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NutriSource PureVita Dog Food Review (Dry)

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NutriSource PureVita Dog Food Review (Dry)

By Mike Sagman

Updated: March 22, 2024

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Which PureVita Limited Ingredient Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?

NutriSource PureVita Dog Food receives the Advisors second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.

The PureVita Dog Food product line includes the 3 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

PureVita Chicken and Brown Rice was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

PureVita Chicken and Brown Rice

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley, natural chicken flavor, flaxseed, chicken fat (preserved with tocopherols and citric acid), dehydrated alfalfa meal, salmon oil (preserved with tocopherols), dried tomato pomace, potassium chloride, salt, dried carrots, dried cherries, dried apricots, dried cranberries, dl methionine, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, selenium yeast), choline chloride, brewers dried yeast, vitamins (vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), dried blueberries, turmeric, dried chicory root, lecithin, pomegranate extract, garlic, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), lactic acid, Yucca schidigera extract, taurine, l-carnitine, calcium iodate, rosemary extract, yeast culture, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 6%

Red denotes any controversial items

Ingredient Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The third ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The next ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.

The fifth ingredient includes barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

After the natural chicken flavor, we find flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

The eighth ingredient is chicken fat. This item is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The ninth ingredient is alfalfa meal. Although alfalfa meal is high in plant protein (about 18%) and fiber (25%), this hay-family item is more commonly associated with horse feeds.

The tenth ingredient is salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.

Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this NutriSource PureVita product.

With 6 notable exceptions

First, tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient, a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.

Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.

Just the same, theres probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.

Next, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

In addition, this recipe includes selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.

Next, brewers yeast can be a controversial item. Although its a by-product of the beer making process, this ingredient is rich in minerals and other healthy nutrients.

Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.

Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself.

In addition, a vocal minority insists yeast can increase the risk of developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. However, this is a claim weve not been able to scientifically verify.

In any case, unless your dog is specifically allergic to it, yeast can still be considered a nutritious additive.

Whats more noteworthy here is that brewers yeast contains about 48% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

Additionally, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

And lastly, we note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, NutriSource PureVita Limited Ingredient Dog Food looks like an above-average dry product.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the products meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 27%, a fat level of 14% and estimated carbohydrates of about 51%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 27% and a mean fat level of 14%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 51% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.

Which means this NutriSource PureVita product line contains

Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the flaxseed, alfalfa meal and brewers yeast, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a notable amount of meat.

Our Rating of NutriSource PureVita Dry Dog Food

NutriSource PureVita is a grain-inclusive, limited-ingredient dry dog food using a notable amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.

Highly recommended.

PureVita Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to NutriSource through April.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

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More NutriSource Brand Reviews

The following NutriSource dog food reviews are also posted on this website:

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How does this brand compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?

A Final Word

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NutriSource Cat Food Review

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Weve rated NutriSource Cat Food on ingredient quality, species-appropriateness, recalls, and more. Read our NutriSource Cat Food review to learn how this brand stacks up.

The Cats.com StandardRating NutriSource Cat Food on What Matters

Weve rated the brand on six key criteria for quality. Heres how it rates in each of these six crucial areas.

Ratings

• Species-Appropriateness 5/10
• Ingredient Quality 7/10
• Product Variety 7/10
• Price 6/10
• Customer Experience 8/10
• Recall History 9/10

Overall Score: 7/10

In total, we give NutriSource Cat food a 43 out of 60 rating or a B grade.

About NutriSource Cat Food

NutriSource was founded in Perham, Minnesota in 1964. The company has been family-owned for three generations starting with Darrell Nelson. After falling out of a tree, Darrell kept on playing which earned him the nickname Tuffy. When he started his own pet food company with his son Kenny in 1964, they named it Tuffys Pet Foods.

Today, NutriSource is part of the KLN family of brands headed by CEO Kenny Nelson. Company headquarters are still located in Perham, MN but the brand has expanded to include a variety of human and pet products. Other pet food brands belonging to the KLN family include Element, Supreme, Premium Tuffys, and Tuffys Gold.

Sourcing and Manufacturing

NutriSource claims to be dedicated to the long-term health of family pets. Their products are made with high-quality sources of animal protein as the first ingredient, though we couldnt find any specific information regarding the sourcing of these ingredients.

As a US-based brand, NutriSource manufactures their dry foods in company-owned facilities in Perham, MN. The company claims to manufacture their wet foods in the USA as well, but we couldnt find any specific information about its production.

Recall History

Over NutriSources nearly six-decade existence, the brand hasnt had a cat food product recalls. The only recall in brand history occurred in 2009. NutriSource PureVita Salmon Entre Dog Food was recalled for potentially elevated levels of vitamin D. There were no reports of illness or injury.

What Kinds Of Cat Food Does Nutrisource Offer?

NutriSource offers a generous selection of dry foods, canned foods, toppers, and treats. These recipes are available in the following two product lines: NutriSource and PureVita.

Every NutriSource formula starts with a high-quality source of animal protein. The NutriSource product line includes both grain-free and grain-inclusive fomrulas while PureVita is a limited ingredient line containing seven grain-free dry and canned foods.

