Is Nutro Good Dog Food

Find out what people are saying about Nutro Dog Food with a close look at reviews and ingredients to help you make the best decision for your furry friend!

You’ve been searching for the perfect pet food for your furry friend for quite some time.

And now you’re considering whether Nutro is a good dog food for your sweet pup. With reviews and ingredient lists, we have come to a conclusion to answer your question:

Now you will be able to make an informed decision and get your dog the best possible food for them!

Nutro prides itself on being holistic and providing only the best, natural ingredients in its recipes as dog food and cat food!

You’ll get to see for yourself just what is so special about this dog food brand that has been around for 90+ years in the dog food industry and is ideal for large breeds and small breeds alike!

After reviewing multiple sites and reviews from customers regarding the quality of Nutro Dog Food, we give Nutro a 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Nutro Dog Food received a 4.8 out of 5 stars based analysis of multiple review sites and customer reviews on chewy.com and amazon.com.

Many of the top review sites such as Dog Food Advisor noted that the brand received a “top-tier 4-star” rating for quality, satisfaction, and ingredients.

It is safe to say that this 90+-year-old dog food company is making quality dog food that is keeping customers coming back for more and dogs begging for another bowl full!

Some customers noted they’ve been feeding their pups Nutro for 10+ years, which speaks volumes of the quality of the food!

They also stated that they have switched from previous dog food brands and have been very pleased with their dog’s liking of the flavor and composition of the kibble bites.

Customers who have bought Nutro have reported their dogs being much more energetic than when they were eating previous brand dog food.

Dogs who were previously acting noticeably lower in energy than they had in the past were reported to have an increase in energy, especially overweight and older dogs!

Some owners worry whether or not the weight management formula will be less tasty than the regular adult formula.

However, customers reported their dogs loved the taste of the weight management formula and did not seem to be bothered by the fact that the recipes were changed to help reduce obesity.

Nutro prides itself in being a holistic dog food brand including only the most natural ingredients and avoiding fillers and artificial flavors and preservatives.

This is a huge selling point for many customers, especially for owners who have pups with allergies and sensitivities.

The other benefit is that each mouthful contains an essential source of vitamins and minerals essential to your dog’s needs, such as copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, zinc proteinate, manganous oxide and folic acid.

Holistic recipes also help dogs with digestive issues break down their food to easily digest it!

Dog Food Advisor, a trusted online review website, stated that the inclusion of beet pulp is a controversial ingredient to include in dog food recipes.

Some people believe that beet pulp is actually used not for nutritional value but rather as an inexpensive filler.

The other side of the coin is that some claim beet pulp actually has nutritional value that adds substance to the dog food recipes.

Nutro Dog Food reviews on chewy.com mentioned quite a few times that recent changes to formulas were off-putting to dogs who had enjoyed the dog food previously.

With the change in formula happening for various reasons, dogs will either reject or accept the change, and that is just a fact that cannot be changed.

Dog Food Advisor also mentioned the absence of probiotics in the ingredients list. Probiotics are healthy bacteria that are included in recipes to help dogs (and humans) with healthy digestion and digestive tract.

Nutro Natural Choice Dog Food reviews state that the exclusion of probiotics on the ingredient list is a negative, especially considering the brand claims to be a holistic dog food!

Has Nutro Dog Food Been Recalled?

Here’s a list of all recalls since 2009 related to Nutro dog products. Updates are added as soon as new recalls are posted.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls here.

Get free recall alerts by email. Subscribe to The Dog Food Advisor’s recall notification list.

Which Nutro Sub-Brand Is Right for You?

In the following section, you’ll find Nutro’s 7 most important product lines. We’ll share what makes each sub-brand different. So, you can choose the food that’s best for your dog.

Rating:

Natural Choice is Nutro’s most popular sub-brand. These recipes are for those who prefer a dry kibble that’s made with grain.

  • Protein sourced from chicken, lamb, salmon or venison
  • 26% mean brand protein (near average)
  • Grain-inclusive, typically rice
  • 19 recipes (ratings vary)
  • Rating:

    Nutro Ultra is for those seeking a grain-inclusive dry food with more meat and better ingredients… and a worthy upgrade over the Natural Choice line (above).

  • Protein trio… chicken, lamb and salmon in each recipe
  • Contains added fruit and veggies
  • Made with non-GMO ingredients
  • 10 recipes (ratings vary)
  • Rating:

    Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet is a grain-free kibble that’s made for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.

