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 pooches 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 fur-babies nationwide. I'm taking a deep dive into this company to find out if high-quality, all-natural food can indeed be affordable.
Read on as I tackle everything about them in our comprehensive Simply Nourish dog food reviews.
The company 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 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.
To get a more in-depth look into their line, I am breaking down six different options from the company and looking at the components, flavors, and preparation to help you decide if any of these are a good option for your canine companion.
Rest assured, I won’t be leaving a single stone unturned in these comprehensive reviews.
1. Chicken and Brown Rice
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat Rating: 4/5 Best for: Adult dogs without allergies and grain sensitivities
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 product has 321 reviews on PetSmart with a 4.4-star rating which, by my standards, is just so-so. It comes in three different sizes, a 6 lb., 15 lb., and 30 lb. bag, and it is incredibly affordable for a healthy all-natural meal.
The company introduces itself by saying that they understand how confusing it can be shopping for food, so they want to make things simple for you. They carefully source all of their ingredients to help your furbaby achieve maximum nutrition and the best health throughout its life.
Each of their recipes gets designed with specific health considerations in mind. This recipe is intended to help build lean muscles and a healthy immune system.
Upon taking a look at the components, it does not contain anything alarming and has a wide variety of necessary vitamins and nutrients to help your pup have a high quality of life. However, there are some things worth mentioning.
Most high-quality products 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 brands 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 options. 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 companion, but it’s not providing any nutritional value.
Overall, I find this recipe to be a good quality 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 canine’s diet.
The presence of whole fruits and vegetables is a bonus, as is the absence of chemicals and colorants. The company makes bold claims, claiming to offer a meal that is wholesome, nourishing, and made entirely from real, natural ingredients. They, in my opinion, quite adequately uphold these criteria.
On the other hand, while I didn’t experience it with the batches that I bought for my pups, other fur 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 fur parent, it’s best that we always check the bag upon opening before we serve the dry kibble to our fur babies.
2. Limited Ingredient Salmon and Sweet Potato
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Dried Peas, Dried Lentils Rating: 4.5/5 Best for: Adult all breeds; Dogs with allergies and sensitivities
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (min): 26%
Crude Fat (min): 13%
Crude Fiber (max): 7.5%
Here is one of the brand's limited-ingredient meals 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.
It contains only one primary source of protein with no fillers, colors, or preservatives to try and limit the chance that your doggo will have a negative reaction.
The salmon and potato recipe was designed to help your canine develop lean muscles, a healthy heart, and easy digestion. It 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 consumer loves its quality and usefulness, but price increases over time and have prevented them from continuing business.
So far, every item I have looked at from this company has an incredibly high protein and fiber content. This one contains around 26% protein and 7.5% fiber. Many of the best foods contain around 15% protein, so make sure your pooch can handle this much protein before switching; some pooches develop kidney issues from a high-protein diet.
Based on its ingredients alone, this limited-ingredient recipe is an above-average formula. Fortunately, my doggo adores this delectable kibble, and I could not be happier since this recipe is packed with all the nutrients he needs.
As a fur-rent, nothing feels better than knowing that your companion loves the nutritious food that is served in his bowl.
3. Simply Nourish Source Grain Free Salmon
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Chicken Meal, Dried Peas, Dried Potatoes Rating: 4.5/5 Best for: Extremely active working breed or those who need help gaining weight
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 product is a bit extreme because we already feel that all their offerings are high-protein.
The said 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 it is a salmon and potato recipe, you may tend to feed it to pups who have 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.
This is a grain-free adult dry dog food that relies heavily on labeled meat meals as its main source of animal protein, earning the 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 breeds, and problematic for those with kidney issues.
And since it is grain-free, it is certainly not the right product for pet owners who are looking for grain-inclusive meals. Additionally, this recipe features more than one source of animal and plant-based proteins.
