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Best Nutro Dog Food

Updated August 2024
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Nutro Healthy Weight Dog Food
Nutro
Healthy Weight Dog Food
Well-Balanced Diet

A natural dog food designed to keep dogs at an appropriate weight.

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Well-Balanced Diet
Bottom Line

A natural dog food designed to keep dogs at an appropriate weight.

Pros

A 30-pound bag of non-GMO dry kibble. Made with lamb as the first ingredient, brown rice, and vegetables. For adult dogs 1 year old and up. Helps with weight management by balancing protein and fiber. Made in the USA.

Cons

Some dogs may not react well to the recipe.

Nutro Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food
Nutro
Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food
Bargain Pick

A bag of dry kibble for adult dogs made with natural ingredients and vitamins.

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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

A bag of dry kibble for adult dogs made with natural ingredients and vitamins.

Pros

A 13-pound bag of dry kibble made with non-GMO ingredients. Available in four sizes. For dogs over 1 year old. First ingredient is chicken. Includes antioxidants, fiber, omega-3, and omega-6. Made without meat by-products.

Cons

Some reports of food being different from bags purchased in a store.

Nutro Lamb and Brown Rice Dog Food
Nutro
Lamb and Brown Rice Dog Food
For Large Breeds

A large bag of dry kibble for large adult dogs over 18 months of age.

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For Large Breeds
Bottom Line

A large bag of dry kibble for large adult dogs over 18 months of age.

Pros

Nutritious dog food made in the USA. Available in three sizes. Recipe is non-GMO and includes glucosamine, chondroitin, and antioxidants for strong joints and immune system health. First and main ingredient is lamb.

Cons

Some reports of dogs getting sick after eating the food.

Nutro Adult Natural Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
Nutro
Adult Natural Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
Quality Canned Food

If Nutro is your preferred brand and your dog likes wet food, choose this hearty and wholesome option.

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Quality Canned Food
Bottom Line

If Nutro is your preferred brand and your dog likes wet food, choose this hearty and wholesome option.

Pros

Wet food that's great to feed alone or on top of Nutro dry kibble. Made with quality protein as the number-one ingredient. Doesn't include grain or chicken by-products. Packed with essential nutrients. Comes in several flavors that most dogs find irresistible.

Cons

Pricey. Some flavors contain a lot of liquid. A few reports of dented cans.

Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food
Nutro
Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food
Simple Recipe

A grain-free dry food designed for dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs.

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Simple Recipe
Bottom Line

A grain-free dry food designed for dogs with sensitive skin and stomachs.

Pros

A 22-pound bag available in different flavors. Made with 10 or fewer main ingredients. For large dogs over 1 year old. First ingredient is lamb. Includes vitamins and minerals. Made with non-GMO ingredients and without corn, wheat, and soy.

Cons

On the more expensive end of the price range.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
June 14, 2022
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Buying guide for best Nutro dog food

Jennifer Manfrin
Written by Jennifer Manfrin

Updated August 2024

Nutro is a top-selling premium dog food brand for good reason. The quality food contains wholesome ingredients and is packed with vitamins and minerals that are vital to canine health. While these features are important to dog lovers, their pets are equally enthusiastic about the food’s many tempting flavors.

Variety is a key feature of Nutro dog food. You can choose from the brand’s dry and wet food and from recipes that are grain-free or contain nutrient-rich whole grains. And no matter if your favorite pooch is still a puppy or is approaching its senior years, the company offers formulas that fit every stage of a dog’s life.

If you’re searching for premium food to improve your pet’s diet, finding the best type and recipe for your dog can be confusing. Fortunately, a good buying guide and recommendations can help you make an informed decision.

dog eating
Nutro meets the strict standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials for producing quality food that meets pets’ nutritional requirements.

How to buy the best Nutro dog food

If your canine has never eaten Nutro dog food before, learning about the company’s quality standards and available options can help you determine if it’s the right choice for your four-legged friend.

Nutro’s philosophy

Nutro’s focus is on purposeful nutrition and sustaining a trustworthy brand. It prides itself in producing “clean” food made of high-quality protein and non-GMO ingredients.

Just as important as the quality ingredients that Nutro uses to make pet food is the lack of various additives. The company doesn’t use wheat, corn, soy, or chicken by-products. Additionally, Nutro’s pet food contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

The quality of Nutros food extends to the trusted farmers and other suppliers of its ingredients. Nutro also monitors its production plants to make sure they meet strict quality standards.

Dry and wet dog food

Just like most dog food brands, Nutro offers dog food in dry kibble and wet forms. Dry options are available for all sizes of dogs, from toy to extra-large breeds. Nutro wet food comes in simple recipes with broth, special recipes in gravy, and loaf-style options. Both dry and wet Nutro dog foods are available in a wide range of flavors.

Types of Nutro dog food

Nutro makes several types of dog food. Each type is available as dry or wet food.

Nutro Natural Choice: This dog food is the most popular type and comes in the most options, including formulas for different ages and sizes. Food in this category is made with quality protein, fruits, vegetables, and brown rice as the key ingredients.

Nutro Ultra: This dog food contains a combination of flavorful proteins. It also contains nutritious whole grains and wholesome fruits and vegetables for a balanced diet.

Nutro So Simple: This dog food features chicken as the main ingredient. Other wholesome ingredients include whole grains, brown rice, and peas.