  • Contains no chicken
  • Fewer than 10 ingredients in each recipe
  • Grain-free. No corn, wheat or barley
  • 6 recipes (ratings vary)
  • Rating:

    Hearty Stews is for those who prefer a chunky-style, grain-free wet dog food. Can be used as a topper over dry kibble.

  • Chicken, lamb, turkey or beef flavors
  • Above-average protein, below-average carbs
  • 4 recipes (ratings vary)
  • Rating:

    Premium Loaf is a high-protein (39% to 41%) wet formula that’s 100% grain free.

  • Finely-ground consistency
  • No corn, wheat or rice
  • Tasty wet mixer for dry kibble
  • 4 recipes (ratings vary)
  • Rating:

    Limited Ingredient Diet is a grain-free wet recipe that’s designed for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.

  • Finely ground loaf-style wet meal
  • Limited to 5 key ingredients
  • Lamb, turkey or fish flavor options
  • 3 recipes (ratings vary)
  • Rating:

    The wet version of the Nutro Ultra dry kibble above. Each recipe is grain-free and offers a wide range of protein sources.

  • Ready-to-serve meals with resealable lids
  • Anti-oxidant-rich, fruit and veggie blend
  • Ideal for diet rotation
  • 14 recipes (ratings vary)
  • Nutro Dog Food Formulas Reviewed

    Nutro Dog Food has an extensive range of pet food formulas. Here is an in-depth review of the brand‘s best-selling recipes.

    Summary: This dry kibble is made with non-GMO ingredients, chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy. An animal protein source is the first ingredient in this formula that is made specifically for adult dogs with variations specific to large and small breeds. It is made in a variety of flavors of available in four sizes.

    Type: Dry dog food

    Best for: Adult dogs

    Flavor Options: Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

    Price: $2/08/lb

    Pros

  • Made with non-GMO ingredients
  • Rich in essential omega-3 fatty acid
  • Antioxidants for immune system support
  • No chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy
  • Excellent source of dietary fiber
  • Cons

  • There is an unspecified natural flavor in the ingredients
  • Ingredient Analysis: Real meat is the first ingredient, followed by brown rice. This makes the food a good source of high-quality protein and complex carbohydrates. Chicken meal and chicken fat are added for minerals and crude fat content, while whole-grain barley, whole grain sorghum, and rice bran add fiber for healthy digestion. Dried beet pulp and whole flaxseeds are excellent sources of antioxidants and fatty acids, while the vitamins and minerals are supplemented to complete the nutritional profile of this dry dog food.

    Review: This Nutro Dog Food averages a 4.8-star rating with over 4,600 reviews, with 95% of reviewers giving it a 4 or 5-star rating. These consumers were happy with the price and quality of the food and that real meat was the first ingredient. Some customers even noticed reduced shedding and itching when feeding this food to their dogs.

    Summary: Formulated for puppies up to 1 year old with non-GMO ingredients, this food is made with small bite-sized pieces to be easier for puppies to chew and digest. It is available in the small breed and large breed puppy varieties. Each type is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber to promote a healthy coat, immune system, and digestion. It is sold in four different sizes and various flavors to keep your puppy entertained during meals.

    Type: Dry dog food

    Best for: Puppies

    Flavor Options: Chicken

    Price: $2.07/lb

    Pros

  • Animal protein source as the first ingredient
  • Helps build strong bones and joints
  • Smaller kibble makes eating easier for puppies
  • Rich in fatty acids for skin & coat health
  • Supports brain and eye development
  • Cons

  • Often out of stock on online retailers
  • Ingredient Analysis: Real meat is the first ingredient and provides a high-quality source of protein. Chicken meal, a mash of organs, bones, and chicken cartilage, is the second ingredient and is a good source of minerals and protein. Vitamins and minerals like potassium chloride, vitamin E, and folic acid are added to make this a source of complete nutrition.

    Review: Most reviews of this product are highly rating is for its high-quality protein and ingredients. People seem pleased with the price-to-quality ratio and are happy it seems to have helped their dog’s skin sensitivities. The most common complaint among negative reviews, however, is the apparent fake products being sold on Amazon, causing health issues in their dog.

    Summary: This dog food is made for large breed adult dogs by offering high-quality protein in larger-sized kibble for larger dogs to more easily eat. It uses no chicken by-product meal and is a good source of balanced nutrition, available in several flavors and four sizes.

