nutrisource small breed puppy

NutriSource Puppy Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give NutriSource Puppy Food a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

NutriSource is a dog and puppy food brand that has existed since 1964. However, the story of this brand started much earlier, in 1947, when its founder, Darell Nelson, also known as Tuffy, started the first food branch called Tuffys Pet Foods. NutriSource is a part of a larger family brandKLN Family Brands, which also includes PureVita, Supreme, Tuffys Gold, and Premium Tuffys.

Nowadays, NutriSource is produced in the USA, precisely inPerham, Minnesota. The brand is widespread, so you can purchase it in various locations, and many users praise their puppy food. Because of that, we want to review the brand, provide you with more details about it, and list all the pros and cons.

Hopefully, after reading our verdict, youll be able to determine if this is the right food option for your puppy.

At a Glance: The Best NutriSource Puppy Food Recipes

NutriSource Puppy Food Reviewed

If youd like to know more about NutriSource puppy food, you came to the right place. Below, well provide a detailed explanation about the puppy food and the types of puppies its best suited for, and well discuss the primary ingredients of their puppy food recipes.

Who makes NutriSource and where is it produced?

NutriSource is a part of a larger brand called KLN Family Brands, which has been around since 1947. The actual NutriSource brand was founded in 1964, and nowadays, its produced in the United States. The primary production is located in Perham, Minnesota. The brands founder was Darrel Nelson, and what makes NutriSource stand out is that its a family business where families work side by side to create excellent pet food.

Besides puppy food, they also create food for adult dogs and other pets. They also have multiple programs where they give back to the community. Per their words, they strive to provide high-quality pet foods and they promise a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Which type of puppy is NutriSource best suited for?

Puppies need more protein, fat, and minerals than adult dogs, so you should feed them high-quality foods that will give them the nutrients they need for development. NutriSource food contains everything puppies need to grow healthy and strong, so all types of puppies can eat it.

As they have various puppy recipes, theres a recipe for everyones needs and wishes. There are even grain-free recipes for more sensitive pups.

Which type of puppy might do better with a different brand?

NutriSource is an excellent option for all puppies. However, if your puppy has specific medical conditions, it might be better to choose another brand with food specially made for those issues.

Thats why puppies with sensitive stomachs and health issues should have a more balanced diet and could benefit from brands such as Hills Science and their popular puppy recipes like Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Puppy, Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe or Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Puppy, Small Bites, Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe.

Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)

To give you a better overview of NutriSource puppy food, we want to look into one of their most popular puppy recipes and its ingredients. The NutriSource Small & Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is among their best-selling products for puppies, and well discuss all the primary ingredients inside the recipe.

Pet food ingredients are listed so that the first ingredient is the highest in concentration while the last one is the lowest, which is why well discuss the top five ingredients of this formula.

Chicken meal

Chicken meal is the first ingredient which is not bad as its much better to have animal-based ingredients at the top of the list. Chicken meal is rendered chicken, typically made of chicken skin and flesh without the bone. Its basically leftover chicken used in human food, so it has good quality while being an affordable animal-based protein source.

Chicken

Chicken is listed as the second ingredient which is something we appreciate as puppies need an animal source of protein in their diets. While there are manufacturers who select cheap replacements, every recipe that has real chicken among the main ingredients should be beneficial for your pup.

Brown rice

Most dog foods include either rice or brown rice among the main ingredients, which is great as they represent an excellent source of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are essential for your dog to be active and energetic, and whats more critical, puppies can easily digest brown rice.

Chicken fat

Chicken fat is also among the main ingredients, which is a great way for your puppy to get enough fat in its diet. Another excellent thing about chicken fat is that its animal-based and easy to digest while also containing the fatty acids puppies need for their growth. It also enhances the flavor of food, making it taste better for your pup.

Menhaden Fish Meal

Menhaden fish meal is the fifth ingredient on the list, and it is another ingredient we approve of in puppy food. Its one of the primary sources of fish oil inside pet food and a fantastic protein source.

Various Available Options

One of the best things about NutriSource and their puppy food is that they provide a lot of different options. There are formulas with various flavors, while they also offer grain-free foods. Every puppy owner should be able to find something their puppy will like.

Great Nutritional Value

NutriSource puppy recipes provide great nutritional value, which your dog needs in such an early stage of its life. Most formulas designed for puppies contain over 20% protein and over 20% fat. They also have enough calcium, fiber, phosphorus, other minerals, and fatty acids.

Quality Ingredients

NutriSource tries to avoid cheap fillers; instead, they use healthier, more natural ingredients. They use a wide range of animal-based products like chicken, beef, and turkey, which are filled with protein while being affordable. On their ingredient list, you can also notice some unusual protein sources, like bison and wild boar, which are less likely to cause allergies.