Nutro Limited Ingredient Diets: These dog foods are made with ten or fewer nutritious ingredients. What’s more, they don’t contain grains, which makes them ideal for dog owners who want to feed their pets grain-free meals.

Nutro treats: These are available in crunchy and chewy varieties and are also made of quality ingredients, including protein, fruits, whole grains, and vegetables.

Most Nutro dog foods are suitable for all breeds. However, the brand also makes options for large breeds that can chew bigger pieces and small breeds that need small bites.

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Features of Nutro dog food

Flavors

Whether your dog will eat just about any flavor of food you offer or it’s finicky about its food, Nutro has you covered. The different types the brand offers are available in a range flavors, including chicken, beef, turkey, fish, lamb, duck, venison, and mixed proteins.

Formulas

Life stages: In addition to the food that’s suitable for most dogs of various ages, Nutro offers recipes that are especially formulated for puppies and senior dogs. While puppy food is packed with the nutrients and protein that young dogs need to thrive, senior varieties contain ingredients like antioxidants to boost immunity, calcium for healthy joints, and fiber to improve digestion.

Weight control: For dogs that have the tendency to gain weight, Nutro makes a Healthy Weight recipe that promotes weight loss while providing essential nutrients. This formula offers a balance of fiber and protein that works to help prevent weight gain and may even result in a reduction of a few pounds. The Healthy Weight diet is ideal for adult and senior dogs, but it is not recommended for dogs under a year old that are still developing and growing.

Quantity

Nutro dog food is available in quantities to suit dogs from toy to large breeds. Dry dog food comes in bags of various sizes, such as 5, 12, 20, 30,  and 40 pounds. Wet Nutro dog food is available in packets of 2 and 3.5 ounces and 12.5-ounce cans. Treats by the brand come in bags of 4.5, 8, 10, and 16 ounces.

puppy eating
DID YOU KNOW?
To switch your dog from one brand of dog food to another without upsetting its digestive system, introduce the new food gradually. Increase the amount of new food mixed into the current food over the course of about ten days until your dog is eating only the new food.
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Accessories to consider for Nutro dog food

Dog bowls

You need dog bowls to provide food and water for your pet. When choosing bowls, look for those that are the right size in order to provide the appropriate portion of food necessary to meet your dog’s nutritional requirements. Additionally, bowls made of durable plastic or stainless steel are easy to clean and last a long time.

Pet fountain

When it comes to providing fresh water for your pet, a pet fountain is an excellent investment. Dogs and cats love to drink water from a faucet or hose, and pet fountains, powered by electricity, entice pets to drink from a constant stream of water. Most models include a filter to remove contaminants.

Dog bed

After your dog eats its dinner, it’s ready for a nap. A cozy dog bed provides a comfortable spot for your pal to rest up for its next adventure.

How much does Nutro dog food cost?

Nutro’s premium ingredients come at a higher price than some other brands, but most pet owners who buy it agree that it’s a worthwhile investment. Obviously, the larger your dog, the more you’ll pay for Nutro dog food. Dry varieties range from about $1.50 to $5 per pound. Wet food costs between $1.50 and $3.50 per can or packet.

Inexpensive

Nutro Natural Choice dry food is the most affordable type by the brand. It costs between $15 and $70 (40-pound bag).

Mid-range

Nutro Ultra is a mid-range choice. For example, a 30-pound bag costs around $60.

Expensive

At around $20 for ten 2-ounce packets to $35 for a case of a dozen 12.5-ounce cans, feeding only wet food to your dog is the most expensive option. Grain-free Limited Ingredient recipes are also on the pricey side, with a 22-pound bag of dry kibble costing around $55.

Nutro dog food is manufactured in several locations in the United States. The company makes its dry food in California and North Carolina and its wet food in facilities in Arkansas, South Dakota, and Ohio.

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Tips

  • Find a flavor your dog loves. Not all dogs like all flavors of dog food. If you try one by Nutro that your dog isn’t fond of, there are many other options by the brand available to try.
  • Top dry kibble with wet food. Many dogs prefer the taste of wet food and will be enticed to gobble up dry kibble when it’s topped off with a few spoonfuls of wet food.
  • Reward your dog with Nutro treats. Occasionally rewarding your dog with wholesome treats will help keep its diet consistent.
  • Keep your dog hydrated. Always provide fresh water for your dog. Place the water bowl beside the food bowl for easy access.
dog and cat eating
In addition to dog food, Nutro also makes dry and wet food for cats in a variety of feline-approved flavors.

FAQ

Q. Is grain-free dog food better for dogs than food with grains?

A. Not necessarily. Grain-free foods are often recommended for dogs that have skin allergies or digestive issues. However, foods that contain grains by trusted brands like Nutro are just as nutritious. What’s more, Nutro only uses quality grains, such as whole-grain barley and brown rice, in its foods that contain grains.

Q. Should I be concerned that Nutro dog food has been recalled in the past?

A. While it’s true that Nutro has recalled food in the past for various reasons, this should not affect your decision to feed the food to your dog. The company is always monitoring the products and their quality to keep pets healthy and avoid the need for recalls.

Q. How do I know how much Nutro dog food to feed my dog?

A. The type of food you choose and the size and age of your dog determine how much food it should eat daily. The guidelines are printed on the packaging to ensure that you feed your best friend appropriate portions.

 

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