However, this dry dog food is not a limited ingredient formula. Aside from deboned lamb, it also contains a turkey meal.

Key Takeaways

This grain-inclusive dog food features deboned lamb as the first ingredient, along with whole grains, to help provide energy for dogs to thrive on their active lifestyle. It is one of the flavors available under this pet food brand’s line of standard dog foods, and it is primarily beneficial for dogs that are allergic to chicken.

However, this is not a limited-ingredients dog food as it also uses turkey as its source of animal protein. Despite this, my dog doesn’t seem to have problems with this recipe. Besides, he also loves the tasty flavors of lamb and turkey.

So, while he may favor chicken or beef any day over other sources of animal protein, it doesn’t hurt to give him variations in his diet so he won’t get bored with his food.

Best for: Adult dogs who are allergic to chicken

What we like:

• Features deboned lamb as the #1 ingredient
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Natural flavor dogs love, and carefully selected simple and wholesome ingredients

What we don’t like:

• Canola oil, pea fiber (may trigger allergies in sensitive dogs)

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5. Simply Nourish Healthy Weight Turkey & Brown Rice Recipe Large Breed

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal (Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Dried Peas

Rating: 4/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

• Crude Protein (min): 25%
• Crude Fat (min): 9%
• Crude Fiber (max): 6.5%

This is a weight-management dry dog food specially-formulated for large breed adult dogs. It has the right amounts of calories to help dogs maintain ideal weights.

This Healthy Weight formula is made of real deboned turkey for the high-quality protein that helps dogs build lean and strong muscles. Turkey meal is added as a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health.

This formula for small breeds from Simply Nourish has complex carbohydrates from brown rice and oatmeal that will keep your little dog fuller for longer. Like other recipes from the brand, this also has superfoods such as dried carrots, kale, pumpkin, and blueberries.

Reviews from pet parents who purchased this Simply Nourish formula for large breeds state that their dogs not only enjoy this food but are also able to maintain healthy weights. They gobble up the kibbles and leave their bowls licked clean. It has also received good feedback on how it has helped resolve issues such as loose stools.

Key Takeaways

This Simply Nourish food is specially formulated to meet the unique needs of large-breed dogs. It is packed with the right amount of lean animal proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and essential vitamins and minerals that don’t only help support healthy weight, but also promote the dog’s overall health.

Additionally, this turkey and brown rice formula contains L-carnitine that boosts its capacity to promote healthy weight. And the complex carbohydrates in this recipe help in making dogs feel fuller after gulping the recommended intake of this tasty kibble.  

Best for: Active large breed dogs and dogs that need to maintain a healthier weight

What we like:

• Real deboned turkey is the #1 ingredient
• Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate help promote joint health, which is crucial for older dogs and large-breed dogs
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Supplemented with chelated minerals, which are easier to absorb by the body
• Features omega -3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, as well as sharper cognitive function
• L-carnitine to promote healthy weight

What we don’t like:

• Dried Peas, pea fiber (potential allergens)

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6. Simply Nourish Chicken with Peas & Potatoes Recipe Small Breed

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal (Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Dried Peas, Dried Potatoes, Ground Flaxseed

Rating: 4/5

Guaranteed Analysis:

• Crude Protein (min): 28%
• Crude Fat (min): 17%
• Crude Fiber (max): 6%

Simply Nourish Grain-Free Chicken with Peas & Potatoes Recipe Small Breed Adult is specially formulated for the nutritional needs of small breed adult dogs. Made of real deboned chicken, this grain-free recipe provides the high-quality protein your dog needs.

This grain-free chicken recipe is free from corn, wheat, or soy. It has nutritious sources of carbohydrates, such as dried peas, potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and blueberries. These plant-based ingredients also provide vitamins and minerals to help support overall health.

Enriched with glucosamine and chondroitin, this dry food supports healthy joints and mobility. L-carnitines help promote a healthy metabolism and maintain healthy weights.

As this dry food from Simply Nourish is grain and gluten-free, it is ideal for dogs who are sensitive to gluten and certain grains. All animal ingredients in this recipe come from chicken only. Dogs sensitive to other animal proteins can surely indulge in this tasty chicken, peas, and potatoes recipe.

According to reviews, pups just love Simply Nourish Grain-Free Chicken with Peas & Potatoes Recipe for Small Breed Dogs. They get excited about mealtimes, and they love smelling the aromatic smell of the tasty chicken kibbles.

Even dogs with sensitive stomachs enjoy the kibbles and are able to keep them down without upsetting their tummies.

Key Takeaways

This special diet is intended for small-breed dogs with sensitivities to gluten and certain grains. Of course, other dogs are welcome to incorporate this food into their diet. However, as a pet parent, I’d also want to cite certain reports that emphasize the link of grain-free dog foods to dilated cardiomyopathy in some dogs.