    Type: Dry dog food

    Best for: Large breed adult dogs

    Flavor Options: Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe

    Price: $1.84/lb

    Pros

  • Made with real lamb as the first ingredient
  • Brown rice for healthy carbs and fiber
  • Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants
  • No chicken by-product meals and fillers
  • With glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
  • Cons

  • Only one flavor is available on Amazon
  • Ingredient Analysis: Real meat is the first ingredient in any recipe’s flavor, making a high protein dry dog food. It contains brown rice, split peas, whole-grain oatmeal for healthy complex carbs, and flaxseed and chia seed for fatty acids. Vitamin and mineral supplements complete this formula to make it a good source of micronutrients. Overall, this is a solid ingredients list.

    Review: 95% of reviews on Amazon and Chewy rate this Nutro Dog Food 4 or 5 stars noting the quality of the food and the price as the two biggest reasons for their satisfaction. They were happy with the way their dog behaved while eating the food and how the food made their coat look after introducing their dog to Nutro.

    Summary: This limited ingredient dry dog food is made for adult dogs with food allergies using ingredients that are not known to be allergens. It is a grain-free recipe that uses lentils and peas as the carb source instead of rice or sorghum and offers real meat as the first ingredient. It is made in several flavors and is sold in 22-pound bags.

    Type: Dry dog food

    Best for: Adult dogs

    Flavor Options: Lamb and sweet potato recipe; Lamb; Salmon; Duck; Venison

    Price: $2.38/lb

    Pros

  • Made with less than 10 key ingredients
  • Suitable for dogs with stomach & skin issues
  • Grain-free and high-protein formula
  • No corn, wheat, soy and dairy protein
  • Free from artificial additives and preservatives
  • Cons

  • May contain trace amounts of GMO material
  • Ingredient Analysis: Real meat is the first ingredient and provides a great source of high-quality protein as the foundation of this formula. Chickpeas, lentils, and dried sweet potatoes are great carb sources. While canola oil and sunflower oil add healthy fats, the use of canola oil can be a bit controversial with some dog owners. The micronutrient profile is made using supplements for things like vitamin A, thiamine, and vitamin D.

    Review: Over 90% of consumers rate this product highly, with the most common praise being simply that their dog likes the food. Some owners of picky dogs with food allergies even say they had luck with feeding this to their dog, and their dog has seemed better after having been put on this food. Reasons for negative reviews were a little sporadic, with some people complaining the lamb had been changed to include chicken and others hinting at the point that grain-free foods have recently been linked to heart problems in dogs.

    Summary: Using a blend of three animal protein sources, this dry food is formulated to deliver high-quality protein to maintain a lean and athletic frame. It includes 15 superfoods for antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals while using no chicken by-product meal. It is only sold in one flavor but is available in kibble suitable for dogs at every life stage.

    Type: Dry dog food

    Best for: Dogs of every life stage

    Flavor Options: Chicken; Lamb; Salmon

    Price: $2.33/lb

    Pros

  • With chicken, lamb, and salmon protein
  • A blend of 15 vibrant superfoods
  • Rich in fatty acids, prebiotics, and antioxidants
  • Chondroitin and glucosamine for joint health
  • No chicken by-products, fillers, or preservatives
  • Cons

  • Often out of stock on online retailers
  • Ingredient Analysis: Real meat is the first ingredient and gives this food a great source of protein as a foundation. Chicken meal is the second, which offers protein, vitamins, and minerals, while oatmeal, brown rice, and split peas provide fiber and carbohydrates. Whole flaxseed and chia seeds give the food healthy fats while the micronutrients are supplemented to provide complete nutrition.

    Review: 95% of reviews give this product 4 or 5 stars, with the most common praise being about the quality of the food. Dog owners notice a difference in the way their dogs react during meal time, and their coat appears to be more vibrant.

    Summary: This wet dog food has only six key ingredients to ensure clean and wholesome nutrition. It comes in an easy-to-use single-use tray that allows users to top their dog’s meals with this food effortlessly. The natural, recognizable ingredients provide real nutrition with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives that are suitable for dogs of all life stages.

    Type: Wet dog food

    Best for: Dogs of all life stages

    Flavor Options: Chicken

    Price: $1.98/can

    Pros

  • Grain-free and simple, 6-ingredient recipe
  • With real chicken as the first ingredients
  • Suitable for picky eaters
  • Excellent choice for a meal topper
  • Available in a variety pack
  • Cons

  • The packages are small for large breed dogs
  • Ingredient Analysis: This food is made with very few ingredients, but they all serve a purpose. Chicken and quail eggs provide protein and vitamins, while chicken broth and vegetables give this food moisture and micronutrients. Overall, this is a very good limited ingredient food.