Some Ingredients Might Need Improvement

While the majority of ingredients are excellent and carefully picked out, there are certain things inside the puppy recipes that might raise a slight concern.

They are common in puppy and dog food because they are affordable and have a higher nutritive value than other plant-based ingredients. However, in recent years, there have been concerns that these ingredients can lead to heart disease¹.

Another downside is that NutriSource sometimes includes pea starch and pea flour, which are not the best additions to puppy recipes.

A Quick Look at NutriSource Puppy Food

• Various available formulas
• Nutritional value puppies need to grow healthy and strong
• No wheat, corn, or soy

• Expensive
• Some recipes include peas, chickpeas, and lentils

Recall History

When it comes to recalls, NutriSource had only one recall for all the years theyve been on the market, which proves their reliability. Accidents can happen for everyone, as did NutriSource back in 2021 with a recall of their Pure Vita Salmon Entre Dog Food.

The food had elevated vitamin D levels, which is why the recall happened. Besides that, there are no known recalls of the NutriSource pet food brand.

Reviews of the 3 Best NutriSource Puppy Food Recipes

1. NutriSource Grain Free Small & Medium Puppy Turkey

The NutriSource Grain Free Turkey Small Medium Puppyis one of their grain-free formulas that is excellent for puppies. The main ingredient is turkey which represents a fantastic source of proteins puppies need to grow.

The recipe also contains essential vitamins and minerals and most puppies love its taste. However, the only downside is the higher price, although its better to spend more to provide your puppy with all nutrients it needs.

• Grain-free
• Animal-based protein
• Packed with vitamins and minerals
• No corn, wheat, or soy

2. NutriSource Small & Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice

The NutriSource Small & Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is an excellent choice for small and medium-breed puppies. This recipe contains high levels of protein and fat your puppy needs to grow. The kibbles are small, making them easy to chew.

Chicken is the primary protein source of this formula, and other ingredients add essential fatty acids that support your puppys coat and skin.

• High-quality ingredients
• High in protein
• 21% fat
• No corn, wheat, or soy

3. NutriSource Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice

The NutriSource Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food is another healthy puppy food recipe. Its quite similar to the NutriSource Small & Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, although the kibbles are larger and there are slight differences in the ingredients.

However, the main ingredients stay the same, so the main source of protein is chicken, while the recipe also includes chicken meal, chicken fat, and brown rice. The formula also includes minerals and vitamins needed for proper growth and development. The only downside to this recipe is that it contains peas, and wed prefer to see a healthier ingredient on the label.

• Packed with minerals and vitamins
• Chicken is the main protein source
• 26% protein
• 14% fat

What Other Users Are Saying

We spent a lot of time with NutriSource, so we have already developed an opinion about their puppy food. However, we know that our opinion is not the most important one out there and that youd probably like to get more details and thoughts from different sources.

Because of that, and with the effort to provide you with as many details as possible, we searched through various reviews to see what others think of NutriSource puppy food.

As pet owners, we always double-check Amazon buyers reviews before buying something. Follow this linkto read more reviews about NutriSource Grain Free (Turkey) Small Medium Puppy.

You can also see what people think about NutriSource Small & Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food by clicking here.

Most users who had a hands-on experience with NutriSource puppy food had only good things to say, and one of the users stated Cant say enough about how wonderful this food is! My Airedale Terrier is 10 months old, and since we got him, he has had gut issues and is an extremely picky eater. Ever since I purchased Nutrisource PUPPY food recommended by an employee, it has been a godsend.

• DogFoodAdvisor Every NutriSource recipe meets 100% of the nutrient requirements published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
• HerePup NutriSource is an absolutely transparent brand, which I really respect in this world of hidden information. To sum up, I recommend NutriSource to dog owners willing to shell out a little extra money to get a healthy food from a trusted brand.

Conclusion

NutriSource has been around for ages and by the looks of it, they are here to stay. Thats excellent news as their puppy food is truly outstanding, especially compared to other brands on the market. If youre looking for high-quality food for your puppy, we suggest trying one of the available NutriSource recipes. They use animal-based protein without cheap fillers, and in our opinion, what they provide is well worth the higher price.

NutriSource Dog Food Review (Dry)

NutriSource Dog Food Review (Dry)

By Mike Sagman

Updated: April 25, 2024

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All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.

Is NutriSource a good dog food?

In this review The Dog Food Advisor an in-depth look at NutriSource Dog Food and rates each of its most popular sub-brands.

Well also answer 3 important questions:

1. Is NutriSource made in the United States?
2. Has NutriSource been recalled?
3. Which flavors and recipes get our top ratings?

But first

Which NutriSource sub-brand is best for your dog?

Here are NutriSources most popular sub-brands. In this section, well share what makes each different. So, you can pick the type that best meets your dogs needs.