4. Simply Nourish Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Turkey Meal, Lamb Meal Rating: 4/5 Best for: Adults who are allergic to chicken
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (min): 25%
Crude Fat (min): 13%
Crude Fiber (max): 5%
This kibble is specifically made to provide complete and balanced nutrition for adults. Made of real deboned lamb, this 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. It has no corn, soy, or wheat fillers. It also has highly nutritious produce such as dried carrot, kale, pumpkin, and blueberries, among others. It also has flaxseed which is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
According to reviews from fur parents who purchased this recipe, their dogs love the rich lamb flavor of this recipe. As deboned lamb is the most plentiful ingredient in this item, no wonder doggos find it extra tasty.
Many pet parents have posted feedback that their canines’ skin issues have cleared up since they were fed this meal. Bald spots have started growing hair again, and their coats are healthier and shinier.
However, this is not a limited-ingredient formula as it also uses turkey as its source of animal protein. Despite this, my beloved fur baby 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 meal.
5. Healthy Weight Turkey & Brown Rice Large Breed Recipe
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Dried Peas Rating: 4/5 Best for: Active large breeds; Weight maintenance
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (min): 25%
Crude Fat (min): 9%
Crude Fiber (max): 6.5%
This is a weight-management meal specially-formulated for large breeds. It has the right amounts of calories to help them maintain ideal weights.
This healthy weight formula is made of real deboned turkey for the high-quality protein that help pooches build lean and strong muscles. Turkey meal is added as a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health.
This kibble features complex carbohydrates from brown rice and oatmeal that will keep your pupper fuller for longer. Like other recipes from the brand, this also has superfoods such as dried carrots, kale, pumpkin, and blueberries.
Reviews from consumers who purchased this meal state that not only they 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.
Additionally, this turkey and brown rice formula contains L-carnitine that boosts its capacity to promote healthy weight.
6. Chicken with Peas & Potatoes Recipe Small Breed
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Dried Peas, Dried Potatoes, Ground Flaxseed Rating: 4/5 Best for: Small breeds that are sensitive to gluten and certain grains
Rating: 4/5
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (min): 28%
Crude Fat (min): 17%
Crude Fiber (max): 6%
This meal is specially formulated for the nutritional needs of small breed adult pooches. Made of real deboned chicken, this grain-free recipe provides the high-quality protein your buddy 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 formula is grain and gluten-free, it is ideal for companions 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 it. They get excited about mealtimes, and they love smelling the aromatic smell of the tasty chicken kibbles. Even mutts with sensitive stomachs enjoy the kibbles and are able to keep them down without upsetting their tummies.
However, as a fur-rent, I’d also want to cite certain reports that emphasize the link of grain-free meals to dilated cardiomyopathy in some pups.
What Types of Food Do They Offer?
The company didn’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.
They also have a grain-free line for pups with gluten sensitivity. The company also carries a high-protein line they call “source.”This food limits carbs and maximizes proteins.
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.
They company 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 food, due to it containing elevated levels of Vitamin D.
For the complete list of products covered in this recall click here.
Where to Buy?
Simply Nourish dog food is available for purchase at various retailers, both online and in-store (you can buy from the links on this page). Pet specialty stores such as PetSmart often carry a wide range of this brand, including dry and wet food options, treats, and supplements.
Additionally, the brand's official website may offer direct purchasing options or provide links to authorized retailers. Online marketplaces like Amazon and Chewy also frequently stock these products, providing convenience for pet owners who prefer to shop online.
Regardless of where one chooses to buy Simply Nourish dog food, it's essential to ensure the product's freshness and authenticity, and to check for any promotions or discounts available at the time of purchase.
What Do Others Say?
I am receiving mixed signals about the customer reputation 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.
Top Positive Reviews
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
Top Critical Reviews
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
This 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 when stacking it up against some of the most expensive “natural” foods out there.
If you’re new to high-protein foods and you’re looking for something that won’t break the bank, I recommend giving this product a try to see how things work out for you and, most importantly, for your pup.
How useful was this post?
Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 2
No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
As you found this post useful...
Follow us on social media!
We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!
He is a seasoned writer who has more than 10 years of experience in creating engaging and optimized content for various platforms and audiences. He has worked on diverse projects ranging from articles, social media posts, newsletters and ebooks, covering different topics and niches.