    Review: While reviews are limited for this product, most people praise it for being able to convince their picky eaters to eat. They were happy their dog seemed to enjoy eating when this Nutro Dog Food topper was included on their dry kibble and happy that it is made with high-quality limited ingredients. Critical reviews claimed it had made their dog sick, although only two 1-star reviews were available.

    Summary: Made with farm-raised lamb, chicken, and beef liver as the first ingredients and offering chicken broth for moisture and taste, the formula of this wet food is sure to provide dogs with the nutrients they need. It is made with non-GMO ingredients and no corn, wheat, or soy. The pate is canned in USA facilities with ingredients from around the world and is sold in a pack of twelve 12.5-ounce cans.

    Type: Wet dog food

    Best for: Adult dogs

    Flavor Options: Lamb; Chicken; Beef; Turkey

    Price: $2.75/can

    Pros

  • With high-quality protein sources
  • High moisture content for hydration
  • Real meat is the first ingredient
  • Made with non-GMO ingredients
  • Available in a variety of tasty flavors
  • Cons

  • More expensive than other products on this list
  • Ingredient Analysis: Lamb, beef liver, and chicken are all protein sources in this food, while chicken broth adds texture and flavor. Dried peas, potatoes, and carrots are excellent sources of vitamins and carbs, and sunflower oil provides a healthy source of fatty acids. It is all completed with vitamin and mineral supplements to offer a balanced source of nutrition to dogs.

    Review: Most buyers rate this product highly with stories about their senior dogs being able to eat again and their picky eaters choosing to eat when this food is offered. While they were happy with the results this food produced in their dog, critics were dissatisfied. The most common complaint, however, was that their dog didn’t like the food, and their reviews had little to do with the quality of the food itself.

    Summary: This weight control formula is made with non-GMO ingredients and no chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy. It contains a combination of high protein and fiber to help dogs feel full faster and longer to prevent overeating. It is suitable for adult dogs needing some weight management and is sold in several size bags.

    Type: Dry dog food

    Best for: Adult overweight dogs

    Flavor Options: Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe; Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe

    Price: $1.83/lb

    Pros

  • Meat is the first ingredient in each flavor
  • High protein content
  • Rich in prebiotics for satiation and digestion
  • Helps support healthy weight loss
  • Suitable for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes
  • Cons

  • The high-fiber high-protein content may upset tummy issues
  • Ingredient Analysis: Deboned lamb and chicken meal are the first ingredients, and this gives the food its high protein content while also providing minerals from bones and cartilage found in the chicken meal. Split peas, pea protein, and brown rice offer complex carbs and extra protein and fiber, while chicken fat is used for extra crude fat content. An unspecified ”natural flavor” is added, and this may be offputting to some dog owners as it is unknown from where this flavor comes.

    Review: Over 90% of buyers on Amazon rate this Nutro Dog Food at least 4 stars. They are all impressed with the quality, value, and effects the food has had on their overweight pets. Only 4% of consumers rate this 1 and 2 stars, with the most common complaints concerning the inconsistent quality and how their dogs reacted poorly to the food.

    FAQ

    Is Nutro dog food recommended by vets?

    Nutro Ultra

    While it offers the trendy “grain-free” formulas, it also makes most of its dog foods with grains less likely to cause allergies, such as whole-grain oats and brown rice. Many veterinarians recommend this brand of dog food as one of the top choices among grain-free dog foods.

    What has happened to Nutro dog food?

    In June 2020, Nutro announced that it was discontinuing its Nutro Max line of pet foods. In its place, “we suggest feeding [dogs] our Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Farm-Raised Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato Recipe. This recipe offers chicken as the main ingredient,” a company representative shared on Facebook.

    Why was Nutro dog food discontinued?

    Past Nutro dog food recalls include:

    In 2007, some varieties of Nutro canned dog food were recalled for potential melamine contamination. In 2009, some varieties of Nutro dry puppy food were recalled because plastic was found in the manufacturing line.

    What is the number one healthiest dog food?

    The 10 Best Healthiest Dog Food Brands
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    4. K9 Natural Beef Feast Raw Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food. …
    5. Sojos Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food.