NutriSouces original dry kibble. Each recipe is made with grain and generous amounts of animal protein, derived from both fresh meat and named meat meals.

• No BHA, BHT or other high-risk preservatives
• Healthy grain-inclusive formula
• 16 recipes (ratings vary)

View All Recipe Ratings

This NutriSource sub-brand is recommended for those who prefer a fully-balanced, grain-free dry option.

• Contains no corn, wheat or rice
• Offers top-rated puppy and adult options
• 17 recipes (ratings vary)

View All Recipe Ratings

This NutriSource sub-brand includes the companys best-selling, grain-free wet recipes.

• Fully balanced, protein-rich blend
• Contains no corn, rice, wheat, or barley
• 9 recipes (ratings vary)

View All Recipe Ratings

PureVita is NutriSources limited ingredient diet. The grain-inclusive dry formula is a good choice for dogs with possible food sensitivities.

• Balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fat ratio for healthy skin and coat
• Simple recipe design for gentle digestion
• 3 recipes (ratings vary)

View All Recipe Ratings

Who makes NutriSource and where is it made?

All NutriSource dog foods are produced in the United States. All the brands dry recipes are manufactured at its family-owned company facilities in Perham, Minnesota.

The companys wet foods are produced at its own pet food cannery located in Delano, Minnesota.

Has NutriSource Dog Food been recalled?

The following list includes all dog food recalls since 2009 related to NutriSource products.

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

Review of NutriSource Dry Dog Food

NutriSource Dog Food receives the Advisors top rating of 5 stars.

The NutriSource Dog Food product line includes 16 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

NutriSource Large Breed Chicken and 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.

NutriSource Large Breed Adult Chicken and Rice

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal, natural turkey and chicken flavor, chicken fat (preserved with tocopherols and citric acid), dried plain beet pulp, flax seeds, menhaden fish meal (a source of fish oil), potassium chloride, brewers dried yeast, salt, dl methionine, choline chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate), selenium 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), lactic acid, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), 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) = 5%

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 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.

The fifth 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.

After the turkey and chicken flavor, we find chicken fat. Chicken fat 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 eighth ingredient is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.

Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.

We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.

The ninth ingredient is 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 tenth ingredient is menhaden fish meal, another protein-rich meat concentrate.

Fish meal is typically obtained from the clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations.¹

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 product.

With 6 notable exceptions

First, 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.

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, we note the use of selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.

Next, this food contains dried fermentation products. Fermentation products are typically added to provide enzymes to aid the animal with digestion.

And lastly, we find 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.

Nutrient Analysis

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

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 26%, a fat level of 16% and estimated carbohydrates of about 51%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 28% and a mean fat level of 17%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 47% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.

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 flaxseeds and brewers yeast, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a significant amount of meat.

Our Rating of NutriSource Dog Food

NutriSource Dry is a grain-inclusive kibble using a significant amount of named meat meals as its main source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars. The grain-free sub-brand gets 4.5 stars.

Enthusiastically recommended.

What Do Others Say About NutriSource?

At the time of this update

Petflow customers rate NutriSource Adult Chicken and Rice 4.8 out of 5 stars and appear to be willing to recommend the recipe to others.

Heres an actual user review

Sample buyer review My dogs have always had nutrisource and I know it is good for them. Their breeder has always used it and I recommend it to anyone that wants a healthy food for their pets

Read more buyer reviews at Petflow.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most frequently asked questions we get about feeding NutriSource Dog Food:

How to switch to NutriSource dog food without making your dog sick

In this video

Dr. Gary Richter shares a simple feeding tip that can help reduce your dogs risk of getting sick when you switch to NutriSource or any other new food.

Is NutriSource dog food good for seniors?

NutriSource offers 3 senior foods designed specifically for older dogs. One grain-inclusive dry senior formula, one grain-free dry recipe and one canned recipe. All 3 recipes meet AAFCO nutrient guidelines for adult maintenance. Each dry recipe contains fewer than 400 calories per cup. Which makes each a healthy option for older dogs. View The Advisors best senior dog foods here.

Is NutriSource Dog Food good for puppies?

NutriSource markets 6 puppy formulas, 2 of which are specifically designed for large breeds. And a number of other all life stages products that are also considered safe for puppies. The brand also offers products that are labeled adult maintenance. These should not be fed to puppies. View The Dog Food Advisors best puppy foods here.

Is NutriSource considered a healthy dog food?

Every NutriSource recipe meets 100% of the nutrient requirements published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Each is considered complete and balanced for the specific life stage indicated on the package based on standards published by the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science.

More NutriSource Dog Food Reviews

Here are more NutriSource reviews published by The Dog Food Advisor on this website.

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A Final Word

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