Best for: Small breed dogs that are sensitive to gluten and certain grains

What we like:

• Real deboned chicken is the first ingredient
• Grain-free and gluten-free
• Taurine to promote heart health
• Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for joint health and mobility
• Healthy fats to support healthy coat and skin
• Chelated minerals for optimum absorption

What we don’t like:

• Chicken fat
• Peas (plant-based protein) that may influence the total protein content of the recipe

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What Types of Dog Food Does Simply Nourish Offer?

Simply Nourish doesn’t go overboard in its offerings, but they do offer a variety of different types of food to meet the needs of your dog's dietary concerns.

They have a general whole health brand which is an overall diet of protein, fat, and carbs. They offer a limited ingredient line to help limit allergies and adverse reactions to certain ingredients.

Simply Nourish also has a grain-free line for dogs with gluten sensitivity. The company also carries a high-protein line they call “source.”This food limits carbs and maximizes proteins.

Simply Nourish Dry Food Options

Whole Health

• Chicken and Brown Rice
• Lamb and Oatmeal

Limited Ingredient

• Sweet Potato and Salmon
• Lamb and Pea

Grain-Free

• Chicken, Pea, and Potatoes

Source

• Chicken and Salmon

Many of these foods also offer variations based on your pups breed, age, and weight. You could opt for a large breed food or a weight loss formula if need be.

Simply Nourish Wet Food Options

Whole Health

• Beef and Vegetable
• Turkey and Sweet Potato
• Chicken and Brown Rice
• Lamb and Carrot
• Duck and Wild Rice
• Chicken, Veggies, and Quinoa

Limited Ingredient

• Fish and Sweet Potato
• Duck and Potato
• Venison and Sweet Potato

Grain-Free

• Chicken Pot Pie
• Chicken and Veggie
• Chicken and Salmon
• Beef Pot Roast
• Turkey and Sweet Potato
• Lamb and Veggie

Source

• Beef
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Venison

 

Simply Nourish Recall History

Simply Nourish has never been troubled by recalls until just this August 13, 2021, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a recall notice by Wet Noses Natural Dog Treat Company.

The company is recalling approximately 51,000 packages of Simply Nourish frozen dog food, due to it containing elevated levels of Vitamin D.

For the complete list of products covered in this recall click here.

Customer Reviews

I am receiving mixed signals about the customer reputation of Simply Nourish because the reviews are all over the place. Chewy.com has excellent reviews, with most being 4-5 stars, while PetSmart and Amazon range between 3-4 stars.

Upon further research, I realized it could be an issue with PetSmart’s shipping and storage when compared to Chewy.

Positive

• Chow Down! – My dog is a rescue and was on a basic natural dog food. He was still so itchy and would always roll on the floor. After talking with the vet, she recommended a fish based diet instead of his chicken diet. My dog was never really interested in or excited about food. And then we brought this home. Now he DEVOURS it in seconds. I have never seen him so excited about food! He loves this stuff! Hoping he continues to love it as it is one of the better brands for Limited Ingredient for a more affordable price. Happy dog, happy mom. – Chewy Customer
• Great for sensitive pups – We got our dog in February and originally got the Simply Nourish chicken and brown rice recipe. We noticed our dog’s stomach would always make really loud noises before her breakfast and that her stool was commonly loose. We talked with a friend, who is a vet tech, and she said that it’s not uncommon for dogs to be sensitive to chicken and beef. We tried the salmon route, and it made a huge difference! Her stomach doesn’t make loud noises, and her stool is a good consistency. We won’t try any other food or recipe! – Chewy Customer

Negative

• Infested with larvae – Two separate bags infested with meal moth worms. Pantry closet needed to be trashed, plus a trip to the vet to see if my dog was sick from ingesting them. Never again. – PetSmart Customer
• Has bugs in the food – I have bought this product for several years now. My German Shepherd likes it okay. I have tried other products, like Blue, but they don't seem to agree with his digestive system. However, as much as this product works for my dog, I have a problem when for the 3rd year in a row I find larvae and hatched bugs flying in the bags. The bugs don't show up in the other dry foods we keep. The people in the local PetSmart stores are great about the returns. However, I will not buy this food anymore. It's sold as a premium product, but quality control seems to be lacking. Their manufacturing sites have a systemic quality problem. – PetSmart Customer

Final Verdict: Mid-Range Quality; Low-Range Price

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5
Flavor: 4 out of 5
Ingredients: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 3 out of 5
Price: 4.5 out of 5

Simply Nourish is a healthy pet food brand that seemingly blends in with all of the bad manufactured pet foods we see on the shelves. I think this is because the brand gets marketed as a generic PetSmart food.

That said, I don’t see much difference in the ingredients in Simply Nourish when stacking it up against some of the most expensive “natural” foods out there.

If you’re new to high-protein dog foods and you’re looking for something that won’t break the bank, I recommend giving Simply Nourish a try to see how things work out for you and, most importantly, for your pup.