What Do Customers Think Of Nutrisource Cat Food?

NutriSource offers a variety of wet and dry foods from both product lines on Amazon as well as other pet retailers like PetFlow. Their products carry an average 4.5 to 5-star rating. NutriSource dry foods seem much more popular on Amazon with the Chicken and Rice Formula having nearly 500 ratings.

The majority of customers are pleased with NutriSource cat food. Many have found that their cats prefer it compared to other brands and several found that it helped their overweight cats achieve a healthy bodyweight. Owners of cats with food allergies also appreciate PureVitas single source protein recipes.

When it comes to negative comments, several customers found that NutriSource cat food exacerbated GI issues and contributed to gas and smelly stools. As always, there are also comments about some cats simply not liking the food and several customers found it to be a little pricey.

Lets take a look at a few reviews from some of the most popular recipes from NutriSource.

Positive Reviews

My cats ate this food for several years, until I adopted a new picky eater who didnt like it. I briefly switched to a couple of other dry cat foods that were also grain free, but all of my cats gained quite a bit of weight. One also developed some urinary tract issues (I dont know if they were related). I switched back to Pure Vita about a month ago and the cats are getting back to their healthy weight, they play more, and they seem quite happy. Even the picky eater likes it now! I also love the fact that it is a truly recloseable bag with a Ziploc seal. Never had a problem with the food getting iffy at the bottom of the bag. Sheina reviewing NutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Salmon and Peas Dry Food

My previous cat was allergic to chicken and the one I have now just doesnt like it. This is one of the few cat foods that actually does not have any chicken products in it at all. A lot will say the protein source is something like fish, but when you read the ingredients, it will list chicken, or it will say natural flavors which often means chicken broth. Joschmo reviewing NutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Salmon and Peas Dry Food

Negative Reviews

I recently switched on the advice from a pet store saying this was good. I gave my cats horrible gas, diarrhea and they were clearly uncomfortable. I was told keep it up for a week as they are transitioning, even though I mixed it in with the other food. Still 2 weeks in its still problematic and I had purchased a big bag and I am unable to return it sadly. Tina Mees reviewing NutriSource Chicken and Rice Formula Dry Food

Im a Bengal Cat breeder and have been raising cats for 25 years. I bought some different types of cat foods to test out on my cats, this brand was one of them. I put it in a bowl in front of most of my cats and not ONE CAT would eat it. They would smell it and walk away. NO ONE would touch it. When I smelled it, it had a horrible smell, I wouldnt eat it either. The ingredient list seems fine, but the product itself has a VERY unappealing smell. I feel sorry for any cat forced to eat this food. Dont bother. Karen Waugaman reviewing NutriSource Chicken and Rice Formula Dry Food

What Did Our Test Cats Think?

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

At the time of purchase, I was having a difficult time finding NutriSource dry foods, so I purchased two of their most popular wet food recipes: Lamb & Lamb Liver Select and Country Select.

While I feed my cats dry food as their staple diet, I supplement it with a wide variety of wet foods. Like any cat, they all come running when they hear me peel open a can. The experience was no different with NutriSource and they seemed particularly interested based on the aroma.

All three cats enjoyed the food even my cat Biscuit, who has chicken allergies. She was able to safely enjoy the Lamb & Lamb Liver food with no problem. I was a little disappointed that NutriSource only offers pate texture foods, but my cats have never been particularly picky.

NutriSource Cat Food Top 3 Recipes Reviewed

How Much Does NutriSource Cat Food Cost?

Theres a significant difference in price per ounce between NutriSource dry food and wet food. Both of the dry food recipes reviewed cost under $0.25 per ounce, the Chicken and Rice formula being the cheaper of the two. At $0.53 per ounce, NutriSource wet food is much more expensive.

The price range of NutriSource cat food is similar to familiar brands like Canidae and Blue Buffalo.

To feed a 10-pound cat NutriSource wet food, it would cost you a little over $3.00 per day. NutriSource dry food is much more economical. Depending which recipe you choose, it should cost between $0.31 and $0.46 per day.

Overall, Is Nutrisource Cat Food a Good Choice?

The NutriSource brand has a nearly six-decade history in the pet food industry. Within that time, theyve had only a single recall and only for one of their dog food products. The brand is well liked among customers and its nice that they only sell their products in independent pet food stores.

When it comes to the quality of NutriSource cat foods, theres room for improvement. None of the ingredients are particularly bad, but theres an abundance of plant ingredients and concerningly high levels of dietary fiber. Its difficult to say whether this will cause digestive issues, but it could certainly be a problem for some cats.

Overall, NutriSource definitely isnt the most species-appropriate choice for cats. Even their wet food formulas which are higher in protein and moisture still contain unnecessary plant ingredients. NutriSource is similarly ranked to Health Extension and Wellness, though NutriSources wet food is significantly more expensive than either of these brands.

Where Is Nutrisource Cat Food Sold?

NutriSource is committed to supporting local businesses by selling their products only in independent pet food stores. If you prefer to shop online, you can find NutriSource products at Amazon.com, PetFlow.com, PetCareRX.com, and various feed stores.